If you have a wiggly child, you know how hard it is to keep him focused on the task at hand, especially when it comes to homework. If you’re tired of asking him to sit still, here’s an idea: Stop!

Homework with a wiggly child

Allowing your child to wiggle while he works will allow him to be more productive and happier! While it may seem counter intuitive, wiggling may actually create a calmer atmosphere in which parents are less stressed and kids are more productive.

Is this normal?

If your child never seems to sit still, you’ve probably exhausted yourself trying to keep up. While you watch your little one seemingly bounce and vibrate, particularly while doing her homework, take heart ! You are not alone… and your child is not abnormal. "Most often, parents aren’t looking at a child’s behavior as a means of communications," says Becky Blake, a Ph.D. psychoneurology candidate and a child development expert. "Some parents take behavior personally and many feel wiggly behavior is a sign of boredom, a lack of attention or their child messing around. They are mistaken."

Read about the difference between bad behavior and ADHD >>

Why the wiggles?

Sometimes parents can coexist perfectly with their wiggly child without being distracted or concerned. Other times, the constant movement can leave a parent wondering if "sitting still" is just a figure of speech. So, why do kids wiggle? According to Blake, there are three main reasons for wiggly behavior:

Find out how to create a fun homework space for kids >>

What not to do

"Sit still!" It may be tempting to utter those two little words when the wiggling just doesn’t end, but doing so may be an exercise in futility. "The child will try to comply and may stop, but that cessation is of short duration," says Dr. Jennifer Little, an educational psychologist. "Something has to give, and something will move!" The truth is, you may be able to complete busy work like paying bills and writing thank you cards without wiggling, but your child is a unique being with her own quirks, needs and tendencies. As parents, it’s our job to create an environment in which our kids can thrive, especially while doing activities such as homework.

Find out how to make homework fun for kids >>

Practical tips

Dr. Little offers the following tips for parents helping their wiggly child complete a task that requires focus and concentration :

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Keep kids safe at the beach this summer. Discover tips for sun safety and water safety to make sure your summer excursion goes swimmingly.

Stay safe in the sun and surf

A day at the beach is supposed to be relaxing, right? Between sand, sunscreen and safety, you may be surprised at how much you have to keep track of when you bring kids to the beach. Don’t fret. With these simple beach safety tips, you can make the most of your day in the sun.

Protect skin

Nobody wants to be that lobster-colored tourist on vacation. Sunburns are painful at the time, and they also cause damage in the long run, putting you at risk for skin cancer and skin damage. Protect your skin and your kids’ delicate skin while having fun at the beach. When swimming and sweating, it’s important to reapply sunscreen often. Dress your kids in UV protective bathing suits and wide-brimmed hats and try to stay out of the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Remember to use sunscreen of at least SPF 15 on yourself and your children, and apply at least 30 minutes before you head outside.

Try these 4 summer crafts and activities kids will love >>

Discover 3 tips for a stress-free summer >>

Respect wildlife and waves

Every beach region has unique qualities and unique dangers. Consult local forecasts for weather conditions, including threat of lightning, rip tides and dangerous surf. Be aware of wildlife that could pose a danger to you or your children. In some areas, stingrays and jellyfish must be avoided. Shark attacks aren’t common, but are something you should keep in mind, especially if you have teens heading out to play in deeper water. When possible, swim in areas supervised by qualified lifeguards who know how to respond to beach emergencies.

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Goodbye diary — hello blog

Everyone seems to have a blog these days, but have you considered letting your teen start one? Inner thoughts and worries that used to be saved for a diary are now being spilled onto blog pages for all to see. Is baring your soul online a good thing for teens or a bad idea? Here are some things to consider before allowing your teen to start a blog.

Why blog?

Teenagers today have practically grown up with a mouse in their hand. Since they are already living so much of their life online, why not take their diary online too? Research published by the American Psychological Association suggests that blogging may be beneficial for teens who suffer from anxiety and self-esteem issues. “Research has shown that writing a personal diary and other forms of expressive writing are a great way to release emotional distress and just feel better,” says the study’s lead author, Meyran Boniel-Nissim, Ph.D. “Teens are online anyway, so blogging enables free expression and easy communication with others.” Researchers found that maintaining a blog had a much more positive effect on teen’s self-esteem than simply writing in a personal diary or journal.

Is your child depressed? >>

What the study found

The study tracked self-esteem, emotional distress and social anxiety and compared results to teens who wrote private diaries and to the control group who did nothing. The bloggers who were specifically instructed to write at least twice a week about their difficulties and left their blogs open to comments noticed the biggest improvement. Comments left on the teen’s blogs were overwhelmingly positive, according to researchers.

Is this a good idea?

