Toddler Street Smarts: Play It Safe!

My little girl has never met a stranger. She will talk to anybody, anywhere. While this is a wonderful quality, it can also be a little scary. I was wondering the other day when is a good time to talk to my toddler about “stranger danger” and other safety issues. After doing some research, here are some helpful tips I found on “Toddler Street Smarts.”

- Start early! As soon as your toddler says her first words, it’s time to start talking about safety. Let your child know that it is never okay to feel threatened by someone and to always ask for help when they feel uneasy. It is also important to tell your children to always tell mommy or daddy when someone makes them feel threatened or scared.

- Research shows if you express your fears when telling your child about potential dangers, she won't remember your message, only that you were scared. Practice using a matter-of-fact tone when you discuss sensitive issues. Focus on what your child needs to learn, rather than why it upsets you.

- Teach your child to respond to his instincts. It might be a voice in his head that says, "Uh-oh, this isn't okay." Or maybe it's a feeling in the pit of his stomach. Teach your child to listen to his instincts and not to try to rationalize another person's behavior or wait for a situation to escalate.

- Show kids how to say "No!" and get away fast if someone does or says something that makes them feel uncomfortable.

- Monitor your child. Protective parenting is not about hovering or being paranoid. It's about being a good observer, supervisor and sometimes a detective. Listen to, and watch, your child. Be curious, involved and ask questions. Notice any changes in her behavior or mood. You want to catch early signs of a budding problem, rather than deal with a full-blown crisis.

- Practice dangerous situations with your child and show them how to say "No," how to run away, and how to make a bunch of noise. Don't assume that once is enough. Take advantage of opportunities to discuss this issue with your kids regularly. Role play is key!

Remember, it’s never too early to talk to your children about strangers, feeling safe and comfortable, and the importance of sharing their feelings!

Daily Tea Rompers- A Must-Have for Your Little One

If you are looking for a staple piece in your little one’s wardrobe that is comfortable, stylish and affordable, then look no further than Daily Tea’s rompers for infants!

Daily Tea carries long sleeve rompers, short sleeve rompers, hooded rompers and more! A snap inseam and snap buttons on these adorable rompers makes dressing your baby boy or girl a breeze! The easy-on, easy-off romper design will make you not want to dress your little one in anything but a Daily Tea romper. Diaper changes have never been so easy.

Another great feature of the Daily Tea rompers are they wash so well. These 100% cotton are machine washable and hold up remarkably.

Although comfort is a major plus to these rompers, these soft and cozy rompers do not hold back on style! There are lots of intricate touches to the Daily Tea rompers, and you’ll love the colors and designs chosen by Daily Tea.

Bottom line…the Daily Tea rompers wear well, wash well and are priced well. What more can you ask for?

Pregnancy Cravings...What are yours?

Recently, singer Joel Madden, boyfriend to expecting mother Nicole Ritchie, has spoken out about Nicole’s pregnancy cravings…hamburgers! And unfortunately, for Joel’s sleeping habits, these cravings come both day and night!

“It’s not so much the craziness of the craving, it’s just when she craves it – it’s usually about 2 or 3 in the morning, and that’s on me,” said Madden.

When Halle Berry was pregnant with her daughter, she craved pepperoncini, a mild and sweet Italian pepper that have a slight heat.

Tori Spelling craved Rocky Road ice cream with her second pregnancy, while Tina Fey had a major hunkering for donuts while pregnant with her daughter.

Fey said, “Somewhere during my pregnancy I gained something like nine pounds in two weeks and my doctor was like, ‘You know what it might be? Are you drinking a lot of juice?’ I was like, ‘Yeah. That must be it.’ I was eating like a box a day of Entenmann’s donuts!”

Most expecting mothers have a special craving sometime while expecting and some cravings are more exotic or more extreme than others!

About.com’s Pregnancy Guide Robin Elise Weiss tells us that the most common cravings among pregnant women are for sweet, salty, spicy, and bitter foods.

Some theories hold that there is also a wisdom of the body. A craving for milk might mean you need calcium; a craving for fruit may signal a need for vitamin C.

Tell us…what are your pregnancy cravings? What food could you not live without while expecting? Post it in the comments section below.

Like Mother, Like Daughter....

When it comes to how mothers raise their children, a recent study from Ohio State University looked across two generations and found that mothers today tend to follow the same practices their own mothers did. However, men do not. That raises a good question…where do men learn how to parent?

"We were surprised that mothers seem to learn a lot about the parenting role from their own mothers, but fathers don't follow their mothers as much," said Jonathan Vespa, co-author of the study and doctoral student in sociology at Ohio State.

