Want some good time-saving advice? Skip the crazy malls and do your Holiday shopping online. To save you even more time, we’ve collected our favorite gifts for everyone in the family. Now all that’s left for you is to point, click and wrap: Gift Ideas for Parents | Gift Ideas for Youngsters

The moment you think everything’s going great is the one you should be worried about. You know, it’s quiet and you’re not chasing your child diaperless down the hall. Yes, quiet. We all know though that this is exactly the moment when you should be investigating before it’s too late. These poor mommies learned the hard way.

Greasy Smears. Usually my toddler’s bedroom is what I consider a safe zone. So one morning I was enjoying a bit of quiet figuring she was looking at a book or playing with some toys. I should have known better. After a few minutes of peace I walked in to find her spreading petroleum jelly all over the recliner. (She’d had a fever the day before and I left the petroleum jelly from checking her temperature on the dresser. After a lot of hard work, I got it out, but I still remember my heart just sinking as I watched her gleefully ‘fingerpainting’ on the cushion. It was probably a great tactile experience.
– Tompkinsville, KY

Fragrant Clouds. I had just gone into the study to check a recipe online. When I came back into the living room I smelled cinnamon and saw a cloud of dust and my almost two-year old shaking a can of cinnamon all over the rug and my freshly washed white comforter. Daddy had just returned from a month long military tour where he’d made a pie during some of his time off. His luggage contained the leftover ingredients. Thankfully, the vacuum got all but what was on the damp spots of the comforter, and those came out in the wash. You’d think I learned my lesson, but no. Later that afternoon, while I’m washing the dishes I hear the sound of lots of little things falling to the ground. I go into the other room to find the same child dumping tapioca from the same pie on my rocking chair. Boy am I grateful for a good vacuum. And yes, I finally zipped up the luggage. – Washington, DC

Wet Piles. I’m sure everyone has a toilet story. Mine is with my second child; although I didn’t catch her in the act. All I found were the remnants of what I’m sure was a thrilling experience of unrolling the roll of toilet paper into the toilet and the plunger in the middle of it all. I just wonder what was going through her mind as she did it. Let’s all pray nothing from the toilet went into her mouth, but knowing her I can never be too sure. What a mess!
– Avondale, AZ

There is a certain kind of embarrassment that only a Mom can truly understand. Our MomMoments column is filled with these war stories of motherhood. We’d love to hear your stories so please share with us!

Most women have a tough time keeping stress at bay, but certainly now that you’re Mom, stress is a constant companion. Learning how to cope with these high stress levels is a key to being a happy mommy. Of course that is a whole lot easier said than done, and since we are right there in this battle with you, we turned to the health experts at the Mayo Clinic for some advice on stress busters that really work.

One of the most important first steps to reigning in tension is to make “me time” — and we mean it! Whether you go for a stroll in a local park or at the local mall, or just lock yourself in your bedroom, all Moms need to set aside at least two hours a week for themselves. Enlist Dad or other family members so you can take the time in one big chunk, but if that isn’t possible fit in 30-minute increments of me time where you can (i.e. naptime, after bedtime. read more