It's the holidays again and as great as it is to get together with family, it can mean a lot of bodies under one roof. And usually it's the kids who are displaced.

When grandma takes your child's room

Why not surprise the kids with fun, alternate sleeping arrangements that are so good they'll be begging Grandma to take their room.

Sleep under the stars

What child doesn't love a camp out — especially one that they aren't expecting? If you live in a warm-enough climate, surprise the kids and set up a tent in your backyard and let them sleep under the stars. The entire family can even roast mashmallows, drink hot cocoa and even read holiday books together before you tuck the kids into their tents and call it a night.

But if your home is in an area of the country that is far too cold for an outdoor camp out, why not make it a camp in instead?

Managing your kids at family gatherings>>

Basement camp in

Whether it's the basement, a bonus room or even the living room , you can set up an indoor campsite for your kids. They'll be so excited about the departure from "the norm" that they won't care where they're going — as long as it's not their own room. They can sleep in a tent or you can help them build a fort, but whatever the sleeping arrangement, they will love it. Beyond the tent, add to the fun with popcorn and a movie as an added bonus for giving up their room for Aunt Sandy and Uncle Joe.

5 ways to survive the holidays with your kids>>

Bed swap

Warning: This one might not be for everyone, especially the parents who are overly-exhausted from all of the holiday festivities. But if you're up for a challenge, the idea is that Mom and Dad will swap sleep spaces with the kids. The children get to sleep in the parents' bed and the parents camp out in the tent. Grab a bottle of vino, an air mattress and enjoy feeling like a kid again. The key to surviving the holidays is to stay flexible and keep laughing.

Read more about family and the holidays

How to survive the holidays with your family
Top ways to have a drama-free holiday
10 Tips to survive the holidays

If you are looking for a baby name that has an exotic sound to it, look no further than our list of unique baby names from around the world.

Irish and Welsh names

Irish names have a great melodic sound making them a popular choice for parents here in the U.S. Some traditional Irish names, however, can be tricky to pronounce — for example the name Niamh is pronounced like “Neve” and Aoife is pronounced “ee-fa.” The following girl and boy Irish names are a great choice because they are fairly easy to pronounce and spell:

Get more Irish baby name ideas here>>

Spicy Spanish names

Spanish baby names have a spicy flair that you are sure to love! Many of these names have great meanings that add to their appeal. Click on the names to get more information on origin and meaning!

Check out more Spanish baby names here>>

Unique German names

German baby names are unique with a modern sound to them. These edgy names are perfect for your baby girl or baby boy. Many German names use a “K” instead of a “C” — for example Eric and Erik or Jessica and Jessika.

Get more German baby names here>>

Romantic French names

French baby names are romantic, sophisticated and are simply tres magnifique! Check out some of our top picks:

Check out more French baby names here>>

Cool names from around the world

Want more exotic baby name choices? We have searched from one end of the globe to the other to bring you these truly cool baby names from around the world.

For more exotic names, check out our advanced baby name search where you can look at names by origin!

More baby names

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From unique to classic: Find your baby name style

Doctors recommend that everyone, starting with children as young as 6 months old, receive an annual influenza vaccination.

Is The flu shot worth it?

We discuss both sides — those who say that routine yearly vaccination for everyone is a must, and those who say no to the flu vaccine.

You’ve seen the signs everywhere imploring you to get an influenza vaccine — at your doctor’s office, your neighborhood drugstore and even retail superstores like Walmart. You may not hesitate to get one for yourself, but aren’t sure about the risks for pregnant women or children. We talked with parents and experts from both sides so you can decide where you stand.

Flu vaccines for everyone

Influenza is a contagious respiratory infection that is caused by viruses. Healthy people generally suffer no complications, but the very young, the very old, pregnant women, and those with certain medical conditions, such as asthma, heart disease or cancer are at a greater risk of serious complications, hospitalizations or death.

The CDC’s current recommendation reads, “Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year.” But some pregnant women, parents and even experts don’t agree.

Not a fan

Cammi Balleck, Ph.D, a naturopath with 10 years of experience, doesn’t believe that flu vaccines are necessary. “The truth is that all vaccines are immune suppressing, meaning they affect immune function for a period of time and can make some people more susceptible to coming down with a viral or bacterial infection,” she explained. “The chemicals, lab-altered viruses and bacteria and foreign DNA from animals and human cell substrates in the vaccines may compromise immune system function and depress immunity — that is the trade-off you are risking.”

Hurley, mom of one, has experienced just that. “I always get the flu after getting the vaccine and never when I skip it,” she told us. “It’s weird — I know the vaccine itself isn't giving me the flu, but it must weaken my immune system to the point where I get sick anyway.” Leah from Massachusetts felt the same. “Definitely not,” she said. “Lots of people still get sick from the strains that it doesn't protect against.”

Definitely vaccinate

Others felt that the flu vaccine was necessary for everyone. Dr. Glade Curtis, author of Your Pregnancy Week by Week, feels that it should be a normal and important part of prenatal care for every pregnant mother. “The flu is five times more likely to cause severe illness in a pregnant woman than in a woman who is not pregnant,” he shared. “The normal physiologic changes in a pregnant woman to the heart, immune system and lungs make her more prone to severe illness from influenza.”

Ana, mom of one, also feels that the vaccine is a good idea for all. “I don't vaccinate for my own benefit, but for everyone else who can't,” she said. “Obviously a vaccine isn't going to give 100 percent protection, but I feel it is my duty to try to prevent serious illnesses to the best of my ability. If I know of someone locally who hasn't gotten a flu vaccine on purpose, I will do my best to keep away from them because as a cancer patient, if my husband gets the flu, it's a one-way ticket to the hospital.”

