Misty doesn’t believe in making separate meals for Echo – she feels like that is putting the 3-year-old in charge and that’s a bad thing, especially at mealtime. Misty believes that catering to Echo in this way will skew Echo’s expectations of how she should be treated later in life.

As with any weight loss plan, you want to write down your goals first.  In those goals, you should plan to exercise.  Not only cardio, but muscle building as well.  If you increase your muscle tone, you burn calories faster and more efficiently.  Cardio and strength training are key to shaping up the body, especially the belly.

It not only benefits you to lose the extra weight, it benefits your baby too.  The stronger you are, and the healthier you are, the better you feel and the more energy you’ll have.  Not only that, but exercise and the right diet can fight depression, so if you’re prone to post-partum depression losing the weight is truly in your best interest.

So, the right diet, exercise plan, and attitude can do wonders for your health, your baby’s health, and your overall well-being.

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Marilyn Regier – Executive Director of The Barker Foundation, talks frankly and openly about the adoption process, from where your head should be when you start thinking about it, to what you should do once your bundle of joy is all yours.  Regier doesn’t sugar coat anything, and she asks you to ask yourself some pretty tough questions.  This is a great video to watch when you’re considering adoption.

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Like so many other parts of your body, your skin changes when you’re pregnant, and just after your pregnancy.  This video shows you what types of products you can use for your likely overly-oily skin, and what types of products you need to use to protect your skin from UV rays, as well as what will make you look and feel your best.

A new mom makeover is a great gift for that friend who recently had a baby.  Sometimes even mommies need to feel pretty!

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A chiropractor can gently examine your baby for spinal misalignments, and then adjust them.  Chiropractic adjustments have been known to cure colic, ear infections, ADHD, and many other childhood illnesses.  As with anything, the earlier you start, the healthier your child will be.

One mother is interviewed and testifies that her child has been ear-infection free since starting chiropractic care.  It’s not dangerous, and it can greatly benefit your child’s health.

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This video talks to you about planning the birth of your baby.  It covers the where – hospital, birthing center, home – and the benefits and drawbacks to each.  It also covers the how – natural, epidural, C-section, etc, and talks a little about what each procedure entails and what the pros and cons are.

It isn’t the most detailed video, but it is definitely informative and helpful to someone who might be thinking about the method they want to use to bring their little one into the world.

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The basics – don’t put your newborn baby on the floor in front of your dog when he’s doing his special “Ohgoodyyou’rehomenowpetmewalkmefeedmeohboyohboyohboy” dance.  Don’t put a dog treat on the new baby’s head.  Don’t let your cat walk all over the baby.  Don’t let your baby put a possible salmonella-tinged turtle in his mouth.  Don’t put your pet bunny in your newborn baby’s crib.  Straightforward, yes, but since people feel the need to reiterate these pearls of wisdom, obviously not everyone has the right amount of common sense.

The doctor tells us that a child raised in a home with pets is more comfortable and appropriate with animals, so that is a big plus.  Additionally, some of the tips provided in this video are pretty clever – like bringing a piece of clothing or (ew) a dirty diaper home before you bring the baby home.  That way pets know the baby’s smell already and won’t be overly curious when you bring the little one home.  A good video for new moms and dads, and for pet-owners, too.

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A frustrated mother implores the Coupon Mom – she’s spent over $100 on one child’s party, and she has another one next week.  Is there any way to do it cheaper?  Coupon Mom says yes.  First step, don’t spend a bunch of money on a venue.  Suck it up and do it at home, or at a free park.  Print your own invitations, serve hot dogs, chips, pretzels, and Kool-Aid.  You can feed a slew of kids for just around $5.

Coupon Mom even comes up with a way to still provide party favors for the guests, and prizes for the game.  Since the entertainment and the games are the most important part of the party for the kids, find games you can make up yourself, and that cost little to no money.

Also, a store-bought cake will cost anywhere from $15-$35 dollars.  Grab a box mix and frosting and do it yourself!  Coupon Mom teaches us that you have to work for your savings.  You do, in fact, pay for convenience, but it comes at a real premium.  Just a little bit of forward planning and effort can really make it so you can do amazing things without spending a ton of money.  Thanks, Coupon Mom!

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This video takes a look at several new mothers who chose to hire Doulas – and all of them were very glad they had done so.  One couple hired a Doula to assist them during the birth of their child.  The Doula provided massage, aromatherapy advice, accupressure advice, and more.  The Doula not only provided care to the mother, but also coached her husband on how to help, which strengthened the bond between the parents during the birthing process, and provided a positive and memorable birth experience for all.

Another mother hired a Doula to help her out after she had her baby.  Doulas can be a great asset to the new mother.  As you start considering what you might need for your pregnancy, consider hiring a Doula.

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The awesome dad asks about trendy and popular maternity clothes, which is very cool of him.  He also asks if a guy is totally overwhelmed what he should consider.  Obviously it would help if he went into a shop, but there are also plenty of online maternity clothes retailers that can help him out.