According to spoilers, a few women have already been chosen for the next season ofThe Bachelor. Yet despite the new bachelor himself, Nick Viall being 35, the ages listed for his contestants range from 23-25 years old. I think if the show wanted Nick to have a real chance at love they would cast the women in his age group or a little bit older. We have not seen Nick successfully find love with the age groups he has chosen so far on the various Bachelor shows, so it might be time to try something new.

More: What Married at First Sight doesn't understand about relationships

When I looked back to see the ages of the three women he pursued on previous shows, there was Andi Dorfman (29) Kaitlyn Bristowe (31) and Bachelor in Paradise contestant Jen Saviano (26). So, if you look at the age differences they are four to nine years apart, and Nick is older than all three women. If Nick did not succeed with women who did not have as large of an age gap with him, it seems strange the show runners would choose women with a 10 to 12 year age difference. It seems clear that the show is not honoring his age at all. Now of course when the season begins, there might be a few age appropriate women in their thirties or closer to Nick’s age, but we will all have to wait to see. However in The Bachelorette, we do not see this same trend, as we usually see men older than the bachelorette or around the same age.

Of course love can happen with people who are in different age groups, but in the case of the new bachelor, it seems like it might benefit him if he can date within a few years of his own age group. I’m still baffled why the TV show believes that men have to date younger women, as we constantly see in the Bachelor franchise. The show normalizes the old stereotypes that men should date younger women, when in reality men might have better relationships if they focused on other qualities than just finding someone younger than themselves. Age is just a number, but life experiences and compatibility might help people grow together who are in similar stages of their life. The question also arises that men can date younger women, but women cannot date younger men which is a stereotype I feel the TV show normalizes. When we look at celebrities this is far from the case. Plenty of Hollywood women break the stereotype of the older man/younger women trend.

More: Your friends might be right about your bad relationship

It seems like The Bachelor’s new season might make the mistake of casting a much younger group of contestants for Nick to date. The TV show has a huge audience and platform to start to show more balance and diversity in moving away from the old female and male stereotypes, and the falsity of what love needs to look like (romance and ball gowns). Hopefully, the façade of stereotypical love and courtship can be more relatable to everyone who watches. I hope in the upcoming season this becomes as important as the entertainment factor, and balance is made a priority in order to showcase much more than just fancy dates and drama.

More: Toddlers and Tiaras is teaching kids the wrong lesson about inner beauty

We have so, so many questions about Mary J. Blige's upcoming interview with Hillary Clinton. The first one: What the hell did we just watch?

More: We knew it — the Will & Grace 'reunion' isn't what it appeared to be

Apple Music tweeted a teaser video for Blige's sit-down with the Democratic nominee for president, writing that it was "like you’ve never seen them before." That's an understatement.

The one-minute-long promo is basically just Blige singing to Clinton about police brutality. Yes, really.

The song begins, "If an officer stops you / Always be polite / And never, ever run away / Promise mama You’ll keep your hands in sight."

More: Hollywood exposed Donald Trump's lies in the presidential debate all. night. long.

As Blige is singing, the camera cuts to Clinton, who looks like this:

Blige keeps singing, and toward the end of the song, leans over and dramatically grabs Clinton's hand. Somehow, Clinton was able to keep a straight face through all of this, which should pretty much just win her the election immediately.

While that video left us with way more questions than answers, Twitter just isn't here for it.

The No. 1 thing we need to know right now: Is this whole interview going to be conducted in song? Will Hills be singing her responses? Is this the future of election interviews? If it is, we might get a little more politically involved.

More: Kids react to the presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump

Do you plan to watch Mary J. Blige's interview with Hillary Clinton?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Ladies, you know that feeling you get when you're walking alone at night and you see a man walking behind you? You might speed up you pace a little bit, get a nervous pit in your stomach. Remember what that feels like, because it'll be important in a minute.

More: Understanding both sides of the Charlotte shootings doesn’t mean I condone them

Serena Williams posted a powerful story to Facebook about asking her nephew to drive her and encountering a police officer. Check it out in her own words:

"Today I asked my 18 year old nephew (to be clear he's black) to drive me to my meetings so I can work on my phone #safteyfirst. In the distance I saw cop on the side of the road. I quickly checked to see if he was obliging by the speed limit. Than I remembered that horrible video of the woman in the car when a cop shot her boyfriend. All of this went through my mind in a matter of seconds. I even regretted not driving myself. I would never forgive myself if something happened to my nephew. He's so innocent. So were all 'the others.'

"I am a total believer that not 'everyone' is bad It is just the ones that are ignorant, afraid, uneducated, and insensitive that is affecting millions and millions of lives.

"Why did I have to think about this in 2016? Have we not gone through enough, opened so many doors, impacted billions of lives? But I realized we must stride on- for it's not how far we have come but how much further still we have to go.

"I than wondered than have I spoken up? I had to take a look at me. What about my nephews? What if I have a son and what about my daughters? As Dr. Martin Luther King said 'There comes a time when silence is betrayal.'"

More: Can we really blame black students who want segregated college housing?

As a cisgender white woman, the closest approximation I have to feeling what Williams felt is that pit I get in my stomach when I see a man following me at night. What Williams feels must be even worse than that, though, because the person instilling the fear in her is someone who's supposed to be there to protect her. What an awful feeling that must be.

Williams ends her post with "I won't be silent," and neither will I. Black lives matter, folks. No one should ever have to feel like Williams did when she was inspired to write this powerful piece.

More: Kids were caught chanting racial slurs on a school bus... in 2016

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

On Monday, a woman posted photos on Facebook of a girl in a grocery store next to a shopping cart getting her hair pulled by an adult. Not surprisingly, the post went viral, and the incident is now under investigation.

Unsurprisingly, Facebook exploded with legions of Monday morning quarterbacking comments on what was right and what was wrong with this scenario.

More: Neighbors called the cops on these parents for their unusual punishment

Here are just a sample of the most off-base comments.

“Spare the rod, spoil the child. That's the trouble with world today and why so many children are misbehaved brats.”