We spoke to Katie Hurley, licensed clinical social worker, about the idea that blogging might be therapeutic for teens. "Blogging can be a great emotional outlet for teens struggling with social anxiety, self-esteem issues, and stress,” says Hurley. “Essentially, it's a modern day diary. Supervision and education is required to help teens learn how to safely navigate social media and cope with potentially negative input from readers.” Blogging may be a good outlet for teens to deal with the ups and downs of life, but it may not be a replacement for therapy for teens in distress. "While journaling feelings can be an effective tool for teens and aid in the therapeutic process, it does not replace therapy, particularly for high-risk teens," says Hurley. If your teen struggles with anxiety or self-esteem issues, a blog may be a healthy outlet for them as long as you monitor the comments and posts.

Read about why Facebook is no help for eating disorders >>

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JCPenney has seemingly responded to One Million Moms and their failed efforts to boycott the company after they hired gay actress Ellen DeGeneres as a spokesperson.

Response to One Million Moms’ attempted boycott

Just in time for Father's Day, their newest catalog features a happy family with two dads.

JCPenney has a striking picture of a family in their newest catalog. Two parents, two children, all laughing and having a good time. The unique thing about the family is that it features two dads — real-life couple Todd Koch and Cooper Smith and their two kids. The ad reads, “First Pals: What makes Dad so cool? He's the swim coach, tent maker, best friend, bike fixer and hug giver — all rolled into one. Or two." Many parents love the ad, but some feel that the retailer isn’t sincere and is simply using the ad as a way to gain customers.

One Million Moms

Earlier this year, JCPenney became the unwitting target of the group One Million Moms when they hired gay actress Ellen DeGeneres to be their new spokesperson. The group, a division of the right-wing American Family Association, attempted a boycott of the popular retailer unless they rescinded their offer to Ellen. JCPenney stuck by their decision, the boycott failed to gain momentum and One Million Moms has been left behind.

This ad, coupled with one that ran in May featuring a two-mom household, seems to be JCPenney’s response to the attempted boycott. What do parents have to say about the ad?

Simple media ploy?

Some have questioned whether JCPenney truly endorses same-sex couples and parenting and have railed upon the department store for using the image as a simple marketing ploy. “I think it’s a little exploitative,” explained Faith, mom of one. “It feels like they are using same-sex parents for their own marketing needs... it feels cheap to me.”

However, other parents fully supported this particular strategy because it helps normalize many different types of families. “It worked,” said Liz, mother of two. “I'll be shopping there this weekend and never would have thought to before. I'll support this kind of ‘marketing ploy’ every time.”

Christy from Kentucky agreed. “It has to start somewhere, even if the pic is for advertisement,” she explained. “I think the more the message is out there, maybe people will be more desensitized by it and more accepting. Bravo and I'm more likely to shop there because of it.”

Refreshing

Many parents we talked to loved the ad and had a very positive response to it. “My hope is that one day, seeing same-sex couples represented in media is so normal and commonplace that no one ever question it or seek to call it a ‘marketing ploy,’” shared Brooke, mother of one.

“It is a direct response to Millions of Moms trying to boycott for their use of Ellen DeGeneres,” reported Kelly from California. “The ad is such a huge ‘up yours’ to them. I love it.”

More on same-sex parenting

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Same-sex parenting tips
Gay/lesbian parents board

Photo credit: JCPenney

A mother was asked by a deputy to leave a courtroom to breastfeed her baby, and is now suing her county. Should they be made an example of for not following state law, or is this a frivolous lawsuit?

Nursing in public under fire, again

Natalie Petrovic, waiting in a courtroom to apply for food stamp benefits, was nursing her 7-week-old baby daughter in April when a female deputy insisted that she either stop breastfeeding her baby or feed her in the restroom. Worried about losing her benefits, she complied, but has now filed a lawsuit against Cook County in Illinois. Who was in the right here?

The letter of the law

Natalie, who was attempting to breastfeed in public for the first time, was nursing her little one under a cover when the deputy asked her to cease feeding her child or move to the bathroom. She knew that the deputy was likely in the wrong but she didn’t want to create a problem so she stopped nursing.

Illinois, like many other states in the U.S., has laws protecting a mother’s right to breastfeed her child at any location, public or private, that she is legally entitled to be. You don’t even need to have a cover — breastfeeding is your right and you cannot be asked to move, cover up, or stop nursing your child.

The lawsuit hopes to bring about an injunction to enforce this right in the courtroom as well as attorney’s fees and the cost of the lawsuit.

Attention-seeking lawsuit

Some felt that this lawsuit was unnecessary and that women breastfeed in public for attention. “These women that do this are doing it for publicity on this issue,” stated a commenter on Huffington Post. “They can pump their breast milk into a bottle. If that's just to [sic] hard, breast feed in your car! Oh and for this woman, if ya can't feed your kid, don't have one!”     

Feed that baby, fight the good fight

Others feel that this mother was totally in the right for feeding her baby in public as well as filing a lawsuit. “You might realize that babies need to be fed or they die,” shared another commenter. “Perhaps women are nursing because their babies are hungry and need to be fed and breast milk is healthy food.”

Rachelle from Ohio agreed. “It is good grounds for a fight!” she told us.

