It’s not often that I talk about my cultural background.  I’m actually embarrassed that most of you probably don’t know I’m Puerto Rican. I grew up with parents who wanted to “mainstream” me.  They wanted me to have as many opportunities as possible.  It wasn’t until I entered high school that I even thought about learning our native language.  I’m 32 years old and disappointed that I had the opportunity to be bilingual, but am not (but I can still learn!).

Learning a second language can only help your child.  Having spent some time living overseas, I was surprised at how many children speak more than one language.  Because my husband is Caucasian, my children will have that much more difficulty learning a second language because they won’t grow up hearing it spoken.  This is why it’s so important to me to start teaching my son basic Spanish at an early age.

Many months ago, I learned about a program called Boca Beth.  I actually had no idea that I could start teaching my son Spanish at a very young age.  I thought he had to master English first. Boca Beth products offer parents a fun way to introduce Spanish AND English to their children.  This is one of the only programs that teaches language in this way.  Bilingual education is optimal for children learning their native language.

The program is fun…which is important to me.  I wasn’t always thrilled about learning a second language as a child.  I didn’t see the need for it (how ironic!).  My son loves to learn.  We read and complete mini phonics lessons, so starting this program was something exciting for him.  The program seeks to teach children in a variety of ways by tapping into many of their senses.  They can watch the DVD, listen to the CD, color and complete the activity book, and touch the puppet and maracas.  Best of all, I don’t have to know a single word of Spanish to teach my children with this program (did you hear that hubby?).

Boca Beth has won several awards and was created by a teacher.  It’s been used in preschools, public schools and homes for over six years. Some of the benefits of the program include early reading skills and advanced communication abilities.  And best of all, it’s very affordable.

My son received the Boca Beth Beginner Set, which includes their first bilingual music CD, their first bilingual DVD, BOCA the puppet, a coloring book, and an easy reading How to Guide.  We try to do something each day (whether it be listening to the CD, watching the DVD, etc.). The only basic Spanish my son had coming into the program was familiarity with Spanish numbers (up to number 10).  Right now, he’s imitating several of the words in the program. We still need lots of practice matching the English and Spanish words.

One of my questions was, why a puppet?  I learned that puppets help to bring out native and new language in children.

Boca Beth is an effective, easy-to-use program that makes learning Spanish fun for both parents and children.

Win It! One of you will win a Boca Beth Beginner Backpack (ARV $49.99).  Simply leave me a comment with something you learned on the site.  Comments will close on April 1, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Vote for Rockin’ Mama for the Hot Blogger Calendar

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

I did not receive compensation for this post.  Product samples were provided to facilitate this review and giveaway.

You’d think after nursing my son for 15 months, I’d be a pro at nursing in public.  In all honesty, I still find breastfeeding in public to be challenging.  I was at church a few weeks ago…we were at our couple’s small group.  Our daughter needed to nurse.  The room was filled with young couples…most who have children.  I left our table and went to the back of the room.  I had a nursing cover.  I still managed to get flustered and ended up going to the car.  Why?  Why does something that we’re biologically programmed to do cause women around the world to feel awkward…uncomfortable.  Why are we constantly apologizing for nursing our babies in public?

I was skimming through a parenting magazine recently.  I happened upon an old picture…it was black and white.  It was a picture of a woman nursing her baby at a table…uncovered.  It was so natural.  Everyone was eating at the table…including her baby.  I so wish our society viewed nursing this way.

This week’s breastfeeding article was written by Kimberly Seals Allers.  Kimberly is a leading authority on issues relating to modern, mothers of color, author of The Mocha Manual™ series of books and editor in chief of MochaManual.com, the fast growing web-based publication and lifestyle destination for today’s African American moms and moms-to-be. She is also a featured blogger for MomLogic.com and Babycenter.com.

Breastfeeding Your Baby in Public

So you are finally comfortable with the rhythm of feeding your new baby at home… Wonderful! But, who wants to stay home all the time? Some new moms might feel a little hesitation when it’s time to take the show on the road. This is quite natural, and also quite easy to overcome!

