If Moms Can Do It, Why Not Grandmas? Welcome to TheNanaBlogs.com

Just in time for the holidays, there’s a new online community created expressly for grandmothers who want to participate in social networking with other grandmothers, as well as blog to stay connected with their families. Welcome to www.thenanablogs.com, the brainchild of Teresa Bell Kindred, a retired high school history teacher, author, magazine columnist, 53-year-old mom of five and proud nana of one granddaughter (featured in her nanablog, www.NanaHood.com).  “TheNanaBlogs.com is about making blogging safe – and fun – for grandmothers,” Kindred said. “The NanaHood neighborhood sounds like a place Mr. Rogers might have lived, but it’s actually an online community for grandmothers and moms to log on and learn about technology, social networking, blogging, arts and crafts, scrapbooking, making Barbie doll clothes, health tips, recipes and much, much more.”  The idea for the site came in part from one of Kindred’s magazine columns entitled NanaHood: The Second Half of the Motherhood Journey. “I noticed there were lots of quality blogs for moms but sites and blogs for grandmothers were few and far between,” she said. “At www.thenanablogs.com, moms and grandmas can create a blog at no cost and with zero effort.” Those who don’t consider themselves tech-savvy can turn to a simple step-by-step tutorial that walks them through the process. On the premise that all questions are good ones, free phone support is available at no extra cost.  “With so many females flocking to sites like Facebook, it just makes sense that a large portion of those women would be grandmothers,” Kindred said. “In that sense, this really is the Nana Generation. TheNanaBlogs wants to help these women stay connected with their friends and family while staying informed and entertained about issues that interest them.  “Many grandmothers have children and grandchildren who live too far away to drop by for a visit, but with a blog they can share photographs and post as often as they want,” she noted. “Kids like to text, tweet, and use social networks. If parents and grandparents want to stay in touch with their children and grandchildren, they need to be willing to communicate with them in the medium where they’re most comfortable and that they understand best. The best part is that it’s so much easier than people think.”

BlogHer Launches Family Connections

BlogHer has announced the launch of Family Connections, a community journalism initiative on digital parenting.  Made possible by support from Sprint, Family Connections spotlights how tech-savvy moms use technology, and the impact technology has on the lives of their families. BlogHer’s Momspotters post daily reports in BlogHer’s Family Connections Group, and provide updates using real-time tools, such as Twitter and text messages. The entire community will be able to access and engage with Momspotter reports via BlogHer’s new Momspotting Map.  “Mobile technology is having as revolutionary an effect on parenting as the automobile, transforming how families interact and how parents socialize our children,” said Lisa Stone, co-founder and CEO, BlogHer. “Led by these excellent bloggers and parenting commentators, we are committed to demonstrating the day-to-day effect of digital technology on family connections.”

Through this initiative, the award-winning BlogHer community hub will continue pursuing grassroots community journalism according to the same editorial standards long expected from traditional media. Previous initiatives include “Election 2008 | Voter Manifesto”, “Letter to My Body” and an ongoing review of health care policy reform, in collaboration with the Sunlight Foundation and OpenCongress.org.  “Sprint is proud to provide sponsorship and technology to support this innovative community journalism initiative,” said Steve Gaffney, vice president of Sprint corporate marketing. “As a leader in mobile technology, Sprint sees great value in partnering with initiatives, such as BlogHer, that help families stay organized and connected through mobile phones and Internet connectivity.”

Munchkin Makes a Move Into Diapers

Munchkin, Inc., designer of clever infant and toddler products, has announced the launch of its first line of diapers, Munchkin Super Premium Diapers. With the rapid growth Munchkin has seen over the last few years, consumers have asked to see the brand expand to new categories. Disposable diapers are one of the largest product segments that Munchkin had yet to enter.  “We waited until we had a diaper that represented the Munchkin brand well in quality and features and that could stand up to the national brands at a great value,” said Doug Gillespie, vice president of marketing. “Our history of cleverly addressing parents’ everyday needs gives us a solid platform for entering the diaper category.”  Munchkin Super Premium Diapers can be purchased exclusively at leading Texas-based grocer H-E-B, with planned future expansion to other markets.

‘Tis the Season

Brands are using loads of cute kids, heart-touching moments and even some friendly “overachiever”/”underachiever” Mom rivalry to get Mom’s attention this holiday season. Here are a few of our favorite commercials of the season (and one from last year we still like just as much!). What ones have we missed?