Another interesting part to this new study revealed significant generational changes in parenting practices, with great increases in the amount of reading and affection shown to children today, and reductions in the amount of spanking.

"While parents, particularly women, are learning many parenting practices from their mothers, there is also a lot of new practices they are picking up from the broader culture," he said.

I think this probably rings very true, as there is so much more information readily available to new mothers now from Web sites, books, magazines and pod casts. For more information on the findings of the study, click here.

So what do you think? Do you think you parent like your own mother did? When it comes to raising your children, what have you caught yourself doing something that sounds just like your mother? Post in the comments section below.

Claesen’s Pajamas…Super Comfortable and Stylish, Too!

Looking for cute and stylish pajamas for your little one? Look no further than Claesen’s! This Amsterdam-based company is a well known name in fashion, vouching for quality style, and price. Claesen’s is also known for its soft, durable and trendy children’s pajamas!

Claesen’s fun styles, comfortable fit, top-quality cottons, and affordable prices make its pajamas just what you are looking for when it comes to sleepwear for your children.

The best part…Claesen’s carries many styles of pajamas, too, so there is something for everyone! From lounge pants and matching camisoles and tanks, to night dresses and night tank dresses, your little girl will find the perfect style of nightwear. Little boys will love to lounge in Claesen’s boxers and t-shirts, as well as its lounge pants and t-shirts. Claesen’s even carries footie pajamas for the smallest members of your family!

With all the talk about comfort, you can’t forget the style factor of Claesen’s, too! You’ll love the bright colors and fabulous prints on all the pajamas pieces. There is a wide variety for both for girls and boys.

Claesen’s is great for sleeping and lounging around, so check out its wonderful collection of pajamas today!

This article about Claesens is also available on PureandHonestKids.com

Raising Your Toddler While Pregnant

With less than a month to go until our new arrival makes his debut into this world, I am having serious mommy guilt about the time spent with my almost three year old daughter. She senses something is different about mama (perhaps it’s that I am huge and exhausted and slow as a turtle right now!) I want to make sure she feels loved and cared for these last few weeks of my pregnancy.

The demands of a toddler can be physically and emotionally draining on you, especially when you are pregnant. There are times during your pregnancy when you just need to rest, and your curious toddler may not understand that! You may feel like you are carrying two babies…one in your belly and one on your hip!

On the flip side, I wonder if the past few months have been hard for my toddler, too, since I have not been able to do the same routine at the same pace with my sweet girl. I did some research on tips for raising a toddler while pregnant, and here are some helpful hints I want to share with you!

- Enlist help. Find a mother’s helper or a family member that can come and play with your toddler on those days where you just need to rest or are not feeling well.

- On the weekends, try to catch up on your rest. This means your spouse or partner will need to pitch in more. (My husband has rocked throughout this pregnancy!)

- Stay home! Sometimes it is easier to care for your toddler at home than wrestling with car seats, strollers, tantrums, and bathroom breaks out in public. Just get creative those last few weeks of your pregnancy and play around your house to help you save energy and get ready for the big delivery!

- Rest when your toddler rests! If you are fortunate enough that your toddler still takes naps, make sure you rest when they do! I know it seems like a great time to accomplish something on your to-do list, but if you don’t rest, you will pay for it later in the day.

- Once the baby is born, make sure to carve out time with your toddler for special one-on-one playdates with you. Your toddler needs to know you still love them very much and that it is not all about the baby!

Good luck with your pregnancy from Pure and Honest Kids!

PHK Outlet and Sale Items!

Don’t forget to check out our PHK outlet and Sale sections on the Web site! We have some great deals for you, and these sale sections are updated regularly, so check back often!

The PHK Outlet section holds FINAL SALES…it is the place to find the best deals around! From clothes for boys and girls to gifts, gear and more, you are sure to find a fantastic deal on our super clearance items! Items under the PHK Outlet have been marked down 50% or more, so it’s hard to beat. Just remember that Final Sale items cannot be exchanged or returned.

We also have an On Sale section that has been marked down as well. Stock up for your child for next year by purchasing items from the On Sale section, which includes children's clothing, accessories and gear.

Happy Shopping from Pure and Honest Kids!

Daily Tea Fall Collection is In!!!!

Daily Tea’s fall collection is in, and we are so excited! You are going to love the Japanese-street inspired look of the Daily Tea fall line. This stylish yet affordable clothing line for infants and kids is ideal for preschoolers who want to be comfortable and fashionable!

