Parent Guide: The Hottest Birthday Gift Trends for 2019

Are you stuck in a gift-giving rut? Don’t reach for that gift card just yet. Jazz up your gift-giving prowess with some of the hottest toy trends for 2019. We’ve rounded up the best birthday gifts to give this year, all of which are guaranteed to make you the most popular parent on the party circuit. Scroll down to see them all.

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Pretend Play

If your imaginative tots love to build forts, but you're short on space or energy, check out The Door Fort, which turns any doorway in your home into a playspace. The play tent comes in a few themes, including a castle and firehouse.

Ages 3 and up.

Available on Amazon, $49.99.

Play Date in a Box

Need something fun to do when friends come over? Give the gift of a Playdate In A Box. These kits, which come in five different themes including Pirates, Rock Star and Super Powers, include costumes accessories and supplies for an imaginative playdate for two.

Ages 3 and up.

Available at Play Date In A Box, $29.95 and up.

Jurassic World Dinosaur Action Figures

Dino fans can pretend they've traveled back to the Jurassic Age with these incredibly detailed new Jurassic World Dinosaur Action Figures from Mattel.

Ages 4 and up.

Available on Amazon, $12 and up.

Gears! Flight gears 

Get those creative gears turning with actual gears. Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears! FlightGears is a 44 piece set of gears that young engineers can tinker with to build different vehicles.

Ages 4 and up.

Available on Amazon, $14.99. 

Design & Drill SparkleBot

Foster a love of STEM and robots from an early age with the Educational Insights Design & Drill SparkleBot. Using plastic bolts and a kid-safe screwdriver, kids as young as three can customize their own mini bot.

Ages 3 and up.

Available on Amazon, $12.99.

Uno Flip

The traditional UNO game the whole family loves gets flipped around, literally. UNO Flip is the latest version that turns the game upside down when players hit on a flip card that causes the entire deck to be turned around revealing different numbers and colors on the other side.

Ages 7 and up.

Available at Target, $5.99.

Parent's Guide to The Oscars 2019

On Oscar Sunday, plenty of film enthusiasts will be filling out their ballots and trying to impress their kids, their friends and co-workers by predicting more right than anyone else.

But winning your family (or office) Oscar pool is not a matter of picking your favorites and crossing your fingers. It's not a matter of copying an expert's ballot. It's not even a matter of understanding who is "supposed" to win.

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Anything can happen at the Oscars. That's why, when it comes to predictions, it's important to understand all the different factors at play.

Here's what you should consider if you really want to put your ballot above the rest. Good luck!

Start with expert opinions

They're called experts for a reason! Start with the experts' frontrunners as your base and make any necessary changes as you continue to research and personalize your ballot.

A good place to see what many experts say at once is oddsmaker site GoldDerby, which allows you to see how many of the site's experts have picked each nominee.

Example: This year, Gold Derby's experts have Roma as the top choice for Best Picture, followed by Green Book.

Consider the nominee's "buzz"

Academy voters are only going to pick what they've heard of, so whether the nominees like it or not, the "buzz" is a factor. This is why celebrities campaign by doing the rounds on talk shows and making appearances at other events.

The stars themselves can only create so much buzz, however. Sometimes a nominee so thoroughly permeates into pop culture that they are nearly a lock going into the ceremony (Imagine how surprised you would be if "Let It Go" had lost the Best Original Song category).

Example: As you can probably guess, this year the buzz factor bodes well for "Shallow" from A Star Is Born for Best Original Song.

Look back at other awards shows


There are multiple chances to take home awards throughout the season, especially for actors. Take a look at the winners at the Golden Globes Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the Critics' Choice Awards and the BAFTAs and see if you can spot a pattern.

Example #1: Mahershala Ali is a classic example this year. He took home all four of those for Green Book. If anyone else took home Best Supporting Actor on Sunday, it would be quite the surprise.

It's not just about acting, however. Looking up guild awards and other precursor awards can help you get an indication of who might win in lesser-known categories.

Example #2: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has won just about every animation award you can think of this year, including the top prize at the Annie Awards. It's a solid pick for Best Animated Feature.

Don't overlook the "overdue"

There were plenty of internet memes speculating that Leonardo DiCaprio would never win an Oscar, but he was all but guaranteed to win in 2016. That's because all anyone could talk about was that it was time for him to win. This narrative pops up nearly every year for one nominee or another.

Example: Though there are multiple nominees who could be called overdue this year, none more so than Glenn Close. As the most nominated actor alive to never win, she's a favorite in the competitive Best Actress category for her captivating performance in The Wife.

When choosing Best Picture, consider the nominee's other nominations

Best Picture is particularly tricky to predict this year. Get a holistic view of the odds by digging into clues concerning past Best Picture winners.

Examples:

Best Director and Best Picture have had the same winner 65 out of 90 years, according to ABC News. That stat favors four films that are nominated in both: Roma (which won the Directors Guild Awards), The Favourite, BlacKkKlansman and Vice.

