While the slow watchers are just barely finishing up Season 2, everyone who binge-watched the latest installment of Stranger Things is already looking forward to Season 3. And we're not the only ones; even the stars are already looking ahead to what the series might hold next.

More: The Real-Life Love Triangle That Happened Behind the Scenes of Stranger Things

David Harbour, who plays Hopper, told Variety about his hopes for his character in Season 3, although he admits they aren't super-likely to come true. But he definitely wants his character to get screen-time with a few others he's a big fan of.

"I've been pretty vocal about how I love the dynamic between Joyce and Hopper, which I don't feel like we got a lot of time to explore in Season 2," he said. "I just love that dynamic of these two lost people. I equate it to Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown or Indiana Jones and Marion in Raiders of the Lost Ark. These great throwbacks, they hate each other but love each other kind of tropes. It's done so sophisticatedly by the Duffers, and Winona is really game for it, too. We love playing scenes with each other. I would love more stuff with her."

More: This Kid From Stranger Things Has a Kid, & We Had No Idea

Another character Harbour wants to work with is Steve, because duh.

"There's stuff that I don't think is feasible, but I do think the internet knows my love for Joe Keery. I would love to see a Hopper and Steve get-together, but I seriously doubt that's going to happen," he said.

He'd also like to see them flesh out Hopper more as a character.

"I want to get into the backstory of Hopper more," Harbour said. "When Eleven goes into the basement, she sees a bunch of boxes, one of which says 'Hawkins Lab.' 'Dad.' 'Vietnam.' 'New York.' There's a lot of story we can get into around Hopper's time as a cop in New York, Hopper's time in Vietnam. I would love to see more of that, but we have a ton of great characters, so I don't know how much they'll be able to do."

More: Sophie Turner Is Defending the Stranger Things Kids on This Important Issue

Who's already getting stoked for Season 3?!

The year 2017 was a rough year for vaginas. Between constantly facing threats to limit access to reproductive and sexual health care to being bombarded with terrible advice regarding what to stick up there (cucumbers, glitter, jade eggs, VapoRub, wasp nest and far too many others) to living under a president who bragged about grabbing them, people with vaginas have had a lot to think about. On the bright side, though, we brought the word out of the shadows (it's a legitimate medical term after all) and went one step further, clarifying that there's a difference between the vagina, vulva and labia (despite the fact that they're typically grouped together).

More: Reminder: Vagina Is Not a Dirty Word

Aside from succumbing to the barrage of vaginal quackery out there (ahem, Goop), we now know a bit more about some of the other missteps in that area — specifically, objects people got stuck in their vaginas that landed them in the emergency room. The source of this information is the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System — a database listing the reasons behind ER visits compiled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

More: What to Do If You Get Something Stuck Inside Your Vagina

The latest information available is for 2016, and here are some of the more unusual findings:

Hairbrush

A woman was masturbating using the handle of a hairbrush, which broke off and was lodged inside her, prompting a hospital visit.

Lollipop

While at home eating a lollipop, the stick broke off; so one women put the stick inside her vagina.

Drinking straw

Following doing cocaine using a straw, a woman inserted the drinking straw into her vagina when the police arrived.

Plastic baggie

A woman hid a plastic baggie of marijuana in her vagina. (The report did not specify whether it was Ilana from Broad City.)

Spray top

Somehow, a woman got the top of a spray bottle stuck in her vagina, then attempted to take it out at home.

Clay

A 12-year-old girl was playing with clay in the bathtub and got it stuck in her vagina.

Marker

No additional details on this one, but it was probably a makeshift dildo.

Vaginal stone balls

This is a tricky one because the object stuck in there actually is approved for use in vaginas. The problem arose when the string holding 15 balls together dissolved and the woman could only locate 14 of them.

Sponge

Yes, this sounds straight out of an episode of Seinfeld, but in reality, a woman inserted a non-birth control sponge into her vagina so she could swim while she had her period.

Bottle

Another makeshift dildo situation, which did not have a happy ending.

More: An Approved List of Things That Can Go Inside Your Vagina

And remember: There are plenty of things that can go inside your vagina, so please stick to items on this doctor-approved list and enjoy yourself — safely.

Just a few weeks after their official engagement announcement, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle already have a bit of a scandal on their hands. And it might be causing some bad blood between the British Royal Family and Markle's family in the U.S.

More: The Queen Is Hiring an Assistant Chef, & It Has Incredible Perks

Markle's estranged half sister, Samantha Markle, is firing back after Harry made some comments about Meghan's first family Christmas with the royals, saying, "It’s the family that I suppose she’s never had."

Though Meghan and Samantha haven't spoken in some time, the older Markle sister was quick to defend her family, tweeting, "She has a large family. She always did. Our dad is amazing and completely self sacrificing. We made it so that she had two houses. How fun it was!"

More: Prince George Makes an Unexpected Stage Debut

She also hinted that she'll share more details about her and Meghan's family life as they were growing up in her upcoming memoir, The Diary of Princess Pushy’s Sister.

Samantha Markle has been a pretty constant source of drama for Meghan. Reports say the two haven't spoken in many years, yet Samantha routinely speaks about Meghan's personal life and recently changed her last name from Grant back to Markle, her maiden name, in order to be more closely associated with her estranged sister and the Royal Family.

