Blog Posts by Babble.com

Do you know a child who has trouble or who lacks confidence with his reading? Or, maybe one who just hasn't developed a love for books yet? Roxy Reading Therapy Dogs is the answer! What a great program! Based in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, their mission is "to bring comfort to children, to enhance the experience of learning, to promote a lifelong love of reading, and to enrich the lives of our canine and human volunteers." Awesome! If you're looking for a volunteer opportunity, or know a child who could benefit from working with a dog, maybe there is a program like this where you live. Or hey, maybe you could start one of your own! Get the scoop on this cool program for kids, below: - By Amy Fleck

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We've been seeing grooms kiss brides in movies for years, have watched as she throws the bouquet over her shoulder, have clapped as cars trailing tin cans or shoes drive off into the sunset. You may have done all these things yourself. But do you know why? Why the bride wears a veil, why she can't see the groom before the wedding, why she carries a bouquet down the aisle, why rings are exchanged? Weddings involve a lot of unusual rituals, but where did these traditions originate? They've been around for centuries and, whether you know it or not, most are steeped in significant meaning and historical rationale dating as far back as the middle ages. Below are 10 explanations and origins for the most popular wedding traditions. - By Monica Bielanko

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Whenever a holiday rolls around, I always think of the moms and dads expecting new bundles of joy and how they'll name them accordingly. Now, new parents can definitely take advantage of the upcoming holiday, Presidents' Day, by taking note of names of famous leaders and their families. After all, these men and women have made it to the top of the ranks -- so what better way to set your tot up for success than by giving him or her one of these outstanding names? To get you in the spirit of Presidents' Day -- and to give those new moms and dads some ideas -- I've rounded up some of the best names inspired by commanders-in-chief and their spouses. Click through for 7 baby names inspired by presidential families! - By Jillian Capewell and Melinda Carstensen

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If your home decor has been feeling a bit stale or out of date lately, I've got a simple solution for you: Update it with a few modern pieces, and voila! Your home will look instantly fresher. Really, all you need to spruce up your living room, home office or bedroom are a few black and white pieces that serve a function yet also are decorative. I've browsed the Web for said objects and rounded them up here for your home-design inspiration! I'm sure more than a few would fit perfectly in your living space. Click through for 7 bold decorations to update your home instantly! - By Rachelle Wilde

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My dearest daughters: I remember the very first time I saw your hearts beat. My eyes fixated on an ultrasound screen as I held my breath waiting. You were tiny, but your heartbeats were there. I remember the comfort I found in seeing that rhythmic motion and how I would eagerly look forward to my next appointment for another chance to hear that precious heartbeat. I knew what an honor and a gift it would be to get to be your mother. And so, it has been my heart's desire to guard your heart, to protect it, and to cherish it all the days of my life. But because I can't be with you every moment of every day I have to rely on my faith and hope that the lessons your father and I teach you will prepare you for life - a life that we pray is always filled with love. In celebration of Valentine's Day, here are 7 love lessons I hope to teach you! - By Krishann Briscoe

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My friends, I have found one of the most awesome sites on the face of the planet: Ikatbag. In particular, I love Lier's cardboard projects. She's the mother of three children and is constantly making them fun toys using recycled materials. I hope to be that kind of mother when I eventually have children. Also, she is totally supporting my theory that a kid would rather play with the box something comes in than the toy itself...and it's so awesome when the box becomes the toy. Click through the slideshow to view 7 awesome cardboard creations for you and your kids to make together! - By Amy Anderson

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As we celebrate Valentine's Day today, all sorts of attention will be paid to love and how we celebrate it. For parents, Valentine's Day may be a welcome night away from the kids, or it may be just another Thursday. The odds are pretty even. For the past number of weeks, Today's Parent has been surveying their readers about the sex lives of parents, and the results are in! 4500 people responded to the questions that allow us to crack the bedroom door open a little bit and compare notes. Does sex matter? How often is "normal"? How many of us are cheaters? What about sensual aides? Put the kids to bed, and then click through the questions and answers below to see how you and your spouse 'measure up'. - By Buzz Bishop

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As you all know, I am a huge fan of cats. I love nearly everything about them and believe that each cat is amazing and special. Not in a creepy "cat lady" kind of way -- but just the casual respect and love from a "cat person." With the Internet, we have come to know many different cats who are now famous. We have Tard the Grumpy Cat, Colonel Meow, and now I would like to introduce you to another cat who is on the fast-track to fame: Sam. You may notice what makes him so special -- it's pretty hard to miss. You see, Sam has eyebrows and a to-die-for face to go with it. Through Instagram, Sam's loving owners started to share adorable daily photos of Sam and he quickly caught attention of the Reddit community and now us. Click through and check out Sam, the most expressive cat ever! - By Devan McGuinness

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