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If you have kids, you have messes. The two go together like peanut butter and jelly. And if you have kids, you probably have remnants of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches places you never thought sandwiches could go. Like most parents, cleaning is not among my favorite activities; it is, however, an unfortunate necessity. Just this morning, I scraped dry cereal off a kitchen chair I hadn’t noticed yesterday. Attempting to fit cleaning into our already busy days is often a challenge, and with the return of school, moms and dads have even less time to devote to vacuuming and washing spills off floors....

Once you’ve got a limit defined, it’s time—as much as humanly possible—to let your child know what it is. You’ve made up your mind; sound like it! State the limit with a clear voice, as though you are presenting an algebraic theorem: “One more chapter, and lights out.” It takes practice to sound strong and reasonable. (Here’s a tip: Drop the pitch of your voice at the end of the sentence....

“When starting your maternity wardrobe it’s important to build it from the ground up,” says Stephanie Manganelli, Co-Founder of Stowaway Collection Maternity. “It’s important to find maternity pieces that can grow with you from first trimester through birth and to the dreaded fourth trimester to extend your investment, no matter what dollar amount that may be. More: 7 Maternity Dresses (+1 Jumpsuit) Perfect for Holiday Parties She continues, “We recommend looking for pieces that showcase your bump since they look more flattering (especially in those bump pics)....

The name Milo is derived from multiple sources. In Slavic languages, the root mil- means “dear” or “beloved,” and the name may have come from a Latinized form of this root. However, some believe the name is related to the Latin word “miles,” meaning “soldier,” or even the ancient Greek word “milos” for “yew-flower”. How Popular Is the Name Milo? In the 20th century, the name Milo remained somewhat under the radar....

Make Mother’s Day – or any day – special when you give this gift that’s made of love and happy memories. Materials: NewspaperShoe or hat boxAcrylic paintColor copies of family photos and keepsake objectsMod Podge (can be purchased at any local craft store)PaintbrushSpongeFlat-edged dull knifePieces of fabric, buttons, and other decorative objectsMagazine clippings or wrapping paper scrapsBaby or other family photoScissors Directions: Now Mom, Grandma, or someone special will treasure this “keepsake keeper” for years to come!...

Hand tools are still the starting point for home improvement work. If you keep these tools in the tool bucket, you should be able to complete an improvement without incessant tool-fetchit trips: Claw hammer 3⁄8" reversible, variable-speed, cordless drill Assortment of drill bits and screwdriver bits, in small bag Assorted screwdrivers Locking and needle-nose pliers Nailset Pencils Compass (a.k.a. divider, used for scribing) Torpedo level Utility knife Hand plane Wood chisel Margin trowel Magnetic stud finder Wire stripper-cutter Circuit tester Tape measure Small square A small container of screws and nails...

(Even More) Rugged Individualism. The search for something that’s truly unique is such a strong naming fashion that it is bound to continue and grow even stronger in the next decade. Although, I think the current craze of making names unique through unusual spellings will die down somewhat, I don’t see created names going away any time soon. Destiny Names. One of the newest trends to make itself known in the baby-name arena is choosing a name (or names) that indicate the parent’s dreams for their child or reflect what that child’s fate may be....

Value and Risks of Birth Videos Watching a variety of birth videos is a great way to see just how different every birth is, even if they incorporate many of the same elements. You may be considering a specific type of birth and want to know what it is like to give birth with a midwife, have a water birth, or in different settings for a home birth. Seeing positive births can help you boost your confidence....

Coercing a two-year-old child to wear a face-covering in public can be a hassle. But a recent recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics asserts that it’s worth the struggle, stating, “The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly endorses the use of safe and effective infection control procedures to protect children. For COVID-19, effective infection control and prevention requires the use of a cloth face covering.” New AAP Recommendation The organization encourages parents to teach kids proper mask-wearing and hand sanitization techniques, rather than assuming their toddlers are too young to be included in such safety measures....

More: Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions for Families But why not take this opportunity to celebrate at home, and get the kids involved? I mean, really, who wants to go out in the cold and spend all that money on prix-fixe and babysitters anyway, amiright? Make Party Favors What’s a New Year’s Eve party without the proper hats, noisemakers, poppers and confetti? Get the kids involved in making these fun party favors for your at-home celebration, and have everything ready and waiting when the clock strikes twelve....

Whether your kids stay up ’til the ball drops, they can take part in the festivities by making these noisy party favors. Materials Needed: Give your child some colored paper and a few art supplies and have her decorate a sheet or two. This will be the covering for the noise maker. After she’s finished decorating, glue the decorated paper around the soda can. Let the glue dry. Fill the inside of the can with a handful of sunflower seeds....

Boosting Iron During a woman’s years of menstruation, iron needs are a special nutritional concern. On average, women lose about ¼ cup of blood at each menstrual cycle; women with a heavier flow may even lose more. Since iron travels through the blood, some of it is lost with the loss of blood. Women of childbearing age have an RDA of 15 mg per day for iron, which doubles with pregnancy....

Miscellaneous outdoor objects Directions

Roly-poly squash Gourds Allium gigantium Chinese lantern Venus flytrap Spaghetti squash Sunflower Pampas grass Peanut plant Date palm The off-beat garden can be designed for outdoors or indoors. Choose one to three varieties that interest you. Prepare the soil according to the plants requirements. If starting from seed, plant in pots and keep moist. When seeds germinate and are strong, transplant to a permanent location. Some of the plants grow very tall, like the sunflower, date palm, and allium gigantium, so be prepared!...

If your child has never made a mosaic, make a small sample to show him before he begins. Materials Scissors Construction paper in many colors Glue stick Shellac Directions

White tissue paper cut into squares Scissors Directions

Researchers looked at survey results from 1,300 individuals with peanut allergies in eight European countries as part of the APPEAL-1 (Allergy to Peanuts imPacting Emotions And Life) study. They found that both children and adults with peanut allergies experience considerable levels of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty, as do caregivers of those who live with peanut allergies. In the 30-minute survey, 76% of individuals with peanut allergies were also allergic to other foods, with another 42% suffering from asthma and 50% having allergic rhinitis....