By: Carolina Pichardo “I need a new toilet seat,” she yelled out from the hallway. “How on earth does someone break a toilet seat?,” I said. She simply yelled back, “It happens when they're cheap!” It was probably fifth to hundredth time she'd told me this already, but then again - that’s just my mother. Whether it’s complaining about her commute from home, the cashier that didn’t

By: Carolina Pichardo So I have a diva of a daughter. She's sassy, active and loud. Most importantly, she's healthy and sharp. Because of her personality, I've been accused of everything in the book. I give her too much. I give her too little. I'm too overprotective. I shouldn't be so overprotective. She's spoiled. There's even the dire prediction that she's going to go and become a young

By: Carolina Pichardo There are few things in life that we remember and think back on fondly - the birth of our kids, first kiss, wedding day... These are those moments that we carry with us, ready to tell and retell anyone that's willing to listen (or not). But what is a memory? We drink ginkgo biloba, post millions of pictures on Facebook, and save souvenirs/momentos of these

By: Mary Targia When I decided to end the relationship with my BD (Baby Daddy in YUM terms, for those who are unfamiliar), my daughter was eleven months old. I knew that - if I was lucky - my daughter would have a step-father. What I didn’t know was that being in a blended family would be so challenging… My daughter and I were very comfortable being the

By: Edward Almonte Being a step father wasn’t something that I aspired to do. In my late teens and early twenties, my mother warned me to not get involved with someone who already had children, as it complicates every relationship. Taking into account the fact that this was coming from someone who already had a child herself by the time she met my father – I

By: Carolina Pichardo Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com If the Kim Kardashian Kardashian and Kris Humphries proves anything, it's that most Hollywood marriages are doomed from the start. Unfortunately, these brief marriage - as ugly/odd as they end - often bring about some beautiful kids. Let's take a look at some of Hollywood's young, famous parents and step-parents, their kids and how they've managed it all. Britney Spears: We've followed this

By: Carolina Pichardo We’re told that we have it as soon as we become moms. Although at first we doubt it, it’s there when we need it the most. It helps us navigate the mystifying terrain of parenting. This young moms, is what we call - instincts. The other day I was talking to a friend. She has a young step-daughter that she’s been raising and caring for

By: Carolina Pichardo Through the years, television has opened up the way people interact, understand each other and the world around them, and apparently how kids learn about accents. Heck, I've had relatives learn English from spending a summer watching sitcoms and cartoons. It's with this same power that we have to look at how television affects our children and their sense of diversity. When there's a

By: Carolina Pichardo With the costume and candy shopping complete, all we could do now is wait. Maybe enjoy a few spooky classic films or two, finish the pumpkins, and sign up for the Halloween events around the neighborhood. It's the best we could do for now, because once we've passed that threshold and we're in November - the official holiday season begins. And let's face it,

By: The Refined Chef Editor's Note: That's it's for this week's dinner recipe week. Thank you to Seth of The Refined Chef for sharing with us such great recipes! Fairy Tale Eggplant with Pea Shoot Salad and Reduced Balsamic Vinaigrette Ingredients 7-10 fairy tale eggplants (they are about 2-4 inches in length) 1 medium size heirloom tomato - diced Handful of pea shoots (washed and dried) 1/4 cup reduced balsamic vinegar Olive