Do you: A. Find the nearest couch and bury your head between the cushions. B. Beam with pride and revel in the sweet sound knowing that your little one’s lungs are obviously extremely healthy. C. Crying? What crying? I can’t hear a thing with these earplugs in. According to a new study, the way a mother responds to her screaming child may be the result of how well she bonded with her own mother. The recently published Baylor University study revealed that some moms experience a “natural high” while listening to their crying child, while others facing the same scenario … Continue reading →

To know Elmo is to love Elmo… or at least to tolerate him for the sake of your toddler. Sesame Street’s beloved red monster, whose infectious laugh is known around the globe, is a welcome companion to millions of children. However, a rogue version of the lovable PBS character is giving the real Elmo a bad name. According to reports, a dirty, creepy imposter Elmo has been preying on innocent tourists in New York City. Call him Bizarro Elmo. He looks just like the real deal: red fur, big orange nose, huge white eyes, except this Elmo is filthy, rude, … Continue reading →

Thankfully, I have never had to pay anyone to watch my child. I was reminded of how grateful I am of this fact after hearing about the teen babysitter from Ohio, who decided she was sick of her job, and ditched her charges before their parents returned home. The kids are okay, their parents are livid, and the teen sitter is behind bars. Actually, 18-year-old Mia Kemper was released from jail on her own recognizance. Which is a good thing considering she would have probably had a hard time finding someone to bail her sorry behind out of the slammer … Continue reading →

If he doesn’t sleep through the night, is a hellion on the playground, goes on joy rides without you knowing it or breaks into other people’s homes when he’s supposed to be in time-out, then there’s a good chance you’ve shed a few tears in the last week or so. The good news: If you’re a mom and your toddler’s behavior makes you weep, you aren’t alone. Whether you have a rambunctious toddler or not, a new poll shows that the average woman cries for 12,012.92 hours over the course of 78.5 years. To put that into perspective, women basically … Continue reading →

It’s a thankless job, but someone’s got to do it, right? Typically (see: always) that person is me. From crayon marks on the wall to spilled cereal on the living room floor to mashed bananas on the bathroom mirror (mind you the banana was whole when it left the kitchen), toddlers don’t need to be schooled on how to make a mess. My daughter is at the head of the class when it comes to turning a room upside down and inside out. Consequently, I’ve had to take a crash course in cleaning. Here’s what I’ve learned so far: Mr. … Continue reading →

I keep seeing the same commercial over and over again. It features a mom who declares that her toddler will be potty trained in time for an upcoming family camping trip. The mother claims that the trip was the impetus for getting her tot on the potty-training bandwagon. The commercial never reveals how the potty training goes or whether the family makes it to the campgrounds sans a box of diapers, but I digress. The point is I’ve known many a mother who has vowed that her child would be out of diapers in time for an important trip. For … Continue reading →

If your toddler has been cooped up inside all winter, then he is probably going hog wild in the great outdoors this summer, playing, running, swimming and climbing. While there is no shortage of fun to be had at the park or in your backyard, there are also plenty of opportunities for your toddler to get hurt. Your tot’s summer fun can translate into bumps and bruise as well as cuts and contusions, so it’s best to be prepared. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents keep a well-stocked first aid kit on hand both inside their homes and … Continue reading →