Super fun slumber party pillow

DIY slumber party pillow

Hosting a slumber party is sure to be fun but also comes with a great deal of uncertainty and responsibility. Will the kids cry and want to call home at 2 in the morning? Will they have fun or will they be bored? Will they ever go to bed?!

While you can't possibly prepare for everything, you can certainly provide a few awesome memory-making activities! One of those activities happens to be something I came up with and I'm super excited to share it with you. It's none other than a Slumber Party Pillow! You can make one simply using an existing pillow case, some fabric paint and a sewing machine to create felt accessories.

The possibilities for this project are endless, and if you are really design-inspired you can come up with limitless shoe patterns.

Here's how you can get started making your Slumber Party Pillow:

• A solid colored pillow case
• Fabric Paint
• An ink pen
• Freezer paper
• An X-acto knife
• Scissors
• Felt
• Sewing machine and thread

Begin by drawing the shape of legs and feet onto the non-waxy side of the freezer paper. Use a regular ink pen to sketch the design. You will need to draw double lines . Use a small brush to apply fabric paint to your stencil.

Next, remove the stencil and allow the design to begin drying. Once the design has dried a little, remove your cardboard or newspaper from inside so the paint doesn't stick to it while drying.

Ignite your imagination with this part and create any kind of shoe design you would like. To make a template, lay freezer paper on top of your dry design and trace the legs creating the shape of the shoe based on what you trace. In the example in the images I'm providing, I made the yellow boots, so I traced my legs all the way up the calf for the height of the boots.

Once you trace the legs of your design, remove the paper and cut out your design. Cut through two pieces of felt using the traced template you just created. You will cut through the two pieces of felt because you will be sewing the two pieces together to make your shoes more sturdy.

Now that your shoes are cut out, lay them on top of the design and make sure they fit well.

Now, using your sewing machine and either matching or contrasting colored thread, sew the two pieces of felt together. Once you sew the two pieces of felt together, create laces and other designs with your sewing machine if you wish, or leave them basic and as they are.

Once finished, stuff your pillow inside your new case and let the party begin!

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What you'll need:

• 3 popsicle sticks
• craft glue
• paint brush
• glitter
• sequins and gems

What you'll do:

1. Use your paint brush to coat the popsicle sticks in glue.
2. Sprinkle the glitter over the popsicle sticks and allow them to dry.
3. Once they are dry, layer the popsicle sticks on top of each other to form the snowflake, and glue them in place.
4. Decorate the snowflake with sequins and gems.

What you'll need:

• white pipe cleaners
• beads in assorted colors
• scissors
• string

What you'll do:

1. Cut the pipe cleaners so that you have three 6-inch segments.
2. Hold one pipe cleaner piece vertically, then wrap the other two pieces around it so that they make an "X" across the vertical piece.
3. Slide the beads on the pipe cleaner, alternating between colors.
4. Fold down the edge of each pipe cleaner to keep the beads in place.
5. Make a loop in the top pipe cleaner for hanging. Thread some string through the loop and hang the snowflake.

What you'll need:

• coffee filters
• scissors
• tape

What you'll do:

1. Fold the coffee filters in half to form a semi-circle, then fold the semi-circle in half two more times.
2. Use your scissors to cut along the edges of the folded coffee filter. You can play around with cutting out different shapes and seeing what kind of design they make.
3. Unfold the coffee filter and lay it under some heavy books to flatten the folds. Use the tape to tape the snowflakes up in a window.

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Jessica Simpson

“Fun in the sun…,” pregnant Jessica Simpson tweeted, with a link to this photo of her showing off her famous curves in a red low-cut swimsuit cover-up and cowboy hat.

Simpson vacationed with Eric Johnson and their baby Maxwell in Oahu, Hawaii over the holidays. The singer actually announced she is pregnant again while enjoying some time in the tropical spot.

“There are little things that you kind of obsess over. I never knew how protective I was until I had my own child. I’m already thinking about intruders coming into the house and what our escape route would be,” she told People.

Besides her sense of security, she also said her personal style has changed.

"I find myself going for more sophisticated looks, but I do think that’s kind of trendy right now — just a classier-looking woman,” Simpson said. “I love to show off my curves, but being a mom, I guess I do it in a little bit more classy way, even though for Halloween I was a milkmaid — but there are moments.”

Next up: Can you spot Kim Kardashian’s baby bump?

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

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Kim Kardashian

Pregnant Kim Kardashian wore black spandex as she left the gym and headed to Jamba Juice to pick up a snack and drink in Los Angeles on January 3.

Kim is reportedly early in her second trimester and doesn’t seem to be showing much yet, despite reports that claim that she is expecting twins.

“Staying fit and healthy during my pregnancy,” Kim tweeted.

The reality star wrote that Gwyneth Paltrow’s trainer, Tracy Anderson, is working with her during her pregnancy.

“Tracy Anderson is keeping me in shape!“ she wrote on her website. “She is helping me make the adjustments necessary to keep me feeling happy, healthy and most importantly create a workout plan that is safe for the baby. It’s really important for me to have a fitness routine that works for my body and my schedule and I’m really happy with the workout plan Tracy is working with me on.”

Kim and Kanye have reportedly turned down an offer of $3 million for the first pictures of baby Kimye. Why would they turn this huge offer down?

"We're told they're aware public demand will only increase over time -- and still might consider offers in the future," a source tells TMZ.

The couple are also saying their baby will not be appearing on Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

Next up: Holly Madison paints her baby bump

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Holly Madison

Pregnant Holly Madison has a smiling baby bump! The former Playboy playmate posted a photo of herself on her blog showing off her bump with a smiley face painted on it.

“Hey guys! I took this pic of the baby bump this morning — smiling just for you! Hope you’re having a great weekend,” she wrote.

Madison is expecting her first child, a girl, with her boyfriend Pasquale Rotella.

“I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions — I usually just come up with a list of goals and things I’m looking forward to. Obviously, the first thing I’m excited about is becoming a mom!” she wrote on her blog.

Also on her list?

“I'm excited about getting back in shape after having the baby! My back is starting to hurt from all this extra weight.”

Next up: Jenna Dewan-Tatum's chic maternity style

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

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Jenna Dewan-Tatum

Channing Tatum’s pregnant wife, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, looked cute as she stopped to pick up some groceries at Bristol Farms in Los Angeles on January 7.

