Happy Single Parents' Day!

If you are a single parent, today is your day! Since 1984, March 21st has been set aside to recognize and raise awareness of those who are doing double duty as parents.

The idea for setting aside a day to honor and appreciate what single parents do began in 1984 with an article written by Janice Moglen, a single mother of two. She hoped that this day would some day be recognized in the same way we celebrate parents on Mothers' Day and Fathers' Day. She began a collaboration with Parents Without Partners to petition states to recognize those parents who are both mother and father to their children.

She was only partially successful in her efforts to bring awareness and appreciation to the parents who fill both roles. While Ronald Reagan did officially designate March 21, 1984 as National Single Parents' Day, it hasn't gained widespread recognition. You can help change that by contacting your own state and national representatives and let them know how you feel about the mothers and fathers who are taking on the challenges of child-rearing without the support of a partner.

Single Parents' Day is not printed on the calendar hanging in my office, but I will recognize it just the same. To all you parents going it alone, I applaud you and appreciate the sacrifices you make every single day.

Finding common ground on different planets

A few months ago, my daughter Christy scored three tickets to see Al Gore speak at a sold-out event at her college. She invited a close friend and me. I was excited to see Al Gore speak about global warming, but even more excited about the fact that she wanted me to go with her.

Our relationship has had it's ups and downs over the years and sometimes it feels as if we live on different planets. Her planet is populated with energetic young college students who study all day, party all night and fight for justice in between. They can't relate to the people on my planet, who are mostly tired. But every once in a while, we all get together and find some common ground. For Christy and I, our common ground is politics. Her views are still evolving, a bit less developed, but they are most definitely heading in the same direction as mine.

I suspect this meeting of the minds surprises her more than it does me. Her carefully constructed image of me as a clueless parent has slowly given way to a grudging respect. I've been living for a long time in the world she wants to change and we have found ourselves on the same side of many issues. For the first time in many years, she wants to know what I think about things. We are still worlds apart when it comes to boys and music, but at least we will always have Al Gore.

Halle Berry wants kids, not marriage

Halle Berry hasn't had the best of luck with marriage. So much so, that she doesn't want to tie the knot ever again. However, this doesn't mean she won't have children.

The actress recently told InStyle, "I will never, never get married again." Not that she won't fall in love, or find a partner to share her life with, but that she thinks "two people can share their lives without the ring, without the piece of paper."

But despite her rejection of matrimony, the star also says, "I definitely want children. Very much." Because for Berry, romance -- even fathers -- simply aren't essential parts of the equation. She told Oprah in 2006 that if she hadn't found a partner when she was ready for kids that'd she'd ask "whoever she was dating at the time, 'Hey, would you like to have a baby?'" Or, she notes, "I could just head for the sperm bank."

Berry is currently dating model Gabriel Aubry. No word yet on any pregnancy, but with talk like that, it sounds like it could be any day now.

K-Fed cancels b-day bash for family time, sort of

Kevin Federline was planning on partying tonight. The second-hand celebrity had Hollywood's Eleven nightclub all lined up -- but today, word on the street is that the party has been canceled.

So what gives?

A rep for K-Fed told the NY Post's Page 6 that Federline canceled the event because he "is just focusing on his family right now." But don't worry -- Saturday's bash at the Pure nightclub in Las Vegas is still happening. Phew.

However, rumor has it that the real reason the party got nixed is because, for the past month, Eleven had been trying to find a weekly magazine to sponsor the event -- and couldn't. After all their attempts to find a major sponsor failed, the smaller sponsors backed out, and the club, not Federline, pulled the plug.

Sounds less like "family time," and more like now that Britney is out of rehab, no one cares about Kevin anymore. Bummer.

Image of the Day: freckles and a smile

Because I believe that there's nothing more beautiful, more innocent and more disarming than a child's smile whether they are gummy, missing tooth, exuberant or shy, March is "smile" month here at Blogging Baby. It's the freckles, it's the amazing color of her eyes, it's that smile so innocent, so full of joie de vivre. I just love this photo from VenturaMom.

If you'd like your own picture featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr Pool - We'll select an image every day to highlight. Remember: I'm on the lookout for shots with interesting backgrounds, cool angles, or original composition. Be sure to read the intro on the main Flickr page for more information and limit your uploading to 5 photos per day.