Talk to your doctor

Talk to your doctor — or naturopath — to get more information. If you opt out, or are interested in boosting your immune system , there are measures you can take to improve your family’s health. “I recommend a diet of immune-boosting foods and taking vitamin D, vitamin C, a good probiotic every day and a whole food multivitamin,” said Balleck. She recommends foods like spirulina, eggs, protein, coconut oil, chlorella, berries, garlic, ginger and cinnamon, as well as mushrooms and kefir.

And Dr. Curtis urges pregnant women, “If your doctor doesn’t offer you the vaccine, ask for it! Do this for your health and for the well-being of your baby.”

More on the flu

Do you need a flu shot?
The common cold vs. the flu: What's the difference?
Flu season newsflash: Prevention and treatment

Enjoying a Thanksgiving meal often involves multiple families with people who range in age from babies to great-great-grandparents. Sometimes sitting at separate tables is a necessity due to space constraints — other times the “kids” are shooed off to a table in an adjoining room simply to make the meal more pleasant for the adults. What would happen if you banished the kids’ table?

Is the family dinner still important? >>

Why would I do that?

Family mealtimes have been consistently shown to benefit children, but why ruin Thanksgiving? The adults may wish for a peaceful meal, but there may be a bigger benefit to a multi-age dinner table. Including kids at the Thanksgiving table may not be for everyone. Nelson Branco, M.D. says, “But it’s hard to overlook the overwhelming research on the positive effects of family dinners on children’s diet, social development and sense of connection with their parents and siblings.”

Bringing together multiple generations of your family adds another level to the holiday that is sometimes lost on this generation. “This is a time to practice manners — I can guarantee that you will have at least one conversation about the appropriateness of potty talk at the dinner table, and if [you] say it enough times, they may start to use a napkin to wipe their mouth instead of a sleeve,” says Branco. Giving the younger members of the family a chance to step it up a notch and dine with the adults is an opportunity that doesn't happen often.

Check out these family dinners that the kids can make>>

Ideas for making it work

If you just can’t picture Thanksgiving without a kids’ table, we have a few ways you can incorporate the kids into the celebration without driving Grandma crazy.

• Seating chart — Before the gathering, spend some time thinking about seating arrangements for dinner. Does your nephew love to fish? Seat him next to Uncle Bob, who spends his weekends on the lake. Your daughter who loves to read would love a bit of conversation about her favorite book with her aunt, the librarian. By alternating children with adults, you are opening the door for discussions that span generations and bring your family closer.
• Dessert only— If you can’t quite commit to dining with the kiddos, consider breaking up the kids’ table for dessert. Even just a bit of time spent mingling with the adults in the family offers the kids the chance to practice their social skills and get to know their adult family members a bit better.

The Thanksgiving meal is an opportunity to spend time with all members of your family. How will you involve your kids this year?

More about Thanksgiving

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Scrumptious Thanksgiving tablescapes
Best apps for the iPhone: Thanksgiving apps

It's no surprise that moms who work full time jobs feel the strain of their extra-busy lives. In fact, 99 percent of working mothers say their schedules stress them out. It is natural to feel guilty about leaving your kids with a caretaker or to feel overwhelmed about keeping your boss, clients and family happy. But there are a few ways to stomp out some of that stress and manage your guilt.

More often these days, dads are stepping in to take on parenting duties. A recent study by the Families and Work Institute found that fathers spend an hour more a day with their kids than dads did 25 years ago. Dad's participation can come in especially handy when the kids get sick or when you just cannot make that parent-teacher conference. So when it comes to parenting, don't hesitate to share the load of responsibilities with your partner.

If you're feeling super stressed, ask your employer about rearranging your schedule so that you work four days instead of five, or have every other Friday off. This may incur a pay cut, but it might be worth it to strike that delicate balance between your career and kids. But if a flexible schedule is not feasible, try to pick one evening or weekend day when you can focus solely on your family. That means turn off the laptop, leave your cell at home and hit the playground. In addition to being a stellar mom, this play time away from the job will recharge your batteries, and you can return to work fresh and less stressed.

If you are at work right now, you're probably wishing you were at home. But guess what? You may not be that much more satisfied if you stayed at home full time. According to Dr. Leon Hoffman, director of the Pacella Parent Child Center, many working mothers wish they were home with their children, and while at home, wish they were back at work. Bottom line? Being a mom is a tough job, no matter how you slice it. But if you gain perspective on your situation and are confident about why you're working , you can get through even the toughest days with less guilt.

Here is some good news for working moms. Research shows that children who go to daycare are not destined for delinquency. A study measuring the development of more than 6,000 children found that those with moms who work outside the home experience no permanent damage because of the maternal absence. And according to Ellen Galinsky, president of the Families and Work Institute, more kids prefer to have their parents be less stressed out and tired than actually with them 24/7.

In a recent issue of The American Psychoanalyst, Galinsky writes: "Does this finding mean that children do not care about time? No. Children care about parents being less stressed because they do care about the time spent together." So instead of worrying about the number of hours you spend at home, focus instead on having fun with your family when you are with them.

Visit Working Moms Refuge and Working Moms Against Guilt for additional advice and support.

More on working moms

Maternity leave vs. FMLA leave
Working moms guide to busy mornings
Mom story: I work for NASA

Tori Spelling’s fourth pregnancy required her to be on bedrest for several months due to a condition called placenta previa, a condition that can cause internal bleeding and can be dangerous to both Mom and the baby. The 39-year-old actress and interior designer couldn't wait to get to work on her son’s baby nursery— but she needed some help!

She enlisted the help of her longtime friends, Bill Horn and Scout Masterson of Marque Communications to help her design Finn’s baby nursery, which she orchestrated all from her LA-area hospital bed!

The baby nursery needed to be completed quickly because of the possibility that Tori would deliver early, however Bill and Scout also had to keep her condition under wraps.

“We were thrilled when Tori asked us to help her decorate Finn’s nursery. When we started the project we didn’t know that Finn's journey into this world would be such a dangerous and emotional one,“ the Guncles said.