Parents will love Daily Tea’s 100% cotton knit collection because it allows parents to purchase superior quality clothing that maximizes a child’s wardrobe by offering mix and match pieces.

Here are some of our favorite fall clothing items from Daily Tea!

Daily Tea Dragon Stripe Long Sleeve Tee

$21.00

Give him a visual to go along with all the fairy tales you've been reading! This super-soft shirt features a striped graphic background with a dragon front and center. Contrasting sleeves and trim at the neck add pops of color. Mix or match with your favorite side stripe or cargo pants for an outfit that puts the fun in functional. 100% cotton. Machine wash.

Daily Tea Side Stripe Pant

$25.00

Let's start with the super-soft 100% cotton. Add a fully encased elastic waistband and a cool stripe down the side and you've got these awesome little pants from Daily Tea. In a cool graphite color, these pants will look great with any of his favorite shirts. Machine wash.

Daily Tea Tiger Double Decker Tee

$23.00

Tony the tiger was never this cool! This faux-layered shirt features a tiger graphic design with bold colors on super-soft cotton. Mix or match with your favorite side stripe or cargo pants for an outfit that puts the fun in functional. 100% cotton. Machine wash.

Daily Tea Kiddo Ume Tunic

$27.00

A fresh Ume print and traditional tunic styling make this our favorite top of the season. Layered and paired with your favorite coordinating pants, this top is a hit! Mix with printed pants for a funky look! 100% cotton. Machine wash.

Daily Tea Boot Cut Leggings

$23.00

Who doesn't love Daily Tea bootcut leggings? Parfait pink will mix or match with the entire collection. Pair this fan favorite with your best tops, tunics, or dresses for stylish comfort, every day! 100% cotton. Machine wash.

Daily Tea Long Sleeve Romper

$27.00

With a sweet blossom print and all of the convenience features you've come to know and love from Daily Tea, this little romper is sure to make her the best-dressed baby around! 100% cotton. Machine wash.

New Mommy Vocabulary!

I was recently at a baby shower with a friend who is expecting her first child in November. As the guest of honor was opening her gifts, my friend with the November baby on the way kept leaning over and asking me what some of the baby products and clothing were called. And it dawned on me…how are new moms supposed to know the baby lingo?

I decided to create a list of new mommy vocabulary words to help out all those pregnant women out there that don’t know the difference between onesies and rompers, and lovies and blankets!

Feel free to add your own new mommy lingo in the comments section below.


Onesie (or bodysuit)- An outfit that has no legs but has sleeves and snaps at the bottom. It is basically "one-piece underwear."

Romper- A romper is a one-piece garment with sleeves and legs, and is traditionally made of a knit material. It features a snap crotch for newborns and infants. It does not have footies.

Sleepers- Sleepers are designed with long sleeves and legs to keep baby warm and comfortable, especially during the cooler months. To make it easier to dress and change baby, snaps go all the way down the front and down each leg. Usually has footies on them.

Lovey (or Snuggly)- Any blanket that is attached to a stuffed animal. It is a special blanket (usually small) that your baby can cuddle with and become attached to.

Booties- Little socks or shoes that keep your baby’s feet warm.

Diaps and Wipes- An organization container that holds both diaper and wipes in it. This is a great item to keep in your diaper bag

Sleepsack (or wearable blanket)- A sleepsack replaces loose blankets in the crib, lessening the likelihood of infants getting blankets over or around their face. Many wearable blankets are sleeveless because this provides freedom of movement. Wearable blankets fit right over your baby's sleeper and cannot be kicked off, so baby stays cozy all night long.

Stationary Entertainers (also known as Exersaucer)- A stationary entertainer allows babies to swivel, bounce, rock, stand, sit or play in it, indoors or out. Plus, it gives parents some hands free time to relax while baby enjoys playing under their supervision!

Receiving Blanket- Receiving blankets are used primarily for infants during the first 6 weeks. The soft, warming material actually helps re-enact the "womb" experience and are great for swaddling.

Play Yard (otherwise known as a Pack-N-Play)- A play yard provides your child with a cozy place to play or nap, indoors, outdoors and on-the-go.

Layette- It simply means baby clothing. Layette consists of many of your baby essentials including feeding accessories, bathing accessories, bedding, sleepwear and outerwear.

Be sure to add your own mommy lingo in the comments section below!

Back to School!

Can you believe it’s time to start planning for the kids to go back to school? The summer has flown by!

Be sure to check out our wonderful “Back to School” section on the Pure and Honest Kids Web site! From backpacks, to nap mats and other essential school supplies, we have some of the cutest back to school items around!