Miss World allows pregnant contestant

According to my very official (and very imaginary) celebrity "oh no they didn't" watch, it has been exactly five minutes too long since we've had scandal in the pageant world.

Oh wait...what's this coming in over the wire...Houston, we officially have a scandal.

Miss Jamaica World, also known as Sara Lawrence, announced that she planned to step down from the crown due to her pregnancy. If I remember correctly, pageant winners are not supposed to be married, pregnant or mothers.

Pageant officials at the top level say that they support Sara and they hope she will not step down from her title. One naysayer says that Sara's pregnancy has compromised her role as a safe sex activist.

Yes, we all see that they've hinted at the fact that Sara didn't practice safe sex but hey, who knows, perhaps the condom broke? Perhaps she was in a monogamous relationship and had a birth control slip up?

Unless there's a video (which, with this society, if one exists, it will be on the 'net within minutes) you can never know for sure.

So, what do you think? Should a pregnant or single mom (one was dethroned in 1976 after she revealed she was a single mom) be allowed to compete or hold the crown?

Video games make your teen drive faster

For all of you about to entering the frightening world of driver's ed, take note: new research suggests that the more your teen plays video games, the more likely he or she is to take risks while driving.

About 300 people -- both teens and adults -- participated in the study. Those who played racing video games every day were in the most accidents and got the most speeding tickets. In a smaller, related study, researchers gave 68 people racing games to play. They then put the gamers through a driving simulation, and found that it took them an average of one second longer to brake after being cut off by another car.

So what does this mean for teen drivers?

"Parents need to realize that video games are wonderful teaching tools that may be teaching skills that they don't want their child to learn," says Craig Anderson, a professor of psychology at Iowa State University. He even suggests sitting in the car with your teen -- which, while impractical, may save lives in the long run.

Seems to me like this is one more reason to raise the driving age.

More evidence that Bratz are bad girls

In a report released Monday, the American Psychological Association confirmed what I already knew. In short, exposure to all those commercials, movies, songs, toys and advertisements featuring scantily clad females is harmful to a young girl's emotional and physical health.

The report was based on an analysis of some 300 studies over the past 18 months and indicated that these sexualized images can result in young girls viewing themselves as sex objects.

While they weren't the only toys singled out, the mention of Bratz dolls in this report got my attention. These dolls, popular with girls as young as 4, wear skimpy clothing, hang out in hot tubs and party with the "Boyz". With their pumped-up lips and heavy makeup, they look as if they belong in a brothel - not a little girl's toy chest.

Of course, Isaac Larian, CEO of Bratz doll manufacturer MGA entertainment disagrees with the report's judgment of the Bratz dolls. He says that girls across the USA are wearing the same type of clothing and that they are not sexy. Yes, girls everywhere are dressing like that. Which begs the question of which came first, the Bratz dolls or the sexed-up school girls?

Bratz dolls have been banned from our house since Ellie was old enough to want one. She thinks they are pretty. I think they are offensive. She has given up asking for one because she knows it isn't going to happen. Clearly lots of parents have no issue with these dolls; millions have been sold worldwide. I can't help but wonder why. With so many non-slutty dolls available, why would a parent allow Bratz in the house?

The Junior League gets involved in child obesity

Quick! What's the first thing you think of when you think of the Junior League? Ladies who Lunch? Cookbooks? How about an organization that promotes healthy eating among kids?

Although it's not new (the Junior League has been working to combat the growing concern over childhood obesity for two years now), the effort is being kicked into high-gear for March, which is National Nutrition Month in the U.S. and Canada.

Local leagues will work to increase awareness of healthy eating habits in communities around the country. Check out the Kids in the Kitchen website, which features kid-friendly recipes from various TV and music stars, as well as game and quizzes.

The Junior League, which started in New York City in 1901, has been involved in family nutrition for more than 100 years, although for most of those years the problem was more getting enough to eat. Today are are almost 170,000 Junior League members in 293 Junior Leagues in four countries.

Heather Mills to appear on Dancing With the Stars

Heather Mills, estranged wife of Paul McCartney, and mother of the couple's 3-year-old daughter, Beatrice, is set to appear on the upcoming season of "Dancing With the Stars."

