Marion Cotillard and partner Guillaume Canet now have a baby girl who will soon be toddling along behind big brother, Marcel (now 5), spouting adorable baby French. Yes, we're jumping ahead to Baby C-C's toddler years. That's what you do when you have very few details because the couple in question is so private. We don't even know when their newborn daughter arrived on the scene or where or what her name is. How will we survive?
Enigmatic Oscar winner Cotillard surprised us with her social media savvy back in September, when she announced on Instagram (willingly! not at gunpoint! despite being oh-so-private and oh-so-French!) that she and Canet were expecting their second bébé.
"Many years ago, I met the man of my life, father of our son and of the baby we are expecting. He is my love, my best friend, the only one I need," she wrote.
Since then, Cotillard's been very quiet on the topic of her pregnancy and her relationship with Canet, whom she met a decade ago on the set of Love Me, If You Dare. The two have been collaborating again (not just on babies) in his new film, Rock'n Roll. Cotillard's Instagram selfies from the set of the film, featuring her in prosthetic lips and a sexy wig, had the internet all hot and bothered the other week.
We're happy for Cotillard. Still, it pains us that we will never be 1.) hip 2.) enigmatic 3.) French 4.) collaborating on films with our sexy director lovers. *Sigh*
If you thought life was pretty great already after watching the ridiculously funny video of kids crashing a dad's BBC News TV interview, we are about to make it even better.
In case you missed it (but seriously — how would that be possible?), Professor Robert Kelly was doing a TV interview about the South Korean political crisis (yes, people actually know about stuff like that) when his children busted in. The dad tries to maintain his professional composure, even slightly pushing his daughter back in the desperate hope she would leave. But it all gets worse as a baby comes rolling in and the panicked mom drags the spirited children out.
Now a New Zealand comedy show Jono and Ben has come out with a video depicting how a mom would have handled the situation. Like a badass, of course.
Parody FB video
Parody FB video
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In the video, the mom also rattles on about the South Korean political climate (still don't know what they are talking about) and gets interrupted by a child (also in a cute yellow sweater) but the mom just puts the kid on her lap and hands her a bottle. The baby who rolls in? Gives her a toy. Duh.
This powerhouse working woman doesn't stop there, but we don't want to tell you too much. You should really watch it. Have you watched it? Good.
And the hilarious part is, this is exactly what real moms do (more or less). They multitask like crazy while keeping their composure (at least most of the time). Like this mom who breastfed on live TV and almost got away with it. You just keep going. No matter what.
In the spoof video, the mom concludes the interview and then is off to help her husband find his lost sock. We kind of wish she had let him find his own sock. Because seriously. She doesn't have time for that crap. The future of South Korea hangs in the balance.
Moore starred on the show as FBI Agent Derek Morgan for 11 seasons before leaving last year. Now, news is out that he'll be guest starring in the current season's finale. But fans of the show are less into it, and more bashing producers' decision to bring Moore back. Many are saying it's a desperate play for ratings.
"i wont b watchin! bringin Morgan back to up the ratings? SMH [sic]," one viewer wrote on Twitter.
According to another, "I can't find anything to back this up. #CriminalMinds, this is getting desperate if true."
Shemar Moore returning to Criminal Minds reax tweets 1
Shemar Moore returning to Criminal Minds reax tweets 1
Shemar Moore returning to Criminal Minds reax tweets 2
Shemar Moore returning to Criminal Minds reax tweets 2
Shemar Moore returning to Criminal Minds reax tweets 3
Shemar Moore returning to Criminal Minds reax tweets 3
According to a press release from CBS, Moore's storyline will play into what the entire season has been about.
"In the episode, Morgan brings the BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) a lead in the case against serial killer and escaped convict Mr. Scratch, who has wreaked havoc on the team all season," it read.
The news that Moore is returning may be disappointing some fans, but it's not entirely surprising. Soon after his departure from the show last year, Moore told TV Guide that he would never rule out the idea of coming back to Criminal Minds.
"This business is all about politics, so I'm not promising anything," he said. "But from a creative place, from a passionate place, if I'm asked intermittently to come back like they did at The Young and the Restless, from my heart, the answer is yes, yes, yes, yes. But I don't know where I'm going to be in my career and my life when that time comes. But is it possible? Yes, it's possible."
I have a unusual relationship with Lena Dunham, as both a fan of her work and distant admirer. Like any normal-ass human being, some days I'm totally here for whatever truth she is laying down, and other days I am in complete rejection of her words. When the news spread around that Dunham looked slimmer at the Tracy Anderson studio opening in New York City earlier this week, I rolled my eyes; Dunham, it would seem, was rolling her eyes at the reports, too.
That eye-rolling stems from the fact that this news was angled to give the impression of great congratulations, that somehow Dunham had overcome the great shame of being a regular-sized woman for the duration of her career, had begun losing weight and now looked to be the size we expect of young celebrity women. It's patronizing to Dunham, to pat her on the back and use words like "flaunt" (as DailyMail did in their headline on the story) as if she now has something worthy of being looked upon by others. "Flaunt" also annoyingly implies she is smug about her new shape, that she is doing it for attention and for superficial praise.
Refinery29 wrote an excellent response piece about why Dunham's weight in none of our business and, even better, Dunham capitalized on the moment by writing her a lengthy Instagram response to the way the press handled her appearance at the Tracy Anderson event.
Lena Dunham Weight Loss Insta
Lena Dunham Weight Loss Insta
Dunham began by reiterating that she has never given a shit about what the press has said about her weight (Hell. Yes. Girl.) and that this recent weight loss is — surprise! — not actually linked to Dunham's desire to conform to a media-standardized beauty norm. While Dunham has in the past risked getting preachy or patronizing when getting vocal about her personal and political views, I found her Instagram response to be a spot-on defense of herself and her body positivity without being haughty about it.
