Blog Posts by Babble.com

With the bustle of the holidays winding down, this is always the time of year that I turn to tidying up, decluttering and freshening up my apartment to help make it feel super cozy for the winter months because (let's face it) we all know we're going to be spending a lot more time inside between now and spring. And besides, don't we all love to start the new year with a clean slate? I know I do! With that said, making my house feel peaceful and restorative is really important to me (especially because I work full time from home, too!). Ready to cozy up and get nesting in 2013? Well, grab a cup of coffee, and get ready to be inspired. Click through for 7 ways to make your home comfier for winter! - By Cyd Converse

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Kids and pets: They're really not so different! Anyone who has raised a pet or a boy will understand what I mean when I say doing either requires a ton of work. I have a son, and my family and I recently got a new puppy, Lola, a 10-week-old boxer. And I have to say, although one has more fur than the other -- and perhaps a bit more slobber -- the two have been surprisingly similar to raise.

So if you're thinking about adopting a pet in the new year, don't dive in just yet. While having a pet around can be a huge mood booster and ultimately a lot of fun, raising a pup or a kitty really is no cake walk!



Here are 6 reasons why raising a pet is like raising a child:

You use the same reading material.










1.) You spend a lot of time reading about how to do it right
I have read every book on puppyhood that I could get my hands on: Puppies for Dummies, The Art of Raising a Puppy, and most embarrassing of all, How to be your Dog's Best Friend, and I still can't have enough. There's so much to learn! So many ways you can screw it up! It all reminds me of the

It's New Year's Eve! Although I don't have any grand plans for the big night, many people will be storming the streets and gallivanting around, sending off 2012 right and ringing in 2013. And really, not only people will be celebrating the big night! Yep, that's right -- I'm talking about our furry little friends. Tonight's the night lots of them will be letting loose and resorting to their wild tendencies. Like we people, they love some good New Year's Eve celebrations too. Cats in particular are pretty crafty when it comes to parties. I've found a handful that are already brewing some fun and fantastic ideas for tonight's festivities! Click through for 7 hilarious photos of cats celebrating New Year's Eve! - By Devan McGuinness

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It's near the end of the year and with that comes the best of the best round up time! Now it's time for my favorite photos from the year for dogs. I am not sure if these images were all taken in 2012, but this year they're crowned my favorite of the year! Click through to see them all: - By Devan McGuinness

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BabbleBy now your Facebook and Twitter feed is probably riddled with resolution goodness. It's not that I mind public displays of New Year's resolutions, I just happen to think life changes are highly personal, maybe even a little bit sacred. Then again, I get the whole forced accountability and support that comes from making a resolution public.

When looking back on my parenting successes and failures of the last year, I could easily write a legitimate list of parenting resolutions, but they're personal promises I'd rather act upon than publish. For now, I'm only comfortable publishing the following 10 infallible parenting resolutions I know I can keep into the New Year and beyond:

1. Yell more
Because I sure as hell can't yell less. If I just decide to yell more, maybe my kids will start listening? I can only assume that they've been unable to hear me up to this point.

2. Sleep less
Every single year I tell myself that I'll sleep more and why? There's just way too much good and bad TV

Tech Cleaning 101: Helping Your Gadgets Survive Your KidsSometimes I find myself staring at the gadgets at the electronics store and wondering how the ones I've got at home ever could have been so shiny and new. That's because, as the mother of a toddler who loves to get her sticky fingers on anything even remotely electronic (including the remote), I have a hard time keeping my gadgets in tip-top shape. Thankfully, I've learned a few indispensable tricks to clean my gadgets after they've spent some quality time in the hands of lil' Miss Annie.

Disclaimer: These tips work for me, but you should always consult your instruction manual before doing anything.

Screens
It doesn't matter if it's my TV, computer, smart phone, or tablet -- if its got a screen, its got Annie's finger prints on it. And, since Annie is a toddler, her fingers are often smudged with chocolate, milk, or honey. Awesome!

If I only have household items at my disposal, I pass over the paper towels and cleaning detergents (which can cause damage), and

My daughter just turned 15 and I am gearing up for the inevitable; my baby will be driving soon. She keeps reminding me that in 6 months she will get her learner's permit and a year from now she will have her driver's license. Check out these 10 rule she'll have to follow when she starts driving: - By Tracey Clarke

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Now that winter is officially here, it's time to start thinking about getting cozy! I don't know about you, but by mid-January here in upstate New York, I'm often left feeling a little blue. So this year I've decided to combat all that by loading up my apartment with super cozy things that will make the whole winter season feel much warmer. When the snow is blowing and the wind is making everything frigid, sometimes a few bright and merry things indoors can go a long way in boosting your mood. Click through for 7 cozy home essentials for winter! - By Cyd Converse

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