Only time will tell what will happen with the lawsuit, but clearly the deputy was not in the right so it’s likely Natalie will win. And as more and more moms use their right to breastfeed in public, it’s hoped that the sight of nursing a baby won’t seem any stranger than seeing a little one drinking from a bottle.

More on breastfeeding

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Style icon and mama-to-be Tori Spelling was confidently rocking a skimpy crocheted black monokini this past Memorial Day weekend in L.A. Can you believe this woman has three children 5 and under?!

The photo instantly caused waves throughout the blogosphere. Opinions on Tori's choice of "bathing attire" blew up!

Some thought it was hot!

Some thought it was totally not!

And truthfully, there didn't seem to be much in between.

It got me thinking about my own pregnancies with my four sons. Do pregnant bellies and bikinis mix?

Question — Hot or not: Moms wearing bikinis while pregnant?

Audrey McClelland

Mom Generations

@AudreyMcClellan

OK, I think she looks hot.

Like hot, hot.

As a mom of four myself, I don't think I could pull off a monokini right now, never mind pregnant!

I give Tori Spelling props for quite literally... putting it all out there. She got a lot of flack for doing so, but I think she's someone who is trying to celebrate pregnancy and embrace the sexiness that one feels with a beautiful pregnant belly. I think it's a sexy suit to wear, and she's probably selling out the designer right now! :)

I don't think I would personally look "hot" wearing a bikini or monokini pregnant, but I'm totally cool and totally fine with people sporting them on the beach. I think there's a confidence that somes with pregnancy that can't be manufactured or faked and it's obvious that Tori is rocking it here in this photo with her husband and baby girl Hattie.

She's also looking super hot in the hair and makeup department!

Va-va-voom!

So I asked some friends what they thought — hot or not? I loved two of my friends answers and I had to share both because they made me smile and truly offer an honest answer.

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For the new dad and the daddy-to-be, give him something special for his first Father's Day. From the comical to the stylish to the sentimental, we have put together a list of some of the best Father's Day gifts for the new dad.

Gift ideas for his first Father's Day

Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox

For the new dad, this Father's Day gift is a hysterical choice. The Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox includes everything that a first-time dad thinks he really needs for diaper changing, including a mask to shield himself from those toxic fumes, goggles for those times when he just can't diaper the baby fast enough, a turkey baster for precision cleaning, and more.

For a light-hearted spin on diaper changing, this Father's Day gift for new dads is a fun choice.

The Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox is available at right now at giftsfordadtobe.com for just $37.

DaddyScrubs

Surprise the daddy-to-be on your gift list with daddy gear from DaddyScrubs. Their "I'm the Daddy" DaddyScrubs are popular among celebrity dads including Kevin James, Joey Lawrence, Anthony Sabato, Jr. and Cash Warren. These comfy medical scrubs keep dad comfortable and cool during delivery. The company also makes "I'm the Daddy" tees, hoodies, hats, boxers, backpacks, accessories and more.

All the products are available at daddyscrubs.com with the medical scrubs priced at just $45.

Pinstripe Dad-to-be Set

For expectant and brand new dads, this set is a must-have. Dads don't want to carry around a traditional diaper bag, so give him the Diaper Dude Bag. This bag features all the pockets and compartments of a traditional diaper bag in a more masculine shape and style. Also included in this gift set is a book, The Baby Owner's Manual, complete with trouble-shooting tips, operating instructions and first-year maintenance advice. Plus, they've also thrown in a 100-percent cotton My Story Begins Babysuit outfit for the little one.

This Father's Day gift for new dads is available at UncommonGoods, priced at $125.

Cool Daddio Leather Cuff

For the cool new dad, give him something that allows him to show off his love for his new little one every day. This industrial leather cuff features the child's name stamped on the customized copper and sterling tags. Each tag can fit up to eight letters, and you can have two tags for the standard price of $65. Extra tags are $15 each.

You can get this ultra-cool leather cuff right now from Sophia Pip's Etsy Shop.

My First Father's Day Picture Frame

Give the proud new dad something to show off on his desk at work with this "My First Father's Day" wood picture frame. When ordering the frame, you can choose from 4"x6", 5"x7" and 8"x10" sizes. The price, which starts at $22, includes free personalization with a two-line custom message at the bottom of the frame.

Any new dad will cherish this wooden picture frame, and the memories that go along with it, for a lifetime.

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Tell them that you love them every single day — multiple times a day. There’s no greater gift than expressing to them that they are truly loved.

Praise them often for their strengths. Complimenting who they are inside will help to reinforce their burgeoning strength of character.

Tell them the story of how they came to be. Describe just how much you wanted them, how much you couldn’t wait to meet them when they were born and what it felt like in those first moments with them.

Spend 10 extra minutes with them at bedtime. Lay in the dark and rub their back, smooth their hair, sing or tell stories. What’s better for your children than drifting off to sleep after those 10 minutes with you in the quiet?

