Up to this point, my immediate family has not been negatively affected by the recession. I’m grateful for that and know that circumstances could change any day. As such, we are still trying to be careful with our finances. I know that I personally tend to spend a lot more money during the summer as I’m out and about with the kids, so I have to be aware of my purchases. (Besides, we have just spent thousands of dollars on our current move!)

That’s why I was happy to receive the following eight tips to make the best of your family’s “recessionary” summer. The information is from Marilyn Kagan, LCSW and Neil Einbund, Ph.D, marriage counselors and authors of Defenders of the Heart: Managing the Habits and Attitudes That Block You from a Richer, More Satisfying Life. They are based on their own family activities and conversations with parents in their Los Angeles private practice where parents have expressed concern about their kids this summer because the recession has taken away the opportunity for summer camp and/or family vacations. The instructions are aimed at instilling hope, creativity and family – making this the best summer yet!

1. Date night swap. Maybe you have enough funds for your weekly date night, but the babysitting fee is really breaking your budget. Don’t give up date night – your marriage needs it. Instead, arrange with your neighbors or other family friends to take turns watching each other’s children.

2. Skip the gym membership and get fit together. Set aside time during the week to hit the local park to play a sport together like softball or kickball. Gather the family and go for brisk walks after dinner. Wake up early on the weekend to cycle or hike on trails in your town.

3. Plant a garden. It teaches children about healthy eating and about positively contributing to Mother Earth. It also gives children something to care for each day.

4. Mentally prepare kids for the fall. In August, start to get your child’s mental power back on target by initiating one hour quiet time each day to fulfill back to school reading lists. Consider hiring a local high school or college student as a tutor to help your child get ahead in his or her weak subjects. Student tutors are usually more affordable and the work could benefit them too in their future career pursuits.

5. Flip your house. No DIY projects here. Instead, trade houses with a friend in another state that’s within driving distance. New places always lead to new, possibly great memories. It gives you and your family a chance to explore a new part of the country even if it’s only a few hours away.

6. Stay on top of local news. Whether it’s your weekly town paper, the city daily or a regional parenting publication, these media outlets will highlight a host of free and affordable activities during the week. If you’ve canceled all of your subscriptions to save a buck, then hit the internet and explore these publications online. You can also visit Craig’s List, Eventful, Zvents and CityGuide online for other nearby events and activities.

7. Join a cause together. Doing something good for others is one of the best feelings you can ever have. Families can contribute to the greater good by raising funds or providing time. Decide together those causes that are important to you, and how much you are willing to contribute.

8. Unplug. For one evening during the week, turn off the computers and television sets and host a night of good old time fun. Whether you take out the Monopoly board, spend hours on arts & crafts, or catch fireflies in the evening, teach your children the fun and inspiration in unplugged activities.

Have you heard of Kidmondo? It is an online baby journal site that has (deservedly!) been getting great press all over the place. What’s especially great is that the basic online plan (diary, photo and video uploads, growth charts, etc.) is FREE. (They do offer a premium plan for $39 year with even more features – unlimited journals; more space, no ads, etc. for an additional fee.)

What’s new is that parents can turn their online baby journals into personalized physical baby books called Kidbooks. I met Carole Hallac, the lovely co-founder of Kidmondo at a conference late last year and she is giving one lucky Mom in the City reader a voucher for a Kidbook ($50 value )! (You can view a sample of an actual Kidbook at http://kidmondo.com/kidbook/.

To enter, please share your favorite Kidmondo feature in the “Comments” section below by Saturday, June 6th at noon. (To give more of you an opportunity to win the Kidbook, I’m extending the deadline.)

For additional entries:
1. Link to this giveaway post on your blog.
2. Follow me on twitter. (If you’re already following me, you can tweet about this giveaway.)
3. Leave a comment on any of my other (non-giveaway) posts this week.

Good luck!

On Tuesday, I reviewed Cheers to the New Mom!/Cheers to the New Dad!: Tips and Tricks to Help You Ace the First Months of Parenthood by Jenna McCarthy on this post. Today, I’m giving away a copy of the book to one lucky Mom in the City reader.

To enter, please share a parenting tip/trick that you learned as a new mom in the “Comments” section below by Saturday, May 30th at noon.

For additional entries:
1. Link to this giveaway post on your blog.
2. Follow me on twitter. (If you’re already following me, you can tweet about this giveaway.)
3. Leave a comment on any of my other (non-giveaway) posts this week.

Good luck!

I have worked with Belli in the past with their baby line. Everyone who received their products loved them. That’s why I’m excited about their Motherhood line. The line addresses the skincare issues of moms who are still recovering from their pregnancy changes. Pure Comfort Nursing Cream, Eye Brightening Cream, Body Firming Serum and the Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer are some of the items that are featured in the Motherhood line.

One lucky Mom in the City reader will win the “Eye Brightening Cream” ($37). Designed for tired eyes, it lightens dark circles and minimizes the appearance of fine lines. Whether we’re new (or not so new) moms, I know that all of us need some help from time to time in looking refreshed and well rested (when we’re not!).

To enter, please share your favorite item in the Belli Motherhood Line in the “Comments” section below by Saturday, May 30th at noon.

For additional entries:
1. Link to this giveaway post on your blog.
2. Follow me on twitter. (If you’re already following me, you can tweet about this giveaway.)
3. Leave a comment on any of my other (non-giveaway) posts this week.

Good luck!

