Mother Approves Blog

Over the last couple months the administrator for MotherApproves.net (that would be me) has been preoccupied with learning what it takes to be a new parent and thus hasn’t had the time to moderate MotherApproves.net which was not a good thing.
Turns out while the admin was away the spammers got to play: They added 10,000 useres, and 3000+ submissions, votes and comments. Sorry to anyone who left because of this.

But, the MotherApproves.net platform has been updated, the spam has been deleted and a capcha has been added to the registration process to greatly reduce the spam sign-ups. Some legit posts might have been deleted, for which I do apologize.

Please, come back and browse around, the site is up and running with new stories being submitted and approved regularly.

Mother Approves is still a work in progress. We are continue to slowly grow our membership as we get the word out there. We are seeking to get about 100-200 members before we launch some of our contest and incentives to create more user involvement on the site.

Recently we hosted the Carnival of Family Life right here at Mother Approves and we added a number of people to the Mother Approves site. If your new to Mother Approves please be sure to pick up your web badges and wordpress plugins (links in the sidebar) to add to your own blog.

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I’m a staunch believer in using cloth diapers for our baby and for the benefit of the environment. My wife is a stauch believer in our baby not having diaper rash. Apparently, I’m not positive, the now becoming tattered cloth diapers that we used for the first three months of her life are giving her a rash. So, for the last week we’ve stopped using the cloth diapers and have been using disposables. We’ve spent more diapering our baby in the last week then we have in the past three months.
The dilemma of the situation is that disposables are now the ‘norm’ and so they are seen as the default. In years past if you were having problems with your cloth diapering, you’d do what you could to figure out and fix the cloth diapering problem. Now, if we have a slight problem with one cloth diaper, we immediately switch to a disposable until the problem (rash, etc) goes away.
Does anyone else see this trend toward disposables as the ‘norm’ and cloth as an alternative?  

I have been quite blessed as our 3 month old has been a very pleasant baby for most of her life thus far. She sleeps a good 4 hours at a stretch at night, and has been since the night she got home from the hospital. We like to tell people about it too, proud of our little one for being so laid back and well behaved.

The last few nights in a row however, she’s been fussy as ever, and even tag teaming with my spouse we’ve still had a rough time handling our little fussy-bus. I have no intention though of changing my opinion of what a nice pleasant baby she is. And here’s why, Optimism goes a long way.

Thinking back over the last three months, there have been more then a handful of times one of us has been up with the baby trying to rock her to sleep, or playing with her at three in the morning, however, we’ve chosen to remain optimistic and remember, reflect on, and share all of the good nights we’ve had the past few months. I really think it’s because of this optimism that she’s actually become a better sleeper. It’s called a ’self-fulfilling prophecy’ in Psychology terms.

Hopefully we can figure out what’s made her so fussy the past few nights, but we’ll do our best to remain optimistic regardless.

Welcome to the September 17, 2007 edition of carnival of family life.

It’s my great pleasure to be hosting the Family Life carnival this week, having just begun a new family of my own a with a beautiful baby three busy months ago. As always, the carnival is packed full of funny, informative, engaging and entertaining posts from great people all over the blogosphere. Take a peek and be sure to highlight your favorites on your own blog, Approve them at MotherApproves.net and provide a link to the carnival for your readers.

SOUNDBITES

• George seems to have figured out where our nation gets it’s smarts, check out Belly Talk posted at Man and his Baby. (approve)
• Jenny has a strategy to get g’ma and hubby to Twenty Weeks of Fun posted at the so called me. (approve)
• Linsey says You might be a homeschooler if… posted at Facipiers and Stinky Toes. You should know about this Fisher-Price Recall. (approve)
• Is Running a Website the Ideal Job for Parents (approve)
• Kailani from An Island Life entered the Meadow Gold Healthy Baby Contest. (approve)
• Dawn Adams Husband is Bossing her around posted at Day by Day Homeschooling. (approve)
• Christine has Snack Ideas for school lunches at arewethereyetmom.com. (approve)
• Abel Cheng Baby Room Ideas Worth Knowing posted at Parent Wonder (approve)
• Dana wants families to join Project FeederWatch, a citizen science project posted at Backyard Birding. (approve)
• Matthew Paulson presents Why the Real Estate Market Slowdown is great for Consumers posted at Getting Green. (approve)
• Jared Hoylman presents A 3D Look Inside The Womb! posted at DadThing.com. (approve)
• Kerri Aldrich presents Writing a Book with the Kids posted at Play Library. (approve)
• Lisa Mitchell presents Breastfeeding and Facebook posted at Let’s Talk Babies. (approve)