How to learn more about your kids through communication >>

Every once in a while, truly indulge them. Whether it’s 15 extra minutes at the park or one more book at bedtime, giving in to their requests sometimes makes them feel important and heard.

Ask questions that require them to truly think. Try asking open-ended questions, then, really listen to their answers and ask more questions. Even silly questions count. Try questions like, “If you were going camping for one week and could only bring one food, what would it be?”

Thank them for how they make you feel. Express how grateful you are for their love and share with them how fortunate you feel to know them and be their parent.

Let them make decisions whenever you can. Allowing them to make choices reinforces their belief that you trust them to make great decisions and shows them that you respect them.

More on why kids need to learn to make their own choices >>

Pull out their baby books and photo albums or bring up pictures of them on your computer. Go through the photos and tell them the stories that go with the pictures. Kids love hearing about themselves and will feel the love in your words.

Devote a bit of one-on-one time to them every day. Whether it’s five minutes over breakfast, a quick snuggle after school or whispers at bedtime, kids love to feel like the center of your world. Close your laptop, put away your smartphone and be truly present. Let them talk and make eye contact with them. Emails, Facebook, texts and tweets can wait, but childhood won’t.

None of these 10 things take much time, but when those tiny moments add up over time, you’ll see that you’ve created a solid foundation from which your children will thrive.

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The top 100 boys’ baby names list shows that parents love the name Jacob. In fact, Jacob has been the most popular baby boy name for the last 13 years, according to the Social Security Administration who tracks baby names. Who else made the list?

Top 10 baby boy names

The Social Security just released the most current top 100 boys’ names — and we have rounded up the top 10. Mason is the only new name to the list, kicking off the name Anthony to number 11.

Biggest baby name movers

As we mentioned earlier, Mason ranked number 12 last year, but jumped up to the number two spot this year — perhaps due to the popularity of Kourtney Kardashian’s son Mason? The following 10 names moved up the baby name list the fastest and are destined to be the hottest boy names:

The popularity of the name Brantley could be due to Brantley Gilbert, the country singer whose song “Country Must Be Country Wide” hit No. 1 on the country charts. Modern sounding names, such as Iker, Ziden and Nico are burning up the chart! We also see a literary influence here, thanks to Atticus Finch from the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, To Kill a Mockingbird.

Longer baby names

Longer baby names have a refined sound to them and many parents are choosing these names for their baby boys. Looking at the list above, Maximiliano is one of the fastest climbing boy names and it can easily be shortened to the cute name Max.

Other long names on the top 100 boys' list include:

Cool, trendy names

Many parents are still leaning towards old-fashioned or classic boy names, however trendy or new-age baby names are starting to climb the chart.

Many of these names contain the letters “x," "v," or “z,” such as Jaxon, Levi and Xavier.

Spanish boy names

Spanish baby boy names are a popular choice for parents here in the U.S. They are great names with an exotic flair. Here are some of the top Spanish boy names:

• Gabriel
• Jose
• Juan
• Jesus
• Diego

Lastly, Elvis is back from the dead... sort of! After dropping off the top 1000 boys' list last year, he is back this year at number 904.

Check out the entire list of the top 100 boys' names here >>

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Boy names with great meanings
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Should Justin Combs give up his scholarship?

The son of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs plans to attend UCLA this fall courtesy of a football scholarship. Some people have taken issue with this however. Many believe he should have turned down the scholarship.

Controversy: Should rich folks have to pay?

Even though Diddy's son earned the scholarship, should his dad have to pay because he is wealthy, or is he entitled to the money because he earned it?

Justin Combs earned a $54,000 football scholarship to UCLA, and was given several other desirable offers, too — but some people think that since his father, Sean “Diddy” Combs, is filthy rich, they should decline the scholarship so another student in need can claim it.

The issue

A standout defensive football player at New Rochelle's Iona Prep in New York, Justin was recruited by several schools in addition to UCLA — Illinois, Iowa and Virginia. He committed to UCLA and accepted a substantial merit-based scholarship — one of 285 the university gives out each year. The athletic scholarship was not income-based and no taxpayer money was used to fund it.

Since dear old dad is worth a half billion dollars, and Justin got a Maybach worth around $300,000 for his 16th birthday, some feel that he should go ahead and fund Justin’s education and leave the scholarship funds available for another college-bound kid whose family doesn’t have deep pockets. Is it his race? His dad’s fame? The fact that it’s an athletic scholarship? What is driving the backlash?

Give it up

Opinions vary on whether he should keep the scholarship or give it up and try to walk on the team. “Yes, he earned it, but he had a lot more opportunity to have the best teachers and coaches to enable him to earn this scholarship,” wrote a commenter on the BlogHer article. “By accepting it, another child who hasn't had such opportunities loses on the chance to change his life. Scholarship should be based on merit and financial need.”

