What I Learned About Blogging in 2008

The first Baby Kid Blog, Cool Baby Kid, was born November 2007. During the following year, it evolved from a hobby to part-time job, albeit an enjoyable one. Needless to say I've learned a lot in the last year, but the some of the most important blogging tips I've gathered in 2008 are:

• Blog design is everything, and Gisele Jacequenod is a goddess.

• Twitter is tops for social networking.
  


• For meeting other bloggers, Mom Bloggers Club rules.


• Entrecard gets your blog out there and exposes you to new ones too.
  


• Prizey and Online-Sweepstakes are teriffic for giveaway listings.
  


• Read and comment on other blogs; according to some, like Mack at the Viral Garden, this is one of the most important thing you can do to aquire authentic readers and followers.
  


• Make time for blog improvement. Some of my personal favorite sites for blog tips are Problogger, Blog Coach and Daily Blog Tips.

• I also learned some technical stuff: how to make pictures clickable, center sidebar items, manipulate Photoshop enough to get by, and include meta tags among others.

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Featured Blog: One Mom's Review

One Mom's Review of Places to Bring Children in New England links to places to bring children in New England with reviews on places the author has been with her family.

Best Parenting Tip: For my son, 2, we try to engage him in active play that he can feel a sense of accomplishment as well as have a fun doing it.

Best Blog Tip: Blog often and be honest. Because I blog about activities in our area, New England, and not everyday issues around our house, I have a unique form of a blogging presence. Blogging doesn't always have to be personal details about your life, but it can also be resources for others.

Baby Kid's Thoughts: I wish I lived in New England. One Mom's Review is super comprehensive covering everywhere from Maine to Connecticut. She even has an official "smile rating system" for quick reference on the best spots to hit with your family. Neat site that is worth checking out even if you live in or are travelling to the area.

Personalized Video from Santa: Happy Holidays!

Baby Kid Blogs are on a holiday hiatus and will be back just as soon as the presents are wrapped, Christmas turkey has been eaten and life once again returns to some semblance of normalcy. In the meantime, if it's not too late, check out this neat personalized video message from Santa courtesy of Disney Family. You can upload your children's' name and picture for a message straight from the big guy; I told mine Santa send a last minute email! And if you celebrate, have a wonderful holiday!
Victorian clip art courtesy of
Averyl's Attic: www.averyl.com

Blogging Tip: How Do I Make an Image Clickable?

Full disclosure. I don't know much about HTML and am a hacker when it comes to technical stuff of this sort. Everything I've done in my blogs I've learned by googling "how to make pictures clickable" or "how to create a favicon." My advice, therefore, will be non-technical but very practical.

5 Steps to Making HTML banners Image Clickable:

1. Save the image you'd like to make clickable to your computer.

2. Upload it to www.photobucket.com.

3. Once uploaded, copy the "direct link" & place into the basic code found in this forum.

4. Replace the www.example.com with the web address you'd like to link to remembering to use the http:// and not just www.

5. Copy and paste your code into the html editor in your blogging platform.

That's it! You're all set. Any questions? Ask away...

Featured Blog: A Daily Dose of Toni

Come on over and get your Daily Dose of Toni. Check out the going ons in her life and the products she loves!

Best Parenting Tip: Be an example for your child. You should treat people how you want your child to treat others, you should lead by example. Make sure they always know how much you love them and that they can do anything they desire in life.

Best Blogging Tip: Write for yourself, not for others. Because if you start writing just for others you will disappoint yourself. Don't compete, blogging is not a competition, so be respectful of other bloggers and they will be respectful of you and even if there are some that are not, take the higher road and treat them better than they treat you. In the end you will be a better person and blogger doing that. I started blogging as an outlet for me and love that people enjoy reading about my life (probably thanking God my kids are not theirs LOL.)

Find On: Twitter, Facebook, Mom Bloggers Club, The Classy Closet

Baby Kids' Thoughts: If you don't love the shoe icons on Toni's site, there is something wrong with you! And I love the welcome post...cute pic!

Featured Blog: Bizzie Mommy

Stephanie Elie, BizzieMommy, is a busy mom trying to do it all.