The 32-year-old actress is around three of four months pregnant with her first child with her husband, who was crowned People’s Sexiest Man Alive this year.

Jenna looked casually chic in a white flowing top paired with a jean jacket, black pants, red-rimmed shades and gold platform sneakers.

“Jenna and Tatum don’t know if it is a boy or a girl yet and they’re still getting used to her being pregnant,” a source told Celebuzz. “But they are totally excited and they do not care about the sex of the baby just as long as he or she is fit and healthy.“

Next up: Malin Akerman’s printed pregnancy pants

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Malin Akerman

Rock of Ages star Malin Akerman looked like one hot mama as she was spotted leaving a restaurant in West Hollywood wearing floral leggings paired with a flowing gray tank and black boots.

Akerman is expecting her first child with her husband Robert Zincone — and she told E! News that they haven’t decided if they are finding out the sex of their baby.

“We're still debating it,“ she said. “We know that it's coming up to that point when you can, so I think it's going to be a last-minute decision.“

And as far as baby names? “That's done,“ she said. “We started that years ago and we finally came to an agreement for both sexes.“

From pregnant Kate Middleton to Shakira, check out more celebrity baby bumps here>>

All Photos WENN unless otherwise noted

It’s so easy to get caught up in our future plans. But along the way, doing so can leave us unappreciative of the present. Don’t let it. Instead, bask in the little joys every day — from the laughter of your kids to the little compliments you receive.

Appreciating the now

Some days, I find myself caught in the loop-de-loop of that magical, mystical "some day" when all my dreams will be reality. It's a lovely fantasy where I spend my days by the beach in my bright and sunny home writing books and watching my kids play.

While some degree of imagining is undoubtedly good motivation, letting myself dwell in that too long isn't good. Why not? Because it takes you away from the present and robs you of the little moments that really mean so much.

Being present

Are you present with your dreams? If not, you should be. "Being present matters in your life and in your career because it allows you to see what's really at hand and to make clear decisions," says Dez Stephens, founder of Radiant Health Institute. "In your career, being present forces you to sharpen your thinking and get in touch with your emotions when dealing with job or business situations. It supports you in a meeting because it gets you to fully engage instead of zone out and alleviates a distracted and congested mind."

Beyond this, being present allows you to really appreciate the little wins you have as you have them — and yes, that matters. "It is empowering. You infuse the present moment with all of your energy — your listening skills, creativity," says Cassandra James, author of How to Go From BooHoo to WooHoo in 90 Days.

And in terms of your family, being present allows you to create those important memories that you and your kids will cherish always. From little things — like a game played unexpectedly — to bigger ones — like being there for important school moments... it all makes a difference for your kids and you.

Convinced but not sure where to start? Being present is as simple as appreciating the moments as they happen. Steve Langerud, a workplace consultant and director of professional opportunities at DePauw University, offered these two tips for being present with your dreams:

More from Chasing the Dream

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Gender-bending baby names

Still searching for the perfect baby name? If you are looking for a modern and unique baby girl name, perhaps you should consider checking out the hottest new trend — boys’ names for girls!

Today’s parents are thinking outside of the box when searching for baby names, which is evident in the hottest new baby name trend of gender-bending boy names for girls.

Jessica Simpson jumped on this gender-bending trend when she named her daughter Maxwell Drew. She explained that the name is from her fiance’s middle name and her mother’s maiden name .

Other celebrities give their child a masculine first name paired with a feminine middle name, such as Michelle Branch who named her daughter Owen Isabelle or Rachel Uchitel who named her daughter Wyatt Lilly.

Other stars, such as Soleil Moon Frye, went masculine all the way by naming her daughter Jagger Joseph Blue.

“Jagger was a name that we loved from the beginning of the pregnancy. We always wanted to be surprised by the sex and we felt like it was perfect for a boy or a girl,” Frye told People. “Joseph has a meaning that is so very close to our hearts. It was the name of our godfather... Blue, we just loved it.”

“We have always believed in the names within our family having a deeper purpose and for us, Jagger Joseph Blue was certainly one that came from the bottom of our hearts. She is beautiful, happy and healthy, which is what is most important, and the name makes us smile each and every day,” she said.

Check out more celebrity baby girl names with unisex or boys’ names:

• Sawyer:Talk co-host Sara Gilbert
• Elliott: George Stephanopoulos
• Emerson: Teri Hatcher
• Wyatt Lilly: Rachel Uchitel
• Arlo: Johnny Knoxville
• Dylan: Joe and Heather Nichols
• Jude: Alexis Stewart
• Billie: Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart
• Lou: Heidi Klum

If you are considering a unisex or gender-bending name for your baby girl, check out the below ideas, which we have broken down into unisex names and, for the more adventurous, boy names for girls.

These unisex names won’t raise many eyebrows as they are often given to both girls and boys:

The following baby names are more often given to boys, however would make cool girls’ names as well. You can also consider giving your child a feminine middle name to balance out the masculine first name.

Image credit: WENN.com

More baby names

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Get your ZZZs

The old wives' tale goes that lack of sleep throughout pregnancy is good preparation for motherhood. But really, all you want is a good night of sleep so when the little bundle of joy does arrive, you're well rested for motherhood.

Sleep during pregnancy

Your mind is racing, you're up all night — will the baby be alright? Is it a boy or girl? Am I ready for the responsibility? The list goes on and on. But, sleep is very important for expectant mothers. Rest now ladies, you need it!

Here are some pointers, products and items to help you get that much-needed sleep that moms-to-be require. Hopefully you will slowly be able to return to "Susie Sunshine" with a comfortable sleep pattern.

Sleep challenges during first trimester

You might find that you spend the greatest amount of time resting during the first three months. Between morning, noon and evening sickness, and your body working double time with the additional hormones, you'll find your bed the equivalent of a chaise lounge in the Hawaiian afternoon sun, umbrella included of course!

However, it's not at all easy to slumber during the first trimester. For example, you're "enjoying" the constant need to pee. You uterus is now growing and pressing against the bladder. Try drinking liquids throughout the day and cutting back before bed. Leave a night light on in the bathroom or make sure to have laundry baskets and dog beds moved out of the way to make midnight trips more of a two- to three-minute experience instead of an Amazing Race-style scramble.

