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/P'kolino Little One's Art Easelhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/28/pkolino-little-ones-art-easel/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/28/pkolino-little-ones-art-easel/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/28/pkolino-little-ones-art-easel/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The P'kolino Little One's Art Easel is two-sided for double the fun. Credit: pkolino.com

Want to foster your kids' love of art, but get tired of picking up loose pieces of paper and broken crayons off the floor all the time? Set them up with an art easel!

This new double-sided easel from P'kolino allows two children to create at the same time. One side has a chalkboard, the other a whiteboard. Just add a paper roll when the lil' ones feel inspired to make their drawings more permanent.

P'kolino Little One's Art Easel is available Aug. 15, but can be preordered now, $80, at pkolino.com.


Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>art easeleaselkids artpkolinoLesley KennedyThu, 28 Jul 2011 14:00:00 ESTFish Eyes Rod and Reel With Underwater Video Camerahttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/26/fish-eyes-rod-and-reel-with-underwater-video-camera/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/26/fish-eyes-rod-and-reel-with-underwater-video-camera/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/26/fish-eyes-rod-and-reel-with-underwater-video-camera/#commentsFiled under: ,

See what you're catching with this camera rod and reel from FishEyes. Credit: Amazon.com

Gone fishin' with the kids yet this summer? What are you waiting for? Say you don't really have a great rod and reel for the little ones to use? No excuses: Here's the FishEyes Rod and Reel with Underwater Video Camera.

Yep, the name may be about as long as that giant bass you supposedly hooked last time out, but it's totally worth the extra breath.

An underwater video camera transmits live footage to an LCD full color screen, so kids can see the fish and other underwater life. A removable sun shade means the harsh light won't stop the viewing fun.

FishEyes works on the dock, in a lake or in the ocean and comes with two bait baskets, two sinkers and 10 line attachment clip sets. Get ready for some wild fish tales. At amazon.com, $80.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>fisheyes rod and reelfishingfishing pollunderwater cameravideo cameraLesley KennedyTue, 26 Jul 2011 14:00:00 ESTBizzyboardhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/20/bizzyboard/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/20/bizzyboard/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/20/bizzyboard/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Get organized with a Bizzyboard. Credit: Bizzyboard.com

We don't know about you, but we live and die by a family calendar. If you don't already have a system that works for your busy brood, it's time to get one, and Bizzyboard is a great place to start.

This weekly planner allows you to post everyone's agenda, and, with colorful, picture magnets, even little non-readers can see a birthday, dentist appointment or trip to the museum is coming up.

The magnetic dry erase board includes 220 magnetic pictograms and has plenty of room to add to-do lists and other messages. Additional magnets sets are also available, with themes ranging from sports to holidays to school.

Get Bizzyboard, $199, at bizzyboard.com.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>bizzyboardfamily calendargetting organizedorganizationLesley KennedyWed, 20 Jul 2011 14:00:00 ESTreCrib.comhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/12/recrib/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/12/recrib/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/12/recrib/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The new website reCrib brings buyers and sellers of items for kids and babies together. Credit: reCrib.com

Having to spend a lot of money on stuff for kids and babies can be frustrating -- especially when they grow out of clothes, move on to new toys and seem to go from the bassinet to a big-kid bed with lightning speed.

So, why not save by shopping sites like reCrib.com? The new website is a place for parents to buy and sell gently used baby and kids gear, including cribs, beds, changing tables, dressers, strollers, highchairs, car seats, bouncy seats and more.

The goods are high-quality and include sought-after labels such as Bugaboo, DwellStudio, Oeuf, Maclaren, Stokke, Graco, Netto Collection, Peg Perego and lots more.

Want to sell some of your old stuff? Just upload a photo and description and reCrib will connect you with the buyer.

Now, all that cash you'll save -- or recoup -- can to to other things -- like buying diapers, or school supplies or ...

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>baby gearconsignment shoppingcribskid gearkids websiterecribrecrib.comLesley KennedyTue, 12 Jul 2011 14:00:00 ESTGeoPalz Activity Trackerhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/07/geopalz-activity-tracker/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/07/geopalz-activity-tracker/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/07/geopalz-activity-tracker/#commentsFiled under: ,

Start stepping! Credit: geopalz.com

Who said using a pedometer was just for parents? Kids need exercise, too, and the GeoPalz Activity Tracker will have them begging to get moving.