Luckily, Bill and Scout knew how to create the perfect space for baby Finn.

“We loved collaborating with Tori on Finn’s nursery because she has a similar design philosophy — every item in the room should have a story or meaning,” Bill and Scout told SheKnows. “The chair is named ’Finn’, the mobile was handmade, the wallpaper is the same print we used in her hospital room. She doesn’t do ’cookie cutter’ design or open up a catalog, point to something and say ’I’d like that.’“

The conception of Finn’s nursery

“In the early stages of my pregnancy I was shopping at a flea market and found an adorable vintage giraffe figurine,” Tori said. “That was when I came up for the vision of Finn’s nursery. I wanted to do a blend of vintage touches and modern regency.”

“Dean and I have always known since Stella was born that we would have another baby boy one day and we would name him Finn,” she continued.

“Although we didn't find out the sex of the baby, I committed whole-heartedly to a baby boy giraffe nursery for Finn. That very first vintage giraffe figurine I found also stayed on my bedside table in my hospital room for the 2-1/2 months I was there. It gave me hope.”

The bold color choices

“I wanted his nursery to be bright and bold pop colors so I went with turquoise and orange. Then to add the vintage touch I added in a retro yellow,” said Tori.

The wallpaper in Finn’s nursery is temporary, self-adhesive “peel-and-stick” in a Marrakesh Honey Jade design from Tempaper. This is the same print that the Guncles hung in her hospital room for her long stay.

“The idea of chic yet temporary wallpaper is genius!” said Tori. “When I learned that I would potentially be spending my entire pregnancy in a hospital room I wanted to decorate to make it feel like home and to give myself a DIY project. Nothing permanent can be on the hospital walls so the Guncles found Tempaper. Dean hung it and every day that wallpaper made me happy. It was a bright spot for me during tough times. I knew it had to be a part of Finn’s nursery as it had been such a huge part of our journey together. Plus I wanted him to finally get to see it and love it as much as I had.”

The baby furniture

Tori and Dean picked the ducduc Regency crib and Savannah changer, which were custom finished and shipped to them from the East Coast.

“I'm obsessed with the crib and changer by ducduc,” said Tori. “I had never seen anything like their designs. Their pieces exude style and glamour. And I knew the Regency crib would be the perfect pinnacle of Finn's nursery.”

The orange SPI “Beckett” baby dresser is the one that that sits in Hattie’s nursery — except hers is in pink, of course.

“I love their dressers. They are so chic and the orange gives that amazing color pop in the room,” she said. She found the two antique mirrors hanging above the dresser on her own site from her own LA-area home decor and gift boutique, InvenTORI.

She also used the Nook Sleep Systems“Pebble” mattress and matching custom orange change pad. “Gorgeous and so cozy for Baby,” Tori said. “Finn loves it.”

The chair is from Anthropologie – and Tori knew it was perfect as soon as she saw it. “When I saw this chair online from my hospital bed and it fit the decor, was the perfect yellow for the nursery, and was named ‘Finn’, I knew it was a sign.”

DIY decor

Tori loves DIY decor that adds her own personal style and meaningful touches to the room. She revealed that the orange area rug was actually vintage placements she found at an estate sale and she made into a rug.

“The macrame mobile with hanging paper mâché giraffes was made with a friend who taught me how to macrame,” said Tori. “I love making things for a room. Makes it so personal.”

She also got the siblings in on the fun!

“Finn's yellow bookshelf was an old chipped red $5 bookshelf I found at a yard sale. Liam and Stella and I sanded it and painted it yellow to match Finn's chair. The kids loved making something for the new baby's room.”

Finishing touches

Tori said the 4moms mamaRoo baby swing is at the top of her list of must-haves. “The mamaRoo has been a constant in my babies’ lives. Hattie loved hers and now Finn adores his. It's so soothing for Baby. A must-have.”

She found the vintage giraffe lamps sitting on the dresser online, had custom-made curtains and pillows from fabric she found from Rikshaw Design and added in the large letter “F” that hangs on the wall next to the crib from Fab.com. The orange Ubbi diaper pail is both functional and fun.

The 5-foot-tall stuffed giraffe was a gift from Bill and Scout to Finn on the day he was born. “We hope that the room’s decor is a chic and calming space for our little nephew, and a reminder to Tori and Dean of what an amazing gift little Finn is,” Bill and Scout said.

More baby nursery design tips

Home by Novogratz: Tips on designing a chic, kid-friendly house
Baby nursery design on a budget
Feng Shui the baby nursery

Photo credit: Michael Simon/ Startraks

Girls' night out

If you haven't been out with your girlfriends in a while, Thanksgiving night may be a good time. Many clubs, bars and restaurants are hoppin' on Thursdays and hold special events for the holiday. If drinking and dancing don't interest your group, head to the spa or salon over the weekend for some relaxation and rejuvenation.

"There are not many times that all my BFFs have the same night off," explains mom Janice Jameson. "So, we take advantage of having the Friday after Thanksgiving off and make it a special night out for just us girls."

Check out these essentials for girls' night out>>

Post-Thanksgiving brunch

Not quite finished with the family celebration? Spend a bit more time with friends and family the morning after Thanksgiving and host a Thanksgiving brunch in your home. Or, let everyone relax and go out to eat together and enjoy being waited on.

"Our extended family sleeps over on Thanksgiving night, then the men all get up and cook brunch for the whole clan," says mother of five, Susan Brooks. "It's heaven!"

Road trip

A road trip doesn't have to be a long distance. Pull out a map and pick somewhere just a few hours away from home. Your kids will love exploring and learning about small towns and unique attractions right in your home state.

"We can't afford elaborate vacations right now," says mom of four boys, Jessica Stahl. "So after Thanksgiving, we head to the mountains for a weekend of camping and we have a blast."

Read about these simple tips for road trips with kids>>

Christmas crafts

Encourage your kids to give gifts that they can make with their own hands for Christmas this year. The day after Thanksgiving, break out the arts and crafts supplies and make candles, string necklaces, paint pictures and create other handmade gifts.