"I've gone on red carpets in couture as a size 14. I've done sex scenes days after surgery, mottled with scars. I've accepted that my body is an ever changing organism, not a fixed entity- what goes up must come down and vice versa. I smile just as wide no matter my current size because I'm proud of what this body has seen and done and represented," Dunham writes. Her sentences impress upon the read the sharpness of her desire to make herself heard. It also becomes quite clear that we actually know nothing about the true reasons behind her weight loss and for that, we should back off ASAP. "Right now I'm struggling to control my endometriosis through a healthy diet and exercise. So my weight loss isn't a triumph and it also isn't some sign I've finally given in to the voices of trolls. Because my body belongs to ME--at every phase, in every iteration, and whatever I'm doing with it, I'm not handing in my feminist card to anyone. [...] I refuse to celebrate these bullshit before-and-after pictures. Don't we have infinitely more pressing news to attend to?"
For women, extolling the virtues of body positivity is practically a cottage industry. Various forms of media (film, television, print, etc.) love to hop on the #bodypositive bandwagon and tell women how easy it is to love your body no matter what size it may be. Then again, women are also plied with media-made images and stories about how to slim down, how to conform and how to reconfigure your entire look to fit an arbitrary norm. WTF are we supposed to do with that?
Full disclosure: I'm in my late 20s and I still loathe my body. I torture it with different diets, fad foods, weird exercises and bullshit garments meant to make me feel like the empowered woman I'm supposed to be. Dunham's words on loving her body reiterate a stance on body positivity I can get behind (and which may cure me of my masochistic desire to be more womanly): Change your body for your health, not for the aesthetic.
Bigger than this, Dunham's words remind us that you have absolutely zero idea why a person's body shape is changing. Weight loss or gain is not always directly connected to the superficial desire to look good; bodies change because of health-related issues. For Dunham, she prioritized her health over getting a sexy snap on the red carpet. For that, I bow down.
I know I have to be careful about bathing my dog. Her skin is sensitive to moisture, and if I don’t dry her off carefully, she is prone to mild irritation. She also loves long hikes through the woods, and the more mud we encounter, the better. As a result, I have spoken to my vet at great length about bath time.
Whether it is when your pooch is still an accident-prone pup, a mud puddle-loving adult or an aging senior with that “old dog smell,” our dogs go through periods where they need more baths than usual.
How often should you bathe a puppy?
Puppies get into messes. Potty training comes with stinky risks, and curious puppies get into all sorts of odorous situations.
Veterinarian Cheryl Yuill writes for VCA Hospitals that if a puppy soils itself, “there is no question that it should be bathed immediately.” If you find that your puppy requires frequent baths, however, she recommends talking to your veterinarian about the best pet shampoo for your dog’s age, breed and skin type.
How often should you bathe an adult dog?
Adult and senior dogs should be bathed when necessary, but not more than that. In other words, only wash your dog if he is dirty or starts to get that distinctive doggy odor.
Terese DeManuelle, a veterinary dermatologist, says, “it’s safe to bathe your dog with veterinary shampoo once a week.” However, there is such a thing as too much cleanliness.
Overbathing, especially with human shampoos or detergents, strips the beneficial oils from your dog’s fur and can cause irritation. The pH in human shampoos, even baby shampoo, is not designed for dogs. This is why Yuill strongly recommends using a shampoo recommended by your veterinarian or a shampoo approved for use on dogs.
Some breeds require more baths than others. Dogs with oily coats, like water breeds and hounds, may require more frequent baths to keep them smelling fresh and clean and their coats healthy. Labrador retrievers, basset hounds and beagles are especially prone to greasy coats, so if you own one of these breeds, be prepared to share your shower on a fairly regular basis.
How often should you bathe short-haired vs. long-haired dog?
Your dog’s coat length doesn't really affect how frequently a dog should be bathed. Because each dog's lifestyle and coat are unique, how often your dog needs to be bathed will depend on how oily their coat is, how quickly odor accumulates and how often they get dirty. Regardless of your dog's coat length, you should try not to bathe them more than once a week without consulting your veterinarian.
How often should you bathe dogs with sensitive skin?
Some dogs have sensitive skin. The best way to figure out how often to bathe sensitive pups is to talk with your veterinarian to make sure there is no underlying cause for your dog’s sensitive skin.
Your veterinarian may recommend a medicated shampoo to treat the cause, but regardless, it is a good idea to always use unscented dog shampoos on dogs with sensitive skin.
So if your McStinky needs a bath before you let him anywhere near the upholstery, grab some doggy shampoo and head to the shower — just as long as you don’t do it more than once a week without talking to your vet.
Yes, the news these days is depressing as hell. But Ryan Reynolds' Twitter feed continues to save us from jumping off bridges and mail-ordering under-the-tongue cyanide gel caps. Join us, won't you?
Seriously, the guy is pretty much the funniest dude on Twitter. And his most hilarious tweets — and our favorites, obviously — are his observations on parenthood.
We're not the only ones living for Reynolds' next bit of color commentary on raising his daughters. Good Morning America hosted Reynolds the other day and asked him about his (occasionally grim and fatalistic) parenting tweets.
Things got awesomely raucous on air:
"I’ve always had empathy for parents, especially, like, flying,” Reynolds said. “I remember, before I had kids, I was always like ‘God, that’s hard.’ You know, because you can see they’re sweating, and they’re nervous, because their kid’s yelling and everyone’s mad at them… I’m the same way.
“I would rather drink a piping hot bowl of liquid rabies than get on a plane with my two children.”
When pressed by GMA to expound on this already gold statement, Reynolds quipped, "At 2 years old, they just have to rip off their clothing and introduce themselves to everyone on the plane. It’s like, ‘please, can we land?’”
(We would happily sit next to Reynolds, Blake Lively and their little nutjobs on any plane, for the record. They can share our foil packets of stale pretzels any time.)
Instead of going on and on about how damn funny Reynolds is, we'll just give you a little assorted appetizer plate of some of his best parenting tweets. Enjoy, unless you take parenting very seriously and have no sense of humor, in which case you should read anyway, and think about what brought you to this place.
