Taking kids to the grocery store is an act of courage.

What used to be an ordinary errand can turn into a battle now that you’re a parent. Even well-behaved children find it hard to sit still in carts or walk obediently behind you, without whining or begging.

For me, shopping with one baby was tolerable; I just kept him in a sling where he felt warm and safe, then later, sat him in the cart right in front of me.

But then he got bigger. He wanted to go in one of those car carts, where he thinks he’s driving but you’re the one doing all the heavy pushing and awkward turning. Then he decided he wanted to be the one who decided what to buy.

When this wasn’t working, he ordered me into a time-out!

Add two more little boys (twins) and the car cart steering wheel becomes a battleground for control, but there’s no alternative because it’s the only way to keep three kids contained. One kid’s unhappiness seems to be contagious, so a refusal to buy the cereal with a large picture of Buzz Lightyear on it becomes a triple-meltdown.

So, is there a better way? Yes, there is! Here’s a complete guide to taking babies, toddlers, and older kids to the grocery store.

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I love taking my kids to the aquarium.

It’s so fun to introduce children to new things, especially new living things. Their excitement and enthusiasm are contagious.

The low lighting, the huge tanks, the bizarre creatures – it was all pretty awe-inspiring for my twin boys and their brother, who was less than two years older.

Kids tend to behave better when they’re in awe of something and make less noise than usual, so it was generally a pleasant visit for me as well as them.

For these reasons and more, an aquarium visit can be one of the highlights of the year, and preparing ahead of your visit will make it even better.

Before you go: here’s a complete guide to visiting the aquarium with babies, toddlers, and older kids.

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Need something fun and different to do this summer (or any season)? Why not give your local zoo a visit?

The zoo is a place to see your favorite critters, of course, but it’s also a place to discover the world, as most zoos have animals from the furthest corners of the earth. 

Plus, even the adults in your crew will enjoy themselves and learn some new things, too!

But before you go: here’s a complete guide to visiting the zoo with babies, toddlers, and older kids.

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It literally just happened to me.

Or, it almost did.

I had just finished grabbing a bite to eat in the kitchen, and I went to open the bedroom door.

And it wouldn’t open.

No doubt my 3-year-old had (accidentally? Or not…) pushed the lock from the inside.

Thankfully, she wasn’t home, and she wasn’t stuck inside. But it felt eerily like a close call. She could have easily locked herself in there!

So what do you do when your toddler locks him or herself in a room? And how can you prevent your child from locking doors?

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Let me hit you with a common dilemma…

You’ve got a baby on the way and you’re looking to buy a new crib.

But maybe you just don’t have the space…

… or the budget …

… or you just don’t feel like putting it together!

Or maybe you just want something a little more portable.

A lot of parents wind up wondering if it’s okay to use a pack ‘n play instead of a crib, and what the differences are between a crib vs a pack ‘n play.

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Babies are like little incomplete humans.

Sure, all the major parts are there, but there’s a lot of stuff missing.

They don’t have a lot of hair. They can’t walk. And they’re just figuring out how to breathe on their own.

One thing there seems to be some confusion about when it comes to what babies are born without… is kneecaps.

Do babies have kneecaps? Are babies born without kneecaps?

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Having trouble choosing a daycare or preschool for your toddler?

I don’t blame you. The choices can be completely overwhelming.

Not only do you have to figure out location and monthly budget, but you also have to choose between many different educational philosophies that sometimes differ drastically from one another!

It’s a big decision to make. That’s why I started this Curriculum Comparison series, where I’ll break down the similarities and differences between some of the biggest schools and approaches out there.

In this article, we’ll dive into Goddard vs Montessori.

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