ParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.comParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.com/media/feedlogo.gifParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.comen-usCopyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Rachel Zoe Working on Children's Fashion Collectionhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/29/rachel-zoe-working-on-childrens-fashion-collection/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/29/rachel-zoe-working-on-childrens-fashion-collection/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/29/rachel-zoe-working-on-childrens-fashion-collection/#commentsFiled under: ,

When one of the world's best-known fashion stylists has a baby, you just know a children's line can't be far behind.

And, so is the case with Rachel Zoe. The reality show star who dresses celebs like Anne Hathaway, Cameron Diaz and Kate Hudson on Bravo's "The Rachel Zoe Project," is a new mom to Skyler, 4, months, with hubby Rodger Berman, and she tells ABC's "Nightline" she is working on a kiddie collection.

"Let me tell you, there is going to be a lot of boys' clothes in my line," she tells the news show.

Of course, Skyler, naturally, already has an amazing collection of clothes. His closet, shown on "Nightline," is, as Zoe would say, ba-na-nas. Huge and filled with the usual stuff -- you know, Missoni sweaters here, a Gucci bomber jacket there -- she tells the show he is fully dressed until age 2.

It won't be the first collection for the stylist. Zoe already sells affordable styles on QVC and plans to launch an upscale collection of clothing and bags this fall, according to "Nightline."

"Every day I wake up thinking, what can I do next and what more can I do?" she tells the show. "With my husband by my side, and now Skyler, my son, and the team that I have, I feel like anything is possible."

But while motherhood has changed her lifestyle -- and some of her clothing choices -- she tells the show you won't catch her in sweats. "But you will catch me in less jewelry," she says, adding that she will hold Skyler when she's wearing her trademark 6-inch heels, but she won't walk with him while she's in them.

Zoe does have some advice for moms when it comes to fashion.

"Wear your clothes," she tells "Nightline." "What are you saving up for? I'm wearing my sequins at 12 noon to lunch, and I'm wearing, you know, five cocktail rings to the supermarket."

And new moms should think functional.

"Chunky jewelry and sky-high heels are reserved for night," Zoe tells the show. "During the day you have to keep it minimal. You need to be realistic. I can't honestly hold my son, feed him and push a stroller in a sequin ball gown and 6-inch Atwoods, as much as I would love to."

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]]>childrens fashionfashionkid clothesrachel zoerachel zoe babyskyler bermanLesley KennedyFri, 29 Jul 2011 11:00:00 ESTCeleb Clan Close-Up: Brooke Shields and Her Pretty Babieshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/28/celeb-clan-close-up-brooke-shields-and-her-pretty-babies/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/28/celeb-clan-close-up-brooke-shields-and-her-pretty-babies/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/28/celeb-clan-close-up-brooke-shields-and-her-pretty-babies/#commentsFiled under: ,

Brooke Shields and her family hit the blue carpet at "The Smurfs" premiere. Credit: Steve Sands, bauergriffinonline.com

Brooke Shields just seems to get better looking with age. The 46-year-old stunner hit the appropriately colored blue carpet recently for the New York premiere of "The Smurfs," which opens nationwide Friday.

With her were her funnyman hubby, Chris Henchy, and their daughters Rowan, 7, and Grier, 5.

We love the matching mother and daughter clutches. Smurf-tastic!

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]]>brooke shieldschris henchygreer henchyrowan henchysmurfsLesley KennedyThu, 28 Jul 2011 14:30:00 ESTSelma Blair Names Son Arthur Sainthttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/27/selma-blair-names-son-arthur-saint/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/27/selma-blair-names-son-arthur-saint/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/27/selma-blair-names-son-arthur-saint/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Selma Blair. Credit: Getty Images

She's been making moms envious for months, with her pretty amazing pregnancy style, but actress Selma Blair will soon be back to regular clothes following the birth of her son, Arthur Saint Bleick.

People magazine reports the boy was born July 25 to Blair, 39, and her boyfriend, Jason Bleick, a fashion designer, weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces.

In other celebrity baby news:

Neil Patrick Harris tells Parade magazine he and partner David kept the pregnancy of their 9-month-old twins Gideon and Harper under wraps during the filming of his upcoming "Smurfs" movie.

"When we were filming the movie, [David and I] were about five or six months pregnant and we weren't telling anybody. When the script came my way, we had just started that process, so it felt like good timing. It was certainly easy to film things like looking at an ultrasound photo and feeling what emotion that brings. It was a nice little secret moment."