The pedometers come in cute and cool styles -- think rock 'n' roll, fantasy, sports and more -- and they allow parents to track steps, weight, height, calories burned and calories consumed for the entire family. Just log everyone's steps on the GeoPalz website, and they'll be converted into points that that can be redeemed for prizes and certificates.

Teach 'em early that fitness is fun seems like a pretty great idea to us.

GeoPalz Activity Tracker, $19.99, at geopalz.com.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>geopalzgeopalz activity trackerskids fitnesspedometerLesley KennedyThu, 07 Jul 2011 14:00:00 ESTLeapFrog Brings iPad Technology to the Preschool Crowdhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/29/leapfrog-ipad/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/29/leapfrog-ipad/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/29/leapfrog-ipad/#commentsFiled under: ,

leappad

Credit: Leapfrog.com

Researchers estimate kids ages 8 to 18 spend almost every hour they are not eating, sleeping or attending school with cells phones, computers, televisions and other electronic devices.

You realize what this means, of course: Kids are spending far too much time eating and sleeping. Not only that, our machine overlords need to do a better job of assimilating children under 8.

LeapFrog to the rescue.

The New York Times reports the company which makes electronic books for kids (the most successful educational toy ever made, by the way) is coming out with the next generation of LeapPad -- it's basically an iPad for kids.

Company executives unveiled their new tablet computer June 28. This is not your older brother's LeapPad, though. That old clunker was a plastic console that merely turned paper books into talking books; how late 20th century?

The Times reports this new LeapPad comes with a 5-inch touch screen, still and video camera, microphone, 2GB of memory and a $100 price tag. It enables kids ages 4 to 9 to create their own stories and personalize them with photos of themselves and their friends. LeapFrog execs promise to add more bells and whistles over time.

According to The Times, LeapFrog made a big splash in the market in 1999 but began to decline. Company executives hope this is their chance to leap back.

"We lost direction for a few years," Chief Executive John Barbour tells The Times. "We are coming back. We are going to be the leader in this space."

Barbour adds the new LeapPad, available in August, returns the company its roots. "The essence of what we do is develop children's entertainment that has proven curricula built into it and makes learning fun," he tell The Times.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>leapfrogLeapFrog LeapPad iPad Technology Children Talking BooksleappadTom HendersonWed, 29 Jun 2011 13:00:00 ESTHow to Limit What Kids Watch on TVhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/29/how-to-limit-what-kids-watch-on-tv/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/29/how-to-limit-what-kids-watch-on-tv/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/29/how-to-limit-what-kids-watch-on-tv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Limit What Kids Watch

Limit the amount of time your child spends in front of screen with the help of these tips! Credit: Getty Images

Between the computer, the TV, the DS, and the Wii, a lot of screens are vying for your kids' attention. Parents try lots of different things to limit screen time -- everything from outright bans to "only on weekends" to setting a timer. Being The Enforcer of Screen Time Limits may solve your "right now" goal of getting kids to turn off. But raising kids with an understanding of healthy screen limits and the ability to self-regulate takes a little more work.

Like everything in parenting, media management is a process -- one that requires balancing your long-range goals with the daily reality of the various devices in your kids' lives. Here's an age-by-age media-management plan with some practical tips to try along the way.

Preschool age. Creating consistent, healthy media habits starting when kids are just beginning to be exposed to screens is essential. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises no more than 1 to 2 hours per day of total screen time for children older than 2 (and zero screen time for children under 2). Use that as a maximum amount and work down from there to find the amount that feels appropriate in your family, factoring in all the things required for healthy preschool brain, body, and social development.

  • Provide distractions. Diversions work well for this age group -- and preschoolers love to help out. At dinner time, instead of busying them with the TV while you cook, ask them to sort all your pots and pans from biggest to smallest.
  • Practice togetherness. What kids this age need is a close, loving relationship with an active, involved caregiver. It's actually OK to do nothing but count dust bunnies, as long as you're together.
  • Do activities. Find a book of rainy-day activities that use household objects for easy little projects you can set up (and clean up!) easily.