Why that’s wrong: There is overwhelming evidence that physical punishment is both ineffective and harmful to child development. Additionally, it does not seem likely that the world’s greatest problems, from ISIS to climate change, have resulted from parents giving more timeouts.

“She probably deserved it.”

Why that’s wrong: Every time a story like this comes out, there seem to be people who actively cheer for the child’s punishment. Those who say that we don’t know the context of the father’s behavior are correct, but if we are going to give the father the benefit of the doubt, then the child must receive it as well.

“You know what I had as a kid? A paddle that was made for me with holes drilled into it. You know what it did? Made me a fucking good person today because I was disciplined the way I should of [sic] been.“

Why that’s wrong: Just because something (allegedly) worked for you as a kid does not mean that it works on this child. Not to mention, we are not all necessarily the best judges of our own character. We all probably think we’re f-ing good people today, regardless of whether our parents hit us with a paddle.

More: Barber offers to punish your kids with awful haircuts

“Maybe if more dads were present, and actually raised and disciplined their kids, there wouldn't so many little assholes running around.”

Why that’s wrong: A physically abusive dad is not better than no dad at all.

“Now imagine the brutal savagery of abortion and how it murders poor innocent babies in the wombs ...ALL LIVES MATTER.”

Why that’s wrong: Wildly off topic, and willfully sets aside the plight of the issue the child in question in order to focus on millions of hypothetical unborn children (all the while co-opting a slogan about police brutality.)

“I guess none of you guys have had to stop a child from running out into ongoing traffic and nearly miss. At that point holding their hair in hopes it reminds them to not run off won't look so bad.”

Why that’s wrong: Hypotheticals aside (“maybe her hair was on fire and he was putting it out”), the images patently show that is not the situation. There’s a major difference between a quick grab to jerk a child out from an intersection versus pulling her by the hair through the grocery store for all to see.

“If you are a good parent your child won’t be a brat. ”

Why that’s wrong: This comment was posted in response to those who said the child must have been acting up and thus deserved it. While this sentiment is more sympathetic toward the child, it’s not accurate. All children are brats sometimes — because they’re tired, they’re hungry, they’re not feeling well or just feeling bratty. Even the gentlest parent ends up with a tiny tyrant on his or her hands some days.

More: Dad caught dragging son around by rope as 'punishment'

In what embryologists are calling "a huge deal," a baby has been born using a new three-person fertility technique. It's a world first, and has brought happiness to a Jordanian family who was unable to have children without it.

More: My best friend's pregnancy forced me to face up to my own fears

The unidentified baby boy is now 5 months old, and has the usual DNA from his mother and father, as well as a tiny bit of genetic code from a donor. A team of U.S. doctors from New Hope Fertility Center in New York City took the unprecedented (and somewhat controversial) step to make sure he would be born free of a genetic condition carried by his mother in her genes — a disorder called Leigh Syndrome that would have proved fatal to any baby conceived. The procedure, known as mitochondrial donation, was carried out in Mexico because there are no laws against it there. It involves taking all the vital DNA from the mother's egg and adding healthy mitochondria from the donor egg to create a healthy new egg that can be fertilized with the father's sperm.

More: Domestic adoption isn't as scary or impossible as it may seem

While this isn't the first time scientists have created babies that have DNA from three people, mitochondrial donation is an entirely new and significant method that could help many other families who are unable to have children because of rare genetic conditions.

In the U.K., laws have already been passed to allow the creation of babies from the DNA of three people.

But critics of the new technique speculate that many failed attempts may have gone unreported before we heard this success story. Those who oppose mitochondrial donation on ethical grounds question how a child born using this technique might feel about having DNA from three people. Others warn that three-person babies may be more likely to develop cancer, have a higher risk of premature aging and may require close monitoring for their whole lives.

Dr. John Zhang, who led the team from New Hope Fertility Center, will answer questions on the technique when they present their findings at a meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in October.

There's no doubt that revolutionary new techniques like this will always come with complex ethical issues. But for families who are desperately in need of it to fulfill their baby dreams, it's hard not to see it as a positive breakthrough.

More: Don't effing ask me 'how much my kid cost'

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Zig Ziglar said, “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” Changing perspective can bring a surprising new view of your situation. Where can you simply alter your altitude and improve your attitude?

More: 5 ways to go hard at a conference and not blow your fitness goals

Visit a famous landmark or a recommended restaurant – a new place can make a mark on your mind. Go high into the sky for dinner, watch the sunset and feel your cares float away. At approximately 300 feet (25 floors), you are taller than a Giant Sequoia.

Dine on the 25th floor at Atrio in the Conrad Miami in the business district on Brickell. At this property, you can watch both sunrise and sunset from its windows! Being high above the city can impact your disposition and improve your outlook.

At 300 feet, you are the same height as the Statue of Liberty. Have you ever climbed to the crown? Looking down from that height, people look like tiny ants! Do you want to get that feeling without reserving tickets? Enjoy a meal in Los Angeles at WP24 at The Ritz-Carlton. The city lights look dazzling from The Nest and you can have your tickets be for the Lakers, Kings or Clippers next door at L.A. Live.

More: Step away from the selfie stick and call a travel photographer

I have been to Miami, the top of the Statue of Liberty, and I live in Los Angeles, but I have not been to the top of Big Ben. It is on my bucket list. A guided tour is available three times a day during the week and 334 stone steps lead you to the belfry. After you ascend, you will also be approximately 300 feet in the sky!

I recently dined at SER Steak + Spirits at Hilton Anatole on the 27th floor which is the same height. Having my meal by the window, my mental state shifted as I listened to the marvelous live music and enjoyed my wagyu spinalis steak.

Why do people want to build to great heights? What happens when we change our perspective? According to the Blue Bulb Project, “300 feet is about seven-tenths the height of The Great Pyramid of Giza. The Great Pyramid of Giza has an estimated original height of 430 feet. The Pyramid was the tallest structure in the world for almost 4,000 years — from its construction ca. 2551 BCE until it was overtaken by the Lincoln Cathedral in Lincoln, England, built in the year 1300.”

What do you want to build? We are all constructing ourselves every day with our choices. Make sure that you step back from your situation so you can see all sides. Sometimes the best viewpoint is from the top!