"Our kids love to make special personalized T-shirts with fabric paint for Christmas gifts," says mom and attorney Jillian Sparks. "You can buy cheap tees for a couple bucks a piece at the swap meet or flea market."

More Thanksgiving ideas

5 Ways to keep kids busy on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day: Kids in the kitchen
Thanksgiving activities for kids of all ages

As families age and grow, some traditions have a tendency to fall to the wayside. People move or decide they'd rather do something else. Maybe it's time to renovate some of those old traditions!

Here are seven new Thanksgiving traditions to consider: 

Get cozy

Pop some popcorn, cuddle up and watch a classic holiday movie together. Here are a few family-friendly Thanksgiving-themed films we love:

Home For The Holidays - It doesn't get any better than this. Jodie Foster's directorial debut is about family coming together for Thanksgiving and all the craziness that that entails. Featuring an all-star cast including Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., Claire Danes and Anne Bancroft.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles - One of the best John Hughes comedies, this movie is sure to have your entire family in stitches. An advertising executive who just wants to fly home to spend Thanksgiving with his family is stuck with a loud but lovable salesman during an unbelievable succession of blizzards, transfers, strikes and delays. Steve Martin and John Candy are hilarious in this classic.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving - No one does the holidays better that Snoopy and the gang. This classic and charming tale of the ever-unfortunate Charlie Brown putting together a Thanksgiving meal for his friends is delightful. A perfect Thanksgiving film for the whole family.

Give back

Looking for a great way to teach your children the importance of community service and the beauty of giving back? Consider delivering food to the needy, volunteer at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter. Visit your local social service office for a listing of soup kitchens in your area or ask an administrator at your child's school or the pastor at your church. Keep in mind that those in need, need help all year so if you enjoy the experience, try to make your goodwill last all year long.

No matter how you and your family spend Thanksgiving, be sure to capture some special candid moments on film, er, I mean digital. Start an album and add to it each year and over time you'll enjoy looking back on holidays passed.

Remember that your family traditions should be personal and meaningful to you and the people that you share the holiday with, so be mindful of the way you incorporate new traditions into your celebration, and you'll be sure to create a day that nobody will forget.

More on Thanksgiving activities

Affordable Thanksgiving family activities
Thanksgiving traditions: 9 Ideas for families
5 Fun family traditions to start for Thanksgiving

Floral names are a beautiful choice for a baby name. They are whimsical, unique and fun! Floral baby names for girls are abundant, as who wouldn’t want to name their daughter after a gorgeous flower? For boys, we have found cool boy names with floral-inspired meanings, as well as some cool tree and nature-inspired names.

Flower names for girls

Be warned! It might be hard to pick just one of these beautiful baby girl names. Whether you want a name that has a more vintage sound to it or one that is unique and edgy, you will have no problem finding plenty of choices.

What about flower names for boys?

The selection is much more limited when searching for a masculine sounding floral baby name. The name Aster, after the genus of flowering plants that include the Sea Aster is a cool choice. You could also go with the unique name of Fox or Foxx after the Foxglove flower.

Another great option is to pick a name that has a floral meaning, such as:

You can also look at tree and bush names for more options:

Celebrities with floral baby names

Chef Jamie Oliver wins the prize for most floral baby names, as he has three daughters named Poppy Honey Rosie, Daisy Boo Pamela and Petal Blossom Rainbow. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner have one daughter named Violet and the other named Seraphina Rose.

Check out more celebrities who have gotten in on the floral baby name trend:

More baby name ideas

Whimsical baby names
50 Pretty girl names
Baby boy names with serious swagger

An Oklahoma father was arrested when officials discovered his 18-month-old child locked in a dog cage.

Child abuse epidemic
in America

This is yet another horrific example of the child abuse epidemic in America — one that continues to get worse with each passing year.

This is something that we’re all unfortunately familiar with — a parent has been arrested for neglecting or abusing his children. The names and faces change, but the stories remain the same, and it indicates a growing problem in the United States. So many of us can’t even bear to turn on the news for fear of hearing another awful story about child abuse. What can we do to help?

Children, not animals

A dad from Tulsa was roused from a stupor allegedly brought on by alcohol or narcotics and arrested when the police, summoned by a neighbor, discovered a naked 4-year-old crying outside and an 18-month-old girl, covered in feces, locked in a dog cage inside the home. A third child was discovered sleeping in another room, and all three are currently in protective custody.

The children fortunately show no signs of physical illness or injury, but Dad is in jail on child neglect charges. Kudos go to the neighbor, who was alarmed when the child’s cries went unanswered and found her outside with no clothes on.

Child abuse in America

The statistics on child abuse in the U.S. are staggering. According to Childhelp, America has the worst record amongst industrialized nations when it comes to child abuse. It’s estimated that five American children die each day as a result of child abuse — a horrifying statistic.

The statistics are even more harrowing when you consider the lives that abused children go on to lead. Around 80 percent of abused and neglected children suffer from at least one psychological disorder by age 21. About 30 percent of abused children will grow up and abuse their own kids. Fourteen percent of men and 36 percent of women in the criminal justice system were abused as children, and abused kids are 25 percent more likely to experience teen pregnancy.

What you can do to help

Childhelp has a number of resources for those who need help, from a 24/7 toll-free hotline [800-4-A-CHILD ] to ways to handle a situation where you suspect child abuse or a child has told you that she has been abused.

There are also a number of things you can do to help spread awareness, raise funds and share stories of survival: www.childhelp.org/pages/take-action

With the proper tools and resources, hopefully the child abuse statistics in this country will take a turn for the better.

More on parenting

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With some popsicle sticks, paint, markers and a piece of spare wood, you can create this darling centerpiece or place holder designed by Melissa of The Happier Homemaker. We’re all about reusing and repurposing and this crafty little centerpiece makes something adorable out of would-be garbage. Love it!

