For those moms who spend too much time at a computer already, paper scrapbooking provides a creative outlet that can be almost therapeutic. (That and we really like the feel of ribbon and looking at pretty paper. read more

With the advent of digital cameras, not to mention the arrival of baby, we are sure your collection of photographs increased exponentially. While you try to get your hands around all those pictures let us show you a few ways to use them that don’t start with printing. read more

When I was pregnant with my first son, I did all the requisite hand-wringing and research about all the baby stuff I would have to buy or register for. I bought the book Baby Bargains and signed up for Consumer Reports Online. I asked questions of all my friends who were parents; in fact, I sent them all a questionnaire and compiled the results into a handy guide for what worked and what didn’t.

One very important item that I’ve spent hours debating on is the car seat. For three years now I have wondered why there are so many different brands and styles, when every child needs a car seat and there is a basic set of safety standards that each one has to meet. Why is there such a broad range of prices, too? I guess you can ask that question about anything: why spend thousands of dollars on a dress when you can get one for 25 bucks at Target? (Okay, don’t answer that question. read more

Q: We’re in the middle of some house renovations, so needless to say the kids and I need to get out of the house. I’m having trouble thinking of things we can do together without spending money. Any suggestions?

Heather
Potomac, MD

The Mommy Panel’s Advice:

Kids and renovations definitely don’t mix, but even without your house being torn apart, it’s natural for kids (and adults to need a break from the great indoors. We’ve wracked our collective brains to come up with this list of fun things that will get you and your little ones out of the house — most of these activities are completely free and a few others cost under $5. read more

Most children are thrilled to see birds, touch caterpillars, and pick flowers. Kids are curious explorers and with summer just around the corner it’s time to embark on a journey outdoors. This is the perfect opportunity to teach your little ones about seeds and gardening with a basic sprouting experiment (that you might remember from your school days. In a few simple steps, you can show your child what’s going on under the ground. read more

It’s that hour. You know the one. Right about 4:30 in the afternoon when your kids seem to go haywire. It’s also the time when moms seem busiest trying to get the day’s activities finalized while also preparing a nutritious meal for the family. You end up plopping the kids in front of their favorite video just to distract them, yet you know more TV is not the best thing for them. We know. We’ve been there too. So what is a mommy to do? read more

If you hear the phrase, “cloth diapering,” chances are you wince at the thought of sticking yourself with a pin. Since there’s no way to know unless you try, our tester mamas spent months road testing modern cloth-diapering options.

The results are captured in this guide, which will take the mystery out of this traditional diapering method. (And you’ll probably be glad to know that pins are no longer required.) read more

Q: What is the best way to deal with diaper rash?

The Mommy Panel’s Advice:

As moms we have hands-on experience that tells us that those diapers can be real messy. When you think about it, it is no surprise, given the amount of ick down there, that diaper rashes occur fairly often. Most children will experience at least one diaper rash and many more will have frequent breakouts. To help you be prepared for the battle, here’s a crash course in diaper rash care. read more