Some amount of public breastfeeding is inevitable. According to a recent Bravado Breastfeeding Information Council report, where, when and how to feed your baby away from home is a source of concern for many new breastfeeding moms. Up to 30% state that having to breastfeed in public creates anxiety for themselves and their spouses. Over 85% of breastfeeding moms surveyed by the BBIC stated they would go out of their way to frequent establishments that were comfortable and friendly to breast feed in. We asked BBIC board member Kimberly Seals Allers for some advice about how to find your public “comfort zone”.

Q: When planning trips out and about with your baby, how can you find a place that is breastfeeding friendly to stop for a feeding? What types of places should new/expectant moms be on the lookout for?

A: Moms just rave about the lounges at Nordstrom, but hotel lobbies and fitting rooms are also great and I heard of one woman who slipped into a dark pew in the back of a church! If public places like a park bench aren’t available, there’s always the passenger seat of your car. When in doubt, ask a local breastfeeding friend. There’s a fair chance that they have “been there and done that” in the same public places. They will likely have suggestions about comfortable places to stop for a feeding.

Q: Is it appropriate to call ahead to an establishment you will be visiting for the first time? What should you say?

A: It’s a great idea to call ahead. But don’t place an establishment on the spot, by demanding to know if they are “breastfeeding friendly”. Many people don’t know what exactly that means, and it means different things to different people. When you call, you should be specific about your needs. Do you need a quiet room with a door that locks? Access to a refrigerator? A place to plug in a breast pump? Your needs are probably very simple and once the establishment hears them, they may happily come to realize that they are indeed “breastfeeding friendly”.

Q: Are there any tools, tricks, or accessories that breastfeeding moms can keep in mind, to make it easier & more comfortable to breastfeed in public?

A: It’s always a good idea to carry a scarf. It can be used in so many ways; to keep warm, for privacy, etc. Slings are a great accessory for breastfeeding moms. They allow you to carry your baby hands free, and with a little practice, you can nurse your baby in them. It’s possible to breastfeed a baby in public in a sling, even while grocery shopping, without anyone noticing. However, the most important accessory for a breastfeeding mother who is planning on nursing her baby wherever she goes, is confidence. Don’t be focused on others. Focus on your baby!

Quick Tips:

* Ask a breastfeeding friend about local places they have found comfortable to stop and feed their baby
* When in doubt, call ahead and be specific about your needs and requirements
* Carry a scarf and/or a sling to make yourself and your baby more comfortable when nursing in public.
* If you are out of great options, retreat to the passenger seat of your car.
* Don’t leave home without it: Confidence!

Want to learn more? Just visit Bravado!

This information is courtesy of Bravado Designs, the brand synonymous with nursing women and their success for eighteen years.

As a little girl, I remember the yearly back-to-school trips to Stride Rite for their black and white oxfords (I went to a private school and wore uniforms for several years as a child).  I have a wide foot and Stride Rite was really the only children’s store at the time that offered wide width options for this type of shoe.  More than 20 years later, my son and daughter are wearing Stride Rite shoes.  While the quality of their shoes has not changed (in fact it’s probably better), the company offers many more fashionable styles. The company has been designing children’s shoes for over 85 years and is known for designing and engineering footwear specifically to meet the needs of growing children.

I once read that the best way for children to learn how to walk is barefoot.  This is  a great concept, in theory.  But we have laminate and tile around the house and I feel more comfortable having my children wear shoes.  Almost as good as walking barefoot are Robeez’s soft-soled shoes.  Their Mini Shoez collection are designed for children ages 3 months to 18 months.  They look like real shoes and have a water-repellant, non-slip sole.  They have a flexible sole and a cushioned insole with enough support to be worn both indoors and outdoors.

