Each month we’ll bring you your parenting horoscope from renowned astrologer and devoted mama, Erin McInerney, aka The Astrology Mama. Whether you’re looking for your horoscope for today or a snapshot of the whole month, read on for the August forecast.

featured image: Carter’s
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Each month we’ll bring you your parenting horoscope from renowned astrologer and devoted mama, Erin McInerney, aka The Astrology Mama. Read on for your July forecast.

Each month we’ll bring you your parenting horoscope from renowned astrologer and devoted mama, Erin McInerney, aka The Astrology Mama. Read on for your June forecast.

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Each month we’ll bring you your parenting horoscope from renowned astrologer and devoted mama, Erin McInerney, aka The Astrology Mama. Read on for your May forecast.

photo: Asklepios Wien via Pixabay 

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Introducing Parenting Horoscopes by The Astrology Mama. Each month we’ll bring you your parenting horoscope from renowned astrologer and devoted mama, Erin McInerney. Read on for your April forecast. 

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If you need help planning your next Disney vacation, you can turn to a trusted group of moms who are well-versed in all things Disney parks. The 2020 Disney Parks Mom Panel has just launched!

Disney Parks just introduced 14 new members to its panel, which also includes 28 returning moms, dads, grandparents and other in-the-know family members. The online resource is devoted to assisting families in planning their trips to Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, a Disney Vacation Club property or a trip aboard the Disney Cruise Line.

 

photo: Disney Parks

“Every guest has their own unique expectations for a magical Disney vacation. Disney parks and resorts offer endless options – from dining and activities to accommodations and transportation – for vacationers looking to personalize their dream trip. Making the choices that best fit your ideal Disney vacation is where the Disney Parks Moms Panel comes in,” said Leanne O’Regan, director of public relations for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. “Our Disney-savvy panelists are incredibly passionate and eager to help others experience the wonder of Disney for themselves, which is why they are the ideal group to provide guidance and advice to those preparing for their next Disney vacation.”

In addition to the new panelists, Disney Parks has rolled out a new feature this year called Panel Extras. The online content hub organized by topic includes videos, lists, downloadables, blog posts and more all about Walt Disney World. Panel Extras will expand later this spring to include content on Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line and Disney Vacation Club.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

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This dad’s stress over his daughter’s hamster is so pure

Daniel Veerman is one devoted dad. The 53-year-old single dad was given a very special job when his 19-year-old daughter Steph went away to college—caring for the teenager’s pet hamster.

Daniel fell into a weekly routine of cleaning Chester the hamster’s cage every Sunday. When the dad/hamster caregiver took Chester out of his cage for the weekly cleaning, he’d put Chester into a clear play ball. Chester got the chance to roam (in safety), and Daniel got the chance to clean without worrying about the pint-sized pet. That is, until one Sunday when Chester made an unexpected getaway.

What happened next resulted in a text conversation hilarious enough to go viral. Daniel called his daughter ASAP and according to Steph, in an interview with BuzzFeed, her devastated dad was “blubbering” and “couldn’t get out sentences.”

“I was having a freaking heart attack,” Daniel told Buzzfeed. The dad’s distress was palpable in the texts he sent his daughter—which Steph posted on Twitter (after Chester was found safe and sound). At one point Daniel texted his daughter, “If I can’t find him today I’m not going to work tomorrow so I can keep looking.” Steph replied to her dad, “Dad—he’s just a hamster I don’t blame you at ALL. You shouldn’t skip work you are a lawyer and he is a hamster.”

The distraught dad devised a crafty plan to lure Chester back with peanut butter and treats and scatter flour on the floor (to track teeny-tiny footprints). As it turns out Daniel’s plan worked! By that night Chester made a triumphant return.

—Erica Loop

 

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Discovering the joys of Harry Potter is a rite of passage for kids today. Since J.K. Rowling released Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone more than 20 years ago, kids have been devouring the books, watching the movies, and—at least for superfans—playing games and apps and visiting websites devoted to the young wizard. One of the delights of discovering Harry Potter is that you see him grow up. But along with that, the subject matter of the books and movies gets scarier, the villains get viler, and beloved characters die.

And now, with the wizarding world expanding to include prequel adventures like Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, ebook shorts based on Hogwarts lessons, and real-world spellcasting games, it’s not always easy to figure out where to start.

If your family is just getting into this magical world, here’s a quick age guide for enjoying Harry Potter with your kids. Keep in mind that all kids are different, so assess your child’s ability to handle fright and peril before you see the movies or read the books.

7–9: A great age to begin (for younger kids, consider reading aloud together).

10–11: The movies get darker (the books get more intense, and beloved characters die).

12+: Your kids can probably handle everything J.K. Rowling sends their way (but you might want to go with them to the more mature movies).

 

And for a complete list of every single piece of media related to Harry Potter, check out these booksmoviesappsgames, and websites.

