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Not only is The Treehouse Social Club a mother's dream come true indoor playground and relaxing escape but they also offer classes and seminars to help moms from head down to their soul. This article written by Carley Knobloch, founder of Mothercraft: Life Coaching for Moms shares her views on why "Me-Time" for mommies can make us better moms. I have always believed in me-time - just because I am a mom does not mean I am no longer a human being with needs and interests outside of motherhood. It also teaches your kids to respect you as a person, not just as their maid and caretaker.

I apologize up front for all those not in or near Santa Monica but I had to share this with everyone because it is such an incredible giveaway. What a better Father's Day gift than a totally revved up stroller, like this $4000 Roddler from Kids Kustoms that will be given away at the Right Start in Santa Monica (2212 Wilshire Blvd.) on June 14th from 3-6pm. You can enter at the event or send your contact info by email but you must be present to win. Read our review of The Roddler here.

I have to say it can be frightening reading the news these days. From toxins in everything from toys to meat, it’s hard to know what’s safe and who to trust. I got the chills when I read in The Independent that a study conducted by UCLA and a university in Denmark found that, for pregnant women, using a mobile device just 2 or 3 times a day was enough to raise the risk of their babies developing hyperactivity, difficulties with conduct, emotions, and relationships by the time they enter Kindergarten. The likelihood was magnified if the children themselves used cells before the age of 7.

7! That’s so young! Makes me think that, perhaps, the even scarier thing is that these days with family plans offered so cheaply, more and more parents are buying so called ‘kiddie’ phones which are made for children as young as 5! What do you guys think about this? Am I the only one who doesn’t understand why youngsters need their own mobiles?!

We’re back with the second part of our interview with the eBay toy and gadget director Cat Schwartz! This time Cat is giving us her picks for the newest and coolest toys for tots!

Tot Snob: It's almost time for summer vacation, which means long rides in trains, planes and automobiles. What are some ways to entertain toddlers when they're traveling?

Cat Schwartz: Leapfrog rocks at this category. One product that they just came out with is called the Tag. It's a pen that your child drags along the "Tag" books and the pen helps them read the words. It's pretty amazing.

If you're driving and you have some room, take along the Fropper! This is a bike that's really fun for kids to ride and bounce on. Plus, it folds up into a tiny space so you can take it along for the trip.

Lastly, pack a Kaboost. This turns any four-legged chair into a high-chair assuring comfort for your toddler in any situation.

Birth control is a hot topic in my household and I wish the topic at hand was the design of the pill carrying case and how fashionable it is NOT! Unfortunately, I will need to go outside the house for this discussion. So, I am excited to be able to do so with you!! YAZ, along with Nina Garcia (our favorite fashion guru) is running a contest to have their case redesigned to reflect today's stylish and hip woman, now that something we can appreciate. The winner will receive $10,000!!

Design submissions will be accepted until June 30, 2008. On behalf of Garcia, Step Up Women's Network, and Bayer HealthCare, one lucky winner will receive a $10,000 prize to invest in his or her career dreams, via enrollment in design classes or for the purchase of special design materials and software. The contest winners will be announced around the time of Fashion Week in fall 2008.

Details and entry form here.

Now that we are heading into summer, there are 2 things we know we will be doing: buying toys to keep the kids occupied during summer break and going to see movies. Since this is going to happen anyway, and Disney of all people know this better than anyone, they are giving away 2 Movie Theater Admissions for Narnia: Prince Caspian with a Purchase of $75 or More at Disney Shopping. You might as well!

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, what better time to talk to eBay toy and gadget director Cat Schwartz! Cat is one of the leading tech experts in the country and she has appeared on NBC's "Today" show, "Howard Stern" and "Live with Regis and Kelly," and in Stuff magazine! See our interview below for some of her picks for the hottest gadgets and check back next week when we’ll touch back with Cat about her tot toy picks!

How many times have you heard people preach "No TV" for your kids? Well, here is another reason to motivate the cause. My baby daughter started throwing up at night, every night and only at night at her last feeding. The first few days that this happened, I attributed it to my older daughter's contagious stomach virus. But it didn't make that much sense since she only threw up at night and otherwise, she looked fine. I went through the list, formula (but I didn't change formula), indigestion (but only at night?), lactose intolerance (but again, only at night?), nothing made sense. Then after more searches on Google, I come upon an interesting theory - motion sickness caused by TV. During the day, the TV is never on. At night at the last feeding, my husband and I watch our shows and the baby obligingly partakes. She isn't watching in full view, she turns her head away from me toward the tv so I figure she isn't REALLY watching. I never thought TV could be damaging to her digestive system! At night when the room is dark, there is no point of reference to stabilize the movement of the TV so our bodies think we are moving with the motion on TV. This causes vertigo and in people with sensitive gag reflexes (which my daughter has) it will cause vomiting. We tested out this theory and it has been 2 days since her last vomiting. Good thing because all that vomiting caused severe dehydration that lead to constipation. It was not pretty. I will spare the details but I'll just say the procedure to un-constipate her involved gloves, vaseline and lots and lots of baby wipes!!! No, not pretty at all.

Everyone has their own parenting style and I am in no way trying to inflict mine on anyone. A friend of mine sent me an article about an episode of Oprah where a 3 year old girl has shocking issues with her self esteem. She is obsessed with her looks, she is afraid of being fat so does not eat and must wear lipstick to feel ok. I just can't stop thinking about it. As a parent our roles and influences as parents are so daunting sometimes I lie awake at night in sheer horror, as I am sure all of you have experienced.

As potential parents, we worry about having "babies" because we fear we won't know how to handle a floppy infant, sleepless nights and diaper duty. But honestly, how many times do you think therapists diagnose severe diaper rash as the cause of emotional breakdowns and depression? What we really need to worry about is how to make our children into healthy adults. As new parents, we don't immediately think of the things that will affect our children's emotional health down the road, we think of the needs that need to be met right now, like food, laundry, bath, getting to school on time, not missing a doctor's appointment, etc.

So, it's a new year and I sit here again with my list of resolutions. Each year my list of two or three things always has the same themes: health/exercise/diet, be a better person than the previous year, get involved in more causes. I generally keep all three to some extent, but I never review the year as a complete success. In 2007, I am proud to say I actually followed through. For 2008, I hope to continue; however, I am adding a fashion aspect...break my Juicy suit addiction. Chasing after two kids has me living in their comfy velour sets and tennis shoes (stylish ones) most of the time. This year I am stepping it up. My goal is to get *dressed* (hair, make-up, trendy outfit, accessories & more than tennis shoes) two days a week (Monday - Friday). This shouldn't be hard. I have everything I need in my closet. I just have to put the clothes on. Easier said than done...right?! Am I alone in this journey? Does anyone else make resolutions and stick to them? Post your comments in the comments section.