I am not someone who is excited by clothes and accessories, as my daughter is, but for the sake of family harmony I pretended to be happy while she blissfully shopped. However, I realized that the only thing worse than shopping with someone who loves to shop is shopping with someone who shares my antipathy, like my son.

Becoming older than a parent can be a troubling transition. At the most base, mathematical level, it's hard to comprehend how they can still be your parent if you are older than they ever were.

You're making your list and checking it twice, but do you know what's in the toys you're stuffing in those stockings?

Few of us would claim to behave better when we are stressed or contend that our relationships, or the way we handle our responsibilities, improve when we feel pressured. So imagine how stress can feel to your middle schooler or teenager, who has far less experience to help him or her cope.

This month, a new study identified a common pesticide sprayed on produce as an obesogen.

A few years ago, my Mom wrote her grocery list on the fridge; now she uses her phone. When I was a teenager, I studied for the SAT using flashcards; now my 17-year-old sister uses SAT websites, iPad games and YouTube videos.

Have you experienced the agony of seeing your child sick, weak, pale and hurting? Seeing my vibrant, silly and vivacious Elena looking tiny and pale in the hospital just about did me in... but somehow, I was able to find an inner reserve of super mama strength.

I had gained a daughter, but completely lost my center. It didn't take long for my obsessive tendencies to kick in, and before I knew it, I was a self-help junkie. I became certain that if I could just find the right mantra or mentor, I would be back to my old control freak self in no time.

Fran Drescher courted controversy last week during a radio interview in which she said that breastfeeding "poisons" infants and recommended that nursing mothers get their breast milk tested for toxins.

As a child, I was always mystified by those girls who always wanted to play "Mommy" or "House." It just never held the same allure to me. Sure, I liked Barbies, but I was pretending they were flying around the world or solving mysteries, not having babies or getting married to Ken.

Funny how when we need sleep most, we can often find ourselves sleep-deprived.

My oldest child, Ella, will be heading to kindergarten in two weeks... and I find myself experiencing a swirl of mixed emotions.