Talk to the Moose—Gap 2009

Target 2-Day Sale: Big Day

Target 2-Day Sale: Preparing

Joy to the Small World–Disney Parks

Christmas Morning Magic–Walmart (2008)

Sears Wish Book Moves Online

The celebrated Sears Wish Book catalog that, for decades, has had families running to their mailboxes so they could plan their holiday shopping and create their Santa wish lists is being brought to life online. Sears has introduced a new, interactive, online version of everyone’s favorite Holiday Wish Book, allowing shoppers to easily turn the virtual pages of the catalog and purchase products instantly from their computer.  The online Sears Wish Book is fun, user-friendly and easy to navigate, allowing you to choose the perfect gifts for everyone on your list. “For years the Sears Holiday Wish Book has brought Christmas to life for kids of all ages, and made holiday shopping easier and more fun for our customers,” said Imran Jooma, senior vice president for Online at Sears Holdings. “While there is still a printed version of the Wish Book, the new interactive version puts a new twist on an old tradition and brings even more value to our customers by allowing them to easily browse and shop online at their convenience.”  Consumers can shop the Wish Book by logging onto www.sears.com/wishbook where they will find this season’s most popular gifts and products. The online Sears Wish Book is truly interactive with scrolling high resolution images, Christmas music, and real-life holiday scenes to help you get into the spirit.  Other features include:

• Top Gift List that includes quick ideas for everyone on your list.
• Budget-friendly gift ideas. 
• Take a trip back through time from 1933 to the present and see how far we’ve come with the Wish Book Memories page.
• Watch videos that show children playing with My First Craftsman and My First Kenmore toys.

Bionorica Provides Natural Solutions For “Natural Moms”

Bionorica, an international company pioneering clinical research of natural remedies, has created a resource for parents who want natural solutions for children’s health.  A tip sheet on “Staying Naturally Healthy during the Holidays,” the first in an ongoing “Natural Moms” series, is now available on the company’s website at www.bionoricausa.com.  Parents can sign up on the website for a free subscription to the Natural Moms tip sheets, with content contributed by experts such as pediatrician Robert W. Sears, MD, best-selling author of The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood and other titles in the Sears Parenting Library. The website will also be offering a “Natural Moms’ Corner” with webinars, online chats with top pediatricians and natural health practitioners, and information on various topics related to natural health and wellness.  Another component of Bionorica’s nation-wide health education campaign is a live action video for children, with kid-friendly tips on how to stay naturally healthy (http://www.bionoricausa.com/healthy-tips-video). The company will make a $1 charitable donation for every person who signs on to watch the online video, with proceeds benefiting the Fresh Air Fund, a nonprofit organization in New York City that sends inner city children to summer home-stay programs and summer camp.  “The health and well being of children is at the core of our company’s mission,” explained Wolf Aulenbacher, president of Bionorica USA. “We hope that by creating these educational materials for both parents and children, we can help keep families happy and healthy all year long.”

Ronzoni Survey Finds Parents Have Difficult Time Getting Kids To Eat Healthy

A healthy, balanced diet – it’s every parent’s goal for their child. But a new survey finds that when it comes to getting kids to eat healthy, moms and dads have their plates full.  According to the Ronzoni Smart Taste® Family Table Survey nearly half of all parents (47%) of kids ages 3-12 have a difficult time feeding them nutritious, healthy foods. Older moms (ages 45-54) have the hardest time (57%). Parents from the western part of the country seem to have an easier time than those in other regions. Dads find it slightly more difficult than moms to interest their children in healthy meals (49% vs. 45%). Only 26% of parents find it very easy to feed their kids healthy meals.

There are many reasons why kids resist nutritious options, the survey finds. Parents say taste (32%) is by far the biggest reason healthy foods are rejected. Looks (10%) and texture (9%) follow.  And which good-for-you foods rank among the most offensive to children? Sardines top the list at 63%, followed by liver (59%) and beets (50%). Coming in closely behind are Brussels sprouts (49%) and okra (48%). Among the least offensive foods are carrots, with only 15% of parents saying their children find fault with them.  To dramatize the everyday challenges that moms and dads have in getting their kids to eat healthy foods, Ronzoni Smart Taste has created the video “Supermom.” The piece depicts the stunts one health-conscious mom goes through to sway her skeptical kids at the family table. Here is the video

The Clorox Company Sponsors Disney Online’s ‘The Possibility Shop’

Disney Online has launched a new website featuring an original video series from The Jim Henson Company called “The Possibility Shop” (www.FamilyFun.com/PossibilityShop). The site, which can be accessed through Disney.com or FamilyFun.com, also features an array of ideas for family-friendly art projects and activities and will update every two weeks with new seasonal or holiday-based content. “The Possibility Shop” is exclusively sponsored by The Clorox Company for its Clorox2^® Stain Fighter & Color Booster, Clorox^® Disinfecting Wipes and toilet-cleaning products.  The new site appeals to a broad family audience, tapping into the content and audience reach of both Disney.com and FamilyFun.com. “This is a great example of how Disney Online can create original content that uniquely appeals to families, and particularly moms,” stated Paul Yanover, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Disney Online. “’The Possibility Shop’ places high-quality original video in an immersive online environment filled with art projects and activities as well as ideas for families to take the fun offline to find their own adventures.”

