For the people who have kept a constant eye on this blog from the beginning, you may have noticed that we usually focus on posts that are related to products, new, events or reviews – all being relevant to children, families, marriage and parenting. And although we like to include some personal opinions in our posts, we’ve never used the blog as a “personal means” of simply “speaking our mind.”

But like all things, there are always exceptions. This being one of them.

As children we understand that a “do over” is a second chance. Maybe even a third or fourth. Whether it be that we made a mistake or did something wrong, a do over was our way to try again and get it right, without consequence from our first attempt(s). Yet as adults, this idea plays a different role. If you screw up at your job – you may get fired. If you break the law – you may get arrested. And if your relationship fails – you may lose someone you truly care about.

I’ve come to realize this recently at a price that affects both me and my son. The truth is that for a long time, as major things happened in my life I tried to manage them by putting my priorities in the wrong place and by not communicating with the person I needed. When building a family, its important to work as a team and this is something I never truly did. When you neglect the people that should be the most important in your life – you may not get a do over.

This will be the final post on this blog. I appreciate all of the readers and their comments that have made this site worth writing for. Keep your focus on your family and your priorities in line. A happy family never needs a “do over.”

In the spirit of this holiday season, Parents Overnight wants to wish you a safe and happy holiday!

I suppose in conjunction with the previous posts about strange baby names, this would fit right in. A New Jersey couple had problems at their local ShopRite supermarket when they tried to get a cake made for their sons birthday – it seems that the store has a strict policy on not making cakes for children name Adolf Hitler. Yes, that’s right – Adolf Hitler (Campbell). His father, Heath Campbell, said he named his son after Adolf Hitler because he liked the name and because “no one else in the world would have that name”.

Right. But as if that wasn’t bad enough, the couples other child, JoyceLynn Aryan Nation Campbell as well as their unborn baby, Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie Campbell (apparently a reference to one of the Nazi’s most monstrous leaders, SS head Heinrich Himmler) probably won’t be getting their cakes made at ShopRite either. But when there’s a dollar, there’s a way. Wal-Mart swooped in and agreed to make and decorate the cake for little Hitler’s birthday.

Alright, so here’s where my problem is: Should a retail store deny products or services based on a name alone? No, probably not. I would imagine that it was the bakers personal decision/opinion more than it was a company policy, unless in the company handbook there’s a clause that states “no baking for anyone in the ‘Hitler’ family.”

But more importantly, is the affect that this child’s name (and his siblings names) will have later in life. If you think high school is tough for someone who may be a little overweight or have a slight acne problem, try being named Adolf Hitler, with a sister who’s middle name is ‘Aryan Nation’!

Good luck, kids! You’re parents certainly haven’t done you any favors, so you’re going to need it!

Baker: No Cake for Hitler (Yahoo! News)

We’ve all heard of the strange names that celebrities give their children. Whether its to be trendy or unique, or maybe just to be mean – who knows? But sometimes the names you hear for these children really make you think what the thought process was when it came down to picking the child’s name.

And with that, we’ve created a list of what we think are 20 of the most bizarre celebrity baby names, and starting off our list is:

20. Kal-El

Parent(s): Nicolas Cage

19. Pilot Inspektor

Parent(s): Jason Lee

18. Fifi Trixibelle

Parent(s): Bob Geldof and Paula Yates

17. Apple

Parent(s): Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin

16. Coco

Parent(s): Courteney Cox and David Arquette

Read more about The 20 Most Bizarre (Celebrity) Baby Names

Meijer Inc. Recalls Toddler Girl’s Hat and Mitten Sets Due to Choking Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Meijer Inc., of Grand Rapids, Mich., is voluntarily recalling about 100 Toddler Girl’s Hat and Mitten Sets. The magnets in the hat can detach and fall out, posing a choking and aspiration hazard to young children. Magnets found by young children can be swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforations or blockages, which can be fatal.

Major Apparel Retailer To Pay a $60,000 Civil Penalty For Failure To Report Drawstrings In Children’s Outerwear

Nordstrom Inc., of Seattle, Wash., has agreed to pay a $60,000 civil penalty. The penalty settles allegations that the firm knowingly failed to report to the CPSC immediately, as required by federal law, that its children’s hooded jackets and sweaters were sold with drawstrings at the hood and neck. These products, which the firm eventually recalled, pose a strangulation hazard that can cause death to children.

Read more about December 2008 – Recalls and Product Safety News

We’ve had a number of previous posts related to childhood obesity and the growing number of overweight children in America, but I personally never took it further than that. But I suppose it would be common sense to realize that [some] heavy children may have emotional and/or psychological issues because of their weight and in turn have some anger management issues. After all, in most cases, being overweight is nothing more than genetics. And although they may “slim down” as they get older, as a child, all they know is that they’re bigger than the other kids and that sometimes they get picked on because of it.