Make a similar donation

Others felt that he should accept it because he worked hard and earned it, but a donation should be made by his family. “Maybe he can take what he earned, then his daddy can create a scholarship with the money he's not spending on his son,” suggested Shelly, mom of two. “Perhaps one geared toward underprivileged youth and the arts.”

He earned it

And still others agree that he earned the scholarship and should use it. “There are probably lots of privileged children that get full scholarships,” shared Lindsay, mom of one. “He earned it and should not be punished because his dad is famous.” Leah from Massachusetts agreed. “I think it's perfectly fine for him to accept it instead of counting on his father to pay for college,” she explained. “He's an adult now, his father shouldn't have to pay his way through life. He earned the scholarship, good for him.”

Justin is justifiably unhappy that some people think he should give up what he’s earned and fully intends to succeed in school as well as on the football field. Go for it, Justin — make your family proud.

Images: WENN

More on college

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Make learning a game

For younger kids, nearly any game can be transformed into a learning game. It might be a little tougher to sneak in an educational game for tweens and teens, but get creative! From classic road trip games like "I Spy" to gathering the family together for game night, encourage your kids to learn in fun ways all summer long. Don't forget classic board games like Memory and fun new ones that stimulate and enagege kids without any screen time.

Check out these 10 educational activities for kids on a budget >>

Check out these last-minute summer fun classes >>

Encourage interaction and outside play

It's hot outside, we know. But when we were kids we all played outside no matter how hot it was and we're none the worse for it, right? Instead of letting your child waste a day in front of the tube, encourage him to get together with his friends to work on a project or simply form a neighborhood game of soccer followed by a splash in the pool.

Don't think sports counts as keeping kids' brains stimulated? Think again! Team sports encourages working together, problem solving, team building and more. What TV show do you know of that does all that?

Read on for 8 backyard games to keep kids entertained >>

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Why is it important for kids to engage with people from different cultural backgrounds?

Janet Penn: Between globalization and minority babies now being the majority born in the U.S., our kids will be working with people from different cultural backgrounds. If they’re going to succeed, they need to be comfortable communicating and collaborating with people from many different backgrounds.

Listen deeply

Why do you say the ability to connect with people from different cultures is a "must-have" for kids?

Penn: You can’t collaborate and innovate if you don’t trust people or can’t get beyond surface relationships. And sometimes that means agreeing to disagree while still respecting the other person. These are tough skills that are typically not taught in schools but can make all the difference in the workplace. If your kids know how to respectfully share their own perspective when they disagree by using “I” statements, they can turn angry rhetoric into understanding. If your kids know how to listen deeply to someone with a very different point of view, they may just find a new way to solve a thorny design problem at work.

Step outside your comfort zone

If the sentiment that "diversity is desirable" isn't enough, what do kids need to do to create change in behavior?

Penn: Interact! If your kids have never had a meaningful conversation with someone from a different culture, all they know are stereotypes they may have seen on TV or the internet. When they’re young, it’s as simple as encouraging them to ask about the food in their classmates’ lunchbox. When they’re older, kids can ask questions to seek a different perspective, not merely to prove that their way of seeing the world is better.

If parents socialize in an insulated bubble, how can kids gain a broader worldview?

Penn: It’s up to us to model behavior for our kids. For example, invite neighbors and parents of classmates over for a potluck. Sharing food is always a great way to break the ice and can easily lead to an interesting and meaningful connection.

Read more on kids and diversity

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New moms are constantly checking to make sure their babies are on pace when it comes to developmental milestones. In the early weeks and months of a baby’s life, head shape can be a concern, but should it be?

HEAD-SHAPE CONCERN? rELAX!

If you notice your baby’s head is not perfectly shaped, you may initially freak out a bit but there are plenty of parents that have the same worries. In fact, irregular head shape is more common than in years past, perhaps due to the popular Back to Sleep campaign which was introduced to combat Sudden Infant Death Syndrome .

A valid concern?

A mom of a newborn is often hypersensitive to her baby’s every milestone. Whether it’s her first or her fourth, the need to make sure her baby is "on track" developmentally is hard to shake. When a mom sees a less than perfect-shaped head, the red flags may go up quickly. Most of the time, a slightly irregularly-shaped head isn’t a huge concern. "In most cases, some flattening on one side or the other is a normal consequence of supine sleeping, but there is also a rare condition called craniosynostosis that usually requires surgical repair," says David Hill, M.D., FAAP, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics and author of Dad To Dad: Parenting Like a Pro.

Read about 4 infant sleeping myths debunked >>

The Back-to-Sleep effect

The Back-to-Sleep campaign encouraged parents to put their babies to sleep on their backs to prevent SIDS. It was introduced in 1994 and since that time, the number of babies with irregularly-shaped heads has increased. "There's no doubt that as we as a country began putting babies to sleep on their backs, the incidence of SIDS declined significantly," says Sherilyn Driscoll, M.D., of Mayo Clinic's Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in a recent news release. "Simultaneously, the incidence of positional plagiocephaly, or head shape asymmetry caused by babies' sleeping position, increased."