Make an interactive centerpiece as you sit down to dinner. Place a piece of construction paper on each place setting. When you sit down to your T-Day table, invite guests to trace their hands and write down one thing they are thankful for with their names. Then collect the pieces of paper and go on with your dinner. While your guests are resting before packing in some pie, cut out the handprints and glue them onto a pre-cut “tree.” Hang up the thankful tree inspired by Crafts by Amanda's Thanksgiving tree for all to enjoy before you dig into your Turkey Day desserts.

More on Pinterest, crafts and Thanksgiving

5 Fun ways Pinterest can inspire your life
4 Easy Thanksgiving crafts for kids

5 Fun family traditions to start for Thanksgiving

Lisa Ling

After suffering a miscarriage at seven weeks of pregnancy in 2010, Lisa Ling is excited, yet feeling cautious, about her second pregnancy. She is now in her second trimester and said she feels “lucky” to be pregnant again.

”I was trying to keep it quiet for a long time, but now I'm getting to a point where I just look like I have a beer belly,” the 39-year-old journalist told E! Online. ”So I figured, I better share it publicly before people actually think I have this beer belly.”

Ling, who is married to Dr. Paul Song, said she has made some lifestyle changes since she has become pregnant. “I’ve just been trying to be very, very cautious about everything… with diet, with exercise,” she said.

One perk she is loving about being pregnant? ”My boobs are enormous!” she said.

She recently appeared on Anderson Cooper's talk show and showed off her ultrasound and shared the news that she is expecting a girl!

Congratulations Lisa!

Next up: Singer Lily Allen’s really starting to show!

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Lily Allen

Singer Lily Allen took her baby bump on a babymoon in Marrakech, Morocco with her husband Sam Cooper and their daughter, 1-year-old Ethel.

Like Lisa Ling, Allen has also suffered miscarriages in the past, including one in 2010 when she was six months along. The ”Smile” singer seems to be doing well with this pregnancy — and is due next month!

Allen, 27, kept her look casual as she wore blue sweatpants and a gray tank top as they strolled near their resort.

It sounds like the singer is having trouble finding the best way to dress her new pregnancy curves. “Hmmm.... What to wear today, or ahem, how to hide my shameful baby bump,” Allen tweeted. “Who does the best maternity tights please ? Not m+s or topshop.”

Next up: Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles dresses her bump in sequins

Photo credit: Celebrity Baby Scoop - Celebrity Mom and Baby News

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Jennifer Nettles

Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles showed off her baby bump in a sequin gown as she performed with Lady Antebellum at the 2012 CMA Country Christmas concert, which will air on TV next month.

Netttles, who is expecting her baby this month, told Good Day LA that she was “emotional and hormonal” the first three months of pregnancy while filming Duets.

“I cried all the time,” she said. “I cried on the show. I begged the producers, I was like, ‘Please don’t make me that girl.’ And they didn’t know why, obviously. I mean, I am sensitive... I would cry at Olympics commercials and ridiculous things.”

Nettles also shared her pregnancy cravings. “I crave Mexican food… Anything salsa, spicy, I love that. Anything vinegar-y or tart, I love that. I’m pretty much a free-for-all at this point.” Not on her list? Sweets! “It’s not my main craving, which is interesting, because I normally have a big sweet tooth,” she shared.

Next up: Pregnant Amber Rose wears a skin-tight outfit

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Amber Rose

Pregnant Amber Rose wore a black skin-tight leotard and black sneakers as she left The Cheesecake Factory on November 10. The 29-year-old is expecting her first child with rapper Wiz Khalifa, who she recently tweeted is going on tour.

”Daddy is leaving for tour this morning 4 two months...... I'm so sad ,” she tweeted. ”I wish I could go with him but there’s too much smoke at his concerts for me and our Lil Wizbud. But I have u guys to keep me company.”

Rose knows the sex of the baby — but prefers to keep the gender a secret until after the baby is born. She did, however, tell XXL magazine she plans on having an all-natural childbirth.

“I’ve decided I’m going to have an all-natural water birth. No medicine. I want those bragging rights. The next time Wiz has a stomach ache or anything, I’ll say, ’I popped out a baby all-natural.’“

Next up: Chad Lowe and his pregnant wife

Photo credit: Celebrity Baby Scoop - Celebrity Mom and Baby News

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Kim and Chad Lowe

Actor Chad Lowe and his pregnant wife Kim brought their 3-1/2-year-old daughter Mabel to the premiere of Disney’s Sofia the First on Saturday. The actor told People.com that his baby is due this week!

“I’m trying to bank some sleeping hours, which is a little tough,” he said. “I have been out buying a lot of stuff to organize [everything] we have. It is amazing how much stuff babies need. It is incredible.”

He said that he and his wife have talked to their daughter about having a new little brother or sister.

We’ve been introducing her to the concept and she seems to be very excited,” Lowe says. “She knows she’s got a big job and a lot of things to teach her sibling.”

From Shakira to Claire Danes, check out more pregnant celebrities here>>

Photos: WENN unless otherwise noted

Facing stress? Things just not going right? In crisis? Resilience will help you stay on the right path, achieve your goals and be the best mom you can be.

Resilience does a
mama good

Resilience is your natural ability to shrug off stress and keep going. Except for some, resilience comes easier than others. But even if rolling with the punches isn't your norm, building your resilience so that you do will benefit you — both in parenting and in chasing your big life dreams.

But how do you do that?

There's just such relief in being able to call someone who cares about you and say, "Hey, this happened and I am upset." Your friend can help you work through it so you can move on faster too. And as a parent, having a support network of people who get it helps navigating those sticky parenting situations.

"Strong social support is known to enhance resilience to stress and to decrease the chances of developing stress symptoms when facing adversity," says Yale psychiatrist Steven M. Southwick, author of Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges. "Create and nurture a social network of family, friends and colleagues who will come to your aid during difficult times and who you will help when they are in need."

