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Like most moms, I pack for myself last -- often in a frantic dash as we are heading out the door.  I barely have time for the essentials, much less anything remotely luxurious.  This time around, I am planning ahead and keeping a small bag packed and ready to throw in the suitcase.  Given that I am usually relegated to the left-over nooks and crannies in the suitcase, nothing bulky is permitted.

Nothing beats the blues better than adding a little luxury to your life.  Buy your favorite nail polish in an exotic shade, treat yourself to a luxurious massage, or buy an expensive jam flavored with liquor.  These are just a few ideas to buoy your spirits when you are a bit down.  

Being sick or hurt on vacation is no fun for anyone but if you travel with kids, minor mishaps are bound to happen.  Be prepared with an emergency travel kit stocked with first aid items for kids and adults.  

Being sick or hurt on vacation is no fun for anyone but if you travel with kids, minor mishaps are bound to happen.  Be prepared with an emergency travel kit stocked with first aid items for kids and adults.  

Let kids have some fun at dinnertime with this cute Halloween "I Spy" placemat that you can print and then laminate for use during the entire Halloween season.  Kids love to play "I Spy" and this is a great activity for when you are preparing dinner.  Give the kids a crayon and a napkin so they can draw, circle the items they find and then erase with the napkin.

This is an easy and inexpensive Halloween craft for little kids and a great preschool group project.  The black spider is made from pipe cleaners and a pom pom.  This spider can be used as a fun table decoration or hung in a doorway to make things a little "spooky."

Need:

Never be afraid to ask…we have been surprised so often with vendors saying yes to something that isn't the usual or norm.  Just because you haven't seen it done or might be too big of a request, it never hurts to ask..Our vendors have often surprised us with "Sure, we can try that!"

It's no secret that I love to decorate children's rooms, and I am always in awe of the creative work by so many talented interior designers who specialize in designing children's spaces.  What a treat it is to devote so much time and energy into such a fun and rewarding profession!

I always tell friends and customers that a handcrafted gift leaves a lasting memory for years to come.  Yet several of our clients refuse to buy clothes or towels because baby outgrows them so fast.  They only want stuffed animals, photo albums, or quilts -- things that will last.

We've all learned to make wise choices about which oils are contained in our foods.  The healthy and unhealthy attributes of saturated, trans, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and hydrogenated fats are becoming widely known.  åIf we read the labels of various cooking oils, we can see which types and ratios of fats are in them, but have you ever considered if there are healthy and unhealthy oils for our skin?

After my first week back to school studying the exciting field of Solar Photovoltaics, I wanted to share some of the advantages and a few of the disadvantages of solar PV systems.  

More than just being about grades, the educational process offers students the opportunity to learn about social skills, personal responsibility, respect for authority, as well as how to manage their time, how to gather and retain information, and areas of interest to them.  It is essential that you support your child in having a positive and successful school experience.

Teens, although highly vulnerable to slights, are quick to dish them out.  Testing each other, and the world, they are often uncensored in their expression.  It is important to help teens process and digest their experiences, that they might grow from them.

To have a strong "core" we need to work many muscles, particularly muscles that stabilize the spine and pelvis, and run the entire length of the torso.

A quick search on Google for manners programs (including children's manners, table etiquette, business manners, social media manners, ATM manners and more) brought up over 10,300,000 results.And a similar search on Amazon found over 30,000 results.  

A quick search on Google for manners programs (including children's manners, table etiquette, business manners, social media manners, ATM manners and more) brought up over 10,300,000 results.And a similar search on Amazon found over 30,000 results.  

When waking up in the morning and looking into the bathroom mirror, the last thing you want to see are bags under your eyes.  There are several things that can cause eye puffiness.  Some of the causes can be a lack of sleep, fluid retention, too much sodium in your diet, or just a part of the natural aging process.  Getting the right amount of sleep, keeping hydrated, and eating enough fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains will help to support and give your body and skin what they need for long-term health and vitality -- but there are also some great natural things you can do quickly and easily to help reduce puffy eyes.

Research is providing us with new information about addiction in teenagers.  The following article is a summary of the latest findings, translated into terms that parents can readily understand and utilize.

Here is a little history about Grandparent's Day... 

Remember to protect your back and use your core with any movement or exercise.  

