Articles by

Moms who Botox: Fabulous or frozen?

Melissa Chapman — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:30:00 -0700

It seems as though as my 35th birthday rolled around, and I could no longer claim stake to that coveted 18-34 year-old demographic, I began to notice the lines around my eyes. I’m not sure if it was the sheer number itself which made me more critical of my features or the fact that those lines that were once so finely etched between my eyebrows suddenly appeared to be deep furrows, which my son referred to as my "angry look." And unfortunately, he’d say this when I wasn’t even trying to get my angry face on!

Tween makeup: Sweet or slutty?

Melissa Chapman — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 11:34:00 -0700

We all did it as little girls. You know, sneak into Mom's vanity drawer and gorge our faces with the delicious bounty of lipsticks and eyeshadows, blushes and cold creams. Little girls love makeup -- and as they start to grow, it becomes a key player in forming their grown-up identities. But for moms, it's not easy. How do you draw the line between the fresh, pretty-girl look... and that of the hot, sexy nymph?

10 Fun 2-hour summer dates for Mom & Dad

Melissa Chapman — Mon, 03 May 2010 11:05:00 -0700

The last time you and your husband went out on a date that didn't include either toting a diaper bag and a cooler full of baby food, or sharing a vat of popcorn with your tween, was probably when you were deep in your courtship phase; a.k.a., before the kids came along. It's not that you don't love the fruit of your loins with every last bit of your heart -- but the truth is, you're craving some adult-only time where not a single sippy cup will be in sight and no one will be tugging on your sleeve that they're tired, bored or need to go potty.

Guide to buying eco-friendly appliances

Melissa Chapman — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 08:01:00 -0700

If you're greening your life, you’re already knee-deep in composting and clothes swapping. The next logical step is to trade in your outdated energy-sucking appliances for some that are kinder to the environment. While you’ve heard buzz words like "energy saver," "eco-friendly," "socially responsible" and "green," you might not know what to look for when shopping for energy-frugal, environmentally conscious appliances that are kind to the plant. Here's a primer.

7 Creative ways to save green while going green

Melissa Chapman — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 07:39:00 -0700

Green is here to stay, but adopting an environmentally friendly lifestyle can be daunting for families on a budget. Sustainable fabrics can be expensive, and eco-friendly cleaners aren't always the most affordable option. Faster than you can say, “Sure, I’d love to live a greener more sustainable existence, but gosh darn it, it’s just so expensive,” we’ve pulled together the best seven ways to cut costs when you’re trying to be environmentally conscious and keep a bit of extra green in your pocket.

Is happiness possible with a man?

Melissa Chapman — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 18:42:00 -0700

Once the bloom is off the rose, some relationships enter the lukewarm zone. He wants sex. You would rather watch Desperate Housewives. You love gabbing about that bitchy girl at work. He would rather watch sports. So... are men and women really compatible? More importantly, is happiness possible with a man?

5 Reasons you should have a sugar daddy

Melissa Chapman — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:18:00 -0800

The 20-something dating pool might have an abundance of tanned, toned, fist-pumping man candy. But if you really want a taste of the sweet life, consider finding yourself a sugar daddy. After all, men tend to grow up slower than women, right? So your salt-n-peppa papa should be right on par with your level of maturity -- plus, he can afford a trip to St. Barts! Here, our writer gives you five reasons why you should have a sugar daddy.

Does your husband really care if you can fit into skinny jeans?

Melissa Chapman — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:38:00 -0800

After 11 years of being a full-fledged member of this institution we call marriage, I can say with total and complete certainty that at this point I'm fairly convinced my husband could care less about whether or not I can fit into a pair of skinny jeans. In fact, 95 percent of the time, if I walked around draped in a potato sack, it wouldn't illicit much of a reaction from him. As I write this, I'm not quite sure whether the fact that the shape of my body has no bearing on him is actually a good thing. Is it that he loves every last inch of me or it that he's just quietly resigned himself to living with a wife who has no interest in doing stomach crunches?

Getting ready to send your kids to college

Melissa Chapman — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:29:00 -0800

To help you deal with the practical packing as well as the drama-filled goodbyes, we've put together a guide to get you and your college-bound kid through this exciting and trying period.

Single mom dating: How to introduce your boyfriend to the kids

Melissa Chapman — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0800

Sure your kids may prefer to think of you as their asexual single mom whose sole purpose is to do their laundry, make them peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and remind them to brush their teeth. And, although that is hardly the case, you're slightly to blame for giving them that impression. However when they're with their dad on the weekends you've been secretly sneaking around with a pretty terrific guy who, in the privacy of your mind, you even refer to as your boyfriend.

13 Tips for handling night terrors in kids

Melissa Chapman — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:42:00 -0800

Do you know the difference between a night terror and a nighmare? How do you stop your child from having night terrors? Usually affecting small children, experts and parents share the cause of night terrors and tips to ease you and your child's mind during these often scary nocturnal events.

Baby shower and registry checklist

Melissa Chapman — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 04:32:00 -0800

That first visit to register at the baby superstore can be overwhelming. With all those aisles full of strollers, blankets, toys, bathtubs, clothing, bibs, highchairs etc. etc. , that dazed and confused feeling is perfectly understandable. Not to worry: We've whittled down the possibilities into a list of the most important baby basics. Remember, you can always add or delete items later, so don't feel pressured to build the perfect baby registry all at once.

Top 6 tummy time tips

Melissa Chapman — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 04:26:00 -0800

Some babies love it, some hate it, but tummy time -- during which your baby lies tummy-down on the floor -- is essential for her development. It's a crucial first step toward important developmental milestones such as rolling over, sitting up and crawling.

Hanukkah family traditions

Melissa Chapman — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:59:00 -0800

Some may think the Hanukkah holiday is simply the Jewish version of Christmas and while there are some similarities the holiday's inherent meaning is about more than materialistic pursuits. Although receiving eight presents is a pretty darn good fringe benefit! Singer Mama Doni of the Jewish indie-rock bank The Mama Doni Band shares eight tips for eight nights of fun family togetherness.

Hottest toys 2009

Melissa Chapman — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:23:00 -0800

Are you looking for the hottest toys this Christmas?With Black Friday literally days away if you're a mom, you're probably making your list and checking it twice to ensure you get your kids toys they'll actually play with rather than smile at and proceed to shove in the back of their overstuffed closets never to be heard or seen from again. Well not to worry; we've combed through all the countless dolls and board games to bring you a list of our hottest toys for 2009. Just don't forget to print this list out before you embark on your holiday shopping spree.

Top 15 books for preschoolers, kids and teens

Melissa Chapman — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:18:00 -0700

Although these days most kids would rather be plugged into a video game than a book, there is no better way for kids to stretch their imaginations, explore their emotions, expand their vocabularies and ultimately gain a better understanding of the world they live in then for them to sit down and turn the pages of a three dimensional paperback or hardcover book! Writer and blogger Melissa Chapman picks her top 15 books for the pre-school, grade-school and tween/teen set.

Selena Gomez Wizards of Waverly Place exclusive

Melissa Chapman — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:28:00 -0700

Selena Gomez talks about life as a teenage wizard on The Wizards of Waverly Place, making movies and keeping her feet planted firmly on the ground.

Financial tips for stay-at-home moms

Melissa Chapman — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:27:00 -0700

If you're a stay-at-home mom, anxious about your financial future and fearful that your spouse's once hefty paycheck may at some point significantly decrease, check out these sound financial tips to help you keep your family's finances on track in spite of the rocky economy.

How to get your kids to help with the housework

Melissa Chapman — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:17:00 -0800

If you're one of those moms soldiering through the dirty dishes and clothes on your own you might want to get your kids in on the act. If for no other reason than it will lessen your workload, teach them a bit of responsibility and you might actually have some fun in the process.

10 Qualities of a super mom

Melissa Chapman — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:43:00 -0700

The definition of a mom is a woman who takes on the selfless and unconditional responsibility to nurture the emotional and physical well-being of her kids. And any woman who manages to do that successfully amid the chaos of running a household and often juggling a career has got to have a few tricks up her sleeve. Whether you proudly wear your super mom status like a badge of honor or you're looking to beef up your mothering skills, check out these tips from experts who've seen their fair share of super moms and are ready to give you the lowdown on the qualities it takes to become one!