More: Barack Obama Teasing Prince Harry Before an Interview Is Everything

Still, Harry's comment did seem a little harsh when he said it, and it's probably good that someone's calling him out. Saying things like that will only cause drama for him and Meghan in the future.

Champagne is one of the founding traditions of New Year's Eve, but do you ever feel like it gets a little... repetitive? We do. That's why we put our own twist on Champagne: wiggly, sparkly, boozy Jell-O shots.

These aren't anymore complicated than you'd expect a Jell-O shot to be; it's just that sanding sugar makes them look super-festive and Champagne makes them tasty (and relevant.) They seem a little classier than the vodka shots of your youth, right?

More: 10 Foods & Drinks That Help Cure Hangovers

Champagne Jell-O shots recipe

It's best to use large-crystal sanding sugar so it will not dissolve easily. You can find sanding sugar in most craft or baking supply stores.

Yields 12 – 15

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces Champagne
• 7 ounces lemon-lime soda, divided
• 3 packets unflavored gelatin
• Food coloring (if desired)
• Sanding sugar

More: How to Get Everything You Need for NYE at Trader Joe's for $100

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, add Champagne and 2 ounces of the lemon-lime soda.
2. Sprinkle gelatin on top and let sit for at least 2 minutes.
3. Put the saucepan on medium-low heat and heat until the gelatin is dissolved. Do not let the mixture boil; you're just letting the gelatin dissolve.
4. Remove from heat and add in the remaining lemon-lime soda.
5. If you want to add color, simply add a few drops of food color and stir.
6. Add the Jell-O to small single-serving containers or a small baking dish. You can also add your Jell-O to a silicone ice tray if you own one. That is what we used.
7. Put the Jell-O in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours until completely set up.
8. Cut the Jell-O into squares and carefully remove it from the container. Dip the top in sanding sugar if desired.
9. Keep the shots refrigerated until you're ready to eat.

More: You Can Have a Valentine's Day Dinner at Hogwarts

A version of this article was originally published in December 2013.

Crystals. Are. Everywhere. From yoga studios to tarot spreads to water bottles and even sex toys, whether you believe crystals have vibrational properties or are just pretty to look at, it’s hard not to be curious about what they can do. We were surprised to find that in addition to being useful in your own personal journey, crystals can be powerful in relationships too.

We spoke with Heather Askinosie, cofounder of Energy Muse and coauthor of Crystal Muse: Everyday Rituals to Tune In to the Real You to see what crystals could do for relationships.

Before working with any crystal, Askinosie says you need to do two things: Cleanse it and program it. “Cleansing it in saltwater or sage or sound or mantras — you cleanse the energy of the miner and all the different people who have touched it before it was in your hands. And what is important is once you’ve cleansed it, you program it. Say, ’May this crystal be programmed to help me open my heart, come from my highest good’ — whatever you want it to do.”

From there, she told us the best crystals and stones to work with for common relationship issues.

1. Jealousy: Rose quartz

“If you look at rose quartz, it just looks like love. Usually, when we come from a place of love in how we talk to people, how we treat people, then how we situations shifts, we don’t feel the energy of jealousy as much because that’s not where we’re at,” Askinosie says.

How to do it: “Before you go to bed, you just lay a piece of rose quartz over your heart for eleven minutes and just kind of breathe, take in your day, ask that your heart be cleansed and that you come from a place of love,” she explains.

More: The Best Sex Toys of 2017

2. Sex: Carnelian

Carnelian is helpful when it comes to the second chakra, Askinosie says. But don’t expect the crystal to do all the work. “Usually, what happens with libido and all that stuff is that when we’re in relationships where we thought we forgave someone for something that hurt our feelings — you know, infidelity or an issue that really caused this harbored emotion that was not really forgiven — that’s the fastest way to have your libido dry up," she tells SheKnows.

How to do it: “Laying a crystal on your second chakra or on your heart is going to help you to be honest enough with yourself to say, 'OK, have I forgiven that person? What do I need to deal with within myself so that I can start healing myself, thus [...] heal this relationship?'” Askinosie says.

3. Money: Pyrite

“Most people go through some kind of vibe with money. That’s just an Earth lesson,” she says. The challenge is to work through it so you can understand your own baggage and communicate it to your partner.

How to use it: Journal and hold the cleansed and programmed pyrite. “Be honest with yourself, saying, 'What’s holding me back in my financial life?' Let yourself be your own doctor,” instructs Askinosie.

More: A Real Witch Weighs In on the Growing Popularity of Witchcraft

4. Family: Rose quartz spheres

This stone is especially important around holidays and birthdays when family tends to gather. “Rose quartz is back to love,” she says. “Usually, when you feel love and you feel happy, there’s not a lot of fighting and bickering.”

How to use it: Put it on the dining room table or in the living room, where family tends to gather. Askinosie explains, “That way the energy is emitting in that space and people will feel that whether they buy this whole crystal thing or not.”

5. Frequent arguments: Black tourmaline

First, pay attention to where the arguments tend to occur. “There are usually certain rooms in a house people will have arguments in,” she says. “Kind of like we clean our house, we have to clean our spiritual energy house too.”

