In honor of National Library Week from April 14-20, we encourage you to rally around your local book nook. You don't have to donate money — there are many other ways to support your neighborhood library.

Give your library
some love

Volunteer

Amy Meyertholen, HandsOn VISTA member and volunteer program coordinator for the Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix, Arizona, has always loved libraries, seeing them as "a direct connection to the community." She encourages people to help build a symbiotic relationship between their libraries and the communities they serve by getting involved!

Celebrate National Library Week>>

Volunteering your time is one of the best ways to support your local library. While you'll want to check with your library's specific guidelines, Meyertholen says that in Phoenix "branches welcome volunteers anytime the library is open." Adults can simply fill out an application, complete a background check and start helping!

Volunteering isn't just for adults

Encourage your teens to check into the opportunities for them to help, too. Volunteering at a library is great for young people's resumes and their character development skills, too. The Phoenix libraries have specific teen programs during the school year, as well as summer programs to accommodate teens' busy schedules.

Volunteering opportunities for teens>>

Little library lovers

Help your young kids get involved in supporting the library by hosting a book drive, Meyertholen suggests.

The Phoenix libraries have a specific foundation, the Friends of the Phoenix Public Library, where the books can be donated and then sold to raise money for library programming. Find out if your library has a similar support group for your local library network or ask about ways to donate books to benefit your library.

Support special events

If you have time restraints that limit you from volunteering at your local library on a regular basis, Meyertholen suggests looking into special events hosted by the "Friends of" your library groups in which you can get involved.

Spread the word

You may have to keep quiet inside the library but not outside it! Help support your library by simply singing its praises to anyone and everyone.

Visit your library to improve your child’s literacy>>

Meyertholen says, "One really important thing individuals can do to support their libraries is to advocate for them! Talk to other people about the wonderful services the library provides to the community and encourage others to utilize the materials and programs offered. Speak out about why you value the library."

And take advantage of your library's amazing services. Aside from making a wide range of books, movies and music available for you to borrow at no cost, your library may offer story times and activities for kids and teens, educational programming for all ages and much more. If it has been too long since you've visited your local library, we invite you to use National Library Week as an excuse to get reacquainted with it!

Image credit: Molly Smith

More on book love

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Make time to read to your child
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Homeschool conference season is well under way. Within most states you can find local homeschool conferences, book fairs and national conventions that can be very beneficial to your family.

homeschool conference benefits

No matter where you live, there is sure to be a homeschool conference or convention within driving distance. Here are just a few reasons a homeschool conference could benefit your family.

Community

There is nothing like quality time spent with fellow homeschool families, reuniting with old friends and making new ones. With the large amount of families that attend conferences, it is the perfect time to swap tips, share insights on what is working and what's not working or help a new homeschool family with questions. You will also have the opportunity to get to know your local homeschool group leaders and co-ops. Your children will also have fun making new friends!

Speakers and workshops

Speakers and workshops will range from learning and teaching styles, to gifted and special needs. Some sessions will be geared toward fathers and mothers, and some programs will be just for the children. There is definitely something for everyone! Conventions offer workshops that will enrich your homeschool, encourage you, improve your teaching abilities and offer a number of practical, “how to” sessions. You will also find important information such as legal requirements for homeschooling in your state.

Vendors and book fairs

Most homeschool conferences will have small to enormous vendor halls where vendors can introduce you to their curriculum, answer any questions you might have or sell curriculum for the coming year. Since most curriculum has to be ordered online, this is a great opportunity to browse curricula and resources as well as save on shipping costs. Many local homeschool conferences will include a used curriculum book fair at the vendor hall.

Fun

If you don't allow yourself to get overwhelmed, a homeschool conference can actually be a lot of fun. Many conventions offer programs or workshops for children and teens, giving moms and dads time to shop or attend sessions and workshops. Shared meals, downtime and family nights make these conferences a mini vacation for many families.

A homeschool conference is a time of learning, preparation and fun with families that share a common goal, understand your struggles and encourage you on your homeschool journey. You will hopefully leave energized with a renewed vision, enabling you to finish your homeschool year off strong and get a great start to the new year.

More about homeschooling

Online homeschool options
How to find a homeschool support group
Free and frugal homeschooling

Gwyneth Paltrow

It sounds like Gwyneth Paltrow’s 8-year-old daughter Apple is a huge fan of Demi Lovato!