Lisa Niver was invited to explore dinner at great heights by Conrad Miami, Hilton Anatole and WP24. Thank you for helping me change my attitude and my altitude.

I never really in believed ghosts. I love watching scary movies and visiting haunted houses around Halloween for the entertainment factor, but I've never put much stock in people's stories about apparitions or unexplained phenomena. My husband is a scientist, and without concrete evidence has never believed in spirits or people reaching out from beyond the grave. But all that changed forever after we paid an impromptu visit to an open house.

When we were young and child-free, we lived in a shoebox of an apartment to save money. But tiny as our place was, it had the excellent advantage of being less than a mile from the ocean. On hot days, we would often walk down to the water, passing beautiful beachside properties in the process. We were saving for a house, and even though we knew we could never afford one of them, we had fun imagining what it would be like to live in one of the seemingly perfect homes along the water.

There was an unfinished basement off the gorgeous kitchen, and since the stairs leading down were pretty steep, we didn't think anything of it when the real estate agent said she would stay on the first floor while we checked it out. The basement was lined in jagged rock walls, and although there were several old-fashioned barn doors leading to who knows what, something about them made us too creeped out to open them. It wasn't what I wanted in a dream house, but chalking it up to the fact that most basements are creepy, we headed back to the first floor.

The unease I felt in the basement quickly dissipated as I stepped into the dining room, and I once again felt like I was meant to live in this space. The agent was very attentive and pointed out all of the house's advantages, but when we asked to check out the upstairs, she once again said she would remain on the first floor. Thinking perhaps she had knee issues, we headed up without her.

The second floor was just as pretty as the first. You could hear the faint rumble of ocean waves and smell the sea coming in from the open windows. The sheer curtains stirred invitingly in the breeze. We looked at two bedrooms and a bathroom, getting more and more excited as we started to talk about furniture and paint colors. We both agreed this house felt like home. And then we stepped into the master suite.

To this day I still can't clearly describe what happened in that room because it was so unlike anything I had ever experienced up until that point or since. Even now, as I try to recall the memory, my thoughts scatter, as though the reality of what was there is just too much for my brain to fully piece together again. The first thing I noticed was how still the room was. Although the windows were open like others in the house, these curtains lay stiff and dead against the walls. And the smells and sounds of the ocean were curiously absent, replaced with a thick silence that made every hair on my body stand at attention. I knew immediately that something here was very, very wrong.

Even though every one of my instincts was telling me to get out of there, I couldn't seem to form the words to tell my husband I wanted to leave. He didn't say anything either, and somehow we both found ourselves drawn to the door to the bathroom in the corner of the room.

My husband opened the door slowly. The room was tiled in a neutral beige, but for just an instant, I saw the entire room awash in red; the bright, grisly red of blood. And for a moment the silence was gone, replaced by the sound of a woman screaming in my head that was so loud I clamped my hands over my ears.

My husband still won't tell me what he saw or heard when he opened that door, but seeing as how we both turned to run down the stairs and out the door past the real estate agent (who didn't look surprised to see us leaving in a hurry), he too must have experienced something not of this world. As we hurried away from the house we tried to talk about what happened in that bedroom, but both of us struggled to hold on to the details. All we knew was that this house was not what it appeared to be.

Cats and dogs are hands down the winners of the most popular pet competition, but you don't want to settle for a traditional pet, do you? You want something different, a pet that's a tad more exotic, perhaps. There may be as many as 1 trillion different species on the planet, and at least a few of them are domesticated. If you're allergic to cats and dogs or if you fall under the "unpopular opinion" category of someone who just doesn't like them, you can still share your heart and your home with an adorable pet.

More: 9 gross reasons you shouldn't bring your pet to bed with you

Check out our list of adoption-worthy creatures — some furry, some scaly, but all way too cute.

1. Bearded dragons

Bearded dragons are very gentle and kind, plus easy to maintain — making them great pets for families, says Dr. Randi Haberkorn, a veterinarian at Meadow Veterinary Hospital in White Plains, New York. However, squeamish beware — they do require live food. "They need to eat crickets or worms, as well as fresh vegetables, so one must be close to a pet store that carries live food," she said. "On average, a trip to the pet store weekly is necessary."

2. Guinea pigs

If you love small furry animals, guinea pigs might be for you. They are gentle and easy to care for, however they require daily human attention and thrive if they have a second guinea pig buddy since they are herd animals, Haberkorn says. Their diet consists of hay, fresh veggies and pellets.

3. Rabbits

Another popular furry choice, rabbits make great pets, but like guinea pigs, need attention. "They require a lot of hay in their diet, so before buying one, make certain there are no allergies to timothy hay," Haberkorn advises. Rabbits live on average 10 years, so make sure everyone in the home is on the same page before taking on this commitment. Need more advice? Here are some rabbit care tips, courtesy of the ASPCA.

4. Fish

If you or someone in your house is allergic to fur, fish are a great alternative. According to the Humane Society of the U.S., fish make great pets, but it's important to do research so you provide your new scaly friends with the right environment and a happy life. Items to look into include water temperature, food, filters, aquarium size and other care tips. Want to know more? Here's everything you need to know about caring for fish.

5. Sugar gliders

If you're looking for a unique pet, sugar gliders are an exotic pet that has been quickly gaining in popularity over the past 10 years. They are a small marsupial in the possum family, averaging just 6 inches in length with soft gray fur and a black dorsal stripe. As exotic pets, they do have special needs, but are not difficult and can be a very rewarding experience, says Suz Enyedy, director of veterinary services for The Glider Initiative.

Next Up: Chinchillas

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6. Chinchillas

Chinchillas have the softest coat around, and are very, very cute. But, they require a relatively large cage and can be very nervous, so it takes them a long time to get used to being handled by people, Haberkorn says. They are also very delicate, so save these pets for older children and adults.

7. Hamsters

No, hamsters and guinea pigs are not the same, though they are both cute and small. One drawback to having a hamster is that they tend to be active at night — making this a parent's worst foe when trying to get their kids to sleep. "They are mainly fun to watch since they don't like to cuddle, although they will tolerate being held," Haberkorn says. They are a low-maintenance pet, but unfortunately, they have a short life span of only one to three years.

