Contributed by Dr. Lisa Davis

Eat mini-meals

Continuous daily nourishment will help you keep up with the kids and their activities. Beginning with breakfast, eat mini-meals consisting of lean protein and complex carbohydrates, five times per day. This will help keep your blood sugar on an even keel, so you won’t feel hungry and grouchy. You will be a better parent because you won’t snap at the kids. Another bonus is that frequent eating ensures a higher metabolism. For healthy snacks between meals, consider adding protein bars like Medifast Crunch Bars.

Break up your workout

Exercise for busy moms is not impossible, especially if you break up your workout into multiple, short stints. In fact, you may be at an advantage: According to the American College of Sports Medicine, more calories are burned by performing short, high intensity exercises. By targeting larger muscle groups while weight training, like back, chest, and quadriceps, you can burn more calories in a shorter period of time. For ultimate fat-burning, minimize the amount of time between sets. If you need to rest muscle groups, flip back and forth between arm sets and leg sets.

Eat like it is summer

While savory winter fare is all around, don’t forget to eat on the light side and emphasize your fruits and veggies. All varieties of apples, root vegetables and winter squashes are festive fall and winter fare. For cozy comfort food, make a pot of homemade vegetable soup or spice up your diet with warm drinks like coffees and teas — especially green tea — which can help burn a few extra calories.

Be accountable

Put your bathing suit on during the winter and check the fit. Better yet, get your swimsuit on and head for the gym. Swimming and water aerobics are great winter indoor activities. A 175-pound person who swims moderately to vigorously can burn in the range of 500 to 775 calories per hour. Water aerobics is less vigorous, but the same person can still burn 315 calories per hour. If you can’t get to a pool, keep your bathing suit hanging in full view.

Sleet and NEAT

Cold weather brings sleet and NEAT — Nonexercise Activity Thermogenesis. NEAT refers to non-exercise ways of burning calories, like shivering. You can burn up to 400 calories per hour by shivering this winter. If you shovel snow in addition, you can add an additional 300 calories to your calorie burn.

Dr. Lisa Davis holds a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University with a focus in Obesity Research, and she is the author of the book, Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Health.

More about healthy moms

Mom's balancing act: How to take better care of yourself
How moms can model healthy breakfast habits
A non-athletic work-at-home mom’s fitness routine

Many opponents of nursing in public wonder why the mother can’t simply pump a bottle beforehand or throw a blanket over herself and her baby. The truth is, it isn’t that easy.

Straight from the tap
is best

Breastfeeding — covered or not — is often the only way a mom can feed her baby, and here’s why.

Nursing in public has become a hotly-contested right among Americans, and although it is protected by law in 45 out of the 50 states, issues still pop up — mothers are still asked to cover up, move to the restroom or leave the premises while nursing their children. One of the rallying cries of those opposed is, “Why can’t she just cover up?” Others wonder why the mom can’t simply pump milk into a bottle beforehand instead of nursing. The fact is, it isn’t that simple.

Covering up

Covering up sounds so easy — just toss a blanket over your shoulder and your baby’s head and everyone is happy — your baby is fed and no one can see your boobs. The truth is that moms are not required to cover up, and you can breastfeed discreetly even without a large blanket draped over your baby. In fact, a nursing cover broadcasts to everyone that you are breastfeeding , while simply lifting up your top and latching her on often doesn’t even get a second glance.

Also, some babies dislike being covered. Think about it — would you enjoy eating with a blanket or towel covering your head — especially while you were cuddled up next to someone? Even in cooler weather, it can get hot and sweaty quickly under a cover, and the babe in question is not able to settle down to comfortably nurse, which results in even more attention being drawn to Mom.

It’s also a hassle moms don’t always have the time — or the extra hands — to deal with. Kelley, mom of two, told us, “I have to hold my baby, hold my breast to help him latch, hold the cover and also hold on to my 1-year-old, not to mention the diaper bag, shopping cart, plus countless other child-related things that mommies have to keep track of.”

Pumping

Pumping is an entirely different matter. Pumping requires a breast pump of course, which can be expensive, but also bottles, a place to store the milk, and the ability to warm it up to give to the baby. Some moms struggle to get milk from a pump because as wonderful as breast pumps are, they are not babies. Even if you get a good response from your pump, you likely won’t be getting the same amount of milk — babies are just more efficient at emptying your breasts. And skipping a feeding from the breast while you are out can cause engorgement or mastitis. Last but certainly not least, some babies won't take a bottle.

“The best thing about breastfeeding is that it's always ready to go,” shared Rachelle, mother of two and the mom behind Unlatched. “It's the right temperature and you don't really need any supplies to do it. Pumping a bottle may sound like it's easy to do, but it's not. Pumps are expensive, many moms are not able to get milk while pumping, and skipping feedings while out in public can actually affect their milk supply."