Best Parenting Tip: My "best" parenting tip - Costco wipes are better than any other. Take advantage of the first couple months of your babies life, go out to dinner, to the movies because they will most likely sleep through everything.

Best Blogging Tip: Write what you know and what you enjoy. Most people can see through forced content.

Find On: Twitter, "Twitter is addicting, but where else can you meet such a great bunch of people," says Stephanie.

Baby Kids' Thoughts: Bizzie Mommy is a super cool site, and I'm looking forward to working with Stephanie on some future projects!

Pareting Tip: Don't Own a Cosmetics Co. With a Full Time Job, Three Blogs, Two Kids and a Social Networking Site

50% off the entire inventory while supplies last just in time for the holidays!

While I normally do not blog about my cosmetics company, Ispiri Cosmetics, I've decided to completely re-structure, and you, my loyal Baby Kid readers, are the lucky beneficiaries. I love the cosmetics industry and the idea behind my brand (inspirational quotes on the packages to empower and inspire women), but I started Ispiri in 2005 pre-kids and pre-blogs. Two little ones and three blogs later, in addition to a full time teaching position, I've not been able to put the time into my business it deserves. It started out as a niche with lip gloss (my favorite), and as friends and family asked for products, I added to the line. Long story short, I'm going back to Ispiri's roots-- yummy smelly lipglosses with different inspiration quotes on each package. In the meantime I'm getting rid of everything else, from the Colorphase Eyeshadows to Sparkling Glosses and Body Shimmers which are perfect for the holidays. So browse the site, take 50% off the advertised price and send me an email with your order. Since I have a limited inventory please email me direct at babykidblogs (at) gmail (dot) com; do not purchase directly from the site!

Cool Tip: Visit Ispiri Cosmetics and shop for yourself, your friends, your family... Take its from someone who knows cosmetics, these are great deals! But please do not make any purchases directly from the site. And check back in a few months for exciting new from Ispiri!!

Cool Giveaway: Win over $250.00 of Ispiri Cosmetics of your choice by leaving a comment on this post. Click here to find out how to increase your chances of winning. Contest ends 12/26/08. Contest rules apply.

Featured Blog: Cool Mom Guide

Follow Julie Maloney from The Cool Mom Guide as she tries to remain cool in the eyes of her children.

Best Parenting Tip: My best parenting tip is to be open about what your kids have to say. If they know you'll be quick to judge, they won't be so quick to confide.

Best Blogging Tip: Show your friends love. Promote blog peace. We all have something different to say and we all have something of value. Let's help each other out, show the link love and participate in the memes and contests!

Other Info: Find out how Julie lost 60 pounds over the past 7 months using the Wii Fit. She says, "My whole life I struggled, and if we can all start to feel good about ourselves while playing a video game it's a win-win situation!"

Find On: Twitter, Technorati and Digg.

Baby Kids' Thoughts: I've been reading Julie blog almost since the beginning and am thrilled to be able to feature her on Ask Baby Kid!

We eat out with the kids a lot. Any tips?

Yes. First, buy the Squirt Spoon by Boon. It is one thing you can't live without if you have a baby in the house. We used it exactly one time at a restaurant for dinner when I said, "That is the coolest thing ever" and meant it. Basically, you put the baby food in the container and squeeze it; the spoon fills with food giving a whole new meaning to one handed-feeding. The food, dish and spoon are all in one. And since we also eat out nearly every weekend here are some other tips.

Time the meal so baby is hungry and spend the wait time feeding (breast, bottle, solid, etc.) Order toddler's food the minute you sit down so by the time he or she is bored with the toys you brought or coloring materials at the restaurant, the food is up! Finally, be prepared to leave. Refuse to allow others to suffer listening to a crying baby or screaming toddler; instead, get up and go. If the food is ready, take it with you. In nearly 2.5 years we've only done this one time, but we didn't hesitate when our daughter, then 1, couldn't be consoled. What other tips do you have for eating out?

Submitted by Karen

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Featured Blog: Nursery Murals and More

Dawn at Nursery Murals and More shares inspirational pictures, ideas, and advice concerning nursery murals and decorating.