More: 8 hamster facts that will change the way you look at your adorable pet

8. Gray cheeked parakeet

If you've ever wanted to have a bird, gray cheeked parakeets are a great choice. They're like a parrot — only in a smaller package. However, make sure you're committed to having this pet for the long haul — they can live at least 35 years. "They are smart, fun, inquisitive and very interactive," Haberkorn advises. They also form very strong human bonds, and seem to have individual personalities.

9. Turtles

Well-cared-for turtles can live up to 25 to 50 years — even more on occasion. While it's tempting to put turtles in tanks, they thrive better in habitats that replicate nature, such as a pond where there is real sunlight — allowing them to grow naturally and develop strong bones, says Susan Tellem with the American Tortoise Rescue. They also are carnivores — so they must eat live food like snails, fish and worms.

10. Pigs

Pigs are one of the smartest animals on Earth — even smarter than dogs and 3-year-old children. Before you invite these intelligent creatures into your life, however, it's best to do research on what having a pig as a pet entails. After all, they can live up to 20 years. Here's all you need to know about caring for these adorable creatures, courtesy of the rescue group, Lil'Orphan Hammies.

More: Pigs as pets are a great idea — if you follow these 7 steps

What are your favorite pets you've had? Vote for your favorite pets by listing them in the comments below.

Originally published June 2014. Updated September 2016.

A forward-thinking Baltimore elementary school has dumped detention — and is reaping the benefits. In fact, the consequences are nothing short of incredible. In the last year, the suspension rate at Robert W. Coleman Elementary School has fallen right down to zero.

More: The most off-base comments you'll find about public physical punishment

Instead of sending students to detention or the principal's office when they misbehave, school staff direct them to the Mindful Moment Room, a classroom filled with decorations, lamps, purple pillows and beanbags. It's where they practice deep-breathing exercises, meditation and mindfulness in order to learn how to manage their stress and anger. They're encouraged to talk about what happened that led them to the Mindful Moment Room to try to help them work out why it happened and how it could have been avoided.

The school teamed up with the Holistic Life Foundation, a nonprofit established in 2001 to promote wellness in underserved kids and adults, to create the room, and HLF also runs an after-school program called "Holistic Me," which teaches students about yoga and mindfulness. It too has been a runaway success.

This is a fantastic example of how meditation and mindfulness can be transformative at any age. But it's more than that. It's a call to all schools to rethink their disciplinary measures. Surely, by now, we have to accept that the more traditional methods of disciplining kids, like detention and timeouts, just don't work. We all remember being there ourselves. If we weren't in detention, we knew kids who were. Over and over again — the same offenders every day. Which is a massive sign in itself. If detention worked — really worked by helping kids behave the right way  — students would figure out what changes to make to ensure they didn't end up there again.

More: The parenting authorities are usually full of crap

You don't have to be an expert to figure out that detention can, in many cases, encourage kids to act up. If they come from an empty or troubled household, they'd rather stay on at school than head back there to face whatever's waiting for them. Some see it as a chance to socialize after school with their fellow detainees. And ultimately, both timeouts and detention get students attention from caring adults. In the same way toddlers throw tantrums to get what they want, troubled students may cause a scene with the very goal of ending up in detention.

Sending a kid to sit in a room and stare at four walls has no purpose at all unless something happens during that time to help them address their issues and figure out effective ways to turn things around. Telling students to "think about your actions" is a complete waste of time. All they're going to think about is how unfair it is that they've been sent to detention.

Plenty of research carried out in recent years backs this up. A British academic, Dr. Ruth Payne, led a study into school discipline procedures, publishing the results in the Educational Review in 2015. One of Payne's findings was that detention (either after class or during recess or lunch) does not make students behave any better. Instead of changing their behavior, these established punishments create resentment and have a negative effect on the relationship between the students and their teachers.

It's a no-brainer. In fact, why should meditation and mindfulness only be an alternative to detention? If all schools introduced it as part of the syllabus, it could nix bad behavior altogether.

More: My kid's anti-homework teacher is my new BFF

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

So, what is your family going to be for Halloween this year?

No, I don’t mean what are your kids going to be. That’s so quaint. And no, obviously, you are not allowed to just slap on a semi-ironic witch hat for the third year in a row.

What I mean is, what is your family costume, your group costume? Because if you’re not doing a family getup, what on earth are you even doing?

You know what I’m talking about. You are Princess Leia, your husband is Han Solo, the older kid is Chewie and the baby is Yoda. Maybe you are a hot dog, your husband is a hamburger and the baby is a ketchup bottle. Or, you and the kids are the four seasons or something — that’s, of course, if you’re barely trying.

More: 10 totally adorable nerd families who nailed the group costume

Why are we doing group costumes now? Because by getting a group costume together, you demonstrate the following things:

1. You are clever.
2. You are organized enough to get this all planned ahead of time.
3. Your children are so docile, they will listen to your Halloween ideas and set aside their own wishes to dress up like Pokémon or whatever.
4. Your marriage is strong enough to withstand this.
5. You own Instagram and Facebook. You own it!

More: The best Halloween songs for kids (that parents can actually dance to)

Now, assuming you are able to prove the previous five points, there is only one other hurdle you need to jump: the threat of other moms who are even more clever, organized and maternal than you are. So consider a few options to throw your enemies off.

• Announce that you just can’t “deal” with Halloween this year and you’ll all just be going as ghosts. This will make other parents let their guard down and not bring their A-game. Then, on Oct. 31 — blammo!
• Start a few Pinterest boards highlighting red herring costumes that “everybody” will be doing. If you can convince enough moms that this year it’ll be the hottest thing to dress up as first-generation iPhones, the Octomom or the cast of Jersey Shore, your idea will look fresh by comparison.
• Start a rumor that this year, Halloween is on November 1.

Whatever you do, don’t take your eye off the prize. Halloween is not for kids, and it’s not for fun. It’s a contest, and you are going to crush it this year.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

What's better than a frosty mug of butterbeer? A frosty mug of butterbeer shrouded in a spooky mist, that's what. Here's how to conjure up our favorite wizard's drink with the coolest dry ice fog effects.