Read about preventing flat spots on baby's head >>

The good news

The reduction in SIDS cases is good news for parents and the medical community alike and head asymmetry can be corrected. "As babies learn to turn themselves over and move around more between 4 and 6 months of age the condition usually improves, often resolving completely," says Dr. Hill. Products specifically designed to combat the effects of supine sleeping are readily available for concerned parents. One of them, the Biddy Belly, helps babies develop strength and reduces the tendency for neck muscles to tighten.

Find out why you should give your baby tummy time >>

If you’re concerned…

Dr. Hill provides the following recommendations for parents who are concerned about their babies’ head shape:

Read more about babies and sleeping habits:

6 Benefits of co-sleeping with your children
What to do when Baby won't sleep
Does anyone's baby sleep well?

How do you put it all in perspective and not let your cyber friends' "ups" get you down? Read on for experts' advice on how to get your cyber envy in check.

How to conquer your online jealousy

Does this sound familiar: You're clicking through the photos on your high school friend's wall and you start to feel jealous. She's posing with her family in some exotic location, she's standing with her children in front of their big, new house, she and her husband and children are professionally photographed in matching outfits looking like they don't have a care in the world. This mom seems to have it all. And you're left feeling, well, green with envy because you haven't been on a vacation in years and you and your tween had an argument this morning.

‪Cyber life doesn't equal real life

Therapist Julie Hanks, LCSW, owner and executive director of Wasatch Family Therapy, cautions women to remember that a digital life is the best version of someone, not the entire picture. "Someone's cyber life is the equivalent to a perpetual first date. Women don't post pictures of the dinner they burned last night or themselves when they wake up in the morning on Facebook. They don't take videos of the fight they had with their hubby right before they went to dinner on the exotic beach in the Caribbean. Every woman has strengths and weaknesses, things that are going well and things that are falling apart!" ‬

Eliminate the 'shoulds'

Hanks urges women to remove the shoulds from their vocabulary. "When you see someone's newly decorated kitchen or family photo with matching outfits, it's easy to turn those feelings of envy into 'shoulds'... I should get family photos taken like that, or I should redecorate my kitchen but that doesn't mean you should do anything about it," says Hanks. ‬

Social media's impact on modern parenting >>

Take a look at your life

Stephanie Sarkis PhD, psychotherapist and author suggests taking a step back and looking at your life outside of social network sites. "Are you feeling fulfilled? Is there something in your life that just doesn't feel right? Sometimes envy of others means we are missing something in our own lives."

Facebook no help for eating disorders >>

Let envy inspire you

Hanks says instead of letting envy fester or elicit negative feelings about yourself, let it be inspirational. "For example, if you see some amazing photos online from someone's week-long family cruise, instead of thinking, 'I'm a horrible mom... Our family has never taken a cruise... What losers!', you can think instead, 'That looks fun. I think it's time to start planning and saving to take my family on a fun trip.'"

More about online relationships

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How social media affects relationships
Should moms be on Facebook?

They say bribes are always better than threats. And whether you are a mobster or a parent of busy toddlers just trying to make it out of the grocery store alive, this certainly rings true. Okay, so “bribe” might be too strong a word. But, the fact remains that offering incentives for good grades and good behavior can be a very effective parenting technique. Curious about how to get the most bang for your buck? Check out our tips for the ABCs of bribery below.

Set clear expectations

Raising responsible children takes work. It would be nice if all you had to do was offer a lollipop for angelic behavior, but it just isn’t that easy. Children need clear boundaries and guidelines. As parents, it is our job to provide these things; otherwise our children may not even comprehend our basic expectations. One common parenting pitfall is not being consistent with discipline. If Junior learns that the rules change depending on your mood or how exhausted you are, then he will work this knowledge to the fullest. Take the time to sit down with your child and explain your family rules so everyone is on the same page.

What role does discipline play in parenting? >>

Try a reward chart

One of the best ways to monitor and encourage good behavior is to set up a reward chart. Choose six to eight goals to work on at a given time. Some examples might include:

Each day, praise your children for good behavior and talk to them about the areas in which they need improvement. Give your children stickers to place on the chart for each of the daily goals completed. For each sticker, allow each child to place a bean in a jar. When the jar is full, a larger reward is achieved. Make the reward something special and out of the ordinary like a trip to the zoo or the movie theatre. The great thing about this system is that children are motivated on several levels to behave. They will be learning to develop their own internal motivation for responsible behavior and good decision-making while they collect daily stickers and work toward a special reward.

Learn more about positive parenting >>

More parenting advice

Co-parenting: Should you present a united front or play good cop/bad cop?
How to create good parent/child relationships
How not to raise a brat

The kids are counting down the days until summer vacation. Their excitement is palpable! Long, lazy days of doing nothing makes your kids feel giddy — and you feel panicked.

You're not the only one!

Weeks and weeks of kids underfoot. Constantly. You don’t dare admit how you feel to the other moms at the bus stop — but you aren’t the only one who feels this way.

