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When you’re with your prospective advisor, there are some questions you should ask. Let’s get one thing very clear, though, before we start. Don’t forget, even for a minute, that you’re the person who will be hiring the financial advisor, and you’ll be paying his fees. It’s not the other way around. Many people are intimidated by professionals, because they feel stupid or uninformed around them. Hello! That’s why you’re meeting with the advisor in the first place....

The best way to get started is to get the whole family revved up. Make a big deal about a new game and set a family “game night.” If you call a “family togetherness night,” you may hear some grunts and groans, but if everyone knows it’s a night for fun, they’ll realize togetherness is par for the course. Admittedly, it’s hard to play games during the week. After all, there are meals to prepare, dishes to wash, laundry to be folded and put away, homework to be completed, phone calls to return … the list goes on and on....

If you have brick that’s cracked all the way through, it should be replaced. This is best left to a bricklayer, especially if the damage is extensive. As mentioned in How Brick Crumbles, waterproofing can be applied to brick surfaces to slow down spalling. Keeping weep holes clear in brick veneer will also help eliminate some water problems. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done, as weep holes are often clogged with mortar that’s dropped by the bricklayers during the building process....

Freeze drying breast milk is a fairly new concept, and there isn’t much data out there about whether or not it can be safely fed to babies. We reached out to experts to help us understand what freeze drying breast milk involves, the potential benefits, and what we know about its safety. How Does Freeze Drying Breast Milk Work? Freeze drying breast milk—also known as lyophilization—is a process where the water content is removed from breast milk and the milk is turned into powdered form....

You can begin offering “real” finger foods almost as soon as you begin to feed your baby solid foods. Until he can chew, however, he can only suck on most finger foods: a slice of apple or a bagel. Although he cannot eat these foods yet, your baby may still enjoy discovering their different flavors. You can also offer your baby a few finger foods that he can eat: bite-size dry cereals, zwieback, and toast will all “melt” in your child’s mouth through the action of his saliva....

If you are a religious person, Gabrielle can be a great way to acknowledge your faith when naming your little bundle of joy. It’s not an on-the-nose biblical name, but one whose meaning connects deeply with your religion. How Popular Is the Name Gabrielle? Gabrielle is an old name and has been used across regions in Europe for centuries. Gabrielle became popular in the United States in the latter part of the 20th century....

It’s scary to be lesbian or gay with a family and children when the custody situation is as precarious as it often is. Archaic ideas and rigid court systems have led to many life-long partners who feel that they’re not free to live with each other, for fear that one will lose his or her children. Things are improving for gay parents, but they still aren’t easy, and in some places the laws are fairly draconian....

You may be wondering if now really is the best time to get pregnant. Are there added risks that you need to consider? Given the uncertainty of the short-term future, there is a lot to think about. We consulted with several different MDs about this very topic—and their insights should prove helpful as you make the best decision for your family. Is Now a Good Time to Get Pregnant? First of all, it’s important to note that there is no one right answer here....

And the Award for Best Supporting Mom Goes to… The best way for you to help your child set goals for college is to do a lot of listening. Your role at this point in your child’s life is supportive, rather than directive. It’s good to offer suggestions, but they should help expand an idea your child has, not undermine it. Helping Resolve the “Major” Dilemma One of the biggest challenges your college-age child will face is selecting a major....

Spell It Start by writing down every name that is in serious consideration in the spaces provided. If you’re considering variant spellings on any name, give those spellings entries of their own: Nick It Next, write down all possible nicknames or pet names that can be derived from the given names you’re considering. Say It Now, speak each of the names you’re considering out loud. How do they sound in a normal tone of voice?...

These labels can both play a detrimental role in the mental health of an impressionable adolescent. What you may not realize is that you may be subconsciously playing favorites and not even know it. We take a look at the impact that this can have on your kids as well as how to break these perceptions and build better family dynamics. What Is Golden Child Syndrome? For those who are deemed “the golden child,” there is an expectation of perfection and the need to uphold the family image....

Large sheet of poster board or paper (at least three feet square) or old bed sheet Pen or marker Beanbag Directions

Harry Potter is a fictional hero who has become bigger than life. Kids love him, parents love him, and with the newly released Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, there’s lots more magic to come. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the much anticipated sequel to the award-winning Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, readers find their favorite wizard-in-training facing terrible danger. Before returning to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he receives a warning from a strange creature who says that if Harry returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike....

Noticing a drop in supply as your milk supply regulates is common and normal. It usually doesn’t mean that you have less milk than your baby needs—it’s simply that your body has learned to make a “just right” amount of milk for your baby. Here’s what to know about the changes that happen as your milk supply regulates: what normal milk supply regulation looks like, what the signs of a true milk supply drop are, and what to do if you have any concerns about your supply....

Dr. Jennifer Guttman, PsyD Clinical Psychologist has the following tips for parents:

Images By Tang Ming Tung Tries to find solutions to problems. Takes time to appreciate the little things. Is happy with what they have. Takes responsibility for their actions. Understands the need to listen to other people’s opinions and thoughts. Doesn’t complain often. Enjoys life. Give your child a piece of paper and a pencil and ask them the following questions, one at a time. (If your child is not yet able to write well, they can dictate her answers to you....