Ready to be more resilient? The rewards in your parenting and your dreams will make all your effort so worth it.

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Many manners mishaps seem to happen at the table for the under 5 set. So, when your toddler says or does something that makes it appear as if you, as a parent, have absolutely no idea what table manners are... say to yourself, "Don't worry, it's my rite of passage as a parent" .

Start early

Your child is never too young to begin teaching the basics. The dining table will be the setting for many important happenings in your child's life.

It may, one day, be the setting for meeting his girlfriend's parents for the first time, a lunch with a potential employer or a dinner with upper management at the office holiday party. No matter what the occasion, knowing how to navigate his way through a meal will tremendously benefit your child.

Most children will master these dining skills by age 5, but you should start teaching them around the age of 2. Of course, there will be some exceptions to this, but as your toddler grows and matures, the more difficult dining skills can be taught and mastered.

Things your child should never do at the table

Begin as you mean to go on! Teach your toddler to never:

• Begin eating until everyone has been served.
• Lick the knife! Sharp objects should never be put in the mouth, not to mention that Band-Aids don't do well on the tongue.
• Lean back on a chair's hind legs.
• Speak with food in his mouth.
• Chew with her mouth open. In addition, don't chew noisily.
• Put more in his mouth than he can chew. Small bites should be encouraged. In addition, food should never be shoveled.
• Interrupt others when they are talking.
• Point utensils at others.
• Leave the chair out when he gets up. It should always be pushed in when he steps away from the table.
• Take the last bit of food without first offering it to others at the table.
• Talk about gross or gossipy subjects.
• Get up until everyone else is finished eating.
• Put elbows on the table. After all, Mae West once said, "Keep all uncooked joints off the table."

Dining faux pas

Here are just a few of the many dining dos you should begin teaching your child:

• Your napkin should be placed on the lap when you sit down. It is unfolded on your lap, not above the table. If someone inadvertently took your napkin, don't shout, "Who took my napkin?" Quietly ask for another. Many parents ask if it is OK to tuck their child's napkin into the collar to prevent spillage onto clothes. You may do so if your child is 5 or younger.
• Feet should be flat on the floor and have your back against the chair — good posture!
• Hold the glass with two hands if necessary. If the glasses are more formal, small hands can hold the stem to prevent tipping or dropping.
• If a bread basket or other food item is passed to you, remember to continue passing to the right. If the dish is closest to you before you begin passing, offer it to the person to your left and then pass to the right.
• If you must sneeze or cough, turn your head toward your shoulder and cover your mouth with your napkin or hand .
• Always wipe your mouth with your napkin before taking a sip. Greasy lips leave an unpleasant and unappetizing ring on the glass.
• If you must use the bathroom, simply say, "excuse me" and get up. If there are guests at the table, you need not let everyone know where you are going.
• Get in and out of your chair on the right side.

Up next: More about teaching toddlers table manners >>

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Saying grace

Your toddler may or may not be familiar with the custom of saying grace. Explain to your child that other families may give thanks before a meal. It may be something simple like, "Lord, thank you for the food we are about to receive. Amen." Or it may be a song that is sung by all at the table. No matter how a family handles grace, anything new to a child can be intimidating. You can prepare your child to handle it like a pro by instructing him to follow what others are doing. He need not say anything, but by bowing his head and closing his eyes during grace, he is showing respect.

If you are having a child over for dinner and your family says grace, you should tell the child's parents ahead of time . They can then talk to their child about it, so she is not surprised and confused. Giving a parent the heads up is simply a matter of courtesy.

Gulp... drinks!

Toddlers love to assert their independence and are big advocates of the "I can do it myself" mentality. When it comes to drinks, there are a few etiquette dos and don'ts that should be enforced.

First, your child should not reach in front of or across others to get a drink. Rather, she should politely ask for a drink . If the juice container or pitcher is too heavy or awkward, she should use two hands to pour. One hand should hold the handle, while the other supports the side of the container. Remind your child that it is OK to ask for help when pouring a drink.

Slurping and gulping is quite unpleasant at the table. Remind your child to drink quietly and slowly. She should swallow any food in her mouth and wipe her lips with her napkin before taking a sip. Of course, if your toddler has something spicy or hot in her mouth, a quick sip is necessary and acceptable. As your child gets older and masters the art of pouring, she can begin to ask those to the right and left of her if they too would like a drink.

As your child gets older and masters these skills, you can incorporate more dining etiquette into his or her routine. Practice makes perfect... well, if not perfect, at least pleasantly pleasing to dine with!

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Twilight

Sink your
teeth into these tidbits

Unless you spent the past few years living in seclusion, chances are you know a little something about the Twilight series of books and movies. The tumultuous romantic tale of Bella and Edward has woven itself into popular culture. Sure, we totally understand the allure of romantic angst and lust — but what about the awesome parenting tips?

As parents, we have to find inspiration where we can. While many of us soak up parenting tips from the pediatrician or our own mothers, there are times when we stumble on a bit of advice or a handy tip in a very unlikely place. We unearthed a few parenting tips from the Twilight series that stand the test of time — and species.

Take care of yourself during pregnancy

Bella’s pregnant belly seemed to grow before her eyes — and not just because she had her hand in the Doritos bag. Apparently other-worldly babies aren’t on the usual nine-month timetable. As the baby rapidly grew inside her, Bella began to look emaciated and tired. It was as if the baby was trying to take her life from inside the womb. Turns out, it was — but the message to take good care of yourself during pregnancy rang loud and clear. Pregnancy can rob mothers-to-be of nutrients and calories, so it is imperative that you take excellent care of yourself during this critical time.

