By Kara Eberle

By LYZZ JONES for Smart
Every meal is a challenge when you live with food allergies.
And no time of year exacerbates these troubles more than the holidays.
Eggnog? Not if eggs or milk trigger a reaction.
Stuffing? Only if it’s gluten- and wheat-free.
Cranberries? Sounds OK, but...
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By Amy Gulli

(Noah, at a happier moment)
Today when I dropped Noah off at preschool, he cried.
Sobbed. Threw himself at me. Begged me to hold him. Wailed. "Don't leave, Mommy, don't leave! Stay and play with me!" (which sounds like "stay n pway wis me!")
Bonnie, his teacher, said he threw ...
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By Beth Vrabel

By BETH VRABEL
“Remember to say, ‘Yes, sir,’” Benny, my 4-year-old, told me. “And bow, like this.” He bobbed, almost falling on his head.
“Got it,” I told him as I tightened my belt.
“Kung Fu Mama,” he giggled.
We walked into Dover Dragons, the Tae Kwon Do stu...
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By Kara Eberle

By KATY CARPENTER for Smart
Thanks to some new rules and regulations, your credit card bill has a lot more to say these days.
Are you listening?
The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 — aka the Credit CARD Act — took effect in stages this year, with...
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By Kara Eberle

By LAURA BURKEY Smart Mama
I'm a first-time mom.
My daughter, Amelia — Mia for short — was...
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By Kara Eberle

By CARRIE HAMILTON for Smart
Beyond the feasts of food, hectic schedules and family visits, you’ll know the holidays have arrived when you find yourself standing knee-deep in a room filled with crumpled wrapping paper.
Americans throw away 83 million tons of paper trash, including tissue...
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By Samantha Dellinger

By SAMANTHA DELLINGER
Smart Mama
My 6-year-old son, Vincent, is growing faster than I like sometimes.
I will admit it’s nic...
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By Kara Eberle

By JENNIFER VOGELSONG for Smart
These days, it’s hard enough to get the whole family together for an evening meal between basketball practice, music lessons and work functions.
A family portrait?
Well, that might challenge even the most expert event planner.
Not only do you have to...
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By Kara Eberle

By JEN BAKER for Smart
In keeping with the spirit of Thanksgiving, it’s fitting that November is ...
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By Kara Eberle

By TARA HAWKINS for Smart
Armed with stacks of sales fliers, women are making their way to the malls and the big box stores. So begins the hustle and hassle of holiday gift giving.
Is there really any other option?
Several local women are leading the way in a new kind of shoppin...
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