Wichita Eagle: Family

Zipzicles allow for customizable, DIY ice pops

JACE EVANS — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:20 CDT

Popsicles are a great treat to kick back and enjoy on a hot summer day. Unfortunately, not all children, or even adults, can consume the vast array of popsicles due to food allergies.

In comes Zipzicles, the portable, do-it-yourself ice-pop bag. Zipzicles are not a food product; they are resealable bags that hold one-third cup of liquid. The result is a highly customizable frozen treat experience that is great for both children with allergies and parents who are health-conscious.

In fact, food allergies are where WizCo LLC got the inspiration to make the first Zipzicle. Owner Shawna Palmer's son Luke was allergic to foods with strong dyes. WizCo is a true family affair, with Palmer's husband Murray Greenwood and Luke's brother Trevor Greenwood also involved in the day-to-day operations of the company.

Frumpy Middle-Aged Mom: Who's been sleeping in your bed?

MARLA JO FISHER — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:20 CDT

I don't know if you've slept recently, but it has come to my attention that a lot of people have wacky sleeping situations.

Last night, I turned on the TV and watched a few minutes of some reality show - I didn't catch the name - in which a pretty young mom was explaining to her long-suffering husband why she needed to continue sleeping in the master bedroom with their 2-year-old child.

The toddler's father, who seemed like a nice guy, was calmly explaining to his wife that he was tired of sleeping in the guest room, and he'd like to come back to bed and share it with his wife. After two years.

Rustle up an easy, herby ranch dressing

JILL L. REED — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:20 CDT

With summer just around the corner, I can't get my mind off of dinner salads.

No, not the dinner salad you see on some menus; the salad made up of lettuce, a wedge or two of tomato and maybe some carrot threads.

I want a big, bold salad loaded with lots of fresh veggies - and maybe some grilled chicken or seafood - that will be the dinner, not just an appetizer.

Foods to ease pregnancy symptoms

JOANNE VAN ZUIDAM — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:20 CDT

Yep, smart eating can make you feel better through all three trimesters. We look at common symptoms you may experience, from morning sickness to heartburn to insomnia, and come up with some foods to try.

THE SYMPTOM: MORNING SICKNESS

What to eat: Ginger

Nameberry: Boys' names 2013: Soft new choices

PAMELA REDMOND SATRAN — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:20 CDT

Sssssssssh, have you heard the secret?

There may be a lot of Wild and Wilder names around these days, but boys' names in 2013 are also going in a softer direction.

The sh sound is stylish - or should that be shtylish? - for baby boys' names, introduced by Joshua and Sean and led these days by such trendy choices as Asher and Dashiell.

Celebrity Baby Scoop: Sarah Michelle Gellar on pertussis vaccine, motherhood 'easier' second time around

JENNY SCHAFER — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:20 CDT

Actress and mother-of-two Sarah Michelle Gellar is joining March of Dimes and the Sounds of Pertussis campaign to help raise awareness about pertussis, also known as whooping cough, and the importance of vaccinating the entire family.

Sarah opens up to Celebrity Baby Scoop ( www.celebritybabyscoop.com ) about family life with husband Freddie Prinze, Jr. and their two kids ï¿½ daughter Charlotte, 3, and 8-month-old son Rocky. She goes on to talk about the "honor" of being named our 'favorite celebrity mom' in the Readers' Choice Awards, being in "heaven" with her sweet son, and their upcoming Father's Day plans.

Q: Tell us about teaming up with March of Dimes and the Sounds of Pertussis campaign.

Why banning treats is a road to nowhere

JENNI GROVER — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:20 CDT

We're all used to those well-meaning snippets of wisdom from parents intent on limiting their kids' intake of sweets.

But it is important to know they may be counterproductive.

In our efforts to enforce a little moderation on our would-be sugar fiends, we run the risk of turning candy, cake and treats into a bigger deal in a child's mind. We may be unintentionally reinforcing the message that sweets are more exciting than vegetables, and that good times and unhealthy indulgence go hand-in-hand.

After son's death, mom fights to find justice

ERIC ADLER — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:15 CDT

The Saturday before Mother's Day, for an hour or so, Kelly Riemann sat in a grassy median on Ward Parkway in Kansas City, Mo. She knelt. She stood close to a knee-high cross covered with purple silk flowers that she had stuck into the ground facing traffic.

Clasping hands with her adult daughter and a niece carrying an infant, she closed her eyes and prayed.