Believe in your instincts

Have you ever had a feeling deep in your gut about something happening with your baby? A mother’s intuition is hard to explain, yet powerful. In the movie Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part 1, Bella’s feelings that her unborn daughter was perfectly fine — and not some alien creature — were so strong that she was willing to die for her rather than face termination of the pregnancy. She trusted her gut and stayed strong against the odds and her daughter actually turned out healthy — well, except for that whole daughter-of-a-vampire thing. Motherly instincts win over the strangest of obstacles.

Friend or foe?

Parents of teens know how difficult it is to keep tabs on who your teenager is hanging out with. While your teens may balk at the “old-fashioned” way that you expect to meet their friends, it is important to know who your child’s friends are. The Cullen clan in Twilight was a closely-knit group, and came to see Bella as part of their family because she spent so much time in their home. Bella’s dad Charlie made it a point to know who his daughter was spending time with, even encouraging her to expand her social circle and not be so exclusive with Edward. With teens sporting everything from Goth clothing to tattoos, you really need to get to know these kids and not judge them by their outward appearance. Even if they have fangs or wolf-like facial hair.

Help them learn to deal

One of the hardest things for a parent to experience is when their child suffers a disappointment — he doesn’t make the football team, she fails her driving test or breaks up with her boyfriend. When Edward breaks it off with Bella and disappears, she loses herself and becomes despondent for months. While it may be hard for her single-parent father to know how to handle a love-struck teenage girl, he isn’t doing her any favors by letting her wallow in sadness for an extended period of time. Raising resilient, confident children who know how to handle their emotions starts early. Helping your child learn to deal with disappointment and difficult situations helps them grow into capable adults.

Kids grow fast

Sure, they don’t grow at lightning speed like Edward and Bella’s daughter Renesmee. In only a matter of weeks, she is walking and able to hunt, and seems destined to be the size of a 12-year-old before her first birthday. While the years we spend with our small children may seem to go slowly, once they have passed, it seems like a blink in time. Enjoy them while you can.

Take some tips from a few unlikely sources and incorporate them into your parenting box of tricks. Who knew watching Twilight just might come in handy?

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A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving may still be a classic family tale, but your tweens and teens may roll their eyes when you suggest it for a holiday weekend family movie night. Now that they’re older, your kids understand subplots and messages woven into more mature movies. Maybe it’s time to choose a movie that has elements of family and the holidays without any cartoon characters in sight. Who knows what conversations might pop up?

The Blind Side

This is a feel-good film about Michael "Big Mike" Oher — a homeless teenager whose mother is a drug addict and father is nowhere to be seen. The Blind Side is based on the true story of Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy , who take Michael in and provide him with the family atmosphere he’s been missing. With little education and limited skills, he has a difficult time with his school work. Leigh Anne takes charge and works closely with Michael to give him every opportunity to succeed.

When he expresses an interest in football, she does everything she can to encourage and help him, even pointing out Michael’s talents and specific skills to the coach. The Tuohy family even hires a tutor to help Michael bring his grades up to the point where he would qualify for an NCAA Division I athletic scholarship. In real life, Michael Oher went on to become the first-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2009 NFL draft.

Big Fish

Big Fish is a film that almost defies description. Starring Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney and Billy Crudup, this fantasy tale is woven mostly through flashbacks. Will Bloom is a young man who is estranged from his father and hasn’t spoken to him in years. When he learns that his father is dying of cancer, he tries to learn more about his life by finding the truth behind the legends and tall tales his father has spent a lifetime spinning. Through a series of flashbacks, we follow the life of his father, Edward Bloom, when his son visits him for the last time. There may not be a dry eye in your house, but Big Fish is a film that will certainly leave you thinking.

Check out one of these movies with your tweens and teens over the Thanksgiving holiday and see what conversations you stir up.

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Hang it

Artist and mother Rebecca Peragine has created modern, eco-friendly and culturally diverse wall art, wall cards and posters, full of whimsy, designed to help children learn compassion for our earth and all who inhabit it. It takes no time at all to hang one of the Children Inspire Design prints with messages such as: Say Please and Thank you or Love Your Family and it will remind your child this Thanksgiving and all year round the importance of being grateful for what she has.

Use your phone to App-reciate what you have

We live in a digital age, so why not give a digital thanks? It takes only a matter of minutes to download the Happy Tapper Gratitude Journal app to your phone, then only a few more for you and your little one to come up with just five reasons to be thankful that day. Truth be told, your child will be more motivated to participate because it involves your iPad or iPhone, but the message she learns will be no less important.

Pin it

Log on to Pinterest, type in the word gratitude or thankful and scroll through hundreds of inspirational quotes like these:

• When life gets sour sweeten it with gratitude
• There is always, always something to be thankful for
• Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a gift and not giving it
  

Have the kids help you pick which messages to pin to your board and let it inspire a discussion of what message they'd write and want to see pinned to someone's board. Tip: If you have a few extra minutes, grab a cork board and a piece of paper and have your child write his own message and pin it.

Surprise!

How long does it take to write these words: I'm thankful for you because you are kind to your classmates? Ten, maybe 15 seconds? Surely you can find a minute each day to write your child a note of gratitude, then hide it in an unexpected place for him to find. Put a note in his lunch, attach it to his homework, stick it on his toothbrush. Through your words of love and thanks, he'll learn the importance of gratitude. And who knows, he might also be inspired to leave one for Mom.

Practicing gratitude: Note cards and joy>>

Fill in the blank

Grab a large piece of poster board, a calendar, a chalkboard and write: Today I am thankful for ________. Each day, have your child fill in that blank with something or someone he appreciates.

Tip: Remind him he doesn't have to fill in that blank with heavy duty ideas like freedom or democracy . He can be grateful for anything — peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or Mommy's kisses. You can do this with your child any time of day that's convenient and at the end of every month, you can reflect back on what was written.

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Whether this is your first rodeo, or you’ve roped a few cattle, decking out the nursery is something all moms can get on board with. Of course, there are the essentials every baby’s room needs, but there are also a few special items worth the splurge.

