Mom Central: Hot Parenting Products

Magellan Maestro 3250

If you’re one of those people who has resisted the GPS movement, it may be time to rethink your decision. I recently tried out the Magellan Maestro 3250 and was excited to discover that travel has never been easier. With a variety of different features including a trip planner, address books, 3D maps, voice control, Bluetooth connectivity, up-to-the-minute traffic and detour information, and the AAA TourBook, along with an easy-to-use touch screen, this is a device that fits seamlessly into your life and renders your other trip-planning tools obsolete. Whether my family is looking for a nearby restaurant or planning a cross-country trip, the Meastro could not be easier to use or more effective, and with easily-accessed addresses and phone numbers I am guaranteed to never again need those directions scribbled hurriedly on a napkin. For both well-planned vacations as well as spontaneous road trips, the Magellan Maestro is the perfect solution. For more information, visit the Magellan website.

Chalkboard by Wallcandy

Drawing on the walls has never been so fun for kids - and the clean up has never been easier for moms. With Chalkboards from Wallcandy, kids can draw on the wall without getting in trouble, and moms can write notes and reminders or indulge in their artistic sides too. I adore these so much that I already have them up all over the fridge and the door to the garage – they’re perfect for leaving reminders, and my kids can’t stop drawing on them. The chalkboards are erasable and, as the name implies, are meant to be drawn on with chalk (which is included in the kit). They’re also easy to remove and can be used again and again. Wallcandy’s products come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes, including basic square chalkboards, borders, animals, circles, flowers, grass, cars, letters, and numbers. The variety of shapes also means that your child’s room can change as she grows - imagine remodeling without the messy, time consuming priming and painting comes with covering up the once beloved racecars or Barbies. These are one of those rare products that are perfect for everyone from toddlers to adults. Take it from me – they’ve quickly become a staple in my house! For more information about the Wallcandy product, visit their website.

Hot Gifts From HoMedics

I recently had the pleasure of trying out two HoMedics shiatsu massage cushions, and they are officially my new favorite products. These cushions, which now include not only a customizable shiatsu massage but heat as well, fit basically any chair and provide incredible relief. Unlike other massage pads, the rotating massage rollers provide the perfect amount of pressure exactly where you want it. The HoMedics line of shiatsu products also includes a massage pillow and a foot massager. These make the perfect gift for your spouse – not only will they love the massage, but you’ll get a break from giving one yourself! (Although my husband will have to wait until I'm willing to part with mine!) The HoMedics massage cushions really are like having a massage therapist in your own home. It’s safe to say I have never felt so relaxed - I don’t know what I did without them! For more information or to purchase your own amazing at-home massage cushion, visit the HoMedics website.

Honestech VHS to DVD 3.0 Deluxe

Remember those first camcorders? Big, bulky numbers that used a full-size VHS tape and cost a small fortune? We thought we were state-of-the-art when we had a friend use one to videotape our wedding. And later we were thrilled to catch our kids’ first steps, first words, and first dance routines on tape forever, or so we thought. And though we’ve long since switched over to DVDs and digital downloads for our movies, we have been holding onto our old VHS player for years so we will still have a way of sharing these great family memories. Well thanks to Honestech, we now have a better way to accomplish this. Honestech’s VHS to DVD 3.0 Deluxe is a new, inexpensive software that allows you to transfer your VHS tapes to a DVD/CD format at home. The package, currently only available for PCs, comes with software, the MyVidbox capture device, a high-speed cable, and easy-to-follow instructions. The only things you need are a computer, your VHS player or camcorder, a recordable disc, and the tape you want transferred. This ingenious gadget is terrific, both easy to install and simple to use. Best of all, it ensures you’ll be able to save and share all of your home videos, no matter how long ago they were taken, making this new software not just practical, but indispensable.
Click here to buy now!VHS To DVD 3.0 Deluxe.

BOB the Time Manager

I cannot count the number of times I have shouted “Turn off the TV!” to my kids before they finally listen. Now I have BOB the Time Manager, and I don’t have to say a word. Bob is a small device that looks similar to a calculator that monitors and controls the hours your kids spend staring at the set. Simply plug your television, gaming system, or computer into BOB, which then plugs into any electrical outlet. You, the parent, are the “Master User” and the only one who can set and change the hours and time blocks allotted.

Your kids create 4-digit PIN numbers that must be entered before turning on the TV (BOB manages up to 6 users). You set time limits for each child either per day or per week. When that time is used up, the TV, video game or whatever it may be turns off automatically for the rest of the day or week with a 60-second warning of the impending shut-off.

You can also block out specific time periods throughout the day, such as right after school when homework or chores take priority, after you’ve gone to bed when the kids sneak in that extra Internet surfing, or on your night out when the kids have learned to bribe the babysitter to watch the late-night movie. What I like most about BOB is that it not only teaches your kids to budget their fun time but to genuinely appreciate it. We know how easy it is for kids (and admittedly we adults) to veg out in front of the TV the whole afternoon, not getting much out of it except for bug eyes. Knowing they have time restrictions, kids will more carefully select only their favorite programs and then truly enjoy them. It’ll probably take some getting used to…I initially set time limits by the week and my son, without thinking, used it all in one day! He was infuriated when he realized he couldn’t access BOB until the timer reset the following week. Ouch—pretty painful, but he sure learned fast especially since there’s no arguing with BOB.

