Tip of the Week: Free Kiddie Events

Plan a weekly outing for you and your little one to one of these FREE events this summer!

1.) Your local library hosts story times for children of all ages. Programs include Lapsit Story Times (0-18 months), Toddler Story Times (18-35 months) and Preschool Story Times (3-5 years). Visit the Chicago Public Library website here to search by "Program Name" and "Zip Code" to find days and times for the events at your local library!

2.) The Lincoln Park Zoo offers Story Time each Monday and Wednesday from 9:15-9:45am and again at 10-10:30am at the Farm-in-the-Zoo.

3.) Join Bubbles Academy at the Lincoln Park Whole Foods Market for fun songs and stories from 10-10:30am on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Tip of the Week: A Key to the City

Do you have a Chicago Public Library card? If you don't, I suggest you get one...this free membership card can act as a key to Chicago! Check out a free pass from your local library that allows you, your families and a friend FREE admission to all of Chicago's great museums.

Museums include: The Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Adler Planetarium, Art Institute, Chicago Children’s Museum, The Shedd Aquarium, and the Museum of Modern Art.

Most of these popular destinations have play areas just for babies and toddlers. In particular, I recommend the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry. Even if your baby is a little young to participate, the visually-stimulating environment is fun for your baby, and a great place to meet with friends!

Tip of the Week: Children's Medicine Recall

McNeil Consumer Healthcare, the maker of such pharmaceuticals as Tylenol, Zyrtec, and Motrin has announced a recall of their children and infants’ liquid products. The recall is not based on adverse medical events, but instead is voluntary based on quality control. In some instances, it is believed that there may be a higher concentration of active ingredients than specified. The company is warning consumers to discontinue use of these products.

Consumers can request a refund or coupon for any affected product at phone number 1-888-222-6036 or online at www.mcneilproductrecall.com.

Click here for a list of affected products and their NDC product numbers which are located on the bottle above the brand name.

Tip of the Week: Family Night Out

Dinner out with your toddler is usually far from relaxing, but now on Tuesday evenings you and your husband can get a little break at D'Agostino's Wrigleyville location where Smarty Pants will entertain your tot with free balloon art and a show. The show is from 6-8 p.m. at 1351 W. Addison and includes free ice cream for the kids!

Tip of the Week: Advice on your iPhone

Check out "Manic Mommies", a podcast that you can download for free from iTunes. It is based on the lives of Erin Kane and Kristin Brandt, two working mothers trying to do it all. Listen as they discuss their successes as well as their failures in the quest to be super mom. The show features honest, hilarious chats about the balancing act that we all go through. In addition, it features regular advice from parenting coach Kathy and Pediatrician, Dr. Rob. I recommend checking it out, their advice will definitely hit home!

Tip of the Week: Manageable Manicure

It never fails that just before a family visit or having my daughter’s picture taken, she scratches herself. When I brought her home from the hospital, I was thrilled when someone gave us mittens for her tiny hands to prevent it from happening. Unfortunately, they only stayed on her hands for a moment before she shook them off.

Since mittens are not a long-term solution, it was eventually time to give her nails a trim. Someone had given me a first-year nail kit for babies, and although I was enthusiastic about its success, my daughter had other ideas… it quickly went from manicure to wrestling match. The end result was a screaming baby with bleeding nails cut to the quick. I felt absolutely horrible! Years later I realize that accidents like this happen to the best of us, but it is a difficult lesson to learn.

My big solution and what I recommend to other moms is to cut your child’s nails when they are asleep! I also learned to err on the side of caution, being careful not to cut them too short and to take care off any sharp edges with a small, purse-sized file. This was so much easier… and another parenting disaster avoided!

A Special Announcement from Bubbles Academy Co-Founder and Owner

Dear Parents,

It's a girl! My family and I are excited to announce the birth of our third child, Kalista.

We are settling in to our new-baby routine, but this time around there is one notable difference. Although my wife, Kristine, is still breast feeding, she is using pumps and bottles. This gives me the chance to step in and feed Kalista part of each night. Yes, this means I'm a whole lot more tired, but it is well worth it to have this special time with our newest addition in a way that I couldn't with my first two children!

To nurse or not to nurse, to bottle feed or use formula --- many people have passionate feelings on the subject. Check out this recent Time article "Mothers Who Opt for Breast Milk, Not Breast-Feeding" by Catherine Sharick on the very same topic.

I'm wondering how you, the parents of Bubbles Academy, feel about all of this. Let me know by leaving your comments below!

Gratefully and Exhaustedly Yours,
Gregoire Klees-Johnson
Bubbles Academy Co-Founder and Owner