How to use it: “I definitely like putting black tourmaline in rooms that have a lot of fighting and discord because it absorbs all the negative energy,” says Askinosie. Every week, cleanse the stone — put it in the dirt, the sun or under the moonlight for a day or two — and cleanse the room with sage and mantras. The room will feel lighter, she said, and you won’t want to fight as much.

6. Communication: Blue stones

If you feel like your conversations aren’t going well or you aren’t being heard, it’s worth reflecting on the energy you’re sending out. “Do we say things to put somebody on the defense, or do we say something to have somebody hear us?” Askinosie says. “And are we saying something to be right and make a point or are we saying something because we want to have an engaged conversation?” Blues stones can help you keep these questions close.

How to use it: Wear lapis lazuli, turquoise or amazonite around your throat to help you communicate in a more conscious way.

More: 6 Apologies That Are Ruining Your Relationship

7. Spending quality time together: Green stones

If you find yourself arguing with your partner over how much time to spend together or apart, Askinosie says it’s worth noting we naturally want to spend more time with people we feel safe around. In order to feel safe, she says, we have to be able to be vulnerable. That’s why she recommends malachite and heart stones. “[Malachite] helps men tap into their inner power, their vulnerability, where they can be safe to say, 'You know what? That hurt my feelings.'”

How to use it: Wear malachite (for men) or heart stones, like aventurine or other green stones, around your heart.

Before you start adventuring into the world of crystals, Askinosie cautions that you shouldn’t rely too heavily on the crystals themselves. “Crystals are a tool,” she says. “If you think that a crystal is going to change your life, you’re going to be really disappointed.”

In order for crystals to be helpful, you have to be willing to be really honest with yourself and ask the hard questions. “The only person that is going to change your life is you. The crystals are here as a tool to help you go deeper into these emotional questions,” she says. “That’s where all the juice is.”

So, something is afoot in Kardashianland, and I am definitely curious to know what the deal is. Specifically, I am deeply curious about why Kim Kardashian West deleted all the family Christmas photos from her Instagram on Thursday, Dec. 28 without warning us.

The photos, which were a collection of outtakes and runner-up shots from a Kardashian-Jenner family Christmas card photo shoot Kardashian West posted every day of December to tease the official family card, had recently become the focus of speculation when the official card failed to include Kylie Jenner. For what it's worth, the card didn't include any of the men in the family either. It should also be noted that the pictures from the Christmas card shoot are still posted on her Twitter, which only adds to the mystery around the Instagram wipe.

More: Why Wasn't Kylie Jenner in the Kardashians’ Christmas Card?

You have to admit that with no teases on her social media pages hinting to a big surprise or a big newsworthy reveal, there's was going to be a lot of head-scratching and raised eyebrows. Kardashian West (like other celebrities of note) don't just delete things off of their social media pages — especially Instagram — because of the time they spend carefully assessing which news and pictures are worthy of being posted. Why would Kardashian West do something so uncharacteristic of her and, arguably, her brand?

According to Bustle, it's unclear as of Thursday why Kardashian West deleted the Christmas photos, but there are some logical theories currently on the table. The first big theory here is that Kardashian West simply wanted to clean up at least one of her social media platforms and stick to one aesthetic. As such, her Instagram would continue to serve as the primary spot to promote her KKW Beauty makeup line while her Twitter would provide a mix of personal news and business news. While this isn't entirely out of bounds, it seems like a rash decision on Kardashian West's part.

More: Kanye West's Gift to Kim Kardashian West Was Uncharacteristically Practical

Another strong possibility is that Kardashian West didn't see fit to keep the photos up since Christmas has already passed. Perhaps, unbeknownst to us, this entire advent calendar-esque rollout of the official Kardashian-Jenner Christmas card was a special event, and we'll just have to hang onto the memories (and the screenshots) while we can.

A final idea might be that she was protecting her family, and Kylie Jenner especially. With Jenner's no-show status on the official Christmas card being taken as further proof she is pregnant and would want to reveal her bump on her own time, there could be some merit to the idea Kardashian West is doing damage control to protect her half-sister. It's a pretty thin theory, but considering the way this family sticks together, it's not altogether unlikely.

More: Khloé Kardashian Just Made Her Pregnancy Instagram Official

Kardashian West hasn't commented on the photos suddenly being deleted at the time of reporting, but it will certainly be interesting to see what (if anything) comes to fruition on her Instagram in place of the now-deleted Christmas photos.

A pale pink base and bright white tips have come to characterize the ever-so-popular French manicure, which believe it or not is a common request at nail salons everywhere. Even in France, where it's considered an American invention, this kind of mani is called "la French." Too funny, huh?

Now (luckily) with all the new nail advances, it's easy to score a salonworthy mani right in the comfort of your own home. Pick up a French manicure kit at your local beauty supply store (for longer-lasting color, try a gel nail one), or invest in some sheer pink and white polish to easily do it yourself.

After you've got the necessary items, it's really not much more difficult than painting your nails. To make it super-simple, we've provided simple steps for everyone to follow.

Step 1: Trim your nails

Start by trimming your nails to the desired length. Make sure all of them are even. And remember: When it comes to the French manicure, the longer they are, the better.

More: How to Get So Cal Nails

Step 2: Shape your nails

Figure out the type of shape you’d like (either rounded or square). Then grab a nail file and get to work.