Last month, I wrote a post about attending an event celebrating the launch of Rodale.com “where health meets green”. After the event, I was given a beautiful eco-friendly green unlined journal as a gift. (It is made of “100% post consumer waste paper made in New York utilizing wind power”.) Since I love to write, many of my friends give me journals as gifts. As such, I have a drawer full of journals that I’m already eager to use. That’s why I’m giving this one to a lucky Mom in the City reader!

(I couldn’t find an image of the journal online, so I took this picture. It really doesn’t do the journal justice.)

To enter, please share one thing that you’re doing to live a healthier and/or greener lifestyle in 2009 in the “Comments” section below by Saturday, May 30th at noon.

For additional entries:
1. Link to this giveaway post on your blog.
2. Follow me on twitter. (If you’re already following me, you can tweet about this giveaway.)
3. Leave a comment on any of my other (non-giveaway) posts this week.

Good luck!

Back in April, I wrote a post about a “Moms for Simplicity” event that I attended with Olympic swimmer Dara Torres and some great bloggers that was hosted by HP. The whole point of their “Moms for Simplicity” campaign is to recognize the demands that moms face in this digital age.

To help with the technology “juggle”, one lucky Mom in the City reader will receive a $100 HP gift card to shop online for HP products or service.

To enter, please share how you use technology to make your life more simple in the “Comments” section below by Saturday, May 30th at noon.

For additional entries:
1. Link to this giveaway post on your blog.
2. Follow me on twitter. (If you’re already following me, you can tweet about this giveaway.)
3. Leave a comment on any of my other (non-giveaway) posts this week.

Good luck!

I wrote the following about Smart Mom Jewelry’s Teething Bling back in February for our Expectant Moms’ Valentine’s Day Gift Guide:

No, this isn’t for you to bite down on during labor (smile) – it’s for your upcoming attraction! Babies like to bite things so why not be prepared with adult jewelry designed for just that? The pendants in the Teething Bling™ line are made of phthalate-free, federally approved silicone. Of course as moms we want the things that our kids put in their mouths to be safe, so I want to stress that the pendant material is non-toxic, latex-free, and food–safe. They are best used to soothe and entertain babies when they’re teething/their teeth are coming in.

Well, they just introduced a couple of new spring colors and they are giving a Mom in the City reader a Donut Shaped Pendant ($19.10) and a Coordinating Bangle ($12.75). You will have your choice of Cotton Candy Blue, Pink Cupcake or Tanzanite.

To enter, please share your favorite Smart Mom Jewelry item in the “Comments” section below by Saturday, May 30th at noon.

For additional entries:
1. Link to this giveaway post on your blog.
2. Follow me on twitter. (If you’re already following me, you can tweet about this giveaway.)
3. Leave a comment on any of my other (non-giveaway) posts this week.

Good luck!

(To see other contests & giveaways around the web, visit Contesting Monday or Contest Monday.)

Kangaroom Storage has a variety of affordable gifts that the recipient will appreciate – especially those (like me!) who enjoy useful gifts. They offer a variety of exclusive accessories for her tech gadgets, jewelry and photos.

One Mom in the City reader will receive a set of their Velvet Media Bags ($19.99). These plush aqua bags will keep scratches off your cell phone, camera and MP3 player. (Each bag is embroidered with a different media icon.) There’s also a larger fourth bag that you can use to hold charging cords/etc.

To enter, please share your favorite Kangaroom Storage product in the “Comments” section below by Saturday, May 23rd at noon.

For additional entries:
1. Link to this giveaway post on your blog.
2. Follow me on twitter. (If you’re already following me, you can tweet about this giveaway.)
3. Leave a comment on any of my other (non-giveaway) posts this week.

Good luck!

I reviewed The Mom’s Guide to Growing Your Family Green: Saving the Earth Begins at Home by Terra Wellington last month on this post. I enjoyed it so much that I’m giving one Mom in the City reader a copy.

To enter, please share one way that your family is going green in the “Comments” section below by Saturday, May 23rd at noon.

For additional entries:
1. Link to this giveaway post on your blog.
2. Follow me on twitter. (If you’re already following me, you can tweet about this giveaway.)
3. Leave a comment on any of my other (non-giveaway) posts this week.

Good luck!

“And to the Posh Mom, the finest equals French (or anything that at least sounds French): Oilily, Catimini, Deux par Deux, Lili Gaufrette and, of course, nothing but Mustela for her cherub’s sensitive skin.”
–Time Out New York Kids (1/08)

The above quote was part of a funny tongue-in-cheek (I hope!) article about NYC parent stereotypes. Mustela really is a great company though. Their range of products is wonderful for babies with sensitive skin to expectant moms who want to diminish their stretch marks. Celebrities also love this line (in case you care – I really don’t).

Mustela is giving one Mom in the City reader a full-sized “Ultimate Hydration” plus three samples – all from their Mustela 9 Months® collection, which is made specifically for pregnant and post-partum women. Ultimate Hydration ($20) is an after-bath body lotion that addresses skin dryness and sensitivity during pregnancy. It keeps your skin smooth (without being too “greasy”). The winner will also get samples of the Post Partum Body Restructuring Gel, Nursing Comfort Balm and Specific Support Bust.

To enter, please tell me your favorite Mustela 9 Months® item in the “Comments” section below by Saturday, May 23rd at noon.

For additional entries:
1. Link to this giveaway post on your blog.
2. Follow me on twitter. (If you’re already following me, you can tweet about this giveaway.)
3. Leave a comment on any of my other (non-giveaway) posts this week.

Good luck!