Best Parenting Tip: I just recently had my 3rd child, and it has been a challenge since I have two other children, age 3 and 4. They have been so distracted with the new baby that they no longer want to listen. I tell them to get dressed and instead they go play; I tell them to brush their teeth, and they ignore me. I recently came up with a weekly chore sheet with pictures of the chores, like a bed for making their bed, a toothbrush for brushing their teeth, and toys for them to pick up their toys. When the chore gets done, each child can put a sticker I purchased at the dollar store in the appropriate spot. At the end of the week,when their chart is all filled up with stickers, they get a special treat. It has given them great incentive to start listening to me and doing what they need to do.

Best Blogging Tip: Get involved in social networking sites such as Twitter, ning groups, mom networking sites, etc. This allows you to gain relationships, readers, and in turn promotes your site.

Other Info: I run two small businesses - a New York based faux finishing & mural company called Surfaces with Paint and an online business assistant company called DPK Virtual Assistant Services. I also host three blogs including Nursery Murals & More. Though my mother calls me "Super Mommy" I think that every mom just has what it takes to just "handle it all." That is what is so special about us!

Baby Kids' Thoughts: I wish I knew about Dawn's blog while pulling my hair out trying to figure out how to decorate my nursery! Thanks to for all your help with the new blog launch Dawn!

Top 10 Travelling with Kids Tips

The following list is taken from a travel journal post I wrote after we returned from a trip to Italy with a two year old and four month old. Here at my top 10 tips:

1. Ask questions ahead of time. When can I make seat arrangements? Will I have the bulkhead seat for extra room/bassinet? Can we all sit together? (Some airlines regulate against having 2 adults and 2 children in the same row because of oxygen masks...long story.) Where can I find a baby gear rental site.

2. Bring the stroller right up to the gate and check it in there. Make sure you have tags on every single piece, bases and all, so it finds you when you reach your destination.

3. Take more gimmicks (with toddler) than you think you'll need: small new toys, DVD player, M&M's (worked like a charm...ate 1 at a time and took nearly 1/2 hour), or anything else you think will work as a distraction. Some like lollipops for this but they were a bit messy for us-maybe better for older kids.

4. Change diapers on the seat. Don't even attempt to use the bathroom do do this! Yuck.

5. Remember to try to get kids to suck on something for take-off and landing (pacifier, bottle, breastfeed, sippy sup, etc.) to avoid ear problems.

6. We read it's good to let them run around and expend energy waiting for the flight rather than having them in the stroller. This worked the opposite for us. Once our toddler was out and running around, it was a nightmare to contain her for the flight.

7. Don't travel without the following equipment:

On-the Go Booster Seat by First Years - Light, small, worked perfectly! #1 must have
Sit-n-Stroll Stroller/Car Seat- My favorite piece of travel equipment.
Bebe Au Lait Nursing Cover- Used constantly, to nurse, to cover from sun, etc.
Protect-a-Bub Stroller Rain Cover- Just in case!
Portable Playtime- A kids' backpack and teriffic way to organize the toys, snacks etc.

Baby Carrier - We have Bijorn & Ergo Baby, but I would definitely have something.
Bottles - Even though I breastfeed, it was nice to have some for travelling at times.

Leave home: Breast pump, pack & play, big/noisy toys

8. Bring more formula, snacks (graham crackers etc.) and baby wipes than you think you'll need.

9. If you don't want to worry about finding/buying diapers (we didn't), we estimated 5 diapers a day for toddler and 6 for baby with a few extra in the car for the ride home and had just enough left over.

10. Stroller...regular versus lightweight. This is a tough call, especially or this trip in Positano etc. where a lightweight stroller would have been nice. For us, though, we made the right call bringing the regular stroller because he was still in an infant seat, so for us it worked.

Bonus Tip: Use this vacation packing list. I couldn't find one I liked and created one instead.

Whether you're travelling with kids, travelling with toddler or travelling with baby, there is a lot of planning but lots of rewards too as you make memories with the little ones. With lots of patience, any size trip is doable. In general, people are very understanding, even on the plane, and have either been there themselves or can empathize with you if things aren't going 100% according to plan. Safe and happy travels!

Question Submitted by Joan P. (Do you have any tips for travelling with a baby?)