Step 3: Soak your cuticles

If you really want to recreate the spa experience at home, dip your hands in a bowl of warm water and let them soak for a minute or two. Then take a cuticle pusher (or orangewood stick) and gently push your cuticles back. Use the opposite end of the cuticle pusher to remove any dirt and grime from underneath your nails.

Step 4: Buff and prep for polish

Now, before you apply your first coat of polish, buff the top of your nails to prepare them for your nail polish. Then, simply massage cuticle oil onto your nails at this time.

More: Carolina Panthers nail design for ultimate fans

A version of this article was originally published in April 2008.

Next Up: Paint on your base coat

{pageBreak}

Step 5: Paint on your base coat

You’re all ready for your base coat now. Paint on a thin layer of sheer pink polish, and let your nails dry for a couple of minutes. For gels nails, cure them under the LED light for 45 seconds only, no longer. Repeat this step again with a second coat of polish, and allow your nails to dry (or cure) before moving on.

Step 6: Apply nail guides

Once your mani's base coat is all dry, place the nail guides on them to snag the perfect white tip pain-free. Don’t have any? That’s alright. The next step will just require some concentration on your part. Or, use those office supply doilies to perfect your French tip.

More: Opal nail trend will turn your nails into precious gems

Step 7: Paint on your white French tips

With your white polish, lightly brush color onto the tip of your nails (as if you were creating an upside down smiley or a sad face). Let the polish dry for a few minutes. For gel nails, let it cure for 45 seconds. Repeat this step with a second coat, and wait for it to dry or cure.

Step 8: Remove your nail guides and seal in your manicure

Remove your nail guide, and apply a top coat of polish. Allow this coat to dry for several minutes (or cure it under the light for 45 seconds). Voila, you’ve just completed your very own French mani!

This procedure is best performed on a lazy morning or evening when no other pressing errands or tasks will get in the way. After painting your nails, avoid doing things with your hands while they dry.

Manicure kits that make it even easier

If you are feeling especially creative and ambitious, kick off your shoes and make your tootsie tips match your fingertips.

For an easier painting technique, check the beauty section of a drug store or superstore for a French manicure kit. The set should contain, at the very least, nail polish in white and pink or beige and a clear topcoat. Some manicure sets — like the Sally Hansen French Manicure Kit and the Orly French Manicure Kit — contain tiny, sticky nail guides. These make the manicure process 10 times easier by allowing you to place the guides on each nail individually (like we did!), only leaving a small margin where the polish can spill outside the tip without tainting the rest of your nail. Trust us, it's worth the small price to buy.

Try out colors

Let your crazy side shine through by concocting a wildly modified French manicure — red and white for Valentine's Day, pastel shades for Easter or neon bright tips for summer. You can always add glitter for super sparkle anytime! If you feel really ambitious, try this fish tail french manicure tutorial.

Have fun and remember, even if you do find the do-it-yourself French manicure difficult at first, practice makes perfect, and pretty soon you'll be well on your way to creating beautiful and perfect manicures all the time. We promise, it does get easier.

A version of this article was originally published in April 2008.

If there were any questions or confusion about whether or not Katharine McPhee and David Foster were dating, that ends now. McPhee and Foster, who have been spotted together more frequently in the last few months but were shy to declare their relationship status until only recently, were once again spotted together over the holidays in Paris. New photos from Us Weekly show McPhee and Foster were in full-on PDA mode, seemingly incapable of keeping their hands off one another.

More: Katharine McPhee & David Foster Confirm They're Dating, but There's a Catch

Although you'll have to go to the Us Weekly page to see all of the adorable photos, which consist mostly of McPhee wrapping her arms around Foster and kissing him (OK, that's actually super cute), the one you'll likely see most frequently is the one below.

Here, Foster seems to want to come in close to stay warm on what is no doubt a very chilly Parisian day. He wraps his arms around McPhee, and despite wearing some odd sunglasses (what's going on there, dude?), she leans in close to him.

More: David Foster Is Wasting No Time Moving on From Yolanda Hadid

McPhee did post a photo from what appears to be the same day — take note of the clothes — but alas, it was just a solo shot. One could presume Foster took the photo of McPhee posing in front of the Eiffel Tower, but we can't confirm that for certain.

More: These Long-Term Celebrity Couples Love to Show PDA

These two look like they're having some fun together, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. I mean, who wouldn't want to go on a romantic holiday trip to Paris with their new beau? It's definitely a good way to keep the romance alive and kicking, even in these early days.

Holy Netflix, Batman! There are a ton of amazing movies in all genres — action, horror, comedy and documentary — hitting Netflix in January 2018. Good thing we're not making New Year's resolutions this year (celebrities say they're just not the cool thing to do, anymore), because we'll be busy Netflix and chilling to kick off 2018.

Here are all the films you'll be able to watch throughout January.

Jan. 1

Batman, Batman & Robin, Batman Begins, Batman Forever & Batman Returns

We barely remember Michael Keaton, George Clooney and Val Kilmer as Batman. For us, Christian Bale will forever be the Dark Knight, but that doesn't mean the other Batmans weren't worthy. Watch all the Batmans with the kids and have them decide who's the best.

More: All of Tim Burton's films ranked and summarized in 140 characters or less

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

Starring Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey, this clever rom-com was inspired by a dating book How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days: The Universal Don'ts of Dating that's all about what not to do when you first start dating.