Paltrow ran into Lovato at the airport lounge in New York City — and the two happened to be wearing almost identical outfits, including jeans, brown short boots, white tees and green jackets.

“@ddlovato Apple! Check out who was on my flight!” tweeted Paltrow, who included this photo of the two smiling together.

“So nice to meet you!! “ Lovato tweeted back.

“Gwyneth P. is SO nice!!!" Lovato later wrote. “She wanted a picture with ME?!!! #COOL.“

Lovato later told Good Morning America that she plans on releasing her new album on Apple’s birthday. “May 14…Happy Birthday Apple,” she said.

It sure pays to have friends in high places!

Also on Paltrow's timeline? “Our beautiful son turned 7 today. Happy birthday Mosey boy!” Paltrow wrote on April 8.

Ivanka Trump

“Jared and I and are so excited that Arabella will become a big sister this fall. Thanks for all your good wishes! xo Ivanka,” tweeted Ivanka Trump, confirming the rumors that she and her husband Jared Kushner are expecting their second child together.

The 31-year-old mom works as the executive vice president of development and acquisitions at daddy Donald Trumps’ corporation. The mom-to-be tweeted this cute photo of her and 1-1/2-year-old daughter Arabella Rose on an airplane ride.

“I had more fun than the kids did at #legoland!” she tweeted, with this photo of her riding one of the rides.

Kourtney Kardashian

“Full leopard leggings look! Casual mommy style. #kardashiankollection,” Kourtney Kardashian tweeted, with a photo of her wearing the leggings with a white tee and Converse. “Leopard leggings! #kardashiankollection for sears baby.”

Pick up these leggings at Sears.com for only $17.>>

Not only is Kourtney's sister Kim Kardashian pregnant, but apparently all her friends are, too! Is there something in the water?

“Back to back baby showers!” she tweeted, with a link to her website with a photo of her wearing a shift dress.

“Kim and I had two baby showers on Saturday so I picked her up so we could go together!” she wrote. “First stop was Cecconi’s for one of our best friends since 9th grades baby shower. She is having her third baby and her shower was charming and perfect! Next stop was Bagatelle for Monica’s baby number two shower! Lots of girls having lots of fun with a side of banana pancakes.”

Snooki

Kourtney K. wasn’t the only one tweeting about her favorite mommy outfits.

“I'm loving my everyday mommy outfits....workout yoga pants and a zip up,” Snooki tweeted.

“My life,“ she later wrote, with this photo of her snuggling her cute baby boy Lorenzo.

The Jersey Shore star has been proud about losing 42 pounds since giving birth to her son Lorenzo last August, however Star magazine quotes a source as saying she is starving herself.

“Most of her calories come from booze, and she uses laxatives too. It’s scary. She looks emaciated, and everyone is worried sick,” the magazine quotes a source saying.

“Star mag, shame on u for that RIDICULOUS article. I literally worked my ass off in the gym for my toned, HEALTHY body. Get ur facts right,” Snooki tweeted.

“Hey @JENNIWOWW , booze & laxatives?! Party!! #tabloids #getreal,” she later wrote to Jennifer “JWoww“ Farley.

From Megan Fox to Kim Kardashian, check out more sweet, funny and wacky celebrity mom tweets>>

Photos courtesy of Gwyneth Paltrow, Kourtney Kardashian, Ivanka Trump and Snooki via Twitter

coping with this common disorder

Up to one out of every five pregnant women experience symphysis pubis dysfunction, which can be mildly annoying — or so painful it’s difficult to walk.

We talk with moms who have suffered from it and get tips from experts on what you can do.

Symphysis pubis dysfunction , also known as pelvic girdle pain , is a painful condition nearly unique to pregnancy. The pain and discomfort is in the pelvic region — often in the front, but the pain can be felt in the hips, lower back, groin, lower abdomen and legs. The pain stems from excessive movement and instability of the pubic symphysis and possibly from misalignment of the pelvis. If you’re suffering, you’re definitely not alone, but there are treatment options.

What does SPD feel like?

Only a mom who has been through SPD can truly understand the level of pain and restriction of movement involved.

“It's like a stabbing, burning, insane pain,” explained Jenn, who is expecting her first child. “I cry walking up the stairs, I cry laying in bed, I cry trying to change positions. I don't sleep at night because of it. I pray I don't have to go to the bathroom at night, because getting up from laying down hurts like heck.”