Jessica Alba tells Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show" that her baby is due "soon, very soon." And that her 3-year-old daughter, Honor, is "excited."

"She says she's gonna actually be the mommy, I'm gonna be the grandma. That's the way that she phrases it," Alba says on the show. "My girlfriend asked her, 'are you excited about being a big sister?' And she's like, 'yeah, because I'm gonna be a grown up, I'm gonna drink vino and drive."

And Pippa Middleton is sparking a baby naming trend. Read about it here.

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]]>arthur saintceleb babiesjessica albaneil patrick harrisselma blairselma blair babysmurfsLesley KennedyWed, 27 Jul 2011 15:30:00 ESTCeleb Clan Close-Up: Tori Spelling and Familyhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/20/tori-spelling-and-family/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/20/tori-spelling-and-family/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/20/tori-spelling-and-family/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott hit the red carpet with their kids. Credit: David Livingston, Getty

Just like the name of their reality show, Hollywood is home sweet home for actress Tori Spelling, her actor hubby Dean McDermott and their cutie pie kids Liam, 4, and Stella, 3.

The family posed on the red carpet recently at the 29th annual Gay & Lesbian Film Festival's premiere of "Hoarders: Untold sTORI," a silly spoof from the comedy site FunnyorDie, in Hollywood, Calif.

Spelling, pregnant with the couple's third baby, looked lovely in a peach gown, coordinating with McDermott's yellow shirt. And the kids? Fashion divas in the making.

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]]>celeb styledean mcdermotttori spellingLesley KennedyWed, 20 Jul 2011 13:00:00 ESTKatie Holmes Says Suri Will Likely Be an Actresshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/14/katie-holmes-suri-cruise/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/14/katie-holmes-suri-cruise/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/14/katie-holmes-suri-cruise/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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Katie Holmes takes Suri Cruise to a play date. Credit: OHPIX/bauergriffinonline.com

You often read interviews with actors and actresses who claim they would hate for their children to enter showbiz. But not Katie Holmes.

The mom to Suri Cruise, 5, and wife of Hollywood royalty Tom Cruise, tells InStyle magazine she envisions her daughter doing lots of different things in life, including catching the acting bug.

"She's an amazing athlete, singer and dancer, and I think she'll probably be an actress," Holmes tells the magazine. Here's more from her interview in the InStyle August issue:

On pregnancy rumors: "I'm not pregnant. I had bad posture. And I was having a fat day!"

On parenting choices: "I have to be a good parent in my own heart first. I'm not going to choose making people happy over doing the right thing for my child."

On a sibling for Suri: "I don't feel pressure to do that. We already have a very big family: a full household with cousins who are over a lot, and she has her friends. My biggest thing is making sure she's fully taken care of and doing well."

On Suri's style: "I do not dress her. She dresses herself! Obviously, I buy her clothes, but she is the one who puts her outfits together. In fact, she helps me. If she likes something of mine, I know it's good."

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]]>instylekatie holmessuri cruisetom cruiseLesley KennedyThu, 14 Jul 2011 12:00:00 ESTIt's a Posh, $900 Stroller for Victoria Beckham's Baby Girlhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/13/posh-stroller-victoria-beckham/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/13/posh-stroller-victoria-beckham/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/13/posh-stroller-victoria-beckham/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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Brand of Harper Beckham's new stroller. Credit: Icandyuk.com

When your mom's nickname is Posh, it's probably a given that you'll experience the finer things in life -- even when you're way, way too young to realize, or appreciate, them.

Eonline reports that Victoria Beckham, aka Posh Spice, bought her daughter, Harper, born July 10, a $900 stroller. The brand: iCandy Peach. The color: Lilac. Now, the stroller normally comes in the colors sweet pea, black jack and tomato, according to the entertainment site, but Beckham's stroller was custom colorized in the same purplish hue used in her British baby shower.

After having three boys, we suspect Beckham is ready to spoil her little girl -- Suri Cruise? Consider yourself warned. There's a new fashion baby in town.

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]]>baby strollerharper beckhamicandy strollerposh spicevictoria beckhamLesley KennedyWed, 13 Jul 2011 13:30:00 ESTJewel Gives Birth to Baby Boyhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/12/jewel-gives-birth/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/12/jewel-gives-birth/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/12/jewel-gives-birth/#commentsFiled under: , ,

jewel and ty murray

Jewel, right, and her husband,Ty Murray. Credit: Chris Pizzello, AP

Jewel has something new to sing about. The Grammy-nominated singer and her husband, pro bull rider and former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant Ty Murray, had a baby boy July 11.

