We're big fans of pulling kids into the kitchen early and often. But that also means setting kitchen safety rules for kids -- and for you. Not just because it keeps them safe (though that's obviously the most important thing), but becaus…
Kristen and I have never run this as a partisan or a political site, but that's not to say that our values aren't pretty clearly reflected on these pages. Our long-time readers know we are, and have always been, about inclusivity. Positi…
In honor of SIDS Awareness Month, we're sharing five of our go-to, reliable resources on safe sleep for babies. After all, sleep is easily the topic that consumes our minds as new parents more than any other -- Are they getting enough sl…
I spent a few solid months tightening up my buns thanks to Barre3 barre workouts a couple of years ago, so when I decided to hit the workout circuit again after a very long summer hiatus, I gave Pure Barre a try instead (thanks to a very…
Back in my school day, my mom let me walk alone to school, my friends' homes, and the pizzeria by the time I was 10 years old. (Uphill, both ways, and barefoot, no less.) Fast forward to me as a parent and I admit my own kids -- now ages…
I still remember celebrating when I was finally out of the baby and toddler no-sleep days, only to discover that I had a big kid with sleep anxiety. Once I realized the incentive of Star Wars Legos wasn't keeping him in his bed through t…
Bullying is nothing new. Unfortunately. And I still have the emotional scars from 7th grade to prove it. But for our 21st century kids, bullying is only amplified with the lively presence of social media in all our kids' lives , meaning …
I've never actually forgotten to send the invites out to one of my kids' birthdays, but I've definitely waited until the very last minute to plan their parties. The thing is: if your child's birthday happens to land during one of the cra…
Sure, those prenatal classes and baby books may prepare you for labor, breastfeeding (kind of), and baby milestones . But there are so many truly insane moments as a new parent that create a stark difference between your new life (i.e. s…
This is a sponsored message from Home Headquarters Kit Parents can use all the organizational help they can get, and now it's even easier thanks to the Home Headquarters Kit , an all-in-one organization system designed to make life easie…
I know a little something about dealing with separation anxiety when it comes to young kids and school . Back when my kids were in preschool, this was my routine: drop them off at the classroom, peel around the corner and press my back a…
Whether you're hitting the road for Labor Day weekend , or you're back in the saddle as your kids' own personal Uber driver, we parents know that driving with kids in the car comes with its own special challenges. Let's just say it can b…
In an increasingly connected world , we parents can feel overwhelmed about making sure our kids are protected and knowing how to talk to kids about safety, strangers, and all that other stuff that we wish we didn't have to. We know it ca…
I am finding myself a little choked up today, on the anniversary of the 19th amendment, in a way I can't recall ever feeling before. Maybe it's because this is the first August 18 in which we have a female presidential nominee from a maj…
I am a neat person. Well, as neat as a mom of four kids can be. I wasn't always considered neat. In fact, my college roommate might read this and laugh hysterically because there was a point in time that you couldn't even see my bed beca…
In light of the Nice, France Bastille Day celebration attack last night, our hearts are heavy -- again -- as they have been far too many times lately. When we look for advice about talking to our own children about tragedies like these, …
Of all the toys that have passed through the hands of my three kids over the past dozen or so years, there is no question that LEGO bricks have been the most enduring and versatile. From their first little plastic bucket of mixed bricks,…
This is an update of a previously published post It's been somber mood around here over the past 24 hours, as our hearts go out to the loved ones of the 100+ innocent people tragically murdered or wounded at the Pulse Nightclub in Orland…
If your little camper is heading off to sleepaway camp this summer, possibly for the first time (sniff), you'll likely receive from the camp a long list of all the essentials to pack -- extra socks, bug repellent, water bottles, headlamp…
The other night, I went to a birthday dinner with four of my nearest and dearest mom friends. We've been a mom squad ever since our now 8-year-olds were in an infant playgroup together. Truthfully, back then, I found being a new mom tota…
We love tips and hacks to help parents manage that not always fun job of parenting. And now there's a mom-and-dad run company so committed to it, they're creating products that bring to life those age-old parental tricks with modern desi…
The 2016 National Scripps Spelling Bee finals ended last night and just wow. For the third year running, two amazing kids tied as winners: 13 year old Jairam Pathwar of Upstate NY, and Austin Texas' Nihar Janga who is only 11. Wow. To cl…
A few months ago, I decided I wanted to celebrate my 40th birthday with a big trip, but whoa, family vacations are certainly not cheap! Especially when you're traveling with kids -- or in my case, four of them. Even though I'd been savin…
Not too long ago, I realized my 8-year-old son was a reluctant reader. He's a perfectly good reader, but would rather do just about anything but read. And that's a particular sore spot for me, because there are few things I’d rather do m…