So exercise would seem logical, right? As an adult, if we’re overweight or we want to be healthier, we exercise and we feel better afterward, we have a bit more self-confidence and maybe even shed a few pounds along the way. In theory, the same goes for children.

“…exercise can help children control their anger, and that might be because they’re in a better mood because they don’t get angry as much, and it might also be an aspect of self-control,” Dr. Catherine L. Davis of the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.

Now lets also be very clear – I’m not saying that all overweight kids are significantly more aggressive than their normal-weight classmates, but studies have shown that they are more likely to be bullied or to bully others.

But given the fact that exercise is known to help improve mood and reduce hostility in adults isn’t it only logical that it might have the same effect in overweight children?

Oh Boy! It’s finally here, the time of year where I get bombarded with toy and game commercials that inevitably lead to me spending two [or more] paychecks on things that (both me and) my little boy will enjoy for months..or until something better comes around.

But more importantly is the fact the I get to claim ZERO credit for these fabulous gifts, seeing as they all end up being delivered from Santa. Which is all good for now – after all, watching the bewildered look on his face as he tries to figure out how Santa managed to deliver all the toys on his list while he slept, ate the cookies and drink the milk that he left out, and then vanish is pure entertainment. So why not step it up this year for some other children?

I recently found out that Macy’s is collecting “letters to Santa” in a special Santa letterbox at all Macy’s stores. Then, for each letter they receive, “…Macy’s will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Believe Meter will measure America’s belief, based on our collective spirit – including the amount of letters received and other current events that reflect the season’s generosity.”

Now that’s a cool idea! So that’s exactly what we did… we took my sons letter to Macy’s and told him that Santa would be stopping by here to pick up the letters from all the little boys and girls this Christmas. And with that same bewildered look, he asked me “Santa shops here too?”

Yes, but only when there’s a sale.

As much as we love to hear ourselves talk here – we’re interested in hearing some of your own parenting stories (both good and bad), parenting tips or anything else you feel like sharing!

You can simply comment on something you’ve heard or read or if you’re feeling really ambitious (and a bit crazy,) you can go here and become a FEATURED AUTHOR for the Parents Overnight Blog. You’re posts will be shown on the front page and shared with all of our great readers.

So what are you waiting for?!

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I think every parent knows that you don’t give cold and/or cough medicine to your baby if they’re under 2, and if you’re not sure – It usually says it right on the package. But with all the recent press about babies and toddlers getting sick from being over medicated by OTC medicine, the FDA has changed its guidelines and will be adding new warning labels stating that children under 4 should not get OTC cold or cough medicine. (You can read more here)

Now don’t get me wrong – added warnings and safety measures are never a bad thing! But if we’re talking about parents not reading labels, than that’s an entirely different story.

But how much of this has been proven? Has it been shown that kids under 4 are at risk due to the actual medications or is it more because of parents, too anxious to medicate their children at the first sign of a runny nose or a cough aren’t paying attention to the labels and warning and putting their own children at risk?

Like any medicine, there are always potential side effects I suppose. But if there’s a question regarding any medication, or if I gave my child some OTC medicine for a cough or cold and noticed even the slightest adverse reaction or change in his behavior, I would be on the phone with his pediatrician in a heart beat!

In all, the simple guideline are:

Parents should never:

• Give adult medicines to a child.
• Give two or more medicines with the same ingredients at the same time.
• Give antihistamines to make a child sleepy.

Parents should:

• Give the exact recommended dose, using the measuring device that comes with the medicine.
• Keep OTC medicines out of sight and out of reach.
• Consult their doctor if they have any questions.

All of the parents on our street met last night to talk about what we’re going to do for the kids this Halloween. We like to get together and plan a neighborhood party or try to coordinate all the kids to go out together.

But the topic of discussion turned into what “treats” to give the kids. OK, so it’s no secret that kids eat A LOT of sugar these days and that obesity is running rampant with kids in the U.S. I mean, come on…we’ve all heard the news of how childhood obesity is at an all time high. But this is Halloween! It’s the one time when you SHOULD be able to eat candy and get a sugar rush. And although, at first I had planned on standing strong on my philosophy – apparently my neighbor wasn’t the only mother concerned with letting her kids have too much “junk” this year.

And honestly, now that we have a new trick-or-treat game plan, I think this year is going to be a fun change of pace. We all agreed to give out toys instead of candy. Nothing major, we’re not talking X-Boxes or remote controlled cars. More like stickers, pencils, Play-Doh or glow sticks, in addition to a piece of candy here or there.

Most of the kids in our neighrborhood are too young to realize that they’re missing out on the cavity creating surplus that halloween normally brings, but if the trend catches on we’ll still end up with a bunch of cute kids in costumes and far less trips to the dentist.