Elementary and Middle school. At this age, friends take on a much more significant role in kids' lives. Kids also begin to develop their own interests -- some of which they might want to research on the computer. Explaining the reasons why you're choosing to limit screen time will help your kid begin to understand the consequences of their choices. Help them understand that spending excessive amounts of time in front of a screen impacts their ability to develop a rich and full life -- and takes precious, non-retrievable time away from all the things they need to do (like eat, sleep, do homework, read, and play sports).

  • Delegate chores. Working parents can feel guilty asking kids to do chores, but it's actually really good for them -- and it helps you, too. Just remember to keep them manageable.
  • Schedule play dates. If kids are going to use the computer or game console, invite a friend (or two) and make it social. That removes the isolating aspect of gaming, which can lead to game addiction, loss of empathy, and social withdrawal.
  • Grant privileges. Use screen time as a goal that kids have to work for.
  • Encourage creativity. If kids start exploring digital arts, encourage some of the off-line aspects, like drawing, sketching scenes, writing, costume design, etc.

High school. Teenagers still haven't developed the judgment to always make great decisions, but they're smart enough to understand the influences of risky practices. For high schoolers, you'll have more success if you explain the reasons why too much screen time is harmful. For example, too much exposure to violent video games raises aggression and lowers empathy. Your kids may actually be able to see evidence of this in their peers who spend too much time playing games.

  • Don't give up. Continue to require household participation like chores, and maybe up the ante by asking teens to make dinner once a week and do their own laundry.
  • Make quality choices. You still have a say in what they see, hear, and play. Put in your two cents about the importance of quality media.
  • Keep up grades. Pull back on screen time if grades are slipping.

Every family will have different amounts of time that they think is "enough." What's important is giving it some thought, creating age-appropriate limits (with built-in flexibility for special circumstances), making media choices you're comfortable with, and modeling responsible screen limits for your kids.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Limit What Kids Watchscreensthe editors at Common Sense MediaWed, 29 Jun 2011 09:30:00 ESTKnow that Face? Facebook Doeshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/22/facebook-face-recognition/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/22/facebook-face-recognition/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/22/facebook-face-recognition/#commentsFiled under: ,

facebook face recognition

Facebook face recognition now makes tagging your friends on Facebook easier - even the really inappropriate photos. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

No doubt about it, sharing pictures on Facebook is a major pastime for teens. And if they're careful with what they post and use privacy settings (a big if!), enjoying friends' pics is part of the fun of social networking. But Facebook's new face-recognition software can now automatically recognize people in photos -- and add their name to the picture -- dramatically increasing the number of places that your teen's photos can pop up.

How it Works


Called Tag Suggestions, the program digitally scans the faces in photos and suggests who they are so that you can tag them. The company claims that this feature makes it a lot easier for users to label and share photos. But it also makes it a lot easier for teens' online identity to get away from them.

[[See Protecting Personal Privacy Online for tips on setting privacy controls.]]

Let's say your teen daughter went to a party at a friend's last night. Everyone was taking photos and uploading them to their Facebook pages. When your teen goes to Facebook, she discovers that her exploits are broadcast for all of her friends to see. There are even some misidentified pics of particularly wild behavior that are tagged with her name but are really of someone else.

What happened? When the photos were uploaded, Facebook's Tag Suggestions automatically compared the faces in the photos to other Facebook photos they were tagged in. And while Facebook does notify users when they're tagged -- after the fact -- you still have to go in and un-tag yourself if you don't want to be identified.

[[See Photos Gone Wild for 5 tips on combatting unwanted photos.]]

Privacy Concerns

By allowing automatic tagging, Tag Suggestions erodes the measure of control that users had by looking at each photo and determining who to tag. What if you know -- but Facebook doesn't -- that one friend asked you never to tag them. Facial recognition and automatic tagging makes it a lot easier for you to forget that promise. And while there are a few privacy measures -- you can only be tagged by friends, you're notified when you're tagged, and suggestions are based only on photos you've been previously tagged in -- the setting is on by default. If you don't want your name cropping up all over your friends' pages, you have to turn the feature off.

