parenting advice

Wondering when it's safe and appropriate to leave your child at home while you're at work or running errands? While some states and countries have legal guidelines on leaving minors unaccompanied, Circle of Moms members argue that parents should also consider other factors before deciding when to leave their children home alone. Keep reading for their six key tips.

Charity P.'s daughter is developing a "smart mouth" and the attitude to go with it. As the Circle of Moms member describes it, "She is very disrespectful, especially in public and in front of company." Unchecked, the problem is just getting worse and worse. "What do I do?" she laments.

Moms of yore simply washed their teens' mouths out with a bar of soap. But these days, parents are looking for more relaxed and effective ways to stop this disrespectful behavior. Given these higher expectations, how do you get your teen to stop the snide and rude back talk? Here are six smart suggestions from Circle of Moms members who've wrestled with this issue.

Keep reading.

A growing number of Circle of Moms members say they're determined to stop spoiling their teenagers. Michelle M., for example, is the first to admit her own over-indulgence is spiraling out of control, but she’s not sure how to draw the line. "She has a bedroom full of things including a wardrobe of the latest clothes and shoes," she says. "I’ve spoiled her, but she doesn’t have any more than her friends. What should I do?"

"Stop!" That’s the collective cry of many Circle of Moms members, who say a mom's primary job is to prepare their teens for the real world where they won’t always get what they want — or what their peers get. If teens don’t learn that reality, they are destined to become entitled young adults, says Kim M. "If you keep giving in to their demands they will keep pushing," she adds.

In an age of entitlement, it’s not easy to strike a balance between love and over-indulgence. Still, Circle of Moms member have offered several ways to pull in the reins on spoiling. Keep reading for their tips.

Lucky you — not only do you have a new baby, but you also have a slew of people saying, "What can I do to help?!" These well-intentioned friends and family can be a tremendous asset during your first few weeks of motherhood, but it's important to manage their offers, and what you ask of them, with tact and appreciation. Here, we offer our guide to the integral members of your new "momtourage" and how to accept help from each of them.

• The BFF: While everyone talks about the first few weeks of motherhood being exhausting and overwhelming, the less spoken-about issue that many new mamas face is a feeling of confinement and isolation. There may be nothing more appealing during those first few weeks than having a familiar friend — one who doesn't mind if your house is a mess and your conversation is interrupted by the baby's erratic feeding schedule — around to make you laugh and to update you on your group's gossip (and other current affairs).
• Your Mom: She's been there before, and if you're lucky, then she's the person you can go to for anything and everything. Whether you want a nap, are craving a favorite food, or need an hour or two away from the baby, go ahead: be honest with your mom . . . she gets it.
• Your Dad (or Father-in-Law): If he's like most dads, then he's best put to use with a specific task or project. If there are still any pieces of baby gear or furniture to be put together, art to be hung in the nursery, or prescriptions to be picked up, then this is where dear old Dad can come in handy.

Keep reading for more tips on doling out jobs to family and friends.

Strangers say a lot of idiotic things that can dull a pregnant woman's glow, but people also dish out odd advice. Alyssa Milano, 38, who is expecting her first baby, shared the latest tidbit she's been told. She said:

"It sounds kind of harsh but a friend of the family recently told me it's really hard to kill a baby. That made me feel much better!"

While a thought may be well intended, it can get messed up in the delivery.

Motherhood can be a mind-boggler! Beaner submitted this question in our The Mommy Club group.

My little one is just about 5 1/2 months old and has been really uncomfortable from teething. She claws at her mouth, chews on her fingers and sobs about her pain. I've tried just about every teether you can buy, with Sophie being the only one that helps, but she'll only gum on it for a few minutes before wailing. I also gave her a frozen washcloth but it was too cold for her little mouth. Today I tried a little Baby Orajel, but she had this weird reaction of falling asleep soon after taking it, so I feel nervous using it (plus I've read about the horror stories of babies who stop breathing). Any suggestions?'

Are you a mommy maven, or do you need advice from one? Share your tips or questions in our The Mommy Club! Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

When a parent comes to you for advice, how do you answer? Do you tell her the truth or what she wants to hear? On last night's episode of Parenthood, Julia worries about Sydney's behavioral issues and obsession with a rubber band ball so she seeks Kristina's advice. Though Max, who has Asperger's, also had a rubber band ball, Kristina withholds the information and tells her sister-in-law that everything will be fine with her daughter. In the end it turns out that Sydney isn't autistic, but gifted. When fellow parents come to you with concerns about their kids, what position do you take?