We've heard a lot about the work-life balancing act lately, but seeing it is a different story. Twelve years ago, photographer Ali Smith, decided to capture real moms in their daily lives. Not the power-suited mom of '80s movies or the happy homemaker of '50s advertising, but real women with real parenting challenges. One botched book deal, forty moms, and $35,000 in donations later, Smith has self-published, Momma Love, a pictorial homage to the tightrope walk of motherhood.

The original goal, says Smith, was to "present an honest portrayal of it to counter the copious amounts of slanted B.S." She recruited both friends and total strangers to serve as muses. Then, half-way through her project, she saw her savings drained when the company planning to publish her book was shuttered. "The money was one thing," Smith tells Yahoo Shine. "But emotionally it was devastating...I cared about the women and the subject too much to let it drop."

Enter the fundraising site Kickstarter, where

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Mom taught you to love fearlessly, to value creativity, to smile through the tough times, and to look inside for true beauty. She was your example for independence, strength, patience, and humor. And most importantly, she showed you unconditional love. Whether she taught you how to read, how to fight an illness, or how to build a fire, these lessons from a mother are simply priceless to a daughter. Motherhood is often a thankless job, so we asked Shine readers to share their gratitude for all of the sacrifices Mom made and for all of the lessons she bestowed on you along the way. Here are their heartfelt "thanks" to Mom on Mother's Day.
-- Ali Swank

Read More »from Lessons from Mom: Our Heartfelt Thanks to Mom on Mother's Day

"Reading the Llama Mama books with Bryn certainly turned this ship around," Bethenny tweeted. Along with the "Llama Mama" books, here's the info on what Bethenny is reading to Bryn reading right now...

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1. "Dogs Don't Do Ballet" By Anna Kemp
2. "Barbie as Rapunzel" By Cliff Ruby
3. "Llama Mama" book series by Anna Dewdney


More From Bethenny:
Bryn's Halloween Rice Treats
Bryn's 'Very Pink!' Room
A Picnic with Bryn
Bryn's Boo-Boo Berry Smoothie
How to Talk to Your Kids about Tragedy
Kid's Corner: Healthy Snacks for You and Your KidsRead More »from 3 Books Bethenny is Reading to Bryn

All of the sudden, it seems, bragging about being a "terrible" or "reckless" parent is in vogue... at least if you want a book deal. As Mother's Day approaches, publishers have unleashed a series of books targeted at, who would've guessed, mothers. In years past it was the aspirational tales of perfection that crowded the shelves. Battle Hymn Of The Tiger Mother and Bringing Up Bébé told tales of how to be the perfect parent. Those books may be well and good, but the truth is parenting is rarely perfect. We all have the best of intentions, but do we really reach them? Aspiration may be a good thing, but what about a dose of reality? This year, stories of drunk, slacking, cursing Moms are being served up as the perfect Mother's Day gift. It appears if you want to win the title of "Mother of the Year," you need to get real.

-By Buzz Bishop

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Read More »from Moms Gone Wild: 5 Drunk, Slacking, Cursing Moms and Their Books

Everything changes when you become a new momI found this buried under pages of unpublished writing from the first few post-baby months as a new mom, and I think it perfectly sums up the unique and unexpected ways that a baby can change you…

It's the mantra of motherhood, echoing through the decades: "Everything changes." I've even said it myself because, really, those two words about all a new mother can muster when faced with the enormity of her new life. Fear mongers warn of being awake for 56 consecutive hours, screaming cries that last for three months straight, and breasts that whither from a D cup to an A cup. I was warned, "You'll have empty tube socks in your bra."

Lovely.

I was expecting the physical changes and an increase in daily responsibilities - like, I'd have to pack some diapers before I left the house, and I'd have to put little locks on my kitchen cabinets. But those weren't the real changes. Here are 10 ways my life changed in the first few months as a new mom:

1. When I pass a horrific car accident, I

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Wondering what to get the mom in your life for Mother's Day? It might be easier than you think! I asked real moms to tell me what they *REALLY* wanted for Mother's Day. The responses are sweet, simple, and have very little to do with extravagant gifting. Click through to learn what moms really want and get inspired to pamper the mom you know and love this coming Mother's Day! By Becka Robinson

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Baby shower gifts: 15 practical ideas for new parents

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Read More »from Mama Needs a Chambray Shirt! 10 Moms Reveal the Gifts They REALLY Want

A school with no homework or grades sounds like a child's dream but for the students of Toronto, Ontario's Alpha Alternative School, opened in 1972, that was very much the reality. The public school's policy was founded on the principal of democracy and according to Debbie O'Rourke, the school's volunteer coordinator, kids learn at their leisure. "We value general knowledge, social sciences, arts, and literacy but kids are valued and not judged," O'Rourke told Yahoo! Shine. "There are no grades and we don't waste kid's time by loading them up with homework. Allowing them to learn organically through playing and interacting with other kids in a nurturing environment will help them grow into smart individuals." For the school's 40th anniversary in September 2012, former Alpha student and photographer Michael Barker shot portraits of alumni in a series called "Alpha Alternative School 1942/2012." So what happens to kids who don't get grades or take tests? See for yourself.

Read More »from Photo Series Explores What Happens when Kids Don't Do Homework

By Kylie McConville for TheBump.com

Thinkstock / The BumpA shocking new study completed by Swedish researchers and published in the journal Pediatrics found that parents who pick up a dropped pacifier and suck it clean may be helping their infants become better germ fighters.

A shocking new study completed by Swedish researchers and published in the journal Pediatrics found that parents who pick up a dropped pacifier and suck it clean may be helping their infants become better germ fighters.

Crazy new mom confessions!

Crazy, right? We didn't believe it at first either! But you can't ignore the research. Here's what they found:

Researchers in Sweden studied 184 infants at the age of four months old. Scientists collected saliva samples from each infant to determine which times of bacteria resided in baby's guts. At six months old, parents were asked to report on whether their infants used pacifiers and how moms and dads cleaned them. At ages 18 and 36 months old, researchers checked back in with parents

Read More »from Could Your Spit Be Good for Baby?