By: Staff Report We've all heard and taken heed to the warning signs, no matter how absurd or ridiculous it may sound. No drinking coffee while breastfeeding or pregnant, careful with the fish and also unwashed vegetables. Then there are the old wives tale of how cats can harm babies, squatting could force you into labor, and so on. While pregnant, women are not only at their peak – but also at their most fragile state. The

By: Carolina Pichardo Inspiration is found when you least expect it. It's like you aren't quite looking for it, but yet at the same time are... Especially not on a Wednesday evening. But when you become a parent, the search becomes a little bit stronger and more important. It becomes about building for a future - their future and a glimpse of what's out there for them. Today, I had the opportunity to see a bright future. Maritza Montilla,

By: Carolina Pichardo This week is all about grammar and writing with teachers/schools everywhere celebrating "National Words Matter Week." Although literacy in our country has always suffered, the use of social media hasn't made it any better. Kids continue to change the look and use of language through social media. Most have shifted it to be a tool without much structure or basis, and the simplicity of a well-written sentence seems to depend on the eye of the

By: Staff Report Protecting our children is what we – as parents – should be doing best. We want to make sure they’re childhood is free of any pain, fear or harm. It’s the reason why we go to great lengths to enroll them in the best schools, programs and activities. We want the best of this and that and that, and all to make sure they’re better off than us. But what if study shows that

By: Gloria Malone (@GloriaMalone) Friends and family often times tell me they have no idea how I get so much done in one day. I honestly have no idea what they are talking about. To me, being a single YUM, employee, student and blogger (to put it simply) is what I do. Starting with the sound of my iPhone alarm clock piercing through my precious slumber - Mondays thru Fridays - reminding me to get ready for my morning

By: Carolina Pichardo This week, many are celebrating National Fresh Squeezed Juice in the U.S. and we want to join in on the fun! Welch's Grape Juice is not what's traditionally celebrated this week, but this delicious drink deserves to be part of the national juice week festivities nonetheless. Yes, we modified the rules for this one. Growing up, Welch's was a delicious treat for me. It came in this sleek, adorable glass bottle. Not only that,

By: Ms. L. Thomas After speaking with a close girlfriend about her dating frustrations, I posed a few questions to my female Twitter followers about dating and sex. I wanted to check on the dating game, since I've been out of the scene for at least 10 years. My girlfriend said things aren't the same as it used to be, and that I wouldn't be able to understand how everything works now. But how much

By: Carolina Pichardo There are thousands books, workshops, and specialists dedicated to making the work-life balance idea actually work for families. Yet, when you're a young mom like me, you wonder whether there's anything that could possibly help your situation. In less than a month, my family has had to deal with bullying issues at my daughter's school, a sprained ankle and the holiday celebrations in between the regular work life. That's only with one child. Although it feels

By: Carolina Pichardo This isn’t an article on how to make your New Year’s resolutions, or even a recap of the year we’re leaving behind. This is a piece of renewal. It’s a reminder that the best, most effective way of changing is to fully support what we’re trying to do. It’s about making a decision and finding ways - no matter what - of how to make it stick. So what does it mean to get renewed? For

By: Carolina Pichardo During one of my frenzied periods of reading nothing but parenting books, I remember finding this quote: "Parenting is a long goodbye." I don't remember where I read it, or what exactly was the topic, but it stuck to me through the many years ahead. When my daughter took her first few steps, her 1st birthday, the tooth fairy and hearing of course - her few words. I wonder often whether I was doing a good