Decades ago, before bottle feeding and formula became the new norm for new moms, it was not a big deal for babies to be fed from the breast wherever Mom happened to be — like this mother waiting at a train station. Even when there is more breast exposure in film, advertisements and your local pool, breastfeeding continues to be seen as something that should take place behind closed doors. With more moms nursing in public, and more citizens being educated on the laws, hopefully breastfeeding a baby will someday be as unremarkable as bottle feeding a little one.

More on nursing in public

What are breastfeeding nurse-ins all about?
Breastfeeding in public a breeze for Beyonce
Target facing nurse-in after alleged harassment of breastfeeding customer

Is your child about as interested in the idea of working out as he is in doing math homework on a Saturday morning? The good news is there are some fun ways to get your child movin'.

In fact, some schools are even getting in on the act and upping the ante on their phys ed classes. The idea is to focus on individual challenges instead of team competitions. In other words, ditch dodgeball for skateboarding. Be on the lookout. You might soon see individual sports such as inline skating, mountain biking and even ice skating popping up at your child's school.

Experts agree that a child gets more out of an individual sport like skateboarding — and it stays with him far longer in life — than a group activity such as the ever-popular schoolyard game, dodgeball. With a nationwide obesity crisis, educators and parents are looking for any and all creative ways to move kids from the couch to the concrete.

So why not follow suit at home? A child is far more likely to want to go outside and imitate Tony Hawk than he is to willingly run around the track or do sit-ups.

Easy ways to exercise without the kids even knowing it >>

More ways to help your kids stay fit

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Healthy eating habits for kids
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President Barack Obama and presidential candidate Mitt Romney will be on the ballot on November 6. But before you head to the polls, you should know where each stands on these important issues.

Hey, Mama, it's good to be informed, right?

There's no doubt that times are tough for most families these days. Money is stretched thin between housing, rising prices of food and gas and more. And with so many people out of work or otherwise underemployed, a better job market would mean better times for moms and dads.

Everyone will agree that education in the United States needs improvement. Ranked 27th in the world in math, 22nd in math and 7th in literacy, our kids aren't getting as good an education as they could be. Teachers work so hard, but mandates from the government have made things very difficult.

Who is in charge of your body? Reproductive rights really center around this question -- and depending on where you fall on the pro-life vs pro-choice debate, candidates speak to both sides.

As a mother, health care matters -- not just for our kids but for ourselves too. Whatever your specific concerns are, having access to health care and life-saving medications is essential. But what's the right way to ensure that Americans get the health care they need?

More on the issues and debates

Presidential debate: Romney 1, Big Bird 0
Vanessa Williams: I had a teen abortion
Celebrities speak out for Planned Parenthood

Photo credits: WENN

Parents like monitors for safety reasons and convenience. It’s fun to listen to your baby or watch him if you have a video monitor. Monitors may also provide reassurance to parents that their babies are breathing well.

Too much of a good thing?

If you spend hours listening to or watching your baby on a monitor, you may have trouble sleeping or worry too much about what you may hear or see.

Carrie Caroll, a mother of twins says, "I personally can attest to nights where I would not want to turn the monitor off as I wanted to try my best to keep watching my infant twins sleep. After a few nights of that, my husband and I opted to only use the sound portion of the monitor, and would turn on the video if the babies made an unexpected sound. That was key for us."

Can monitors reduce SIDS?

We want what’s best for our babies and to keep them safe — some manufacturers claim monitors will reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome .

However it's important for all parents to know that according to the Federal Drug Administration , these claims are untrue. The FDA warns parents not to purchase these products simply if they think it's going to reduce the risk of SIDS.

The best "monitor" for your baby? You.

The Safe to Sleep Campaign — formerly known as Back to Sleep — and the FDA both recommend room sharing with your baby and putting him on his back to sleep. This sleep position has reduced the risk of SIDS by nearly 50 percent.

Whether or not you decide to buy a baby monitor, remember that nothing will replace you or your partner when it comes to monitoring your baby's health.

More about baby monitors and other baby gear

Baby monitors: Which one is right for you?
Best baby swings on a budget
New baby gear for 2012

What is your approach to explaining ADHD and why do you believe it's radical?

Ben Glenn: I’m passionate about encouraging parents and teachers to think outside the box. I believe that ADHD is a special disorder because it has so many positive characteristics to offset the negative ones. Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is not the end of the road; it’s the beginning of an amazing adventure. It’s definitely not all fun and games, but with support, treatment and having people in your life who understand how the ADHD brain functions, anything is possible.

