AND THE AWARD GOES TO…

For as long as I can remember, I have loved watching the Oscars. When I was a child my parents used to make us Oscar parties, which basically meant unlimited sparkling apple cider and mini hot dogs. In high school, I was a movie fanatic and had always seen all of the nominated movies by Christmas. I love watching for the fashion, to see the stars mingling on the red carpet, and of course to hear what nasty things Joan Rivers has to say.

After this year’s nominees were announced, I realized something very depressing. I had not had a chance to see even one of the movies that had been nominated. I know I'll eventually get around to viewing them all, but for now I have to live with the fact that finding two consecutive hours to watch an entire movie is no easy feat. While I may not be an expert on the best films of 2012 (next year I will do better), I thought this would be a good time to give out some of my own awards for the best things I have come across this year as a parent.

 

And the award goes to…  

 

FAVORITE BOOK ABOUT BULLYING: One by Kathryn Otoshi
We received this book as a present from friends over the holidays and it makes me smile every time I read it. There are many ways to teach a child to stick up for others who are being bullied, but this is one of the more unique approaches that I have come across. Plus, as an added bonus I get to sneak in a little color/number lesson for my ten-month old.

 

EASIEST WAY FOR NEW MOMS TO EXERCISE: Stroller Strides
I joined Stroller Strides thinking that this would be a group of moms taking a casual stroll through the park, but in actuality this is a hardcore workout for moms who want to get their bodies back. The kids sit and watch from their strollers while their moms get the chance to burn off calories without having to find a babysitter. Find a class near you.

 

BEST WAY TO GET TODDLERS TO EAT THEIR OATMEAL: Quaker Dinosaur Eggs
Getting my three-year old to eat new foods can be a challenge at times, but if the food is shaped like a dinosaur somehow it becomes magically appealing. And tell him that dinosaur eggs are actually hatching in his cereal, and all of a sudden he can’t get enough of his oatmeal.

 

FAVORITE CARTOON: Doc McStuffins
This is a really cute show about a young girl who runs a little toy hospital in her backyard. She’s never met a toy she couldn’t fix, and she seems to accept everyone's insurance. Read my previous blog about my other favorite television shows for kids.

 

MOST ENTERTAINING BOARD GAME: Richard Scarry’s Busytown
A fun version of I-Spy that even I enjoy playing with my three-year old. All of the players are working towards the same goal, so there is an added lesson of teamwork. Intended for ages 3 and up.

 

BEST CLOTHING STORE: Carters

In the end, nothing beats Carters when it comes to affordable, well-made children’s clothes. The best part is that my kids seem to fit into the intended sizes. (Do anyone else’s children outgrow Ralph Lauren clothing really quickly?!)

 

BEST TOY FOR TEETHERS: Sophie the Giraffe

Yes, it’s overpriced. But not overhyped. For some reason my ten-month old loves this rubber giraffe.

 

BEST SHOW ABOUT PARENTHOOD:  Parenthood

I don’t know if I’d go so far as to say this is the best show I’ve ever watched (it's not even my favorite show that has starred Lauren Graham), but it might be the best assembled group of actors I’ve ever seen in a television show. You are guaranteed to alternate between laughter and tears every single episode.

 

FAVORITE CHILDREN’S MOVIE: Follow That Bird
I’m not sure how many times I watched this on the VCR as a child, but I think I knew every word by heart. Just don’t let your child see the new DVD cover because for some reason they put Elmo on it, and they may be disappointed to learn that Elmo hadn’t even been created yet. (Why would they do that? Isn’t a movie with Big Bird and Sandra Bernhard enough to get the kids excited these days?)

 

BIGGEST WASTE OF TIME FOR NEW PARENTS: Learning to swaddle

For some reason one of the things I was most nervous about before becoming a new mom was the fact that my swaddling skills were less than perfect. Then I got one of these and I soon realized that my time could have been much better spent worrying about all of the other things that are scary about becoming a new parent, like not having enough time to watch movies once the baby arrives.