Lots of things benefit from automatation -- dishwashing, for example. But on the Internet, where broadcasting people's images without their consent can have very public consequences, it seems fair that auto-tagging should be an opt-in feature.

Your teen can disable Tag Suggestions using the instructions below. You can also go a step further and bar Facebook from using your image to compare photos altogether by sending a note to the company.

How to Disable Tag Suggestions

From your Facebook page, click on Account.

Choose Privacy Settings.

Click on Customize Settings.

Scroll down to Things Others Share.

Next to Suggest photos of me to friends, click on Edit Settings.

Click on Disabled and click Okay.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>face recognitionfacebookfacebook taggingtagging photosthe editors at Common Sense MediaWed, 22 Jun 2011 09:00:00 ESTShould Cell Phones Go to Camp?http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/21/camp-phone-policy/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/21/camp-phone-policy/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/21/camp-phone-policy/#commentsFiled under: ,

camp phone policy

Most camps have policies. Credit: Sigrid Olson, Getty Images

Q. My 11-year-old is going to sleep-away camp, and I'm torn about letting her take her cell phone. What should I do?

A. Most camps have policies, so check those first. Sometimes camps prohibit them because they make kids more homesick if they call mom and dad every time they feel lonely.

Beyond that, part of what makes camp a special experience is the bonding that goes on among campers when they're cut off from the outside world. When your daughter can't text her friends from home, she's more likely to make lasting friendships with her bunkmates.

Plus, this is a great opportunity for her to safely develop some independence. Which actually cuts both ways: Thanks to cell phones, we're so used to being able to connect to our kids immediately that we don't often get the chance to stand back and let them deal with situations on their own. And if you're worrying about it for safety's sake, remember that you chose the camp because it was fun and responsible. Let your daughter do her thing.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>cell phonesthe editors at Common Sense MediaTue, 21 Jun 2011 15:30:00 ESTBaby Shower Gifts for Dadhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/20/baby-shower-gifts-for-dad/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/20/baby-shower-gifts-for-dad/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/20/baby-shower-gifts-for-dad/#commentsFiled under: ,

When it comes to baby showers, mom seems to be the one who is showered in gifts. But, dad deserves presents too. These dads from DadLabs asked around to find out what the best gifts for new dads are. Hint: burp cloths are not at the top of the list. Golf stuff, tools and beer seem to be common themes. Shocking, right?

Baby Shower Gifts For the Dad?

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>baby shower giftsgifts for DadJessica SamakowMon, 20 Jun 2011 17:00:00 ESTBest Road Trip Appshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/20/best-road-trip-apps/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/20/best-road-trip-apps/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/20/best-road-trip-apps/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Road Trip Apps

Long car rides can make children antsy - ease their pain with these apps! Credit: Getty Images

Road trips can be a time of family bonding and also an opportunity for whining -- these apps can help with both.


Wheels on the Bus (2010)
Classic kids' song becomes interactive in darling ways. Ages: 3+
Drawing Pad (2010)
Great drawing app for iPad is a window to self expression. Ages: 4+


Faces iMake - Premium! (2010)
Creativity blossoms in remarkably original art app. Ages 4+


Road-Trip-Bingo HD (2010)
Classic car trip game allows two people to play at once. Ages 5+


Cool Mad Libs (2010)
Fun family word game improves on the classic. Ages 7+


Pictureka! (2010)
Fast-paced searching game well-adapted from the board game. Ages 7+


Uno (2010)
Fun multiplayer game on same device, watch online play. Ages 7+


Battleship (2010)
Just like the classic board game but with big explosions. Ages 8+


Carcassonne (2010)
Great "Huddle" game on iPad about placing tiles. Ages 8+


Stack the States (2010)
Surprisingly fun geography education game. Ages 8+

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>appsRoad Trip Appsthe editors at Common Sense MediaMon, 20 Jun 2011 10:30:00 ESTCelebrate Dad's Quirks this Father's Dayhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/15/celebrate-dads-quirks-this-fathers-day/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/15/celebrate-dads-quirks-this-fathers-day/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/15/celebrate-dads-quirks-this-fathers-day/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Still scrambling for a last minute Father's Day gift? Our friend Amy Preiser at Shelterpop appeared on ABC 7 to show off unique gift ideas that dad is sure to love. Like what you see? Click here to check out Shelterpop's full gift guide!

