Articles by Lisa Steinke

Mommy confession: Why I don't have nanny guilt

Nanny guilt? What's that? Those are two words that simply aren't in my vocabulary. Maybe that's because I'm a self-proclaimed selfish mom who looks forward to kissing my daughter goodbye and going to work every day — even if it is only two floors up to my home office.

Author moms share their secrets to success

They're bestselling authors, but they're also moms. How do novelists balance the pressure of churning out book after book with the challenges of everyday motherhood? We asked them for their secrets to success…

Does your attitude suck? I gave up cooking and housework and changed mine

Do you have a responsibility in your life that you loathe so much it gives you a really bad attitude? Well, you're not alone. We found moms who were tired of being tethered by that nightly meal and fed up with cleaning toilets. So, they ditched those duties and ended up much happier people. Here's how they did it...

The heartbreak of Mother's Day when you're TTC

Struggling with infertility is one of the hardest things a woman will endure. And combining that feeling of failure with the emotional impact of Mother's Day pushes anyone trying to conceive to the limit. We asked women for advice on how they handled this holiday when they were TTC.

Moms celebrate their bodies, rolls and all!

The very things that make us moms are often what we try to hide. The dark circles under our eyes from being up late with a toddler, the extra jiggle around the middle from kid number two, the just-rolled-out-of-bed-but-have-to-get-my-kid-to-school hair. So in honor of Mother's Day, some brave moms have decided to wear motherhood on their sleeves and go makeup free, Spanx-less and basically just let it all hang out. (And guess what? They all look beautiful!)

Mom bloggers we want to go all 'Single White Female' on

You know the mom. She's got it all going on — she's crafty, well dressed and rested! And you want to be her! Well that's how we're feeling about some mom bloggers out there — the ones that know just how to capture the nuances of their children, the beautiful flaws of motherhood, the fine line between the heartaches and the heartwarming. We're shining the light on mom bloggers we want to copy!

ACMs hot country dads

From Eric Church (swoon) to Luke Bryan (yum) country music boasts some of the hottest dads. We love their music, but we think we love seeing how dedicated they are to their families even more! In honor of the upcoming Academy of Country Music Awards, we give each of these sexy fathers our top award whether they're nominated or not!

April showers: Pour a drink and read

Tons of new releases are hitting the shelves this month. When you crack open your novel, why not also crack open a bottle (insert your favorite drink) and pour. We’ve paired the best drinks with the best reads to give you the most relaxing and enjoyable time ever.

Peeved over passwords?

With tax day approaching like that ominous dark cloud before a storm, the last thing you need to worry about is trying to remember all of your passwords! Between all the rules (one number, one letter, 8 characters or more…) you are about to pull your hair out. Well, breathe a sigh of relief because we’re solving your password problems once and for all!

Are you addicted to the internet?

You love to surf the web, checking out everything from the latest sale at your favorite store to reading the Facebook status updates of your friends. But as the clock ticks away and you spend more and more hours in front of your computer and on your smartphone, you begin to wonder if your time spent online is normal. Or if could you have a real problem?

3 Ways to feed your marriage in the morning

You feed yourself and your kids, but do you give your marriage the nourishment it needs? How many mornings have you put your spouse on the back burner to focus on the children? The early morning is a critical time when you should give your marriage the TLC it needs (and we're not just talking about you know what).

Are you a paranoid parent?

Calling all mothers who worry about their kids! Okay, now that the entire mom population is listening, do you want to find out how your smartphone can help you let go a little and give your child a lot more freedom? Repeat after us: Hello apps, good bye paranoia.

Epic mom fails: Celebrating flawed motherhood

Don’t you just envy that mom who isn’t afraid to admit defeat? Who can laugh at herself one fail at a time? Epic Mom: Failing Every Day a Little Bit More Than You, is a book about flawed motherhood that will inspire you to share your own mommy mishaps.

26 Acts of kindness this month

The tragedy in Newtown will forever be on our minds and in our hearts. Let’s continue 26 Acts of Kindness throughout the year to keep the memories of the 26 victims alive. Whether you've already been participating or are ready to get started, we have 26 ideas for 26 acts of kindness you can do this month.

Why you should follow your tween on Instagram

Instagram has become a major hang out for tweens. From pictures to quotes, you can learn a lot about your tween by following what she posts on Instagram. Not only is it a way to see inside her world, but it can open the door for a lot of important discussions.

Should you be concerned with sibbling squabbles?

How many times have you heard, "That’s mine!" Or, "Get out!" bellowing from your children’s rooms? Turns out, sibling squabbles could be more problematic than you think — and your involvement could be making the situation even worse.

3 Oscar-worthy Academy Awards party ideas

Sure, there are golden statues to be won and you can have fun guessing who will take one home (Daniel Day Lewis, anyone?). But if you really want an Oscar party worthy of an award, you’ll need to up your creative game! We found some fun ideas that will have your party guests begging you to give an acceptance speech for a job well done.

Are 2s programs too aggressive?

Early preschools or 2s Programs are popping up across the country, but are they really necessary? If you enroll your 2-year-old in early preschool are you also signing yourself up for Tiger Mom status?

Parenting books that will keep you sane in 2013

You've decided this is going to be the year you up your game as a parent. You've got big plans to under-schedule and over-connect with your kids. But you know what they say about the best laid plans... So before you redesign your entire parenting plan, sit back, read and have a laugh.

Sound sleep secrets

You’ve tried it all. Ear plugs, lavender on your pillow, a sound machine. But a solid night of sleep continues to be just out of reach. But then again, you're a mom, and you often wonder if it's even possible to get a decent night of rest. If you’re about to throw in the "pillow," hang on for (at least) one more night.