Don’t discount the dreams your kids might have of being artists or musicians or jugglers instead of doctors and lawyers and architects — they can be extremely successful doing something completely unorthodox with their lives. Getting As in school and a college degree is no longer the only road to success. Educate yourself, network with others in the same situation and stay strong.

How common is ADHD today and why so many cases?

Glenn: Statistically, ADHD affects about 3-5 percent of preschool and school aged children. Because we know that ADHD is not something you "grow out of," it's also fair to say that overall, 3-5 percent of the adult population in the U.S. also has ADHD. There is still no information about the true cause of ADHD.

A real diagnosis

What are your thoughts on those who say ADHD is overdiagnosed and many kids are overmedicated?

Glenn: It can “feel” like ADHD is overdiagnosed, but then again there are statistics that show over and under diagnosis. I don’t believe that ADHD is overdiagnosed. What has happened is that testing is more readily available now than ever and people are more aware of ADHD. Also, there have been several studies that have found statistical proof that a genetic link exists between parents and kids diagnosed with ADHD.

Is ADHD a real struggle and something that impairs the day-to-day lives of people who have it? Absolutely. And if a diagnosis helps the person have access to treatment and to gain a better understanding of what makes them tick, then I’m all for it. But a child cannot learn to function better with ADHD through medication alone. There needs to be a number of things going on concurrently, such as, behavior modifications and educational accommodations.

ADHD is not a fake disorder developed by the drug companies to make money selling drugs. I like a good conspiracy as much as the next person, but that one is just silly.

The perks and pains

What do you believe are the peaks and pitfalls of ADHD?

Glenn: The pitfalls: ADHD is the consummate disorder of time management. People who have it are time blind. Add to that impulsivity and distractibility and it’s not hard to see why someone with ADHD is not able to complete a task without exerting a lot of effort. Getting organized, prioritizing their activities, being on time, and completing tasks are a constant struggle. In school children, hyperactivity is a great challenge in the classroom. Add to that extreme forgetfulness and you can see how frustrating this disorder can be.

The plus side: People with ADHD are usually amazingly creative. They are intuitive, and for the most part full of positive energy. When it comes to working on something that they are excited about, people with ADHD are almost superhero-like with their hyper focus. They tend to be generous and compassionate. They often have a great sense of humor, and the ability to inspire others. With the right attitude, helpful accommodations and the right support system, kids with ADHD can become very successful.

Read more expert parenting advice

Parenting Guru: The benefits of emotion coaching
Parenting Guru: Do your kids get good sleep?
Parenting Guru: Are you a mean mom?

With all of the time our children spend in an online environment, we need to be vigilant about their safety. Identity theft isn’t just a problem for adults — it can happen to anyone at any age.

National Cyber Security Awareness Month

What can we do to make sure kids aren’t sharing their private information and putting their identity at risk?

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and what better time to brush up on the latest information for keeping our kids safe online? It isn’t just tweens and teens, either — younger children are often online more in a day than their parents. We spoke with William Pelgrin, founder of Cyber Griffin, Inc. about his tips for staying safe online.

Social media smarts

Our tweens and teens are constantly spending time on social media sites. Could someone gain enough information through Facebook or other sites to steal his identity? “Identity theft doesn’t necessarily require the attacker to break into the social media site,” says Pelgrin. “Attackers can harvest information that our children post online and combine pieces of information from multiple sources to try and steal your child’s identity.”

It is important to be aware of what the potential dangers are and discuss with your kids what they should and shouldn’t share. Even adults can be lured into a false sense of security on the internet and post a lot of private information without realizing it.

How to tell if you may be a victim of identity theft >>

Password smarts

Many people feel that accounts requiring a password are safe, but it’s how you use the password that makes all the difference. “Passwords are a first line of defense, so it is critical that your children understand why they must use them, and how to make them strong,” says Pelgrin. Passwords should be a minimum of eight characters, with a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Having a strong password helps, but don’t let your child make a common mistake and use the exact same password for all of his accounts. Once cracked, a hacker has access to everything.

More online security tips

“The more information that’s online the more information an attacker has available,” says Pelgrin. He offers the following tips that parents should discuss with their kids.

• Make sure the computer or device your child is using has security protections on it. Anti-virus software and firewalls are key in helping prevent unauthorized access or infections from viruses.
• Make sure your children are careful about what they post. Don’t post details about where they are or what they plan to do .
• Make sure your children restrict access to what they share online. Make sure any online interactions or posts are only visible to people they know.
• Make sure your children understand that downloading and installing third-party applications on their social media sites may change their security settings and allow access to their social media profile.
• Check with the three credit bureaus to see if your child does have a credit report. If so, this could be a red flag that your child’s identity may have been stolen.
• Avoid using free internet “hot-spots” for sensitive internet transactions, like banking. There isn’t enough protection in place and passwords can easily be picked up by an attacker.