Kase Townes Murray was born in Texas and weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces, People reports.

"Ty and I are so pleased to welcome our new baby boy into the world," Jewel, 36, tells the magazine. "We are overcome with happiness -- it really is as great as everyone told us it would be -- better even!"

According to People, Jewel first learned of her pregnancy on her first day as co-host of the reality show "Platinum Hit" on Bravo.

Jewel and Murray live on a farm in Stephenville, Texas, the magazine reports, and the new mom is recording "The Merry Goes 'Round," an album for children, appropriately enough.

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]]>celeb babyjeweljewel babyty murrayLesley KennedyTue, 12 Jul 2011 11:00:00 ESTCeleb Baby Update: Kate Hudson, Victoria Beckham Give Birthhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/11/kate-hudson-victoria-beckham-give-birth/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/11/kate-hudson-victoria-beckham-give-birth/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/11/kate-hudson-victoria-beckham-give-birth/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

kate hudson victoria beckham

Kate Hudson and Victoria Beckham both welcomed their newborns to the world this weekend. Credit: Getty Images

Two new soon-to-be famous tots entered the world over the weekend, as actress Kate Hudson gave birth to a baby boy July 9 and singer/fashion designer Victoria Beckham welcomed a baby girl to her brood on July 10.

Hudson, 32, who is engaged to Matthew Bellamy, 33, of the band Muse, gave birth in Los Angeles, People reports. The boy's name hasn't been released, but he joins big brother Ryder, 7, whose dad is Chris Robinson from the Black Crowes.

Beckham, 37, and her soccer star hubby David Beckham, 36, broke their all-boy streak, with the birth of Harper Seven, also born in Los Angeles, according to People. She has three big brothers -- Brooklyn, 12, Romeo, 8, and Cruz, 6.

As for the little girl's name, the magazine reports Victoria Beckham has always love the English name Harper, and Seven is a bow to the lucky, spiritual number. People adds Harper weighed seven pounds, 10 ounces, and was born in the seventh hour of the seventh month on the seventh day of the week. And, then, of course, David Beckham's jersey number was seven when he played for Manchester United.

No word on whether the couple was also fans of the "Seinfeld" episode where George wanted to name his future child Seven.

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]]>celeb babiescelebrity babiesdavid beckhamharper severkate hudsonkate hudson babyvictoria beckhamvictoria beckham babyLesley KennedyMon, 11 Jul 2011 12:30:00 ESTOctomom Speaks Out: 'I'm the Ultimate Societal Scapegoat'http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/08/octomom-speaks-out/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/08/octomom-speaks-out/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/08/octomom-speaks-out/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Nadya Suleman, aka the Octomom, appeared on NBC's Today for her first on-air interview since she gave birth to octuplets two-and-a-half years ago.

The single mom of 14 brought a taste of her daily life to the morning show as her toddlers ran around the set, falling and taking over Matt Lauer's anchor chair. Suleman attributed their high jinks to only getting two hours of sleep on their way to New York City.

The cost of raising her "village," as she calls it? About $15,000 a month, Today reports. Suleman says she finally is able to make ends meet after securing professional management just last month -- and by appearing in celebrity boxing matches.

Despite buzz in the media, Suleman says she has never been on public assistance.

In Touch magazine reported that, in an interview she said, "I hate babies, they disgust me. My older six are animals, getting more and more out of control, because I have no time to properly discipline them. ... Obviously, I love them -- but I absolutely wish I had not had them."

Suleman denies the report completely and tells Today that she is considering suing the magazine for slander. "I love my children. I would do anything for my kids,'' she says.

This isn't the first time the public has been outraged by Suleman's behavior. She received hundreds of death threats when the octuplets were born and says she developed debilitating panic attacks as a result. Exercising and working toward a license as a fitness trainer has helped her cope with the stress.

"That's been my way to self-medicate, through exercise,'' she tells Today.

And, as far as a social life, Suleman says she'd rather not go out in public these days. "I don't have Internet,'' she said. "I don't socialize. I keep to myself as much as humanly possible."