If you can nap whenever you choose, more power to you. If not, try to rest your head on your desk for 20 minutes or so and set an alarm as to not to miss any meetings, calls or appointments. If you have another child at home, try to nap while she rests.

Comfort is also one of the first things you'll miss in early pregnancy. Your sore and tender breasts are preventing your favorite snooze position. Make sure to have adequate pillows and start practicing sleeping on your left side — the sooner you accomplish this, the more good nights of sleep to come. If this means switching sides of the bed, it is only temporary, and well worth the move.

Sleep challenges during the second trimester

Congrats! You are now well on your way, but sleeping is still an issue. It's now time for the body pillow. There are dozens of types of maternity pillows and luckily, most aren't very expensive. From the wedge, to the c-shaped, to the straight body-length pillow, you'll find one that suits your needs. Jump online or pop into Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, Babies 'R' Us or even Sears. Happily, many stores carry this magical wonder.

Sleep challenges during the third trimester

You are in the final stretch, and it really does feel like a marathon — it is getting harder and harder the further you go. For women due in the hot summer months, try showering before bed. You can also get your hair wet or soak your feet in cold water to cool off. Light exercise such as walking, swimming or yoga can help you relax during the afternoon and get you ready for bedtime. Many expectant moms in their seventh, eighth and ninth months keep a change of clothes next to the bed, in case they sweat through a top or want to change from shorts to comfy pants during the night.

Sleep tidbits to keep in mind

1. There is no harm done if you do fall asleep on your back or right side because your body will wake you up to change positions.
2. Sleeping on your left side improves the flow of blood and nutrients to the placenta and aids your kidneys in eliminating fluids that can cause swelling in your hands, feet and ankles.
3. Avoid constantly sleeping on your back in the latter part of pregnancy as this puts weight on your spine, intestines and back muscles — putting you at risk for backaches, hemorrhoids, indigestion, poor circulation and even impaired breathing.

More on pregnancy and bedtime

Sleep deprivation can lead to preterm labor
Sex and early pregnancy
Pregnancy heartburn: 3 Tips to stop the burn

Love unconditionally

If you have a child who doesn’t fit in, don’t focus on the negative aspects of being different. Embrace your child’s unique qualities and mold-breaking behaviors. Learn how to support a teen who doesn’t color inside the lines.

Support your child’s unique choices

It’s harder than ever to classify teens into types, and this is a good thing. Instead of labeling your kid, learn how to embrace the behaviors, hobbies and choices that make him unique. Edgy doesn’t mean bad and being different isn’t a warning sign. Nurture your edgy teen as you learn about his sense of individuality.

Does your teen prefer fashions that don’t fit in with what other kids are wearing? Does he spend more time playing role-playing games than he does playing sports? If your teen seems different from other kids or he has interests wildly different from your own, never tease him. Even kids who have a solid group of friends can be teased and ostracized for being different. As a parent, the last thing you want to do is contribute to your child’s insecurities. Be a source of support and understanding. Act as your child’s advocate when other family members question his interests or behaviors. Be there for him instead of making him feel like being different is bad.

Is your teen into anime, Tumblr blogs or larping? Do those words sound like Greek to you? Make an effort to learn about what your teen loves. Whether she sews her own costumes or listens to indie bands you’ve never heard of, you should show interest in her interests. You don’t need to become an aficionado yourself, but you should communicate clearly that you admire your teen’s dedication to her hobbies and that you’d love to learn more about them. Don’t be condescending. If and when your teen opens up, give her your full attention. Ask questions. Admit when you’re confused or befuddled. Give your teen a chance to share what she loves. You may be surprised by the depth of her enthusiasm, and that’s OK.

Develop balance between being a mom and a friend>>

Always pictured yourself with a teen on the varsity team? Consider why you might feel uncomfortable with or disappointed in your teen’s choices. If you’re trying to slot your teen into your own expectations or your experiences as a teenager, adjust your expectations. Your teen is an individual who shouldn’t be expected to conform to anyone’s expectations. As long as you know your teen is healthy and safe, you should offer nothing but nurturing and acceptance. You may end up learning something from your teen as he embarks on a different lifestyle than the one you knew at his age.

Every kid experiences bullying at one time or another. Kids who have mainstream hobbies and behaviors may be less susceptible to bullying than kids who deliberately avoid the mainstream. If your teen is an outsider, by choice or not, support him when other kids treat him poorly. Help him make friends with similar interests and never ignore or blow off his sadness. Be aware of warning signs of depression and anxiety, such as declining performance in school and insomnia. However, don’t assume that being different or having unique tastes is a sign that there’s something wrong with your teen.

Learn how to take action to stop bullying>>

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Should you give your teen birth control?
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All parents want their kids to be as healthy as they can be. By encouraging proper eating and exercise habits, supplying structure and consistency and offering a lot of love, we all can hope to raise happy and healthy children.

Keep your children happy and healthy

Mealtime shouldn't be a battle — it should be a pleasant experience for the whole family. Kids are often picky eaters — and not just toddlers. Sometimes even teenagers are picky about what they eat. And though you shouldn't force your children to eat everything on their plates, you shouldn't be a pushover and let them consume unhealthy foods either. Parents need to find a balance.

Dr. Natalie Muth — a pediatrician, registered dietitian and a leading expert in childhood obesity and healthy eating — is the author of Eat Your Vegetables and Other Mistakes Parents Make: Redefining How to Raise Healthy Eaters. She wrote this book to help empower parents through tackling everything from picky eaters to sabotaging grandparents. The book offers plenty of honest, practical advice for parents, and also challenges many wide-held beliefs about how to raise healthy kids.

"Taking an authoritative parenting approach in which you set boundaries and guidelines for your children but they’re given the freedom to make choices within those guidelines helps you to raise the most well-adjusted and overall healthy children," Muth writes. "Put this to practice at mealtimes, when you determine what types of foods are prepared and the children decide what and how much to eat."

We all need to keep in mind that even if we have a skinny toddler now, that doesn't mean that we can allow him to develop unhealthy eating habits. Two-thirds of adults in America are overweight or obese.