Check out these popular virtual worlds for tweens and teens >>

Kids have fun learning online safety

Pelgrin and the security experts at Cyber Griffin, Inc. created an online game called Hax Attacks as a fun way to educate people about safe internet practices. “Hax Attacks is a way to teach people to change their behavior, but have fun while doing it,” he says. “The premise of the game is you have to avoid Hax, the evil character who will try to destroy your data. You score points for making smart cyber moves throughout the game.”

Talk to your kids about online safety and make sure your family information stays protected.

More online safety

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Tracking your child's grades online
How to help your kids protect their online identity

Halloween is usually one of the holidays that kids love the most. How can you keep Halloween fun for your tweens? The trick is in finding something for them to do that’s fun for older kids, yet safe enough for the not-quite-teen crowd. Use your imagination and you can create a new tradition for the tweens in your family that carries the Halloween fun on for several more years.

Check out these homemade Halloween decorations >>

Scary movie night

Let your tween gather some friends in costume and host a scary movie night. Parents should be in agreement about which scary movie is appropriate, but even old Halloween episodes of The Simpsons would be fun. Each tween can bring a scary snack to share, which can be as creative or simple as they choose. Pop big batches of popcorn, pile up the pizza slices and give them some space. Expect some screaming.

How about some scary snacks for Halloween parties? >>

Treat someone nice

If you have a hospital near your town with a children’s ward, find out if they sponsor any type of Halloween event for their patients. Being in the hospital over Halloween would be really hard for a younger child, and chances are the hospital staff works hard to do something fun for them. Why not have your tween and friends volunteer to help? Whether they are handing out candy to patients or just visiting rooms in costume, bringing a smile to someone’s face is a great way to spend an evening.

Being a tween doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to Halloween fun. With a bit of imagination and a few friends, your tween can have just as much fun as the teenagers — without all the blood and gore.

More Halloween fun

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Fun Halloween party invitations
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Playing online games can be fun, but what if you could learn more about your family tree at the same time?

Facebook game brings generations together

Family Village is a new game you can play on Facebook that might just get you hooked on family history.

Jeff Wells, CEO of Funium, loves tracing his family history and genealogy in his free time. While the stories and family connections he unearths fascinate him, he found it difficult to get other family members interested in his discoveries. He started thinking about a way to engage people of all ages in their own family history that would be fun and innovative. What he came up with is a unique Facebook game called Family Village.

Family tree turns fun

Family Village lets players create a virtual world in a city-building game much like several other games that already exist, but that is where the similarities end. The characters in Family Village are avatars based on the player’s ancestors. You can create multiple villages, build homes, start businesses and even immigrate family members into your community. Even the clothing choices can be matched to the period in which the particular ancestor lived.

What is unique about Family Village is that as you play, you gain access to actual historical family documents such as newspaper articles, census records and other documents. You can download them and share with family members, or share them within the game. The longer you play the more documents you collect and the more interesting your village looks. Family Village also creates an actual family tree, showing the names and the generations of your family members.

How you can start prioritizing fun as a family >>

Who’s playing?

“What we’ve found with the game is that the typical player starts out being a woman between 35 and 55 years of age who is family oriented,” says Wells. “What happens is that they begin to share the game with other family members.” Younger kids enjoy setting up the village, buildings and avatars, while older kids who know a bit about history enjoy seeing factual information about their actual ancestors from past periods. The period of engagement with the game at each sitting is about three times longer than the average online game.

“The way people interact these days is so different from when I was a kid,” says Wells. “Kids now are more sedentary, they watch more television and play video games. My thought process was if they are going to be doing that, let’s create something that will build value and have a feel-good aspect to it. That’s what Family Village does.” By creating a game for all ages that is centered on family relationships, Funium has bridged a generation gap in the video game market.

See how to make family dinner fun >>

Sharing a love of genealogy

As for his hobby that turned into a business? “It certainly does give me confidence in terms of my own heritage. Seeing what people have done in the past — what they’ve accomplished, what they’ve sacrificed and what they’ve learned from mistakes they’ve made,” says Wells. “Those kinds of things have helped me a great deal to appreciate just what we have to be thankful for now, and the importance of our family names and family heritage.”

Check out your family tree and play along with Family Village. Who knows what you will find out about your ancestors?

More family fun

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Fun themes for family dinnertime
7 Family fun ideas in the great outdoors

More Halloween fun

5 Fun Halloween activities for the whole family
The ultimate Halloween costume guide
5 Tips for Baby's first Halloween: Fun, not frightful

Pink's new mom weight loss tips

Singer Pink is back in fighting shape after shedding 55 pounds of baby weight 15 months after giving birth to her daughter Willow.