She rounds out a cast that includes former basketball star Clyde Drexler, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, former 'N Sync member Joey Fatone, and Vincent Pastore from the hit HBO series, "The Sopranos."

Aside from her obvious notoriety, Mills will also be one to watch as she'll be the first contestant with an artificial limb. According to Jerry Springer, who was a contestant on the first season, "She may be a sentimental favorite." This, despite the fact that she's held in contempt by many Beatles fans.

Will you be rooting for her?

Teen finds mammoth tooth by accident

A 16-year-old high school student recently bumped into the largest fossil find in Pinellas County, Florida in nearly 100 years.

Sierra Sarti-Sweeney was taking photos in Boca Ciega Millennium Park when she "looked down and saw a huge bone that could not be a rock." She started digging, fearing the the enormous bones could be human, and eventually uncovered a 3-foot mammoth jaw and tooth weighing 65 pounds.

Subsequent digging has led to teeth and bones from a second mammoth, giant sloths, camels, turtles with 6-foot shells, sabor-toothed cats and armadillos the size of Volkswagen Beetles.

Sounds like someone has a future as a paleontologist.

Grandma makes 12-year-old drive to window smashing

When I was 12, I could barely drive bumper cars, let alone an actual vehicle required to obey actual traffic laws. One pre-teen in Lincoln, Nebraska did alright though, chauffeuring her 50-year-old grandma to her niece's house, where granny used a chair to smash in five windows.

Local police apprehended Vickie Britton over an hour later, when they found her in the car, drunk and belligerent -- still in the passenger's seat. By that point she'd caused about $400 in damage to the house in question.

In what may be a strange twist, police have referred the granddaughter to the Lancaster County Attorney's office, on the possibility that they may press juvenile charges against the adolescent for driving without a license.

People are weird.

Toy of the Year Award goes to Mattel / Fisher Price

It seems that Mattel's subsidiary company, Fisher-Price, had a pretty good showing at this year's Toy of the Year (T.O.T.Y.) Awards.

T.M.X. Elmo, which made it's debut last September, took home top honors for Overall Toy of the Year - certainly the toy industry equivalent of winning an Oscar. If that weren't enough, T.M.X. Elmo also won in the Infant/Preschool Toy of the Year category.

Fisher-Price wrapped up their winning streak by taking down the title of Electronic Entertainment T.O.T.Y. for their Kid-Tough Digital Camera.

According to their press release, President of Mattel Brands, Neil Freidman, was esctatic over the news. "We are thrilled with the honors accorded to our products by the members of our industry. Our biggest reward is the smiles we put on children's faces, and it's truly special to be honored by our peers who know exactly what it takes to create something unique and magical that children will really love."

Winners in the other categories can be found after the jump.

Continue reading Toy of the Year Award goes to Mattel / Fisher Price

Maggie Mason has a mighty baby

Maggie Mason and her husband Bryan Mason welcomed their son Henry to the world today. Maggie writes the blog Mighty Girl, and also maintains the wildly popular site Mighty Goods, which is filled with fabulous product recommendations of every kind. Mighty Goods has been lauded by Business Week, Forbes, and Time Magazine.

Mason discovered she was pregnant last summer about the time that her first book was published: No One Cares What You Had For Lunch: 100 Ideas for Your Blog.

I first discovered that Maggie was in labor this afternoon when I noticed that her flickr pictures had been updated. One picture said simply, "in labor." Then, I checked back later and discovered a picture of their baby. When I was doing further research for this post, I discovered that Maggie (or Bryan) had updated her blog via Mobile Update:
"Hank Mason! 12:17, 8 lbs. 2 oz., Epidural? Hell yes."

He is a beautiful baby born to some mighty talented parents. Congratulations, Maggie and Bryan! And howdy, little Hank!

Couple home-schools nine-year-old in sex ed

I like to think I'm a pretty open-minded guy when it comes to sex. I have no problem using the word vagina with my kids. I think having them present during a gynecological exam might be a bit much, but I'm not going to get upset if someone else wants to use it as an educational experience. A couple in Rhode Island, however, went too far, I think, even for me. In order to teach her nine-year-old daughter about sex, Rebecca Arnold and her boyfriend, David Prata, routinely allowed the girl to watch while they did it.

