3 Reasons Moms Are Addicted to the Internet

I was scrolling through family photos on my computer, admiring my two beautiful babies, when I spotted a disturbing trend: My laptop was open in almost all of the pictures. There's my daughter, at 8 months, playing at my feet while I typed away on the couch. There's me and my son, a year later, with the laptop at my side as I held him in my arms.

Seeking information, community, and escape, new moms like myself are spending more and more time on the web. But how much is too much?

Celebrity Moms Who Adopted

Serial adopter Angelina Jolie may get most of the press, but she's far from being the only celeb to become a mama through adoption. A slew of stars we love have done the same.

Check out these 10 fabulous and famous actors and musicians chose to adopt and read their stories.

Is It Okay to Snoop on Your Kids?

You have to know where your kids are, what they're up to, and who they're with. But tweens and teens also have a right to privacy. How can you keep close track of their lives without violating their trust?

Find out more...

7 Secrets of Highly Happy Families

Scientific studies show that a happy family has positive effects on health, improving blood pressure and increasing life expectancy. And the activities you share, no matter how frivolous they may seem, can actually be extremely meaningful in the long run. According to a recent Gallup Poll, 96 percent of Americans rank family as the most important thing in their lives. Building the bonds that make families strong starts with the simplest, and sometimes the silliest, of habits and rituals.
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529's: Investing in your Baby’s Future

The older the parent, the tougher choices one has to make when it comes to saving for college. Which is more pressing, retirement or higher education? And when you do contribute to college funds, the pressure seems greater to make the right decisions.

Once a parent decides to start saving for college, scores of accountants and financial planners champions 529 plans -- state-sponsored educational savings funds that offer tax breaks. First introduced in 1997, there are now 85 plans available. And while there are other college investment programs, 529 savings plans stand out in a variety of ways.

Opinions on the Octuplets: Our Users Speak Out

When a California woman gave birth to the world’s first set of surviving octuplets, the world reacted first with joy and then with outrage. iVillage users had plenty to say about the new mom, her family and the circumstances surrounding the extraordinary pregnancy.

Here are some of their thoughts.

Baby Health Information: The Vaccination Debate

Established medical opinion maintains that the benefits of vaccinations outweigh the risks. A growing number of parents disagree, citing possible links between vaccines and autism, brain damage and even death.

Here, an introduction to a debate that gets stickier every day.

How to Talk to Your Kids About Layoffs

Keeping kids in the dark about something so serious as a job layoff is a huge mistake. First, children come equipped with built-in radar and notice those hushed conversations and pick up on your tension. They may even feel they somehow caused your stress. And hearing such an immensely personal family problem from anyone other than you is plain unfair and could well break down the trust between you and your child. Believe me, your children are far better off hearing this news straight from your mouth. Regardless of how difficult this is, the truth must be told.
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Great books for toddlers on the move

If you think about it, until a child learns to walk, life has a different meaning. Before walking, the child is wholly dependent on a parent for everything. Once a toddler is able to maneuver without anyone's help, it makes sense that the child will identify with and view other moving things with great fascination, especially if they make a loud and interesting noise.

In that spirit, this article’s reviewed books are for all the toddlers who love things that move. There will be a natural gravitation and interest in books that carry this theme.

Work & Family: How to Argue Less About Money

The struggle to find common financial ground between spouses is far from unique -- arguing over money is the number one cause of divorce. The arguing can also get worse after children arrive. However, being stuck in a money-fighting rut doesn't doom you forever. In fact, the path to peace is probably a lot easier than you think. Ready to get started?