Tag: News

SafeSippy, how do I love thee? review+giveaway

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Have you ever bought a product that you and your kid love so much that you can’t stop telling others about it?  Yeah, me too.  And that’s part of the reason why I felt so compelled to start this blog.  Times have changed; we moms and dads are heavily influenced by each other more than ever.  This sippy cup is my prime example…

In the fall, as Jack transitioned to a cup full time, I was in search of a sippy cup that was durable and an alternative to plastic.  We’d been using a great BPA-free plastic sippy cup, but after several weeks of usage, I noticed the wear and tear.  At the baby store, amidst the wall of plastic cups, I set sight on this gleaming stainless steel sippy cup.  Hello, SafeSippy!  Modern looking, clean design and practical–my first impression was, this sippy cup completely met our needs.

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Apart from its aesthetics, this cup, inside and out, is well-designed.  It features a narrow spout, a contrast to many other sippy cups’ flat drink spouts.  Research has shown that wide, flat drink spouts can cause developmental and speech problems in young mouths.  The cup boasts a removable handle that can be removed once your kid can grasp the cup.  My kid, though old enough to hold a sippy cup without handles, likes this specific cup’s handle, which makes it better to “crank” and chug.  Don’t ask…
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Toys “R” Us introduces $1-$2-$3 Fun

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Fellow barganistas, behold: Toys “R” Us has set up a new shop with us in mind. Toys”R”Us has introduced a new concept within their stores called $1-$2-$3 Fun!

1-2-3-fun-low-resThe feature shops are located in the front of its stores nationwide and are aimed to provide affordable fun.  In this economy, you can’t go wrong with inexpensive and fun goodies.  In the same vein of Target’s Dollar Spot and other discount store concepts, each shop features around 100 items for $1, $2 or $3. The shops will showcase different themes such as dinosaurs, games and fun toys, princess dress up, musical instruments, art supplies and party favors. The goodies found in $1-$2-$3 Fun would be ideal for party favors, stocking stuffers and other daily events where inexpensive goodies are appreciated!

Who says you can’t get anything for a dollar anymore!?

Bugaboo celebrates 10 years + a giveaway

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

It’s hard to believe that it’s already been 10 years since this ubiquitous line of strollers began populating streets in Holland.  Since then, Bugaboo has become a household name among many new parents worldwide, as well as a part of many celebrities’ baby gear aresenal.  In celebration of the high-end stroller line’s 10 year anniversary, from March until July, the company is announcing various exciting offers.  To find out about these offers, check out their site and sign up for their emails.

As if exciting offers aren’t enough, Bugaboo has teamed up with another brand well known to modern parents–Paul Frank.
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In February, Bugaboo announced that the Cameleon can now be outfitted with the Paul Frank Special Collection. Who doesn’t love Julius the monkey?  The iconic Paul Frank characters adorn the Special Collection, which includes two tailored fabric sets, two footmuffs and two blankets.  Retail prices are $129.95 for the tailored fabric set; $159.95 for the footmuff; and $49.95 for the blanket.

Speaking of cool blankets, Bugaboo added Micro Fleece Blankets to their accessory collection not too long ago.  The blankets come in a spectrum of colors that coordinate with the entire Bugaboo line.  The Micro Fleece Blanket is super soft, weather and water repellent and ideal for a brisk spring day at the park.  The blanket retails at $40

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I have a Red Micro Fleece Blanket up for grabs!

Want it?
It’s easy: spread the word about the Next Kid Thing launch and comment below.
Email, Facebook,Twitter, StumbleUpon–whatever social networking site you choose.


For additional entries: share the news on more than one social networking site and comment with each additional link.

This contest ends next Tuesday, April 21 at 11:59 p.m.

Goodies: Be sure to check out their online community, Bugaboo Friends, for tips and other great info.

*******This contest is now closed***********

Sneak preview of the Next Kid Thing!

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

My new website is a product of many things, but most importantly driven by the things that I’m passionate about.  Many of you already “know” my story and how none of this was really planned.  In case you don’t remember, here’s a quick reminder:  A former magazine editor turned freelance writer, I sought, more than anything, a work-life balance. In October 2008, after countless interviews amidst the failing economy and troubled field of print journalism, I decided to end THAT chase and start a new one, on my own terms.