‘The Big Toy Book’ Finds An Online Home, TheBigToyBook.com

Moms, dads, grandparents and gift givers searching for the hottest toys this holiday season can now find them online at www.TheBigToyBook.com.  “TheBigToyBook.com not only makes shopping simple and easy, but also empowers consumers by giving them a choice as to where they ultimately buy the toys and games topping kids’ holiday wish lists this year,” says “The Toy Insider Mom” Laurie Schacht, Co-founder of TheBigToyBook.com. “At TheBigToyBook.com, shoppers can find the toys they are looking for—whether they have a specific item in mind or are looking for an age-appropriate gift idea—and then purchase them from their preferred retailers at the best prices available online. ”  For shoppers who know exactly which toys they’re looking for, or for those who might need a gift suggestion, TheBigToyBook.com allows consumers to shop by Type, Brand, Age Group, Company, and What’s Hot. Products are also grouped by girls and boys by various age ranges, from babies ages 0-24 months and preschoolers ages 3-5, to older kids ages 6-8, tweens ages 8-12 and teens.  The Big Toy Book® team of moms has also divided all products on the site into specific toy categories, including arts & crafts, games & puzzles, educational, tech toys, eco-friendly, construction, electronics, Web and more. TheBigToyBook.com’s interactive tools and easy site navigation assist shoppers in finding exactly what they’re looking for, as well as the best current deals online, without having to go from site to site.

After purchasing an item on TheBigToyBook.com, shoppers are invited to share their feedback about their toy and retailer experience using the site’s comment form—enabling the consumer to determine “What’s Hot.” Moms, dads and gift givers can use these reviews to assist them in their decision-making process.

“For years, millions of shoppers have excitedly awaited ‘The Big Toy Book’ to arrive on their doorstep, but this year, they’ll find The Big Toy Book bigger and better than ever, available at their fingertips, online and interactive, at www.TheBigToyBook.com,” says Toy Trend Expert Reyne Rice, co-founder of TheBigToyBook.com. “Combining the ease of online shopping with a choice of multiple retailer options, TheBigToyBook.com is the new one-stop shop for holiday and year-round toy shopping.”

Cozi® and MeadWestvaco Launch MeadCal™ Family Organizer

MeadWestvaco Consumer & Office Products (MCOP), a division of MeadWestvaco and Cozi® Group Inc have announced a strategic partnership and launch of the free MeadCal™ Family Organizer at www.meadcal.com.  A recent MCOP study shows that 65% of adults use both paper and electronic planning products to manage their lives and families. The alliance between Cozi and MCOP results in a product that specifically addresses this significant co-usage market. The collaboration will empower MCOP’s consumers with Cozi’s online solutions that make family life easier. With the launch of www.meadcal.com, MCOP is offering a version of Cozi’s online calendar and organizer to its consumers for use in conjunction with other MCOP paper-based products that can be purchased at retailers and office products dealers throughout North America. “We evaluated online calendaring and organizing solutions and found Cozi to be uniquely positioned to offer the best digital solution for managing family schedules,” said Don Sommerville, Vice President of Marketing, MWV Consumer & Office Products. “Families are busier than ever and they need tools that connect them 24/7 from anywhere. Families can access their online calendar, customized lists and communications tools from any computer at home, at work, or on any mobile phone. MeadCal™, using Cozi’s Web-based software, provides families with tools to manage schedules and activities, track shopping and to do lists, organize household chores, and share family moments with friends and relatives.” 

“At Cozi, we’re focused on families and helping them find ways to communicate, coordinate and simplify everyday tasks so they can enjoy their lives,” said Robbie Cape, co-founder and CEO of Cozi. “A partnership with MWV Consumer & Office Products enables us to deliver our software to their incredible base of avid consumers. This alliance also gives us a world class partner to innovate and deliver new solutions to address the organization and planning needs of today’s busy families.”   Available immediately at www.meadcal.com is a co-branded version of Cozi’s family organizer; it is free to families and offers an online family calendar, customizable shopping lists, to do lists, a family journal and a messaging center.