The Godfather, The Godfather: Part II & The Godfather: Part III

We certainly would never have had The Sopranos without these movies, some of the best mafia thrillers around.

Training Day

In classic Denzel Washington style, this movie about a suspected dirty cop will shake you to your core.

Wedding Crashers

Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn try to get chicks by showing up at random strangers' weddings. Little did they know they'd fall in love.

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

Experience pure imagination with this quirky, edgy and psychedelic kids movie from 1971.

Jan. 5

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

The show is basically just what the title says; only it's interviews with the very best comedians of our time, including Larry David, Ricky Gervais and Amy Schumer.

Jan. 8

The Conjuring

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. Vera Farmiga and Lili Taylor star.

Jan. 10

47 Meters Down

After watching two young women get stuck at the bottom of the ocean in a shark cage, you'll be having underwater nightmares for weeks.

Jan. 12

The Man Who Would Be Polka King & The Polka King

Jan Lewan wanted to be rich and famous. He achieved both, but his path to the good life sent him to jail. Watch the documentary and then watch Jack Black's excellent portrayal of the sweet scammer.

Jan. 26

A Futile & Stupid Gesture

Domhnall Gleeson and Emmy Rossum star in this origin story of the National Lampoon magazine at Harvard.

Leaving Netflix on Jan.1

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Watch this classic kids movie before E.T. phones home in 2018.

Grease

Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta fall in love through song in this 1978 musical loosely based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

Gremlins

This classic '80s movie is all about what happens when a group of teens decide not to follow the rules.

License to Drive

Both Corey Haim and Corey Feldman star in this slapstick teen comedy from 1988.

Mean Girls

Written by Tina Fey, this movie is a rite of passage for teen girls everywhere.

Miss Congeniality & Miss Congeniality 2

Sandra Bullock rocks beauty, brains and a gun in this comedy about an FBI agent posing as a beauty queen.

What are you planning to binge this January? Let us know in the comments below.

We know how hard it can be to get kids to want to participate in family activities — especially when they hit those very, um, special tween/teen ages. But the truth of the matter is this: When those angsty kids reach adulthood, family nights are the times they'll look back on and remember fondly. So how do you get your kids to not only take part in family nights, but actually look forward to them? By planning fun events that are undeniably worth doing.

While we love Netflix (doesn't everyone?), plopping down for a binge doesn't exactly bring on the bonding. The right activities, however, can encourage your family to interact with one another more — instead of just with that screen.

More:  How to Make Your Home Safe — & Healthy — for Kids

Beyond movie night

Yes, as we mentioned, it's easy to cue up a movie and chill out. But it's also (surprisingly) easy to amp up the family-movie fun factor without going overboard. Just create some tickets (index cards, y'all) and a concession stand (popcorn and candy or go healthy with veggies and dip) and set it all up on your kitchen counter or a table — oh, and have everyone pay with fake money. It'll be a huge hit with the kids.

Make your own movie

Help your kids work together to plan out a home movie (most smartphones can handle recording video, and there are even apps you can use to edit and make it into a super-cool movie, complete with music).

(Non-boring) board games

Board games are another obvious choice, but is there really a substitute for good-natured family competition? Whether you have old board games from your own childhood on hand or have invested in the latest celeb-backed creations, clear off that table, serve snacks and battle your kids for the ultimate championship. Just don't get overeager and try to lure them into a four-hour chess tournament, OK?

Make your own board game

Instead of playing a game you've played a hundred times before, grab some poster board, markers and little objects you can use as game pieces — and create your own family board game.

Camp out (or in)

Camping is for the hardiest of folks, right? Not necessarily, especially if you just pitch a tent in your backyard — or your living room. That way, there's indoor plumbing available. And while a campfire sounds like good fun, it's not always practical (in high winds or bad weather) or safe (don't light a campfire inside your house, OK?). So instead of roasting marshmallows over an open flame, you can make s'mores inside with one of these easy recipes. Sleeping bags, lanterns, scary stories and all that togetherness will be sure to make your "campout" supreme.

Creative crafts

Sure, crafts can get messy, but it's worth it to get elbows-deep into some art with your kids. With just a few supplies (or even a premade craft kit), there are plenty of options for you all to get your art on.

Plan a dinner

Move over, meatloaf; work with your kids to carefully plan out a special dinner. Pore over family recipes or look up a new one online. Then shop for ingredients and let your kids help you prepare and serve — fancy dishes optional.

Set up a taco bar

Another dinner winner is setting up a taco bar with all the fixings. This way, everyone gets in on the fun and even the littlest kids can help put their tacos together.

Bake cookies

Or if you're more of a sweet-tooth family, plan a fun team baking night. Pie? Cake? Brownies? The possibilities are endless — and delicious.

More: I've Never Bought My Kid a Christmas Present

DIY your pizza

Yes, more food — but nothing tops (get it?) selecting your own toppings for a pizza you've made yourself. Find out what your kids' favorites are and maybe even sneak in a few ingredients they've never tried.

Build with food

This is "playing with your food" with an architectural spin. Take some fruit cubes, a bag of marshmallows and some toothpicks or slender pretzel sticks and try your hand at building with your food. Kids can create a person, a house, what have you — and when they're done admiring their work, they can eat it. Win-win.