The superstar mom shows off her amazing figure in the November issue of Shape magazine — and shares her diet and workout plan for getting her rockin’ bod.

Hot mama alert! Pink bares her toned tummy in a black bikini and mesh top on the November cover of Shape magazine — and, lucky for us, shares her weight loss tips!

The 33-year-old singer has always been fit but she told Shape magazine that she splurged during pregnancy and gained 55 pounds of baby weight.

“I ate a lot of cheesecake during my pregnancy,” the new mom confessed. ”Also anything sour — Sour Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, key lime pie... ”

After giving birth to Willow, she knew she had to lose the baby weight, but wanted to enjoy her daughter and “be kind” to her body those first few months instead of rushing into losing weight.

”I'm so in love with Willow,” said Pink, who is married to motocross racer Carey Hart. ”I'm totally smitten!”

It sounds like motherhood has softened up her heart, but she said she was soon ready to harden up her body. When that time came, she enlisted the help of The Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels and Jeanette Jenkins.

”They both kicked my butt more than any other person I've ever worked out with,” Pink said.

One of Pink's formal personal trainers, Gregory Joujon-Roche, revealed her slim-down diet.

”We’d start with an 11-day power cleanse. That really sets the tone for your fitness experience. It basically recalibrates your taste buds and metabolism, as well as setting the slate and tone for the hard work ahead,” he says. ”You lose a little weight from this and it makes you so much more motivated in your workouts.”

He said he next incorporates a healthy diet full of vegetables and superfoods.

”After the cleanse, we reintroduced proteins very carefully. We kept it as green as possible! Lots of fiber, a lot of good fats. Sugars were consumed only around the workouts to use certain calories as fuels. Then after the first 30 days, her diet would be quinoa, fresh veggies, superfood shakes, super shots, and wellness shots. We always incorporated things that are really healthy but also user-friendly,” he says.

Get more diets tips and the recipe for his Superfoods Strip Smoothie here >>

Pink told Shape that she works out for 60 to 90 minutes five days a week with trainer Jeanette Jenkins. If she is on the road, she continues working out by running and doing Jenkins’ Bikini Bootcamp DVD.

“A powerful core gives her the endurance to perform, but it’s important for everyone,” Jenkins tells Shape. “To carry a bag, pick up your kid, or play a sport, you use the muscles of your middle — when they’re strong, you decrease your risk of injury and back pain.”

How can you get Pink’s pudge-free waistline? Follow her abdominal routine in Shape three to five times a week, as well as cardio exercise to burn fat. What is so great about this workout for busy moms is that you don’t need fancy equipment! Just a mat and a stability ball... and blaring Pink’s song “Get The Party Started” can’t hurt either!

Read more about celebrity fitness

Pink rocks out on the cover of Shape
20 Celebs who got fit dancing
6 Celebrities who have tried trapeze

Nick Jr.’s latest brainchild — “adults only” programming targeted at moms called NickMom — has not only suffered from poor ratings but has seen a severe backlash from moms, as well as the network’s advertisers.

Plummeting ratings, irate moms

Do you think they should revert back to their original format or should complainers get a grip?

Nick Jr., a channel devoted to television programs for toddlers and preschoolers, has been entertaining little ones for over a decade . Any time, day or night, a parent could tune in and let their small child watch popular shows like "Dora the Explorer." However, earlier this month, a block of programming aimed toward moms debuted, and has since earned the ire of parents everywhere. So what’s the big deal?

NickMom

NickMom is a block of TV time just for moms — beginning at 10 p.m. eastern and running until 12 a.m. , moms can tune in and watch mom-centric comedy after their kiddos are tucked into bed. That’s what the idea was, anyway — turns out that the network has seen a 75 percent decline in viewership and parents everywhere are creating a big headache for Nick Jr.

Precarious start

Before the NickMoms programming even launched, the new brand extension had already created bad blood with some very influential moms — and dads too. In preparation for launching the television programming, NickMoms launched a website purporting to be "Motherfunny" and filled with captioned images and other brief content poking fun at children and parenting. The problem? NickMoms sourced content from blogs and social sharing sites without asking permission from copyright owners — or even properly crediting on the NickMoms site. News traveled fast around the blogosphere, social networking and the greater web and the company apologized... eventually. NickMoms also created a special email address for bloggers to report copyright issues so they could be evaluated and handled. Still, when NickMoms programming started, it had already left a bad impression on a lot of potential viewers.