Carrie reported a similar experience with her last pregnancy. “It was very painful to walk and it was one of the reasons I had to stop working,” she said. “I remember it being very difficult to get in and out of bed.”

First: Consult a professional

So, what’s a mom to do? Sheila Watkins, founder and national program director of Healthy Moms Fitness, urges mothers who experience symptoms of SPD to consult with a professional first to get to the bottom of their pain instead of trying to treat it on their own. “Professional assessment is a must,” she shared. “Mom should make sure that she is seeing a professional with experience treating this specific condition. She should undergo a comprehensive assessment to determine which pelvic joints are causing her pain. This would involve looking and feeling how the different joints move when she does as well as how they move when she is lying down.”

Treatment options

While many moms are ultimately told to “grin and bear it” by their health care provider, Sheila says that there are a few things that can be tried by a physical therapist or a chiropractor. “Treatment usually involves realigning the joints with manual therapy as well as stabilization exercises to strengthen those muscles around the joints along with appropriate stretching techniques,” she told us. “She may also be offered stabilization tools such as a sacroiliac joint supportive belt.”

While support belts aren’t always helpful , there are still steps Mom can do, in addition to getting professional help, to minimize exacerbation of her symptoms at home. “Mom can plan her day so that she doesn’t have to go up and down the stairs so much, and she can try not to sit in bed with the legs straight out in front as this can exacerbate pubic symphysis pain,” suggested Sheila. Rachael, pregnant with her third child, agrees that there are certain ways she moves to limit the amount of pain she has. “I don’t take long strides when I walk, and I get in and out of the car with my legs together,” she said. “I have to make sure I have both feet on the floor when I get up, and I have to be sitting to get pants or shoes on.”

With plenty of support, and possible help from physical therapy or a chiropractor, moms may be able to alleviate at least a little of the pain, but keep in mind that if you are suffering, head to your care provider first, and go from there.

More on pregnancy

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Having it all: Mom by day, doula by night
Navel piercing and pregnant bellies

Kids can get a lesson in recycling and in nature when you make recycling crafts that get your youngsters up close and personal with the birds in your area.

What you'll need:

• An empty gallon milk jug
• Twine
• Chopstick
• Scissors
• Box cutter
• Birdseed
• Markers or paint

What you'll do:

1. Rinse and dry your milk carton thoroughly.
2. On one non-handle side of the jug, use your marker to draw openings where the birds can access the bird seed. Also mark where you want to insert the chopstick, which will act as a perch for your feathered friends.
3. Use scissors to cut out the door and hole for the perch; you can use a box cutter to score the center of your cutouts as needed to make it easier to cut into the plastic. Insert chopstick into perch holes.
4. Remove lid of the jug and tie twine, strong string or thin wire around the base of the neck just under the cap's threading and tie; replace cap.
5. Decorate with markers or paint, if desired.
6. Fill with bird seed, hang from a tree branch or from a hook on the eave of your roof and watch your kids ooh and aah in amazement as they spy birds coming to feed.

Discover more crafts for kids using recycled materials like strawberry basket crafts and activities>> 

Your kids can save the earth and save for their future with an easy and adorable recycling craft made with recycled materials and paper scraps.

What you'll need:

• Sports drink bottle, cleaned and dried
• Construction paper scraps
• Curling ribbon
• 4 water bottle or soda bottle caps, cleaned and dried
• Scissors
• Glue
• Hole punch

What you'll do:

1. Set your sports drink bottle on its side and cut an opening in the center of the "back" where your kiddo's money will go. Cut two slits to insert ears as well, closer to the bottle cap. Set the bottle aside.
2. Using construction paper, cut out two leaf shapes with a tab at the bottom to create your piggy's ears. Cut two smaller leaf shapes as the inner part of the ears. Glue together.
3. Using your bottle cap as a template, trace and cut a circle shape from your paper scraps and glue to the top of the cap.
4. Using your hole punch, punch out four small circles from your construction paper. Glue two to the bottle cap to create nostrils. Glue the other two to the bottle for eyes.
5. Insert the ears into the ear slots.
6. Curl a small length of ribbon and glue to the bottom of your bottle to form a tail.
7. Adhere bottle caps to the bottom of the "piggy" to form "feet." Allow to dry and start filling with coins!

Encourage your youngsters to use their imagination and help out Mother Nature with recycling crafts for kids that reduce the amount of toys that end up in landfills.

