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Is your child over-scheduled?

Tiernan McKay — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 07:30:00 -0700

As a parent, it seems there are a million opportunities to sign your child up for some sort of activity. Whether it's sports, clubs, enrichment courses or lifestyle classes , there's never a shortage of extra-curriculars. While these activities help our kids become well-rounded, they can also create unmanageable schedules. What's the right balance between enriching your child and over-stressing him? Read on for more tips to determine the best way to keep your child interested but not over-scheduled.

When to call the doctor or midwife

Tiernan McKay — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:27:00 -0700

During pregnancy, a woman's experience varies greatly from week to week. Even before you bust out the maternity clothes, the first trimester can be particularly challenging. During this time, a call to the doctor is advised when a symptom could be a sign of�possible pregnancy complications. Rallie McAllister, MD, MPH, coauthor of The Mommy MD Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, shares some of her top reasons to make the call.

Parenting the 8-year-old

Tiernan McKay — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:31:00 -0700

The fact that time flies is evidenced by any 8-year-old's young life. In just a handful of years, your precious, tiny baby has exploded into a verifiable little person. While this miraculous growth can be shocking from a parental perspective, this year is full of adventures and new milestones for your child. As a parent, you are best equipped to interact with your 8-year-old when you understand what is happening developmentally.

Is your teen inappropriate on Facebook?

Tiernan McKay — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:25:00 -0700

One of the most pervasive aspects of the computer age is the non-stop presence of Facebook in our kids' lives. Parents may take a bit longer to understand the ins and outs of this extremely popular social networking site, but our kids seem to move at the speed of light through cyberspace. Features and privacy policies are always changing, so how do you communicate to your kids the importance of restraint when sharing information with the world? Google your child's name, see what comes up and then have a talk. Our tips below can help.

Top 10 inappropriate baby clothes

Tiernan McKay — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:22:00 -0700

For better or worse, kids take their fashion cues from Mom and Dad when they're young. Having no other option but to wear what their parents choose, babies can be style mavens one day and fashion victims the next. Dressing our babies in adorable outfits, cute little ensembles or irreverent duds may be a parental right of passage, but anyone who has shopped for a baby knows that there's a fine line between precious and inappropriate. These 10 onesies definitely fall into the latter category.

How moms can find a flattering outfit quickly

Tiernan McKay — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:02:00 -0700

Busy moms know that the morning routine can be a killer. Between getting the kids up, dressed, fed and out the door, there's little time to get our of your PJs, let alone actually find a flattering outfit. Don't sacrifice your style anymore! These quick tips will help you regain your stylish-mom status with minimal effort.

Your 7-year-old: Development, behavior and parenting tips

Tiernan McKay — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:10:00 -0700

Parents of 7-year-olds know firsthand that time does fly. It seems one minute our kids are tugging on our legs for a sippy cup, then trying to figure out the social scene at school the next. Understanding what's happening to our 7-year-olds developmentally is key to successfully parenting this precious age group.

Six-year-olds: Development, behavior and parenting tips

Tiernan McKay — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 23:21:00 -0700

Understanding your 6-year-old requires a basic understanding of what is happening developmentally. This is the age when your child's personality really begins to shine, while their little bodies undergo some major growth.

Breastfeeding myths: From low milk-supply to diet

Tiernan McKay — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:20:00 -0700

Is it true many women can't produce enough milk to breastfeed? Does breastfeeding cause saggy breasts? Is there a breastfeeding diet you should be on? As a mother, it’s virtually impossible to escape the great breastfeeding debate. When making decisions about your baby’s nutrition, it’s important to distinguish the facts from all the breastfeeding myths that seem to circulate freely.

How kids can win over a new teacher

Tiernan McKay — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:12:00 -0700

With a new school year upon us, kids and parents are preparing to make new friends, set new goals and meet new teachers. Your child's teacher is one of the people, aside from you, who will probably have the most significant impact on your son or daughter, so it makes sense to talk about how to relate to this authority figure.

Your 5-year-old: Development, behavior and parenting tips

Tiernan McKay — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:00:00 -0700

Understanding normal 5-year-old development and behavior will help you know the best way to parent your child. As parents, we know that a child's birthday comes with plenty of hoopla. With each turn of the calendar there's a new guest list, a new theme and a new 'must have' toy. When they're young, another birthday also means a number of significant accomplishments.

Teaching kids how to make friends at school

Tiernan McKay — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 21:40:00 -0700

As our kids return to school, there are plenty of anxiety-ridden unknowns: a new teacher, harder curriculum, dress codes, seat assignments, etc., etc. From your child's perspective, perhaps the most unsettling thought is the challenge of making new friends.

5 Quick weekend trip ideas

Tiernan McKay — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:19:00 -0700

If you have a snippet of time, a modest budget and a sense of adventure, perhaps a weekend getaway should be in your future. This mini-vacation is a time-honored tradition that celebrates reconnecting, exploring -- and possibly even indulging. No matter where you live, a weekend getaway destination is surely close by. These five quick trip ideas may be just what you need to get your creative travel juices flowing.

10 Quick cleaning tips that cost less

Tiernan McKay — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:41:00 -0700

Maintaining a household can be a full-time job, especially when it comes to cleaning. The process seems to take forever, and there are just as many cleaning products available as there are surfaces to clean. If you use separate products for each task, you could be throwing away a significant chunk of money . You can make cleaning a less painful process for your schedule and your wallet by using these 10 quick tips that cost less.

Steal the Look: Cameron Diaz

Tiernan McKay — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:45:00 -0700

When Cameron Diaz stepped out on the media circuit to promote her new movie with Tom Cruise, "Knight and Day," all eyes were on her mile long legs. But, once on-lookers recovered from the shock of her perfect gams, it was her sassy take on classic wardrobe pieces that took center stage. Her casual hair and understated makeup make her level of chic beauty seem attainable...and it is.

Steal the look: Ashley Greene

Tiernan McKay — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:43:00 -0700

Ashley Greene stepped out at the Los Angeles premiere of her new movie, "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse," looking ravishing in a pale grayish-lavender dress. The flowy layers, loose silhouette, gorgeous wavy hair and subtle makeup give the whole look a pretty, airy quality. It's likely that Ashley used a slew of professionals to help her create this high-style ensemble, but you can achieve the same ethereal effect in your everyday wardrobe for a fraction of the cost.

Child tracking devices: Do they work?

Tiernan McKay — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:00:00 -0700

There's just something about being a parent that makes you fear the worst. Even those of us who were once carefree and easy going become a touch paranoid once our own children are introduced to the world. In response to this parental concern, the child tracking device market has boomed in recent years.

Celebrity style secrets for moms

Tiernan McKay — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:26:00 -0700

Why is it that, as mothers, we can find the time to shop for and dress our kids, but our own wardrobes are often in need of a rescue? Then, of course, there are those glossy pictures of perfectly pulled-together celebrity moms smiling back at us from the magazine covers as we wait in line at the grocery store. How do they do it? Rather than bitterly turn away from the magazine rack, take some style tips from those celebrity moms who seem to have it all -- but make their looks yours on a realistic budget.

Facing the reality of your finances

Tiernan McKay — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 02:16:00 -0700

Some people believe that you are either wired to understand your finances or you're not. This common misconception convinces many women to completely ignore their financial realities either because they feel incapable of doing so, or because living in a fantasy is easier than tackling the truth. The delicate nature of our economy makes exerting control over your household budget increasingly important, however. For many of us, the first step is simply facing the truth, which is often easier said than done.

10 Signs you need a financial makeover

Tiernan McKay — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 02:10:00 -0700

Whether due to a lack of education or a lack of money, many of us have given up on the idea of proactively managing money. Fortunately, you can turn your financial fate around, but the first step is acknowledging that you need help. Here are some clear-cut signs that a money makeover should be in your near future.