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>fathers dayfathers day gift guidefathers day giftsJessica SamakowWed, 15 Jun 2011 10:00:00 ESTComputer Games Good for Kids' Brains, Researchers Sayhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/14/computer-games-kids-brains/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/14/computer-games-kids-brains/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/14/computer-games-kids-brains/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

computer games

The folks at Nintendo are promoting games that stimulate the mind and improve children's IQs. Credit: Getty Images

Scientists say certain computer games can boost children's reasoning and problem-solving skills, improving their grades at school in a matter of weeks.

No, "Super Mario" does not qualify.

However, the London Daily Mail reports the folks at Nintendo are promoting games that stimulate the mind and improve children's IQs. There are compelling reasons to do so, given the fresh research.

According to the newspaper, psychologists at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor tested 62 children with an average age of 8.

Half the kids played video games that tested their memories for 15 minutes a day. The games focused on their "working memory" -- the brain's ability to hold information while it solves a problem. The rest of the kids spent the same period testing their general knowledge and vocabulary.

Even three months after the test, researchers found, the kids who played the computer games were doing better on tests of abstract reasoning and problem solving.

"The current findings add to the literature demonstrating that brain training works, and that transfer effects may even persist over time," lead researcher Susanne Jaeggi tells the Mail.

But don't go out and buy your kid a new computer game just yet.

The Daily Mail adds a study two years ago at Stirling University in Scotland found some kids didn't benefit at all from using the games while others shot from the bottom to the top of their classes.

Want to get the latest ParentDish news and advice? Sign up for our newsletter!

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>computer gamesmemorynintendostudent grants and scholarshipsTom HendersonTue, 14 Jun 2011 16:00:00 ESTFather's Day Gifts: From Beer to Boots to the 'Big Lebowski,' Ideas for All Types of Dadshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/09/fathers-day-gifts/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/09/fathers-day-gifts/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/09/fathers-day-gifts/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

With Father's Day just around the corner, we've come up with a list of some seriously cool gift ideas for every type of dad. Get pops a little something to show your appreciation on the one day of the year he gets to be king.


Father's Day Gift Guide

Credit: Brookstone.com

Massaging Bed Rest, $99.95, Brookstone.com: Treat dad to a massage -- any time! The ultra-plush material with a built in massager is just what he needs to relax and rest after a hard day of work.






Father's Day Gift Guide

Credit: Brookstone.com


NFL Team Scoreboard Wall Clock, $99.95, Brookstone.com: Designed to resemble his favorite team's scoreboard, this wall clock is a great way to demonstrate your appreciation for his appreciation for his favorite team. Although you may not support his game-day role of couch potato, show him the love by housing some sports paraphernalia.



Father's Day Gift Guide

Credit: theartofshaving.com


Travel Kit & Razor, $150, theartofshaving.com: For the dad who travels frequently, this top-of-the-line shaving kit will help him beat that five o'clock shadow. The Art of Shaving compact and water-resistant Travel Kit & Razor is a necessity for a man on the go!





Father's Day Gift Guide

Credit: coolmaterial.com

Beer Bottle Glasses, $33, coolmaterial.com: Does Dad love to sip on suds to unwind when he gets home? Go green and fill up these beer glasses that are recycled from bottles. Or, for the experimental dad, how about this starter's guide, $12.23, amazon.com, on how to make his own brew?





Father's Day Gift Guide

Credit: coolmaterial.com

Rechargable Card Speaker, $73, coolmaterial.com: With all that time out of the house and on the go, it's not always easy to find time to charge your gadgets. This rechargeable card speaker charges in two hours from any USB port and can output up to five hours of audio.






Father's Day Gift Guide

Credit: thinkgeek.com

Vehicle Diagnostics for iPhone/iPad, $99.99; thinkgeek.com: For the daredevil dad who loves to put the pedal to the metal, this app connects directly to his car's engine On Board Diagnostics data and reports a number of stats directly to his iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.