Air purifier

Whether you live in the country, the city or somewhere in between, clean air can be an issue. All homes have airborne pollutants, even if you don’t want to think they do. Like what? Well, mold, pollen, dust mites, allergens, pet dander… need I say more? But you don’t have to live with them. We love this air purifier by Fellowes . It uses PlasmaTrue™ Technology to remove pollutants in the air, defusing viruses and germs, eliminating miniscule impurities like odors, and has a carbon filter to trap larger particles.

Besides its superior ability to clean the air, what really makes this air purifier rise above the rest is how user-friendly it is. The first time you plug it in, it tells you what your current air quality is. It continues to monitor your air quality, and automatically adjusts to keep your air up to par.

When it comes to your baby’s safety, nothing else matters. It’s especially important if your infant has allergies. And did we mention it’s ultra quiet? So your baby can... well, sleep like a baby.

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by Anuja Rajendra
as told to Julie Weingarden Dubin

I have an engineering degree and an MBA. I worked in the corporate, entrepreneurial, nonprofit and technology start-up sectors. So, naturally, I started a fitness company combining Indian dance styles and meditation.

A career turning point

I could not have guessed my path, but when I was pregnant with our first son after finishing my MBA, I felt the need to forego the corporate rat race to be home with my kids. I had the luxury of being able to make this choice which I was quite grateful for, knowing that all mothers do not have the option. Even though I was driven internally, I decided to put that on the back burner while I enjoyed my children.

I started teaching one Indian-style dance fitness class on Saturday mornings at 8:00 a.m. because that was the time I could get out of the house guilt-free to get my dance fix. Soon I had grown a bountiful, beautiful business, BollyFit. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and I’ve always loved to dance. But I never thought I’d merge the two!

Bolly-style

BollyFit merges artistic elements of Bollywood film dances with classical and Bhangra styles in a dynamic dance experience. It’s high-energy cardiovascular exercise that anyone can do in an inclusive, welcoming community space bridging cultural gaps. BollyFit also brings mindfulness — with yoga and meditation — into many of the classes.

People kept telling me that BollyFit was something special — not just exercise or another Bollywood dance class. So we added more “Guides” and it started to grow.

BollyFit Guides are authorized by BollyFit to teach in areas from Colorado to New Jersey and soon we’ll be in the United Kingdom. Students come to take classes at BollyFit's base in Ann Arbor, Michigan, from all over the U.S. We’re filming the first BollyFit DVD and it will be released in the next few months. I’m super energized about being able to share the magic of BollyFit with people in their homes.

Kids and business

I’m able to juggle best when I segment my time as much as possible. I literally close the laptop before my kids come home and move it out of the kitchen area back to my home office so it is out of sight. I’ve found that segmenting my time makes me more present with my work, my children and with every aspect of my life. I feel more efficient if I know I have [a] certain amount of time to do projects so I am less distracted.

Mothering without pressure

I hope I can guide my sons to live to their full potential without pressuring them and to also let them enjoy the innocence of childhood in a fast-moving world. I want them to gain confidence and continue to value and appreciate life.

My kids have taught me about acceptance. Even if a particular behavior is not acceptable to me, I realize this is not the essence of who they are. I also learn from their positive energy and unjaded attitudes.

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When Jessica Alba decided to create The Honest Company, she had a big goal. She wanted parents to be able to get all their essentials from one company delivered to their doorstep. But it was much more than that. She also wanted the products to be affordable, eco-friendly, effective and safe too.

The Honest Company team

Everyone knows Alba's work as an actress, but she's also an activist, entrepreneur and most importantly, a wife and mom. Jessica is known for extensive charity work and she's lobbied in Washington, DC for increased protections against toxic chemicals as the spokesperson for the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Coalition, and sits on the board of directors of Baby2Baby, which supplies essential baby gear and clothing to families in need. Alba teamed up with three other business minds to create The Honest Company, which launched in January 2012.

The other co-founders of The Honest Company include Christopher Gavigan. Gavigan is a nationally recognized environmental health leader, author and speaker, as well as the former CEO of Healthy Child Healthy World. He serves as The Honest Company's chief products officer.

Brian Lee, who founded ShoeDazzle in 2008, is also a co-founder of The Honest Company and the company's chairman. Lee, a former lawyer, co-founded LegalZoom — an online consumer legal services company that has grown into a $150 MM+/year business. Sean Kane is a co-founder and the general manager of The Honest Company. Previously, Kane oversaw business development, sales and operations at PriceGrabber.com.

How it works

The Honest Company is a monthly service that delivers customized bundles of non-toxic, eco-friendly, beautifully designed products directly to your front door. The products include diapers, wipes, bath and skin care products and home cleaning items.

You can choose either the Honest Diapers Bundle or the Family Essentials Bundle , which features things like shampoo, body lotion and even laundry detergent. For the Essentials bundle, you can pick five items from their entire line, which includes over 20 products. You answer a few questions about yourself and your family to help customize your shopping experience and then just wait for the amazing products to arrive.

The Honest Company gives back

It's great when you can find a wonderful company that doesn't just produce good products, but also gives back to those in need. The mission of The Honest Company is to provide ”exceptional products and family support that promotes health, happiness and community.” The company is committed to creating a healthy, sustainable future for all our children. When you shop from The Honest Company, a portion of every dollar the company earns goes to Baby2Baby — a non-profit that supplies local families in need with essential baby gear and clothing for children up to age 12.

Reinventing the disposable diaper

The Honest Company delivers diapers in fun prints and fresh colors that are totally cute. They are also 80 percent plant-based, and contain totally chlorine-free fluff and peroxide-bleached paper material from controlled/sustainable forestry sources. So they are good for the environment and for your baby. And it's not just the diapers that were created for eco-minded parents — it's every product that the company delivers. To learn more about The Honest Company or to place an order for your first bundle, visit Honest.com.

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