Creepy Puppets: The Wiggles

In what universe did The Wiggles not get sued out of existence for scaring the hell out of innocent parents with their homemade Devil Dolls?

If you enjoy creepy puppets, scaring small children, or having nightmares, then you're sure to love this fabulously awful early incarnation of the now-slick Aussie syndicate.

Bear in mind that this was developed by men with early education backgrounds in order to entertain, not permanently scar, small children.  The kids may be alright, but I'm writing this from the fetal position.

What puppets freak you out?

Suite 101: Kids Can Become Vegetable Lovers!

In my continuing series of articles on Suite 101, discover how to teach your children to LOVE vegetables.

The most recent article, "Participation Turns Kids Into Vegetable Eaters", teaches you four simple, effective ways to use participation as the key to encourage healthful eating.

The series continues throughout May and June on Suite 101.

New parents! Old parents! Hear Ye!

21 Months is a no-nonsense resource for new parents, focusing on pregnancy and the first year of life.

New articles on 21 Months:

• Stop morning sickness with ginger
  
• Prevent stretch marks: time-honored techniques & cutting-edge products
  
• Banking your baby's cord blood? Check out the bottom-line prices for all the major cord blood banks.
  
• Concerned about post-partum depression? Omega-3 foods may ease the symptoms.
  

Also, my series about raising kids who love vegetables continues on Suite 101.

• Everyday Changes Create Vegetable-Loving Kids
• Healthy Food Games For Kids
• Participation Turns Kids Into Vegetable Eaters
• Basics of Raising Vegetable Loving Children
  

"Special" Agent Oso

Oy. Over the weekend, my daughter and I fell prey to the Disney Advertising Juggernaut (or "Dajjie, Your New Best Friend" as they call it).  We watched the heavily-promoted, yet slapped-together show, "Special Agent Oso (The Unique Stuffed Bear)".

Yikes!  And here's why:

• He looks and feels like a latter-day Mickey Rooney.
• The animation rouses nostalgia for Dire Straits' Money For Nothing video.
  
• The constantly befuddled Oso retains information for approximately as long as a summer sidewalk retains water marks.

My 4-year-old summed up Oso's pity-inducing ineptitude thusly: "Why is he allowed to go out by himself and fly around like an adult, but he only understands things that a baby understands?"  Indeed.

When you compete with the likes of DJ Lance Rock, Candy Land, and pipe cleaner art, you'd best be bringing your A-game, flighty stuffed bear.

We're O-So over this show.

Suite 101 and 21 Months

21 Months is a no-nonsense resource for new parents, focusing on pregnancy and the first year of life.

New articles on 21 Months:

• Stop morning sickness with ginger
  
• Prevent stretch marks: time-honored techniques & cutting-edge products
  
• Banking your baby's cord blood? Check out the bottom-line prices for all the major cord blood banks.
  
• Concerned about post-partum depression? Omega-3 foods may ease the symptoms.
  

Also, my series about raising kids who love vegetables continues on Suite 101.

• Everyday Changes Create Vegetable-Loving Kids
• Healthy Food Games For Kids
• Participation Turns Kids Into Vegetable Eaters
• Basics of Raising Vegetable Loving Children