What you'll need:

• Paper towel tube
• Scrap paper or construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue or tape
• Stickers, glitter, markers, etc.

What you'll do:

1. Help your child measure enough paper to wrap around the cardboard tube completely and cut.
2. Adhere paper to tube with glue or tape.
3. Have your kiddo decorate the telescope with stickers, markers or glitter and watch her imagination come to life as she plays pirates, scopes out stars and embarks on lots of imaginary adventures all thanks to recycled materials!

Go green with arts and crafts time with these soda bottle crafts for kids>> 

Recycled material crafts for kids can send your child's imagination up, up and away while teaching him that he can have lots of fun while going green with crafts and play-time.

What you'll need:

• Empty toilet paper roll
• Card stock or recycled cardboard
• Construction paper or recycled magazine pages
• Glue
• Scissors

What you'll do:

1. Cut a piece of construction paper or recycled magazine page long enough to cover the length of your toilet paper roll and wide enough to wrap around your toilet paper roll; adhere with glue.
2. Using your card stock or cereal box cardboard, cut a circle wider than the area of your toilet paper roll, make a cut from the side to the middle of your circle.
3. Overlap the cut edges of your slit slightly until the circle forms a cone shape. Secure with glue, tape or a stapler.
4. Adhere two small strips of paper perpendicular to the inside of your cone on opposite sides with glue; this will help secure your cone to the inside of the tube. Add a dab of glue to the bottom outside of each strip, insert into the top of your tube and your cone should rest securely to form the top of your rocket.
5. On the opposite end of your tube, cut two slits on opposite sides.
6. Cut two triangles from the cardstock or cardboard for the fins of the rocket long enough to fit into the slits. Insert your triangles into these slits to form fins on the bottom of the rocket.
7. Let your little one spruce it up with extra pieces of construction paper, stickers, buttons, caps or any recycled materials to make it a rocket all his own!

Image credit: Michelle Maffei

More crafts for kids

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5 Spring handprint crafts for kids
5 Spring bug crafts for kids

Chat Bag

Lori Holbrook’s daughter, Hannah, has Down syndrome, autism and apraxia of speech. In 2010, she began using an iPad as a communication device.

"This was a very exciting time for us to have this amazing device, but I never could find anything that allowed her to carry her iPad easily and functionally," Lori shares. "Every bag out there had to be unbuttoned, unzipped or unvelcroed and was not functional or easy for Hannah."

Lori sketched out an idea that would give Hannah a bag that exposed the screen at all times, with adjustable straps and a fun, cool fabric. CHAT Bag went online in January 2012 and has sold to families nationwide and in four countries.

The name CHAT Bag originated because "Hannah had her iPad to CHAT with us. At first CHAT stood for Children Have A Tool. Later in 2012, we decided to change it to a more universal logo/acronym because not just special needs individuals were using CHAT Bags. Now the acronym stands for "Communication Has A Tool."

"CHAT Bags are all hand-made in the U.S. by family and friends," Lori shares proudly. "There is a lot of TLC that goes into making each bag."

Buddy Bike

It’s inevitable — every kid wants a bike. But sometimes children with special needs might not be able to go it alone. The Buddy Bike offers a unique tandem bike-riding experience by placing the smaller rider in the front seat while the rear rider controls the steering. Most other cycling options seat the smaller rider in the back, which can be too risky with a child with special needs.

Barry Nelson, the father of a child with autism, began searching for a bicycle to use with his son Jesse, who wasn’t able to ride by himself or behind his father on a traditional tandem bike. Barry purchased a used "Love Bike," the bike's original name.

"As Jesse and I enjoyed the bike and received so many smiling looks along the way, I began to think about the many parents and children who could benefit from this design," Barry explains on the company’s website.

"I contacted the inventor, Robert Gardner, offered to purchase the patent, and in 2005 a Special Needs Irrevocable Trust for the benefit of Jesse purchased the rights to the patent for the bicycle as well as the remaining inventory." The Buddy Bike was born.

Caroline’s Cart

Drew Ann Long’s 12-year-old daughter Caroline has Rett Syndrome. She was 6 years old when Drew started to think about the special needs shopping cart now called Caroline's Cart.

When Caroline was small, any shopping cart worked. "As she grew older and bigger, it was clear that I would soon have to find another option because she would no longer fit in the cart."

Pushing both Caroline in a wheelchair and a grocery cart at the same time didn't work, so Drew's only options were to find a sitter for Caroline, bring someone to push her wheelchair or take Caroline shopping with her and only purchase what she could carry while pushing the wheelchair.