Muth says in her book: "When the frustration overwhelms and the desire to just give in and forget about it increases, remember the high price of being overweight — a condition affecting more than one-third of children today. Even if your child isn’t even close to being overweight right now, he’s got a decent chance of being overweight in the future if he doesn’t adopt healthy nutrition and activity habits in childhood."

Teaching your children to be healthy eaters>>

Like with eating habits, it's essential to instill healthy fitness habits in your children from a young age. Kids who are active are happier and healthier.

Get moving as a family - Kids model their parents' behavior. You can't expect them to want to get outside and get active if you just sit in front of the computer or the TV every evening. Make exercise part of your daily routine as a family. It's great for your health, and for family bonding. Take a walk together after dinner every night, go bike riding on the weekend or play a good old-fashioned game of tag.

Advocate for recess and gym - Many schools are skipping recess to shorten the school day or eliminating physical education classes due to budget costs. It's important for parents to advocate to maintain these programs in their kids' school and keep our children active.

Limit screen time - It's probably impossible to keep your children away from computers, TVs and gaming systems all the time, but you should have some limits. Too much screen time can lead to an unhealthy sedentary lifestyle. If your kids are engrossed in video games, invest in Wii games and other video games that keep them up and moving.

Raising strong kids, inside and out>>

Physical health is just part of the equation when it comes to raising healthy kids. Emotional and mental health is vital too.

Self-esteem - Self-esteem issues in kids can lead to a number of serious concerns — from depression to alcohol and drug abuse to cutting and other self-harm. Criticism from parents and peers, a lack of confidence in skills or appearance, expectations from society and a number of other factors can damage a child's self-esteem at any age. By providing children with opportunities to succeed, offering genuine praise and communicating with them about all that is happening their lives, parents can help boost their kids' self-esteem.

Praise - Though praise is critical for our children's emotional development, you don't want to become the parent that praises or spoils your child so much that they don't learn how to handle adversity, challenges and failures on their own.

Communication - It's important for parents to keep the lines of communication open with their children, no matter their ages. From the time kids are young, each parent should try to spend some one-on-one time with each child, as well as take part in family activities as a unit that promote bonding and communication. In our fast-paced, highly-digital world, we don't want to become so consumed with other things that we forget to take time out to communicate and enjoy each other's company.

Of course diet and exercise are key to raising healthy kids. But love, care and respect go along way too in a child becoming a happy, healthy adult.

More about raising kids

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Skip the sass

by McKenzie Westmore
as told to Julie Weingarden Dubin

I never considered hosting a television show because my background is in the scripted world of acting. After a 10-year run on the NBC soap opera, Passions, reality TV was the furthest thing from my mind. However when the concept of Face Off came to me I thought, "How can I not do this?”

It's everything my family history is based on." When I was approached to possibly host Face Off I went through four auditions and I finally got the job.

Loving my job

It's so much fun being a host! At first it was a big change because instead of playing a character, I was just being me. I’m grateful for the people I meet and the artistry I experience every week. And now I get to work alongside my dad — a dream come true!

Hollywood’s not all glamour. It's work like any other job and I treat it as such. I feel very lucky to be where I am in this industry and I never take that for granted.

Keeping it real

My greatest role is raising my 6-year-old son, Maddox. I juggle motherhood and hosting the show with the help of my family — I co-parent with my parents. I'm very thankful for my family’s support. It takes a village!

I believe I’ll be able to keep Maddox grounded. I’m careful not to make a big deal about what I do. He has an understanding and he comes to the set but for the most part, I'm just Mom. Yes, I’m on TV and I do red carpet events but at the end of the day it's all about the warmth of home. My son is more excited that I volunteer at school and help with the drop-off line than any TV show or magazine cover.

Motherhood didn't come naturally to me. At first, I suffered postpartum depression but as time went on and I battled through that, I came to love everything about being a mom. Maddox has made me a better person.

How motherhood rocked my world

I love seeing him grow into a young man and I love the conversations we have. It hasn't been the easiest these last few years going through a divorce, but he's becoming stronger and I’m becoming stronger.

My son’s taught me to slow down in life. There’s so much more to enjoy when you see it through a child's eyes. I just hope I can teach Maddox the same values my parents taught me.

Image credit: WENN

Read more stories about real moms

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Bundle up, keep track of the amount of time you spend outdoors, pack a thermos of hot cocoa and prepare to discover the unique gifts of winter.

Winter is our favorite time of year to feed and watch birds. In the south, winter allows us the opportunity to see different finches, songbirds, waterfowl and other birds that typically stay in northern climates. Our feathered friends can offer us a fun outdoor classroom. Birdwatching can also be done from the comfort of a warm home through your windows. A fun activity that engages children in observing birds and learning about science is Project Feeder Watch science module for homeschoolers. Project Feeder Watch includes resources for math, science, writing, geography, history and art.

Nature scavenger hunt

Enjoy a fun day looking for items on a nature scavenger hunt. First have some fun and create a list of items you might find outdoors during the winter months. You can collect your items into a basket for further study at home or try a digital scavenger hunt to work on photography skills. Take your list and bring along a camera to take a picture of the things you find.

If you are lucky enough to live in a place where it snows, you can study and examine the beauty of snowflakes. All you need is felt-covered cardboard — preferably black — and a magnifying glass. Place your felt-covered cardboard in the freezer for half an hour to prevent the snowflakes from melting too quickly. Allow the snowflakes to fall on your felt and study them with a magnifying glass. Fact: The average snowflake is made up of 180 billion molecules of water!

• Study your own winter weather, such as rain, ice, hail, snow, fog and compare to spring.
• Study the bark, leaves, needles, branches and moss on trees and the animals that live in, on or off of them.
• Winter nights are darker and longer — bundle up and observe the moon stages, constellations and scheduled meteor showers.
• Nature walks are the simplest way to explore the outdoors any time of day. Walk in your neighborhood or visit a state park.

If the weather does not permit you to venture outdoors, you can always opt for online nature studies. There are a number of sites that offer complete nature studies, one of our favorites for winter being the Five in a Row Digital Winter Nature Study. Our Wonderful World by Emery Lewis Howe is another rich nature study book available for free download online.

Whether indoors or outdoors, there are many options for joining your children on an exciting winter nature adventure.