Moms not interested

Not only do moms dislike the removal of kids’ shows in the late night hours, Nick Jr. is hardly a channel they will turn on if they want adult programming. “Sometimes I need Nick Jr. at midnight,” said Kimmy from Florida. “If I want racy, I'll watch HBO.”

Will they listen?

With parents taking over Nick Jr.’s Facebook page and threatening to boycott NickMom’s advertisers, we’ll have to see if they will rethink their decision to sway from commercial-free children’s programming and delve into shows that only adults should be watching.

More on kids and television

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The least expensive babysitter
Television as a conversation starter

When you have a child of your own, your relationship with your parents — particularly your mother — begins to change. Chances are you will begin to understand your relationship from her perspective, and her guidance and support during your early parenting years can be crucial.

How your sense of loss changes

If your mom died before you had a baby, it can really feel like you’re missing out on connecting with your mother in a special way. Her absence can be felt in a new way once you go through pregnancy and birth, and not having your mom by your side as you move through your parenting experience can make your loss even more pronounced.

Liz is the mother of two children and lives in Australia. Her mother passed away before she became a mother herself, and she shared a little of what that experience has been like for her.

“I think I missed learning about her experiences with her pregnancies,” she shared with us. “She had three children before having me, so I am sure she would have plenty to share with me. I also think that your relationship with your parents changes a lot when you have kids, so I feel like I have missed out on how our mother/daughter relationship would have changed and developed after their birth and as they have gotten older.”

When your relationship wasn’t ideal

If your relationship with your mother wasn’t the best, it can still be difficult to go through pregnancy, birth and parenting without your mother by your side. Melissa, whose mother was an alcoholic and passed away when she was pregnant with her third child, had mixed feelings and unique experiences when her mother died, and the years after.

“The thing is, she had been an addict for so many years that it kind of felt like I had already really lost her,” she shared. “But I could still go to her with all the exciting news I had or new pregnancy problems I had. I didn't like my mom, but I loved her very much! Before she became an alcoholic, she was a wonderful mother that did her absolute best to raise my sister and I.”

Missing a grandparent

Missing your mom means that your child will grow up to miss a grandparent, and this can leave you wondering how to share your mother with him as he grows up. Sharing her life through photographs, the things she loved and your experiences growing up are great gifts to share with your children.

“My son is almost 6 now, and it was probably when he was around 5 that he started asking why his Poppy lives alone and I had to explain everything to him,” said Liz. “I think that was probably harder for me than him! I try to tell him as much as possible about her, because I grew up with only one grandparent, so I tell him about her music and what she used to do. I try to see the positives that they have three loving grandparents that are actively involved in their lives because even if your parents are still alive, this might not always be the case.”

As you move through your parenting years, your mother will be missed, yet she is a part of who you are. You can help keep her memory alive as your children grow and you will know that she is proud of the mother you have become.

More on relationships and death

My father died
How to talk to your kids about death
Rocky Road and Rainbows: Losing a father and appreciating life

Kristin Cavallari

New mom Kristin Cavallari looked gorgeous as she showed off her slim figure at the ULTA Beauty's Donate With A Kiss event on October 2. The Laguna Beach star certainly looks like she has lost all her baby weight since giving birth to Camden on August 8, but perhaps she is wearing an amazing pair of Spanx under that black dress

Cavallari took to Twitter to call out US Weekly for citing a source as saying that five weeks after giving birth she “has already lost all the weight by working out like crazy with a trainer.”

“Hey us weekly next time u want to make something up at least get my sons bday right,” she tweeted. “I haven't lost all of my baby weight yet. Thats sending the wrong message to women.”

She also tweeted about how she handles traveling with baby Camden. “Who watches your baby when you have to travel for work?” wrote one follower.

“He comes with me and i bring my mom,” Cavallari replied.

Nothing like having an extra pair of hands to help when you are traveling with a baby — and it certainly is a bonus if it can be Grandma!

Tori Spelling

“Liam and Stella both want to be killers for Halloween... What does that say about me as a parent?” tweeted Tori Spelling, who just gave birth to her fourth child.

“Kids asleep and @Deanracer and I are settled in and psyched to watch season premiere of #WalkingDead . One of our fave shows!“ she later wrote, referring to her husband Dean McDermott.

Spelling became pregnant with her newborn baby Finn when Hattie was just 5 months old.

“After 2 years pregnant I finally got to have RAW fish again. #LovesMeSomeSushi,” tweeted Spelling, who recently shared her story of her difficult pregnancy to Us Weekly.

“I don't care how many kids you have... Nails like this is unacceptable!” wrote the new mom, with a photo of her chipped nail polish.

Giuliana Rancic

On the heels of reports that Giuliana Rancic and her husband Bill Rancic are gearing up for another baby via surrogate, the E! News reporter tweeted an adorable photo of baby Duke.