Click here to buy now!BOB - Screen Time Manager - Manage Your TV Time

Discovery Girls Magazine and Books

Sometimes as a parent, it can be difficult to talk to your children because they feel like an older person can’t relate to their experiences (though we’ve all been there and done that), or they are uncomfortable opening up. And it’s true - no one understands a 12-year-old girl better than a 12-year-old girl. Which is the idea behind Discovery Girls Magazines and Books. Created by girls for girls, they help to bridge the huge generation gap between “us” and “them.”

Discovery Girls Books and Magazines are modeled after the women’s magazines that we all love, but they are meant for girls ages 7-12. They include advice columns on topics from bed wetting to boyfriends, quizzes, product reviews for all the trendiest must-haves, articles on both interesting and difficult topics, and highlights on famous young actors and actresses. Best of all, they’re sure to appeal to any tween, since all of the articles are written by girls just like them. Though the problems might be oversimplified, it’s a great way for girls to get solid advice—and maybe it’ll inspire them to take part by contributing themselves or mediating problems with their friends. It might even open up some lines of communication with Mom and Dad. These magazines are something any girl will love, and all parents will appreciate as well.
Visit DiscoveryGirls.com for more information.

Inchbug’s Bumpyname

Even with just one child, it can be difficult to keep track of things, and any mom with more than one knows that even something as simple as a short car ride or the trip to soccer practice can bring with it any number of problems. Well check one of those off your list - no more fighting over which cup or bottle belongs to which kid.  Thanks to Inchbug’s Bumpyname personalized orbit labels, you can solve the problem permanently. The flexible plastic bands stretch to fit around a variety of drink containers, from 4 oz baby bottles to 20 oz sport bottles, and if you’re feeling particularly clever you can even use the labels on items like shampoo, flashlights, or lotion. You can choose from pre-printed names or customize your own, even adding on information like allergies or a phone number to make sure important information is always close at hand.  The bands come in a variety of colors and can be customized with Braille, and are nontoxic, reusable, and dishwasher and microwave safe. Most importantly, though, while only a small detail, these bands solve a number of problems, from making sure your toddler comes home with the same sippy he took to daycare to ensuring that each child takes the right bottle for lunch. Anyone will find a use for these clever tags, and moms will discover that having one less thing to think about will simplify their daily routines. For more information, visit the website at InchBug.com.

Little Masterpieces

Though we love to admire the latest macaroni/construction paper creation our children create, it’s tough to find the wall space to display each masterpiece. Instead of piling paintings and drawings in boxes to collect dust, transform them into a beautiful hard- or soft-cover book with the new Little Masterpieces book by The Little Author. Just send the company the original artwork, and they’ll scan it and print on high-quality paper. You’ll get the originals back when your book arrives.

It’s the perfect coffee table book, customized to your preference: each piece can have a page to itself with captions, names, or dates, or an entire page can contain text.  The art you can submit isn’t limited to drawings or paintings, they even accept pictures with popsicle sticks, feathers, glitter, and yes, macaroni.

In addition to the books, Little Author can turn your kids’ artwork into note cards or teacher or coach appreciation books from a whole class or team.  Prices range from $15 to $108. More information is available at www.littleauthor.com.

Mandy and Andy

Ever wish you had learned a second language as a kid. Even after years of French I think I can only repeat, oui! Give your kids a head start with the Mandy and Andy books, a new bilingual book series written by Florida-based grandfather William J. Adams and illustrated by Philadelphia-based cartoonist Tom Stiglich.

The books feature rhyming stories accompanied by large, colorful drawings. Each book has two sides—one in English, and one in Spanish, so kids can read the story first in English, then flip it over and read it again en Español.

Mandy and Andy are twins who go through bilingual adventures together. In the first book, Hate That Thunder, blonde-pigtailed Mandy hides under her bed during a storm, but eventually confronts her fear of the loud thunder. In the second, Goin’ to the Zoo, the twins spend a day visiting animals at the zoo. In addition to the story, a glossary of English to Spanish words.

Though the rhymes are sometimes clunky and the text is strangely laid out, the stories are fun and the illustrations engaging. It’s simple enough for small children to read, and the vocabulary in the second book is especially  easy to teach kids. If you’re looking for a way to introduce a second language to your kids, the Mandy and Andy books are a fun, easy way to start learning a lifelong skill.

Carry It All

As any mother of a newborn would know, sometimes you could use an extra hand (or five). Get the extra hand you’ve been looking for with stroller organizing products from Carry You. The simple installation process lasts all of ten seconds since the organizers attach onto the back of your stroller with Velcro, and they won't interfere with the reclining & collapsing features of the stroller. The waterproof and spill-proof Nylon organizers are large enough to fit all the little extras for baby.

The Carry You Milan Deluxe Stroller Organizer has two cup holders, which are perfect for holding your water and your baby’s bottle. The large Velcro pockets that are great for important items that you can’t lose (your wallet, your planner) and two smaller pockets for pacifiers and snacks. The front mesh pocket is great for the things you need to get to right away.

Carry You has a variety of different organizers, snack trays, and other stroller accessories, and can even tell you if the Carry You products will fit your stroller. Prices range from about $30 to $40 for an organizer. Check them out at www.carryyou.com.