Father's Day Gift Guide

Credit: etsy.com

The Big Lebowski Paper Coasters, $12, etsy.com: "The Dad abides." Get Dad these edgy coasters because, let's face it, you don't want beer stains on your coffee table and he doesn't want to make his friends use floral coasters at guys night. It's a win/win situation.



Father's Day Gift Guide

Credit: williams-sonoma.com

Wireless Remote Grilling Thermometer, $59.95, williams-sonoma.com: Dads are almost always master grillers -- or, at least they think they are. Now, instead of waiting around by the Weber to make sure he doesn't overcook the steaks, get him a wireless grilling thermometer so he be sure his meat grills to perfection.




Father's Day Gift Guide

Credit: whippingpost.com

Rock Star Wallet, $30, whippingpost.com: For the rock star dad who, in his spare time, loves to shred, this wallet has a place to keep his guitar pic -- you never know when he might need it!



Father's Day Gift Guide

Credit: coolmaterial.com

Guitar Pick Punch, $25, coolmaterial.com: Another rock star gift, this guitar pick punch can turn your old credit cards into useful tools that will have the dad in your life strumming with happiness!






Father's Day Gift Guide

Credit: timberland.com

Boots, $160, timberland.com: For dads who love the outdoors, these environmentally committed shoes will last a lifetime.






Father's Day Gift Guide

Credit: fossil.com

Work Bag, $248, fossil.com: The working dad will appreciate this masculine, long-lasting bag. Pebbled leather and a touch of canvas lend a ruggedly vintage look to Fossil's Max Messenger Bag.







Father's Day Gift Guide

Credit: thejoyfactory.com

Valet Seat Bolt Mount for iPad, $149.95, thejoyfactory.com: Safety and convenience -- what more could you ask for? The Valet Seat Bolt Mount allows dad to use his iPad in his car, hands-free. The flexible arm is easy to adjust for any height and angle, which means no more hassling and no more fumbling.




Father's Day Gift Guide

Credit: hammacher.com


GPS Ski Goggles, $499.95, hammacher.com: For dads who are die-hard snow lovers, these are the only ski goggles that track maximum, average and current speed, temperature, latitude/longitude, total vertical distance traversed and number of runs completed. Make sure he takes you along when he heads to Aspen.

Father's Day Gift Guide

Credit: etsy.com

iRetrofone for the iPhone, $250, etsy.com: For the dad who is attached to his cell phone, this iPhone dock with working handset and USB cable compatibility will be great to keep in his office, at home or work.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>cool+fathers+day+giftscoolfathersdaygiftsfathers dayfathers day giftsfathers+day+gift+ideasfathers+day+gifts+ideasfathers+day+ideasfathersdaygiftideasfathersdaygiftsideasfathersdayideasgift guideMary Kate BaumannThu, 09 Jun 2011 17:00:00 ESTSweetSeat Booster Chairhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/08/sweetseat-booster-chair/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/08/sweetseat-booster-chair/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/08/sweetseat-booster-chair/#commentsFiled under: ,

The SweetSeat is just so sweet! Credit: SweetSeat

There comes a time in the lives of most children when they will refuse to sit in a high chair, but they're still too small to sit in a regular seat at the table. It's time for a boost.

And we've found one that's just, well, sweet. The SweetSeat is a booster chair that looks like a grown-up chair. Forget the plastic seats you used as a kid. These are covered in high-quality laminate cotton, are slip-proof and will make your little one feel like part of the big-people crowd.

Available in polka dots, houndstooth, floral prints and more, the SweetSeat fits kids between 18 months and 7 years. Find them for $84 at sweet-seat.com.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>booster chairbooster seatsweetseatLesley KennedyWed, 08 Jun 2011 14:30:00 ESTBellybudshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/07/bellybuds/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/07/bellybuds/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/07/bellybuds/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Play baby music really, really early on with Bellybuds. Credit: Bellybuds.com

Some moms-to-be want their growing babies to get a head start on a love for Beethoven. For others, it's the Beatles. Or Bono. Maybe even Bjork or Bon Jovi. We don't judge.

But have you tried stretching a pair of headphones across a big pregnant belly? It's not pretty. Thank goodness for Bellybuds. The safe "bellyphones" adhere with medical-grade, skin-safe hydrogel rings that are also reusable.