Read a book — yes, really

Rather than reading to your kids or everyone reading on their own, turn this into a collaborative out-loud team performance in which everyone takes turns reading a page or passage of a family favorite. And don't forget to cater to the ages you're dealing with; you may be surprised how much a teen turns out to love reading The Catcher in the Rye out loud. (Bonus points for whomever does different voices for different characters.)

Volunteer

As a family, choose a local organization and plan a volunteer outing. Look into opportunities around your community — or beyond — and get excited to help a worthy cause. (Of course, not all organizations are open at night, but there are plenty that need evening help, such as serving dinner at a soup kitchen or handing out blankets and care packages to folks on the street.)

Go see some (local) sports

You probably know taking the whole fam to a pro sporting event can get super-expensive. Instead, go small and stay local. Minor-league affiliates of Major League Baseball teams are super-affordable, for example, or you can check out local college or high school sporting events.

Dive into a jigsaw puzzle

Puzzles can run the gamut from super-hard to super-easy. So aim somewhere in the middle (unless you're dealing with toddlers, of course) and set up a family puzzle with a cool image you can work on together. Bonus points if you set aside a separate table or other space where you can keep it going until the final piece is put into place.

Build blanket forts

Blanket forts are a classic; they can be super-simple (drape a blanket over two chairs and voila), or they can be stunningly complex once you start adding towers and flying blanket buttresses and the like. Turn your living room into a super-fort complex, and you won't even need to pitch a tent for that family campout we talked about.

More: 12 Resolutions to Make You a Better Parent by 2019

Get pen-palling

Gather construction paper, markers or crayons, puffy stickers, magazines, glue sticks — you name it — and turn a simple greeting into something crafty and cute. Mail them to far-off relatives or just your kids' friends down the street.

Play Mad Libs

Mad Libs have been around for ages, but we're convinced they never get old. They're a great way to accomplish a few goals at once: Have fun as a family; teach your kids about nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.; offer the opportunity to read out loud; and laugh your butts off.

Turn cardboard boxes into... well, anything

Cardboard boxes offer endless opportunities. Smaller ones can become cash registers, car garages or dollhouses, and larger ones can become vehicles, stuffed animal enclosures or a playhouse. Instead of tearing down and recycling your boxes, stash them somewhere until you've got a good collection going and then bust them out for box night.

Host show-and-tell

This one's great for the littlest kids. Ask each family member to choose an item that's important to them and then tell all about it. Encourage your kids to make a poster or choose a song to play to further illustrate their item.

Play dress-up

Let your kids rifle through your closet (maybe hide the fancy fabrics first) and choose outfits to try on. Don't worry; parents can get in on the fun too — although you probably can't wear your kids' clothes, you can pick out something you haven't worn in five years and try it on for a final spin while you debate whether to toss it (you should probably toss it).

Make a cookbook

Have every family member choose several of their favorite recipes you often share as a family and write them out or type them up for future reference. Bonus points for pretty cover pages, string binding, etc.

Just plain color

No matter how old your kids are, chances are they would still enjoy a coloring session — especially if brand-new markers and fancy grown-up coloring books are involved. Grab coloring books (whether they're your 5-year-old's or your own) and go to town.

A version of this article was originally published in October 2011.

Looking back on 2017, there was a lot to complain about — especially for women. But there were a few bright spots in an otherwise pretty grim year in the form of a few memorable cameos by periods in pop culture.

Sure, menstruation has made appearances on TV and in movies for decades now, from Darlene getting her first period on Roseanne to Samantha thinking she's "drying up" on Sex and the City to Larry David reading tampon inserting instructions to a Girl Scout through the bathroom door on Curb Your Enthusiasm, but we've been blessed in 2017 with some great additions to the period cannon.

Here are some of my favorite pop-culture moments featuring periods from the past 12 months (spoilers o'plenty):

1. Anne of Green Gables menstruates too

The Netflix adaptation of L.M. Montgomery's 1908 classic novel Anne of Green Gables, called Anne with an E, received mixed reviews and allegations the "gritty" take on the story of our favorite Canadian red-haired orphan ruined their childhood. Specifically, some viewers were upset by an episode that showed Anne Shirley-Cuthbert (portrayed by Amybeth McNulty) getting her first period.

"Tightly Knotted to a Similar String" — the fifth episode of the first season of the show — addresses the confusion and questions that come when you start to menstruate as well as the stigma and fear that caused (and in many places still causes) young people who get periods to skip school because of it. It's an incredibly made piece of television in one of the best new shows of the year and one I wish existed when I was going through puberty.

More: How the U.S. Differs From the Rest of the World When It Comes to Periods

2. Tampon Michael Stipe sings "Everybody Bleeds"

Another Netflix offering and another one of the best new shows of 2017, Big Mouth follows a group of adolescents (including characters voiced by Nick Kroll, John Mulaney and Jessi Klein) navigating puberty. In the second episode, one of the girls, Jessi (voiced by Klein), gets her first period while wearing white shorts and visiting the Statue of Liberty. After watching Jessi craft a makeshift pad out of a 9/11 memorial towel from the gift shop, we're treated to a musical performance by a tampon that bears a striking resemblance to REM's Michael Stipe as he sings a song about periods called "Everybody Bleeds" (and yes, it sounds remarkably like "Everybody Hurts"). And it's not specific to this episode, but Maya Rudolph is perfect as the hormone monstress.