“Here's latest pic @BillRancic and I took of Duke,” she tweeted, with a link to a photo of their adorable baby.

So far, the new parents have kept Edward away from the cameras, but Giuliana tweeted to a fan that he will be on the new season of their reality show “very soon!!!”

The breast cancer survivor also tweeted about how she and Bill prepared to be parents. “Before @DukeRancic there were parenting classes, lots of them!” she wrote.

The internet-savvy parents have already set up their son Duke with his own Twitter page and, despite never writing a single tweet , he already has over 17,000 followers!

Alicia Silverstone

Want to be included in Alicia Silverstone’s new book? “Tell me about your #vegan pregnancy, and I may feature you in my next book!” tweeted the actress, who has one son named Bear Blu.

The Kind Life blogger also shares tips for a healthier Halloween — and says you can even compost candy!

“5 ideas for celebrating a green Halloween,” she tweeted, with a link to her website.

“Back in the day, Halloween was a pre-party for All Saints Day….So, how did we get from that to parading our kids around the neighborhood, asking for unhealthy handouts? Who knows?” she writes. “I'm not sure what I'll do around Halloween when my little muffin grows up, but for now, these are some ideas I have for celebrating kind-style”

From sweet and funny to wacky and weird, check out more celebrity mom tweets here >>

Photos: WENN

What is the Switch Witch?

In case you're not familiar, the Switch Witch is a good witch that visits your home on Halloween night, usually while the children sleep, and takes all of the children's Halloween candy and leaves a toy in its place. She loves high-fructose corn syrup. She's a huge fan of mouth-watering sugary snacks. In other words, she's a lover of all things candy. And she wants your child's, if he's willing to hand it over...

Why the Switch Witch?

She might be the "Santa Claus" of October — bringing a child his first non-edible goody of the holiday season — in exchange for his candy — and she might be a good witch, but is she really a good idea?

Many might argue that the Switch Witch is really just a fix for the anti-candy mom. For the mom who can't stomach the idea of her child consuming candy bars, gummy things and sometimes even pure sugar ad-nauseum. And although most moms would agree that eating candy in excess, especially in one sitting — Halloween or not — is not the best idea for their children's tummies, is it really necessary to talk the kids into this idea of wiping out the candy stash they just collected earlier that evening?

Barbara from Pennsylvania puts it simply. "While trick-or-treating is a fun tradition for kids, I have never thought it particularly healthy to encourage gluttony by bringing home pillow cases and bags overflowing with candy! With my kids, it always seemed as if the more they got, the more they wanted."

Does the Switch Witch take the fun out of Halloween?

It all depends on who you ask. Barbara says, no. "It's a tactful way to teach kids moderation, making choices, trading and currency concepts and it also adds a bit of whimsical fun to a child's holiday. They can participate in trick-or-treating without feeling like they're missing out when the candy gets taken away for their own good, and parents don't have to feel like they are depriving their children of a fun tradition."

Tricks for healthier Halloween treats >>

Not to mention many kids might scream, yes! to the idea of the Switch Witch, far more excited with the prospect of the latest video game than a bag full of mini candy bars. And because the more candy you give the Switch Witch, the better your toy, this might be a motivator to collect more candy in the first place.

But Elizabeth, mother of two from California, disagrees. "That's what Santa Claus is for," she says. "Halloween's not about toys, it's about candy. It's a part of being a kid. They don't have to eat enough candy to get a cavity, but I wouldn't dream of taking any of it from them."

Does the Switch Witch teach a good lesson?

"One year, my then 10-year-old son, decided to sneak into the candy stash while we all were asleep, and made himself extremely sick from the amount of candy he ate. That is why I think that the Switch Witch is a fantastic idea ," adds Barbara.

So is it the worst thing to be taught that a sugar high is short lived but a toy can be long-lasting? If a mom doesn't want to venture off her healthy family plan even for this holiday the Switch Witch can be a welcome rescue.

"This is especially a good solution for kids with allergies, medical or dietary requirements that may be restricted from having candy, chocolate, nuts, food dyes, etc.," says Barbara.

Plus, the kids can still elect to keep some candy. So they reap the benefits of both a little sugar and a fun toy.

Healthy alternatives to trick-or-treat candy >>

More Halloween tips

Creative ways to cut down on Halloween candy
Choosing age-appropriate Halloween activities
A Pinterest Halloween: Easy DIY decorations

Looking for the perfect baby name for your little pumpkin? These names are perfect if you are looking for a Halloween-inspired name or have a baby born in the month of October. From cool edgy names to unique names from movies , grab a pen and paper and start creating a list of your favorite names.