Here are some of our favorites below.

Backpack- Preppy Stripe
$28.00 ($38.00 with monogram)
Functional and fun, the adorable preppy stripe backpack has plenty of storage for all your stuff! Perfect for school or play, it features so many details that you will love including a front exterior pocket, padded back panel and padded adjustable shoulder straps. Measures 12"x16". 100% PolyesterPersonalize this hip book bag with a monogram! Allow 1 week for shipping with a monogram.

Also comes in the Dots and Daisies pattern.


Butterfly Packin' Smart- Blue Heaven
$19.99
(Great for Day Care or Pre-School)
The winner of the iParenting Media Award and Georgia Family Magazine's Best Baby Products Award in 2007, the Packin’Smart is just what you need! The uses for this great product are endless — formula dispenser, snack case, serving bowl or pacifier holder. Stain, shatter and odor resistant, each compartment holds one–third cup of snacks or a full 8 ounce feeding of formula. Each compartment has its own removable funnel–shaped lid for easy dispensing. Dishwasher safe. Blue Heaven. This little case will go everywhere with you! Also comes in Pink Bubblegum and Sweet Honeydew Green.

Mini Backpack- Boho Flower
$22.00 ($32.00 with monogram)
Fun Boho Flowers! Finally, a backpack that is just the right size! With its mini size, it won't weigh you down, making it great for all sizes and ages! This super cute backpack has plenty of storage for all your stuff! Perfect for school or play, it features so many details that you will adore including an inside pocket, adjustable straps and an exterior zipper pocket. Measures 10"x4.25"x11.25". 100% PolyesterPersonalize this bright and hip book bag with a monogram! Allow 1 week for shipping with a monogram.

Also comes in the New Dot pattern.

Nap Mat
$44.99
(Comes in Blue Stripe or Pink Stripe)
Keep germs at bay with your own personal nap mat! Soft, yet lightweight and easy to carry, this foldable nap mat features an attached striped pillow, comfy lining, soft fabric handles, and side Velcro tabs. Perfect for preschool, daycare and grade-school! Approximately 21" x 44". 100% cotton.

Small Backpack- Ocean Blue
$20.00
Loaded with lots of details and great features, this awesome ocean blue backpack has dark brown adjustable straps that extend from 17" to 32.5" to fit any kid and an additional zippered pocket on the front of the bag for carrying trinkets and treasures close at hand. Made of high quality, durable polyester. Zippered bag measures 10"x9.5".

Also comes in Berry Pink, Lime Green, and Ruby Red.

The Bewitching Hour--- How to Entertain your Toddler at the End of the Day

I don’t know about you, but there is a time of day where my almost three year old begins to whine and complain almost every day…we call it the bewitching hour. It is between 4:30 p.m. to -5:30 p.m. It’s almost as though she knows daddy is about to come home from work and she’ll get someone fresh to play with!

I have been thinking of ways to combat the bewitching hour, and here are some ideas I found after researching. Please include your own ideas in the comments section below!

- Create a special "time with me" seat so your child can hang out with you and do something special (such as reading books or snuggling) during this time of day.

- If you find this is the time of day where you are preparing dinner, be sure to include your child. Have them set the table or find ways for them to help you cook!

- Save a special activity that can only be done during this time of day. It could be a special toy you pull out during the bewitching hour or a special activity that your child will look forward to all day!

- End of the day whining is usually caused by one of two things: being tired or being hungry. If this is the case of your child, prepare a healthy snack that won’t spoil dinner to curb the whining attacks. Also consider letting your child do an activity that will not further their tiredness. Reading books, coloring, taking a stroll or an arts and crafts project are some ideas you might want to try.

Not allowing your child to get wound up before dinner and the bedtime routine will allow for a calmer, more enjoyable night for all. Good luck during the bewitching hour and please share any ideas you have on how you cope with end of the day whining!

What’s Old is New!

A popular trend right now in Hollywood is for stars to choose old-fashioned names for their babies! According to nameberry.com co-founder Pamela Redmond-Satran, “Celebrity parents are leading the way for the rest of us by reviving some of these old-fashioned names, dusting them off, and making them seem fresh and new.”

