For some families, becoming a step-grandparent is a simple process. There are, however, many variables to consider before forging a bond with your new stepgrandchild. Keep in mind that younger children typically have less difficulty accepting new grandparents. Older kids, especially teens, may still be reeling from the trauma of divorce. Easy Does It All …
Ten years ago when Pamela Vireday found out she was pregnant for the first time, she experienced conflicting emotions. She was thrilled, but she was also scared because, as a plus-sized woman, she wasn’t sure how her size might impact her baby. “Back then, I could find no information on what it meant to be …
What Are You “Weighting” For? “Look at my muscles, Mommy!” Kalli was only 2 the first time she uttered those words. My husband, an avid bodybuilder for years, taught me to value the feeling of power that comes with strength training and to appreciate my muscular legs rather than wish I could trade them in …
What Goes in Must Come Out! When you become a parent, you might find yourself obsessed with personal hygiene – not yours, but the baby’s. You’ll walk out the door with your hair looking like it’s been electrocuted, but your baby will be snot-free and in a clean diaper. Your heightened sensitivity to Baby’s hygiene …
What does It mean to be a Dad? The popular media has a tendency to cast modern fathers in one of two stereotypes: “deadbeat dads” or “Mr. Moms.” But recent studies show that over the last four decades, the role of fathers in the modern family has become increasingly complex. “When we look at current …
There’s nothing quite like the excitement of shopping for those first few maternity clothes. It’s so fun to put on the pretend pillow belly at the maternity store, try on that large blouse and imagine what you’ll look like in just a few months. But all fun aside, once you get down to the day-to-day …
When “The Baby” Isn’t Happy? We’ve all heard of sibling rivalry. It can start as soon as the new baby is born and last for quite a while. There’s also plenty of advice on how to handle it. But what about rivalry that starts even before the new baby makes his or her appearance? Nancy …
Brandon Linden of Norfolk, Va., just turned 2 and he’s already been kicked out of daycare for biting. His mother, Jenni Linden,* says he is “10 times more aggressive than the other children: He cries more, acts out more and he bites and pushes.” “On the other hand, Brandon can be very compassionate and loving,” …
Once you’ve made the decision to adopt a child, there are many additional things to consider. For some people, one of the most important decisions is the race of the child to adopt. And chief among the adopting parents’ concerns may be the reaction of others to their new family. While it is increasingly common …
The epidural has become the most common method of pharmacological pain relief chosen by laboring women in the United States. An epidural can be used for spontaneous vaginal births, forceps- and vacuum-assisted births, as well as Cesarean births. Women often choose the epidural because they know it claims to offer total pain relief in labor. …