As I wrote my goodbyes to various colleagues, one simple reply changed everything. “Wishing you all the best on the Next Big Thing.” From that moment, I knew exactly what my next big thing was; it was this, the Next Kid Thing. With my professional background, coupled with my interests as a new mom, I strive for the Next Kid Thing to be a blog that follows the latest kid trends with a magazine-type flair. From babies to big kids, from books to apps, from features to reviews, the Next Kid Thing is your go-to source for all things kids and the modern-minded grownups that love them.

Come on in, take a look and be sure to come back often for reviews, news and of course, great giveaways!

The Doozers: Fraggle Rock spinoff planned

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Cue intro:
Dance your cares away
Worry’s for another day
Let the music play
Down at Fraggle Rock

baxterGo ahead, admit it.  If you’re like me, you still have fond memories for those innocent days of watching the Muppets and Fraggle Rock–the days before cell phones, the internet and when playtime meant running around outside all day and night.   When I hear that theme song, it emits a Pavlovian reaction for the “good ol’ days.”

Well, there’s good news for you Muppet-lovers and parents of the preschool set:  The Jim Henson Company is teaming up with Decode Entertainment to produce a Fraggle Rock spinoff with a 3-D animated show based on The Doozers.

Who could forget the industrious little Doozers who wore hard hats as they cheerfully labored alongside the Fraggles, building scaffolds composed of ‘Doozer sticks’ made of ‘radish dust’? Now the Doozers are back to inspire kids to make the world a better place by making smart, eco-friendly choices, and by inventing tools, gadgets, buildings, structures, and other technology that supports the environment’s ecology.

According to various sites, the series is targeted at 4- to 7-year-olds, and is in pre-production with test animations being made.  Episodes are being planned to enter pre-production by the fall of 2009, with release estimated for fall 2010.

Kidscreen reported that instead of Down at Fraggle Rock, the show will focus on a trio of new apprentice Doozers, named Baxter, Puzzlebea and Daze, who take their construction projects above ground and learn through teamwork and cooperation.  The show is said to have a curriculum built around green technology and eco-consciousness.

Muppets, eco-consciousness and reliving childhood memories vicariously through the kid?  The Doozers sounds like a show that would fit perfectly into our family programming rotation.

Study sheds light on bath products

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

There’s a new report out that reveals some daunting information that will make you want to think twice about your babe’s bath products. Oh no, what now, right?

whats-going-onThe Campaign for Safe Cosmetics published a report that says several children’s bath products are contaminated with the cancer-causing chemicals formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane. This isn’t the first time you’ve probably heard similar information; a study came out in 2008 that focused on organic personal products. However, this new study called, “No More Toxic Tub,” is the first to document the widespread presence of both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane in bath products for children, including baby shampoos, bubble baths and baby lotions. The group says Formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane are known carcinogens; formaldehyde can also trigger skin rashes in some children. The report said that unlike many other countries, the U.S. government does not limit formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane, or most other hazardous substances in personal care products.

Just a few of the products tested are:

  • CVS Baby Shampoo (CVS/Pharmacy)
  • Suave Kids 2-in-1 Shampoo – Wild Watermelon (Unilever)
  • American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel – Apple Blossom (Bath & Body Works)
  • Equate Tearless Baby Wash (Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.)
  • Grins & Giggles Milk & Honey Baby Wash (Gerber Products Company)
  • Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wash (Kimberly-Clark)
  • Sesame Street Bubble Bath – Orange Mango Tango (The Village Company)

To see all of the products tested and results go here. Per usual, there’s no need to be alarmed, so don’t go and toss out all of your bath products. The big picture here is, it’s all about being smarter consumers and to be aware of what you’re buying and using. I mean, who doesn’t want the best for their kid?

Once again, I’ll take the opportunity to tout the awesomeness of natural products. With this latest report, I thought I’d share some alternatives to the more questionable products that were included in this latest study.

These are my top picks:

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