People often don’t realize that there are distinct stages of caregiving. Caregivers ask me early on in the process how we can best prepare to begin caregiving. In many ways, this is the most important step. As with anything in life, you have to ready yourself for that role. And these decisions are not straightforward...

There are great women all around us at all times. And, when you take a look back through history, it becomes apparent very quickly that that always has been the case. But, unfortunately, too many of those trailblazers have gone too long without the recognition that is their due. Here is a list of a...

My calendar says that spring is just around the corner. I had a nice winter’s nap, and now, I’m expected to change gears in March and start mowing the grass. Oh, no. The lawn mower. I put a liquid in with the fuel last autumn. The mower was to start easily this spring. Well, that’s...

Gone are the days of shapeless floral moo moos and nautical-inspired tents intended to hide a growing baby bump. Today’s maternity clothing trends aim to stay on target with mainstream fashion and celebrate or even highlight a woman’s expanding belly. And while online shopping gives expecting mothers an abundance of maternity options, it doesn’t help...

There are great women all around us at all times. And, when you take a look back through history, it becomes apparent very quickly that that always has been the case. But, unfortunately, too many of those trailblazers have gone too long without the recognition that is their due. Here is a list of a...

For many parents, a pacifier is an essential product for soothing baby. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents consider giving a child a pacifier at night and for naps during the first year. But how can you be sure you are choosing the right type of pacifier? With so many options...

January and February marked frigid and snow-covered months in the tri-states, with school delays, early dismissals and consecutive snow days. We asked moms on our Her — A Magazine for Women Facebook page how they were helping their kiddos pass the time. Here’s what they shared with us: “We’re spending time the best way: Playing...

Leo, Lincoln, Nora and Amelia topped the list of local baby names in 2018, according to data from Dubuque’s hospitals. Leo was the most popular boy’s name at MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center, and Nora, the most popular girl’s. Lincoln and Amelia were the top names at UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital. “I think we’re seeing a trend...

The pregnancy test came back positive. The gender announcement party has taken place. Now, it’s time to decorate the nursery and do some baby-proofing to welcome your new arrival. Room theme Do you need a theme for the nursery? It’s up to you. A newborn isn’t going to notice the theme until they are older....

Bringing home a new baby is a big adjustment and can feel overwhelming for parents, particularly when it comes to safety. While certain statistics can be alarming — there are approximately 3,600 sudden unexpected infant deaths yearly in the U.S., according to the most recent government statistics — parents can take comfort in knowing that...

You are told to embrace your postpartum figure. Your body has done a miraculous thing by growing a new life, and the process of giving birth is even more incredible. This is all true, and I’ll be honest, in the immediate weeks following the birth of each of my four darling girls, I was not...

When it comes to car travel, families know that keeping baby safe and happy is essential. Understanding the latest expert recommendations is one of the best ways to help keep children as safe as possible. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently updated its recommendation on how long children should ride in rear-facing car seats. The...

When her first baby was ready to eat solids, Briana Cushman turned to the same food many other parents have — rice cereal. Early on, though, the rural Dubuque mom began second-guessing her approach. Especially when her son’s iron count came back low. “I was already cooking from scratch for my husband and me, and...

Molly Coyle is playing Mom to the best of her ability as she and her husband, Tom, raise four girls, ages 8 and younger. She stays at home, as her mother was able to do. She is the disciplinarian and shares in getting the girls to their many activities. And she knows that, even though...

Food is such an important part of traditions and rites of passage — not just in our country but around the world. Chicken soup is an important postpartum staple in countries as varied as China and Mexico, for instance. However, there is one rite of passage in our country where food moves beyond its typical...

Motherhood. Whether you’re on your first born or your fifth, and whether you have had children or adopted, there is something indescribable about the act of caring for and raising a human being. I have not yet had children. But I have watched it transform friends and family of mine who have. They acknowledge that...

Casey Smith is a woman with a lot on her plate. As the membership and wellness director at the Dubuque Community YMCA/YWCA for five years, the 31-year-old also serves as the girls basketball coach for the Dubuque Hempstead High School Mustangs, her alma mater and a team she excelled on in her own right as...

There are great women all around us at all times. And, when you take a look back through history, it becomes apparent very quickly that that always has been the case. But, unfortunately, too many of those trailblazers have gone too long without the recognition that is their due. Here is a list of a...