• Last updated 2/23/12 by Mothering Editorial

By Elli VillegasIssue 127, November/December 2004 When her daughter, Veronica, was three years old, Margarita Maria Mesa Leal became pregnant with her son, David. She wanted to explain the arrival of a new family member to her little girl and felt the process would be easier with visual aids. Using a plastic doll, she proceeded to explain some of the basics of conception, pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. Veronica grew more enthusiastic about being a big sister and one day asked, "Mom, can you make me a little brother for my mother doll?" Margarita, who is from... read more

• Last updated 2/6/12 by Mothering Editorial

By Debbie LindgrenWeb Exclusive - February 20, 2009 Keeping children healthy and safe is the goal of parents worldwide. Experts agree that one of the easiest ways to avoid spreading germs is to wash your hands, particularly prior to eating. However, sinks and bathrooms are not always available. This has prompted children's gyms, party centers, schools, and parents to provide hand sanitizers for children since they are prone to putting their hands in their mouths as well as touching things that, well, they shouldn't. Contact with surfaces such as playgrounds, doors,... read more

• Last updated 1/23/12 by Mothering Editorial

By Ann Vorisek White Web Exclusive The average American child watches four hours of television every day, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.1 Videotapes and video games add to the amount of time children spend staring at a screen. How does all this viewing affect us? Television harms our children and families in many ways. Before TV, meals were a time for families to reflect upon the day and linger in peace or lively discussion over home-cooked meals. Today, most American families regularly watch television during dinner.2 Mealtimes are hurried, with... read more

• Last updated 2/14/12 by Mothering Editorial

Lynn Colwell from Celebrate Green demonstrates how to make fun and eco-friendly Valentine's Day cards and banners. Mother-daughter team, Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson, are green lifestyle experts and the co-authors of the book, Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family. For great green tips, crafts, recipes and more, visit them at www.CelebrateGreen.net   read more

• Last updated 12/9/11 by Mothering Editorial

By Sandy Driver Web Exclusive There was a time when my three children were television nuts. At any point during the day, you could walk through my house and hear everything from Power Rangers and Rugrats coming from my daughter's room to heavy metal music and the World Wrestling Federation from the room my sons shared. A day without All My Children and a week without Monday Night Football were rare, because my husband, Tim, and I were both addicted as well. My sons, Josh and Jake, have grown up roughhousing with each other, occasionally including their little sister,... read more

• Last updated 12/12/12 by Melanie Mayo

Need some simple and frugal gift ideas? Check out these great suggestions from members of the Mothering community.    Now through Dec 19th, share your own homemade gift ideas in our 2012 Homemade Gifts Contest for a chance to win a $100 gift card from Nature's Fabrics!!   Also check out the article It's a Gift for more great, frugal suggestions.      Frugal Wrap by cyrusmama "We went to our local newspaper office and asked if they had any of their roll ends left. They usually charge the general public for them, but not educators. We are homeschoolers so... read more

• Last updated 12/1/11 by Mothering Editorial

By Judith L. Rubin Issue 121, November - December 2003 One night, not long after Christmas, my pacifist friends Jay Levy and Su Zuniga quietly crept down to the basement with a hammer while their three-year-old daughter, Samantha, slept. There, they methodically banged on the belly of her new mechanical dog until it stopped yapping. Another friend's daughter received a Victorian makeup table for her fourth birthday. "It's plastic, it's ugly, and it's huge. It's totally inappropriate for a four year old. Not to mention that my daughter is a tomboy." When asked about... read more

• Last updated 12/1/11 by Mothering Editorial

Liven up your holiday packages with these free gift tags from Mothering, created by our very own Melyssa Holik. Just download, print, and cut out. (For extra-eco-friendly tags, please print out on the back side of your already-used letter-sized paper.)  It's our way of wishing you and your family a warm and wonderful holiday season!   Behind on your holiday shopping? It's not too late to give the gift of Mothering digital reprints and toolkits. read more

• Last updated 11/18/11 by Mothering Editorial

By Katherine Horvath Web Exclusive About a month ago, I did something which shocked my husband and dismayed my children: I unplugged the television and told them that I didn't want it on anymore. I was tired of the non-stop stream of commercial advertisements seeping into my family's heads, tired of hearing my four-year old son pad down the steps in the morning only to proclaim, "I want to watch something, put a program on for me". But most of all, I wanted to begin teaching my son to read and write, and I had read that the best way to do so was by ... read more

• Last updated 9/8/11 by Mothering Editorial

Related Articles:Sidebar: How to Make A Birthday Garland By Kelly Bertram Issue 110, January/February 2002 Every year I make a flower garland for my son to wear at his birthday celebration. We began this tradition when Sairse turned one, and the garlands have been a joyous and magical aspect of his birthdays that he looks forward to each year. On Sairse's first birthday we were living in Olympia, Washington, where I attended Evergreen State College. The school has an organic gardening program, and the students sell their vegetables, berries, and flowers on campus all... read more