"Eventually, my frustration turned to innovation," Drew explains. "This was started on a cocktail napkin at my kitchen table," she shares. "I knew I was onto something when I went public with my idea and prototype on Facebook."

With support from Easter Seals, Caroline's Cart began selling in October 2012 and now helps customers in 17 states.

Drew has simple but powerful advice for other parents with an idea. "Do your research and never give up!"

Read more about special needs

People with disabilities encourage "people-first language"
Online resources for children with special needs
NIH announces registry for individuals with Down syndrome

As parents, part of our job is to instill healthy habits in our children from the time they are young. Talk about healthy foods, prepare nutritious meals and snacks, and incorporate regular exercise into your daily family routine to help kids develop habits that last a lifetime.

Feed your kids healthy foods they enjoy

Talk about healthy foods

From the time your little ones are toddlers, they can start learning about healthy foods. Don't keep unhealthy, processed foods in your home and avoid the drive-through as much as possible.

Head to the farmers market – The farmers market is the perfect place for kids to learn about where food comes from. Here, you can teach them about the differences between whole foods and processed foods. Let your children explore the market and find new fruits and vegetables that they have never tried before.

Let kids be part of the meal planning – Children are more likely to try new foods if they are involved in making them. Bring kids into the kitchen, where they can help prepare your meals. Young children can wash fruit, tear lettuce and set the table. Older kids can actually do some of the cooking. Together, your family can look through cookbooks and plan meals together.

Make a colorful plate – Color is fun — and it's nutritious. When you are planning a meal, make sure to include plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables. Your family should eat a rainbow every day to get a variety of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

Snacks can be nutritious and delicious

When kids think of snacks, they imagine things like candy, cookies, chips and ice cream — but it doesn't have to be that way. You can find snacks that your kids will love that are nutritious too.

Start with yogurt – Yogurt can be a healthy afternoon snack for children. Be sure to read the labels and avoid yogurt that contains added sugar. Plain Greek yogurt topped with fresh fruit and a little granola is a tasty option for a snack or for breakfast.

Find something crunchy – Crunchy doesn't necessarily mean greasy potato chips. Nuts and seeds are crunchy and can provide a dose of "healthy" fats. If kids insist on chips, look for baked chips at the store, or consider baking your own sweet potato chips at home.

Make fruit available – Keep a bowl of fresh fruit out and available to your kids. You can also make a designated drawer or box of other nutritious snacks and let your kids know that they can choose one or two items from it whenever they need a snack.

Choose store-bought snacks carefully – Just because something is labeled healthy or nutritious doesn't mean that it actually is. Kidz ZonePerfect Nutrition Bars combine flavors created by kids with protein and other nutritious ingredients that please parents. Each bar contains 23 vitamins and minerals, 5 grams of protein and a kid-friendly 3 grams of fiber. You can find Kidz ZonePerfect bars at grocery stores, drugstores and other retailers. ZonePerfect Nutrition products also can be ordered online at abbottstore.com.

Enter to win this Kidz ZonePerfect prize pack in our Get Out, Get Active Giveaway. Contest ends April 30, 2013 >>

Get moving as a family

Health isn't all about diet. Children need exercise too. Stay active as a family. Incorporate exercise into your daily lives — it's great for your health and for family bonding.

Limit screen time – TV and video games can be great — in small doses. Instead of plopping on the couch in front of the TV every night after dinner, go for a walk or a bike ride around the block together. Put some limits on your family screen time and stick to them. If your kids just must play video games, choose active games on the Wii or Xbox Kinect.

Get outdoors – Spring is here and the weather is perfect for getting outdoors with your family. Consider joining a family softball or basketball league. Take your kids to the park regular for hiking — or even just tossing around the Frisbee.

Set a good example – You can't expect your children to embrace exercise if they never see you get off the couch or move away from your computer screen in the evenings. Parents are their children's best role models. Stop driving to places that you can walk. Don't use the elevator when you have the option to use the stairs. If they always see you moving, your kids will follow your lead.

Obesity rates in our country are astronomical. Help your children stay healthy no — and throughout their lives — by putting an emphasis on healthy eating and daily exercise.

More about raising healthy kids

Eat, move, nurture: Raising healthy kids
Raising strong kids, inside and out
15 Ways to raise a healthy child