While the nicer weather and the fact school is winding down for my kids is exciting and feels like a crack of light in this dark time, it’s going to be a summer we’ve never experienced before. At first, I was in deep dread not knowing what the summer would bring. But now that I know it’s pretty much canceled, I’ve decided to make some rules for my kids so here they are: Dear kids, this summer ... 1. We will have fun Maybe it won’t be the kind of fun we are used to.

The “terrible twos” can take a toll on us, making us long for the time when our kids are a little bit older and a little more self-sufficient. But the days slip by, and one day you blink and they’re big. Here are five moments every mom misses when the toddler years are over. 1. Holding hands It's not always convenient to hold my kids' hands, but my heart melts every time one of them comes up behind me and tucks his hand into mine. In a year or two, I know they won’t want to.

It's that time of year again — time to plant all the flowers, plants, trees, and gardens. Bring on the fresh fruits and vegetables. It can be a lot of work but totally worth it, especially if someone's got a green thumb. For first-time gardeners, or those trying to save some time, gardening hacks are a great way to optimize growth potential while minimizing failures. With a little luck and some guidance, anyone can be an amazing gardener, even without a natural inclination for horticulture.

It doesn’t matter how strong your relationship is, everyone needs some time and space to do their own thing. This can be tough during the coronavirus lockdown. Here are some tips for being on lockdown with your spouse or partner: 1. Find a designated space in the house Do more than just set some alone time, dedicate a room in the house for it. This can be harder than it sounds if you live in a small space, but designating a space for alone time is important.

Racial tensions are high in America, and one thing remains apparent: This moment will go down in history, and it will change this country forever. Our children are also a part of this historic moment, and I think we are all considering whether to involve our kids in racial justice or try to shield them from it. As a parent who has always had conversations on racial justice with my Black children, I have some insight into how to introduce this topic in your family.

Everyone goes through ups and downs. But if your downs are greater than your ups, you might need to make some changes. While frequent or lasting depression requires immediate, professional help, mid-grade dissatisfaction can be fixed in a minute. So, if you'd like to be happier, but can't figure out where to start, try some of these methods. 1. Take a deep breath Take a deep breath. Right away, a deep breath can take you from fight-or-flight to rest-and-restore.

Being the mom of an emotional, illogical toddler is hard enough without having strangers — not to mention friends and family — ask you unhelpful questions like ... 1. "Is she always like that?" This one usually comes mid-tantrum, as I'm right in the middle of trying to corral my screaming child. Because that's totally the best time to ask your unwanted questions about her behavior. No, she isn't always like this.

It's safe to say that wearing heels isn't always a walk in the park. Sore ankles and achy arches are anything but ideal. Of course, heels look fabulous and can take an outfit to the next level, but you don’t want to be in excruciating pain before you even leave the house. The good news? There are tricks to wearing heels the right way. Whether it's the shape of the shoe, when you buy it, or how you walk, there are so many things that can affect your comfort level.

Becoming a new parent is hard, but keeping your marriage healthy and strong through the journey that is parenthood can be even harder. If you’re not careful, each and every one of these parenting stumbles can put a strain on your partnership: 1. Not making time for each other Let’s face it, raising kids takes tons of time and energy, but you’ve got to make sure that you reserve some of that for your partner. Find time to connect about more than logistics.

For any mom who joins the breastfeeding club, she knows that she's up for a major commitment that won't necessarily be easy. But what many don't realize is that even after moms get the hang of things, it can still be a killer in the nipple department. Painful nipples can be torture for nursing moms, leaving them begging for relief — but luckily there are a ton of options to make the breastfeeding journey feel a bit more magical. Here are five tips that can help ease the pain of nursing. 1.