Image credit: Tiany Davis

More about homeschooling

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Harsh outdoor weather and indoor heating can wreak havoc on everyone’s skin, including your children's skin. Here’s how to tell if it’s simply dry skin or if you need to take your little one to get checked out by a healthcare professional.

Just dry and itchy,
or is it eczema?

Winter can mean dry skin for you or your kids. Eczema, while it is a year-round problem for many, often flares up when the weather grows cold. How can you tell the difference, and what can you do at home to relieve the symptoms?

Eczema is a chronic allergic condition also known as atopic dermatitis. Those who suffer from it are familiar with its telltale symptoms of itchy, scaly, oozing rashes. However, for those who aren’t on a first-name basis with eczema, it can be a bit of a mystery when confronted with dry skin.

Cammi Balleck, Ph.D., who works as a naturopath and has 10 years of experience, shared tips on what to look for if your child complains of dry, itchy skin. “Dry skin will have a white or gray tint to it,” she explained. “It itches in the winter more and may cause cracking of the skin. If it is raised, itchy, or oozing patches on the skin, you child may have eczema."

Eczema is closely related to — and will often accompany — other allergic conditions, such as asthma, hay fever and food allergies. It can also be triggered by topical substances that are present in your home or your daily routine, such as lotion, certain soaps, detergents, dust and animal hair. “Eczema is also worsened by dry climates, exposure to water, temperature changes and stress,” Dr. Balleck said.

If your child has symptoms of dry skin or eczema, there are a few things that Dr. Balleck suggests that you can try at home. “Coconut cooking oil or aloe vera gel are the best topical tricks I know,” she told us.

“They work great applied as lotion to keep skin moist. However like any skin condition, eczema should not only be treated with topicals, but you also need to fix it from the inside out.”

She also suggests that your child try an anti-inflammatory diet by eliminating all dairy milk and all milk products, which may irritate the immune system and liver. You should try coconut or almond products as a good substitute . Also, keep in mind that skin disorders are often strongly linked to psychological stress; conversely, stress-relieving techniques can often be extraordinarily effective in providing relief. She also suggests that your child take a kids’ probiotic to strengthen the immune system and help the digestive system.

If your child’s eczema doesn’t improve, you might consider getting an allergy panel done to both foods and environmental allergens — and based on those results, you will often find that removing exposure to the allergens provides relief. Dr. Balleck recommends a noninvasive saliva test, or you can go the traditional blood or skin prick test route.

If the eczema is severe, your child may be prescribed a steroid regimen to reduce inflammation. You’ll want to monitor her for signs of infection, however — look for increased redness, bleeding, white or yellow pus, pain or swelling of affected area, fever with the rash or blisters. Any sign of trouble like that warrants a call to your doctor.

With these tips in mind, relief will hopefully come your way — and you can banish dry skin from your home for winter, for good.

More on winter and kids

Winter skin care for kids
Winter health and safety tips for kids
Keep kids active in the winter

Find out what Dad can do to help

Breastfeeding is the mom’s domain, right? Well, yes, but she needs a network of support to be successful, and her partner is one of the main folks in her life that can help her the most.

Support comes
from the home

We talk with breastfeeding experts — and moms — on how a dad can help support his breastfeeding partner.

Breastfeeding a baby is a normal part of parenting a little one, but it can go so much smoother if Mom has great support — especially from the baby’s other parent. What can a daddy really do to help his partner flourish as a breastfeeding mother?

Dad may be tempted to leave Mom alone if he thinks that’s what she needs to succeed, but if he sticks around during the nursing session, he can offer comfort, approval and support. He will be able to watch as she and the baby bond and can help her troubleshoot latch positions and fetch her water, a pillow or a snack. “When I was nursing Avery during the night, Jon would stay awake too and sometimes rub my back,” said Carrie, mom of three. “It made me feel like I had support and wasn't doing everything myself.”

Dads can lift a new mom’s spirits by speaking words of encouragement to her. “Dirk encouraged me so much, especially when I was ill in the hospital after my C-section,” shared Jackee, mom of one. “I was feeling very sick and dizzy and was stuck laying on my side. He helped me side-nurse her by holding her there for me and helping her get a good latch.”

Encouragement comes in the form of actions also. ”My husband has been super supportive of the breastfeeding all along,” explained Talei, mom of two. ”Never suggested I should stop when I had issues. Did all the cooking in the early days.”

Patricia Berg-Drazin, RLC, IBCLC, CST, told us that Dad can play a pivotal role by responding when a baby cries. “When a baby cries and Dad picks the baby up — even if it is to give to mom for breastfeeding — the message to the baby is that they have a voice, and when they call out they can engender a response,” she explained. “Dad is letting his baby know that he or she has a voice that is, and will be heard. He is also developing a bond with the baby by responding to those calls — this is hugely powerful.”

Dad shouldn’t hesitate to share with his partner how awesome she is doing. It can give her a huge boost of confidence to have that love and support directly from Dad. A card can do the same trick, or a text in the middle of the day. “I don't know if it was really support, so to say, but he had no issues and was very proud of me for doing it,” said Lindsey from Michigan.

Yes, breastfeeding is primarily a moms-only activity, but there is so much that a dad can do to support her and turn it into an act of parenting that both can take part in.

More on breastfeeding

Why you should breastfeed your toddler
Breastfeeding myths debunked
Breastfeeding: Why pumping or covering may not be an option

If your child has a specific fear — the dark, starting a new school, dogs or anything else — you can probably find a few books on the topic by visiting Google or Amazon. If you want general information and reassurance for a generally nervous and anxious kid, here are some suggestions.

For young kids

For younger children,When My Worries Get Too Big! A Relaxation Book for Children Who Live with Anxietyby Kari Dunn Buron is an excellent choice. Kids as young as 4 years old can relate to the social stories and will have a way to let you know what's going on in their heads even if their verbal skills aren't strong enough to describe their feelings. This book was originally written for kids with developmental disorders such as autism, but it's also great for typical kids with anxiety issues.

For older kids

What to Do When You're Scared and Worried: A Guide for Kids by James J. Crist. Just as the title suggests, this book is written expressly for kids and is designed to help older children work through their own feelings without belittling them. In the first section, kids work on developing 10 coping mechanisms for handling ordinary anxiety. The second part focuses on more serious issues such as OCD and phobias, in a way that empowers kids to involve trusted adults and get the help they need.