ADVICE/INSTRUCTIONAL

On MEN:

edithyeung presents How to Correctly Ask a Man for What You Want posted at Edith Yeung.Com: Dream. Think. Act., saying, “For the ladies” (approve)

On MONEY:

Erica Douglas presents Parents! Beware of these 7 False Economies posted at LittleMummy.Com. (approve)

Is $1 really worth it? Discover The fine line between frugality and obsession posted at I’ve Paid For This Twice Already… (approve)

Amy Allen Clark presents Day 27: Save on Clothing posted at MomAdvice. (approve)

Millionaire Mommy Next Door presents Reduce The Bonehead Factor - And Save Money - With These Souvenir Strategies posted at Millionaire Mommy Next Door, saying, “With the advent of online shopping, you don’t need to travel to Key West to load up on painted seashells or T-shirts emblazoned with “My friend went to Key West and all I got was this tacky T-shirt”. Still, throbs of folks spend hard-earned cash and valuable vacation time spilling in and out of souvenir shops, loading up on knick knacks stamped with “Made in China”, as proof that they went to Florida and drank enough Margaritas to exercise such bad judgment. Read about my top 7 souvenir strategies.” (approve)

On CAMPING:

Veteran Military Wife presents Tent Camping with the Scouts at Ft Desoto Beach, saying, “Camping tips for the non-campers.” (approve)

On HORSES:

GP presents Riding Lessons of a Different Kind posted at Innside Innkeeping - Montana Country Style, saying, “Interacting with horses is not only a lot of fun it builds our character (and theirs too for that matter) in ways that transfers to in all other areas of life . Here’s seven character builders up close and in person” (approve)

On HOMESCHOOLING:

Dana presents Revealing the secrets of homeschooling, how I get it all done posted at Principled Discovery. (approve)

Summer M presents Homeschooling As a Class Issue posted at Mom Is Teaching, saying, “Choosing to stay home to homeschool isn’t just for wealthy families.” (approve)

On SUICIDE AWARENESS:

GrrlScientist presents Today is World Suicide Prevention Day posted at Living the Scientific Life, saying, “Suicide is a major public health issue and accounts for nearly 3% of all deaths worldwide — around the world, one million people will die by suicide this year. But suicide is a taboo subject that many people, regardless of age, sex, socioeconomic status or religious and cultural affiliations, are ashamed of, and rarely speak about. This veil of secrecy leads to needless deaths worldwide. So as a result, today was designated as World Suicide Prevention Day, which is designed to raise public awareness of suicide, to encourage discussion and to increase understanding about it.” (approve)

On GROCERIES:

Stephanie presents A Bag Your Own Groceries Tip posted at Stop the Ride!. (approve)

On PRODUCTIVITY:

Goal Setting or Let Go and Let God posted at Tupelo Kenyon, saying, “There are two approaches people use to manifest their desires. Some set goals. Others surrender and presume the universe is conspiring to deliver to them their every desire without strain, in its own way and in its own time. Which way is better? Can these two methods be used together? (Enjoy soothing instrumental music as you read plus songs with lyrics related to each article – all free.)” (approve)

Karen Lynch presents The C that Changes Everything (Live The Power) posted at LivethePower. (approve)

Kyle James presents Work Hard & Work Smart posted at Rather-Be-Shopping.com Blog, saying, “As a Dad, remember to work hard because your kids are watching everything you do.” (approve)

On ROAD TRIPS:

Jody DeVere presents Road Trip Survival Guide posted at Ask Patty - Automotive Advice for Women. (approve)

On COMPUTER GAMES:

Marcie Kasek presents Computer Games - Good for Kids! posted at Brighter Minds Media, saying, “The topic of our weekly blogs was children’s computer games - visit the link to read tips on choosing the right games for your children!” (approve)

On RAISING TEENS:

Leslie Williams presents While They Find Their Way posted at Do You Weary Like I Do (approve)

Maureen O’Brien presents Trinity Prep School - Boys To Men: Life Skills posted at Trinity Prep School. (approve)

On HANDMADE TOYS:

MC Milker presents Handmade Toys Aren’t So Hard. posted at The Not Quite Crunchy Parent, saying, “Some ideas about and some humor concerning handmade toys” (approve)

On HEALTH:

Liz Smith presents Keep Your Family Fit for Fall posted at Practical Living Blog, saying, “Team Modern Sage gives tips on staying fit during the fall and winter months.” (approve)

On RELATIONSHIPS:

Megan Bayliss presents Co and Counter Dependent Relationships: which one will your child choose? posted at Imaginif…, saying, “If you have an interest in human relationships and psychology then knowing about co and counter dependent relationships will be right up your alley. I want my kids to have functional relationships - thank goodness I’ve got one myself.” (approve)

Hal Sommerschield, Ph.D. presents 10 Relationship Values That Fill Me with Joy on a Daily Basis posted at North Star Mental Fitness Blog. (approve)

Kevin Heath presents Separation Anxiety and Helping Your Child Cope posted at More4kids. (approve)

Loraine Lawson presents How Parents Benefit from Pretend Play posted at Time for Family, saying, “Playing pretend with my daughter bored me out of my mind. I kept thinking, “Why couldn’t she get this out of her system at preschool?” Until one day I realized she didn’t want to be entertained. She wanted to connect with me.” (approve)

Melitsa presents Stuck on pretend play posted at Play-Activities.com, saying, “Boys like pretend play as well. One reader wrote in worried that her son didn’t participate in creative play like another playmate. Find some practical answers in this new series.” (approve)

Warren Wong presents The End Of Relationships posted at Personal Development for INTJs, saying, “How to develop long term relationships and view the end of relationshps.” (approve)

On ALLOWANCE & CHORES:

kellyc presents TIPS FOR CHORES AND ALLOWANCE posted at Pass the Torch, saying, “Tips for chores and allowance that have worked for her family. She invites you to share yours as well.” (approve)

SingForHim presents Teach Godly Lessons with Chores and Allowance posted at Real Life. (approve)

DeputyHeadmistress presents Hints on Children and Chores posted at The Common Room, saying, “There are some chores that boys maybe should not do after all.” (approve)

On TRAVELING:

Sheila Scarborough presents Hola, it’s Hispanic Heritage Month for travelers posted at Family Travel: See The World With Your Kids, saying, “Some ideas for travel with kids in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month 2007.” (approve)

On CLOTHING:

HowToMe presents How to Alter Slacks or Pants Length posted at HowToMe, saying, “Turning a pair of pants into shorts is a great way to get extra wear out of clothes. The pair of pants we are adjusting today came from a clearance center. We knew it wasn’t the right length, but since my darling Husband wanted another pair of shorts, 99cents and a bit of sewing sounded like a fantastic deal!” (approve)

On COLLEGE:

Joy Miller presents College credit for life experience posted at Online College Blog, saying, “Many colleges and universities allow you to earn credit for life experience. How this credit is awarded and assigned varies widely by university.” (approve)

On DATES:

Cory Aldrich presents Date Tip - Think Local posted at marriageactually.com. (approve)

On NURSING HOMES:

Grace presents nursing homes and the elderly posted at Sandier Pastures. (approve)

On INSURANCE:

Tushar Mathur presents Save Money on Homeowner’s Insurance posted at Everything Finance. (approve)

STORYTIME

Charlie Close presents Laptop posted at Summer Grasses, saying, “Kathy noticed this and says without taking her eye of the screen, “Do you want this, honey?” She was referring to the laptop. Did I want to hold the laptop on _my_ lap? “No,” I said. “That’s fine. I’m watching the TV.” I faced forward again to show her I was watching it. Kathy said, “Okay,” and she continued with her reading…” (approve)

Is $1 really worth it? Discover The fine line between frugality and obsession posted at I’ve Paid For This Twice Already… (approve)

Michelle Sweeney presents I remember… posted at Tonic Gifts. (approve)

Amanda Harris presents One Small Child posted at Pajama Mommy. (approve)

Laura presents we all want to be a big rockstar posted at Adventures in Juggling, saying, “okay, the reality of my life is i am the mom of five including a nearly 21 year old who had to remind me that i am old. aren’t our kids too-too cute?” (approve)

Leisa presents Pink, pink and more pink posted at downwiththekids.net. (approve)

Super Saver presents Special Consideration For Our Three Year Old posted at My Wealth Builder. (approve)

Micellaneous Mum presents I’m a bloody amateur - go on, ask about it posted at Miscellanous Adventures of an Aussie Mum, saying, “Oh, what joy having a semi-toilet trained child…..” (approve)

FamilyBriefs presents A Day at the Park posted at Family Briefs.com. (approve)