"Thank you, God, for giving us Daniel for 25 years," said Riemann, 49, of Norton, Kan. "Help us understand why this happened. Let us move on with Daniel in our hearts."

Where do you stand on kids using social media?

KRIS HEY — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:11 CDT

My son is nearing 11, and I don't let him use social media.

He doesn't have his own cellphone yet. He uses my iPhone sometimes, but I limit the apps to single-player games and educational programs and don't let him text. Once in a while, I let him use FaceTime to talk with friends, but I keep an eye on him when he's using it.

Like most people with a smartphone, I regularly use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. I might even be that sole person who watches Netflix on my tiny iPhone 4s screen.

Five ways to get your kids to read during summer

PAULA SIROIS — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:11 CDT

Sitting beside the proud, vocal parent who shares how great of a reader her child is (so much so that she can barely keep up with the insatiable demand for books), is the regular mom who cringes as she considers how her kid not only doesn't read, but hates reading and struggles with it all year long. And once summer hits, the idea of reading doesn't even cross the child's mind.

If that's your kid, here are a few ideas that may help stimulate some interest and a little reading this summer.

1. ONE WORD AT A TIME: "Make a summer word wall," said Jane Bailey, Ph.D., dean of the School of Education at Post University in Waterbury, Conn.

Child Sense: Helping to make flying easier for your child

PRISCILLA DUNSTAN — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:11 CDT

The summer holidays bring travel and in this vast country we often travel on airplanes. And recent events have led to tighter security when flying, which can be upsetting to children. Working with a child's dominant sense can help parents anticipate and alleviate their child's stress when it comes to airport lounges, security check points and plane travel.

Tactile children often are the ones running here, climbing over the chairs there and rearranging suitcases. The crowds, lines, security rules and the lack of moving space are hard on this sense and easily can overwhelm your tactile child. This often shows up with them refusing to be carried or to refusing to hold your hand and instead throwing themselves on the ground to kick their heels and cry.

Letting them have their own small bag on wheels, that is packed with activities, is a good idea. Many children's travel bags come with flags so a parent can easily spot their child in case they get left behind or run ahead. Pulling the bag also gives them a physical activity and something to sit on when the lines get too long. If possible, try to take them on lots of walks and find a quiet area where they can run around without disturbing too many people. In addition, bring colored pencils and books or take them to a store to get something new and stimulating to look at.

Family Meals Matter: Dairy Month: Drink local!

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:11 CDT

If you're a big fan of shopping at farmers' markets for fresh and local food, you might be surprised to learn that milk is another local product. Generally, most milk makes its way from the farm to the grocery store in just two days.

To celebrate this wondrous secret of milk, we've assembled recipes that feature fruits and vegetables fresh from farmers' markets as well as milk and milk products so you can eat and drink local. For more secrets, visit www.HealthyEating.org/SecretsofMilk .

Start with a featured family meal of Super Grilled Veggie Wraps, Fresh Tomato Soup Au Gratin and Rhubarb Fool for dessert. Other recipes to keep you eating and drinking local all week long include Cucumber and Tomato Tangy Yogurt Salad, Mediterranean Beef and Salad Pitas, Balsamic Yogurt Grilled Vegetables and Mango and Melon Salad with Strawberry Sauce.

Moms Gear: Promote curiosity in your kids with Nancy B's Science Club Microscope and Activity Journal

MAGGIE O'NEILL — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:11 CDT

Let's face it: I felt intimidated by the process of using microscopes in high school and college and often let the other students - usually, boys - do the work. But I'm making sure my own children start out on a stronger foot by introducing them to the world of science and observation at a young age.

Nancy B's Science Club offers a plethora of science-based tools including a microscope that comes with an activity journal. This product is intended for children ages 8 and older, but my daughters, slightly younger in age, have had fun with it with parental guidance.

The microscope itself is mostly made of plastic and is safe for children to use. It features a focusing knob, clips to hold specimens in place, and top and bottom viewing lights. It offers 30x, 100x and 400x magnification and child-safe tools to help promote inquiry: prepared and blank slides, a petri dish, test tube, specimen vial and more.

Learn to embrace your eccentric relatives

Judi Light Hopson, Emma H. Hopson and Ted Hagen — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 17:03 CDT

Do you hesitate to invite certain family members to mingle with your friends or business associates? Maybe you worry that your interesting kinfolk might tarnish your image.

