The very best beach umbrellas and tents for families, after a ton of research
You cannot even believe how much time I spent last summer tracking down the best beach umbrella. I finally went with my parents' strongly recommended pick, which was a surprise one to me. (And you have no idea how strongly recommended it was, unless you a) know my...
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Whichever social media site is your guilty pleasure du jour, we’re there, making sure you don’t miss our favorite posts on parenting, fashion, apps, recipes, deals and discounts, and random awesomeness from around the web. Plus our favorite part: we love hearing from...
Lisa Frank adult coloring books! Because who can’t use more rainbows?
When I was a kid, one of the most exciting things about going back to school was getting to pick out a new Lisa Frank notebook. What would it be this year? A unicorn with wings and a flowing, rainbow mane? A dolphin family swimming in an exotic cove while a neon pink...
The handiest travel bag for parents? Found it.
I'm not even sure when I got the Baggu tote pack, but over the years (yes, it's been that long), it has been a huge travel lifesaver for me, time and time again. And even better, it's currently on super sale. This bag is an upgraded drawstring backpack, carrying just...
Alpine Pluggies make flying with kids a whole lot less painful
I was cruising the eye and ear care aisle at CVS last week on vacation, waiting for my daughter's ear infection prescription to be filled (womp, womp) and trying to find something that might help her ears for the plane ride home. On a whim, I grabbed a few packs of...
C.O.P.S: A great organization to help support fallen police officers and their families
We are running out of words for the unbelievably tragic week America has had, with the latest loss of American lives being the devastating sniper attack on Dallas law enforcement officials last night, after an otherwise peaceful protest. Our hearts go out to the...
16 essential skills kids learn from LEGO, and fantastic resources to help get them going
Of all the toys that have passed through the hands of my three kids over the past dozen or so years, there is no question that LEGO bricks have been the most enduring and versatile. From their first little plastic bucket of mixed bricks, to those 1000+ piece...
The most adorable cardboard playhouses for animal-loving kids.
If I had a dime for every time I walked into what was once a clean den or bedroom to discover it's been colonized by tiny pillow forts and sheet palaces, well, then I could buy one of these awesome, animal-shaped HULKI playhouses instead. After a hugely successful...
18 fun, free printable summer coloring pages for kids. Good ones!
Now that we're deep in the heart of summer, I find my kids like cooling down in the afternoons with some crafting time, and free printable coloring pages for kids often do the trick. Whether you're passing time, celebrating a summer birthday, going screen-free on a...
The 9 worst children’s TV shows that made my life a living hell: 2002–2009 Edition
We're happy to welcome guest columnist, Wendi Aarons. She's funny. When I was pregnant with my first son, way back in 2001, I had no intention of ever letting him watch television. Expose my precious baby’s developing brain to the mindless crap that spewed from the...