Deb presents A juggling act posted at Mom Of 3 Girls. (approve)

Riley presents The Good News IS the Bad News posted at All Rileyed Up. (approve)

Shera R. presents Who Knew? posted at A Journey With Twins, saying, “A peek at a day with twins.” (approve)

Emily Berry presents Anti-what? posted at Mommin’ It Up!. (approve)

Robert Bach presents Two (Too) Social posted at Kintropy In Action, saying, “The ultimate over-scheduled weekend.” (approve)

Donetta presents The Autumn of our lives. posted at A Life Uncommon, saying, “On being an older parent of school age children.” (approve)

Char Polanosky presents Birthday Party Politics posted at Weary Parent: Parenting Tweens & Teens. (approve)

Terri Mauro presents Special Needs Just Seem to Find Us posted at About Parenting Special Needs. (approve)

Lill Hawkins presents Pathology posted at News from Hawkhill Acres. (approve)

Lori Cooperstein presents Emmy Award-winning Animation Producer Bill Schultz talks about family values in the cartoon series he brings to our kids? posted at Lori, saying, “Creator of the cartoon series - Growing Up Creepie - talks shares his views on family life.” (approve)

Linsey B. Knerl presents a BITiE TIilBM posted at Facipiers and Stinky Toes. (approve)

Summer presents Oh you’re just so smart… posted at Wired For Noise, saying, “Who taught my one year old to be so sneaky?” (approve)

mom & dad presents The Stress of Kindergarten posted at raising4boys.com. (approve)

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of carnival of family life using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Technorati tags: carnival of family life, blog carnival.

Is it just me or does it seem like just when your about to get out the door things start to go wrong?

Today I was planning on walking one mile with The Kid in the carrier to meet my wife at a coffee shop, just in time for her next feeding. The Kid had just fallen asleep so the goal was to transfer her from the bed to the carrier without much stirring, slip on my shoes and hit the road. Well, it wasn’t exactly a smooth transfer and she flipped out. I tried calming her but that didn’t really work, and I was considering calling The Wife to just meet us at home, but then I decided to just go for it. I got The Kid in the carrier slipped my shoes on and hit the road. with attentioned focused on her I finally got her to calm down, however she lost some little knitted booties I had just put on her. My untied old shoes wore a blister on the heel of one of my feet, but we made it peacefully to the coffee shop and everything worked out.

Just one of those days I guess.

I wanted to give recognition to were I originally got the idea for the Letter to a Manager regarding changing tables in the men’s room. A while back I saw this card you could print off, from Parenting mag explaining Breastfeeding Rights.

Ever breastfed your baby in public and been confronted by a
disapproving stranger? You may not be aware that it’s your legal right
to nurse wherever you see fit — and most states have laws in place that
protect your choice. Download and print Babytalk’s Breastfeeding Rights card to learn more.
►License to Breastfeed

I’ve only been a dad for two months. I’ll be honest, I’m not a big fan of eating out in general, but lately there’s been something that’s turned me off even more to many fine dining establishments: No Changing Table in the Men’s Room. What is this the 1950’s?

Being the proactive person that I tend to be I figured I should make sure the manager of the store knows my opinion on this lack, and how it would affect my future visits. What I’ve discovered in the last two months is that only once have I had the pleasure of using one of those stylish changing tables when taking my baby out in public.

I decided to draft up a brief little letter that I could sign and hand to manager’s when ever I discovered a men’s room without a changing table. It goes like this:

Dear Manager of this Fine Establishment,

First of all, thank you for providing a place of business my wife and I enjoy frequenting. I wanted to point out one way that you could make your business a far more family friendly establishment. I noticed that there was no changing table in the men’s room. As a proud and involved father, I take great pride in the fact that I play an active role in my child’s life. It’s frustrating when that opportunity is hindered. Outdated stereotypes and gender roles would assume you only need a baby changing table in the women’s restroom, but that is not, nor should it be, the case anymore. Please do me and other father’s a favor and install a changing table in the men’s room of your business.

Thank You,

Ariah Fine

I’ve made a couple copies of this and put it in our diaper bag so that I have them at the ready whenever the need arises. I’ve also made a pdf file of the letter (minus my name) so that you can print off your own copies (4 per sheet) and put them in your diaper bag. Let’s been together dad’s and let businesses know we won’t allow them to force gender roles upon us!

Download the Letter (pdf)

(It’s also available at Google docs)

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