« One reason to use your stroller brake Hipster Bibster for Hipster Babies » This tale begins with the revealing of a deep, dark family secret. Last month, we became one of those families. Or more accurately, my wife is one of those mothers, and I am occasionally one of those fathers, but only with a deep sense of shame because of what I infer other parents think of me. I avoid being one of those fathers whenever possible. Our 18-month-old son has a leash. Oh, sorry, I mean a tether. Or harness, as if that’s better. I profiled child tethers four years ago, before they became popular. Back then, if you wanted one, you probably had to order from a website. I was skeptical at the time, leading to the shame I feel today. These days, child tethers go for $1 at garage sales. The one thing my son doesn’t do in public is listen to his parents, and he loves to run, grab things and throw. It sounds normal for his age, but some of it seems related to the speech communication problems we’ve been having.

Curbing repeat bad behavior is our biggest problem. So we carry him in a wrap or stroller whenever possible, but sometimes it’s just not convenient, especially now at 28 lbs. Contrary to my prejudicial thinking, my son didn’t revolt when he was first leashed up. The harness has a plush teddy bear on its back with a tiny pocket. We began putting on the leash when dropping off, or picking up, our daughter at school. She wears a real backpack, and he wants to be just like her. Some kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders thought it was a backpack, and a cool one at that. One boy asked with great surprise whether my son was in kindergarten. And better yet, when tethered up he is happy to be in the proximity of a parent without running wildly around. It’s a bizarre limitation he accepts. Okay, so, about this K-mart conversation… My wife made a quick trip to K-Mart on Sunday to pick up socks for my daughter… bringing both kids. I cautioned her that our son would pull products from the shelves, so she needed to use a wrap.

She went with the tether anyway, but resolved the issue by having him carry the socks through the store. At the check-out, the female cashier leaned over the counter, looking at our son, and said, “Ohhh, I’ve got one of those! No one believes me, but I do.” My wife thought the clerk was referring to our son, and she didn’t say anything intelligible: “Oh, mmm hmm.” The clerk continued: “I get nervous out in public, so I have my husband put it on me and lead me around in crowds. It makes me feel safe. I panic when I’m around lots of people.” My wife was essentially stunned, fumbling out, “Well, it’s good that it fits you.” When she told me this story the first time, I thought my wife was saying the woman had an adult harness. But no, the clerk was, at most, a petite 110lbs. I just hope telling this story doesn’t make Thingamababy a Mecca for adult harness lovers like it has for adult blanky lovers. Everyone needs a home.) Anyhow…. back to my son’s harness.

After K-Mart, my wife stopped by a grocery store. My son carried an orange through the store. At some point he dropped it, the orange rolled along the floor, then he picked it up and gave it a firm full-mouth chomp. And that there is our son, totally different from his sister in almost every way.backpack kopen waar op letten FREE SHIPPING on any $40+ order within the Continental U.S.! whistles backpack dupeI thought I had seen it all. paradise backpack 18lThat is, until last year, when I came across the Baby Alive Real Surprises Doll. neotec laptop backpack“Real Surprises” is right! dwarven backpack mod

I mean, I remember Baby Alive from when I was a kid, and sure, she drank water and peed, but she did not go number two! Writer Trae and Moxie Girlz Poopsy Pets elephant I thought this pooping doll was an anomaly, but as I walked the floor of a recent toy trade fair, I discovered more playthings that poop!dse laptop backpack Lalaloopsy Babies Diaper Surprise ($26.99 at Toys R Us) rocks an expression that looks surprisingly similar to a crazy face my daughter makes when she’s trying to make me laugh. Maybe it’s because Lalaloopsy “poops” charms. Let me explain: Put one of the magic diapers on the doll, give her water from her bottle, and then push her belly button. Open her diaper and bingo, a charm appears. You can then clip the charm on a bracelet (!!!) that comes with the doll. She also comes with a few reusable diapers, which actually house the charm in a water-activated gel substance.

Manufacturer’s suggested age: 4–7 years ) scoops up boulders as it runs them over and poops them out the back end. This is actually a great developmental toy for little ones because they can ride on Big Dog or lift up the seat and use him as a walker. The handle and nose make noises and light up, and the “number two” aspect makes this toy indisputably fun. Manufacturer’s suggested age: 1 year and up Why not teach young kids the ropes of pet care with a toy? The super-stylish Barbie Potty Training Taffy Doll ($16.97 at Walmart) feeds treats to Taffy, and then picks up the dog’s droppings with a fabulous pink, long-handled scooper. The set comes with a doggy backpack, leash, trash can, treats, food bowl and unlimited BMs. Manufacturer’s suggested age: 3 years and up Beyond Barbie, the Moxie Girlz Poopsy Pets Pet Dolls ($19.97 at Walmart) are available in several different characters, which resemble Bratz dolls. Each has her own unique pet, including an elephant that poops peanuts, a tiger that poops tiger-striped eggs and a panda that poops bamboo shoots.

If your kid needs sound effects to truly appreciate the experience, then the Doggie Doo Game ($22.99 at Toys R Us) is for him. Feed the pup, roll the die, squeeze the leash and after several totally gross sounds, the pet poops or it doesn’t. If he does, guess what, you gotta clean it up. Two to four players can enjoy the action. Manufacturer’s suggested age: 4 years and up If toys that actually poop are just too much for you, but your kid finds potty humor hilarious, check out the Despicable Me Fart Blaster ($19.96 at Kmart), which makes a variety of fart sounds and has flashing lights; the Nickelodeon Rabbids Invasion Plunger Blaster ($17.99 at Toys R Us), which produces a disturbing array of bodily function noises; and the Ugglys ($23.99 at Walmart), which are hideous dogs that make farting and burping sounds when you squeeze them … but nothing comes out. From left: Despicable Me Fart Blaster; Nickelodeon Rabbids Invasion Plunger Blaster; : Save 20% off one toy.