Sandy damaged homes in New Jersey.'Superstorm' Sandy is being called a once-in-a-lifetime storm. While it's the big cities that are grabbing most of the headlines, Sandy affected every family on the eastern seaboard. After weathering Sandy with kids in tow, our network of contributors are sharing their experiences. From basements and suburban yards in the most populated corridor of the United States, below are excerpts of stories about mother's intuition, which should never be doubted, and collecting buckets of rainwater to, in dire need, flush the toilet.

'Camping out' with family during 'Superstorm' Sandy
DENVILLE, N.J.-- We were lucky in northern New Jersey that we didn't get a direct hit when Sandy made landfall about 8-9 PM last night. We took all of our spare blankets and pillows and made camp in our basement. The large trees began to bend around 9 PM as the wind began to make an eerie howl and the gusts brought the noise of things hitting the roof.

Our lights began to blink, and we knew that we were in the

What if we don't make it to the hospital on time? What if we never have fun again? What if I drop the baby? These are a few of the totally understandable fears men can experience on the cusp of fatherhood. During pregnancy it's normal for men to be a little anxious about something. And it's important to address those concerns, just as we support and reassure pregnant women about what they are going through. When researching the pregnancy and baby book I co-authored, From the Hips, we surveyed hundreds of expectant parents and gained valuable insight into the worries of both women and men. Since then, I've been working with expectant couples in childbirth classes. Here are 7 common fears guys have during pregnancy - and a few ideas for how to cope with them. - By Ceridwen Morris

MORE ON BABBLE
25 ways husbands embarrass their wives in the delivery room

10 reasons why he wants sex when you're pregnant

20 funny excuses women give to get out of sex

Whether you were part of the scary storm last night or are just seeing the devastating images on TV this morning, you might be dealing with some curious or worried kids today. We talked to Dr. Paul Coleman, author of How to Say It to Your Child When Bad Things Happen, to find out how parents should field kids' questions and if they should turn off the TV.

PLUS: Halloween Games to Play in the Dark

Be a soothing example. If your family's dealing with flooding and power outages, do your best to model calm. "Kids pay close attention to their parent's mood, so you should show this is all temporary," says Dr. Coleman. "If you've incurred losses, you can convey, yes, it's a little stressful, but eventually things will get back to normal." Stress the things that are already back to normal or that stayed the same throughout the storm, like their family or favorite toys.

PLUS: Children's Pain Undertreated in Emergency Rooms

Ask questions before explaining. "Don't rush in

By: Caitlin Ultimo
If Hurricane Sandy is making her way through your town, hopefully you're well stocked with bottled water, canned foods, and candles. But, are you equipped with ways to keep bored or scared kids busy if the power goes out? While you still have electricity, read up on some fun games to play with your kids--no lights required!

PLUS: Talking to Kids About Hurricane Sandy

Flashlight Limbo

Two people, holding flashlights, face each other and make a steady beam of light for others to limbo under. Print out words to the Limbo Rock to make your own music; as kids are eliminated they can tap on the floor to the beat.

PLUS: Halloween Safety Tips

Shadow Puppets

Find a bare wall and use a flashlight's beam to set the stage. Make characters out of your hands' shadows and let the show be as long or as silly as you like.

Hide and Seek in the Dark

Hide a stuffed animal and set the kids out on a search for their toy with flashlights. Be sure to clear the

A family in the rain
For some people, storms and other natural disasters bring out the best in the family unit. They're a time to pull together or be glad of a partner's skills and support. For others, they bring out the worst. Those of us on the ground in NYC have heard over the past few days all kinds of testimonials both for and against relationships.

Usually in the "for" camp, it's a person talking with trust about their partner's opinion. "Bob knows from hurricanes, and he says it's time to get out!" Or "Jane would never let us keep this kids in a danger zone." These are family units pulling together, with each partner reinforcing the other's expertise. I even know a mom who moved into a hotel with two tiny toddlers, in order for her husband to be near enough his office to keep working through the storm. Anyone who has tried to entertain little kids in a hotel room knows that this was a true testament to love and togetherness.

Unfortunately, there are the other stories too. The woman resentfully

Let's do this.Costume planning for Halloween usually began in September for my family. It was an unspoken rule that all costumes would be made from scratch, so they required a fair bit of forethought, lots of materials, and time to assemble. I decided what I wanted to be and Dad would figure out a way to transform me using cardboard, paint, fabric, and random household props. The result was a spectacular array of strange homemade costumes.

Read More: 50 Quick and Simple Do-It-Yourself Halloween Costumes

The best was the Knight in Shining Armour. Using varying sizes of sono tubes (the cylindrical cardboard molds used for pouring concrete footings), Dad made a set of hinged armour that fit my torso, legs, and arms. We painted it silver. I had a wooden sword, a cardboard shield, and a helmet with a movable visor. That year I won the prize for Best Costume at the local Halloween party. Over the years, our family costumes have included a paintbrush, a carrot with a leafy top, a sunflower, a

What would you say?As if getting divorced isn't difficult enough, add kids into the mix and you've got a whole extra layer of complications. What should you say to them? What should you avoid saying? How can you help them through it?

More from YourTango: 5 Things Divorcing Parents Actually Do Right

According to our survey, 51% of YourTango.com Experts agree that when it comes to sharing information with your kids about your divorce, customization is key. That is, you should share any details that the kids can developmentally understand and integrate - no more and no less. Here are some more tips from the experts about how to talk to your kids about your divorce:

1. Be honest. Be as honest as you can in an age-appropriate way. Most parents hide what is happening and this causes the child undue stress. Although it will hurt to tell them, you need to tell them as soon as possible, in a factual way. Give them the facts, a cuddle and let them know everything will be okay. -Sarah Newton

2. Assure them it will