Carrie Kirby's blog

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Carrie mothers preschooler Nutmeg and baby Pebbles and writes when she can.Carrie Kirby's profile

Book Review: Parenting, Inc.

Posted 14 weeks 22 hours ago by Carrie Kirby

Shopping

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Pamela Paul's new book is a wakeup call to today's consumerist parents: Not only do our kids not need all the crap we are buying them -- it may actually be hurting them.

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5 Things You Can Get Your Preschooler to Do (So You Don't Have To)

Posted 19 weeks 1 day ago by Carrie Kirby

Home Life

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Lazy mothers, take heart: By the time your kid is 3, they can do most activities needed for survival without much intervention from you. Yes, accomplishments vary in the first years, from the self-dressing 2-year-olds to the diaper-wearing 4-year-olds. Still, your preparation and patience have a big effect on what they can do without your help.

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Children's Tylenol Doesn't Work on Cabin Fever

Posted 23 weeks 1 day ago by Carrie Kirby

Home Life

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Staying home with babies and young children can make you stir crazy in the best of times. When the snow piles up, the kids are sick or the thermometer plummets (or, like at my house, all of the above happen), you need to take emergency measures to prevent stir insanity.

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Peanut Butter Baby Food? No Reason Not To

Posted 23 weeks 4 days ago by Carrie Kirby

Nutrition

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Do you have to wait to feed your baby eggs, peanut butter and fish? There's no proven reason that waiting will help prevent allergies, according to a new American Academy of Pediatrics statement. Parenting Squad speaks with the AAP doctor behind the report about the news and its caveats.

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Register Smart to Get What You Really Need

Posted 24 weeks 5 days ago by Carrie Kirby

Pregnancy

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Ten rules of the registry that will improve your chances of getting what you really need at the all-important baby shower.

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Crib Bumpers Not Worth the Risk

Posted 24 weeks 6 days ago by Carrie Kirby

Home Life

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A new study warns that crib bumpers -- even those previously thought safe -- can injure babies. The study reviewed government data and found that bumpers don't prevent serious injuries, they only cause them. The conclusion: Cribs are safer sans padding.

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Establishing a Babysitting Co-op -- Part II

Posted 26 weeks 6 days ago by Carrie Kirby

Babysitters & Nannies

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In Part II of my post about starting a babysitting coop, I look at how to set the ground rules to keep your organization running smoothly. We'll take a look at the rules from a real-life coop, and also get some pointers on how to get the group off to a good start.

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Establishing a Babysitting Co-op -- Part I

Posted 28 weeks 3 hours ago by Carrie Kirby

Babysitters & Nannies

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The babysitting co-op is such an easy and sensible concept that it amazes me that everyone doesn't have one. This post will explain the kinds of coops, how to find or establish a co-op, and options for keeping track of points. Part II will cover screening new members and setting up rules for your group.

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Paying for College: Rays of Hope

Posted 31 weeks 2 hours ago by Carrie Kirby

Higher Education

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It seems that universities and the government are finally starting to notice the force of the student loans crushing so many college graduates today. Two developments this week -- a new tuition plan from Harvard and a new law -- may ease the pain slightly.

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Graco's New Mechanical Mama and a Real Mother's Internal Wars

Posted 31 weeks 6 days ago by Carrie Kirby

New Parents

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Graco calls its new product a "soothing center." I call it a very fancy and expensive swing that would probably be helpful to those with fussy babies. Viewing it brought up a longtime conflict within myself over just how much I should rely on mechanical gadgets in mothering my babies. Somewhere between wearing my baby every second of every day and replacing myself with one of Harry Harlow's "mechanical mothers," I have found an equilibrium.

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Timeshare a Nanny

Posted 32 weeks 2 days ago by Carrie Kirby

Babysitters & Nannies

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Affordability is not the only benefit to sharing a nanny. Here's a list of more, plus a sample nannyshare agreement to get your started.

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Beautiful People Have More Daughters?

Posted 32 weeks 4 days ago by Carrie Kirby

Conceiving

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Don't hate me because I have more daughters than you. It's because I'm beautiful, according to a controversial new book. My magic mirror is not convinced, and neither am I.

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Yes, You Can Shower

Posted 32 weeks 4 days ago by Carrie Kirby

Home Life

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Think you can't get even the bare minimum of me-time when baby won't nap? You can, if you get creative. Here are 10 ideas for parking the baby or toddler long enough to get naked. Disclaimer: We're not saying you'll have time to shave.

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