One fun way to find a unique baby name is to search for names by meaning. Not only is black the color that never goes out of style, but it is wicked cool! Check out the following boy and girl names that mean “black”:

Gray is also a cool color that can inspire baby names, such as Grayson or various shades of the color, such as Slate or Ash .

Check out more of the meaning and the origins of your favorite baby names on our SheKnows Baby Names Central >>

Be inspired by some of your favorite movies or book characters when searching for a cool baby name. Although the names from Twilight are overused , there are plenty of other unique names that just might end up at the top of your baby name list.

The children’s Goosebumps books are full of kid-friendly scary fun written by R.L. Stine. Check out the following cool names from the Goosebumps series:

More baby names

Famous October birthdays
Spooky baby names
50 Edgy baby names

Monogrammed pumpkin

Blogger Ann Drake of On Sutton Place created an elegant pumpkin display with ease. The simplicity of this pumpkin design is truly appealing — and so easy to copy!

1. Drake started with a sturdy black urn. Look for inexpensive urns on summer clearance racks and pick up a can of glossy black spray paint.
2. Next, find the perfect pumpkin — one that’s about as tall and wide as your urn.
3. Personalize your pumpkin with a monogram. If you have a steady hand, then some acrylic paint and a brush are all you need. Drake opted for “the easy route and used a peel-and-stick vinyl decal.” Try 6-inch Black Gothic Stick-On Letters.
4. Secure the pumpkin. Drake added garland, and on her blog she said, “a bit of grapevine garland helped steady them in the urns and it added some interest.”

Decorate your front porch for fall >>

Fruit frights

Pumpkins aren’t the only thing you can carve. Create your next jack-o’-lantern from a cantaloupe or honeydew melon.

1. Cut a 1-inch slice off the bottom of the melon to form a flat base.
2. Clean out the melon and enjoy the fruit.
3. Using The Pampered Chef's V-Shaped Cutter , create a scary face.
4. Invert the melon over a lit votive candle on a heat-safe platter for a spooky Halloween centerpiece.

Note: Use an LED votive to make sure your fruit o'lantern is safe.

Yummy! Pumpkin pie dip recipe >>

More creative pumpkin decorating ideas

Pumpkin carving and decorating tools
Not your orange and black Halloween
Painted pumpkins

Virtual worlds for tweens

If your child has outgrown Club Penguin and Webkinz, consider some of these popular virtual worlds suited for tweens. You should always check out a virtual world website before letting your child participate and use parental controls if available and necessary.

Read about online arcade games for kids and tweens >>

Virtual worlds for teens

Kids don't outgrow virtual worlds when they hit their teenage years. Many virtual worlds are geared toward the teenage set and they are gaining popularity every day.

Hundreds of other virtual worlds are available. Other popular choices among teens and tweens include ActiveWorlds, Chit Chat City, Fantage, Whyville, Kaneva, Second Life, SmallWorlds and World of Warcraft.

Read about online games for teens >>

Currency in virtual worlds

Many virtual worlds allow players to purchase in-game currency and merchandise with real world money. For parents who are worried about using their credit cards in virtual worlds, now they have an alternative — Openbucks.

Launched in September 2011, Openbucks allows you to purchase gift cards at one of more than 100,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada, and then use those gift cards as payment for online games and at ecommerce websites. It's a simple, safe method to pay online. According to Itamar Kandel, president and co-founder of Openbucks, "Virtual goods purchases are projected to reach $10 billion by 2013 so we believe the gaming market is a great place to start."

For parents looking to limit the spending of their teens and tweens, Openbucks seems like a fabulous option.

Image credit: stardoll

More about online activities

Free online games your kids will love
Online safety for tweens and teens
Teens and the consequences of social media

Head to the dentist

The Halloween Candy Buy Back program is a fantastic idea that is actually two-fold in parenting goodness — not only do you get rid of the candy from Halloween, but your kids get the chance to learn about doing something nice for others. The Halloween Candy Buy Back program is mainly run by local dentists — they can register on the website and then buy back Halloween candy from little ones in the neighborhood in exchange for new toothbrushes or other fun sugar-free goodies. From there, the dentists send the candy to troops overseas via Operation Gratitude.

Set limits on how much they can keep

A good rule of thumb is to let them keep one piece of candy for each year they are old. Let them have the power to pick those special pieces out of the bucket and then get rid of the rest. Veteran Halloween parents will tell you that as you trick-or-treat, sneak candy out of their bucket as you go, putting it in your purse or another bag. This way, when you get home, it won't seem like such a bounty anyway.

More Halloween fun

Frightfully fun Halloween movies for kids of all ages
5 Fun Halloween activities for the whole family
5 Tips for Baby's first Halloween: Fun, not frightful