I love autumn. It’s my favorite time of year. I love to be outside without feeling the sun will melt you. As a family, we get a lot more active during the fall as well. It is not too cold to do outside things like bike riding, walking, picnicking and hiking, yet it is cool enough that we remain comfortable — as long as we are wearing jackets.
Choosing a jacket for children
Part of choosing jackets for children is getting the right balance that allows for some warmth, but that does not result in overheating. The jacket should be something that allows your child to participate comfortably in fall family recreation activities. Here are some considerations when choosing a fall jacket for children:

Durability

You want a jacket that will last a while and hold up under the rough use that children can sometimes put clothing through. Spending a little more for high quality now can mean that you have a jacket that lasts longer — and that can be worn by subsequent children.

Size

We like to buy our son’s jackets a little too large. Children grow quickly. If you want the jacket to be around for the spring, it can be helpful to get a jacket that is a size larger than what your child would normally wear. Of course, do not get it too large. Otherwise, it may hinder your child in some of their activities.

Easy on and off

Try to choose a jacket with a front zipper. This makes it easy to take on and off, and your child can even do it him or herself. Additionally, a front-zip jacket makes it easy to open the jacket a little for cooling, without having to take it off entirely.

Pockets for hands

Pockets can be a great place for hands to keep warm. My son keeps gloves in his pockets as well, making them easy to reach and pull on before a breezy fall bike ride.

Dressing well during pregnancy is a lot easier now than it was when I had my first child 10 years ago. The options are so numerous at different price points that it’s easy to be stylish and comfortable without spending a fortune, and with careful planning you can find clothes that you can actually modify and continue to wear once you’ve had the baby.

Maternity clothes aren’t really needed during the first trimester, although in your excitement about the baby you’re likely to want to run out and buy them the moment the little line appears on the stick. Wait a while, really, because by the third trimester you’ll be sick of the sight of them, and by the second kid you won’t be willing to put maternity pants on until you’re ready to pack your bags for the hospital.

Here are a few tips to make dressing during pregnancy easier:
During the first trimester, you almost certainly can get away with wearing regular clothes in styles that accommodate changes to your figure, such as the Empire-waist blouses that are so popular right now. Your breasts will be larger than usual due to hormones, so purchase a well-made supportive bra. A nursing bra is a good investment even this early, as it will be one of the few items you’ll be able to continue to use for months or even years after the baby is born.

Feet will swell over the course of the pregnancy too, so if you buy shoes at this time, go for a half-size larger.

The second trimester is when maternity clothes become appropriate. Dresses are a great option for work, although some upscale lines such do also make maternity suits. For casual wear, tops and maternity pants are probably the easiest choice. Maternity pants come in two basic styles: elastic-waist, which expand to fit your belly, and under-the-belly waists, which just hang below the baby bump. Try both kinds on to see which is more comfortable for you, but remember that how you feel the first week of the second trimester compared to the end of the pregnancy may be very different.

Liz Lange has also come up with a line called The Fourth Trimester that is intended for transitional wear after the baby is born, although most of us are resigned to the fact that you may need to keep wearing maternity clothes for a couple of months postpartum. Just make sure you’re not still doing it when the “baby” turns six!

Whether you’re traveling with a feisty toddler or a newborn that needs some extra special care, heading off to that next destination with an organized tote can save you a few headaches along the way. Instead of investing in a giant black-hole-of-a-bag that leaves you rummaging through dozens of accessories in an emergency situation, a tote equipped with compartments and zippers can help keep things organized and accessible.

Tote bags made with extra-cushioned handles and support straps are also excellent ways to save your back from unnecessary stress. Here are some absolute musts when it comes to selecting the right carryall for your busy travel days ahead:

1. Take a Sweet Escape. If you’re looking for something simple and versatile, the O’Neill Sweet Escape might be your ideal match. This one’s designed with double shoulder straps and a stylish faux leather trim; with two front pockets and plenty of zipped pockets for the cell phone and other gadgets, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the trip with your day’s worth of supplies.

2. Spice up the Diaper Bag. Diaper bags that look like a structure-less bucket are cumbersome to tote around and hardly fashionable. Get your hands on a chic and stylish number from Sally Spicer for a designer look without the fuss. This one features a sturdy platform bottom and multiple slip pockets to keep you organized.

3. Power up the Stroller. The ultimate in versatility, the DadGear Totes are perfect for days when the stroller is going along the travel route with the family. This handy tote features two super-size pockets and small zippered compartments for easy storage. You’ve also got stroller straps right on the bag for easy carrying when the stroller is a necessity, but the bag can serve just as well as an independent carryall.

Whether you’re heading out on a weekend picnic or battling through the crowds at the grocery store with kids in tow, a sturdy tote bag is all you need to make it a smooth-sailing trip. Just fill ‘er up with diapers, toys, extra bottles and handiwipes so you’re well-prepared for any mishap or temper tantrum along the way!

DadGear Totes

As kids get older it is important for them to learn about responsibility. One of the easiest ways to teach kids about responsibility is to give them chores to complete. The purpose of the chores is not to provide parents with free labor, although that is a pleasant side effect, but instead it is to make kids feel like they are an important part of the family. As the parents of multiples you face a challenge, figuring out how to assign chores that will seem fair and that will provide each multiple with the opportunity to learn new skills and to develop their own interests.

Assigning Chores Option No. 1: Chore Rotation
You have a few options when it comes to assigning chores. The first option is to create a list of chores and to rotate who does what. When you first assign chores you need to be realistic about what your kids can handle, and the chores need to be age appropriate. For example, great starter chores for young kids can be putting their toys away, putting their clothes in the hamper and filling the dog’s water and food dishes. As your multiples get older you can assign more complicated chores like folding clothes, taking out the garbage and doing the dishes. The rotation of chores option allows your multiples to try each chore out at least once.

Assigning Chores Option No. 2: Interest Based Assignments
After your multiples have tried out the various chores that are available in your household, you can ask each one which chores they like and which ones they don’t like. Hopefully, their like/dislike lists will not overlap and you will be able to divvy up the chores based on what each multiple likes to do. This will not only make doing chores more enjoyable, but it will also encourage your multiples to develop individual interests. Another option that you have is to ask each of your multiples what they like to do and then find a chore that will allow them to explore that interest.

Assigning Chores Option No. 3: The Wheel of Chores
The third option that you have is to make the chore selection into a weekly game. At the beginning of each week have each multiple spin a wheel labeled with different chores, or have them draw a chore from a hat. This will make the assignment of chores fun and by putting a one week limit on the chore they are assigned, if they have a chore they don’t like to do, they only have to do it for a week.