They also come with a VoiceShare app so moms, dads, grandparents, siblings -- perhaps even Jon Bon Jovi -- can record messages for the wee one that Mom just downloads and plays on the buds.

If baby arrives and soon comes to appreciate Spandex and asks you to sing "Livin' on a Prayer" as a lullaby, you'll know why.

Bellybuds, $49.99, at bellybuds.com.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>baby musicbellybudsmusic in uteropregnancy musicLesley KennedyTue, 07 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EST10 Ways You're Not as Private as You Think on the Internethttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/06/10-ways-youre-not-as-private-as-you-think-on-the-internet/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/06/10-ways-youre-not-as-private-as-you-think-on-the-internet/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/06/10-ways-youre-not-as-private-as-you-think-on-the-internet/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

private

How much personal information are you really sharing? Credit: Getty

Little Ways You're Leaking Privacy

These days, so much of what you do online actually creates a record of your activities and preferences. You may not realize that you and your kids are creating permanent records that can be accessed by everyone from marketers to future employers. The stakes are high because unintentional public information can last for a very, very long time. Here are 10 ways you may be living much more publicly than you think.

10 Ways You're Not as Private as You Think

1. Allowing yourself to be publicly searchable on Facebook. Have you ever wondered if people can search for you on the Internet and find your Facebook profile? Unless you opt out of Public Search Results, they can. This goes for other social networking sites, too. Help your kids set their Facebook privacy controls.

2. Broadcasting your location. Kids can use Twitter, Foursquare, Loopt, Google Buzz, and Facebook Places to "check in" and tell people exactly where they are. When kids broadcast their whereabouts using these location-sharing programs, it not only makes them vulnerable to unwelcome personal contact, it gives away a ton of personal information to advertisers.

3. Ignoring your YouTube Activity Sharing settings. YouTube's Activity Sharing settings let you restrict all of your YouTube activities, including the videos you upload, to a closed circle of chosen friends. Review your kid's Activity Sharing settings -- and while you're at it, make sure their privacy controls are set to "only friends." And remember, regardless of your settings, anything kids upload could potentially become public, so they should never post anything they wouldn't be comfortable showing to say, grandma.

4. Using Chatroulette. This video chatting site randomly connects you to other users anywhere around the world. Chatroulette requires no registration, so anyone with a webcam can use it and do anything they want -- including tempt your kids to give away private information, take your picture, and record your conversation. Beyond that, these types of programs reduce the time between thought and action and that can be risky for kids.

5. Not talking to your kids about online privacy. Kids create lasting records of their lives whenever they post something. Nothing is private online. Once they post something, it can travel far and wide and be viewed by who knows who. Talk to them about their responsibility in guarding their own privacy.

6. Giving your baby a Facebook page. Really?

7. Neglecting to read a company's privacy policy. When you register for a site or download an app, you are accepting the company's usage of your private information. Many companies say "we won't sell your information," but there are other ways they collect and use information about you. Some children's websites retain the right to send kids as young as 13 email ads and other promotions. Treat the site registration process as you would a store's return policy -- read it, and if you don't like it, don't buy it.

8. Using your real name as your user name in virtual worlds and other online games. Most kids' websites remind kids not to give away personal information, and employ filters and moderators to prevent kids from posting it. But kids who are active in cyberspace may have avatars, game tags, and other identifiers. They need lots of reminders about keeping personal information to themselves. Visit your kid's favorite online world or game and you'll find other users creatively trying to get around the site's filters.

9. Revealing your status. Instant messaging is the easiest way to give yourself up, but every social network allows you to reveal your current status. AIM, for example, makes anyone visible to all their buddies when they sign in unless they mark "invisible." MySpace uses an "Online Now" icon. Why does everyone need to know when your kid is online? They don't. The only people who need to know where your kid is at all times are mom and dad.