The girl, Prata said, was "usually on the bed watching us. We wanted her to know how to do it." When asked why he thought a nine-year-old needed to know about sexual acts, he replied "We wanted to prepare her so she would know how." The couple also admitted to having sex in the kitchen while the girl watched and that Prata watched pornography and masturbated while she was present. Now, Prata and Arnold are facing one to three years in prison and a fine of up to $1000.

There is so much that kids need to learn as they grow up that how to have sex can certainly wait until they're a lot older than nine. Plus, it seems to me, figuring out what goes where is half the fun of those early experiences. Hopefully, at the very least, the girl won't be seeing her mom and her boyfriend much any more.

Why I love my pediatrician

At dinner on Friday night, my six-year-old announced that his ear hurt. Of course! Because it was Friday, and the doctor's office had closed half an hour earlier.

Fortunately, my pediatrician's practice has Saturday morning office hours; they also have a Sunday morning "triage" clinic. The seven doctors in the practice take turns covering these weekend hours, which means that while we don't always see our pediatrician, we always see someone from her practice. The doctor always has my child's complete file right there, so he or she can see that Henry has ADHD and sensory issues, and that Charlie is prone to recurrent ear infections. It also means that when my kids are sick, I'm taking them to a familiar place, which helps with whatever other fears they may have about throat cultures or eye drops or anything else that's going on.

We found this practice on a fluke; our first son was premature and when he arrived, we hadn't even started looking for a pediatrician. My mother thought to ask one of the NICU nurses, who recommended the doctor we still see today. I still can't believe how well it worked out, and I happily recommend this practice to anyone who asks, but I always wonder if I would have thought to ask about weekend hours when I was searching for a doctor.

What did you ask about when you were shopping for a pediatrician? What do you wish you had asked?

The diaper wars

It's been going on for months now: a bitter battle that often leaves me weary and my toddler tear-stained.

I don't know when it started, exactly. As an infant, Nolan was happy to be on the change table with the roving mobile and the stacks of diaper cream and wipes, odds and ends to fiddle with.

But lately, something's changed, and I'm sure it's part of the toddler power struggle, but for the love of Pete, I am so tired of the war. I wave my white flag, vehemently, but Nolan pays no attention. He would rather walk around in his filthy diapers and lie on top of Jordi, on the bed, anywhere but on the floor or the change table.

If I use my rumble voice, and tell him very sternly to lie down, he runs away. If I pin him down and grimly proceed with the job, white legs flail and moaning commences and poop usually ends up in completely inappropriate places, namely on the bridge of my nose and we shall never talk about that again.

Anyway, I'm at a loss. I refuse to battle Nolan every single time he needs his pants changed. Perhaps it's time to let the toilet training commence.

The Animal Bag. Have kids? Get this!

Blogging Baby reader Meredith sent in this tip, calling the Animal Bag "the Coolest Product EVER." Score one for Meredith; she is right on!

When I clicked on the link and saw this brilliant creation, I immediately grabbed my laptop and found my husband. I shoved the screen in front of his face and said, "OhmygoshwehavetoordertheseNOW!" I know it sounds like I'm exaggerating my reaction, but I've got four kids and ALL their stuffed animals are "special." Too special to pass along to other kids or store in the garage. They remember when they received each and every one and who gave it to them.

Right now, Willow is playing a game with sixteen animals, one dishtowel, one bath towel and a chair.

The animals are all over the place and take up way too much space. Now, I don't get the reasoning behind charging an extra $300 for the "elite" model; but to each his own. I think that the Trio, which is the same size, is a reasonable buy at $99. Can you even get three beanbag chairs for that price? They also have less expensive, smaller Animal Bags.

I can't wait to get ours and get all those stuffed animals corralled.

And, Meredith, congratulations on the birth of your sweet, beautiful son!

Kevin Costner is having a baby

The urge to make cheap Field of Dreams references is almost overwhelming, but I'll do my best to stick to the facts.

Kevin Costner and his wife Christine are expecting their first child. According to the actor-director's publicist, "They're very excited, very happy about the pregnancy."

Costner, who has three children from a previous marriage, tied the knot with Christine in September of 2004. At 52, he's not exactly a young father, but we'll hope he's still sprightly enough to toss a baseball around when the kid gets older.

Congratulations to the happy couple!