For teens

If you are dealing with a teen who has anxiety issues, a great resource is The Anxiety Workbook for Teens: Activities to Help You Deal with Anxiety and Worry by Lisa M. Schab, LCSW. By explaining anxiety in simple terms and making teens feel that they can help themselves, Schab is able to empower teens to deal with their daily anxieties — and know when to ask for more help if needed. This workbook receives positive feedback from teens and parents alike.

As parents, we need to find as many resources as possible to help our kids. Here are just a couple of books that may help you help your fearful, anxious child.

Your child's fears are real, and so is your desire to help. These books are a great starting place, but be sure to discuss concerns with your pediatrician and other professionals.

More on how to help your child with fear

Helping your teen deal with life fears
What to do when your child's fear becomes debilitating
When your child is scared of animals

Kids and inflatable bouncer boo-boos

Bounce houses and kids' birthday parties are synonymous, but are they getting more dangerous?

The AAP's recent study found that inflatable bouncer-related injuries are continuing to happen, but you may not have to ban your brood from the jumper when you understand how to avoid the bounce house blues, despite the fact that injuries are on the rise.

Increase in bounce house injuries

In a recent study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in the December 2012 issue of Pediatrics, researchers reported that an estimated 64,657 children ages 17 years old and younger were treated in emergency rooms for inflatable bouncer injuries across the country between 1990 and 2010. In 2010 alone, an average of 31 kids per day were treated for bouncer boo-boos nationally.

"Some of the most common injuries we've seen involving inflatable bouncers include concussions, fractures, lacerations and dental injuries," explains Christopher Haines, DO, the director of the Emergency Department at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. "The most severe involved children being ejected through the door, so be sure children are monitored at all times."

To bounce or not to bounce? Bounce houses may expose kids to unsafe lead levels>> 

Who's to blame for bounce house injuries?

While the data of this recent study doesn't explain why the number of injuries has more than doubled between 2005 and 2010, increased use could be the culprit. So, what's being done to address the national epidemic of constant air inflatable play devices? Although no mandatory regulations are likely to be enforced, ASTM International is proposing that bounce house standards are developed.

Inflatable bouncer safety tips

In the meantime, while keeping your youngsters on the sidelines to watch as other kids jump to their heart's delight can be considered cruel and unusual punishment, it's more practical to learn how to make your kiddo's time in the bounce house safer. Check out the Consumer Product and Safety Commission's safety statement issued in 2001 along with these safety tips on giving bounce house injuries the boot:

• Enforce proper supervision and do not leave kids in the bounce house unattended, regardless of age
• Watch weight limitations to avoid causing the bouncer to bust
• Bounce by age and height and avoid mixing groups to keep kids safer
• Limit how many kids can bounce at a time, using bouncer company recommendations as a guide
• Secure your inflatable bouncer to reduce your risk the bouncer will collapse or tip over, especially on windy days
• Restrict flips, somersaults and horseplay to limit bounce house injuries
• Prohibit food or drink in bounce house to dodge slipping — and forfeiting your deposit
• Forbid laying or sitting down while others are bouncing in the moon jumper
• Remove shoes, glasses, jewelry etc. before entering bouncer
• Ban pets and grownups from the inflatable fun; exceeded weight limits and mixed groups can lead to injuries

Keep your kids safe with these playground safety tips>>

While it's tempting to boost your youngster into a jumper and head off for a lounge chair, a little common sense — and the AAP's warnings — can go a long way to banishing these bounce house blues. "The alarming 15-fold increase in the number of injuries from inflatable bouncers is an epidemic in public health terms," said Gary A. Smith, MD, DrPH, president of the Child Injury Prevention Alliance and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. "It is time for us to take action to prevent these [bounce house] injuries. Ensuring that parents are aware of the potential risks, improving surveillance of these injuries, promoting national safety guidelines, and improving bouncer design are important next steps."

More kids safety tips

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Apps to help keep your kids safe
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Health care costs have increased much more rapidly than wages in recent years, so how can families cope? One option to consider is a flexible spending account , which can be funded by you, your employer or both.

Flexible spending accounts for families

The cost of medical care is increasing rapidly. In 2010, health care expenditures in the United States were nearly $2.6 trillion; that represents a 10-fold increase since 1980.

Over the past 10 years, health care costs have risen over three times faster than wages, just as employers have decreased coverage availability to many employees.

To help families cope with the cost of increased coverage, the Tax Code allows a deduction for medical expenses. However, the deduction is limited to those expenses which exceed 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income , making it impossible for many taxpayers to receive a benefit. In fact, according to the IRS, in 2001, the last year for which complete data is available, only about 6 percent of all taxpayers claimed the deduction. That percentage is expected to go even lower in 2013 when taxpayers who itemize can only deduct those medical expenses which exceed 10 percent of AGI.

One option that is receiving more attention these days is a flexible spending account . FSAs are tax-favored benefit plans offered by employers at most companies, including small businesses. The plans can be funded by the employer, the employee or both.

The most common arrangement for an FSA allows you to set aside a portion of your paycheck to pay for qualified health care expenses. Money that is set aside is not subject to income or payroll taxes, which means that you can pay for eligible health care expenses out of pretax dollars.

Think of the math this way. Let’s say you were in a 25 percent federal income tax bracket and pay another 7.65 percent in payroll taxes. If you contribute $2,500 to an FSA to be used to pay medical expenses, you avoid the 25 percent in federal income tax and the 7.65 percent in payroll taxes, or $816.25. That’s a lot of co-pays and prescriptions.

Qualified medical expenses include those as defined under section 213 of the Internal Revenue Code and include items like:

• Eyeglasses and contact lenses
• Lab fees
• Doctor and dental copays
• X-rays
• Medications

You can see a longer list here— or consult Publication 502 from the Internal Revenue Service.

In 2013, the amount that you can put away in an FSA is limited to $2,500 per employee ; that amount will be adjusted for inflation in future years. Contributions aren’t limited to employees: an employer may also contribute an amount into the plan on your behalf. In that event, those contributions are excluded from your gross income and are not taxed . Further, FSA contributions do not need to be reported on your federal income tax return.