Update, March 17, 10 a.m. PT: Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin have finally sold their penthouse apartment! Not that we're taking credit for spreading the word with media coverage, but it couldn't have hurt, right?
According to the New York Post, the apartment, listed at $9.995 million, went into contract Thursday. The full purchase price won't be made public until after the sale has closed. $9.995 mil was a big step down from the original listing price of more than $14 million, though, so we kind of doubt Paltrow and Martin did a lot of negotiating.
Original story:
The couple who infamously taught the world that "conscious uncoupling" was an alternative to straight-up divorce still hasn't managed to consciously uncouple quite all the way. Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin split three years ago and finally signed their divorce papers last year. But there's one detail that even they can't easily uncouple: their Tribeca penthouse.
The apartment was first put on the market last year for more than $14 million. Later, the price was dropped to just under $13 million, and in November, the property was just taken off the market. Now it's listed again at the deeply discounted price of $9.995 million. What a steal! (Maybe — I actually don't know anything about real estate so maybe it's not.) Paltrow reportedly bought the place in 2007 for just over $5 million, but real estate prices have def gone up since then and now it has the allure of being the former home of ~celebrities~ so just under $10 mil really doesn't seem unreasonable.
That price apparently includes all of the apartment's furnishings, which were clearly picked out by Paltrow because they involve things like a porch swing hanging from the living room ceiling.
Weird furniture aside, it's a penthouse apartment with 11-foot ceilings, three bedrooms, three and a half baths, French doors and a fenced terrace that's bigger than my last apartment. That seems like some solid real estate in NYC.
In addition to dropping the price and changing realtors, Paltrow showed pics of the apartment on her lifestyle website, Goop, asking her readers to pony up and buy the last vestige of her relationship with Martin, but no dice.
In life, people will label others. Depending on your job, zip code, nationality, sexuality or even how aesthetically beautiful you are, society will slap a label right on your forehead. It’s rather unfortunate, but it’s the truth. However, one brand that stays with a person for life is a being that person with a sexually transmitted infection. But the worst label of them all? Being the “dirty skank” with herpes.
As it turns out, herpes is an epidemic — 1 in 5 American adults has it, but only a third of these people actually knows they have it. How could you not know you have herpes, you ask? That’s thanks to “asymptomatic shedding” which is when someone with herpes, unbeknownst to them because of no noticeable blisters, sheds the virus from their genitalia, passing it to a partner. And there is a lot of sharing going on — in the U.S. alone, 500,000 people are diagnosed with herpes each year.
However, we know there are two types of the herpes simplex virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2. The former is the kind that appears around the mouth, which many have experienced (cold sores). These little buggers can also appear on the genitals thanks to oral sex. HSV-2 only appears on the genitals, and is often more recurrent and severe. But it’s true that both types cause genital warts and the same symptoms, it’s just that one can be on the mouth as well as the genitalia. Also, let it be known that HSV-2 is more common in women than men due to the higher rate of male-to-female transmission (ugh, thanks guys).
According to Herpes.com, the first outbreak is the most severe, causing flu-like symptoms as well as painful blisters within two weeks after the virus is transmitted. When these blisters break, they make these marks called lesions, which crust over and can take up to two weeks to go away. After this first painful outbreak, others, if any, are less severe and often begin with itching and tingling in the genital area and/or down the leg. Note that the virus can be spread while the blisters are visible as well as the itchy/tingly period (known as the prodromal stage).
The cure? Nonexistent. One would think that with so many people infected with the disease, there would be one on the horizon, and soon there very well could be. But for now, there are medications, such as Valtrex, that can prevent or shorten outbreaks. Also, Tylenol or other acetaminophens could help bring relief from the pain. Condoms should also be worn at all times to avoid transmission.
Perhaps the worst part of herpes is the stigma that comes along with it. Often, people spiral into feelings of shame and depression because of this stigma. They think they can never have sex again or will be judged for contracting this STI. However, one brave woman took matters into her own hands upon being diagnosed with herpes.
Ella Dawson, a recent graduate of Wesleyan University, has a passion for sexual health and shedding light on subjects like these, which are often kept in the dark. Dawson shares her story in a remarkable article for Women’s Health. She tested positive for herpes shortly before her 21st birthday and felt the doom and gloom, like many who are diagnosed. “Rebuilding my sense of self was harder than getting over the symptoms of my first outbreak.”
However, after six months of coming to terms with her diagnosis, Dawson started doing the unthinkable — she started “dropping the ‘herpes bomb’” in conversations.
“My logic was that every time I told someone, ‘I have herpes,’ the words would get easier to say. I started looking for opportunities to share this fact about myself, seizing the chances presented by time spent waiting in line to pee at frat parties and by lively class discussions about health care.”
She reported that people’s reactions were not necessarily negative; rather they were curious and taken aback by her bold confidence. My personal favorite anecdote of Dawson’s is when she met a guy at a party who was making jokes about herpes and she responded by telling the kid that she actually had it. She could’ve simply laughed it off, but it stung, and she wanted to let him know it.
“Herpes is a safe punch line in an era of comedy where making fun of someone’s race, gender, sexual orientation, disability and class is increasingly considered politically incorrect,” says Dawson. “Joking about HIV and AIDS is distasteful and insensitive. But who cares about herpes?”
After reading this, I thought about the many times I’ve heard people make herpes jokes and the times I’ve offered an awkwardly uncomfortable laugh because I knew it wasn’t really something to joke about, but felt that I had to provide some reaction. That’s the last time I’ll ever do that.
Hearing about Dawson’s story and how she chose take her diagnosis in stride instead of hiding under a blanket of shame was truly inspiring. Though not everyone diagnosed with herpes wants to go public with their diagnosis, it’s important to know that you shouldn’t feel ashamed or ostracized. In addition, there are many ways to have a fulfilling sex life with herpes.
Sure, herpes is something that no one plans on when looking at the big picture of his or her life. It pops up like an unwelcome stranger that’s there to stay. I came across this inspiring Wayne Dyer quote from someone’s comment on a herpes support blog that I think resonates not only with people suffering from this STI, but with any mental obstacle: “Peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than as you think it should be.”
It doesn't seem possible that Grimm will soon be coming to an official end. On Friday, March 31, after six successful and exciting seasons, the NBC drama will say goodbye for good.
There's no doubt Season 6, the last and final one, continues to deliver on many levels. Admittedly, we still have no idea how it's all going to end, what that mysterious drawing on the cloth means, how that stick will most likely play into everything and what the heck is going on with that thing Juliette/Eve has come in contact with through the mirror.
Yeah, there certainly has been a lot happening. But, how is it all going to wrap up? Who knows at this point in time, though that doesn't mean we can't take a guess. Based on everything we've seen and know so far, here are a few theories we have about what will happen in the series finale.
1. Juliette/Eve will fully transform back to Juliette
Ever since Nick healed Eve with the stick, she has gotten some of her humanity back and appears to have a little Juliette in her. Plus, there was also that one episode when Nick referred to her as "Juliette" and not "Eve." That may be a hint that Juliette will permanently come back in some way, but that doesn't mean fans or her family/friends will get to enjoy having her back.
Despite our theory that Juliette will return, we have a bad feeling that she will die come the last episode. Hello, now that she's entered through what appears to be a portal to "The Other Place," there's even a stronger chance. Juliette/Eve is one powerful being and seeing as she has some type of connection to whatever is happening through the mirror, that can't be a good thing, can it?
Over the course of the series, Juliette has changed drastically and even transformed into Eve after Trubel "killed" her in Season 5. She has also somewhat become of an outsider to the group. She's a different character than the one we met in Season 1 and also feels guilty for what she's put everyone through. There's a chance Juliette/Eve may make amends/sacrifice herself for those she loves and for the greater good.
She really does seem to be the key, especially since she appears to know and see a lot that the rest of the characters can't. Diana also seems to somewhat understand what is happening with the mirrors and also has a feeling that something bad is coming. That's how powerful she is, so it would make sense if she is the one to defeat whatever darkness is potentially on its way to Portland.
As Claire Coffee told IGN, "Diana goes back and forth. A large part of the season is devoted to making sure she uses her powers for good, and that has a large part to do with is she Renard’s or Adalind’s child; who has her ear? It all culminates in the finale. She is the most pivotal part of the finale."
By "pivotal," does she mean Diana will use her powers for good and save everyone?
Ever since Juliette/Eve made her triumphant return, fans have wondered if Nick would get back together with her. Though, that may upset fans who are rooting for Nick and Adalind. Based on what showrunner Jim Kouf told IGN, it sure seems like Adalind and Nick are here to stay. Not only did he describe Juliette/Eve and Nick's relationship as a "deep friendship," but also added that Nick's "love has gone where his family is, which is with his son Kelly and Adalind."
The healing stick, which we still don't know a ton about, has had some strange effects on Nick and Juliette/Eve. At one point, Nick even became obsessed with it. There is obviously a reason the seven knights went to great lengths to bury it and make sure no one could ever find it. Either Nick will ensure the stick is buried again or it will be destroyed somehow. It is not something they should be holding onto, that's for sure.
Based on what the Grimm showrunners also told IGN, it almost sounds like the city of Portland itself will be impacted in a major way by whatever is coming. "If you think Nick has suffered before, he has never suffered like this. He has never suffered loss of this scale. It goes nuclear," showrunner David Greenwalt said. As for Kouf, he said, "We burned all the bridges. We took this city to the ground. This is a full-on bombing campaign." Will there even be a city left after whatever it is "goes nuclear"?
If fans are worried they won't get a happy ending before the series finale is over, they shouldn't be. It seems like everything is going to come full circle and that we'll even get a glimpse into the future. Greenwalt told TVLine, "There’s a very interesting time jump at the very end. There is some playing with time." That totally means we're going to see where everyone ends up, in addition to Monroe and Rosalee's triplets, right? Greenwalt also added, "We’re leaving it in a good place." That sure sounds like a happy ending to us.
Oh, for the love of Chmerkovskiy. The Dancing with the Stars star just told E! News that he can't wait to again plant his manly seed in his partner Peta Murgatroyd's pocket.
Their kid is, like, 2 seconds old. Murgatroyd has been posting pics of her breast milk-stained shirts on Instagram. How does she feel about this pop-'til-you-drop plan, we're wondering?
"Fuck [yeah]. Yes, I would like to have as many kids as Peta decides to pop out," Chmerkovskiy said at an 18th birthday party for — can't make this stuff up — Swiffer. Yes, Chmerkovskiy was out partying with a battery-powered wet mop and talking procreation.
"I think we're going to have as many kids as we can ourselves and just adopt a couple of kids. I just want a big family."
His reasoning behind his insatiable lust for more children?
"I feel like the best part of having a child is you get to influence a brand-new human. If you're going to complain about some of the things happening in the world nowadays, you need to look at the generation that you are raising and say OK, the best way to change or to alter or to upgrade this world is to instill things in your children that you want them to have as adults and push that out."
We're going to assume this all sounds much better in Russian. Look, of course we understand wanting more kids, but we'd love to hear Murgatroyd's point of view on all this first. Since she's the only one who's going to "push that out," frankly.
Chmerkovskiy and Murgatroyd are prepping for Monday's season premiere of Dancing with the Stars, but these days Chmerkovskiy is all about the baby. The man can't even. He just can't.
"He farted a couple of times. It was super-cute. The first time he yawned I thought I was going to lose my mind," Chmerkovskiy said. No one can accuse this man of being an uninvolved father if he's getting this excited about baby gas.
"The first time he giggled I needed to walk away and reset, come back, because I was like, ‘This was the best thing that has ever happened to me.' Everything first that he does is amazing," Chmerkovskiy added.
We're hoping Chmerkovskiy slows his roll a little and maybe chats with Murgatroyd about his plan for upgrading civilization with their combined genetic code. He spoke fondly of his co-parent:
"I miss her now. She misses me the second I get to the airport. Sharing a child is an incredible opportunity to figure out who you are as a person and we are settling into our roles as parents I think the right way," he said. "We're just going to rely on one another and rely on our love, our unity and the sky is the limit."
His unrelenting positivity about parenthood and love and world domination does make us wonder a wee little bit about who's actually working the Swiffer at their house. Or doing laundry. Or washing poop-slathered onesies. But that's just our ice-cold cynical hearts talking. Ignore us.
Staying connected to your child during his teen years may be one of the greatest challenges of parenting.
Yet staying connected to your teen during these tumultuous years is also the most important thing for his well-being. Your relationship with him is what will give him his best shot at successful adulthood.
I recently spoke with Dr. Henry Cloud about this topic on my Parenting Great Kids podcast.
Cloud is the author of a famed book that I highly recommend every parent read — Boundaries. His most recent book, The Power of Other, addresses the importance of relationships in our lives. In this book, he talks about how we’ve known for a while now that our thought life and belief system greatly affects our lives, but the third leg of that is relationship.
Our relationships can actually affect the wiring in our brain and our outward behavior. Cloud gives the example of walking into a room and feeling anxious. If you can connect with someone in that room, that connection can make you feel less anxious. Or the reverse could happen. That person could make you feel more anxious depending on their attitude toward you.
Cloud explains that the teenage years are so difficult because a “transfer of power” is happening. You’re beginning to transition your child into adulthood. Your teen is given more freedom and more responsibility. This can only happen well if emotional investment is fueling the transition. You aren’t going to be able to successfully transition your teen into adulthood if you’re not connected to him.
It’s this lack of emotional investment and parental connectedness that can cause so much conflict and distrust during the teenage years. Teenagers, feeling adulthood is around the corner, begin to desire more freedom. But they can only be given as much freedom as they can handle responsibly. Knowing and feeling connected to your child will allow you to know what he can handle.
Some 15-year-olds can go to party at a friend’s house and avoid any negative activity happening there and come home by curfew. Some 15-year-olds can’t be trusted to do that. But you will never know where your own child stands if you don’t know him very well.
I know that sometimes we as parents feel like we are only given so much time with our children, so we need to spend every spare moment instilling a lesson or talking to them about a behavior we disapprove of. Don’t do this.
Cloud and I agree: If you only have 10 minutes of one-on-one time with your teen on a certain day, choose connecting with him over lecturing him. Ask him how he is. How his day was. What’s going on in his life.
This will build that emotional investment that will successfully fuel your child’s teenage years as you give him more and more freedom, and therefore, more and more responsibility.
Your child is transitioning from living under your authority to living under his own authority in adulthood. Even though this may be the time you are most tempted to lose connection with your teen, don’t. Fight for it. This isn’t a struggle for power. This is a transfer of power. And you have the power to make that transition as smooth as possible, setting your teen up for a successful and healthy adulthood.
Dr. Meg Meeker has practiced pediatrics and adolescent medicine for more than 30 years. She is the author of the best-selling book Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters, as well as a number of digital parenting resources and online courses, including The 12 Principles of Raising Great Kids.
International sex symbol that she is, Madonna can probably land any man she wants. She's still got it, and she still flaunts it. And the guy who might be her new love interest is a real catch.
He's a French artist named JR, and while nothing is confirmed, onlookers saw them on what they described as looking an awful lot like a date earlier this week. Madge and JR were spotted at Megu, a New York City hotspot, on Wednesday night, looking cozy according to those who spotted them there.
"They were acting like a couple, chatting and laughing closely in a corner," one onlooker said, adding that they were dining together in a private room.
Madonna and JR have known each other for quite a while — Madge's son Rocco interned for the artist back in 2014. They've also shown up on each other's Instagrams. Madonna posted a photo earlier this week posing with JR, alongside the cryptic caption, "Sometimes you just have to take off the mask and confess! Thank you @jr."
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's relationship had a dramatic start and a far more intense ending — but this latest curveball we didn't see coming. In spite of Brangelina's impending divorce and well-publicized challenges raising their kids together, the mega-famous power couple is now... teaming up together to sell olive oil?
Rumor had it that Jolie and Pitt's expansive estate and vineyard located in the South of France, Château Miraval, would be sold following their breakup, but it appears that’s actually not in the cards. Marc Perrin, who co-owns Château de Beaucastel in Rhône, France, is apparently helping the couple produce gourmet olive oil and was quoted in The Drinks Business saying Pitt and Jolie won't be selling Miraval, as they see it as an investment that will benefit the family. “The rumors about the sale of the domain are false. It is an investment for the family and the children. They are involved in all aspects of running the estate,” he said.
The new organic extra-virgin olive oil is made from a blend of olives made on the estate and is currently only available in limited-runs for European deliveries, reports People magazine. A trio of olive oils sells for 85 euros (about $90 USD.)
Weird doesn't begin to describe this news. Considering both Jolie and Pitt are astronomically rich from their Hollywood careers, do they really need to be in business together to make gourmet, limited-run wine and olive oils? Sure, the estate would obviously benefit their kids and remain an investment — but don't they have plenty of other ways to preserve their children's inheritance? Maybe making decisions together like this is helping Jolie and Pitt move forward in co-parenting their kids in a civilized manner, but jeez. It just seems random as hell after last fall's earth-shattering divorce announcement. Best of luck in business to these volatile exes.
Celebrities, with all their money, power and influence, have real opportunities to make the world a better place. Not all of them take advantage of that, but many do, including Jennifer Garner.
Garner is no stranger to making emotional pleas to better the world. In 2013, she testified at the California State Assembly Committee, pushing for paparazzi regulations that would make celebs and photographers safer. Now, four years later, she's an ambassador for the charity Save the Children, and she's striving to help feed impoverished kids all over the country.
This week, Garner testified in Washington, D.C., before the House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee on behalf of Save the Children, emotionally sharing her experience with mothers whose children rely on federal funding to provide them with food.
"Mothers come up to me and say, 'Can you help get my child into these programs? Can you just nudge us up in the wait list? Is there anything you could do?'" Garner said. "The thought that I would have to go back to these mothers and say, 'Well, no, there is nothing I can do...' These families know what it is to have this intervention and they know what they're losing when it's gone and I'll have to answer to it, so that is what matters to me, selfishly, sir."
Garner's testimony went on for 25 minutes.
"These children don't vote, they don't make political contributions. Neither do their parents," she said. "Somebody has to tell their story above all the noise. Poverty is silent, but I can't be."
Garner's full testimony can be viewed in the video below, starting at the 1:34 mark.
Jennifer Garner testifies in D.C. for Save The Children
Jennifer Garner testifies in D.C. for Save The Children
Remember when you and your partner first got together and it was all you could do to resist having steamy sessions, like, three times a day? (Yeah, it was hard not to.) But once you start a family, keeping the lust alive is a real challenge. Pros say that kids are one of the quickest intimacy-killers because you're both busy, exhausted and getting some action before you pass out often falls wayyy to the bottom of the to-do list.
But we don't need to tell you that pushing sex back to the top — or at least not the bottom — of your priorities is necessary if you want your relationship to stay happy and healthy long after your kids graduate from diapers (or college). For real, actionable ideas, we asked 15 moms how they managed to keep their sex lives from cooling off after they had kids — here are their top strategies.
Image: SheKnows
Cut down on stress
“It wasn't the easiest or most natural thing to get back to being intimate after having our baby, especially with breastfeeding and co-sleeping. I had to look into my own emotional and mental health and why I just wasn't ever in the mood. I started making stress relief and self-care a part of my every day. We started a meditation practice of synchronized breathing and would also use stimulating massage oils on each other, and it helped a ton” — December, 35, Anchorage, Alaska
Get rid of the guilt
“Having kids can overwhelm any relationship! Once we both opened up about our need for space, support and connection, the pressure to have sex and the guilt about not having it fell away. As we continued to become more connected as partners and parents, we became even more intimate, even if the intimacy wasn't always physical.” — Gaby, 38, New York City
Interrupt each other at work
“My husband owns a construction business and he has a nice, private office… with a lovely couch. We don’t make it a habit, but if we’re really craving each other, I’ll go visit him at work for some one-on-one time in his office. Sometimes, I’ll bring him lunch too.” — Samantha, 40, Summit, New Jersey
Image: SheKnows
Designate a playroom that’s far from your bedroom
“We built an amazing playroom for our kids… in the basement. Now when our kids are busy downstairs playing, my husband and I can run upstairs to our room for a quickie if we get a sudden urge for some action.” — Kimberly, 39, Boston
Disconnect from the day
“Sometimes the best thing I can do is take a shower — change out of my work clothes, wash off the day and put on something else, even if it's not a cute chemise. Naked works! I feel fresher, more awake and like I've disconnected from the day. Also, my bathroom is conveniently connected to my bedroom, so you get the picture.” — Jennifer, 43, Raleigh, North Carolina
Lean on your friends
“Since my other mom friends and I know it can be hard to get that private time when the kids are around, we take turns babysitting each other’s kids for the night so we each get alone time with our spouse or significant other. That’s what friends are for, after all.” — Jody, 41, Lincoln, Nebraska
“Some call it a 'mental health day' when you call out of work but aren’t really sick. We call it a 'sexual health day.' Usually, when we’re requesting time off from work, it’s for a family vacation. So every now and then, my partner and I will both call out sick from work — when the kids have school — to get some much-needed alone time.” — Pam, 33, Tampa, Florida
Create and stick to boundaries
“Teach your kids to knock before opening your bedroom door in the morning unless it's an emergency —explain to them what an emergency is. That way, if you're trying to get in a morning quickie, you don't have to worry about kids busting through the door.” — Ashley, 40, San Francisco
Sleep-train your kids ASAP
“When the kids are in bed by a certain time each night — for us, it's no later than 8:30 p.m. — that frees up time for the parents to have some alone time. When it's routine, the kids are less likely to interfere, because they are trained to be asleep during certain hours.” — Amy, 36, Austin, Texas
Image: SheKnows
Plan a sexy dinner date night
“Dinner date nights are big for me. If you're a foodie, explore different restaurants with your spouse and have a quickie in your car. Or [with the kids at grandma’s] if budget is a problem, you can cook dinner for your spouse and can have good sex after dinner on your dining table.” — Jessica, 36, Waterville, Maine
Be creative
“Intimacy after kids is all about creativity and spontaneity! You have to be willing to let go of the 'perfect' lovemaking scene you see on TV. New places, new times, new positions, same great feeling in record time! The bonus, it keeps your intimate life fresh and your partner attractive. When you don't know what's coming, fantasies are endless!” — Tara, 42, Dallas, Texas
Make use of every private moment
“I was just days away from having my baby girl and everyone told me to say goodbye to privacy. While that's true to a degree, I make use of the time she gives me. Generally, she'll not go to bed without both my husband and me in the same bed with her, but she sleeps soundly, so each night without fail, we relocate her to her room. Of course, she wakes up in the middle of the night and rejoins us, but that's more than enough time." — Diane, 34, Tampa, Florida
Image: SheKnows
Lie if you have to
“The go-to reason we give our children is that 'Mommy and Daddy are going to take a nap.' It works like a charm, except when later one will ask why you're always so tired." — Maureen, 35, Boston
Don’t hide all your romantic moments
“Your children need to see that you two are still loving and playful with and towards each other. When my husband and I kiss and hug each other spontaneously passing through the house, our daughter does the 'awww;' and it makes her happy that she sees us this way! We can’t help but act like two teenagers on the nights when it's our date night.” — Wanda, 29, Atlanta, Georgia
Take advantage of every chance to be alone
“My kids are a little older, so whether they’re playing at the neighbors, at soccer practice or at school, my husband and I use that time — even if just an hour — to get as frisky as we can. Just make sure you’re minds are both on each other and not your to-do list.” — Maria, 40, Brooklyn, New York
Murray welcomed a daughter with his wife, actor Sarah Roemer, late Monday night. Murray posted an adorable photo to his Instagram in the wee hours of Monday morning where he opened up with pride and joy at the newest addition to his family.
Chad Michael Murray New Baby Insta
Chad Michael Murray New Baby Insta
Murray captioned a photo of his newborn daughter gripping his finger, "Don't worry little girl you can hold on as tight as you want for as long as you want, I'm already yours & I'll never let go. I've now two incredible women in my life. My son & I are two lucky guys." I don't know what's cuter. Murray and his daughter sharing a precious moment or the caption accompanying it.
The couple has yet to announce the name of their newborn daughter, although we are unlikely to learn her name anytime soon. Both Murray and Roemer have remained quite mum on the topic of their children, choosing to preserve the children's privacy rather than expose them to the incredibly public world their parents live in. We, the fans and general public, have yet to learn the name of Murray and Roemer's young son, who will turn 2 this June.
Chad Murray Sara Roemer Insta
Chad Murray Sara Roemer Insta
On Friday, Murray made an appearance on Live with Kelly and talked about life as a father of two: "Now I'm just taking on 100 percent of the boy's responsibilities, and she's [Roemer] taking care of the daughter at the moment. It's the greatest thing in the world."
Chad Michael Murray on Live with Kelly
Chad Michael Murray on Live with Kelly
Murray, it would appear, has always loved fatherhood. When he spoke to Entertainment Tonight in June 2016, he revealed that becoming a father has changed his life for the better. "For me, it was the greatest thing that's ever happened to me. Having kids is a game changer, and I think you're always walking around with the mentality that you want to make sure that they're proud and you want to represent them well and just be a great leader," Murray remarked. With an attitude like that, there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that Murray has secured his best role to date: doting dad.
You might want to say that Drew Scott’s partner in life is his identical twin brother, Jonathan, but that might all change now that Drew proposed to longtime girlfriend Linda Phan just before Christmas. But who is this lady winsome enough to steal the heart of everyone’s favorite Canadian realtor? Let’s take a look at a few facts about Phan and the couple’s rollicking relationship.
First off, we’re talking about Drew here, not Jonathan
Drew Scott Linda Phan working out
Drew Scott Linda Phan working out
OK, which one is engaged? It’s Drew, the brother in charge of scouting out the perfect properties for his brother (and contractor) Jonathan to revive to a new glory. If you need an even bigger hint, Drew is the one that is usually dressed pretty fabulously, while his slightly more rugged brother sports a more casual look.
Linda Phan is far from a fixer-upper
Drew Scott Linda Phan V-Day
Drew Scott Linda Phan V-Day
Yep, we know Drew Scott’s favorite pastime is locating houses that are less than ideal but have great potential. But when it comes to choosing his life partner, it seems like he’s decided to pair up with someone who already has it wonderfully together. Phan, 31, has a background in public relations and architecture and is currently the creative director for Scott Brothers Entertainment. She’s just as hardworking as Scott, at least according to the Property Brother, who said in a recent interview, “My girlfriend and I are both workaholics. We love what we do and that we can work side by side.”
They’ve been dating since 2010
Drew and Linda Property Brothers
Drew and Linda Property Brothers
The couple have been together for seven years, starting when they met during a Toronto Fashion Week event. They’ve spent their time together goofing around, traveling for Scott’s many work projects, and according to their Instagram accounts, having tons of fun together. Currently, they live together in Las Vegas along with Jonathan Scott. We’re going to guess that their house is pretty nice.
Scott has a reputation for loving pranks, goofs and jokes, and it seems like he has found his match. The couple are all about April Fool’s jokes, silly pictures and just teasing each other, whether they are working or not. Phan is also a big fan of Dr. Seuss, from the children author’s funny verse to the whimsical creatures.
She’s a bit younger and a lot shorter
Drew Scott Linda Phan Engaged Property Brothers
Drew Scott Linda Phan Engaged Property Brothers
While the two seem to have perfectly compatible senses of humor and dispositions, they sure don’t see eye to eye literally. While Scott (and, you could guess, his identical brother) is 6 feet, 4 inches, Phan is more than a foot shorter. She’s also a few years younger than Scott, who is 38.
Their engagement was a production in itself
Drew Scott Linda Phan Engaged
Drew Scott Linda Phan Engaged
We got tired just reading about the planning that went into Scott’s proposal to Phan. After securing a ring, he took her to Toronto restaurant Piano Piano for a romantic dinner to pop the question. The proposal included Scott’s own cover of Train’s 2010 single “Marry Me” and a cake decorated like one of Phan’s favorite books, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, altered to read, “Oh, the Places We’ll Go!” Afterward, the couple headed to the company’s Christmas party, which also morphed into an engagement party.
Their wedding will be a mixing pot of cultures
Jonathan revealed to People magazine that Drew and Phan have some unique plans for blending the Scott brothers' Scottish heritage with Phan's Chinese traditions.
"He’s thinking they’re going to blend their cultures," Jonathan explained. "So he’s thinking all of the bridesmaids and her will be in traditional Chinese attire, and all of us will be in kilts."
We can't be the only ones who can't wait to see those wedding photos.
So sorry, but Jonathan is not available either
Bad news, everyone. Both twins are officially taken. Jonathan Scott is dating Jacinta Kuznetsov, who he met in spring 2016 at a charity event. According to Jonathan, he couldn’t track Kuznetsov down after the event until he finally spotted her in the background of a friend’s social media post.
Right after I graduated from college, my boyfriend and I started fighting a lot. I was a rookie reporter at a small-town newspaper, and I was sure all the stress I was under learning the ropes of the job was what was putting so much strain on our relationship. Part of navigating my new job as a reporter was being constantly connected — I was checking my email, Twitter and the paper's website almost obsessively, which meant my phone was always in my hand. It took months before my boyfriend and I realized that it wasn't the stress that was hurting our relationship — it was the fact that my phone was a constant third wheel.
According to Dr. Jenn Mann, author of The Relationship Fix and host of VH1's Couple's Therapy, my story isn't uncommon.
"I have seen all too many clients be hurt by the poor phone behavior of their partners," Mann said. "Whether it is inappropriate social media, sexting with others or just neglecting their relationship to spend time on their phone, phone use has the potential to destroy a relationship."
But not all cellphone use in a relationship is bad. Mann explained that there are ways couples can actually use their phones to make their relationships stronger.
"Connection is the key to a successful romantic relationship," she said. "Technology, and phones in particular, can be used to help maintain that connection. A recent study found that texting to express affection was associated with higher reported partner attachment for both men and women. Sending sexy pictures is a great way to keep the flame of passion going. Just make sure to do "headless horseman" photos in case they go to the wrong person. Another study found a couple who shows gratitude for each other are more satisfied in the relationship. The phone makes it easy to show gratitude by texting a quick thank you, giving a compliment, telling your partner why you appreciate him or letting him know how important he is to you. These are great connection enhancers."
However, cellphone use can certainly go the other way and hurt relationships.
"Phones can hurt a relationship when couples use them to neglect each other or have poor boundaries with other people," Mann said. "It is important that you not spend all your time with your partner focused on your phone. Giving your partner attention, eye contact and focus is an important part of a successful relationship. Social media is another place where couples can potentially hurt their relationship. It is important to make a public statement of your relationship status on your social media. This shows respect to your partner. In addition, it is important to have good boundaries on social media by not following people to make your partner uncomfortable, not engaging in flirtations, having an agreed-upon philosophy about contact with ex-boyfriends or girlfriends, by being transparent in all social media and not doing any secret messages with other people. In addition, it is important not to post pictures of your partner without their approval, don't post pictures of yourself that make your partner uncomfortable and do not share about conflicts the two of you are having. Having transparency with your phone, emails and social media makes partners feel more secure and helps develop trust in a relationship."
When it comes down to it, Mann has a few recommendations for making sure phone habits are contributing to a healthy relationship:
Limit or avoid all phone use while having dinner or a romantic evening with your partner.
Have total transparency with phone use with your partner.
Have agreed-upon limits and boundaries with social media and stick to them.
Cellphones are an integral part of almost all of our lives now — there's no way around it. But with Mann's advice (and a little self-control), phone habits can stay healthy and productive.
You’ve probably heard the word “sepsis” before — probably as the cause of death in a news story — but what does it really mean and why is it so deadly?
According to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, sepsis is a complication that is caused by the intense response of the immune system to an infection. This immune response triggers widespread inflammation, which in turn impairs blood flow and leads to the damage of important organs, the institute said.
The institute noted that sepsis can occur unpredictably and lead to the rapid deterioration of a patient. It is one of the leading causes of death in hospital intensive care units and one of the leading causes of patients being readmitted to hospitals.
In fact, “it’s a very common condition,” Dr. Christopher Seymour, assistant professor of critical care and emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, told SheKnows. He noted that there are about 2 million cases of sepsis per year in the U.S., and that sepsis accounts for 1 out of every 3 hospital deaths.
And it’s hard to diagnose: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that many of the symptoms of sepsis — including diarrhea, vomiting, fever, sore throat, pain, shortness of breath and an increased heart rate — are the same as other conditions, making it difficult to diagnose early on. To treat sepsis, doctors try to first treat the underlying infection as well as to keep patients’ vital organs working, the CDC explained.
Sometimes, more intensive interventions are needed. Patients may need to be hooked up to a machine to assist with their breathing or undergo kidney dialysis. And while many patients recover completely, some of them can experience permanent organ damage.
Those most at risk? People with weakened immune systems, the elderly and very young and those who are chronically ill, said Seymour. And despite its association with hospitals, Seymour noted that about 8 out of every 10 cases of sepsis are actually community-based, meaning they are acquired outside the hospital — most often in the form of infections in the lung, like pneumonia.
The good news is that the outcomes for sepsis are improving with the overall mortality rate hovering at around 10 percent, Seymour said. That’s because both patients and hospitals are more aware of what sepsis is and the importance of early treatments like antibiotics.
“In sepsis, time matters, and getting appropriate treatment quickly saves lives,” said Seymour. Patients can learn more about the risks and early symptoms of sepsis on qSOFA, a platform whose team Seymour is a part of.
Toby Willis, the patriarch and star of TLC's The Willis Family, has been arraigned on four counts of child rape. When Willis was arrested back in September, he was charged with only one count after details of an alleged encounter with a 12-year-old girl came to light. Court documents at the time showed that it was a family member who accused Willis of the assault.
Willis pleaded not guilty to all four counts and will appear in court again for a plea hearing on July 11. His trial is set to begin on July 18.
Willis' wife, Brenda Willis, released a statement at the time of his arrest. "I was shocked and devastated by the revelation of events leading to Toby Willis’ arrest. As these are very trying times for the Willis family, I kindly ask all to respect our family’s privacy," she said in the statement. "As a mother of 12, my first priority remains with my children and helping them through this traumatic event."
The Willises and their 12 children, whose names all begin with "J," got their start in reality TV after their Christian family band made it to the quarterfinals of America's Got Talent. Their TLC reality show followed the family and their performances until it was canceled in 2016.
Willis Family America's Got Talent auditions
Willis Family America's Got Talent auditions
This follows a string of sex scandals for TLC stars over the last few years. 19 Kids and Counting was canceled when it came to light that Josh Duggar had sexually assaulted a number of underage girls. And the Discovery Channel, a network owned by the same broadcast company as TLC, canceled Sons of Guns when its star, Will Hayden, was arrested for aggravated rape of a minor.