Since the Best Film Editing category began in the 1930s, a nominee in that category has won Best Picture for all but 10 years, ABC News reports. This bodes well for the Best Film Editing nominees, which are all up for Best Picture: BlacKkKlansman, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Favourite, Green Book and Vice. (This is also the category many statisticians are citing as a possible clue Roma will be upset, since it was snubbed from the editing category.)

In the 77 years that Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Screenplay have co-existed, adapted screenplay nominees have gone on to win Best Picture 51 of those years. That's another point in favor of BlacKkKlansman and A Star is Born.

Other shows' nominations can be a predictor as well. Since the Screen Actors Guild began handing out their Best Cast award in 1996, one of those nominees has won Best Picture every year except two, according to Gold Derby. This year that's good news for A Star Is Born, BlacKkKlansman, Bohemian Rhapsody and Black Panther. Black Panther took home that award.

Don't discount the trends in other categories, either

If all else fails in the trickier categories, these trends may be relevant this year:

Examples:
Pixar has a strong history of winning the Best Animated Short category, which bodes well for "Bao."

Best Visual Effects usually goes to a film nominated for Best Picture (of which there are none this year) or else to the film with the most overall nominations, according to Gold Derby. That trend plays in favor of First Man.

Sports-centric films tend to do well in the Best Documentary Feature category, according to Gold Derby. Though Minding the Gap and Hale County This Morning, This Evening place some focus on sports, extreme athleticism takes center stage in category frontrunner Free Solo.

Trust your gut -- but only to pick a few upsets

If you've considered all the other factors and you still feel like a category could go one way or the other, it's finally time to give your favorite films some love. This not only differentiates your ballot, it gives you something to really root for, which makes the night more fun.

Example: Suppose you really love Spike Lee's work on BlacKkKlansman and are cheering for him to win Best Director. Most of your pool, if they've done their research, is going to choose frontrunner Alfonso Cuaron for Roma. Though an underdog, Lee has a real shot, so for a fan that gamble is certainly worth taking.

Don't miss the Oscars LIVE on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT on ABC.

5 Great Mother's Day Gift Ideas for the Mom Who Already Has Everything

We know.  It’s only February.  But let’s be honest, it’s a good time to already be thinking about Mother’s Day.  Dropping hints.  Bringing up casual reminders that turn in to throbbing alarms as we get closer to May.

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Gift giving can be stressful as a rule, but gifting your mom (or your wife or your kids’ mother) is a new level of stress. I mean, she's already out-gifted you in every way.  Good news: you’ve got some Mom’s on your side offering fresh ideas:

Indoor Flower Garden

Why give Mom a bunch of flowers that will wilt by May 17 when she can grow her own flowers year-round? With this hydroponic kit, all she has to do is fill the Mason jar with water, add the pod, and watch the blooms sprout — either English daisies, zinnias, or pansies. The flowers will continue to grow for months, and afterwards, the grow medium can be used again with new seeds.

Box of Chocolate Soaps

This year, how about giving your mom a different kind of chocolate? Handmade and all-natural, this set gets its scent from actual cocoa powder; its moisturizing properties come from shea and cocoa butters as well as olive, coconut, and sweet almond oils to keep her skin soft all winter long.

Mom-Inspired Keychain

For the mother in your life who refuses to be mom-shamed, values independence in her kids and herself, and can dish out praise, discipline, witty comebacks, and dinner with equal skill, this one from Simplestamp says it all.

Mom Wine Glass

Your mom survived your colic, toilet training, white-food phase, homework battles, teen angst, college breakups, late-night phone calls, and countless little crises. She's earned this one. Bonus points if you also give her a bottle to go with it.

Moms Signs

For the new (or almost-new) mom who's realizing for the first time what it takes to raise small humans, this decor from A Rustic Feeling will show Mom that you're finally woke to the whole motherhood thing.

5 Rainbow Foods That'll Bring You Luck on St. Patrick's Day

So much of parenting is about encouraging your kids to follow their dreams.  For St. Patrick's Day, why not remind them to find rainbows and search for their "pot o' gold" in life.

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Here are several family-friendly, fun ways to bring to bring rainbow-inspired ideas for a dessert, treat, or afternoon snack that's equally colorful and delicious.

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Popcorn Rainbow

Chocolate-covered popcorn is delicious enough as it is. When it 's colored and shaped like rainbow and sheep? It's a total winner.

Rainbow Waffle Sandwiches

For a more subtle approach, add rainbow sprinkles to the outside edges of these homemade ice cream sandwiches.

Fruity Pebbles Donuts

These cereal-coated treats are basically an excuse to eat dessert for breakfast. No complaints here.

Rainbow Rolls

If sweets aren't your thing, wrap up a bunch of colorful veggies in spring roll wrappers for a healthy snack or appetizer.

Rainbow Vanilla Cheesecake Bars

Because baking and arts and crafts are one in the same. This beauty is proof.

Family Fun Ideas to Enjoy Together in February

We are in the depths of winter weather with months to go until our kids will be running around outside again.   My kids are already restless, maybe yours are too? Besides the onset of cabin fever due to inclement weather, many months are left in the school year. Count down the minutes until the spring thaw arrives and try these fun things for families to do together in February.