An FSA plan is often used together with a high deductible plan or high co-pay health insurance plans for employees who pay health care premiums out of pocket. That maximizes your savings since higher deductibles, which are reimbursable under the FSA plan, tend to equal lower health care premiums.

The FSA generally works like this: The plan is funded at the beginning of the calendar year and you start spending money on qualified medical expenses. Most of the time, funds are reimbursed to employees upon proof of initial payment for qualified expenses up to the amount in the plan. More recently, employers have begun issuing loaded debit cards to their employees; those largely work the same way .

There are some cautions. For one, you may not use funds from an FSA to pay health insurance premiums, long-term care premiums or expenses and amounts that are covered under any other health plan.

Additionally, the FSA is referred to as a “use it or lose it” plan. That means that any contributions to the plan must be used for qualified medical expenses during the year or they are forfeited. In other words, if you overfund the plan, you don’t get the extra money back . You’ll want to plan wisely.

Finally, keep in mind that self-employed persons cannot participate in an FSA and there are limitations on eligibility and contributions for highly compensated participants and key employees.

More about family finances

Talking to your kids about family finances
Tips for adding to your child's college fund
Making gifts to children even after the holidays

Megan Fox

Megan Fox has had a Facebook page for quite some time, but the new mom officially joined Twitter on January 3.

“I'm incredibly late to the party but I'm here nonetheless, so what now?” tweeted Fox, who recently gave birth to her first child, a boy named Noah, with husband Brian Austin Green.

“Hello twitter. How is everyones day going? 7:30am and we've watched 'A Bugs Life' twice...so mine has been action packed as per usual,” tweeted Fox, who lists 'Lover.Healer.Mother' on her profile and has over 250,000 followers.

“Is it cool or embarrassing to own a life size R2D2? It's cool right?...Right?!” she wrote, with a picture of the Star Wars robot.

She didn’t share any pictures of baby Noah, but she did share a cute photo of her as young child.

“So while everyone else lived in the 80s my family was living in the Wild West? ?Do you have embarrassing family photos?” she wrote, with a link to a family photo.

Sadly, it sounds like her experiment with Twitter may have come to an end, according to this tweet from January 9:

“5 days on Twitter and I have yet to discern it's purpose.#WhatIsThePoint ???”

On her Facebook page, she said she was quitting Twitter. Contrary to what she wrote, however, her Twitter account is currently still up:

“Some of you may, or may not have noticed by now that my Twitter account has been shut down...I thought that 2013 might be the year that I finally blossomed into a social networking butterfly... but as it turns out I still hate it,” she wrote on Facebook. “Love you guys but I will just never be that girl. Facebook is as much as I can handle. #I'm Sorry”

Snooki

Snooki has been busy on Twitter gushing over her son Lorenzo and promoting her new reality show on MTV called Snooki & Jwoww. She also makes sure to call out any haters, like this tweet for one of the Daily Mail writers:

“Daily Mails article about my 'non mom like outfits'....Stop worrying how I dress Sarah and write an article on important things,” Snooki wrote.

“Can't decide if @snookifashion headphones are cute or dumb,” tweeted one follower, referring to her new line of headphones.

“Or fashionably genius,” Snooki quickly quipped back.

“With the amazing giuliana rancic ! Our kids are 3 days apart, how cute,” tweeted Snooki, with a link to a photo of her standing with the E! News host. Rancic had a baby boy named Edward via gestational surrogate.

“So many fans came out today with their babies and I almost cried thinking how much I just want to hug mine! Can't wait to kiss my baby!!!” Snooki wrote.

Britney Spears

On the heels of rumors that Britney Spears has turned down $15 million to judge the second season of The X Factor to focus on her music, she hinted about what is in store for her:

“I'm seeing so much chatter about new music out there. Glad to see you're all paying attention ;) Lot of work to do in 2013! LETS GO!” she tweeted.

Backtracking a bit on her Twitter feed, I love this nugget on how the December 21, 2012 Mayan Apocalypse didn’t happen as planned:

“Still dancing bitches!!!” she wrote on December 21, with a link to a clip of her video from her song, “Dancing Till the World Ends.” 

“Spending a quiet New Years Eve in with my boys and little miss@hannahspears. Let's hear some interesting resolutions for 2013?” she wrote on New Year’s Eve. In case you were wondering, Hannah Spears is her dog.

Kendra Wilkinson

“I almost posted a nude photo of myself. Wheeeww. So close. Hahahahaha,” tweeted Kendra Wilkinson.

And now that we have your attention, she also wrote about having more kids.

“One thing that people keep asking is when is baby #2 happening? Here’s my answer,” she tweeted, with a link to a video blog of her answer:

“Not now!” she said in the video. “Hank and I are in a place where we are very happy. We are balanced. And when we finally felt that balance in our lives, we wanted to take advantage of it.”

“We go out. I party with my friends, he parties with his friends. We travel... Life is good right now. I’m not saying life would be bad with another one. But life is balanced right now.”

“I'm loving this body right now. I'm loving my social life and I’m loving my husband life.”

So there you have it!

Ready for more? Check out more weird, wonderful and interesting tweets from celebrity moms here>>

Photos: WENN

Bring the fun inside!

From windowsill gardening to makeshift mud pies, unique outdoor activities you can take indoors to entertain your kids and keep cabin fever at bay!

Beat rainy-day boredom

Don't let gloomy winter weather keep you and the kids from having fun! With a few supplies and a lot of creativity, you can turn these traditional outdoor activities into indoor rainy-day boredom-busters!

If winter weather is keeping you and your family from earning your green thumbs, try your hand at windowsill gardening. From small houseplants to herbs, all you need is a windowsill with just the right amount of sunlight to make your mini garden grow! Have the kids roll up their sleeves and help you pack the soil, plant the seeds, or transport cuttings from your favorite existing plants and root them in water.

If you're looking for plants that will do well in a windowsill, try gardenia, begonia or even hydrangea. Herbs also grow well in kitchen windowsills and are one of the few outdoor plants that can grow just as well indoors. Plus, you'll have fresh herbs for seasoning nearby when you're cooking.

Growing herbs in your windowsill garden isn't just a great way to combat cabin fever on rainy days, it also gives you an opportunity to teach your kids about the benefits of growing your own food. Just remember to give your windowsill plants a quarter-turn weekly so all sides of the plants are exposed to sunlight.

