Choosing a good board will minimize but not eliminate the challenges of learning to skate. To come up with this list, we looked at the size and shape of the deck (the board), wheel size and hardness (durometer rating), and the general reputation of the skateboard brands among experts and those who have been skating for years. “The main thing you need to start skating is the will to start skating,” Andrew Hollohan, head coach at the Homage Skateboard Academy in Brooklyn, New York, tells Verywell Family....

1. Schedule a Checkup Even if you feel healthy, schedule a preconception visit with your doctor or gynecologist to discuss your current health. Your doctor will probably want to review your family history, any medical conditions you have, medications you are on and any vaccinations you might need. (Here is a full list of questions to ask your doctor during this appointment.) They’ll likely also discuss your weight, current diet and exercise, menstrual cycle, and any unhealthy habits you have, like smoking or drinking....

Consider your teen’s interests as that will give you a good place to start, but don’t forget to look at the age recommendation of the book (if there is one). We carefully considered book format, material, interests, age recommendations, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best books for the teen in your life. Price at time of publication: $15 Price at time of publication: $25 Price at time of publication: $11 Price at time of publication: $9 Price at time of publication: $10 Price at time of publication: $7 Price at time of publication: $11 Price at time of publication: $11 Price at time of publication: $10 Price at time of publication: $11 Price at time of publication: $14 Price at time of publication: $23 Price at time of publication: $17 Price at time of publication: $9 Price at time of publication: $22 Price at time of publication: $15 Price at time of publication: $7 Price at time of publication: $7 Price at time of publication: $18...

With those considerations in mind, there are many adorable (and safe) crib sheets available that match any style, budget, and preference. Whatever crib sheet you choose, aim to have a few extra for the inevitable middle-of-the-night sheet changes. Here are the best crib sheets that put your baby’s safety and comfort first. We named 100% cotton muslin crib sheets our best overall because they are breathable and cozy. The open weave allows air to flow, keeping the baby warm in the winter and cool in the summer....

When determining features for your playhouse, sometimes it’s best to keep it simple. Lacey Fisher LPC-S, RPT-S, a registered play therapist based in Texas, tells Verywell Family, “Any playhouse can have some toys added to it that will encourage imaginative play, but there is no need to get too many toys. In fact, too many toys can be overwhelming for some children so smaller amounts can be sufficient.” Other important features to consider are smooth surfaces that won’t cause pinching, scraping, splinters and if the playhouse can stand up to the climate it will be in....

According to Donna Whittaker, VP of Curriculum and Education at Big Blue Marble Academy, “social emotions skills are more important than ever” and are essential to success in all areas of life. SEL can be an impactful learning tool for kids of all ages, so consider what skills you’re hoping teach your child while ensuring they’re age appropriate and entertaining. We carefully considered design, value, ease of use, age recommendations, and toy safety when reviewing products....

Look for products that will help you get things done more efficiently, such as sanitizing bags. Moreover, products that are comfortable to use and portable can make pumping on-the-go that much easier. We carefully considered design, value, efficiency, portability, comfort, and size when reviewing products. Here are the best products for breastfeeding parents who pump. Unlike some other electric pumps, you can customize the Spectra pump to your needs by adjusting the suction level and cycle speeds....

If it’s a rainy day and you’re on the hunt for fun activities for kids, making homemade playdough is a great choice. We’ve gathered a number of easy playdough recipes that are great for getting kids active in the kitchen and learning through play. Mixing and measuring playdough utilizes sneaky math skills. Watching liquids change to solids and various ingredients combine falls under science. And, getting creative with colors can even add in a little art lesson....

With the pandemic still dragging on, it’s easy to panic when your child starts coughing, sneezing, or feeling generally under the weather. Due to the widespread nature of the COVID-19 virus, how could your mind not immediately assume the worst? Are they contagious? Should you keep them home from school, or is it okay to have them attend? Luckily, it’s possible to identify the differences between these two now-common maladies....

Or maybe you are glad that your kids are taking part in new STEM classes at school. Or maybe your kid isn’t into STEM subjects, and you wonder if they can get a quality education for their future that they will find interesting. Above all, you want to know that your child’s school is taking steps to offer your child a top-quality education. First, STEM was being promoted as the important subjects needing new emphasis in schools....

The stages of labor and birth are part of an amazing and seemingly miraculous process. Therefore, it is helpful to understand the typical process of how the body progresses through the stages of labor to ready itself for birth. More: What Do Labor Contractions Really Feel Like? Every pregnancy and labor and delivery is unique, including the length of time, it takes to move from one stage to another. To help you on your personal journey, we’ve created a guide to the first stage of labor that will help you to understand the stages of labor and what is happening to the body during both early labor and active labor:...

More: Should You Let Your Teen Use Uber and Lyft? Whether you’re trying to not LOL as you decode your teen’s text messages to you or whether you feel the need to utter OMG as you listen to the gossiping of your teen and their friends over lattes, you’ll need more than a Merriam-Webster dictionary to fully understand today’s lingo and slang terms. You can use this guide as your urban dictionary “cliffs notes” and also start to understand all of the memes that go around social media as an added bonus....

A mutual fund offers three key benefits over buying individual stocks: Diversification. Unless an investor hits the lottery or inherits a fortune, she probably doesn’t have the cash to buy stock from a large number of different companies. A mutual fund, however, has that much cash (from investments made by investors), and it uses the cash to buy large positions in a dozen or so companies. It’s hoped that if one or two companies don’t do too well, that will be more than offset by good performances by the others....

More: 75 Native American Names for Your Little One Aztecs are well known for their art and cultural production. Writing, music, crafts, and sculpture are some of the most popular areas Aztecs are known for. Many of the most popular Aztec names were inspired by their culture, so you will find names pertaining to nature, religion, gods, and goddesses, and art. Nahuatl is still spoken today especially in Central Mexico and El Salvador....

There are more than 10,000 Catholic saints recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. The Orthodox Church venerates saints as well, but they are not always the same saints as those in Rome. The original Protestant movement did not recognize saints in favor of a direct connection with and an exclusive holy relationship with God. More: How Saints’ Names Became Popular Saints’ names usually have Greek or Latin origins, and there are variations in Italian, Spanish, English, and more languages....

More: The Ultimate List of Baby Must Haves to Add to Your Registry Once your tiny human arrives, finding time for yourself (and your partner) will be incredibly hard! Taking care of yourself is hard when you’re not pregnant, but it’s crucial when you are pregnant. We’ve put together a list of things to help you relax and find the joys in preparing for your little one! Love these ideas?...

Planning for a Healthy Pregnancy There are so many things that you might think do not really have any bearing on whether or not you and your partner have a healthy baby. But more and more, research shows that what you do before you get pregnant or before you know you’re pregnant can have a huge effect on the health of your pregnancy and baby. Your Reproductive Health Both you and your partner should be sure to be seen by your primary care providers....