Mom Central: Hot Parenting Products

Robopanda

Remember just a few years ago when digital pets were just little hand-held devices that beeped when they needed to be digitally fed, and sometimes didn’t utter so much as an appreciative beep in return for your attention? Well, good things times have changed! I recently discovered WowWee’s Robopanda, a toy that doesn’t demandcare, but gives attention to your children actually engaging them in play. He’s a crowd-pleasing panda who gives hugs, holds conversations, shares stories (think Teddy Ruxbin), tells jokes, and even crawls!

Robopanda works without a remote control by responding to sound as well as eight touch sensors on his body. In Training mode, Robopanda interactively explains his features to your child.  Then, in Friend mode, he becomes talkative with jokes and engaging conversation.  In Menu mode, Robopanda tell stories, sings songs, plays games with your child, and even learns tricks to perform later

Once turned on in Friend mode, Robopanda “awakens,” yawns, stretches, and greets his new friend.  He might tell a story about a time he went camping, pausing to ask your child questions along the way, which can be answered by making contact with the touch sensors on specific limbs of Robopanda’s body (“Touch my right paw if you’d eat bugs in the wild; touch my left paw if you’d rather eat bamboo in the wild”).  Scooping Robopanda up off the floor will usually have him exclaiming, “Ooo, where are we going?  I love to fly!” --- but not so fast --- he doesn’t much like being held upside down!  Robopanda can also crawl on all fours and sit up by himself.  While he may be self-sufficient, he’s not too proud to ask for help; when Robopanda can’t seem to sit back up, he starts to cry and ask his friend for a hand!

With Robopanda’s changing facial expressions, active little limbs, and sharp mind, this is one toy that just might avoid being slung into the toy box unforgotten like the last toy you bought! Learn More!

Light Up Your Halloween!

It’s the time of year when hordes of miniture ghosts, goblins, princesses, and superhero’s clamor to my door in search of treats. Halloween is here! The old fantasies of using cotton to make spider webs and individually painting brown paper bags and lining them up with tea lights have gone to the wayside as my family’s busy fall schedule has taken over.  That’s why I love this new twist to the old tradition, Halloween Pumpkin Bag Party Lights by Lamp Plus.

These plastic orange bags are the same shape and size as the old fashioned plastic bags but won’t wilt in the rain or snow.  The candles have been replaced with clear light bulbs so unintentional fires are no longer an issue and the light set even comes with extra bulbs so your “flame” will never go out.  The Pumpkin Print Bags can also be used inside and outside; they even come with little metal hooks to secure them in the ground.

The Pumpkin print bags were easy to set up by following the picture instructions in the box. The easy dissembling can ensure that the Halloween decorations are taken down and stored for next year by the time Thanksgiving guest arrive.  You can check out the Halloween Pumpkin Print Bags as well as their other products  at www.lampsplus.com.  

Tessy & Tab Reading Club Magazines

What better way to encourage your child to read than by having a magazine arrive in the mailbox just for him? Tessy and Tab magazines are perfectly sized for preschoolers ages 2-6. They incorporate six skills for early literacy, which were created by expert advisers from organizations including the U.S. Department of Education and The National Institute for Literacy. A parent’s guide arrives with the first issue to show you how to use the magazines to build reading skills at different ages. For example, with a two-year-old you may simply point to and name familiar objects on a page or ask him what is happening in each scene. For an older child, you can choose an object on a page and have him find the matching word in the story.

Tessy and Tab are reoccurring characters who have fun adventures going to a carnival, grocery store, airport, doctor’s office, kindergarten…even a pumpkin patch! Each page has colorful illustrations with one sentence captions. After the story, there’s an activity section that includes counting, learning words beginning with a certain letter of the alphabet, a coloring page, and a search for objects and words featured somewhere within the story. Your child will equally enjoy thumbing through them with you or on his own. The magazines are small and printed on heavy stock paper so they’ll fit easily in your purse or bag for reading opportunities in the car or while waiting at the doctor’s office.

An annual subscription with two issues arriving monthly costs $48. It’s a great gift to last throughout the preschool years, and the boost in your child’s reading ability will give him extra confidence and an eagerness to learn when entering kindergarten. Visit www.tessyandtab.com for more info and to find several interactive games and downloadable coloring pages.

Casio Exilim-Z75: a special edition camera just in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Everything pink! If you’re wondering why you’re seeing lots of pink in stores―pink t-shirts, pins, sticky notes, kitchen appliances, even vacuum cleaners―it’s because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Chances are, you know at least one friend or relative with breast cancer. No surprise since it’s one of the top cancers in women in the U.S.―this year alone, over 178,000 new cases will be diagnosed. The earlier the detection, the better the chance for effective treatment. Casio has partnered with the National Breast Cancer Foundation to offer a special edition pink camera, the Exilim-Z75, that comes with a pink-stitched camera case and camera cord imprinted with the familiar breast cancer ribbon. It’s a super stylish and functional reminder of the importance of awareness, education, and early detection of this devastating disease.

