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Gift giving can be hard, but it makes it even more challenging when someone is in a very specific category or place in their life. Let’s say an expectant mom!

Life Stages for Girls and Women

Spraying, aggression, scratching

Spraying

Although all cat pee is pretty much the same to most people, to your cat, there's a big difference between urinating to relieve a loaded bladder and spraying urine onto vertical surfaces to proclaim ownership of territory and things. Intact males and cats who live in multi-cat households are most likely to spray.

Office Parties

Plastic eggs. Jelly beans. Wicker baskets. You're preparing for the same ho-hum Easter egg hunt yet again, aren't you? Put away the dusty tote of holiday supplies and start brainstorming some Easter egg hunt ideas that will turn the Easter Bunny into your kids' favorite holiday icon before they finish their first cream-filled chocolate egg of the season!

Three to Six Years: Dietary and Developmental Highlights

Around three, children become increasingly social, more independent, and even more fun to be with than they were before. Preschoolers are particularly playful people who can be quite jovial and entertaining. They love to run, jump, dance, climb, and roughhouse. They find humor in the ridiculous, often laughing easily at the drop of a hat. Clownlike behavior is par for the course.

Why Eat Together?

Family meals are much more than a time for kids to sit at the same table with siblings and parents. Kids crave ritual and family meals are a part of a routine they can count on and take comfort in. Mealtimes may be one of the only parts of the day when children get to talk with their parents without a lot of other distractions, including the television and radio. In fact, research shows dinner conversation boosts a child's vocabulary, which could translate into improved academic performance down the line.

Before getting pregnant and having my son, I had a lot of plans for the kind of parent I wanted to be. When I thought about what my parenting philosophy would be, it would have been heavily categorized under the “natural parenting” label. Leave it to my strong-willed and life-lesson-teaching son to show me a thing or two about being flexible with my plans.

If family dinnertime conversation is falling short, these fun and silly "Would You Rather?" questions are a great way to get everyone talking.

More: Family Dinners: The Recipe for Connectedness

Ever played the “Would You Rather?” game with your family or friends? We love this game because it appeals to all ages. You can play it with everyone from toddlers through grandparents, and learn something new about your loved ones.

Four Months to One Year: Dietary Milestones

Babies change a lot between four and twelve months. During this critical period of growth, an infant's physical development not only affects what they eat, but how. In eight months, infants go from total dependence on breast milk or formula to consuming finger foods and drinking from a sippy cup while sitting up.

Fruits

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Over time, the average family can produce quite a lot of garbage, but you can reduce your family's trash output with a few lifestyle changes that everyone can get on board with. With these simple ideas, going green with your kiddos has never been easier.

The time is approaching to send your teen off to her first year of college. How did this time possibly arrive so fast? Don’t you remember getting dropped off at college yourself like it was yesterday? Though your head and heart may be spinning with questions and emotions, this summer is essentially a milestone moment for your family. Thinking through how you would like to ensure that you get in some bonding time with your teen in advance is important so you can both make the most of this special summer.

It seems like every social media platform is filled with pictures of babies, pregnant bellies, and family photoshoots, but it doesn’t mean you have to participate. To say having a baby is a big life event is an understatement. It’s life-changing and world-rocking, and you get to lay the groundwork for this unique journey. 

More: How to Take a Pregnancy Selfie

Breastfeeding: The Hospital Experience

After months of preparation and anticipation, your baby has finally arrived. Exhausted and exhilarated, you are ready to begin your breastfeeding experience: your pregnancy has culminated in this special moment. After nourishing your baby in the uterus, your body is prepared to continue to provide all your baby's nutritional needs outside the womb.

Note: This article has been updated with the latest marriage advice and research for 2021.