Blog Posts by Babble.com

I am picturing a gang of dogs and cats hanging out at Central Perk, drinking their caramel meowcchiatos and their doggy de leches. Like me, they have checked out Goodreads.com to find the next book they will read and discuss. But what books would interest your pets? There are novels starring animals, as well as non-fiction books that showcase the ways in which pets can do miraculous things, and books that help us to understand the connections between humans and animals. Check out the slideshow below for 7 must-read books if your a lover of all animals! - By Amy Fleck

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MarriageAccording to a study conducted by social scientists at the Pew Research Center in coordination with Time magazine, nearly four in 10 Americans think marriage is becoming obsolete. While these numbers are troubling, I view the study from a different perspective - six in 10 Americans still believe in the institution of marriage.

My wife and I have been married for over 15 years and we understand how difficult it is to make a marriage work. But we've decided to remain committed to each other and focus on the positive aspects.

As one of those six who still believe in marriage, here are my top 7 reasons why marriage will never be obsolete:


1. I don't have to date anymore - I have many single friends whose tales of the current dating scene frighten me. I don't believe that I could manage all of the online dating, speed dating, background checks, stalkers, etc. I'm glad I'm no longer out there.

2. Sex - Research has shown that married men have more sex than single men. I can validate their

Eggs are the quintessential breakfast food. Of course, every now and again parents pressed for time will serve them as part of "breakfast for dinner." We've pulled this one when we've accidentally ruined another dish, but really there are any number of delicious ways to include eggs in your dinner repertoire and some compelling reasons to do so. Eggs are loaded with protein and vitamins B12, A, D, and E. And not only are eggs good for you, they're also wonderful for families on a budget. Even free-range organic eggs rarely cost more than fifty cents an egg, making them one of the best deals for protein for hungry families. Here are 7 terrific ways to feed your family eggs for dinner. - By Elizabeth Stark and Brian Campbell

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I love me some family game night. Our family plays a lot of Hedbandz, Apples to Apples Jr., and Uno, but we're always up for a new addition to our supply of games. I saw tons of new family games at the 2013 American International Toy Fair in New York City and I've picked a few of my favorites to share with you here. The ones that made the cut for this list were well-made, well-executed games that I think will be played again and again. As for price, any one of these games is far cheaper than taking a family of six out to the movies for one night. Another factor that garnered points from me is the ability to include kids of a variety of ages -- these games are designed to be enjoyed by the whole family, regardless of age. Here are 9 of my favorites. - By Joslyn Gray

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A dad weighs in on When my kid was born, I knew nothing about parenting. It was 11 years ago, but I remember being intensely worried that I'd make major mistakes when it came to basic baby care: drop my newborn daughter into a bath of scalding hot water. Carry her the wrong way in the Baby Bjorn (upside down, say). Let her fall asleep in the Asphyxiation Position (face down? face up?) Diaper her head instead of her butt by accident.

At the time, I looked for books that might help me learn the ropes of parenthood and discovered that virtually everything written about the subject was directed towards women. (The chick-lit influenced "Girlfriends' Guides" by Vicki Iovine were particularly popular.) But that didn't bother me. I could still read those, I thought. Why not? It doesn't matter whether a book is marketed to men or women: good advice can be useful for anyone, right?

But when I actually read them, I discovered that most of the books for women about parenting had one guiding theme:

All men are

Brushing my toddler's teeth with sugar.

I spent last week with some singing and dancing dentists, and last night I brushed my kids' teeth with sugar and sent them to bed. I've worked closely with a company for the past year or so on a few local TV spots, and this past week I was able to attend a conference they put on that allowed dentists, researchers, doctors, dental hygienists, naturopaths, writers, and nutritionists to learn more about the sweetener xylitol.

I basically came away from this conference a changed woman, wife and mother. While so many of the scientific studies flew right over my head and past the concierge, much of makes perfect sense, especially when it comes to the use of xylitol with children. I told my best friend last night that I feel like I've been brainwashed - how can something so simple that's been around for so long (since the late 19th century) not be used and adored by everyone? I blabbed about it to strangers on the plane, I've talked my husband's ear off about it, and as of today,

As the mom of a little girl, I find myself looking at women in the public eye as potential role models. I'm sure the time will come that my daughter will want to model her wardrobe and attitude after pop stars and actresses and I'm (mostly) okay with that. But as a feminist and political junkie, I want to make sure that she knows there are women who make American history, not just compete on American Idol. There's an old adage that women must be twice as good to be considered the equals of men. This is certainly true of women who have been the first to hold positions of power: the first woman elected to Congress, the first woman Justice of the Supreme Court, the first woman Speaker of the House. Here are 7 of those women; all of them I admire and hope my daughter will grow to emulate. - By Rebekah Kuschmider

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I always love dresses, but I especially love them in the spring! There is nothing better than packing up your winter coat and snow boots to make room for new colorful, light clothes. And after a long winter of hiding my legs, I am more than happy to throw on a pretty dress to show them off. I've done some searching, and there are already tons of cute styles hitting the stores at such affordable prices. Here are 7 fantastic dresses for spring - all for under $50! - By Liz Stanley

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