She adds that she could have avoid more public criticism if she were in a relationship. "If I had a mate, that would have defused a lot of the animosity,'' she said. "I'm the ultimate societal scapegoat, I believe.''

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]]>nadya sulemanoctomomoctomom nadya sulemanoctupletsJessica SamakowFri, 08 Jul 2011 11:30:00 ESTNatalie Portman Reveals Baby Namehttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/07/natalie-portman-baby-name/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/07/natalie-portman-baby-name/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/07/natalie-portman-baby-name/#commentsFiled under: , ,

natalie portman

Pregnant Natalie Portman in January. Credit: Christopher Polk, Wire Image

Weeks after Natalie Portman gave birth to a boy, she and fiance Benjamin Millepied have finally revealed the name of their son. Drum roll please...

The chosen name: Aleph, People magazine reports.

And what does Aleph mean exactly?

"Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, much like alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet," reports the magazine. "Its esoteric meaning in Judaic Kabbalah, as denoted in the theological treaty Sefer-ha-Bahir, relates to the origin of the universe, the 'primordial one that contains all numbers.' "

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]]>natalie Portmannatalie portman babynatalie portman baby nameJessica SamakowThu, 07 Jul 2011 11:00:00 ESTKate Middleton's Baby Comment Suggests Parenthood for Royal Couplehttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/05/kate-middleton-baby/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/05/kate-middleton-baby/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/05/kate-middleton-baby/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Watch: William and Kate tour Canada!
royal tour canada

Prince William and his wife, Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, smile in the state landau in Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island as they continue their Royal Tour of Canada, Monday, July 4, 2011. Credit: AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty

Just four simple words spoken by Kate Middleton were enough to spark an international conversation.

The newly minted Duchess of Cambridge visited Quebec recently with her husband, Prince William, and one man wished Middleton well in starting a family, according to the Daily Telegraph. Her response, "Yes, I hope to," has the press buzzing that a baby -- and heir to the throne -- may soon be in the cards.

Though her comment was brief, it was the first time she had spoken publicly about having children, the Telegraph reports.

Now, tabloids and news outlets alike are splashing headlines like the Daily Express, "KATE: I WANT TO START A FAMILY."

An exaggeration, perhaps, but because "royal couples typically have children early on in marriage," according to the Telegraph, it might be a good idea to start watching out for that royal baby bump.

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]]>Kate Middletonkate middleton babyroyal babyroyal coupleJessica SamakowTue, 05 Jul 2011 10:30:00 ESTJuly 4th Memories from Marlo Thomashttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/01/july-4th-marlo-thomas/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/01/july-4th-marlo-thomas/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/01/july-4th-marlo-thomas/#commentsFiled under: , ,

"When I was growing up you were allowed to have fireworks in your own backyard. And at my house we always had fireworks on the 4th of July."

Don't miss from Marlo Thomas:

Family First, from Kelly Ripa
Kelly Ripa talks about the most important part of her life - her family.

Stepmothers - Your Turn
When I realized I was going to have the title of "stepmother," I thought, "Oh, no, I don't want to be one of those!" In fairy tales and children's stories, stepmothers are usually villains. I had to figure out how to be a nice one, a good one. The first step was becoming a true and trusted friend; the rest followed.

Adoptive Grandparenting
A friend recently told me that her son and daughter-in-law were adopting a baby - and she confided that she was worried about how to be a good grandparent to a child that wasn't biologically related to her. I could see that she was really struggling with it, so I asked Dr. Dale Atkins, an expert in family relationships, what advice she had to give.

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]]>july 4thjuly 4th memoriesmarlo thomasthe editors at MarloThomas.comFri, 01 Jul 2011 09:00:00 ESTCharlie Sheen Child Support to Be Docked From Wages, Judge Ordershttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/29/sheen-child-support/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/29/sheen-child-support/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/29/sheen-child-support/#commentsFiled under: , ,

WATCH: When Charlie Sheen's kids were removed.
sheen child support

A judge has ordered Charlie Sheen's former bosses to garnish $55,000 a month for child support. Credit: AP

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A judge has ordered Charlie Sheen's former bosses to garnish $55,000 a month for child support from any payments they make to the former "Two and a Half Men" star.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Hank Goldberg on Friday approved a request by Brooke Mueller Sheen to garnish any payments Warner Bros. Television makes to her ex-husband.

The former couple was divorced on May 2, about two months after Warner Bros' fired Sheen from "Men." The actor and the studio have been fighting over payments ever since.

