Wellness

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  Family

  Ten Things I Learned After 1,000 Days of Parenting

  My friend placed her hands on her sides and leaned back, just enough to take the pressure off her giant belly. “Tell me the truth, Caitlin,” she said. “Are my husband and I going to end up hating each other when the baby comes?”

  I couldn’t help but laugh – there was definitely a moment with my first baby when I really, truly wanted to kill my husband. My murderous rage surfaced in the middle of the night; I had been rocking a fussy newborn for an hour, my arms sore and my breasts leaking, while my husband slept with a peaceful smile on his face, oblivious to the whole thing. In that moment, I hated him. Hated him!

  In the morning, he made me a coffee and omelet, and I decided that he wasn’t so bad after all.

  All joking aside, a child can be hard on a marriage, and it’s not just because you’re both sleep-deprived and stressed. Children are challenging because you must figure out how to parent together. I’m blessed with an amazing husband (whose biggest sin is the ability to sleep through a crying baby), but I’ve learned a lot after parenting two children with him.

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  Family

  Will My Kids Be Better Off? [Study]

  “Will my kids be better off than me?” is a question at the forefront of every parent’s mind. It’s certainly something I think about for my two children.

  Today’s parents are increasingly called upon to provide for their children well into adulthood. It’s never too soon to start preparing our kids for a strong financial footing, and we’ll do whatever it takes to ensure it. However, our concern for the next generation doesn’t begin and end at financial wellness.

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  Family

  Pregnancy: Finally Feeling the Growing Connection I Craved

  My name is Julie Fagan and I am currently 37 weeks pregnant. My husband and I are expecting a baby boy this August and as first-time parents, we had no idea what to expect going into this new and exciting stage in our lives. Though the journey has been filled with immense joy, I’ve also experienced more stress and anxiety than I anticipated.

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  Family

  Planning a Successful Maternity or Paternity Leave

  Planning for maternity or paternity leave can be daunting, especially if both you and your spouse have jobs with long hours. Combine that with preparing for having a new baby in the house – and that leaves you and your partner with a lot to think about and plan for. Relax, mommies and daddies to-be, we can help you adequately prepare or at least figure out the right questions to ask along the way.

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  Family

  When Did You and Your Better Half Discuss Finances? [Infographic]

  Discussing finances with anyone is a tricky subject. Think of when it comes time to split the bill and you know you didn’t have as many drinks as your companions. Or, remember when you needed to tell your future spouse about salary, savings and credit score?

  Speaking openly about finances is a vital conversation for successful couples. However, despite this being an important subject, many Americans are having a difficult time taking the plunge and putting their finances out on the table.

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  Family

  A Look Back On Our Childhood Toys and Gadgets

  Ah, youth, so fun, so fleeting. It feels like just yesterday we were kids flapping shut our Trapper Keepers and rushing home to hit the Atari…or something like that. Now we’re the ones having kids, and the youth of today are using devices we only knew in the context of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

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  Family

  My First Year as a Mom: a letter to Quinn

  We reached out to Tina Haupert, blogger of Carrots ‘n’ Cake, to share a post about her first year of motherhood – what she learned and what she loved most about it. Many people become even more financially aware when they embark on life milestones that change their mindframe from “me” to “we.” This can be getting married, having a baby or even taking care of an elderly parent. The theme is, it’s the moment you have someone in your life who you always want to take care of, even when you can’t be around. This is an ideal that parents everywhere can relate to.

  The journey of motherhood is different for everyone, and Tina felt that the best way to convey this is through a note to Quinn about her first year as his mom:

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  Family

  Best Things to Say and Do in Times of Grief

  Life can throw us unexpected curve balls. From a colleague being laid off to the death of a close friend’s loved one, finding the right words to say can be difficult. Sometimes it’s even more difficult to know what you can do to provide comfort and support. Luckily, the right thing to say (or do) does exist and can offer consolation without being too intrusive.

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  Family

  Five Sources for Inspiration

  Inspiration and creativity can come from almost anywhere – the rise of street art, Improv Everywhere‘s NYC pranks and the blend of physical and digital worlds with 3D printing all prove this. Sometimes we just need a push in the right direction to find it. Quotes, Pinterest and Tumblr are just a few go-to sources to inspire creativity, but there are many more resources available that are waiting for you to discover them. From eye-opening books and movies to motivational classes and trips, a little inspiration pick-me-up can be found in these places:

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  Family

  Putting the ‘Power’ in Power Couple

  Barack and Michelle Obama. Kate Middleton and Prince William. Jay-Z and Beyonce. The secret to their success isn’t so hush-hush after all.

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