As much as you love your kids and enjoy spending time with them, that long of a stretch just feels… overwhelming. If the idea of a long summer with just you and the kids fills you with dread instead of excitement, you are not alone. Truly. There are other moms out there, even in your neighborhood, who feel anxiety at the prospect of all that unstructured time with the kids — although it’s not often socially acceptable to admit it.

Camps, classes, play dates

If there is space in the family budget, sign the kids up for camps and classes here and there throughout the summer. It will give everyone something to look forward to. Likewise, be liberal with play dates — and remember they aren’t just for kids. Play dates are a chance for you to talk to another mom, too.

But don’t overschedule

That said, don’t make the schedule so rigid that if an offer for a fun day at the waterpark comes up you don’t feel you can do it. If anything, some structure can make those unexpected activities all the more enjoyable.

Intermediate goals

Set some intermediate goals throughout the summer. These can be plain goals — or rewards. If the first couple weeks of summer go well, plan a trip to the ice cream shop for sundaes, or schedule a sitter and do a night out with your sweetie.

Instead of dreading summer, find ways to make the most of it. Banish the anxiety and come up with a plan. With a few simple strategies, you just might have your best summer with the kids yet.

More on summer with the kids

How to plan a kid-friendly summer staycation
4 Summer crafts and activities the kids will love
How vacations make kids smarter

Does your mom or grandma say things like: “Those things weren’t around back when you were a baby” or “you played with toys that contained lead paint and you turned out just fine!”

Why parenting is not the same as it was

Parenting is much different than it was a few decades ago — mostly thanks to the media, medical professionals, modern advances, testing and technology. So how can we parent our children in a more free-spirited way after knowing all this new information without being careless?

Why free-spirited parenting is important

Does letting go of your personal fears allow your child to learn more? Yes, it can! A large part of parenting is learning to find balance with your child — and what you allow your child to experience is one of the hardest balancing acts for a mom. But some moms who were either raised in a free-spirited environment or have low anxiety levels in general, often have no problem allowing their child to explore freely. “Sometimes you have to ignore what the “experts” say and go with your instincts,” says Megan, a mom of three boys.

Dr. Sears, who is widely known for his strong views on attachment parenting, encourages parents to “let go” but stresses the importance of maintaining a connection with the child. As a child grows, he needs to break away in order to learn independence and about the environment around him. “Mother does not let the child go off entirely on his own, nor does she keep him hanging onto her apron strings because of her own fears or need for continuing dependence,” Sears says.

What is your parenting style? >>

What keeps moms from parenting like they did 20-30 years ago?

According to Dr. Sears, during a child’s second year, parents often feel like they are either being over restrictive or being negligent saying, “One way carries the risk of hindering a baby’s development, the other of allowing the baby to hurt himself or others or damage property.”

There are things moms should not ignore, like the safety of her child. Even though your mom has told you time and time again how you rarely used a seatbelt let alone a properly installed car seat, technology, outside distractions and awareness have increased over the past few decades.

The best way to practice free-spirited parenting or let go of your personal fears is to allow your child to explore in a safe environment. Baby proof your home, play in age-appropriate environments and go through a quick safety checklist of your surroundings before allowing your child to explore.

30 Ways to baby proof your home >>

Is free-spirited parenting careless parenting?

Not exactly. Every parent is different, so while some parents may not notice the actions of others, some actually take offense to what could be interpreted as a negative "free-spirited" parenting approach. “I admit to giving other moms dirty looks when I see them allowing their child to eat off the playground sidewalk, grab sand toys from another child or show up at the park with their child who has thick green snot pouring from his nose,” says Julie, a mom of two. “But I think there’s a difference between careless parenting and allowing your child to learn by experiences.”

More about parenting

5 Parenting styles for a new generation
How to adjust your parenting style for your second child
How to stop hyper-parenting and just relax with you kids

It's the most frequently asked question I get from mom bloggers: "How do you connect with brands online?"

And I understand why because this is the way we make money.

The one thing I most love about being a blogger is that I can write about anything I want on my blog. There's nobody to give me limitations. There's nobody to report to. There's nobody giving me any direction. That being said, I can write about any brand or company that my heart desires, and that's a pretty cool thing to be able to do.

• If I love a particular toy, I can write about it.
• If I love a particular food, I can write about it.
• If I love a particular blouse, I can write about it.

But how do you turn that into potential money? It's all about connecting with these brands online. The brands you love. The brands you're loyal to. The brands you can't live without.

I want to share this week, four ways to connect with brands online. It's not as hard as you think, and anyone can do it. It doesn't matter if you're a newbie mom blogger or a seasoned mom blogger, connecting with brands is one of the most important blogging business moves you can make .

Read more on how to start a mom blog >>

Press Releases

It's always a good thing to search "press releases" of a brand and/or of products you're interested in. On the bottom of every press release is contact information for the brand/company. I know many people who look up brand contact info this way and it's an easy way to do it.

