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If there is one thing that has become abundantly clear to me after more than two hours perusing AwkwardFamilyPetPhotos.com, it’s that a good 90% of the time it’s the “family” part of the equation that makes the photo awkward. The pets? Well, they’re just victims.

After creating AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com Mike Bender and Doug Chernack quickly realized the pet photos were fan favorites. So the guys created an entire site (and now, a book) dedicated to pets and the people who love them a little too much.

Just in time for the holiday season, the book is filled with never-before-seen photos, essays, and graphics. If you’ve ever read the captions below the photos on the site, you know those essays are bound to be hilarious. Purchase for a friend, relative, or just set this bad boy on your coffee table for hours of entertainment for you or anyone else who happens to stop by and get a gander at this gem.

To whet your appetite, I spent the last hour culling through hundreds of photos on the site and have whittled it down to the 30 images you’re about to see. I’m willing to wager there is more than one serial killer in the group below, but oh my lands, this was, perhaps, the funnest thing I’ve ever compiled for Babble, I kid you not. Do you know how hard it was to choose a mere 30? I laughed out loud at every single photo you’re about to see, and you will too, I promise. Continue reading »

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What if you were never introduced to children until you were this woman's age?

I didn’t become a stepdad until age 36 — a biological father until 37 — which means that, relatively speaking, I was a bit late to fatherhood. Like anything else, being an older dad has both advantages and disadvantages. As I prepare for the arrival of my fifth child (whom I’ve taken to calling Grand Finale), anxiety has pushed some of the disadvantages to the fore. I constantly wonder how I’ll find the energy to tend to an infant amidst all the other daily things that my 41-year-old body will still be required to do.

But behind those anxious thoughts exists a confidence I often forget about — one that comes only with age. Because while the physicality of parenting may favor the young, recognizing and interpreting the ways in which children enrich our lives is something more easily accomplished by the wise. And wisdom only comes with age.

Which is why I was so taken by a piece I read today by Sandy Boucher. For she never had children of her own, and only discovered them for the first time in her capacity as the gay grandmother of four. And I found her words to be very wise, indeed.

Continue reading »

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Do you know an exceptional family who could use a helping hand this holiday season?  Maybe they’ve suffered some hardships, had financial setbacks or gone above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of others.

Whatever the reason, here’s a chance for you to make in difference in their lives by nominating them to win Babble’s 2010 Holiday Gift Basket.

Worth nearly $2,500, the gift basket includes almost every item in our 2010 Holiday Gift Guide!  We are talking games, toys, books, movies and much more.  It’s a gift basket like no other and sure to make the holiday special for one deserving family.

So, what are you waiting for?

Here’s how to enter:

1. Visit Babble’s Family Style Holiday Gift Giveaway page and leave a comment of 50 words or less telling us why your nominated family deserves to win.  Oh, and if that deserving family happens to be your own?  Don’t be shy!  Go ahead and nominate yourself.

2 .”Like” Babble on Facebook. This is important because that’s how we will reach the winning family. While you are there, check out the Gift Giveaway page to see exactly what’s up for grabs.

The contest ends on December 1st, and the winner will be announced on Friday, December 3rd.  Good luck!

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Running with the dogs is good for kids.

If you are on the fence about getting a family dog, perhaps a new study out of St George’s  University of London will provide the push you need.

According to researchers, children whose families own dogs are more physically active than those who don’t. Continue reading »

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In a family with multiple children, the younger kids are often driven by a desire to catch up to the older ones.  Not being the first to do anything can light a fire of competitiveness in a kid who feels like she’s always one step behind.  And this competitiveness, say researchers, is the reason that younger siblings work harder in school and ultimately earn better grades. Continue reading »

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At a time when half of all the working adults in the U.S. say they have experienced some “work-related hardship” and more than 70% of those over the age of 40 say they’ve been somehow affected by the economic crisis, it is fair to say that the recession has left very few families untouched.

And with fewer dollars to spend on the things that pull us apart – video games, cable television, etc. – there is lots of talk about how we are once again embracing the simple joys of family life.  Talking to one another, visiting the library together or just having a family game night.  When you look at it like that, you might even say that the recession has been good for families. Continue reading »

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Forget sibling rivalry and the life-long damage caused by parents who play favorites with their children.  A new study finds that while having a brother or sister can be a good thing, having a female sibling can be particularly great.  But only if everybody plays nice. Continue reading »

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