We chose a random Sunday to do it – I did not want to give her the cell phone as a gift or reward. We want her to know that while we let her use it, it really belongs to us, and she should treat it as something she is borrowing.

Whether you make cookies from scratch, buy pre-made dough, go for Pillsbury, or just plain buy them ready-made, Christmas cookies are a memorable tradition for this time of year. Here’s a from-scratch recipe that I use, from Alton Brown. Now, to mentally prepare myself for this day of memory-making.

I knew that marrying someone with children and becoming a step-mom would add an interesting twist to the holidays.

However, having a newborn baby can definitely make these next few weeks during the holidays a bit more…challenging to manage. Especially if you are new to breastfeeding.

We’re into the holiday season now, folks. And while getting the whole clan together can undoubtedly bring some cherished family memories, it can also make for some not-so-magical moments.</p>

<p>This year, I have tried to maintain my attitude of gratitude. I have tried to focus on turning my complaints into positives, to find the good things I can say about hosting. </p>

Maybe this year, you can add another tradition to your holidays. Let’s work on spreading the message of the holidays in new ways this year, starting with kindness.

Unfortunately, we all live in the real world (and not in a Hallmark Channel movie) where sometimes kids get sick, roads get slick, and moms get stressed. Big time. The best way I’ve found to keep pre-Christmas anxiety in check is to avoid these four ways we moms tend to ruin the holidays:

My goal is always to see the holiday season as a magical time – to see the holidays through a child’s eyes. And perhaps one of the greatest and most magical parts of the holiday season is that of the Christmas tree.