Special features include 7.2 megapixels with a large 2.6-inch wide LCD display for easy viewing and anti-shake DSP for reducing photo blur if you’re trying to move and shoot at the same time. There’s an EBay mode for selling addicts that perfectly sizes your photographs to upload onto the popular website, or if you just want to email photos that don’t take forever to open. For digital camera novices, the Easy Mode displays straightforward menus for adjusting camera settings such as the flash, self-timer, and size. Even better is the Best Shot Mode that offers preset photo settings with sample images so you can easily and expertly take the best picture possible, depending on where you are. Another unique feature is the soft flash setting that tones down the harsh unflattering light of a typical flash. Because it’s so compact, you can stash it in your purse or pocket…always ready for a candid moment. This exclusive camera makes a great gift sure to please. Priced at $179.99, the Exilim-Z75 special edition package is available at several store chains including Sears, BJ’s, and Staples. Visit http://exilim.casio.com/ for more info.

Image: Casio Exilim Press Release

PhotoBlocks

As Moms we are constantly looking for innovative ways to store the countless photos we have of our family. The bookshelves are full, the hallways are covered, and if you put one more framed photo on your desk, everything might just topple over. That is why I was so excited when I heard about PhotoBlocks by Inspired Generations.

These are like the grown-up version of alphabet blocks, allowing you to build different memories as the mood strikes. This cute product comes with three blocks in a wooden display case (think Scrabble) one block that has space to hold six pictures, while the other two blocks hold words, one with people such as Grandma, Dad, and We, and one with descriptors such as love, inspires, and adores. The blocks can be rearranged however you want, so when Grandma comes for the weekend she can see a picture of the kids followed by “Love Grandma.”

Each set costs a little more than the average frame ($24.99 each), but is certainly cheaper than buying six oversized frames that don’t say nearly as much. Inspired Generations also have a variety of other block-based gifts, including Heirloom blocks, which have words carved into them and can be arranged into different feel-good phrases.

The PhotoBlock would be a great way to display some of those boxed pictures this holiday season when the family comes to visit or would make a unique photo gift with family photos for a loved one. Check out PhotoBlocks and Inspired Generations at their website www.inspiredgenerations.com.

SquidSoap by Airborne

Every day I go through the same litany with my kids: “Did you make your bed?,” “Brush your teeth!” and “Wash your hands!!” I sound like a nagger, which indeed I have become. All this after promising myself as a child I would never, ever sound like my own Mom saying these exact same things. I have realized that I sound like one of those incoherent parents on Charlie Brown to my kids (Waah wah wah wah), who have strategically tuned me out. This is especially true when it comes to hand washing. While I have convinced them that wiping their hands on the back of their pants or shirt definitely does not count, left to their own devices they think a quick rinse and towel dry is just fine before meals, after going to the bathroom, or coming home after school. That is why we at Mom Central got so excited about being introduced to SquidSoap by Airborne.

To help inspire kids to wash their hands for the right amount of time, SquidSoap has designed a great soap dispenser with a vegetable dye stamp. When children press the ink stamp in order to dispense soap, their hand is "inked." It takes 20 seconds of scrubbing to wash the dot off, the time recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for kids to wash their hands. It becomes a fun activity, as kids race to make the dot disappear. Each SquidSoap by Airborne comes with an orange, green or purple plastic squid, and the soap has a great citrus smell.

Here's a quick visual of how SquidSoap works:

So SquidSoap now serves as the neutral referee on whether kids’ hands are well-washed: if the ink spot is gone, high-five. And if the ink spot remains, then back to the sink they dash…although this has not happened so far with my kids. Now only if SquidSoap could get them to make their beds…
    

Babeebrite Nightlights

There are lots of mini flashlights out there but this one is tailored with helpful features geared toward new moms. If you have a baby, you’ll know that as your newborn passes the 3-month mark, you’ll do just about anything to get him to sleep longer through the night. Maybe even resort to changing his diaper or giving his feeding in the dark so he won’t wake up. The Babeebrite light is perfect for those times because it shines just enough concentrated light to perform these midnight tasks. It’s completely portable, clipping onto your shirt pocket or to any surface up to an inch thick. Fasten it before bedtime onto your nightshirt or pajama pants for quick and easy access later on. Babeebrite gives off a better quality white light than most mini lights that emit weak yellowish rays. It’s strong enough for when you need to quickly check on a sleeping baby, change a diaper, or give a feeding and then want to return to sleep. With exposure to a regular room light, even for just a few minutes, you and your baby are more likely to be completely awakened and have difficulty falling back to sleep. The Babeebrite light is adjustable up to 90 degrees so that after you find the perfect angle and clip it, you’ll have both hands free to complete your tasks. Be aware that it automatically shuts off after 7 minutes, which is useful for conserving battery power, but for longer tasks you’ll need to know exactly where it is to switch it on again.

Babeebrite also comes in a mini pear-shaped nightlight version for kids and adults, which attaches to any flat surface or keychain. It has the same strong focused beam of light that is adequate even for reading. It’ll get much use on your keychain when you’re arriving home in the dark and fumbling for the right key while trying to find the door lock. Both versions run on two button batteries, which are included. Visit www.mommybeehappy.com for more info.