More on being an online mom

The many benefits of starting a blog
Balancing work and motherhood
Build your online presence

Sienna Miller

Pregnant actress Sienna Miller showed off her cool bohemian style as she ran errands in Primrose Hill in London, England. The 30-year-old is expecting her first child with her boyfriend Tom Sturridge.

"I'm feeling fine," she told British Vogue. "It's all progressing nicely and it's very exciting."

We love Miller’s maternity style, in which she often mixes chic basics with trendy accessories for a cool pregnancy look. Take a maternity fashion tip from Miller and give your body more definition by belting flowy dresses or long tunic tops, especially when you are in your third trimester.

No official word on the sex of the baby, however Miller was spotted leaving her baby shower in London with presents and pink balloons. Hmm...

Next up:  Pregnant Anna Paquin vamps it up at the True Blood premiere

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Anna Paquin

Sookie is showing! Pregnant Anna Paquin showed off her growing baby bump in an edgy black dress at the premiere of True Blood. Due in the fall, this is the first baby for Paquin, 29, and her husband/True Blood co-star Stephen Moyer.

How does Moyer feel about being a dad again, as he has two children from a previous relationship? “It's always amazing,” he gushed. "I love my kids so much. And the fact that Anna is pregnant just adds more crazy to the bundle of fun."

As for Paquin, she is not letting pregnancy slow her down. “I feel fantastic,” she told reporters at the event.

Next up: Neve Campbell takes her baby bump to hear Coldplay

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Neve Campbell

Dressed in black, a pregnant Neve Campbell was in no mood to show off her baby bump as she and her boyfriend, JJ Field, went to a Coldplay concert in Los Angeles, California.

"Thanks to everyone for the congratulations! I’m very happy, and I'm even happier to know that people come to my life because I like my work!" the former Scream star tweeted, after her pregnancy news was announced.

No word if she is expecting a boy or a girl, but she did tweet a link to a photo of a baby bib that read, “These fools put my cape on backwards.”

This will be the first child for 38-year-old Campbell, who is currently working on the TV series, Titanic: Blood and Steel.

Next up: Snooki’s pickle in the oven

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Snooki

Jersey Shore star Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi was spotted showing off her baby bump in a short black lace dress as she and the gang were filming in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. The 24-year-old announced a few weeks ago that she is having a boy — and she recently revealed her plans for the baby nursery.

“It’s gonna be maybe something Disney or safari,” she said.

As far as baby names, Snooki told GQ back in November her top four names were Frankie, Jionni Jr., Giana and Isabella — so it sounds like she could possibly be naming him one of the first two names!

Tell us: Do you like the names Frankie or Jionni Jr.?

Next up: Kourtney Kardashian shows off her huge baby bump

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Kourtney Kardashian

A very pregnant Kourtney Kardashian was spotted leaving Barneys New York with her son, Mason Dash Disick, and her baby daddy boyfriend Scott Disick.

Since Kourtney is in her third trimester, the reality star has been loving maxi dresses, which are a great choice when you are pregnant as they are flattering, stylish and comfortable.

Check out 5 easy tips to look great and feel great during pregnancy >>

We can see why Pregnant in Heels star Rosie Pope told us that she thinks Kourtney has the best celebrity maternity style. Do you agree?

From Drew Barrymore to Sarah Michelle Gellar, check out more celebrity baby bumps here >>

Photos: WENN

How do you balance the responsibilities of parenthood with your big dreams? An expert offers some important advice.

Making time for what's important to you

As a parent, you have a responsibility to your children to care for them, love them, feed them as well as to be accessible, to help and guide them and to give them a good life. But you also have a responsibility to yourself to follow your dreams, and build the life you want to live. How do you make these important responsibilities balance with each other?

Allison O'Kelly, the CEO of the national flexible staffing firm Mom Corps, understands the need for balance between the work they love and their growing families. She shared her tips for how to balance the responsibilities of motherhood with your needs when you are going after your dreams.

O'Kelly says that above all, it's key to communicate. "If you communicate clearly, on the front end, with your husband, kids, boss and co-workers what you want out if each facet of your life, you will find a lot less resistance, and a lot more support," says O'Kelly.

How else can you balance everything?

Prioritize

The first step in balancing your responsibilities to your kids and to your dreams is to define your priorities. "Learn to organize priorities according to what you want out of life, not what someone else or popular opinion thinks parents should want. To find true personal and professional fulfillment, identify and acknowledge your familial and professional goals, share them with everyone it affects, and create your plan," says O'Kelly.

She says in doing this, you need to cut back on things that really don't matter so much. "Want to commit to running a 5K with the family by the end of summer and complete a priority work project that has been weighing on you? Put it on the calendar and phase out activities that are “fillers” . You’ll be surprised how much time you find," says O'Kelly.

More from Chasing the Dream

How to be a work-at-home success
Why you need a mentor — and how to find one
How Jaden Hair achieved her dreams