July 2009 Archives

If you find yourself searching for that perfect one-of-a-kind gift for a child's upcoming birthday, have we got just the thing for you! Forget those dolls that say "mama" or require diaper changes, how about one that your child can use to mimic breastfeeding? It's nothing new that little tykes often mimic their mothers who breastfeed, often trying to place stuffed animals or baby dolls to their chests in an attempt to "feed" them, but a Spanish toy company has created a doll that takes this all one step further. Berujan's "Bebe Gloton" is designed to promote breastfeeding as a natural part of motherhood, but some wonder if it's a little over the top. Bebe Gloton comes complete with a tie on "apron" for your child to wear -- the bra-like top has flower-like "nipples" to activate the doll's sucking sounds and movements. While we're all for breastfeeding, some in the iVillage community agree that the doll may veer too much into the "weird" department:

That is taking things a little too far. I will be glad if that thing never hits the US. I don't have any problem with breastfeeding, heck I'll do it right there in front of anyone. But it is not right to go to such lengths with dolls. It should all start at home.  -- angelbabies2008

Very weird! I wouldn't buy it and I would not want it as a gift either. -- xmansmama4l

I'm definitely pro-breastfeeding but it is sort of strange. I could understand not wanting to supply every baby sold at Walmart with a plastic bottle to come with it (having little girls make the connection of baby = bottle). -- eseirup

The bra thing kind of weirds me out a little... but then again, I really don't like dolls that 'DO' much of anything. I've had to do a lot of searching on the toy shelves to find a doll that doesn't talk/cry/pee/poop/move/etc. I much prefer that [my daughter] uses her imagination instead.  -- caremore37

One word: creepy. I understand the concept, it's just a little much. I would not buy something like this. -- tryin2understand

Other moms applaud the idea and might be potential buyers if the doll becomes available outside of Spain:

I think it's great! If they end up selling it in Canada, I'll for sure buy it. It's cute, and I love the whole concept. -- asheo

I think it is great that there is finally a doll that doesn't come equipped with a bottle or a pacifier. My kiddo breastfeeds his stuffed animals though so I do not see a point in purchasing it, other than simply supporting the idea but anything that promotes breastfeeding as normal in our society is a good thing.  -- lovemymunkaman

iVillager cathimac's comment sums up what many are saying about Bebe Gloton:

Remember the days when you could just strip down and walk around naked like it was no big deal? No, I'm not talking about your college experience or the trip you took to that music festival, I mean the uninhibited freedom of being a toddler! Ok, maybe the memories are fuzzy now, but it's no secret that there are some kids that just love to spend their days in the buff.  A lot of moms use this to their advantage during the potty training stage, but when do baby bums strutting around the house (and beyond) become a no-no? A recent article from the New York Times takes a peek at how some parents deal with their children's penchant for nudity -- and the reactions that it can elicit from family and friends.

The topic of nudity and kids has also been a subject of debate on our message boards, from concerns over "how old is too old?" and whether nudity in children is more acceptable for boys than girls. Some moms share their observations:

I think you will be able to tell when your child is becoming conscious of their body and is embarrassed by what you are doing. As for Jacob, he would be content to run around naked outside and in public all day - I have trouble keeping clothes on him.  -- cl-babyjakes

I think that once kids start walking, being naked in public isn't OK anymore. Aside from the quick diaper change, that is. I usually try to keep [my daughter] out of eyesight when I have to change her in public, too. And even when we are at home and she wants to go to the back yard naked or in her panties I make her put clothes on. -- bellabunnysmama

[My son] spends a lot of time naked due to [potty training], but when someone comes over that isn't a very close friend, we put something on him. In ones home is completely different than in public imho. -- christinaone

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Since it is beach and pool season, some moms are also concerned about privacy, as tots often make any beach a nude beach. This iVillager makes an interesting point about a more public world:

I see little ones buck naked on the beach all the time, I think if my kids were babies again, I would not do it in a public beach.  Home in the backyard yes! We didn't grow up with YouTube or electronic porn, so now you have to be proactive in protecting yourself.  -- michiganmotormom

Another mom shares her "been there, done that" experience:

All I can say is that it is a good thing that I don't have a problem with small children being naked.  [My daughter], at age 3, stripped naked at a friend's birthday party because they had a kiddie pool there and she didn't have a swimsuit. 

That said, I have had to make a rule about them being naked in the backyard.  I think [my daughter] was about 7 years old when I started telling her not to be naked in the backyard, but really got firm about it by the time she was 8. She's completely comfortable in her own skin and just has no idea that anyone could look at her in an inappropriate way but certainly, at age 9, it's more than time for her to start understanding modesty. -- elisedf

The seemingly simple act of being naked brings up a lot of questions in the parenting realm -- namely, how do we encourage our kids to be comfortable with their bodies while protecting their privacy and making sure they don't perform their latest striptease in the middle of the mall food court? Are we as a society too freaked out by nudity in general? We'd love to hear your thoughts on these little streakers -- especially if you have one at home! Do you think it's something to worry about or really no big deal?

Love her or hate her, Sarah Palin is here to stay, and following her surprise resignation as Alaska's governor on Friday afternoon, the question is how exactly she'll be sticking around.

In what was largely perceived as a rambling speech --  "I was certainly stunned when I heard the news and I'm still not 100 percent certain what her reasons were for resigning early," said iVillager wallejos -- Palin hinted that she may be quitting politics entirely ("You can choose to engage in things that tear down, or build up. I choose to work very hard on a path for fruitfulness and productivity,") but a beat later went on to say "productive, fulfilled people determine where to put their efforts, choosing to wisely utilize precious time to build up," which seems to hint at a possible run for president in 2012.

One has to wonder if Palin even knows what's next, but that doesn't stop us from speculating.

"I may really be off base here, but I don't think she will even try to run [in 2012]," says iVillage member jbgattuso2007. "I actually believe that she is 'out' of politics in the title sense. Again, may come back to bite me, just a feeling I've got."

After her failed bid for the nation's VP post, there was chatter of a Sarah Palin talk show. Could she be the next Oprah? She majored in journalism in college; perhaps Fox is looking for a female counterpart to Bill O'Reilly?

"She probably can do more to make more money for her family outside of government," says iVillager mombitsey. "She can get a book deal. [Ed: She already did.] She can repackage herself. Maybe she could become the next Ann Coulter."

Could she be the next Ann Coulter, a new spokeswoman for brunette republicans? Or Maybe she'll get all "new media" on us and establish the next GOOP (SOOP?) where we'll get to hear about her preferred places to buy cute Naughty Monkey pumps and her tips to increase running speed.

In the end, no matter what path she chooses -- no matter how serious or silly -- iVillager sionainncaitlin seemed to sum up our community's reaction best: "Crap! Now I'm sure we'll see even more of her than ever before."

See what else they're saying on our Politics Today message board.