The hefty monthly payments are intended to support the Sheens' twin sons and were part of a divorce settlement they reached earlier this year.

The actor's spokesman Larry Solters declined to comment. Brooke Sheen's attorney did not immediately return a phone message.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

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Charlie Sheen Has His Kids Removed

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]]>charlie sheensheen child supportAssociated PressWed, 29 Jun 2011 10:00:00 ESTTeri Hatcher On Ending Childhood Hungerhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/28/teri-hatcher-bread-art-project/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/28/teri-hatcher-bread-art-project/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/28/teri-hatcher-bread-art-project/#commentsFiled under: ,

teri hatcher

Teri Hatcher has lent her image and support to the Bread Art Project. Credit: Getty Images

Teri Hatcher is toast.

And that's perfectly fine with the actress perhaps best known for playing Susan Mayer on "Desperate Housewives" and Lois Lane on "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman."

Of course, many also will recall her appearance as Jerry's curvaceous girlfriend on "Seinfeld," when she delivered the classic line: "They're real ... and they're spectacular."

These days, however, the busy actress and mother is striving to end childhood hunger. Hatcher, 46, has lent her image and support to the Bread Art Project, an effort by the nonprofit Grains Food Foundation to benefit Share Our Strength and raise money and awareness about childhood hunger issues.

And it all comes back to toast.

The campaign's website features various images appearing on digital toast, with a number of the toasty images featuring Hatcher -- there is even an homage to her line from "Seinfeld."

Anyone can put an image on virtual toast via the site at no cost, and, when they do, campaign organizers kick in a dollar to fight childhood hunger. But they had better do it quickly. The main part of the campaign ends this week.

Coincidentally, " Burnt Toast and Other Philosophies of Life" is the name of the book Hatcher wrote in 2006.

Hatcher talked with ParentDish about the Bread Art Project and childhood hunger.

ParentDish: How did you find out about the project and what inspired you to get involved?
Teri Hatcher: The Grand Foods Foundation actually invited me to be a part of the campaign -- and I am glad they did!

The Grain Foods Foundation, Share Our Strength and I believe that hungry families need nutritious food -- not just enough food. I agreed to be a part of the Bread Art Project to help share this message. We need to educate families how to prepare healthy meals on limited budgets -- and grain-based foods are affordable and nutritious pantry staples.

Whole and enriched grains have always been an important part of my diet. I admit it: I love bread! Which is another reason why I was initially drawn to this project.

PD: Is there any connection between your involvement in the project and the message of your book, "Burnt Toast"?
TH: That was pure coincidence. Interestingly enough, the theme that I aimed to convey in my book was that we deserve good things. We deserve to take time for ourselves and treat ourselves well. And that certainly includes making time to eat well. And grains are the foundation to any healthy diet.

PD: Did you create your toast art images yourself?
TH: Yes! And I must warn you, it's addicting.

I uploaded pictures of myself, my pets and some of my favorite photos. Then I shaded each image -- or "toasted" it. I love arts and crafts, so I took it a step further and also created a flipbook. My flipbook was 40 frames of me disco dancing. Press play, and it comes to life.

PD: What do people need to know -- or perhaps have forgotten -- about childhood hunger?
TH: Nearly 17 million American children -- that's almost one in four -- struggle with hunger. That's simply unacceptable. The Bread Art Project is an easy way to help.

To understand the impact of childhood hunger, consider this: Children who struggle with hunger are sick more often, recover more slowly and are more likely to be hospitalized. They are more likely to experience headaches, stomachaches, colds, ear infections and fatigue. Lastly, children who face hunger are more susceptible to obesity and its harmful health consequences as children and as adults.

PD: How can people help with the project?
TH: Participation is free and easy. All you need to do is visit www.BreadArtProject.com and follow the instructions to make bread art. Just go and be creative. For every piece of bread art that is approved, the Grain Foods Foundation will donate $1 to Share Our Strength this week.

Also, to help put a face on the nation's hunger issue, the Grain Foods Foundation has created the Face Hunger application, which allows Facebook users to apply the one-in-four-child-hungry statistic to their friends. To find out what it would look like if one in four of your friends went hungry, visit facebook.com/gowiththegrain.

