Our Favorite Parenting News Stories Of The Week

Barbie hasn’t been a big hit in China, but Mattel, the makers of the blond, leggy, blue-eyed doll, are hoping to change that with the addition of a violin (presenting: Violin Soloist Barbie). By making Barbie appear more educational, Mattel hopes sales will increase, particularly among “Tiger Moms and Dads.” (The Gloss)

College-bound teens and tweens take note: it turns out that most college admissions pros are very social media savvy and definitely track mentions of their institutions on twitter. So be careful before tweeting negatively during a campus visit! (The New York Times)

Health officials are reporting four Tennessee cases of a rare infant illness that have been linked to parents refusing a routine shot for newborns. (The Huffington Post)

Pregnant moms ought to look to Drew Barrymore for inspiration and fighting off body image woes. Barrymore, expecting her second child, says that worrying about looking perfect while you’re pregnant is beside the point. The perfection, she says, is in the baby-making. (Parents)

Nhung Nguyen, one half of the duo behind chic clothing label and shopping destination Gargyle, is also a mom. Writer SuChin Pak gets the scoop on how the busy mom manages to look so put together, run a successful business, and raise a child in NYC. (Daily Candy)

Puppies and babies: was there ever a cuter combination? Blogger Jessica Shyba (click here to see her cityscape photo gallery on our site) took some incredibly cute photos of her toddler taking his daily nap with the family’s 7-week-old puppy. (The Mirror)

It’s a well-known fact that twins share a special bond, but few videos have captured it as exquisitely as this one by a French nurse of baby siblings who just can’t stop hugging. (The Huffington Post)

Though long-regarded as a sacred saying, “mom is the most important job” is being called into question by one mother that sees over-glorifying moms as diminishing to every other relationship in a child’s life, as well as patronizing to motherhood itself. What do you think? (The Guardian)

Getting ready to set the table for Thanksgiving? Try one of these festive and fun DIY place card crafts! Let you kiddos join in the fun to make holiday décor a family affair. (Elizabeth Street)

Who ever thought that diapers could be functional, eco-friendly, and super-stylish all at once? One our fave bloggers and local moms—Joanna Goddard of A Cup of Jo—ones our eyes to Honest Fall Diapers (think prints with foxes, anchors, and more)! (A Cup Of Jo)