Even though it’s a brand new year, most of our own personal economic situations haven’t changed. That paycheck, mortgage payment, and gallon of milk price tag are the same as they were in December. As much as we’d all like a nice, fresh start on paying bills and saving money, it’s hard to make big changes when so much is beyond our control. I mean, you might be able to get a deal on diapers depending on where you shop, but they’re still expensive. If you made a big promise to yourself to cut your spending—whether it’s to save for a specific purpose, build a nest egg, or just add to your …

With the new year just around the corner, quite literally, I found myself in a reflective mood when I sat down to write this week’s column. New Year’s Resolutions were on my mind, as they may be on yours as well.  In the past, I’ve promised myself many efforts at self-improvement, from losing weight to stressing less. But this year, I thought I’d think less about myself and more about how I can impact my family. .  I mean, nobody is perfect. And the new year gives us the perfect excuse to think about these ways we aren’t perfect in a constructive way.  I found myself wondering if there are …

Toddlers are leaps and bounds away from their younger baby selves… and if you’re not careful, your toddler may be cleverer than you give him credit for. I’ve been victimized by one such clever toddler on many occasions. But once I got the hang of it, I’ve gradually begun toddler-proofing our home. I can’t make everything inaccessible (or invisible), but I’m doing my best! As I continue to try to think one step ahead of my one-girl wrecking crew, I’ve found a number of helpful resources and tips online (of course). Here’s what I can tell you about properly toddler-proofing your home. Think It …

With small kids in tow these days, you’re probably not looking at the holiday season the way you used to. Sure, you’ll still drop in on the office holiday party, maybe cruise by a few friends’ houses, but your activities now are a bit different.  You need “kid friendly” things that your whole family can enjoy together.  This year, use the holiday season to spend some time together, but not just sitting around the house in your pajamas. There are so many great family activities to explore in our area, you really don’t have an excuse not to get out and have some fun! Boston Central – Family Fun…

It’s cold and flu season, and the weather’s been unseasonably warm, which all adds up to one thing: your sick toddler.  My daughter’s at the tail-end of a battle with a respiratory virus, one we unfortunately passed all around our family… and back again. But during the past two weeks, I’ve been trying all kinds of things to get her to eat, relax, cheer up, go to sleep… Just about anything I can think of. Because the toughest thing with having a sick toddler is communication.  They can’t tell you where it hurts or what they’re feeling. And you can’t explain to them why they feel so lousy or …

Even though Mother Nature hasn’t exactly caught on that the winter solstice is just around the corner, it is starting to get a little bit cooler these days. Winter’s a nice long season, though, so even if we’re a little bit behind schedule, we’ll see snowfall eventually. Looking ahead to the colder months, it’s time to start thinking about winter safety for your little ones. Last year was pretty easy for us as parents. With my daughter just turning one last February, we didn’t spend too much time out in the snow. We had the obligatory snowsuit and boots, which did get used, but she was too …

I have to admit I’m tempted to tell my friends and family not to buy any more toys for my daughter this Christmas. With so many already, many of which sit neglected in a corner toy chest, I don’t know where we’ll put another holiday haul. Especially since her birthday is in February, so a supplementary haul isn’t too far off either. That’s a lot of toys for one little girl. But I don’t want to be a total killjoy, either to my daughter or the people who love her. So instead, I started thinking about the benefits of getting new toys and what kind would be the best choices for my daughter at her…

When people ask me if I’m a working mom or if I stay at home, I’m never quite sure how to answer the question.  See, on top of writing this column and The Beauty Beat here at Patch, I’m also a content writer for several internet sites. And, oh yeah, I’ve published two novels, with three more slated for next year.  So, even though some may think that I sit at home in my yoga pants and drink coffee all day, that’s not exactly the case. Yes, I do wear lots of yoga pants and drink coffee all day, but in between sips, I’m a stay-at-home mom with a work-from-home career. Raise your hand, Moms and …

As an avid reader and novelist, married to another writer and reader, the topic of books is serious business in our household.  Needless to say, my daughter has quite an impressive collection of books even at her young age. Of all the qualities I wish I could pass on to her, a love of reading is up at the top of that list… but I know that just stocking up on books for her to gnaw on is not exactly the best way to go about this. So how can you turn your toddler’s first curiosity about books into a lifetime hobby? While there’s no way to really brainwash them into believing books are better …

Before my daughter was born, I thought I was going to be pretty awesome at a lot of things. Some of them, like the standing diaper change, I am. Others, or rather, most of them, I’m not so much. Among these unexpected “weak areas” is memory preservation. Not just in the sense that I can’t find my keys at least once a day, although that does happen. But instead, I’ve been dropping the ball on preserving my new family’s memories: photo albums, scrapbooks, and the like.  I’ve got a whole file box of keepsakes, an empty baby book, a whole blog filled with anecdotes, and many memory sticks of …

Although I’ve talked before about picky eating habits and how to chase down your toddler with healthy food, I’ve never delved into the realm of nutrition. At my most recent visit to the pediatrician for my little one, her doctor talked a lot about making sure she was getting a diverse range of foods to round out her diet. Eggs, fruits, chicken, whole wheat toast, lots of water, and milk… of course. But unfortunately, there’s no eating guide for toddlers, no fool proof plan to make sure she’s getting the right vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from the food I’m giving here. At least, I didn’t …

At my daughter’s age (just under 2 years), Halloween is really more fun for me than it is her. Still, she understands there’s a party going on and big things are happening. She understands that she’s wearing something weird, cameras are being pointed at her, and she’s getting plenty of attention. What can I say? My daughter’s a bit of a ham… so maybe Halloween does mean something to her after all. In Burlington and the surrounding area this year, there are plenty of activities to get your kids into the Halloween spirit: Burlington Public Library At the Burlington Public Library this week, you…

My family recently welcomed a new member to its ranks—a healthy baby girl. With the birth of my new niece, some things have changed around here. It’s the first time my daughter has seen me hold another infant, but it’s also the first time we’ve had to show her how to behave correctly around one as well. The new addition has gotten me thinking about my daughter, her new cousin, and the meaningful relationships that already exist in her life. Toddler Relationships with Mom & Dad Obviously, there’s already a special bond formed between my daughter and us, her parents. This happens without us …

Move over, Soccer Moms. The next generation of young moms is officially being named the “iPhone Mom,” something I felt it timely to discuss. In memoriam of the late Steve Jobs, I thought it fitting to talk about the way becoming an iPhone-toting Mom has changed my life. And why technology has found itself a snug little pocket in my diaper bag. My iPhone Motherhood I finally got my iPhone back in July. One of the “late bloomers” of the technology world, I had been resisting because I didn’t see much benefit to it. I had a basic cell phone to make calls and send texts, but I spend most of my …

Every once in a while, a complete stranger can surprise you with kindness. It’s one of those things that we’re all capable of: giving someone that extra penny in line at the store, picking up something they dropped, holding the door open. Some people probably do these things more than others, but we’ve all had that moment where we’ve made someone’s day with something so simple. A moment passes between two strangers, then it’s gone. Since becoming a mother, I’ve been so blessed to have many such encounters with complete strangers. Is it something about the stroller and my curly-haired daughter…

It’s an elusive lesson, sharing. We start saying the word to our children at a young age, sometimes even before their walking. “Share your toys!” or “Be nice and share with your friend” or “Will you share Mommy’s lunch?” But it’s tough to demonstrate sharing in a way your little tot will understand. What makes it sharing and not giving? And who wants to give away their snacks or toys? The more children my daughter comes in contact with and the older she gets, the more important this lesson on sharing has become. The spats get more violent now that hitting, pinching, and biting are actual …

My husband and I had a great first summer as parents of a toddler. Sure, it was her second summer, but last year, my daughter was too little to do much at all.  This year, we really enjoyed parks, beaches, pools, and even the zoo.  Although it’s not cooling down that much yet around here, we’re starting to shift our sights to more fall-friendly adventures to share with our little girl. And I’m sure that’s on your minds, too. Just because school has started that doesn’t mean it’s time to get boring, mom and dad. If you’re up for an adventure, there is plenty to do around Massachusetts and New …

A few weeks ago, I talked about sign language with babies and toddlers, so it seems only fair that I tackle the other half of language development: first words. My daughter is now 18 months old and has banked at least a dozen solid words. She covers the basics, manages to sign the other important things, and together we get by.  Is she on target for speech development?  To me, she seems like she’s making good progress.  But I’ve never done this before, so what do I know? And it’s frustrating sometimes, too.  She went from saying “Mama” all the time to calling me “Bubba” and yelling for “Daddy…

The day we came home from our first real family vacation, I should’ve spent the night unpacking, catching up on laundry, and putting my daughter to bed in her crib… all normal, usual activities. Instead, my husband and I experienced the most terrifying sight of our lives: my daughter, battling an up-and-down fever all afternoon, had a seizure right in front of our eyes. Over a month later, I can chuckle about my panic-stricken reaction now. I lost my phone (in plain sight), tried to leave without shoes, and got frantic about bringing enough pacifiers to the hospital. At the time, it was all I…

Being a parent requires a certain level of tact and diplomacy, and I don’t just mean for negotiating Barbie-hostage situations between your own children. No, often it’s other parents with whom we must be polite, in spite of wanting to punch them in their faces. I’m talking, of course, about know-it-all parents (and sometimes non-parents) who offer that nugget of wisdom we didn’t even ask for. We’ve all been there, myself included. When I was pregnant, a woman I worked with met my announcement with a tilt of the head and a simple: “Was this planned? Aren’t you a little young?” Throughout my …