PD: Have you been able to meet any of children helped by Share Our Strength and the Bread Art Project?
TH: Yes, as a matter of fact, the Grain Foods Foundation and I kicked off the Bread Art Project in Los Angeles at the Harriette Evans Shields Childcare Center, an affiliate of the Center for Community and Family Services in Los Angeles.

The center serves pre-kindergarten aged children and offers a comprehensive educational program, along with nutritious meals, for all students.

At the event, (were) a number of children who are students at the center. We made sandwiches together. They loved the hands-on involvement -- and, of course, eating the sandwiches for lunch!

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]]>bred art projectchildhood hungerhungershare our strengthteri hatcherTom HendersonTue, 28 Jun 2011 15:00:00 ESTVideo: Kid Calls Mom from Obama's Limohttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/24/video-kid-calls-mom-from-obamas-limo/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/24/video-kid-calls-mom-from-obamas-limo/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/24/video-kid-calls-mom-from-obamas-limo/#commentsFiled under: ,

Earlier this week, we saw President Obama soothe a crying baby after the first lady had no such luck. Mr. Prez shows his soft side for kids once again when he advises this young boy to call his mom -- and leave a voicemail when she doesn't pick up. We're betting mom wishes she hadn't missed that call!

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]]>obamapresident obamaJessica SamakowFri, 24 Jun 2011 16:30:00 ESTCeleb Clan Close-Up: Sheryl Crow and Wyatthttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/24/sheryl-crow-and-wyatt/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/24/sheryl-crow-and-wyatt/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/24/sheryl-crow-and-wyatt/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Crow and son Wyatt hit the "Cars 2" Los Angeles premiere. Credit: Jeffrey Mayer, WireImage


Rockin' mama Sheryl Crow made her kids happy over the weekend, when she took them to the Los Angeles premiere of "Cars 2."

Crow was chic in jeans and a black tuxedo jacket, while her 4-year-old son Wyatt was just cute as can be. We hear the singer's younger son, Levi James, 1, was also in tow.

They joined a slew of celeb fans at the movie's opening, including Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Emily Mortimer and Eddie Izzard (voices in the animated flick), "Modern Family" stars Sarah Hyland and Rico Rodriguez, Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld, rocker Anthony Kiedis and soap star and "The Biggest Loser" host Alison Sweeney.

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]]>cars 2movie premiereSherylCrowLesley KennedyFri, 24 Jun 2011 12:00:00 ESTCeleb Clan Close-Up: Rachel Zoe and Familyhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/22/rachel-zoe-and-family/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/22/rachel-zoe-and-family/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/22/rachel-zoe-and-family/#commentsFiled under:

rachel zoe

Rachel Zoe, Rodger Berman and baby Skyler hit the red carpet. Credit: Jason LaVeris, FilmMagic

Oh, come on, now. You'd be pretty surprised if a photo of celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe and her husband, Rodger Berman, and son, Skyler Morrison Berman, wasn't oozing with good fashion sense.

The trio was snapped while attending a launch party for the Petit Tresor home collection for Babies R Us in West Hollywood, Calif., last week.

The ever-stylish Zoe wore her trademark giant sunglasses while dad Berman donned his usual scarf. And for 3-month-old baby Skyler? Why, a Missoni sweater, of course.

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]]>celeb stylerachel zoerodger bermanskylar bermanLesley KennedyWed, 22 Jun 2011 16:00:00 ESTA Conversation With Jennifer Garner on Save the Children With AdviceMamahttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/21/jennifer-garner-save-the-children/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/21/jennifer-garner-save-the-children/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/21/jennifer-garner-save-the-children/#commentsFiled under: ,

jennifer garner save the children

Jennifer Garner picks veggies with kids to kick off Frigidaire's Kids' Cooking Academy Summer Session in support of Save the Children. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images for Frigidaire

As ParentDish's AdviceMama, I'm privileged to hear from parents around the world who are trying to do their best for their children. Whether the question is about getting a son to try harder on his homework, or helping a daughter handle problems with friends, I am touched by how dedicated our readers are to helping their children thrive and succeed in life.

For some children, however, these kinds of issues are secondary to more pressing challenges. In the United States, one out of six children lives in poverty. Save the Children is an organization that is taking practical steps to address the needs of children in these disadvantaged situations.

Recently, I spoke with actress Jennifer Garner, the artistic ambassador for Save the Children, as well as a passionate advocate of helping ensure all children are given the head start in life they deserve. I came away from our conversation with a painful awareness of the gap between children growing up in middle classes and those living below the poverty line. But I also felt hopeful, and inspired to do more -- especially with the many opportunities available for us to help close that gap.

