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Many authros of romance novels do not lead flamboyant and glamorous lives. Tracy Jones once worked at a used book store. Christina Dodd wrote for 10 uears before selling a manuscript. Shirley Hailstock has kept her job as a sales department manager while sriting her novels. Robin Jones Gunn is a preacher's wife.

Most people experience stress at some time in their lives, but 1 in 5 fail to recognize the sources of stress. Unrealistic expectations, overstimulation, committing to too many things, and even spending too much time alone can be sources of stress. Solutions for these major stressors are outlined, along with general tips on how to turn stressful situations around.

Companies that make products for babies are developing all kinds of new pieces of equipment that do not seem altogether necessary. The ways in which the products are marketed do not help the confidence of new mothers and many of the products are a waste of money.

A pregnant woman discusses why she does not want to know the sex of her baby before it is born. Newborns have no color preferences, so she is not motivated to buy baby clothes that are pink or blue. The most important reason for her decision is that she wants to be surprised.

A woman laments on how she and others are too obsessed with new things and do not appreciate old things enough. In the new year, she resolves to enjoy old things such as old music, cloths, television shows, photographs and love letters.

A woman describes the pleasure she receives from looking through the numerous catalogs she receives. At first, she did not want the unsolicited mail, but now she looks forward to it. She does not buy much from the catalogs, and usually puts them in the garbage when she is done.

Toys are commonly given as gifts to children at the holidays, and it seems that children today have more toys than their parents had. The toy industry introduces many new toys for the holidays and the plethora of television commercials to sell the toys do not help. Alternative suggestions are given.

Political correctness has taken away much of the fun and enjoyment that is associated with Halloween. Many of the costumes are no longer approved because an ethnic group might be offended, which is an idea of adults forced onto children who have good imaginations.

Non-standard spellings and pronunciations have become popular in baby names. Many parents are also choosing names for their children that sound androgynous and informal. Names that are grounded in family tradition have more relevance than names made up by parents.

The article discusses ways on how to soothe cranky babies. The strategies were suggested by pediatrician Harvey Karp from the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles. It mentions five strategies including swaddling, sucking, side positioning, sushing and swinging. Karp states that the five techniques mimic elements of baby's in-utero environment that help during times when babies seem inconsolable.

The article discusses the fear in most of the children about going to the pediatrician, particularly during their first time. The article also offers some points of advice for parents to help remove the fear, such as, staying close with the kids during the actual examination, bringing along playthings like teddy bears or dolls, and have given children surprises or rewards.

A personal narrative is presented that relates how the author and her sister cleared out their parents' house in order to prepare it for sale.

The article focuses on the parenting debate over which sex is more challenging to raise. Research says that developmental differences makes it harder to discipline boys. Girls' hearing is more sensitive in the frequency range critical to speech discrimination, and the verbal centers in their brains develop more quickly. That means a girl is likely to respond better to discipline strategies such as praise or warnings.

The article discusses vaginal rejuvenation surgery, or female-genital-enhancement surgery. The procedure uses lasers to reshape the vagina and its surrounding structures. The procedure is controversial in gynecological circles because it's marketed as a way for women to improve their sex lives. More than two dozen U.S. clinics offer female-genital surgery.

The article offers tips on how to improve brain function.

The article suggests ways to nourish a mother's brain. The first suggestion is to make the commitment. Mastering strange skills like breastfeeding, diapering and gently wrestling tiny floppy arms into kimono shirts takes all the concentration you can muster in the early weeks. Other suggestions include caring for the body, cutting out the fat in your life, talking about something other than kids, combining mental pursuits with everyday needs and pursuing activities with your baby in tow.

The article discusses core family principles needed in raising a child. We teach values best by our own example. The characteristics we prize influence the choices we make for our kids and so do the everyday things we do and say. The core family principles discussed in the article include individuality, humor and independent thinking.

Focuses on language development in young children and the role of parents in the development process. Several easy-to-make sounds that babies tend to babble first according to Julie Masterson, communication sciences and disorders professor at Southwest Missouri State University; Use of the same few words that refer to different things; Advantage of learning bilingualism at a young age.

Provides tips on parenting. Ways to discipline a baby; Reason that toddlers drag items when walking; Guidelines on toilet training of children.

Looks at various forces or influences that shapes the parenting style of mothers. Role of society and culture in women's maternal perceptions; Influence of mothers on women's personal style of parenting or mothering; Personality traits needed for motherhood.

Discusses the attraction of babies to other babies. Ways parents can encourage socialization among 3 to 4 month-old infants; Improvement in the baby's innate ability to discern features, between 7 and 9 months; Age that most babies can identify themselves in a mirror or a photograph; Recommended ways parents can encourage socialization among 2 year-olds.

The article presents the author's view regarding relationships between sisters. She relates the incidence when her older daughter Eleanor hide the blue pants of her sister Margaret to save her from looking geeky and another when Margaret considers her big sister as the person whom she looks up to, which shows their affection and concern for each other. She remarks that sisters are the best person in the world who give good advice and who can frankly point out the best and the worst side.

The article offers tips on how to make children eat healthy and nutritious foods. It states that mothers whose children is fond of eating chips and biscuits can make her children eat vegetables by serving in a small amount and adding stuff that children will love such as a ranch dressing. She advised that mothers should not feel afraid to cook and should be consistent about their discipline.

The article offers tips on how to manage toddler tussles in the U.S. Shannon Mathews states that if a child does not want to buckle into his car seat, parents can use a distracting play. Meanwhile, it gives advice on how to encourage children to brush their teeth. Furthermore, to encourage children to eat vegetables, one may serve them with yogurt or salad dressing.

The article presents the author's insights regarding her choice to be a back-to school mom rather than a summer mom. She mentions that summers bring her more chores like checking the camps, playdates and other activities of the kids. She states that she also love summers but emphasizes her longing for the days that school classes will begin.

The article focuses on issues concerning the health and well-being of young girls in the U.S. The author mentions that majority of school girls in the country are conscious of getting fat at an early age. She adds that parents of these girls failed to teach them the value of enjoying childhood and the value of being healthy.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of discovering her strengths when she became a mother.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience in finding the three-story dream house as a Christmas gift for her youngest daughter.

The article recommends several destinations in the U.S. where women could reconnect with their friends. Rancho de los Caballeros in Wickenburg, Arizona is a historic desert ranch were friends could experience being cowgirls. Camp Bombshell is a women-only weekend camp in Ocala, Florida. The Cropping Daze Retreat in Chesaning, Michigan offers home-cooked meals and a vast cropping area.