Blog Posts by Babble.com

How to Know if Your Teen is Ready for a SmartphoneWe've got less than a month before our cellular carrier contract expires. Right now, I'm the only one in the house with a smart phone but that might change with our next contract agreement. As of now however, no clear decisions have been made and it seems the Clark family is at odds as to how we will be proceeding.
I've done extensive research on phone upgrades and data plans. We have had civil conversations and heated debates about it. These kinds of disputes aren't really like us. We don't often engage in whole family battles but in the case of the smart phone(s), the tensions are high and the pressure is mounting. There have been grievances aired, differences identified, ultimatums made, bargain pleas offered up, and still, there's no truce in sight.

At first I thought the main issue at hand was money. For the longest time my husband and I agreed that we didn't need the Internet via our phones. The extra cost seemed superfluous as it seemed we could always find a way to

It is the resolution time of year and if you're like most people, at least one of your resolutions is about eating healthier. The key to making sure you'll actually stick with your resolution this year is to make sure it is both sustainable and easy. When you make resolutions like "give up all carbs" or "no snacks," you're setting yourself up for failure. Check out these 7 easy and effective food resolutions that you'll actually be able to keep this year here: - By Kelsey Banfield

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If you just aren't feeling it this year, don't despair. Surely you realize you're not the first to lose motivation so soon after you made those new year's resolutions. A British printing company, Parker-Holliday, created a series of posters in the 1920s around a fictional character named Bill Jones, whom "all workers were meant to emulate." The savvy advice was aimed at "that era's cubicle-farm set," but the messages are still relevant today. See if Bill Jones can do for you what he did for your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents back in the day: - By Meredith Carroll

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Now that the traditional reds and greens of Christmas are facing retirement, keeping your home decor spirited for the remainder of the chilly season requires some craftiness on your part. Obviously, leaving that Christmas decor hanging is just tacky and really isn't an option, but there are other (key: easy) ways to festoon your home for winter! (We know, the holidays sometimes can be more stressful than enjoyable, so there's no need to do more work than necessary!) The best -- and simplest -- way to decorate for winter? With a wreath, of course. Lucky for you, I've gathered some ideas here. Click through for 7 winter wreaths not just for the holidays! - By Jennifer Hadfield

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You'd think all cats would hate the snow, what with it being cold, flaky water and all. But it turns out some cats don't mind it. In fact, if the photos I've rounded up are any indication, at least a few felines seem to positively adore the snow! Not surprisingly, these tend to be the kitties with long, thick fur. (My cats, on the other hand, unfortunately have short hair and reside mostly indoors, so they are terrified of the snow!) Still, I don't mind. I get to enjoy these irresistibly cute snapshots of other furry little kitties frolicking in the cold weather, and now you can too! Click through for 7 adorable photos of cats freezing their paws off! - By Joslyn Gray

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This past year I found oodles of amazing IKEA roundups that prove redesigning your home in 2013 doesn't have to mean breaking the bank -- or doing tons of physical labor! From kids rooms to stylish home-office designs, the ideas I came across definitely illustrate that a good idea can go a long way in sprucing up a living space. To give you an idea of what I mean, I've gathered a handful of these hacks here. Whether you're seeking to add a little more green to your home with a window herb garden, or have resolved to read more in 2013 and install an elegant bookshelf, this roundup is sure to fulfill your New Year's desires. Click through for the 7 best IKEA hacks of 2012! - By Jan Halvarson

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Earlier this year my family and I took a day-trip to the zoo. My favorite exhibit by far was the meerkats. They are adorable in size, have the cutest eyes and always look like they're smiling. One of their most awesome characteristics is their appearance of standing on their hind legs with their arms gently placed in front of them. I fell in love immediately. I wanted to take the whole bunch home, but we all know that would have resulted in me being trampled by the zoo police. Or something like that. Indeed, so enraptured, I felt my newfound love for the meerkat start to rival my adoration of cats. But lucky for me -- and you, too, if you are a feline fan -- I found some photos that should tide me over till my next trip to the zoo. Click through for 7 cats that actually think they're meerkats! - By Devan McGuinness

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Confession time: I killed my son's fishI killed my son's fish. Yes, you read that right. I killed my son JD's first pet-a 5th birthday gift from my work-wife, aunt Jemma.

Here's how it went down.

JD and I were sitting at the kitchen table, chatting and finishing up breakfast. I looked up at Leo, the Betta fish and thought: Ew, his water is murky and gross.

"If you finish all of your breakfast, you can help me change Leo's water, OK?" I said.

JD scarfed his waffle and fruit down.

I moved the tank over to the sink area. I hoisted JD up on the counter. Like every other water change, I scooped Leo into the green cup, placed him on the counter and then dumped the contents of the tank. I even decided to change the colorful rocks.

JD poured some new neon rocks in. I added fresh Poland Spring water-"A bath of luxury," I said. "Time to put Leo back in!"

Related: How to help your kids cope with the death of a pet

The green cup had yucky water in it. I decided to slowly pour the water into the sink, down the drain. That's when