As we began talking, Garner told me when a child grows up in poverty, by the time he or she is 4 years old, the child is developmentally 18 months behind. And, statistics show, children who are not kindergarten-ready are unlikely to graduate from high school.

"We all love our kids and we all want to do a good job," Garner says. "It doesn't take money to be a good mother, but it does take someone showing you what to do. We simply aren't born with that knowledge."

Garner says she understands that early childhood education isn't about trying to teach preschoolers how to read.

"The brain has to learn how to learn," she says. "These children may not even know what letters are; they may have never even held a book."

U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) recently introduced a bill that would increase funding of early childhood education to include a year of pre-kindergarten across the country.

"For every $1 we invest in high-quality early childhood development programs, our society sees a return of $16," Mikulski, chairwoman of the HELP Subcommittee on Children and Families, says in a press release announcing the legislation.

Garner tells me that if we can increase money distributed to early childhood education on the federal and state levels -- as well as through corporations such as Frigidaire, who participate in a fundraising efforts for Save the Children -- we can reach kids from birth to break the cycle of poverty through education.

Gowalla, a mobile phone application, offers yet another way to participate: When you visit your local farmer's market, simply check in through the app and Frigidaire will donate a dollar toward its $500,000 commitment to Save the Children.

Finally, you can sponsor a child at Savethechildren.org and keep track of how your small contribution is making a practical difference in the life of the child you're helping.

As Garner put it, you'll see pictures of "your" child -- often from a town not far from your own -- and realize how much he or she looks like your own son or daughter.

"It makes the problem -- and the solution -- real and human," she says.

AdviceMama, Susan Stiffelman, is a licensed and practicing psychotherapist and marriage and family therapist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in developmental psychology and a Master of Arts in clinical psychology. Her book, Parenting Without Power Struggles, is available on Amazon. Sign up to get Susan's free parenting newsletter.

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]]>frigidairejennifer garnerSave the ChildrenSusan Stiffelman, MFTTue, 21 Jun 2011 10:30:00 ESTJennie Finch Names Son Diesel Dean Daiglehttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/20/jennie-finch-names-son-diesel-dean-daigle/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/20/jennie-finch-names-son-diesel-dean-daigle/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/20/jennie-finch-names-son-diesel-dean-daigle/#commentsFiled under: ,

jennie finch

Jennie Finch welcomed another baby boy, Diesel Dean Daigle, on June 19th. Credit: AP

When softball phenom named her first son Ace, we got it. She is a pitching ace, after all. But when she announced her second son would be called Diesel Dean Daigle? Well, somebody call the alliteration police!

Finch, 30, gave birth to the boy June 19 (dad is Casey Daigle), People reports, and she tells the magazine the family is "beyond blessed." More alliteration!

"Casey and I are excited for our sweet precious Baby D!" she tells People. "Ace couldn't be any more pumped to be a big brother to Diesel."

In other celeb baby news, the magazine reports actress Nia Long and model Maggie Rizer are both expecting. And, remember when we reported on the first Duggar grandson's birth last week? His name was announced on the TLC special "19 Kids: First Grandson." The name is ... drum roll, please ... Michael.

Kinda boring after Diesel, don't ya think?

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]]>baby namesceleb baby namesdiesel dean daigleduggar grandsonjennie finchLesley KennedyMon, 20 Jun 2011 16:30:00 ESTObama Ponders Life as Father of Teenage Daughterhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/17/obama-daughter/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/17/obama-daughter/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/17/obama-daughter/#commentsFiled under: ,

malia obama

Malia Obama will turn 13 next month. Credit: Pool, Getty Images

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama concedes he's nervous about his daughter Malia turning 13 next month, but says "I'm not anticipating complete mayhem."

In an ABC interview, Obama describes both Malia and younger sister Sasha as smart and funny and says "they're kind, they are respectful."

Asked how he would feel about Malia starting to date, the president quipped, in a reference to the Secret Service, that "I have men with guns who surround them all the time ... and it means they never get in a car with a boy who had a beer."

Obama says he might ask Malia's date "what his GPA is" and what his intentions and career plans are. But he quickly adds that if the girls are watching the interview, "I'm just joking."

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

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]]>Malia ObamaobamaSasha ObamaAssociated PressFri, 17 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST