Mom Tips

The truth is, I’ve had to apologize to my kids countless times along the way for losing my cool. And really, why wouldn’t I? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether you prefer traditional, modern, or a mix of both, the holidays are all about having fun and making memories. Here are a few ideas to get you started. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’re not a bad housekeeper, but allowing someone else in will alleviate some stress and shorten your list of chores. Here are some pros to hiring a house cleaner, especially if you’re a super busy parent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They were, hands down, one of the best gifts I received as a new mom — and I used them for everything. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here are five every-day ways to get that conversation going. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's never too early to teach your kids the fine art of laundry. Even if you think your child is too young for the chore, it's good to start showing them the ropes early, so that it becomes part of what they know as they get older. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s high time that parents learn that our kids’ bedrooms don’t need to be themed and spotless. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When we think about babyproofing, we often think first (and perhaps only) about babyproofing our home. But what about your car, where your child will undoubtedly spend a good deal of time, too? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Try a few of these, and you’re bound to have as many coffee meet-ups on the calendar as your child has playdates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As experienced parents know, bath time can also be messy. We’re talking water all over the floor, tons and tons of little toys, and of course, soap and bubbles galore. That’s why it’s so important to be prepared with the right bath time gear. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When it comes to mothers-in-law, the entire concept gets a bad reputation. They are notorious in movies and television for being difficult women to get along with, but I have found the opposite to be true. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Each Halloween, inevitably, there's the kid trick-or-treating in a Halloween costume that falls under cultural appropriation. Not everyone notices, of course, but some definitely do. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When others find out our kids have open adoptions with their birth families, they are often surprised. Some question if our children are confused as to who their “real” parents are. There’s also the assumption that there’s an invisible competition between us, the adoptive parents, and our children’s first parents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teens need your support now more than ever. They may even be the most vulnerable they've ever been as they attempt to take the leap from child to adult. Here are five things you can say to them to help make the most of your time together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There could be big business for travel agents who offer realistic getaways for moms, Here are some vacation packages I would have paid big bucks for. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While there are a lot of baby and toddler skin conditions out there to stress us out, most of them aren’t anything parents need to agonize over. Here are some common skin problems your little one may encounter, and how they should be treated. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When I first heard the term “chronic fatigue syndrome,” I thought it sounded like a fancy way to say, “I’m sick and tired.” I cringe to admit this now, but in my mind, I insensitively labeled it a “lazy person’s disease” — until I got it myself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To keep yourself and your kids healthy, try these prevention pointers and navigate the season with greater confidence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I didn’t predict how much my baby would love our pets… and that love has only grown as she’s gotten older. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most pregnancy books cover the basics about those nine months you’ll spend growing a human. But that’s really just the tip of the iceberg. There are plenty of other pregnancy symptoms that don't get mentioned nearly as often as they should — either because they’re kind of embarrassing or just plain strange. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm always going to be "too much" for some people and "not enough" for others, when in reality, I'm both. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The invisible load is just that — invisible. It’s unquantifiable. I can’t possibly list all the things that take up room in my brain when it comes to parenting. I just know they’re not taking up the same room in his brain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been a total game-changer for us to ditch the pressure of generating punishments, especially on the fly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are some things you can do to save time and make your life a little easier— both during your pregnancy and beyond. Here are a few meal prep tips and suggestions that don't require a lot of your time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Try these tips on your 5-, 10- or 20-hour drive to cut down on the whining and up the fun. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.