Your baby is unique, but all babies have one thing in common: bottle-fed or breastfed, your baby’s gotta eat.

Not only does your baby have to eat, but your baby has to eat a lot, all day and night! 

Even though you love your little one to pieces, you’re also looking for any shortcuts to take care of them so you don’t wear yourself out. 

One idea you may have seen around the internet is to install a mini fridge in your nursery. Keeping milk on hand right next to where the baby sleeps seems like a great idea.

But is it a good idea to put a fridge or mini fridge in a nursery?

Overall, having a mini fridge in the nursery can be convenient for parents who need to store formula or breastmilk and want to keep it separate from the rest of the household food. It’s also a great place for mom and dad to keep their favorite snacks for late-night feedings and other time spent in the nursery!

The main downside is, of course, that even a mini fridge can be quite bulky and expensive. It’s also a hazard that your curious baby might get into as he or she gets older and more active.

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There’s a lot to be said for just getting your kids out there and doing the things you love with them as soon as possible.

I’ll never forget the pride I felt in my three little boys as they hustled through an airport in a line behind my husband, each with his own Sesame Street roller bag and backpack.

They were five and under, so it was pretty cute, and at 9 pm at night after a long travel day, it was also impressive.

We’d worked our way up to that kind of preschool competence by getting them out a lot – to restaurants, pools, church, shopping, and games. It definitely wasn’t the easy way to go at the time; often I would have rather stayed home, but it paid off over the long haul.

One big challenge a lot of parents aren’t sure if they should tackle (and how) is a pro or college football game.

Should you take your kids, babies, or toddlers to a football game? Here’s a complete guide.

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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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