Redmond-Satran also said that vintage names are finding favor with parents who want something a bit different from the classics that have been used for decades, but still have deep roots and staying power. (Check out the article in its entirety here at Celebrity Baby Blog.)
Some of the vintage names used recently by celebrities are:

- Hazel (Julia Robert’s daughter)
- Phinnaeus (Julia Robert’s son)
- Adele (Molly Ringwald’s daughter)
- Marion (Sarah Jessica Parker’s daughter)
- Vivienne (Angelina Jolie’s daughter)
- Violet (Jennifer Garner’s daughter)

What do you think about vintage names for little ones? Do you prefer old-fashioned names or more trendy names? Or do you prefer the classics? Sound off in the comments section below.

Coming Home Outfits!

With only a month to go until my due date, I have been thinking of what little outfit we are going to bring our son home in! A coming home outfit is a special outfit for your baby to wear when you bring him or her home from the hospital.

Here are some tips to think about when choosing a coming home outfit for your baby!

Consider the season.
A good rule of thumb…think about what you would wear during the time of year your baby is going to be born and add one additional layer for your infant.

Consider how comfortable the outfit will be for your baby.
Remember that newborns have very sensitive skin, so purchase an outfit with soft, breathable fabric. Also think about how you put the outfit on and off. You want the snaps and buttons are attached well so they won’t injure your baby. Look for head openings that are stretchy or have buttons and snaps that make it easy to get the clothing off and on your baby.

Pack a spare outfit in your hospital bad, just in case.
Your newborn could swim in a 0-3 months, or a newborn sized outfit may be too small. Carry one outfit of each size since you don’t actually know how big your baby will be! It’s also smart to have a spare outfit or two in case your baby spits up or makes a mess on it before leaving the hospital.

Think about your photographs.
Taking your baby home from the hospital is a momentous occasion and you know you’ll come away from this event with a million photographs! Consider what style and color outfit will photograph well when selecting your coming home outfit.

Pure and Honest Kids has some adorable outfits that would be perfect coming home outfits! Check them out below.

Coming Home Outfits for Girls

2 Piece Pink Romper
$39.00
Pretty in pink is what we think about this little pink romper that is perfect for all of her special occasions. This soft cotton knit romper is accented with white trim and line accents and comes with an adorable little hat for keeping her head warm all day long. 100% cotton. Hand wash.

Baby Nay Trellis Daizy & Bird Baby Sack & Hat Set
$38.00
This graphic design features the cutest pink overlapping daisies. Perfect for the newest babies, this gown has features like foldover mitts and lap shoulders, making it easy to dress baby. The coordinating hat has a complementary floral print, trimmed in pink daisies. So sweet! 50% cotton, 50% modal. Machine wash.

Snow White Bamboo Footsie & Hat Set
$38.00
The perfect gift for expecting parents! This cream-colored footie and hat set is perfect for baby boys and baby girls. The set is made from soft & silky bamboo fabric and dyed with an Azo free dye. A whimsical embroidered panda is perched on the chest among printed bamboo that stretches from top to bottom. Snap closure. 70% bamboo, 30% cotton. Machine wash.



Baby First Knits- Pink

$52.00
We call this the perfect Pure and Honest Gift. The classic styling of this argyle knit set is timeless, classic and so stylish. Two piece outfit features solid pants with a little argyle button cardigan that is accented so well by the matching argyle hat and blanket that are sure to keep her so warm, all day long. 100% cotton. Hand wash.


Coming Home Outfits for Boys

Blue Snail Gown and Hat Set
$40.00
Wrap your baby boy in this sweet blue gown and hat set from Lucky Jade. Featuring a modern plant and snail graphic design, this gown will be your favorite for so many reasons. Lap shoulders and encased elastic at the hem make this gown easy to get on and off of baby. 100% cotton. Machine wash.

Seaweed Bamboo Gown
$30.00
Nothing but the best, this super soft convertible gown is sure to be the softest to touch an infant's skin. 70% bamboo 30% cotton. Machine wash. Seaweed (soft blue). The matching hat is a must-have, too!

2 Piece Blue Romper
$39.00
This classic cotton blue knit romper and hat set is perfect for special occasions. The little knit romper is finished with three blue buttons in the front, leg snaps for easy on and off and comes with a classic little hat that will keep his little head warm all day long! 100% cotton. Hand wash.

Baby First Knits- Blue
$52.00
We call this the perfect Pure and Honest Gift. The classic styling of this argyle knit set is timeless, classic and so stylish. The two piece outfit features solid pants with a little argyle button cardigan that goes so well with the matching argyle blanket and hat that are sure to keep your little fellow warm, all day long. 100% cotton. Hand wash.

Last Day of the Warehouse Sale!

Don't forget! Today is the last day of the Warehouse Sale at Pure and Honest Kids! The warehouse hours today are from 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more details, click here! Happy Shopping!