Tinybeans

Say what you will about astrology, but you’ve probably had moments that made you think there might just be some truth in the teachings. Maybe you’ve met someone born in August who was born for the stage, or an April baby who loves the good fight, or someone born in December who thrives on solving problems. Something about star charts just makes sense sometimes. So, imagine if your elementary school seating assignment grouped you by zodiac sign: Water, fire, air, and earth.

Putting together a nursery somehow requires an alarming number of tiny decisions, and not all of them need to be about finding the perfect theme. The best nursery must-haves are the things that make daily life with a baby easier, a little more organized, and require much less heavy-duty scrambling at 3 a.m. Some of the best baby gear is a new take on an old staple, and a few are just… really, really smart. These are the nursery must-haves that actually earn their square footage.

Every afternoon, I ask the same question. “So… how was school?” And every afternoon, I get some version of the same answer. “Fine.” That’s it. Seven hours condensed into one syllable. Occasionally I’ll get a little more if I’m lucky. There was a fire drill. The teacher took away someone’s Pokémon cards. My 6-year-old learned he was the second-fastest in his class. My 9-year-old thought math was easy but reading was boring. They’re tiny windows into an entire world that exists without me.

There is a moment as a parent when you go from “taking the kids on a trip” to traveling together. For me, that moment came 400 feet in the air over Grace Bay in the Turks and Caicos. I, the fearless cool mom that I am (er, want to be), had booked a parasailing excursion for my 11-year-old daughter and me. This, despite my crippling anxiety that should have led me toward tamer options (the clear kayak through the mangroves, perhaps?).

In 2021, family YouTuber Jordan Cheyenne posted a video titled “We Are Heartbroken,” telling her 500,000 subscribers that her son’s new puppy had been diagnosed with a potentially deadly illness. Included in the footage, seemingly by accident, was an unedited clip of Cheyenne coaching her son on how to pose for the video’s thumbnail, telling him to act like he was crying. “I am crying,” he said, but she continued modeling ways for him to pose his hand and face.

You’ve probably heard that “back is best” and bumpers are better left out of cribs. But according to a new study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, many parents don’t follow safe sleep recommendations — especially in the middle of the night. Even when advised of the risks and knowing they were being videotaped, parents put their children to sleep in a non-recommended way. We all want what’s best for our babies, but we’re also all exhausted.

If a road trip with your rugrat has you stressed—don’t fear! A smart stash of supplies will keep your little one comfortable and content on your travels. This road-trip-with-baby checklist includes everything from snacks for all parties involved and ways to keep kiddo comfortable in their car seat to extra supplies like books and new toys to actually make the trip enjoyable. 1.

Okay, so maybe there aren’t any snake pits or rolling boulders, but Geocaching—a GPS stash hunting activity—isn’t your average game of hide and seek, either. Set your crew up for “missions,” including on-site word games and coordinates needing to be decrypted, all in hopes of finding tiny treasures at the end. From bat caves to fun historical and scientific facts, don your leather hat à la Indiana Jones and discover the most engaging, all-natural geocache spots below.

I was sitting in my doctor’s office a few weeks ago. My husband and I were there for our annual physicals. After the nurse checked my vitals, she took a look at me and asked, “Are you working out later?” I could see clearly why she assumed that. I was wearing my typical “mom” uniform–you know the one. I had on my black leggings, oversized and loose workout top, and tennis shoes. By the looks of it, I was ready to hit the gym! The only problem?

How often do we start our sentences with “Sorry, I …” Or maybe you aren’t starting your sentences with “Sorry…,” but you are feeling bad or guilty about saying no or disagreeing with something. Apologizing for our opinions and priorities is unnecessary and opens us up to guilt and judgment. 11 Things You Can Stop Apologizing For: 1. Not wanting to do something. Sometimes we are asked to do something that we don’t want to do. For whatever reason. That’s okay.