The Art of Knitting 4 Kids

Knitting has made a huge comeback. No longer a skill for the old-fashioned, young women and men are discovering the rewards of knitting: stress relief, a sense of accomplishment, and the social benefit of knitting groups. Even kids are joining in. While they craft homemade projects, knitting helps to improve their attention span, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills. Nowadays, there’s a better selection of yarns in jazzy colors and textures. Kids can not only make wearable knits but fun balls, teddy bears, and other toys. Although your generation may have missed out, The Art of Knitting 4 Kids is a fun way to introduce your child to this gratifying hobby.

This DVD is recommended for kids 5 and up, and includes three segments with different instructors showing basic knitting techniques. One instructor is a 7-year-old boy who is surprisingly clear and easy to follow; another a grandmotherly storyteller who narrates an animated knitting tale, and the last is an instructor demonstrating how to knit colorful balls of various sizes. Also included is a visit to an alpaca ranch to see how yarn is made. The techniques are repeated at least a dozen times to help kids catch on. Seeing young kids knit and use of animation in this video will attract your child. However, knitting, whether you’re young or old, isn’t for everyone. Trendy knitting stores are popping up everywhere and it may be worth enrolling your child in a children’s basic knitting class to gauge his or her interest before investing in this video and/or the supplies needed to get started. For more information on this video, visit www.theartofknitting.com.

Lost & Found Temporary Tattoos

Parents, can you imagine the day that you would be encouraging your kids to wear a tattoo? The reason is because it could save their lives, or at the very least, save some hassle and anxiety. Lost & Found Temporary Tattoos are kinda like those kiddy tattoos from the bubblegum vending machines, except they’re more than just for fun. They come in cute boy or girl designs of hearts, butterflies, spaceshapes, hearts and dinosaurs. After you apply the non-toxic and hypoallergenic tattoo with a moistened towelette and it dries, use the marker included in the kit to write an emergency contact number in a designated space. It’s a marvelous idea: a simple safeguard that your child can’t lose (as he might an identity necklace or bracelet) and that he’ll think is cool to wear. The tattoo will wear off in less than a week but if you prefer, you can remove it sooner with alcohol wipes also included in the kit (household rubbing alcohol or baby oil are just as effective).

These are very useful for when you are traveling with infants or toddlers, especially those who are walking and can therefore wander away quite quickly and easily. Often, their fear of being lost may prevent them from speaking or remembering their phone number. The tattoos are large enough to be noticed right away and, in essence, speak for themselves. The kits are also designed for people with autism or Alzheimer’s disease; the tattoos signify the disability and similarly provide a space for a contact number. In addition, there is a special tattoo “No Nuts Please!” for kids with peanut allergy. Visit   www.tattooswithapurpose.com for ordering info.

Thermos Foogo

A big challenge parents have during the summer season is providing their infants and toddlers with chilled formula or water on sweltering travel days and trips to the park.
Pre-chilling the liquid before you leave cannot always protect it from the 90+ degree weather. On especially scorching afternoons we end up feeling guilty as we refreshed with an icy Coke from a vending machine while feeding our perspiring baby drinks a warm bottle of formula. That’s why I wish the debut of Thermos’s new Foogo line, created just for infants and toddlers, had come out when my kids were babies and toddlers. It includes dishwasher-safe insulated sippy cups, a straw bottle, and a food jar that maintain cold and hot temperatures longer than other standard insulated products.

The 7 oz. sippy cups are available with or without handles, and are easy for chubby little fingers to grasp. The double wall insulation of unbreakable stainless steel inside and out helps to retain the flavor of cold drinks and keep them safe from bacterial growth. Bacteria flourish in temperatures of 40 to 140 degrees, multiplying by the thousands every hour. The Foogo cups are reported to keep drinks cold for up to 6 hours. A study conducted by Thermos showed that after 16 hours, milk stored at room temperature in other insulated sippy cups had 100 times more bacteria than milk stored in Foogo cups. After only 4 more hours, the non-Foogo insulated cups had 5000 times more bacteria. Yes, some bacteria still grew in the Foogo cups and of course there’s no way I’d feed my child milk that’s been sitting around for 20 hours, but the obvious point is that the less bacteria, the better. Kids’ immune systems are still developing and therefore extra sensitive to bacterial sickness. On those hot days when you’re running errands and don’t want to lug around a cooler, this Foogo line offers a little extra assurance.   

I noticed that Thermos isn’t really clear in saying that drinks stay at 40 degrees or below for 6 hours—just that they stay “cold.” Along those lines, the food jar that keeps foods “hot” for 5 hours doesn’t necessarily guarantee a safe temperature of 140 degrees or above. So, my point is don’t get false security. Foogo products definitely seem a cut above standard insulated cups, but also use common sense. You probably wouldn’t eat or drink food that’s been sitting out all day, so why give it to your child? But if it’s just those few extra hours before you get home, these products can help keep your child’s drinks a bit fresher.

Thermos also offers a Raya line of sleek mugs and coolers with the same insulation benefits. Visit Thermos.com for more information.