If this is the case, relax. We all have relatives who drink too much, tell off-color jokes and wear Hawaiian shirts to a formal event. Most families have at least one person who’s spent time in jail, another who needs flogging in the Town Square, and one who has failed drug rehab over and over.

But, we can love these people anyway. While most of us need to set boundaries with our eccentric relatives, we can stop apologizing for them. Besides, with love and encouragement, they will feel more like turning their lives in a better direction. These tips can help:

Toy guide: Headed for fun

Moira E. McLaughlin — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 07:50 CDT

We like summer just as much as you do: the beach, the family cookouts and the long days playing outside. (Oh, and then there's that whole no-school thing.) That's why this year, we decided to find the best outdoor toys. We looked far and wide, asking toy companies for their best new products, calling toy store owners to see what they think and then finally getting some experts — kids — to test the toys.

Here's what we came up with: water toys, new scooters and things that fly. They're all perfect for hanging out at the park with friends, chilling in your backyard with your brothers or running around at the beach with your cousins. Summertime, and these toys, are meant for outdoor fun with the people you love.

Y-Fliker F1 Scooter, YVolution, $99.99, age 5 and older. Just when you mastered your old scooter, here comes a new one, with two platforms to stand on, one for each foot. To go, move your hips and transfer your weight from one foot to the other, sort of like you're ice skating, except you keep both feet on the scooter. Grab the brake on the handlebar to stop. It's easier to balance than on a typical scooter, but it may take a little practice to master the swaying motion so you can scoot to the park.

Ask the Mompreneur: How to cut expenses while preserving staff

JENNIE WONG — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 07:10 CDT

January has always struck me as a bad time for an entrepreneur to cut expenses, since to my mind, the start of a new year should correspond with new plans, fresh campaigns, and spending for growth.

Mid-year, on the other hand, seems an auspicious time to cut the fat. You have six months of operating data to look back on and six months ahead to reap the rewards of any course correction. If you think your business might benefit from some cost-cutting - and you don't want to lay off anyone - consider these categories:

Businesses target moms-to-be

BRIDGET DOYLE — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:50 CDT

In preparing to become a mother for the first time, Stephanie VanHazebroeck has a never-ending list of questions - and an equally long shopping list.

For crib advice and glider chair guidance, VanHazebroeck, 35, sought a personal shopper at Wish Baby Registry, a boutique that opened in Chicago's Lincoln Park six months ago. At Wish, parents-to-be seek the advice of a baby product guru to help them decide such things as whether to buy a Bugaboo or UPPAbaby stroller.

"At the end of the day, baby stuff is expensive - way more expensive than any bridal registry," VanHazebroeck said. "The gifts are more important - it's not just a blender. And you're starting from ground zero."

Nameberry: A new generation of French names

PAMELA REDMOND SATRAN — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:40 CDT

There's a new generation of names popular in Paris, all fresh and chic-sounding beyond the French borders. Will they translate to the English-speaking world? The Francophiles among us might like to try.

These names are widely used in contemporary France and might make exotic choices for a baby in Los Angeles or London.

GIRLS

Celebrity Baby Scoop: Chris O'Donnell: 'I don't know if my kids are keeping me trendy and cool'

SHANNAH HENDERSON — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:10 CDT

"NCIS: Los Angeles" actor Chris O'Donnell recently teamed up with the ConAgra Foods Foundation and Feeding America to support the fight against child hunger in America. Chris helped to create a PSA-style video highlighting the cause.

Chris opens up to Celebrity Baby Scoop ( www.celebritybabyscoop.com ) about his work with the ConAgra Foods Foundation, what inspired him to join the cause, and his five children, Lily, 14, Chip, 13, Charles, 10, Finley, 7, and Maeve, 6. The talented actor also reveals that his kids have play dates with the Garner-Afflecks, who happen to live right up the street.

Q: Tell us about how 1 in 5 kids in the USA go hungry in the summer months. Why does this happen? Why did you get involved in this cause - why are you teaming up with the ConAgra Foods Foundation?

You don't have to be Swedish to love the lingonberry

JILL L. REED — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:45 CDT

I like to joke with the Man that Ikea is the "land of his people." He is, after all, half Swedish.

And he can while away the better part of an afternoon looking at all the assemble-it-yourself furniture, the textiles and the rugs, especially the rugs. And while we do have a couple pieces of the furniture at home, he really rarely buys anything.

I think he just likes the orderly layout of things. Oh, and the chance to see what surprises might be found in the as-is section.