I’m convinced that diaper rash is a plague of Biblical proportions and until recently, I just assumed it was something we had to suffer through, hoping that the old standby Butt Paste would do the job (sometimes it did, sometimes it didn’t). Any parent who has had to listen to their child cry in pain with each diaper change wishes for a miracle cure.

Guess what? I’ve discovered that miracle! It’s called Angel Baby Bottom Balm and I’m here to tell you that this stuff works within 24 hours. Made by the great people over at Earth Mama Angel Baby, not only does this stuff work like no other cream or home remedy we’ve tried, but it’s also free of all phthalates and 1,4-Dioxane.

I could was poetic about this stuff, but instead I’ll just tell you this: it works. Try it.

It’s Fair Trade Friday!

...And play it often. You’ll have no trouble when you download an album or buy a CD of traditional folk or dance music by fair trade farmers and artisans from around the world. It’s fun for kids to listen to and a great introduction to different kinds of music and rhythms they otherwise may not be exposed to.

Try:

Musicians Farmers and Poets by Nicaraguan Fair Trade Farmers (CD or MP3 download)

Music from the Chocolate Lands

Putumayo World Party - Dance music from around the world

Acoustic Brazil - Brazilian music & Portugese lyrics. A portion of the proceeds form the sale of this CD are donated to AMENCAR, an organization dedicated to helping the struggle for the civil rights of children in Brazil.

From $6.99-$16.95

Prepare to be totally impressed by a new kind of shoe.

These are Tiny Toms. They’re ultra-lightweight, eco-friendly, and absolutely adorable (yes, that is a buffalo print you’re looking at). But the true beauty of these shoes is that for every pair purchased, the company will give a pair to a child in need on your behalf. Incredibly, they do this for every customer, for every pair of shoes.

Toms Shoes were born when the creator saw the staggering poverty and health concerns while in Argentina. Inspired by the traditional shoes of the country, he went home and created this company with the mission to make life more comfortable for the people of the continent. In it’s first shoe give-back, the company gave more than 10,000 pairs just from matching customer purchases to the needy kids who inspired the idea.

Available for infants & toddlers in 5 colors/patterns- $29.95 from Amazon.com with free shipping.

Oh, and they also make equally wonderful mens & womens shoes too!

Harness your inner craftiness and create a supercute shirt for your kid!
Nick Jr’s website offers, quite literally, a gazillion free do-it-yourself projects for parents & kids, including downloadable T-shirt transfers featuring characters from their shows. All you need is iron-on transfer paper for your home inkjet printer, a shirt or other piece of clothing/hat/tote bag/etc., your iron, and you’re all set.

Try The Wonder Pets! Beatles T-Shirt Transfer, or the Yo Gabba Gabba! Character Collection to make shirts just like the ones the kids wear on the show. Pretty cool!

How many times have you told this to your child? Countless, I’m sure.

Artist John W. Golden has created a fantastic series of art prints which feature some common words we mothers find coming out of our mouths. The expressions are all cleverly signed, “By Order Of The Management” (yes, that means YOU!). What a cute, not so subtle way to get a message across to your household. Just think, with one of these you could stop constantly repeating yourself and just point to the sign!

Consider the possibilities for kids’ rooms, laundry rooms, bathrooms, even kitchens. The artist himself even suggests they be used as friendly reminders for spouses and visitors. Hmm… he must be familiar with in-laws!

They’re all available in different sizes, prices, and combinations at his Etsy shop. While you’re there be sure to check out his other artwork - some has just been featured in this month’s issue of Parents Magazine.