The Real Deal Family and Relationship Guide

Image by SeeMidTN.com (aka Brent) via Flickr With everyone running out buying special gifts for their loved ones, they should not neglect one or more of their extended family . If you are the type of person who considers your pets as part of the family, you need to remember that they should be treated just as nice at Christmas as everyone else. Whether you are ordering gifts online or going out to brave the busy stores, you can surely find something special for your little children. Read more here: Don't forget your pets this Christmas     Related articles Great deals on Christmas gifts (examiner.com) Christmas tips and fun ideas (examiner.com) Best Christmas party beverages (examiner.com)

Image via Wikipedia During the Holidays a lot of people become depressed. It is easy to forget family and those in your family who may not be having the best of times. If they live alone, it is even worse. We must remind ourselves that they should be able to celebrate as family, too. If you have children, and they have grandparents that are active in their lives, you should give them every opportunity to spend as much time with them this time of year as possible. Read more here: Spending time with grandchildren and great grandchildren Related articles Inexpensive holiday decorating ideas (examiner.com) Must have Thanksgiving side dishes (examiner.com) Great deals on Christmas gifts (examiner.com)

Image via Wikipedia What happens to our bundles of joy? In the beginning, these little delights gave our lives meaning, then suddenly in the blink of an eye they change.  Mom and dad become old and geeky and oblivious to everything relevant in a teens eyes. How did that happen? Moreover, when did we, become our parents ? Teenagers are a strange brood. They vacillate between happy and joyful and moody and obstinate. I do believe, in my experience as a parent for 23 plus years, and I'm not done yet...that the minute puberty sets in..the worm turns for our little former bundles of joy. My kids use odd terms that cover a wide variety of emotional expression. For instance, if I tell DJ , "my 12 year old version of Little Man Tate " to take out the garbage, I hear "taking out the garbage is gay ". Now, because I am no perfect, politically correct  parent, I usually retort by saying "Well then I picked the right person for the job then". Yes, I know..I

Image via Wikipedia I don't care whether you go to all your kids baseball games, volunteer to go on every field trip or let your kids and their friends have parties at your house. You will never be a "cool" parent. Well, not cool in their eyes . So if your motivation behind everything you do is for that title, you are wasting your time. Children have a code in their DNA , that will not allow for you to be acknowledged as anything other than someone they must put up with. In their case, DNA means Do not allow. They will not allow us to be so cool and while we are trying to very hard to be the cool parent they will inevitably do something to make us change our hat and have to be the authority figure we are supposed to be. Forever, we as parents are losing "cool points". No matter what your definition of "cool" is, it will not be theirs. In fact most acts we deem as "cool" are really considered embarrassing to your kids. Doubt me? Pick up y

Image via Wikipedia Today , the stay-at-home mom is a dying breed, finding fulfillment and contentment in this difficult decision is a struggle, but with the right sense of humor , and your families best interest at heart, you can survive this . To keep from being the couch potato , bon-bon eating diva, finding things to do shouldn't be a problem with any active family. A few suggestions to keep you busy are listed here: Staying active as a stay at home mom Related articles 10 Sanity-Saving Tips for Moms Who Blog (socialmediamom.com) Research Study of 692 Women Uncovers the Secrets to Losing Baby Weight after Childbirth (eon.businesswire.com) Stay At Home Mom : Overworked, Underpaid, AMAZING! (momblognetwork.com)

We've all been stuck somewhere waiting with our kids. It isn't long before we hear the familiar wails of "we're bored..", "how much longer?" and "can we go now?".. There are ways to cope with waiting with children that is fun and beneficial to you and them.  Here are some fun ideas to try the next time you are waiting with your kids: How to Have Fun While Waiting With Kids Related articles Keeping Kids Party Games Fun & Fair (valuebookshop.com) LeAnn Rimes Can't Wait To Deck The Halls With Eddie Cibrian's Kids (thefrisky.com) No waiting for teenage braces, kids see orthodontist earlier (timesunion.com) Creating a Fun and Krafty Kids' Table (apartmenttherapy.com)

Parenting is one of the single most rewarding, yet difficult jobs there are. When they are young, you spend your time teaching, and keeping them safe. As they grow and need you less, you find yourself somehow feeling a disconnect. Teen years are a painful mixture of emotions, hormones, and pressure. Bridging the gap between them and yourself is a challenge, but with determination and patience it can be done. Reconnect with your inner teen - Think back to when you were a teenager. Remember how confusing, painful and fun it all was? Take a look through your high school yearbook. Remember the struggles, the tears and the laughter? Things may be a little different now with your kids, but those emotions are the same and we all had them. Tell your teen about your times, so they can relate to the person you was, when you were in their shoes. Find a quiet place - Offer to take your teen out to eat. Order take out fare and go to a local park and make sure you turn off the cell