More: 3 magical ways to make Harry Potter's Butterbeer

Harry Potter butterbeer recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon butterscotch extract
• 1 large block dry ice
• 1 hollowed-out pumpkin large enough to fit dry ice
• 8 (12 ounce) bottles cream soda
• 1/4 cup caramel syrup

Directions:

1. Whip cream and butterscotch extract together to form stiff peaks.
2. Place dry ice inside the hollowed-out pumpkin.
3. Place a pitcher or vase roughly the same size as the pumpkin's opening on top of the dry ice.
4. Pour cream soda into pitcher or vase. Add caramel syrup and then top with whipped cream.
5. Pour water into the pumpkin (but not the pitcher) to activate the dry ice.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

There are times in every person's life, whether that person is a mom, single woman, dad, grandmother, etc., when some not-so-nice words slip from our mouths. We're in a bad mood because of something that happened at work and yell at our dog to "get out of the way." We snap at a customer service agent over the phone when he fails to clear up a mistake we probably made. We tell our husbands they don't love us and ask our newborn why in the hell they're being so "difficult" when they refuse to stop acting like newborns and keep waking up in the middle of the night.

We've all been there — and messing up and saying mean things puts an extraordinary weight on moms who already feel they're judged harshly and show themselves no mercy.

More: I don't breastfeed my toddler to keep him dependent on me

We asked moms to reveal the worst thing they ever said to one (or all!) of their children — the thing that made them lose sleep wondering how it would affect their kids and taught them to be more mindful of their words. Some of these confessions might seem over the top, and your first reaction might just be to judge these parents for letting themselves lose their shit to such an extreme. Nearly every mom started off saying, "I can't believe I said this and I feel horrible about it, but here's my story." We've all been there — we just express our anger, frustration and fear in different ways and with different words.

At the end of the day, we're in this parenting thing together. These examples are proof that we're all going to have great days and days when we learn about ourselves and our kids from our own reactions. Moms, give yourselves a break. You've got the most difficult job in the world and you are entitled to bad moments.

Here are their anonymous responses:

"I'm trying to stop using the word 'stupid' so much because I realize I use it a lot around my kids. I don't call them 'stupid,' but I've called the TV shows and even some of the books they love 'stupid' because, to me, they don't challenge them or encourage them to think. One day my daughter told me she was 'stupid' because she liked My Little Pony and I began to understand how she was making a connection I didn't even think about. I now try not to use those words to judge things that are important to them." — S.W.

More: No, drugging my kid is not an easy way out

"I told my son he'd be better off staying away from science and math careers when I got so fed up one night trying to get us through one of his harder homework assignments. I regret saying that so much — it hasn't done anything, obviously, to encourage him to try harder in math and science and I hate knowing that one little thing I said can put him off from doing something."  — L. M.

"I said, 'Go away! Leave me alone!' I was feeling really overwhelmed. We have five kids. I still feel terrible for saying it." — G.S.

"I have said nasty, nasty things about them when out of earshot, but would never call them names. Never. I have lately started telling them loudly to 'shut up," which I didn't think I'd ever do. My stepson, for reference, has ADHD and is slightly autistic, so when things get bad they get real, real bad. I just recently started saying 'If you don't xyz I might kill you.' Of course, jokingly, but I guess it doesn't sound like that to them. Over the years, I've tried so many ways and have been so polite to these kids, but the way they push, sometimes the only way I feel I can push back is with words." — T.R.

"I told G 'I will kick you if you don't shut up.' Yikes."  — J.C.

"My kids were being absolutely horrible in the car one day — loud, fighting, not listening to me, just horrible, all on a five-minute car ride home. The words, 'if you don't stop doing that I'm going to kill you' came out of my mouth. They never even heard me because they were being so horrible." — E.B.

More: Hillary Clinton running for president is the best thing for my sons

"I very recently told my daughter that she is 'selfish' and 'ungrateful.' In my defense, in that moment, she was being both of those things, but overall, she is not even close to being selfish or ungrateful and I am still apologizing for that one." — D.A.

"They had to be, like, 6 and 10. I told them I was going to 'fuck them up.' They both laughed at me." — D.V.

"My 4-year-old daughter says more words in a day that anyone I've ever met. My husband and I often look at each other, roll our eyes and complain, 'so many words,' but we're usually pretty good at letting her express herself. One day, I couldn't handle it anymore and I shouted, 'Stop talking! You talk too much!' I still feel bad about that because it worked to stop her from talking, but that's not actually a good thing. I'm an introvert and she's an extrovert and I know I have to be more mindful that I'm not trying to force my ways on her." — L.F.

"I said to my son, 'You are soooo annoying.' I felt horrible after that." — K.B.

"So let me preface this by saying I didn’t say it to her face, but it was still an awful thing to say. I was up until well after midnight the night before my daughter’s 10th birthday party and up with the sunrise to clean and bake. About an hour before the party, she finally rose her tail out of bed and proceeded to be as disagreeable as she could possibly be about ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING. Finally, after an argument about the white dress she was insisting on wearing, I’d had it. I told her to go to her room and stay there until the first guest arrived because I didn’t want to look at her. But that’s not the worst thing I said. When she was gone — or I thought she’d gone — I burst into tears and told my husband I 'hated' what a 'fucking bitch' she was being. Then I heard her behind me, sobbing. She hadn’t gone to her room after all. She turned on her tail and ran. I went to comfort her, but the damage was done. She thought I’d said I hated her and [had] called her a fucking bitch. The first wasn’t exactly true, but the second was, and I felt like a complete shit for saying it." — J.S.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” These are the eight most well-meaning but useless words a person can say to a new mom. Not because the help isn’t appreciated, but odds are, a first-time mom is too tired, too achy, too stunned, too hormonal and in a perfect world, too over-the-moon happy to effectively delegate. I know in my experience, I didn’t get the hang of knowing what I wanted and being able to articulate it until I was more than six months into my first child’s foray onto this planet.

If you’re expecting or a new mom, keep this page handy for any friends or relatives who may come by. That way, when they utter those eight lovely words, you will have an answer.