3. Gina's creative use of menstrual blood during a prison riot

OK, so Netflix is killing it in the period department this year. In the first episode of the fifth season of Orange Is the New Black, Gina smears menstrual blood on her face to convince one of the prison guards she is injured so he will let her into the electrical room. He does, and she proceeds to stop the alarm as well as cutting power to all of Litchfield. It's not the focus of the episode (although previous seasons did focus on the prison's tampon shortage), but it is a crucial and very visible detail that helps us get used to the fact that menstrual blood is thick and red — not watery and light blue like in the commercials.

More: Gift Guide for People With Periods

4. Grace thinks she's dying

I swear this isn't on purpose, but here's another one from Netflix. The second episode of the Margaret Atwood miniseries Alias Grace features the titular Grace (Sarah Gadon) discovering blood in her undergarments and like Anne Shirley-Cuthbert assuming she's dying. Anne had her foster mother, Marilla, talk her down and explain how things work, and Grace has her friend Mary Whitney (Rebecca Liddiard), who warns her that now she has to be extra cautious around men "because they think they’re entitled to anything they want." Like the previous three examples, this scene shows red menstrual blood as well and doesn't glamorize a first period as some sort of magical woman-creating event.

5. Diane becomes a fierce goddess

Finally, a period-related offering from broadcast television — specifically, ABC's Black-ish. In the sixth episode of the fourth season of the show, Diane gets her first period at school and all the women in her family try — in their own unique ways — to help her. The thing is, Diane knows what she's doing.

"I know you want to make a big deal out of this, but I've got it," she tells her mother. "We learned about the menstrual cycle in health class. I have the Flo app. I know I'm a fierce goddess, and I know how to snatch a man's check. I'm good, OK?"

In this case, it's Diane's family that needs the period talk — she's got this.

6. Period sex & synching in wrestling

Aaaaaand, we're back to Netflix — this time, it's GLOW. In the episode “Maybe It’s All the Disco,” we get two period references for the price of one. In one scene, wrestler/model Rhonda (Kate Nash) breaks up with GLOW boss/director Sam (Marc Maron) right after they had period sex. (Sam looks under the bedsheets and comments that "it's like a murder scene in there.") When Rhonda claims Sam isn't really into her (but rather afraid to be alone), he responds by saying, "What do you mean I don't like you? I just had period sex with you."

More: Turns Out, Period Synching Is a Menstrual Myth

Menstruation makes another appearance when the other Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling talk about their synched-up cycles in the locker room (spoiler: that's actually a myth) and share period products. There are the usual comments about pads being like diapers and tampons causing toxic shock syndrome. Then Ruth (Alison Brie) realizes she doesn't have hers, tipping her off to the fact that she might be pregnant. She is, which leads to one of the most honest portrayals of abortion in recent memory.

Overall, it's been a pretty solid year for bleeders. Here's hoping 2018 is even more heavily saturated with menstruation on TV.

If you remember Eminem's daughter, Hailie Scott, as a precocious little girl, get ready to have your mind blown. Scott is 22 now, and she is all grown up (feeling old yet?).

More: Most Memorable MTV VMA Moments Since the First Show in 1984

Scott posted a photo of herself on Instagram just before her Christmas Eve birthday, and excuse us while we work on picking our jaws up off the floor. Not only is she all grown up, but the girl is an absolute stunner.

In the shot, Scott poses on a red couch in skinny jeans, strappy black sandals and a cutout white bodysuit, which gives us a front row seat to her ridiculous washboard abs. Like, holy abs. What is that girl's core routine, because my New Year's resolution is to look like that.

More: Woolworths' Eminem-Inspired Customer Rap Goes Viral, Owns Facebook

"happy early birthday to me," she wrote in the caption, but who is this gift really for? (Us. It's for us.)

A dive into Scott's Instagram shows that even though her dad is one of the most famous rappers of all time, she lives a pretty normal life. The 22 year old is a senior at Michigan State University, she has a hot boyfriend and she looks like she lives an unexpectedly normal life.

More: Eminem Is Unrecognizable at First Glance After Growing Man-Beard

Scott also graduated summa cum laude from her high school, so there wasn't ever really any doubt that she would go on to great things. We can't wait to see what the future holds for her after she graduates!

If you had your first baby this year, there's a good chance your New Year's Eve plans are going to look pretty different from last year. Staying up super-late, drinking, hangovers... they're not quite as appealing once you have a tiny (early-rising) kid.

More: Your Child's 2018 Horoscope

But just because you don't feel like taking your baby to a chilly NYE ball drop doesn't mean you can't celebrate. There are plenty of other ways to have fun, make New Year's memories and keep yourself and Baby happy. Here are some of our favorite ideas.

Watch the ball drop (indoors)

Unless you can spend a fortune on a babysitter — or have a family member in town who's willing to watch the baby for free — you're better off staying in to watch Ryan Seacrest ring in the new year in Times Square. (But did you really want to go to Times Square anyway? Ugh, crowds.) But you can make your TV NYE more interesting by planning a fun menu to cook with your partner or friends — just make sure to practice safe babywearing around the kitchen — and have some board games to play while you cozy up and watch all those Times Square folks freeze their butts off.