Often organic clothes and blankets are more expensive and do not come in some of the vibrant colors of polyester products.  Many organic baby products are white, soft blue, pink, or natural.  A few companies have mastered the ability to dye cotton with organic dyes that produce vibrant colors, but most organic products are neutral.

This is a super simple project that is perfect for little girls.  You need few materials and it is very easy to make.  If you would like, you can also use this as an easy beginner sewing project, by having your child do simple "up and down" stitches to secure the sides of the little purse.  Colors and choice choice of buttons or beads should be left to the "maker."

Knowing how to communicate with your child and support him is one of the most important aspects of building a child's self esteem.  In order to improve your child self esteem and confidence, it is fundamental that you make sure to dedicate enough time each day to simply communicate with your child in an uninterrupted environment, and that you give your child plenty of opportunity to express his opinions and thoughts.  Your child needs to feel that he can trust you and count on you whenever he needs to talk, express something, or simply share with you what happened during the day.  You really are the most important person in your child's life and your child needs to feel through your words and actions that he receives unconditional support and love from you.

Let this be a great back-to-school year by planning fun educational activities with the kids!  Visit an orchard then grab a book about apples to share while you drink cider. 

It's that time of year again to protect yourself and your family from Influenza, also known as the "flu."

The last article I wrote listed the main reasons for changing my career.  This time, I'd like to share some of my experience with returning to school. 

As early as two years old, kids can begin to participate in chores.  Obviously, the tasks a two-year-old can handle differ from those of a five or six-year-old.  One of the keys to chore success is understanding your child's physical and developmental capabilities.  Some children may be able to manage more responsibility, others less. You need to decide what chores are appropriate for your kids.  It's a good idea to start small and add chores based on your child's readiness.  Kids often begin as chore helpers and graduate to doing chores independently when they are ready.  It's even okay to start with one chore, especially if assigning chores is new in your family.  If you want your kids to succeed, you need to set up a system that supports success.   

When Nesting contacted me about being their photography expert, I had to read the email again.  Expert by no means!  I went back and forth on the subject.  I kept asking my husband, "should I do it?"  He replied "sleep on it."  Oh gosh, the ever-dreaded "sleep on it" advice.  So, I slept on it and slept on it some more and finally said to myself, "why not!"  You see, you can never be an expert and know it all when it comes to photography, and realizing that took some pressure off, because photography is an endless journey of learning the art.

"Hey, can I borrow your husband?"  Now, we know a hammer, hedge trimmers, a cup of sugar, or an egg is not an unusual item for a friend or neighbor to ask us to lend out -- but a husband?  This request puts a whole new spin on what one might "borrow."

Going back to school can be exciting and fun, or it can be stressful and chaotic.  

You deserve to live the kind of life you want.  While a perfect life might by impossible, you can begin to create a good life for yourself and your family by starting with a few simple changes.  

May's birthstone is the intense, brilliant green emerald.  Emerald is derived from the word smaragdus, meaning green in Greek.  Within its depths are tiny fractures which the French call "jardin," or garden, because of their resemblance to foliage.  The ancient Romans associated this gemstone with fertility and rebirth, and dedicated it to Venus, the goddess of love and beauty.

Last year I became a first time grandparent, and along with that came challenging disciplinary issues.  But, oh what a wonderful world it has been!  You know the song by Louis Armstrong?

I've learned quite a bit from some of my mistakes "recently," as most all of us do.  However, with that said, I've learned a great deal about business etiquette in general.  As a "work at home" professional, I realize more and more how we can all learn from each other (within the same industry).  

Sleep is very important to your baby.  It will keep him healthier and also give you time to regroup and rest for the many  hours of keeping up with baby.

Always remember that blending a family is a PROCESS, not an EVENT!  Nothing is ever "done" -- and you may have to revisit the same issues over and over again. 

Beginning in June 2011, crib safety standards have been expanded.  Drop-side cribs have been banned and all stores are forbidden to offer them for sale beyond this date -- including auction sites. 

I would give a personalized nursery wall hanging.  It's a beautiful and affordable substitute for a mural -- large scale, yet it can be moved with you from room to room, home to home, and can even be passed down through generations!

I recently left my job as a producer for a commercial music company to begin a career in the solar energy industry.  I thought my friends and family would think I was crazy to change careers at age 34, but the fact is that all of them were completely supportive. 

Men becoming fathers these days appreciate that there's a completely different set of expectations than their own dads had just a generation before.  It used to be that a father-to-be only thought about a loss of sleep and paying for college, but lots of new issues have opened up.  

Preparing for a new baby, you think about how you're going to incorporate her into your life, but what about preparing for the changes your husband/boyfriend will go through as he becomes a Dad?  You will both be discovering what kind of parents you want to be and you should think about how you can bring out the best in each other. 

Dads love gifts.  Actually, maybe I should modify that slightly -- Dad's love good gifts.  Yes, it is the thought that counts and the fact that you are thinking about buying Dad a gift for one reason or another is wonderful.  Dad will be happy to get a gift, but he will be ecstatic to get a really great gift.  So, how do you find a great gift for Dad?  I'm so glad you asked!

I know many Grandmothers who work from home.  I stay in touch with a few of them and have established both a business and friend relationship with each one.  I have been in the work-at-home industry for many years, and becoming a grandma in 2010 didn't stop me from continuing to make a living online.  I have done well, and have learned so very much both from trial and error and from others.

Not too long ago, you may remember hearing about Katie Holmes' daughter, Suri, being the center of tabloid fodder after she was spotted donning a pair of neutral-colored d'Orsay pumps, when she was only three years old. 

Having a budget is having a plan, and that plan needs definition. Zero-based budgeting is the most granular, detailed kind of planning you could do with your money.  It was developed in the 1960s by Peter Phyrr, the Division Manager of Texas Instruments.  Although originally meant for corporate or government use, this method does wonders for personal finance, as well.  Starting with your sum total of money, you assign all of your monthly income to various expenses, down to the last dime, or zero.  I call it "Give Every Dollar a Job."  No money should be unspoken for or left without a duty.  If you find there is not enough left to fill an important category, you adjust the balance of one category downwards in order to increase it in another. 

Having grandchildren changes your world completely.  And for the better of course, as there is joy that we never knew existed.  I know for me, my world has not been the same since this little person stole my heart from first glance.  There are absolutely no words to describe the experience of becoming a grandparent.  An abundance of happy tears shed down my face that day.  Those tears and emotions were so obviously unexpected.

Gorgeous, silky skin for Summer! 

What's the best present to give big brother or sister?

Every new mom wants the most beautiful nursery.  Beautiful baby bedding is essential for a comfy nursery.  It's fun to decide on colors and fabrics.  It's exciting to choose paint colors and furniture.  But your job doesn't stop here.  You have to make sure that no only is your nursery beautiful, but that it is safe.  The  most important piece of furniture you will every buy is your baby's crib.  You need to make sure that your baby sleeps in a safe crib.

It used to be, not too long ago, that if you wanted medical information you needed to go to the medical library, wander through the stacks, find the appropriate medical book or journal, and then spend hours scouring through them until you found the right source.  For patients it was even worse.  They had to ask a doctor they trusted and hope for the right answer or physically go to the same medical library and pour through the same journals without any of the language, context, or experience of reading journals.

Well, let's just deal with this speculation right here and now, and look at it square in the eye!  Becoming a grandmother should not make you feel old, not in any way, shape or form.  However, I've always envisioned myself as "old" when contemplating becoming Grandmother.  The thought has been a constant engraving in my mind as being in a rocking chair and knitting or crocheting.

Last post I started a conversation by looking at some of the factors that will likely influence you in your choice of parenting style.  With this in mind, let us now turn our attention to some of the research that does suggest that different parenting styles do tend to lead to different developmental outcomes for the children.

As 21st century parents, we face a unique set of challenges.  The rise of modernity, like all eras before it, has both its upsides and its downsides.  In general, we know more about human beings and how they grow and develop than at any other time in history.  And yet, at the same time, we seem to be losing a whole host of "parental intuitions" that seemed obvious to parents of generations past.  On top of this, many aspects of our current cultural milieu are pushing us towards states of chronic stress and reactivity, which interfere with our otherwise naturally wise and loving hearts.  This post will take a look at some of current challenges we face as parents trying to chart a new course for ourselves, and our children.

There are many different styles of parenting in the world and often I am asked by parents which is the best for their child's development.  While there is no easy answer to this question, I will take the next two posts to describe some of the important things to consider when making this difficult choice and relay some of the science that was undertaken with exactly this question in mind.  But it is important to say that choosing a style of parenting is a very personal thing and it must feel right to you first and foremost.  We are all different people with unique strengths and weaknesses, we often live in very different communities, and sometimes we just want different things in the end for our children.  All of this will need to be kept in mind when choosing which style of parenting is right for you. 

Nothing says summer at the beach better than bright beach towels!

Shower Theme One

We need a license to drive, hunt, fish, or marry -- but anyone can become a parent, qualified or not.  Most people agree that being a parent is one of the most difficult and challenging jobs anyone could ever have.  It is incredibly hard, but also rewarding, to be a single parent and do the job alone.  The 24/7 nature of parenting is exhausting, and the challenge is to create a strong family unit that can survive in this ever changing world, regardless of the family structure. 

It is a challenging and difficult time to raise children, especially if you are a single parent.  You may be short on time, energy, money and patience.  You are trying to do the best you can with the knowledge and resources you have, but sometimes it feels like it isn't enough.  Of course, you know there are only so many hours in a day, and you can only accomplish so much.  Perhaps it feels like everything is spinning out of control.  Or it may feel like all work, no play, especially if all the responsibility is on you.  

Once upon a time there were three little pigs. They all once had families, but unfortunately, they were all now divorced. So they decided to re-marry and build brand new homes with their new families.

Among the top reasons given for the breakup of a stepfamily is all the confusion in pulling two in-process families together into one combined effort.  In addition to learning to live with each other, stepparenting couples face the difficulties of coordinating their careers and obligations.

One peculiar feature of a stepfamily is that they are built on a negative foundation.  A stepfamily couple comes to their new home with a full set of baggage, containing memories, wounds, and habits.  Probably the biggest piece of baggage that sits in the way of your developing a new life is your connection to your ex–spouse. 
And while some ex-es go away physically, many more haunt your life as well as your memories.  One of the great mysteries of divorce and remarriage is why many ex-spouses just refuse to turn loose. 

The ability to forgive is getting a lot of hype these days from self-help gurus, spiritual leaders, mental health professionals, and talk show hosts.  Their message: giving forgiveness is a healing, releasing act that allows the one forgiving to be healthier and happier.  The act of forgiving as defined by Webster's Dictionary as "to cease to feel resentment against (an offender).  Not an easy task when one feels they have been mistreated, offended, or ignored.  The destructive part of disagreeing or arguing is not the act itself but, rather, the harboring of anger and resentment.  When one or both lacks the ability to forgive and move on, the relationship is in trouble.   

Everybody wants to send a gift that will be a hit.  The newbie parents are bombarded with calls of congratulations and dozens of gifts.  If you want to send a gift that will stand out -- a gift that will be a keepsake -- below are our suggestions.  These are gifts that will stand the test of time, never be returned because you have personalized them.  The easiest way to personalize a gift is to embroider a name and birth date on the blanket, stuffed animal, quilt, car seat cover, or paint the name on picture frames, growth charts and bookends.  This will turn the most ordinary gift into an instant keepsake.

During the time when students are finishing up their last few days of school before summer, many parents may notice that barely any homework has come home in weeks.  The school year continues to wind down, and those mere 180 days of school (compared to Japanese students who spend 243 days in school) dwindle away since major testing has already concluded.  Although standardized testing is very important, learning shouldn't stop just because there is not an exam to prepare for.  When summer is upon us, it is the perfect time to focus on those subjects that are often not emphasized in testing (science, history, geography, foreign languages) and brush up on any areas of English or math that were tossed to the wayside because the curriculum kept moving.  

Will the trendy names of today's babies become classics?  The top boys and girls names of 1910 listed below are almost obsolete for the baby's of the 21st century. Almost no one calls a new baby girl Mary or a boy Richard.  Only one of the girls names listed in 1910 is listed in the top 50 names of baby girls for 2010, and that name is Elizabeth.  Sometimes, celebrities like to be different and select an old fashion name.  Jennifer Connelly named her new baby girl Agnes, but most moms prefer popular names like Ava and Sophie.  Every mom wants her child to be popular, so the best way to start is to choose a popular name -- especially for girls.

A grandchild's hand drawn treasures are both a privilege and delight for grandparents.  Who can resist the smile on a little face as it proudly hands over the newest masterpiece?  You want to save them all, but how do you display and save these tiny, and sometimes not so tiny, treasures of their hearts?

Great-Grandparents are so loving, cherished and wise.  Yet it can be very challenging to give a gift you are proud to give when there are so many gift-giving occasions throughout the year.  From Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparent's Day, birthdays, and holidays, there are a lot of gift ideas to come up with each year.  There are several gift-giving guidelines that I have adopted over the years to make it easier to give a meaningful gift to a great-grandparent.

A shower for Grandma?  Why yes!  A newer trend that has been growing in popularity over the past 5 years, Grandma showers celebrate the life-changing experience of becoming a Grandma.  Thrown by an intimate group of friends or co-workers, Grandma showers prove to be fun celebrations that help Grandma get started in her new role.  

The birth of a new baby is the main event.  Whether you are the happy parents, a family member, close family friend, or even just an acquaintance, having a child is one of the most important and emotional events of a lifetime for everyone involved -- no matter how close the connection.

Grandparents can share a part of their lives and their history with their children and grandchildren through several different and unique methods.  

Any camp you consider should have excellent programming.  Programming means all the things that camp plans for the kids including activities, night events, trips, etc.  Camps run their programming based on several different types of systems.  Some use "cabin" programming, where each cabin attends activities together.  While it does promote cabin unity, in my opinion it's much too much time with the same small group of people, rather than the entire camp community.  Meeting new friends from all over the world, from different age groups, and from different backgrounds is one of the key ingredients in camp.  We foster diversity and understanding, and hanging out with the same eight kids doesn't do much of either.  

I had one of those "No, Duh" moments last week.  It was about -- of all things -- parenting.

What decisions do you need to make before monogramming a baby gift?

What decisions do you need to make before monogramming a baby gift?

Part 1: Accreditation 

Part 1: Accreditation 

Bedtime is a problem brought up more frequently than any other issue by parents who come to see me.  They are confused because they are getting conflicting information from magazines, books, and family.  They feel like they've tried everything and often are not only  discouraged, but feel embarrassed that they can't manage something that seems easy.  Some parents are so overwhelmed that they have just given up, letting their children sleep with them or stay up until they fall asleep on the sofa.  One woman who came in told me her five-year-old simply wouldn't go to sleep.  She tore the sheets off her bed, pulled all her books and toys off her shelf, and then finished with a flourish by pulling her curtains down. 

Q. My husband doesn't want to help with the kids when we come home from work.  I've tried asking him but he just shrugs and watches TV, leaving me with most of the work.  He's a good guy otherwise, but I just don't know how to get him to help.

Today's pornography is a far cry from sneaking peeks at National Geographic magazines under the bed.  Today, pornography plays a major role in divorce, displacing affairs and money as the main reason for divorce.  The reason, of course, is computer accessibility. 

"Money is only a tool.  It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver." - Ayn Rand

Recently, as a new friend and I were driving along, discussing relationships (a topic never far from most women's conversations), Linda inquired about my book, Successful Second Marriages.  This new friend was curious about the content, the people I had interviewed for the book, and, lastly, me!  I found the shift in subject matter focusing on me to be a little unnerving.  Her question hung in the air.  "Why had I chosen this topic, remarriage, to write about?"  

April's birthstone, the diamond, is remarkably simple in composition yet stunning in its unique ability to reflect and refract light into vivid flashes of brilliant color.  The word "diamond" comes from the Greek word "adamas," meaning unconquerable or invincible.  The myths and facts associated with the diamond transcend cultures and continents, and the prominence of this stone is inscribed in the Greek, Indian, English, French, German, Hebrew, Latin, Arabic, Japanese, American, African, Korean, Polish and Chinese cultures.  The ancient Hindus called the diamond "vajra," meaning lightening, both because of the sparks of light thrown off by this gem as well as its invincible strength.  The diamond is the hardest substance on earth.  

"I don't get it!"  "It's too hard."  "Homework is boring."  Sound familiar?  For many parents these phrases and countless others can be heard from their frustrated child at the homework table.  However, the moment mom or dad steps in with help, many students fall apart over any minor miscommunication and resent being told what to do.  So how can the family move forward together with less stress and better grades?  Do the whole family a favor and invest in hiring a tutor.       

You will need: A clean, empty baby food jar with the label removed.  The Colors of Christ poem, below, colored pencils, scissors, tape, glue, paper Easter grass, extra-miniature Easter ornaments.   

Props: For this devotional, children can make a no-sew butterfly or the butterfly snack.  

What to do when divorced parents find that most wonderful person, a second chance for a lasting relationship, wanting their children to also love this person, but the kids aren't buying it?

Yesterday, my friend (a new grandmother) came over and helped me take apart my beautiful white crib.  We lovingly packed the headboard and footboard between towels and stowed it in the back of my van.  We wrapped the custom bumpers and coordinating bedskirt in plastic, and tucked it my hall closet.

Derived from the Roman word "Aqua" meaning water and "mare" meaning sea, this pale blue gem does indeed resemble the color of seawater. 

Amethyst, the birthstone for February, was believed by ancient Greeks and Romans to ward off the intoxicating powers of Bacchus, the god of wine and intoxication. 

Derived from the Roman word "Aqua" meaning water and "mare" meaning sea, this pale blue gem does indeed resemble the color of seawater. 

Many, many, many years ago, my great-grandmother gave my mom and my aunt a little framed picture.  If you squint, you can just read that she wrote "Happy Easter from Grandma" on the back.  The pencil is very faded.  As a Happy Easter gift, I'm willing to bet that my mom and aunt would have rather had chocolate, because the picture was an illustrated poem called "Five Little Words" that goes like this:

Even though it has now been over 20 years, I remember clearly and viscerally how it felt to bring our first daughter home from the hospital.  My wife had been in labor for over 36 hours.  We were all exhausted, yet somehow invigorated, upbeat, and excited.  We drove home from the hospital, happily pointing out all of the neighborhood landmarks to our 3-day-old, who was too sleepy to care and too small to see over the car seat, had she been awake. 

Discipline-based parents are more likely to bring about the desired and appropriate behavior changes that they want to see and expect in their kids. While punishment-based parenting may lead to immediate behavior changes, it is also likely to tear down the sense of self worth, leave kids feeling insecure, while only temporarily motivated to comply.

I recently had the honor of designing three kids' rooms as well as a baby's nursery for Buddy and Lisa Valastro, stars of Cake Boss on TLC.  

Homesickness is a natural worry for parents and kids alike who are considering a sleep-away camp experience.  While it may be scary to imagine your children being away from home, and while it may scare them too, with a little preparation there are many ways to understand, alleviate, and overcome homesickness. 

If you are like me, you probably entered a state of shock and denial when your child turned 13.  After so many years of caring for small children, it is such a major mental transition to think that you are now a parent of a teenager!  Of course, your mind will wander to all of the challenges ahead.  You may experience a combination of feelings, ranging from great pride and excitement to anxiety and fear of these unknown years.  

When I discuss camp with parents, many don't know why a sleep-away summer camp is so valuable for kids.  Some suggest that their children have their own summer camp at home, meaning they go to a lake house or have lots of fun stuff to do.  That's great for their kids, but they are missing the essential reasons for sleep-away summer camp -- reasons that have to do with the child's development.  

In my experience most parents have no problem at all with the sport of riflery, which is a long time summer camp tradition.  However, some may wonder about the logic in teaching such a sport in a world that attempts to promote non-violence to children.  While gun violence is obviously a serious issue in our world today, camp riflery promotes just the type of skills -- safety, discipline, respect for others and self-control, which help to keep kids safe, both in and out of the camp environment. 

We are all used to being "squeaky clean" in today's society.  We've been taught that this is the ideal state to achieve.  But "squeaky clean" isn't always the ideal condition for healthy skin. 

Amethyst, the birthstone for February, was believed by ancient Greeks and Romans to ward off the intoxicating powers of Bacchus, the god of wine and intoxication. 

I was just at the grocery store, and all of us who had lined up to do self-checkout watched in disbelief as a woman, after paying for her groceries, pulled out her cell phone and texted someone --  and waited for the response.  And texted back.  And waited for the response.  And texted back again.  

We got off to a good start for the New Year.  I wrestled, sat my daughters down, and had them write thank you notes for the gifts they'd received over the holidays.  It was an almost Norman Rockwell-ian moment: the winter sun shining into the breakfast nook, its sunbeams touching on their bowed heads, which were bent over little brightly colored squares of cardstock, the scratching of pens, the asking of how to spell something.  I sipped my coffee, imagining the look of pride on their grandparents' faces as they received the notes.  I felt all warm inside at how well-perceived we would be by friends, teachers, godparents -- me for my superb parenting skills and the girls for their thoughtfulness.

The 2011 Ne York Fashion Week fun has officially started, and I am so excited about this upcoming season.  We've just completed day 1 but I can ALREADY see emerging trends.  What a source of fashion knowledge! I'm absorbing it all in, like a chic sponge.  

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When our children are young, we seek to learn all we can about attachment parenting, because we know it helps our baby develop best --  physically and emotionally.  But attachment parenting need not end once a child reaches a certain age.  We should remain very much attached, connected, and involved in our child's life, even once that child hits the middles years and beyond.

I am an Independent Educator.  What does that mean?  Well, the more common term is "Homeschooler."  However, I don't believe that the term homeschooler truly explains what an independent educator actually does.  Yes, the general public is familiar with the term, and everyone seems to think they know exactly what a homeschooler is -- but, no!

While some husbands may believe the Super Bowl is a good opportunity to invest in the latest big screen TV, for most of us it is a great opportunity to have some friends over for the afternoon and watch the game.  

Zoey Albright, a Las Vegas mother, was determined that her boys, ages 7, 10 and 12, put aside their baseball mitts and Legos for part of the summer and get a taste of community service.  She and her sons decided that because they missed spending time with their grandparents, who lived out of town, they wanted to try volunteering with seniors.  The first nursing home Albright called wasn't interested in young volunteers.  Then she found Vegas Valley, which welcomed her offer of some weekly company.  On their first visit, Albright's kids were terrified.  They had never spent time with people who were old or sick, and they reacted in horror when they saw a catheter bag strapped to a wheelchair.  The kids whispered, "Oh, Mom, this is so gross!" as one of the residents dropped food on himself.  "Their initial reaction was to stick to me like glue," says Albright.        

Children process and learn information by playing with it. Play is the way children learn what no one can teach them. Depriving children of play has negating opportunities for self-initiated and pleasurable learning experiences. Children learn when they explore and play, involve their sense, manipulate real objects, work together with adults and children, make meaningful plans and decisions, see the results of their actions, and build upon what they already know. Play is the all-encompassing business of children -- their work, their entertainment, their methods of sorting out the world. Beyond the urgent survival requirements of food, care, and shelter, children need a wide variety of play activities for healthy physical, mental, and emotional development.

As parents, we know that all children are different from each other.  Personality characteristics vary from child to child, even within the same family.  One sibling might be more audacious and adventurous, while the other tends to be more cautious and reserved.  One may be moody, while the other is consistently carefree. 

This season, there are a few great trends I've been eyeing that I want to put on your radar.  While I don't suggest trying to wear them all at once, I do suggest you mix and match with pieces from your already existing wardrobe. 

There are many myths surrounding adoption.  As an adoptive mother, home study provider, and therapist, here are my "Top 10" and the truth from my professional and personal experiences.

When it comes to bath time, every parent has their checklist.  It includes safety precautions like putting a cushioning cover over the faucet, watching the water level, using a non-slip bath mat... It includes fun factors like tossing in the squirty octopus character and making lots of bubbles.  It includes special comfort moves… do you have that washcloth ready to help keep soap out of the eyes when shampooing?

We've all been there: your child returns from an afternoon playdate feeling jittery, nervous and emotional. No, Junior didn't get in a fight with his best friend forever – he's probably just coming down from a sugar high.

While it's possible to control and regulate what your children consumes in your home, having a say in what your son or daughter eats while visiting friends is another story. We all want our children to have fun, but how can you let the games begin and encourage your child to extend their healthy eating habits beyond your front door?

You may have been shocked after the birth of your baby by the look of your belly. Besides the loose skin, you are also looking at loose abdominal muscles. Your muscles had to stretch and loosen up in order to accommodate your baby. Many women during their pregnancy experience a separation of the rectus abdominus (your “six pack”) called diastasis recti.  This is the separation of the abdominal muscle at the linea alba (which is a fibrous band of connective tissue down middle of abdomen between the muscles).

Whether you like it or not, your life will change after having a baby. Beyond that, your workout should change as well! Being a mom is simply not good on your body. As a mom, you have a weight (the baby) that you carry around everywhere you go. You’re sleep deprived, recovering from pregnancy and labor and doing all kinds of mommy movements that you have not done before. This combination can lead to all kinds of aches and pains and progressively poor posture. By teaching you how to move through motherhood and working out to address these new challenges, you will be stronger, healthier and happier.

If you are a mom to a baby, you probably have trouble finding time to workout. That’s ok because most moms do find time to take their little one out on a stroller walk. Why not turn that walk in to a workout by adding intensity and a variety of exercises. If you’re ready to hit the road, take a look at these tips to help you find the right stroller.