1. Take out the trash

Extra credit: Empty out the miscellaneous mini house trash cans. Break down any boxes and take those out with the recycling. Don’t forget to put a fresh bag in the garbage can too, please!

2. Throw a load of laundry in the washer

Extra credit: Fold the clean laundry that’s in the laundry basket.

Double-extra credit: Change the sheets.

More: These simple hacks took the angst out of my kids' chores

3. Bring over some toilet paper

Extra credit: Open it up and place a couple of rolls in each bathroom as needed.

Double-extra credit: Bring over the newest issue of People and leave it in the bathroom.

4. Bring over some delicious dinner that can be eaten straight from the container

Extra credit: If you’re invited to stay for said meal, leave after no more than 45 minutes, even if it seems like mom really wants you to stay.

5. Empty the dishwasher

Extra credit: Put the dirty dishes from the sink in the now-empty dishwasher.

Double-extra credit: Hand-wash the dirty dishes in the sink and put them in the rack in order to maintain a perfectly empty dishwasher.

More: Why I won't let my kid get away with being lazy

6. Come over and watch the baby

Warning: for experienced baby-holders only. Anyone who has to ask questions about diaper-changing, etc., need not apply.

Extra credit: Do not encourage the mom to sleep. Nobody likes to be told it’s time to sleep. Instead, tell her it’s her time to do one of the following things on her own: Shower, get a manicure, exercise, poop in peace.

You guys, forgive the cliche, but Janet Jackson is positively glowing.

Jackson stepped out in London this week for the first time since announcing her pregnancy back in April. Although she attempted to somewhat conceal her baby bump, Entertainment Tonight still managed to sneak some cute photos of Jackson as she prepared for her new arrival by shopping at a cute little English baby store called Back in Action on Tuesday.

An ET eyewitness said staff closed the establishment's doors to the public for 45 minutes so Jackson could check out prams in peace.

More: Take a drink every time Jermaine Jackson says "baby" in his Janet Jackson interview

Like us, Jackson fans all over social media took a moment to gush about how beautiful she looks and wish her all the best with her pregnancy.

One supporter was happy to rub the pics in naysayers' noses, considering there have been many who have publicly stated they think Jackson's pregnancy is a hoax.

Jackson posted an adorably smiley video to Facebook last spring to let everyone know about her expanding family.

"On August 31, as you probably know, I launched the Unbreakable World Tour," she said. "First I just want to thank all the fans for coming out and seeing the show. Thank you so much. You guys made it so enjoyable for me each and every night... there's actually been a sudden change and I thought that you should be the first to know. My husband and I are planning our family, so I'm going to have to delay the tour. Please, if you can, try and understand that it's important that I do this now. I have to rest up — doctor's orders."

In addition to gossip that Jackson isn't really pregnant, she's also been the victim of other rumors stating that she is on bed rest and her weight has ballooned up to 250 pounds. Guess she just proved all those wrong!

What do you think of the new photos of Jackson's baby bump?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Selena Gomez announced in August that she would be taking some time out of the limelight to focus on herself, and then promptly went radio silent on fans. Now, we might know why.

According to a Radar Online source, Gomez quietly entered a rehab facility in early September for depression and health issues. But before anyone jumps to any conclusions, the source also states that Gomez definitely did not enter the facility for any drug-related problems.

"The facility is a women’s only facility in a secluded wooded area," Radar's source said. "She’s staying for more than 60 days."

More: We seriously doubt Selena Gomez is still hung up on Justin Bieber

Reportedly, Gomez's rehab center is fairly modest and "is not a huge celebrity center or anything like that, and it’s not somewhere where Selena has any ties."

The source, who chose not to name the facility where Gomez is staying, noted that Gomez is expected to undergo intense therapy while she is checked in.

"The rehab has a Christianity-based track, which might have been appealing given her religious background," said the source. "Residents are allowed to leave as a group on occasion for day trips to the surrounding area."

Gomez fans, though disappointed, were supportive of her decision to cancel the remaining leg of her Revival Word Tour after she revealed she had been battling anxiety attacks and depression in the wake of her lupus diagnosis.

More: Did Justin Bieber leave Instagram because of Selena Gomez? Seems like it

"As many of you know, around a year ago I revealed that I have lupus, an illness that can affect people in different ways," she said in an August statement to People magazine. "I've discovered that anxiety, panic attacks and depression can be side effects of lupus, which can present their own challenges.

"I want to be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off," Gomez continued. "Thank you to all my fans for your support. You know how special you are to me, but I need to face this head on to ensure I am doing everything possible to be my best. I know I am not alone by sharing this, I hope others will be encouraged to address their own issues."

Gomez fended off rehab rumors in late 2015, saying she had stepped out of the spotlight for a time to undergo chemotherapy to help treat her lupus.

More: Despite the drama, Selena Gomez is teaming up with Orlando Bloom & Demi Lovato

This latest report sure has us worried about Gomez, but we hope that the facility she has checked into is giving her the support she needs to get healthy.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below:

After listening to Jesse Williams' game-changing speech at the BET awards this year, we know that when the man talks, we should be listening. His new public service announcement titled "You Say Vote" just reinforced that fact.

In light of the upcoming election, Williams talks about the importance of voting in his emotional PSA, noting that it's not just a right to cast a ballot, but a duty. He also outlines all the excuses that people give for not voting and emphasizes that all of them are invalid.

"If someone says, ‘Democracy is a sham, those people don’t speak for me... the system’s rigged,' you say, 'Vote,'" Williams says in the video. "Someone says, 'Well it doesn't make a difference. This state is red, that state is blue, This thing's already a lock. You say, 'Vote.' Someone says, 'Hey, I'm making a statement by not voting,' and then you say, 'Well I can’t hear it.'

"Democracy is not a sham," he says. "It's a job. It's our job. And it took goddamn long to get it to just let it slide."

More: Jesse Williams responds to critics who want him fired from Grey's Anatomy

In addition, Williams reminded viewers to think a little closer to home when making the decision whether or not to vote.

"This is not about the White House," Williams says. "This is about your house."

Of course, not everyone was moved by Williams' PSA. Some YouTube users took to the comments section to air their grievances.