Watch: Harry Potter Age Guide

 

This post originally appeared on Common Sense Media.
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Common Sense Media is an independent nonprofit organization offering unbiased ratings and trusted advice to help families make smart media and technology choices. Check out our ratings and recommendations at www.commonsense.org.

Beyond “sleep when the baby sleeps” there is no shortage of advice on how to handle motherhood. Whether you’re diving into mommyhood for the first time or wrangling teenagers like a boss, we can all use a little advice now and then. We asked our devoted readers, fellow moms and our very own editors to share the best advice they’ve received on motherhood and they weighed in. Keep scrolling to catch your daily dose!

Enjoy the Moment

Xavier Mouton Photographie via Unsplash

"The days are long but the years are short."–Heather R.

"Enjoy every moment, even the hard ones." –Johanna G.

"Never turn down an opportunity to cuddle." –Elizabeth W.

"Don’t worry that they are growing and you might be sad they are getting big. Enjoy them at each stage..." –Sheila Z.

"You are enough ❤️❤️." –Sharlene H.

Raising Kids

Jennifer Murray via Pexels

"Be the woman you want your daughter to be when she’s an adult." –Mary S.

"Prep your children for the road, don't prepare the road for your children." –Holly E.

"Babies cry. It is ok" –Cicely Kunsman

On having a third baby: "Don’t over think it honey, just throw another potato in the pot and carry on!”–Kendra S.

"The 'smell the soup, cool the soup' method- when emotions are high from mom and/or kids, just remember to breathe. Tell them and yourself to smell the soup (breathe in) and cool the soup (breathe out). It’s such a random thing that has saved the day so many times." –Ayren J.

"The more you do for your kids, the less they will do for themselves." –Sue E.

Because Motherhood Is Funny

Vinnicus Costa via Pexels

"It's fine to have cereal for dinner sometimes." –Megan S.

"Don’t spend money on a purse you’re not willing to catch throw up in." –Tara Z.

"No one judges you in Target if you’re in your pajamas mamma. You rock it girl!" –LeAnne N.

"Never share your drink." –Molly O.

"Always park by the cart return." –Tami R. 

"Don't worry about that terrible phase your kid is going through - it will eventually end and be replaced with an even worse one." –Kelly H.

"Don’t ever load another woman’s dishwasher." –Stephanie J.

"Beware what you sniff check." –EJ H.

One Day at a Time

Ketan Rajput via Unsplash

"When you come home from a hard day, and touch the doorknob of your door, smile and know that the face your kids see is one that shows that’s you’re happy to see them." –Edie G.

"Don't sweat the small stuff. And believe me, the older they get, you'll wish you knew how small that stuff really was when they were younger." –Beth S.

"Do what you need to do to get through the day." & "Get in the photos!" –Eva I.

"If the kids are alive at the end of the day, it was a good day." –Sonnet G.

"If you have the sense of mind to worry if you are a good mom, you are probably doing just fine." –Whitney R.

Take Care of Yourself

Alvaro Reyes via Unsplash

"Do your best and forgive yourself for the rest." –Courteney S.

"Take care of yourself; you can’t fill any cups from an empty pitcher." –Diane M.

"The dishes can wait." –Amber G.

"Your kids want a happy mom, not a perfect mom." –Tamara S.

"Don't be afraid to put yourself first now and again." –Annette B.

It Takes a Village

Katy Belcher via Unsplash

"Find good mom friends. It’s the most important thing." –Andrew H.

"Say yes to ALL the offers of help even if/when you don't think you need it...If someone offers it, take it." –Andi H.

"Ask for help even if you don't think you need it." –Tiphany B.

"LISTEN to all advice because it may not pertain to your current situation, but it sure might down the road." –Sue L.

––Karly Wood

 

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In a touching Instagram post actress Jenny Mollen, wife of actor Jason Biggs, revealed that her five-year-old son recently fractured his skull. Even though her son, Sid, spent some time in the  ICU, Mollen assured her IG followers that the little boy is on the mend.

So how did the five-year-old fracture his skull? In what’s pretty much every parent’s waking nightmare, Mollen accidentally dropped her child on his head. Mollen described the incident on IG, “On Saturday evening I dropped my son on his head causing him to fracture his skull and landing him in the ICU.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwYW-CGHa3U/

Mollen also sent a major shout-out to other parents, writing, “My heart goes out to all parents who have or will ever find themselves in this kind of position. You are not alone.” Along with the other mamas and papas out there who’ve been in similar situations, the actress also sent some social media love to her devoted hubby, Biggs, adding, “Thank god for you! Thank god, thank god, thank god.”

Despite the fall, fracture and time in the ICU it looks like Sid is recovering well. Mollen wrote, “He is also eating a lot of chocolate dipped ice cream cones and plans to try cherry dipped soon.”

The well-wishing comments for the mama and her family poured in via Instagram. And like her IG followers, we also send our love to Mollen, Biggs and their brave little boy!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Jenny Mollen via Instagram

 

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