I have to admit that girls’ shoes are adorable…so much cuter than boys’ shoes.  Look at our little girl in her Twirly Bug T-Strap shoes:

They’re a bit big, even though she’s 3 months old…but she’ll grow into them.  Right now, she’s obviously not walking, but in a few months she will be.  Robeez Mini Shoez are not only stylish, they’re functional.  I feel comfortable knowing that in a few months, when she’s pulling up and cruising, that she’s in a shoe that’s as close to being barefoot as possible.  The shoes are super soft and flexible and will allow my daughter’s foot to grow and change.  Robeez are approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Stride Rite offers a variety of different types of shoe, depending on the age and developmental stage of your child.  The company applies it’s rigorous 3-Point Testing System to all of their shoes. Here they are:

Fit: Five stages of fit testing on children to ensure proper fit

Wear:  Thirty to forty-five day kid testing to ensure their shoes will wear better than expected

Lab: Rigorous lab testing to ensure the materials and components of each shoe meet Stride Rite’s standards.  Thirty to forty tests are performed on each shoe.

Additionally, Stride Rite employs Certified Fit Specialists (who have gone through extensive training), to ensure your child’s shoe fits properly.  If you have questions about your child’s foot development, I recommend checking out Dr. Tanya Altmann’s Q & A on the site (I met her last month at an event with Silicon Valley Moms Blog).

I did not receive compensation for this post.  A product sample was provided to facilitate this review.

My son co-slept with us for almost a year and a half before we both realized that he needed more space.  Because we waited so long, the transition was (and still is at times) rough. It took a lot of patience and creativity to finally get to the point where he sleeps in his toddler bed on most days.  It also took a lovey, something we introduced when we were attempting to move him out of his crib.

Little Giraffe is a Los Angeles-based luxury children’s line offering ultra cozy Chenille blankets, burpies, towels, and more.  The company’s designs are modern and stylish and the fabrics they use are incredibly soft.  Their products are offered in a variety of colors and fabrics suitable for babies and tots.

Little Giraffe offers comfort, luxury, and quality.  We received a gorgeous lovey in light pink for our daughter.  For children who have difficulty sleeping without their mommy, a lovey can be a great way to transition to being a “big” boy or girl while still offering security.  This Little Blanky is small enough for tots to bring with them on the go, while still offering a, luxurious blanket to sleep with.  I love how soft it is, particularly because my daughter’s skin is still so soft and sensitive.

You can purchase Little Giraffe products at Barney’s, Nordstrom, Layla Grayce, and Petite Tresor,

I did not receive compensation for this post.  A product sample was provided to facilitate this review.

The internet is an endless wealth of resources.  I don’t know about you, but I often find it difficult to sift through the information to find exactly what I’m looking for.  At times it’s like information overload.  And everyone is an expert, right?  Since there isn’t much governance over what’s put on the web, it’s important to be discerning about what you read.  One of the sites I often go to for relevant, credible information is DisneyFamily.com.

DisneyFamily.com offers moms and dads one place to find everything from the best recipes to the top travel destinations. Here is a bit more information, from the site:

DisneyFamily.com also offers a diverse range of original and aggregated content specific to the needs and interests of parents.  And woven throughout the site is a rich, easy to access community of other moms with shared parenting experiences.  The site’s features include family-relevant search tools with highly rated, best of the Web results.

The site is organized into seven sections including food, parenting, entertainment, household, self, travel and holidays. DisneyFamily.com recently added a new beauty feature which provides moms with tips and expert advice on how to achieve inner and outer beauty. Here is some of the information you’ll find:

DisneyFamily.com is easy to navigate and offers comprehensive information on diverse topics in one location.  My favorite part of the site are the videos.  They’re succinct but comprehensive…perfect for busy moms on the go. For more information, just visit the site.

I did not receive compensation for this post.  I attended a media event, hosted by the company to demo the site’s new features.

As a busy mom of two, running a household and working part-time as a nurse, I rely heavily on my mobile phone.  I use it to keep schedules straight, manage lists, navigate my way around town, and stay connected.  With all of that use, I never make it through the day without having to charge my battery.

Several weeks ago, I received a fabulous device called the Charge Anywhere, by iGo.  With this device, I can charge two things simultaneously.  For example, I can charge my mobile phone and my digital camera.  But what makes Charge Anywhere unique is that once it’s charged, it can charge other devices without having to be plugged in.  How cool is that?  So when I forget my charger at home, or it takes my car charger too long to make a noticeable difference in the life of my battery, I can just plug into the Charge Anywhere.  The device is portable, lightweight, and compact.  I charged my Palm Pre Plus the other day at Expo West when the battery was completely drained.  It took a little over an hour to fully charge the phone’s battery.  Not bad!

