Partners

The only sure thing in life are death and taxes.

Everyone has heard that one. So if you don't think you will be facing the grim reaper anytime soon, chances are good that tax season is your primary concern.

But it doesn't need to be that way. Instead, this tax season you can actually make...

2013 Unitasker Wednesday: Cakepop chocolate dipper This week’s unitasker is a mini-crockpot that keeps melted chocolate warm. But before you think this is too useful, you still have to melt the chocolate in the microwave or in a double boiler and then transfer the chocolate to the Chocolate...

Because nothing boosts happiness more than a great book, each month, I suggest: · one outstanding book about happiness · one outstanding work of children’s or young-adult literature–I have a crazy passion for kidlit · one eccentric pick–a widely admired and excellent book that I love, yes, but one...

A major disaster can strike at any time—are you prepared?

What if you and your family are stranded in the snow, hit by a tornado or forced to evacuate by a hurricane?

When you’re trying to deal with an emergency, the last thing you need is to be running around, looking for first aid...

By David James

My wife and I recently went to a counselor for a little tune-up on our communication skills.

With two little ones running around the house, we needed it. Our marriage is strong and we have a solid foundation, but sometimes our communication slips among the demands of chores, cooking, and raising our children. We needed a communication refresher.

The counselor reminded us that a marriage is like the roof of a house and everything underneath it is protected by the marriage. Therefore, if the marriage falls apart, everything underneath it will also likely fall apart. The analogy means that mom and dad need to make time for each other, each day, every day. If the marriage is strong and thriving, the children will thrive and feel secure in the home.

By Alyssa Chirco

When President Obama signed spending bill HR 933 into law in March, it was primarily to avoid a government shutdown. But as is often the case in politics, there was language buried deep within the bill that will bar federal courts and local governments from being able to protect consumers from potentially harmful genetically engineered crops.

Opponents of the bill have dubbed it the "Monsanto Protection Act" and a petition is now circulating, asking Congress to repeal this dangerous legislation. Here's why you should sign it:

By Nancy Flanders

Car seats are awesome. They save lives and prevent injury. Some even have cup holders so our kids never have to be without their sippy cup. But car seats can be difficult. So difficult, in fact, that according to Safe Kids Connecticut, four out of five are installed incorrectly. This isn't just dangerous — it's deadly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car crashes are the No. 1 killer of children ages 1 to 12 in the United States. Installing your child's car seat correctly really can mean the difference between life and death. Don't just assume your child's seat is installed right. Be sure of it.

By Nancy Flanders

Mommy competitions have been around for probably as long as there have been two mommies in the same town. There are stay-at-home moms versus working moms. And breast-feeding moms versus formula feeding moms. And that's just the beginning. Women tend to compete and compare when it comes to everything, including mommyhood. But this type of behavior is destructive to our friends, to ourselves, and to women everywhere. The good news is that mommy wars can be avoided.

By Nancy Flanders

It isn't easy to choose a preschool. There's location, cost, class size, and schedule to consider. Plus, if your child has special health needs such as severe allergies or cystic fibrosis (like mine), the considerations you need to take as a parent seem to quadruple. You have to be thorough. You have to have a clear plan. And you have to ask the right questions.