Enjoy Winter Activities As A Family

Depending where you live, there may be lots of opportunities to enjoy outdoor winter activities such as sledding, ice skating, skiing, snowboarding, or even building snow forts.

Play Indoors 

Staying in the house doesn't mean everyone has to parked in front of the TV or video game screen. There are plenty of indoor activities for kids that like board games and creativity exercises. You can also take the kids on a family trip to indoor sports like bowling, indoor roller rinks, and indoor skating rinks.

Black History Month 

Take a break for history.  Learn about Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks and other key people who made a difference. Even younger children can embark on this learning journey through age-appropriate printables and activities.

National Snack Food Month 

Use February's National Snack Food Month to teach your kids about healthy eating habits. Start by preparing healthy snacks kids will love or shake things up with some healthy smoothie recipes kids will love.

International Friendship Month 

Celebrate International Friendship Month by helping your kids recognize their appreciation for their friends. Kids can write thank you cards to their pals.

National Cherry Month 

Cook with your kids. Prepare some cherry recipes together for a "bushel" of fun. You won't have any seasonally ripe cherries in the house (those will come in the summer). The month was established due to the legend about George Washington and the cherry tree, and serves to show that cherry products are available year-round. You can get creative with a cherry blossom craft as well.

Responsible Pet Owners' Month 

Whether you're a pet parent to a dog, cat or a gerbil, it teaches responsibility.  Teach your kids how to be good pet owners, Choosing the right family pet is the first step. Whether you're showing your kids how to take care of dogs properly, teaching them how to bond with cats or helping them learn about exotic pets, being a responsible pet owner is a lifelong commitment.

More than 5 Ways to Celebrate the Lunar New Year With Your Kids!

My favorite part of our family's Lunar New Year celebration (also referred to as Chinese New Year) is that it is a day filled with fun. Family and friends, both Asian and American, are always eager to gather and enjoy celebrating together. It's often a casual affair at our house, but my kids look forward to it almost as much as Christmas. If you've never celebrated Lunar New Year before, here are nine ways to start!

Look up your family's Chinese zodiac signs and see if any of the descriptions are reflective of your personalities.

Read a book about Lunar New Year.

Make paper lanterns and hang them in your home. 

Attend a Lunar New Year festival or celebration near you.

Learn some words in an Asian language.

Enjoy a Lunar New Year tasting menu including foods like noodles, dumplings and spring rolls.

If you've celebrated Lunar New Year in the past, what was your favorite part of the festivities?

Potty Training Tips: Strategy from your First Kid to your Second Kid

Back as a first-time parent, I remember absolutely dreading potty training. It seemed overwhelming and I felt unprepared. However, through a bit of trial and error, my husband and I figured it out together. It may not have been in the timing I’d wanted, but in the end we got there, and it felt good.

Then, we had our second baby and assumed I sort of had this potty training business down. So I went about it the same way — only to realize just how different it can be the second time. Here are a few things I learned.

1. Each child has a unique potty training experience.

Each child has a unique potty training experience and my children were no different. With my first child, she wanted to do everything in her own timing — especially when it came to potty training. I was determined that she would be potty trained by the time she turned two, but to my dismay, she had absolutely ZERO interest in any of it. Then, six months later, of her own volition, she decided she was ready for “big girl undies” and that was that. Within three days, she was fully potty trained — and less than a month later, she adamantly refused to wear her Pull-Ups at night anymore. Never had an accident and never looked back.

My son’s potty training experience, however, was a slower process. It started sooner, but with more setbacks along the way and a backtrack or two. We had to go back to using Pull-Ups again for awhile after he first switched over to underwear and we used them at night for nearly a year. But that doesn’t mean his potty training journey was a failure — it was just a different journey. He needed time and lots of encouragement, so that’s exactly what we gave him.  He had more ups and downs and accidents along the way, but I can say that he finally figured it out in his own timing.

2. Each stage of parenting is different.

When you have just one child, it’s a bit easier to focus on potty training. I don’t want to concern anyone into thinking that it’s “harder” the next time around, because it’s not. Potty training your second child is just different, because your stage of parenting is different.

With the first child, you could be more regimented and focused, but with your second, your attention is divided. You are now trying to meet the needs of your older child while simultaneously keep your head in the potty training game with your younger one. It’s easier to miss those potty cues when you’re busy with another child, so there may be more accident clean up along the way. The upside is that you’ll probably be a bit less uptight and less stressed out this time.

3. Children have different motivation.

Finding out what motivates your child is a big part of the potty training process. My first was all about treats as a reward for using the potty (dried cranberries were her favorite), my second loved a good sticker chart. Both of them were heavily motivated by praise. Whatever works best for your child, do that thing. It may take a bit of trial and error, but it will be well worth it.

4. You have much better perspective the second time around.

In both parenting and potty training, perspective is everything – and the good news for those of you tackling potty training a second time around is that you will have a much better perspective. The first time around, I stressed myself out over potty training. I worried when I noticed my daughter was taking a bit longer to potty train than some of her peers and I felt like it was never going to happen. With my second, I had the perspective that came from seeing my daughter through potty training already and realizing that potty training will eventually happen — in the perfect timing for your child. It made it a whole lot easier to let go and enjoy the ride.