10. Letting your kid sign up for anything before you know the facts. Whether it's a new app, a new program feature, or even a ringtone, new things are coming out all the time -- and your kid may hear about them before you do. Do your homework on whatever it is and who's doing the selling. In this 24/7 world where information is constantly being bought and sold, you can never be too careful.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Privatethe editors at Common Sense MediaMon, 06 Jun 2011 10:30:00 ESTHippMama Tool Belthttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/09/hippmama-tool-belt/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/09/hippmama-tool-belt/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/09/hippmama-tool-belt/#commentsFiled under: ,

Look, ma, no hands! Credit: TheHipMama.com

When you're a busy mom with a young baby, you pretty much always can use another hand.

Between bottles, keys, toys, your phone, snacks and all the other things you need close-by, a little help can go a long way.

The HippMama essentially is a tool belt with adjustable pouches on a nylon belt. A large pouch can hold diapers and wipes, while the four other pouches are great for storing all your other essentials. Hooks are also handy for keeping pacifiers and keys in place.

Really, why not take all the help you can get?

The HippMama is $39.99 and available in pink, blue, orange or leopard at TheHippMama.com.


Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>baby essentialshippmamahippmama tool beltLesley KennedyMon, 09 May 2011 14:00:00 ESTJustin Bieber Toothbrush Coming Soon to a Sink Near Youhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/27/justin-bieber-toothbrush/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/27/justin-bieber-toothbrush/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/27/justin-bieber-toothbrush/#commentsFiled under: ,

justin beiber floss

Justin Bieber takes over the dental hygiene market. Credit: Brushbuddies.com

So, your kids have already begged for Justin Bieber downloads. And DVDs. And nail polish. And toys. And T-shirts. And maybe they've even asked you to pony up for a lock of his famous hair.

Now, add a Justin Bieber toothbrush to the tween idol product mix. Brush Buddies is introducing a new line of products featuring the Biebs, including toothbrushes for kids, teens and adults, floss and even a travel kit.

Set to debut in July, fans can now pre-order two styles of a singing toothbrush -- each plays two songs for two minutes each, so kids (or grown-ups) know how long to keep brushing. Pick from "Somebody to Love" and "Love Me" or "Baby" and "U Smile." Both are on sale for $9.95.

Regular adult and kid-size brushes featuring Bieber on the handle are currently on sale for $1.99, and you can also find Bieber floss on sale for $1.99 and "autographed" flossers on sale for $5.99.

Hey, it's a small price to pay for good dental hygiene.

Want to get the latest ParentDish news and advice? Sign up for our newsletter!

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>brush buddiesjustin bieberjustin bieber toothbrushsinging toothbrushLesley KennedyWed, 27 Apr 2011 14:30:00 ESTGiveaway: Pinnacle Studio HD Video Editing Softwarehttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/25/giveaway-pinnacle-studio-hd-video-editing-software/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/25/giveaway-pinnacle-studio-hd-video-editing-software/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/25/giveaway-pinnacle-studio-hd-video-editing-software/#commentsFiled under: ,

pinnacle studio HD

Credit: Avid

You film your kid's every move, so wouldn't it be cool if you could edit your memories together and make a professional-looking video collage?

With Avid's Pinnacle Studio HD easy-to-use video editing software, now you can! Using Pinnacle Studio, you can take your favorite songs, family photos, and home video footage and transform them into an HD movie. When your project is complete, you can drop it onto Blu-ray and DVD discs, send them via e-mail, uploaded them to YouTube and even stream to gaming consoles.

The software is also great for creating vacation videos, virtual baby books, e-cards, and digital scrapbooks, among other creative projects today's parent tackles.

We are giving five winners their own copy of Pinnacle Studio HD version 15. To enter to win, leave us a comment telling us what memory in your child's life you wish you could have captured on film.


GIVEAWAY RULES

o. To enter, leave a comment below telling us what memory in your child's life you wish you could have captured on film.
o. The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET on April 29, 2011.
o. You may enter only once.
o. Five winners will be selected in a random drawing.
o. Five winners will receive a copy of Pinnacle Studio HD version 15. Retail value of each prize is $59.99.
o. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.
o. Click here for complete Official Rules. Winners will be notified by e-mail, so be sure to provide a valid address!

Want to get the latest ParentDish news and advice? Sign up for our newsletter!

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>avidgivawaypinnacle studioJessica SamakowMon, 25 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST