Big Kid
5 Unexpected Life Lessons For My Teens
I should be an old hand at parenting by now, but there’s no shortage of surprises in it for me, even now. I handle it as best I can and hope the kids are okay.
Toddler
When Your Toddler Say No More High Chair!
A mom is wisely picking her battles with her toddler but she still wants to maintain a pleasant family mealtime arrangement. What can she do?
Toddler
Toddler Beds & Weaning
Help! My toddler has a hard time falling asleep without nursing and has now figured out how to climb out of the crib. How do I deal with these two sleep challenges?
Crafts
Washi Tape and Wrapping Paper Book Covers DIY
Carrying heavy books can be such a drag for students. You can’t lighten their load but you can brighten it with some fun book covers you can make together.
Big Kid
Not Actually About Cars
I didn’t even know Range Anxiety was a real thing until I felt it behind the wheel of a car… at which point I realized I feel it all the time with my teens.
Party & Play
The No-Gifts Birthday Party
I want my young daughter’s upcoming birthday party be of the “no gifts” kind. How does that work on invitations? Will my daughter be disappointed?
Big Kid
Help, My Teen Girl Isn’t Fitting In
A mom wants to help her daughter make friendships with the girls at her dance studio even though her daughter doesn’t seem interested in doing so. What can and should she do?
Food & Home
Fun Paper and Pencil Snack for Back-to-School
Who says that healthy after school snacks need to be boring? This after school snack is not only fun but surprisingly easy to make. Happy Back-to-School!
Holidays
Ready, Set, Road Trip: Preparing is a Labor (Day) of Love
Put down the screens, slather on the sunscreen – it’s time for summer’s last adventure! These tips for family Labor Day road trip will put a parent’s mind at ease before vacation begins.
Baby
Nap Battles: The Premature Two-Naps-to-One Kid
A mom is having a very hard time with getting her champion nighttime eight-month-old sleeper to nap during the day. Both mom and baby are miserable and cranky by day’s end. Is there a solution?
Big Kid
Motherhood (And Personhood) In Flux
I thought that once my kids were nearly grown I’d have everything figured out, but the truth is that as they change, I do, too, and I’m still figure it out.
Your Life
Single Mom Dating: The Truth About Dating Apps
Kristen weighs in on the recent spate of dating articles with her own experiences with dating apps and online services.
Health & Safety
The Satter Method & Sick Kids
A mom needs advice with her young child’s food habits after a recent medical diagnosis.
Crafts
Back-To-School Friendship Bracelet Cards
These Friendship Bracelet Cards are perfect for back to school and handing out to new friends and older ones that we missed dearly over the summer.
Toddler
Potty Training Wars: Dealing With the 3/4 There Kid
A mom is having a challenging time with her almost fully potty-trained child who is scared to poop in the potty and insists on wearing a pull-up. What are the parent’s options to help her young child?
Big Kid
Senior Year of High School: The Flip Side Of Struggle
Will I be sad during my oldest’s high school senior year? No way — the gift her struggles gave us turns out to be an abundant appreciation of forward movement.
Products & Services
8 Pairs of Toddler and Kids’ Sunglasses That Will Really Protect Your Child’s Eyes
We tried out some top brands of sunglasses (for toddlers to tweens) and give you our review and Alpha Mom favorites.
Health & Safety
A Daycare Food Dilemma
A mom is really happy with the care provided by her kids’ in-home daycare provider. However, she is concerned about the lunch and snack options they are offering her toddlers. Is she overreacting and what are her options?
Relationships
Would It Kill You to Just Say Thank You?
What should this mom do about her family members who chronically don’t send thank you notes (or even acknowledge receipt) for the gifts she gives to the kids?
Young Child
In Hindsight: Child Development & When Should We Worry?
Now that my “different” kids are teens, a reader facing issues with her 5-year-old wants to know if I see similarities in what we experienced.