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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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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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If there‘s any one product that can help you live life with your new exploring partner in tow, it’s a baby carrier.

Babywearing is a practice of carrying a baby on one’s body in a sling or any other type of carrier. It’s also extremely convenient for both the parent as well as the baby.

With the baby safe in a wrap, sling, or a classic carrier, your hands will be free — and you could do household chores, cook, shop, or even have a mini dancing session!

But there are so many types of baby carriers to choose from, how do you know which one will work best for you?

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Sending your little one off to go spend the night with grandma and grandpa is supposed to de-stress you.

It doesn’t always work that way.

What if they get sick? How do we handle it if they act up? Will they eat their dinner? What if grandma and grandpa let them do whatever they want with no rules?!

Oh, yeah, and where the heck are they going to sleep?

Well, those other problems are probably best saved for another article, but there are actually some pretty great toddler beds for a grandparents house out there that will make this whole parents-night-out thing easier (on you, your kid, AND the grandparents!)

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So you’re feeling brave…

… and want to take the little one camping!

You’re definitely in for an awesome time. But camping with a baby or young toddler definitely has its challenges.

Here’s a big one: How do you keep an eye on them when they’re sleeping in the pack and play or travel crib and you’re awake, having fun?

If you’re just planning on quietly sipping cocoa (or wine) outside the tent or trailer, you probably won’t need a baby monitor. Just keep your ears open.

But if you want a little more freedom to wander from the tent, visit others’ camp sites, or just want a little extra reassurance that the baby is OK, you might want an actual baby monitor you can bring with you.

(Alternatively, you could get an awesome portable battery pack and plug in your normal baby monitor from home.)

Let’s take a look at some of the best baby monitors for camping, battery operated baby monitors, and alternative portable baby monitor options!

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