Along with mobile phones and digital cameras, Charge Anywhere will charge Bluetooth headsets, smartphones/PDAs, MP3 players, portable gaming devices, digital cameras, GPS devices and more.  The device comes with a standard tip but you can claim free tips for other devices on their website.  Here are the specs, from the site:

Charge Anywhere is one of the company’s “green” products.  iGo Green Technology automatically reduces standby power by up to 85%, conserving resources and saving money.

Charge Anywhere is a fabulous little device for charging a variety of electronics.  At $49.99 it’s affordable, considering that one device is all that’s needed while you’re on the go.  The convenience and versatility will appeal to multi-tasking moms.    You can find Charge Anywhere at retailers nationwide.

I did not relieve compensation for this post.  A product sample was provided to facilitate this review.

Remember that little campaign I did?  With Verizon and the Palm Pre Plus?  Well…this Thursday, I’m going to be on the Fly Lady’s Blog Talk Radio Show with four of the other women who were on the campaign.  The title is “How Smart Moms Balance Life,” and will air Thursday, March 18th at 11 am EST. Join Nicole, Jo-Lynne, Christy, Sarah and I as we discuss everything from our favorite Palm Pre Plus Apps, blogging, staying connected, and running a business with the Palm Pre Plus.

*Update*  My giveaway is closed but you still have an opportunity to win a Palm Pre Plus.

Joined by TheMotherhood.com’s Verizon Palm Pre Plus mom blogger team, we will be hosting a Smart Mom/Smart Phone Twitter party on Wednesday, March 17 from 9 PM EST to 10 PM EST . We’re getting ready for our guest appearance on The Fly Lady radio show on Thursday (3/18)  so let’s talk about organizing, our Palm Pre Plus tips and tricks AND what you want to know from Fly Lady! We have a big prize! One lucky winner will receive  a Verizon Palm Pre Plus device!

Details…

Where: Participate and follow our Twitter party with our custom tweet grid.

When: Wednesday, March17th (St. Patty’s day!)

Hashtag for the party will be #VerizonPalmPrePlus and #T4MT (Technology For Mommies Thursdays)

In order to win the Verizon Palm Pre Plus (you must get your own contract with a data plan in order to use the phone), simply post your twitter id in Mister Linky below and participate with at least one tweet during the party.

I did not receive compensation for this post.

St. Patrick’s Day is this week, and 1-800-FLOWERS.COM offers an array of holiday-themed flower arrangements and gift baskets to celebrate the occasion. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM offers fresh flowers and an exquisite selection of plants, gift baskets, gourmet foods, confections, and stuffed animals.  I’ve received flowers and gifts over the years from 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, and I’ve never been disappointed by the presentation and freshness of the flowers or food.  What’s great about the company is that you can find an arrangement or gift in a variety of price ranges.

This St. Patrick’s Day, check out their gorgeous flower arrangements and gourmet fresh baked goods.  The company partners with several different food companies to offer uniquely-arranged baskets.  On Friday, we received a Cheryl & Co. St. Pats Day Sampler Gift Tower.  Before the weekend was over, the cookies and brownies were gone.  My favorite item was the Frosted Shamrock Cut-0ut cookies.  They’re super soft and buttery,which is how I prefer my cookies.  All of the items taste fresh, considering the fact that the package was shipped to me.

The presentation was just as gorgeous as what was inside.  1-800-FLOWERS.COM utilizes some of the world’s top floral artists to create unique arrangements.  And their food items celebrate the occasion with festive gift boxes and tins.

Now through March 17th, you’ll save 15% on gifts over $24.99.  Simply use the code STPADDY at checkout.

Win It! One of you will win a $50 gift certificate to 1-800-FLOWERS.COM.  Simply leave me a comment with the name of a product you like from the site.  Comments will close on March 30th, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Vote for Rockin’ Mama for the Hot Blogger Calendar

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

I did not receive compensation for this post.  Product samples were provided to facilitate this review and giveaway.

I grew up as an only child.  My mom and I were and still are the best of friends.  I remember playing a ton of board games as a child.  Sometimes I feel like the age of board games has been replaced with video and computer games.  And while I definitely find a place for video and computer games, there is nothing like the excitement and interaction experienced when playing a board game.

Board games these days are getting fancy.  These days, many games include a DVD component.  My husband and I recently received Scene It? 80s Deluxe Edition, courtesy of the Game Review Network. Here is a brief summary, from the site:

Are you ready to flashback to Flashdance? Then, Scene It? 80s Deluxe Edition will have you totally stoked to the max! You’ll relive the rad fads of Glam Rock, Fraggle Rock, Pop Rocks and more. Test your memory of everything from Pac-Man to Ray-Ban and enjoy on-screen trivia that features the most excellent 80s music, movies, news and sports moments. Let Scene It? 80s Deluxe Edition take you on a pop-culture journey through the 20th century’s most bodacious decade! Totally tubular!

My husband and I both grew up in the 80’s, so this is “our” game!  At first glance, Scene It? 80s Deluxe Edition appears to be an era-specific trivia game.  But it’s so much more.  With the added DVD component, the game “challenges you to use observation, memory, wordplay, and problem-solving to decode the puzzles that you see on-screen.”  My husband and I became a bit nostalgic for the era of E.T., Growing Pains, and the Care Bears.

The game can be played quickly (in 15 minutes) or over a longer period of time (40 minutes) and the game board reflects this in it’s two different sizes.  Because of the “team” aspect of the game, there really is no limit to the number of players.  The game is designed for children ages 13 and up, but I think that many of the questions won’t be recognized by the younger crowd because they are era-specific.  The token pieces used were modeled after 80’s cultural artifacts including a cassette tape, joystick, handheld phone and keytar.  To play, teams (or players as is the case with my husband and I) advance by answering traditional trivia questions or DVD-based puzzles (my favorite!).  The trivia questions come in three categories, “Take Three,” “Songs, Slogans, and Sayings,” and “Pop Culture.”  Some of the questions were pretty challenging and others were fun and brought us back to the 80’s.

My favorite aspect of the game is the DVD component.  We had a blast viewing old clips and solving puzzles based on old TV shows and movies.  So many times the answer was on the tip of our tongue but it’s been so long that we’ve forgotten a lot of 80’s history.

Scene It? 80s Deluxe Edition retails for $29.99 and is available for purchase on Amazon.com and Buy.com.  You can also win a copy over at the Game Review Network.

I did not receive compensation for this post.  A game was provided, courtesy of Screenlife Games in partnership with the Game Review Network to facilitate this review.

I’ve been MIA the last two days…so unlike me right?  To NOT post?  Crazy!  I’ve been in Anaheim, CA at Expo West (aka The Natural Products Expo) courtesy of Seventh Generation.  I still can’t figure out why there are 2 names (3 actually) for the same show.  The show, which is geared towards retailers, offers the latest in natural, healthy, organic products.  But the best part of the show is the opportunity to attend seminars with renowned physicians like Dr. Alan Greene and Dr. William Sears…

I also met celebrity author Anna Getty (again!) at her book signing (which by the way looks so amazing that I bought it and she signed it)…

And spent some time chatting with the founder (Jeffrey Hollender) and CEO (Chuck Maniscalco) of Seventh Generation…

And learned a bit about the science and safety behind the ingredients Seventh Generation uses in their products from Scientist Cara Bondi…

And chatted with Jennifer Taggart at her book signing…

And snuck in a few pictures i probably shouldn’t have taken (they have a strict no photography policy…shh!)…

And felt like I was invited into Seventh Generation’s “home” for the weekend…

I was challenged, educated, and inspired.  It was a great weekend…and I’m exhausted…

This week I’ll be blogging over at the 7Gen Blog….my working title is “Wellness Redefined.”  Stay tuned!  I’ll update you when the post goes live…

Seventh Generation provided a show floor pass, meals, and covered costs related to the event.  No other compensation was received and the experiences are authentically mine.