Let’s be honest — naming a baby is fun. But most of the brainstorming, research, hand-wringing and opinion-gathering focuses on first names. Middle names, while also important, are often more difficult to select. Here are things to keep in mind before you make your final decision. 1.

Getting kids to do their chores is no easy feat. It's pretty common for kids to moan and groan about having to clean up their toys and feed Fido — and pretty normal, too. But study after study tells us it's not just helpful to get kids to pitch in around the house — it's also good for them. So how do you make them step up? Bring on the mom hacks! 1. Change the WiFi Password Want a quick and easy way to get them to do chores? Change the WiFi password.

Now that the kids are back in school, we’re back to our busy routines of shuttling them around from here to there, whether that’s to class or after-school activities. As any mom knows, you’re bound to hear, “Mooommmmmm! I’m hungggrrrry!” coming from the back seat of the car while getting from point A to point B.

As a mom of five, I’ve seen many hip baby products come and go throughout the years, but there’s one product I will never, ever live without. It’s my tried-and-true method for getting babies to sleep, and it’s cheap, effective, totally portable, available everywhere, and has even been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. What is it? It’s a fan. A simple, plain, old box fan.

Let’s face it, when toddlers go into meltdown mode, they basically turn into mini lunatics. If you’re not hyper-vigilant, you might find yourself promising them what they want just to get them to stop screaming. Then they learn they only have to scream to make Mommy batty enough to give into their tyrannical demands for "Paw Patrol" and chocolate. Sometimes you need a few creative options up your sleeve to get your little one to behave — or at least to calm down.

The reality (and panic) of back-to-school busyness hits moms every September. This year, though, trying some new strategies to spare yourself the added stress might just be worth it. Here are a few one mom recommends. Forget about the clothes — just forget it Every year, some deluded part of me is convinced that the kids absolutely need their fall and winter wardrobes by the time they head back to school.

A new school year is underway, which means we’ve all said goodbye to the lazy days of summer and are back in our regular routines. Let’s get real — it’s kind of a relief when the kids go back to school, but then again, we have to get back into the habit of keeping them organized and getting them out the door on time. We also have to get up and pack them a lunch each school day.

Nothing brings out the “MacGyver mom” in all of us like a sick kid. Whether the little ones are feverish, coughing, or crying over a boo-boo, it's in our DNA to make them feel better by any means possible. And that's led moms to come up with some incredibly ingenious solutions for a whole range of medical woes. Ever heard of life hacks? Introducing first-aid hacks — ways to make the kiddos feel better with things we all have around the house.

Think being a stay-at-home mom is for the June Cleaver era? Think again. Some of these moms are home because they "opted out" of their high-powered, well-paying jobs. Some of these moms are home because they have to be. Some of these moms are home simply because they want to be. Whatever their reason, there are four things no stay-at-home mom ever wants to hear: 1.

When your child is about to start kindergarten, it’s normal for parents to worry if they’ve done enough to get them ready. Do I need to work with them on writing? Should they know all the basic math skills? The truth is, the academics aren’t what teachers are most concerned about when it comes to kindergarten readiness. Instead, here’s what real teachers said they wish kids would come in knowing instead. Kindergartners should be able to zip or button their own pants.