More: Black-ish star follows Jesse Williams' lead with a must-watch speech

"The fact is, if you live in California, your vote doesn't count, and will not be heard. If you live in Ohio, congratulations, you're picking our new President. We're smarter than you, media. The game is over," wrote one YouTuber.

Other commenters echoed, "Looks like Hillary's surrogates are fighting hard, not for her directly, of course, but to combat low voter turnout, which favors Trump heavily. Here's the problem, Mr. Williams — You can't fool young people anymore. We grew up in this 'sham' of a democracy, and we know exactly what is happening in front of AND behind a camera, at all times," and "Dumbest shit possible. Only a person totally ignorant to how the voting process works would think it matters. The college electoral literally means all votes can be voided as you don't vote for a candidate you vote for people to give away your states 'points' to a candidate. Those people by the way are completely free to give those 'points' to whom ever they choose.Our government is not just rigged it's obsolete. Voting for any 'public' office is a waste. The money is what moves this country and we don't have it."

What side of the fence do you fall on? Are you going to vote or do you think it's a waste of time?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Well there you have it. Survivor: Millennials Vs. Gen-X delivered a satisfying second episode with a juicy blindside. While it was delicious to watch the last-minute strategic decisions changing through Tribal Council whispers, it was disappointing the ballots tallied up against Mari Takahashi.

It wasn't her time. She didn't see it coming because it seemed the majority was targeting Figgy who became an early threat for her #LoveGoggles alliance (ugh!) with Taylor. I'm sorry, but it really is hard listening to Taylor's "bro" frat boy conversations.

More: Survivor's Rachel Ako reveals behind-the-scenes evacuation secrets

Sure, Mari is a smart person who could have easily won the competition, but taking her out at this point was an obvious error on the Millennials' behalf. The vote should have stayed with Figgy. Period. Mari could be an absolute asset in challenges and a potentially loyal ally. Figgy seems like she's there for love instead.

Now, the young cool kids alliance is still alive and stronger than ever. They sucked in Hannah, the self-proclaimed outcast who, just days earlier, was hoping to get rid of Figgy and Taylor since they aren't people she would normally connect with. It clearly wasn't an easy decision as she stood at the voting urn for a ridiculous amount of time before casting a ballot, hilariously triggering host Jeff Probst to peek around and check on her. Her hesitation made it absolutely obvious that she was struggling with switching sides. Now, her lack of trustworthiness has been exposed to the entire group.

More: 5 reasons Zeke Smith is Survivor's breakout star

Meanwhile, the bigger surprise came from Michaela. She, too, was swayed to vote against Mari. For somebody who was more than thrilled with voting off Figgy, she had a change of heart and opted to side with a woman she's already had a verbal spat with.

With Figgy still in the game, it keeps a "power couple" active, too. Taylor and Figgy have already been making out in the shelter and flirting like a pair of high school sweethearts with their own hotel room on prom night. As long as they remain on the same tribe, you can be certain both Taylor and Figgy will act as a voting block. Even though Jay said power couples never win Survivor, remember how successful Boston Rob and Amber were back on Survivor: All-Stars (Season 8)? Enough said.

More: Survivor winners: Where are they now?

Other memorable moments

Probst and the Survivor medical team made a "house call" to the Gen-X beach when Paul shakily collapsed. There was some concern he had suffered a heart attack, but the doc's tests showed it was due to heat exhaustion and dehydration. Whew.

David, the unlikely hero of the Gen-X tribe, couldn't wipe the smile from his face when he started a fire. Even better? He stumbled upon a hidden Immunity Idol that was secured within a coconut. After spazzing out the first few days, David also found himself aligned with Ken, which could prove to be a stellar alliance if they can keep their cool.

What are your thoughts on the episode? Are you sad Mari was voted off? At this point in the competition, who is your favorite castaway? Join the conversation now by leaving a comment in the section below.

You've seen Making a Murderer by now, right? If you have, the story of Steven Avery has likely haunted you. If you haven't, well, we'll get into that in a minute. But either way, this week's episode of Law & Order: SVU is likely to lead to some serious soul-searching over those who are wrongfully accused.

More: Making a Murderer detective says Steven Avery's case is a war on police

For those of you who have somehow managed to hold out and not get sucked into the streaming vortex that is Netflix's Making a Murderer, the docu-series explores the life and story of Steven Avery, a Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, native who served a whopping 18 years in prison after wrongfully being convicted of the sexual assault and attempted murder of a woman by the name of Penny Beerntsen.

In 2003, aided by the Innocence Project, Avery was fully exonerated by DNA evidence. Upon his release, he subsequently filed a $36 million civil lawsuit against Manitowoc County and several of the officials instrumental to his arrest.

Fast forward to two years later, when Avery made national news once again — this time for being charged with the murder of Teresa Halbach, a photographer who frequented the Avery family's salvage yard to take photos for an auto trader catalog.

Police on the case — including some of those involved in Avery's initial wrongful conviction — pointed to blood stains matching Avery's DNA that were reportedly found inside Halbach's car, as well as other evidence allegedly linking Avery to the murder.

For his part, though, Avery has always maintained that the charge was a frame-up created to restore the county's honor and to discredit the pending civil case against it. Among the discoveries in Avery's favor was the fact that a vial of Avery's blood stored in a police evidence locker was found with a broken seal and puncture hole in the lid.

What does all of this have to do with this week's episode of Law & Order: SVU? A lot.

Titled "Making a Rapist," the episode centers around a New York man named Sean who had been accused of rape and served 16 years before an untested rape kit proved he was wrongfully convicted.

His accuser, Melanie, and her now-adult daughter Ashley are at the press conference in support of Sean, telling the detectives they are going to take him out for his birthday. Olivia actually even seems a bit surprised to learn the three have become so close that Sean has been invited — and plans to attend — Ashley's upcoming wedding.

Only later that night, Fin and Rollins get an urgent call out to Melanie's house, where they learn that Ashley is barely hanging onto her life. She has been brutally raped, strangled, stabbed, bleached and burned, and is en route to the hospital.

Clearly terrified for her daughter, a traumatized Melanie tells Fin she feels certain she heard Sean's voice speaking to Ashley before the vicious attack. When the detective find out soon after Sean asked a friend to lie for him, the detectives execute a search warrant and find evidence of the attack in Sean's apartment.

More: Making a Murderer is getting a Season 2 and we have so many questions

Here's where the episode gets particularly impactful, especially when you consider Avery. As they are questioning Sean, he screams, "I know what it's like to be raped. I went in when I was 18, 140 lbs. What do you think happened?"

Horrible, I know. Still, I'm going to ask you to hold onto that thought for a minute.

Once the case goes to court, Melanie is reticent to testify, but ADA Barba draws out the real reason why: She blames herself because, as she says, her sending him to jail in the first place made him a monster. She sent an innocent man to jail, and he emerged the very thing she had accused him of being. Prison taught him to be a rapist.

At that point, Sean's lawyer accepts a plea deal, with the major caveat being that Sean has to allocute what he has done. As Olivia says, "We need everyone to see we got it right this time." When all is said and done, a tearful Melanie flees the courtroom. Olivia catches up with her outside, trying to reassure the grieving mother none of this is her fault. To which she replies, "Then whose is it?"

And there's the rub.

This episode makes you think long and hard about the Avery case. You know, even more so than you already were. Because whether or not you think Avery is guilty of the crime he is currently charged with or not, he was innocent when he went to jail.

More: Making a Murderer's Brendan Dassey is a free man: Is Steven Avery next?

At that point, he had not raped or murdered anyone. But he spent 18 formative years in jail being told that's who he was. Could his be a case of self-fulfilling prophecy, like Sean in this week's episode of Law & Order: SVU?

In the episode, a psychiatrist testifying on behalf of the defense discusses how it would be nearly impossible for a man in that position — wrongfully accused but who bore witness to horrible things in prison and who had to adapt to a traumatic reality to survive — to re-integrate into society.

They simply aren't the same person when they come out that they were when they went in.

So while there isn't any justification for raping and killing a woman like Sean did in SVU and like Avery is accused of doing in real life, don't we as a society also have to accept that there's more blame to go around? Some monsters are born, yes... but it would seem that some are made, too.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Criminal Minds is going through some major changes, and the show's Season 12 premiere "The Crimson King" introduced us to just some of them. Morgan officially left the BAU — and his baby girl Garcia — to care for his wife and actual baby, with newcomer Luke Alvez (Adam Rodriguez) taking his place on the squad. Alvez is more than capable of helping the team track down the convicts that busted out of prison — specifically the copycat killer of the Crimson King, who spent the episode slicing up his victims with threats against the BAU. That's a great thing, because it won't just be Morgan's absence he'll be filling in for. Thomas Gibson's Hotch is officially leaving Criminal Minds in Season 12, and if Criminal Minds really wants to keep our attention, they should make Aaron "Hotch" Hotchner the first member of the BAU to die for real.

Hotch is leaving the series due to personal issues with Gibson, who allegedly got into a physical altercation with a writer on the series, but that doesn't mean that his removal from the show can't forward the story in some way. Despite the BAU constantly confronting serial killers, no one on the small team — of which there have been many different agents over the years — has died. Plenty of people close to the agents have died, yet no member of the BAU has faced a mortal consequence. Given the insane stakes of their job, how the members of the BAU have been able to escape their own death time and time again feels just a touch unrealistic.

More: Everyone thinks Shemar Moore is bashing Thomas Gibson, but is he really?

If that's about to change with Hotch, it's about time. Criminal Minds has had so many cast shake-ups over the years, but the one thing it hasn't done is shown what happens to the BAU when they are confronted with the death of one of their own. When people leave on Criminal Minds, it's often because the characters want to spend more time with their family or move into a job that's a little more low-risk. The closest that the series has come to having a death in the BAU family was with Emily Prentiss' "death," which lost its emotional punch when it was revealed that the whole thing was faked for her own protection. For that reason, the BAU has felt oddly invincible. The death of their leader, however, would raise the stakes in a way that the show hasn't done in 12 seasons.

More: The Thomas Gibson updates don't stop: He apparently secretly filed for divorce

Alvez being welcomed to the team may make it possible for Hotch to die. During his introduction to the team, Hotch gives Alvez a very valuable lesson: Don't hope for the UnSub's death, hope that they'll get to live out their lives in a five-by-eight foot cell. Could this be foreshadowing? Could Hotch be killed by an UnSub, leading Alvez and the rest of the team to engage in a revenge spiral? It might be the kick that Criminal Minds needs — after 11 seasons and counting, I'll take a dark twist.

Bobby Brown has been very vocal about who he thinks is responsible for his daughter Bobbi Kristina's death: He's convinced it's Nick Gordon.

More: Bobby Brown is beating himself up over his daughter's death

During an interview with Pastor T.D. Jakes, Brown stated that he would not have "closure" until criminal charges were brought against Gordon, who, earlier this month, was found "civilly liable" for Bobbi Kristina's death (in July of 2015), VH1 reports.

Gordon has yet to be charged in connection with Bobbi Kristina's death, however Brown is hoping the truth will soon come to light. He told Pastor Jakes, "I know some things that happened to my daughter, but it's up to the DA now to do his job."

He added, "That's when I think I will get some closure." But until then, Brown says that "just knowing that he's [Gordon] legally responsible for my daughter's death has given me a bit of calmness to waiting for the DA."

More: Bobby Brown is blaming more than just Nick Gordon in Bobbi Kristina's death

Following Bobbi Kristina's death, the Brown estate filed a $40 million wrongful death lawsuit against Gordon. They also alleged that, prior to her death, Bobbi Kristina had been involved in an altercation with Gordon, who then placed her in a bathtub and injected her with a "toxic cocktail" of drugs, Huffington Post reports.

On two separate occasions Gordon has failed to appear in court, resulting in Brown's suit being admitted through omission. However, Gordon and his attorneys have maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.

More: Bobby Brown has no problem pointing fingers in his daughter's death

It's a heartbreaking situation, and Brown must be going through unimaginable turmoil, but as the case comes to a close, he may finally be able to get the closure he needs — whichever way the judge rules.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below: