http://www.sheknows.com/authors/michelle-maffei/articles Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/846507/6-easy-holiday-hairstyles-for-kids If your child runs from the room as soon as you pull out the comb, how are you to style your child's hair for holiday parties, photos and more? The answer is to opt for easy hairstyles that take minimal effort when it comes to kids. From fohawk for boys to adorable curlicues for girls, discover six easy holiday hairstyles for kids. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/846507/6-easy-holiday-hairstyles-for-kids Michelle Maffei Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/845881/5-tips-to-get-organized-for-the-holidays When holiday gatherings, family traditions and too many gifts make the holiday season hectic, a little organization can go a long way. So, how do you become a master of merriment without having a mid-holiday meltdown? From making room for new gifts to getting rid of old food, discover five tips to get organized for the holidays. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/845881/5-tips-to-get-organized-for-the-holidays Michelle Maffei Fri, 04 Nov 2011 10:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/pregnancy-and-baby/articles/845361/7-must-have-baby-items-for-the-holidays Surviving the holidays with a baby in tow can be tough, especially when combined with a youngster who won't sleep or mommy fatigue. However, the right baby gear just may help put the jolly back into your holidays! From travel beds to a portable swing, discover the seven must-have baby items for the holidays, whether you're planning holiday travel for your new baby or staying at home with your soon-to-be toddler. http://www.sheknows.com/pregnancy-and-baby/articles/845361/7-must-have-baby-items-for-the-holidays Michelle Maffei Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/843127/should-you-force-your-toddler-to-eat When it comes to eating toddler foods, your youngster seems to have an opinion about the fare he feeds on. But does your picky eater have you concerned about his toddler diet and nutritional needs? Instead of fighting him or encouraging overeating, get tips and tricks to taming your toddler's eating habits. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/843127/should-you-force-your-toddler-to-eat Michelle Maffei Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/843011/when-will-my-child-lose-baby-teeth One of the joys of parenthood is sharing in the excitement of your child's first loose tooth -- but when should the tooth fairy be prepared to make an appearance? Just like children, everyone's teeth are different, but with the right information about when kids lose teeth and tips on how to help your child deal with the discomforts, you will be prepared when your child loses his first baby tooth. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/843011/when-will-my-child-lose-baby-teeth Michelle Maffei Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/843009/sleepover-safety-guidelines Whether it's your child's first sleepover or your teen's 100th slumber party, child safety should be the most important factor when giving your kiddo the go-ahead to sleep at another family's home. From knowing when your child is old enough to creating a code word to come home, check out these five sleepover safety guidelines. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/843009/sleepover-safety-guidelines Michelle Maffei Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/843007/how-to-be-more-efficient-when-you-work-from-home Although the benefits are sweet, a challenge often faced by work at home moms is not the inability to manage their work, but their tendency to multitask as home life seeps into the work from home day. So, how do you maximize the time you do have when work should be your key focus? From finding your peak productive time to learning to delegate home tasks, discover how to become more efficient when working from home. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/843007/how-to-be-more-efficient-when-you-work-from-home Michelle Maffei Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/843005/4-ways-to-embrace-family-bonding-in-the-21st-century In the past, family bonding time often meant parents and kids gathered around the dinner table or a board game, but as the digital age marches on, quality time has evolved to include the latest technology. From Facebook games to Skype, discover four ways to embrace family bonding in the 21st century. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/843005/4-ways-to-embrace-family-bonding-in-the-21st-century Michelle Maffei Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/842775/how-birth-affects-breastfeeding It takes 60 muscles for an infant to master the suck-swallow-breathe reflex, so it's no wonder that a baby's birth affects their ability to breastfeed. But how much control do you have over during labor and delivery when it comes to giving your bundle of joy the best start to breastfeeding? From medications taken during labor to stress, discover seven things to ponder during pregnancy that may influence your infant's breast milk intake after birth. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/842775/how-birth-affects-breastfeeding Michelle Maffei Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/842499/how-much-does-the-tooth-fairy-pay Once your youngster starts shedding baby teeth, parents are faced with a big question: How much does the tooth fairy pay these days? From big bucks left under your kiddo's tooth pillow to small gifts in place of tooth money, find out what real parents are saying about how much the tooth fairy pays in their house. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/842499/how-much-does-the-tooth-fairy-pay Michelle Maffei Mon, 05 Mar 2012 13:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/842497/4-things-to-buy-new-for-baby-number-2 Making the decision to add another member to your brood is a big one, but deciding if the baby gear you already have is safe to reuse is just as important. Although using the baby products you already have, like car seats and baby clothes, is a more economical way to raise your baby-to-be, discover four things you should buy new for baby number two. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/842497/4-things-to-buy-new-for-baby-number-2 Michelle Maffei Thu, 27 Oct 2011 08:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/842495/5-best-breastfeeding-accessories The obvious benefits of nursing may be enticing when it comes to breastfeeding your baby, but perhaps more women would choose to be breastfeeding mothers if they discovered some of these convenient breastfeeding products! From hands-free pumping accessories to nursing apparel that makes breastfeeding stylish, discover the five best breastfeeding accessories on the market today. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/842495/5-best-breastfeeding-accessories Michelle Maffei Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/842493/coxsackie-virus Your child is feeling under the weather, but is it a common case of the flu or signs of the coxsackie virus? Most commonly known in hand, foot and mouth disease form, kids are at a higher risk of coming down with the cox virus when they meet certain criteria. From virus symptoms to how to keep the illness from spreading, learn more about how the coxsackie virus can affect your child. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/842493/coxsackie-virus Michelle Maffei Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/842283/baby-friendly-1st-birthday-party Most parents can admit that a child's first birthday party is just as much for the parents as it is for the little one, but is it possible to plan a celebration that will be fun for your tot without going overboard? Ensuring your youngster can join in on the fun -- and keep his cool -- during his first big birthday celebration takes a little creative planning, but it is possible without ditching all of your birthday bash ideas. Before you plan an all-day birthday-a-thon, check out these five tips for a baby-friendly first birthday party. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/842283/baby-friendly-1st-birthday-party Michelle Maffei Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840199/8-developmental-baby-games Throughout the first year of your child's life, playing educational learning games with your baby not only helps you bond, but can also help him reach those milestones most parents obsess about. From games for baby that tap into his five senses to chase learning games for your 1-year-old, discover eight developmental baby games that will help your little one develop his motor skills, crawling, senses and more. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840199/8-developmental-baby-games Michelle Maffei Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:04:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840125/how-to-retrain-your-child-after-visiting-grandparents When you get your kids back from a visit with grandma and grandpa, do you really have to live with the spoiled little grandchildren they've become? Take heart; there's no need to give up that valuable babysitting resource just yet. Before you swear off future visits between children and grandparents, discover five tips on how to retrain your child after visiting grandparents. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840125/how-to-retrain-your-child-after-visiting-grandparents Michelle Maffei Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:46:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840061/5-tips-to-establish-a-back-to-work-baby-schedule Now that your maternity leave is coming to an end, is your newborn ready for big changes to her baby schedule? Earlier wake times, sleep routines and unfamiliar faces can throw a wrench in the comfort of the world babies know. Discover five tips to establish a back-to-work baby schedule, from letting your baby put himself to sleep on schedule, to taking notes for your caregiver about his cues. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840061/5-tips-to-establish-a-back-to-work-baby-schedule Michelle Maffei Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:14:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840033/7-newborn-dangers-in-your-home You want to keep your baby safe, but baby proofing your home takes more than just covering up a few electrical outlets. There are many hazards lurking in your home that can pose a threat to your bundle of joy. From bathtub safety to toxins from cats, discover seven newborn dangers in your home. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840033/7-newborn-dangers-in-your-home Michelle Maffei Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/839985/5-back-to-work-challenges-for-you-and-your-newborn Deciding to return to work can be tough on both you and your baby, but knowing what's in store may help you deal with the bumps along the road. From separation anxiety for both of you to dealing when your kiddo would rather go to a caregiver over mommy, discover tips on how to deal with back to work challenges for you and your newborn. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/839985/5-back-to-work-challenges-for-you-and-your-newborn Michelle Maffei Thu, 15 Mar 2012 13:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/839801/5-things-to-do-when-youve-forgotten-your-breast-pump When you find your breasts full and you're ready to find relief but you're without your baby or breast pump in sight, what are you to do? Whether stuck at work or away from your nursing newborn on an emergency, discover five things to do when you've forgotten your breast pump, from hand expressing to icing your breasts to avoid engorgement. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/839801/5-things-to-do-when-youve-forgotten-your-breast-pump Michelle Maffei