If your kids love to get their hands dirty but you don't want to drag the mess inside, sidestep the dirt and opt for edible mud pies! Whether you use chocolate cake batter, brownie mix, or create from-scratch dark chocolate cookies — with a little imagination, these sweet treats can be ooey-gooey pretend mud pies. Kids can get involved in every step of the process, from measuring and pouring to portioning. The best part about pretend mud pies is that this time they can lick their fingers when they're done!

On a recent rainy day we enlisted the tiny little helping hands of our 4-year-old son and made double dark chocolate mud pies. For an extra playful touch, we added crumbles of peppermint bark that look like tiny pebbles after they're baked into the cookies.

If your kids have a lot of energy to burn, but it's too soaked outside to let them run free, try a couple of rounds of indoor hopscotch.

Clear an area in your playroom or living room and grab some painter's tape, duct tape or colored packing tape. Make sure you plan enough room for all of the squares, including the sets of squares that extend out from the sides, as well as some extra landing space on either end for the big jumpers. Have the kids help you mark out the pattern of a hopscotch course on your carpet using the tape. Then, let them hop all that pent-up rainy-day energy away!

Image credit: Jennifer Chidester

More about indoor activities

Outdoor winter activities for kids
3 Indoor games to get kids moving
Encourage kids' creativity

Obsessed with technology?

Put the phones aside

Does texting trump talking at your dinner table? Does your teen spend more quality time with his smartphone than you? Are you even guilty of staring at your screen when you should be looking at your child instead?

If you want more quality family time, make locking up the cell phones a family affair too.

Power down before you pass the potatoes

If your family is like most, your dinner table is covered with as many cell phones as plates. If you're ready to put a stop to your smartphones interrupting important family time such as meals, but don't want to feel like a nag, there are some fun options to consider. And just a tip, if you want your kids to cooperate in cell-free time, you should also power down before you pass the potatoes.

Literally lock it up

Cell Lock Up is a hilarious invention for any family ready to turn themselves into the technology police. It's a small jail cell that holds up to six phones. It even comes equipped with a timer and hilarious audio effects such as, you've been sentenced to 30 minutes. Our family received one of these for Christmas and it's so much fun to watch everyone sweat it out while their phone is in the pen. But after a while, we honestly did forget about them and were able to focus on one another and our quality family time. You can lock the phones up for anywhere between 15 minutes and one hour, until you are granted parole. But beware of the attempted break out. An alarm will sound! You really can't go wrong with a gadget like this one that boasts the slogan: Interrupting family time is a crime!

Creating basic cell phone rules for kids>>

Out smart your smartphone

A father designed the FamZee app for iPhones and Androids after he discovered his daughter was staying up past her bedtime texting and surfing the web on her smartphone. This app allows families to lock their smartphones during designated time frames, such as bed time, driving time and family time. Another added benefit of this app is it allows you to track the family's usage and also has a GPS locator.

5 apps that help keep your kids safe>>

Design your own cell phone-free zone

If you're often met with moans and groans from the kids when you ask them to detach themselves from their cell phones, ask them to help come up with the ideas for how you all can take a break from texting, apps and all things cell phone related.

Have a family brainstorming session for how you can creatively put the cells away during certain times of the day. One idea is to construct a miniature parking lot or parking garage with spaces to park each family member's phone. You could also design a box or basket to hold all the phones during designated time frames. Or perhaps you can choose an entire room in your home where no cell phones are allowed.

Cell phone citations

So what happens when someone in the family violates the cell phone free time? Because, let's face it, it will happen. As a family, you can also come up with some penalties and have a little fun with them too. For example, if you pull your phone out at dinner, you have to put a dollar in the cell-phone violations jar. You can also give a cell citation to anyone who has a lack of consideration or who has disturbed the peace.

More tech-free ideas

SheKnows Parenting Challenge: Turn off the tech
Top New Year's resolutions for families
6 Ways to maximize your family's time together

Video games don’t have to be isolating. These kid-friendly games are perfect for multiplayer fun or simply hanging out watching your kid solve puzzles and complete adventures. From racing games to dance competitions, here are six fun video games you can enjoy with your kids.

More family fun

Creative ways to play with your child
6 Ways to increase family fun
Tech connect: Plan a family video game night

Dinnertime table games

The dinner table is an excellent time for families to reconnect at the end of the day — but some families miss this opportunity by getting into the habit of watching TV during dinner. We've got a few ideas to bring fun back to dinnertime.

Bring the fun back to the dinner table

Ask each person at the dinner table who they would like to invite to dinner and why. The dinner guest can be anyone from any period in time. This game can either end up being a fun way for your kids to showcase what they have learned in history, or a startling look at how much your kids know about celebrities. For an added twist, write down all of the choices and imagine them all at your table at the same time. What would they have in common?

Remember "telephone" from your childhood days? This is an updated version of that game for the dinner table. Start a story, and let each person take turns adding to it. Each person can either add one sentence, or a whole segment of the story. Start working on the conclusion as dinner is coming to an end.

Each family member takes turns talking about his day, but first picks a letter that is off limits. Words beginning with that letter may not be used in the description of one's day. The words used for substitution can make these tales an entertaining vocabulary exercise. Make sure each family member gets a chance to talk.

This quick and easy little game involves the throwing of dice . Each person at the table takes turns rolling the dice, and tries to be the first one to reach a score of 100 without rolling any ones. If a 1 is rolled, that person's score is wiped out and must be started again. This is a great game for older kids who can add quickly, or older siblings can help the younger ones keep score as a team.

Everyone picks a famous person, without revealing their choice to the group, and then "becomes" that person. When it is your turn, you give a brief narrative on who you are, without revealing too much. You may adopt your chosen person's mannerisms for added effect. For example if you chose Cher, you might flip your hair over your shoulder and twitch your lips. The others at the table take turns asking you interview-like questions. Your family can decide if you answer the questions simply, "yes" or "no" or if you may elaborate. The first to guess your identity wins that round.

Dinner is the perfect time to connect with your family and bring everyone closer. Try some of these games or come up with your own, and bring the fun back to dinnertime.

More ways to make dinnertime fun

Fun themes for family dinnertime
3 Special ideas for family dinners
How to incorporate others' traditions into your meal