Blog Posts by ModernMom

Showing your special guy that you care doesn't have to involve fancy dinners or pricey gifts. Everybody's a little budget-conscious these days and there's no reason why a romantic Valentine's Day together should break the bank. Here are some simple, romantic, sexy and effective ways to show your man you love him.

1. Give him a full-body massage.

2. Create a bubble bath, light candles...and hop in with him!

3. Make him his very favorite dish (or, when all else fails, go for some steak!)

4. Give him a list of "10 Reasons Why I Love You."

5. Surprise him with some lingerie...or better yet, nothing at all.

See also 10 Romantic Movies to Watch this Valentine's Day

6. Take a drive on a scenic route.

7. Send him sexy, sweet texts throughout the day.

8. Bake him a cake (even from a box) and write a romantic message in frosting. Try Devil's Food chocolate cake, chocolate frosting with red letters!

9. Print a bunch of pics of the two of you

Super Bowl Sunday is right around the corner, ladies! If you're throwing a big football watching party at your house, don't stress. Who better to give you advice for game day than some actual football wives? They ALL have experience wrangling the kids (and adults) during the game. Here are some tips from Rebecca Feely, wife of Arizona Cardinals Placekicker Jay Feely, Sherice Brown, wife of former Oakland Raider Tim Brown, and Ericka Lassiter, wife of former NFL safety Kwamie Lassiter:

ModernMom: What's your best advice for planning a 'no sweat' easy and fun Super Bowl party?

Rebecca: "My best advice is to plan ahead. I have four small children, and life gets crazy fast. I know how hard it is to plan a big event. Make a list. There are a number of great resources online to help you plan the invitations, overall theme and decorating ideas. About a week out from the party, get the menu ready and prepare your house. I like to rearrange the furniture to make it comfortable on the guests.

Yes, we often emphasize how mommies need their "me time." But, of course, family "we time" should never be overlooked. It's so important to spend time together as a family, whether you have one kid or 10! Here are seven ideas to get you started on your path to family fun. Remember, a family that plays together stays together!

1. Have a "Picnic and Play" Day
Whether you go to the neighborhood park or your very own backyard, the kids will love this idea! Instead of Sunday brunch in the kitchen, as usual, pack up some food and go outside (weather permitting, of course). It doesn't have to be fancy - maybe a few egg salad sandwiches and cut up veggies. Lay out a couple of blankets and enjoy nature and spending time with your family. If there is no swing set or playground equipment for your little ones to enjoy, make sure to bring something to play - think a bouncy ball or Frisbee, not the Nintendo DS. That's NOT what this day is about!

See also When Mommy's a Mess, So Is Everyone Else!

Now that we are a few weeks into January, many people have forgone their hopeful New Year's Resolution to lose weight by dieting. But, don't feel bad. A diet is not the right way to go about losing weight, anyhow. Here are 7 good reasons why dieting just isn't the way to go. In fact, for 2011, you should resolve NOT to diet.

1. Dieting is Unhealthy

Most diets are not healthy. Many, like the Atkins diet, encourage people to cut down necessary food groups. If you really want to eat healthy, you need nutrients from carbs, fats and proteins. Just limit caloric intake and maintain a balance that will keep you satisfied.

See also Top 7 Superfoods for Superwomen

2. The Weight Won't Stay Off

Even if you find yourself losing a considerable amount of weight on an extreme diet, don't fool yourself. You WILL gain the weight back once you begin eating normally again. What everyone says is true; in order to lose weight and stay healthy, you must make a LIFESTYLE change. Yo-yo

There was an article in the Wall Street Journal recently that made me stop and think about how I feel about motherhood and whether I make decisions as a mother based on what I think is right or based on what others tell me is the right thing to do.

Spend every moment with your child? Make your own baby food and use cloth diapers? Erica Jong wonders how motherhood became such a prison for modern women. Full Article

It is distressing to me that this woman feels like she's in a prison. This article suggests that by doing what we feel is best for our children we are somehow slaves to modern society. If I choose to make my own baby food because I find it more efficient and less expensive and my best friend chooses to buy jarred baby food because she finds it more efficient, am I really in a prison? And is my friend a better or worse mother than I am? If I let my child cry it out and my best friend judged me because she was co-sleeping and felt that was a 'better' way of parenting,

So we have all had lousy days, right? Maybe you woke up on the wrong side of the bed or everyone at work was dumping extra tasks on you, or a spouse was constantly pointing out your faults. Whatever the situation, and we all have them, there are ways to turn the day and your mood around.

I am always trying to keep things in perspective. I look at the bigger picture and ask myself whether or not the situation will really matter down the road. Something that can feel so overwhelming one moment won't matter the next. Is it worth creating so much fuss over? Let's say for example you get a speeding ticket. Yes that is a bad, horrible day. But, put things into perspective: what if you were dealing with a dying parent or lost your home to a fire? Would the speeding ticket seem a bit more trivial in the big scheme of things? Probably.

See also Stop Settling and Start Living!

Sometimes just the act of looking at your situation from a different perspective helps you tone down the negative

Sleeping issues and babies. I bet this is the biggest problem for all young parents. Everybody would love a miracle cure; a manual which guarantees a peaceful sleeping baby. This kind of manual does exist, but almost nobody dares telling the truth about the outcome. One way to get a baby to sleep is to use controlled crying. Effective for getting your baby to sleep, but how does it affect your baby otherwise?

I am not a fan of controlled crying for babies. To be frank, for younger babies, I wouldn't use controlled crying at all. If your baby cries, he needs you. He feels off balance, and wants you to comfort him.

See also Simple Strategies to Survive Your Baby's Fussy Periods

Sometimes, people say that your baby will get spoiled or take advantage of you if you always comfort him. That is not true. Why? It is simple - because your baby's mental development is not at the same level at which we (adults) think. We adults would argue, "If I cry, I'm pretty sure mom's gonna come

It's almost Valentine's Day and many of us can't wait to celebrate the holiday with someone special. Here is our list of top 25 tunes to get you and your honey in the mood. Here's a romantic idea: run a bath, light some candles, and let the music take you over!

Read also Romantic Valentine's Day Ideas






1. "Beautiful" By James Blunt
2. "Lost Without You" by Robin Thicke
3. "Your Love Is King" by Sade
4. "Never Too Much" by Luther Vandross
5. "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey
6. "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson
7. "Every Beat Of My Heart" by Gladys Knight and the Pips
8. "At Last" by Etta James
9. "Turn Your Lights Down Low" by Bob Marley
10. "I Want You" by Marvin Gaye
11. "Endless Love" by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross
12. "Sweetest Thing" by Lauryn Hill
13. "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis
14. "I Belong to You" by Muse
15. "Kiss from a Rose" by Seal

Read also Plan Ahead for the Best Valentine's Day Yet!

16. "The Way You Look Tonight" by Tony Bennett
17.