Have a parents party

Invite other parents and kids over for a casual potluck/early cocktail party/New Year's gathering. Provide paper for the adults to write two lists: one list of what they'd like to accomplish in the coming year and one of what they'd like to let go. You can then tear the papers up or burn them in a fireplace. Any kids who are old enough can participate too. This is a fun way to mark the holiday with meaning — without having to stay up late.

More: 12 Resolutions to Make You a Better Parent by 2019

Go out to an early dinner

Plenty of babies can tolerate a short meal in public without too much fuss. Plan an early dinner (well before bedtime) at a favorite restaurant. You can even go bold and try a fancy new place; if you're nervous, call beforehand to ask if they accommodate infants. Just make sure to give your baby a nap and a clean diaper right before the outing so they're good to go.

Bring your baby to the party

If you really, really want to go out to a party, consider bringing your little one with you. Of course, it depends on the party (skip the rave this year, OK?) but it's probably totally fine to bring your baby to a gathering at a friend's home where there will be food, drinks and celebration. It's a big plus if the host has a secluded area where you can breastfeed or lay your baby down early.

More: What Exactly Is Gender-Neutral Parenting?

Make plans for New Year's Day

Believe it or not, you don't have to be awake at midnight to celebrate the new year. Instead, consider going to bed early and celebrating on New Year's Day instead. Going out to a special family brunch or having friends over for appetizers and cocktails the next afternoon is a great idea. That way, you'll have something fun to look forward to — and going to bed at an earlier hour won't seem so lame. Also, you can't beat waking up on the first day of the new year refreshed and hangover-free, right?

A version of this article was originally published in December 2012.

We’ve long come to associate changing seasons and holidays with dedicated Starbucks beverages, and the new year will be no exception.

More: Starbucks' new delivery service will make mornings so much easier

Starbucks has launched an intriguing Black and White Mocha Collection, which includes a trio of new chocolate-rich drinks, including a hot chocolate, a Frappuccino and a mocha.

Each drink fits the black and white theme via a mix of dark and white chocolate and is then topped with whipped cream and chocolate "sequins" — as in a celebratory formal event, say, New Year's Eve.

More: Starbucks' cookie straws are going to change the way you drink everything

The Black and White Mocha is a blend of “hot espresso [...] poured over dark mocha sauce and white chocolate mocha sauce, which is then melted into a wonderfully rich concoction,” according to Starbucks. “Steamed milk is added to this silky swirl of dark mocha and white chocolaty goodness to balance the richness.” That is then topped with whipped cream and shaved chocolate. The hot cocoa is basically the same, but no espresso, and the Frappuccino is, well, chill, for those of us who are into that version of the mocha.

Move quickly, though. Much like our anticipated NYE buzz, these drinks will be gone in the new year. They are available at Starbucks locations in in the U.S. and Canada right now and available while supplies last.

And much like a new year, we love that these drinks are ripe with possibilities: Whether you prefer your chocolate cold, hot or caffeinated, there’ll be an option for you. Let's hope 2018 is as understanding.

No matter how many adaptations of Stephen King's The Shining are made, the one starring Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance will always be the best — and the scariest. Few people know that King actually penned a sequel to The Shining (it wasn't his best work, so it's not nearly as popular), but it's getting eyed for the movie treatment.

More: Netflix Is About to Get Some Competition from Hulu and its Newest Series

Unfortunately, Doctor Sleep takes place many years after the events of The Shining, so there's no Overlook Hotel involved. Jack Nicholson also won't be reprising his role (obviously), since his character was killed in the first movie. But Danny Torrance, the little boy with psychic abilities at the center of The Shining, is back in Doctor Sleep, so if the sequel happens, fans will be happy to find out what happens later in Danny's life, long after the deadly winter he spent at the Overlook Hotel.

Mike Flanagan, who directed the film adaption of King's Gerald's Game, is the one who's eyeing Doctor Sleep for its own screen adaptation.

"[T]he ones I’d want to do the most are Doctor Sleep and Lisey’s Story," he explained. "In both cases, it’s because I identify with the protagonists so much. Lisey’s Story is a stunning piece of work, a beautiful exploration of marriage. And who wouldn’t want to venture back into the world of Danny Torrance?"

More: The It Sequel Has a Release Date, So Enjoy Sleep While You Still Can

Of course, this is just wishful thinking on Flanagan's part, and nothing is set in stone. Still, a movie as classic as The Shining deserves a sequel, especially if it was written by King himself. We can see fans being totally on board with this idea.

Actor Mayim Bialik has some pretty strong words for moms who treat motherhood like it’s a competitive sport. On Thursday, the Big Bang Theory star shared an impassioned Facebook vlog titled, "Why Are Moms So Competitive?" In the confessional, she detailed an experience that left her ego bruised more than a decade ago.

“When I was a new mom 13 years ago, I went to a mom’s group at a local retail store. I instantly felt out of place,” she began. Bialik is the mother of two sons, Miles, 12, and Frederick, who is 9.

More: The Big Bang Theory's coitus episode proved sex is just like Star Wars

“I used cloth diapers. I didn’t use pacifiers or bottles," she said. “I didn’t have fancy clothes, and neither did my baby. I didn’t have a manicure. I mean, I barely had time to shower. How was I gonna have time to get a manicure?”

Basically, Bialik joined the group as prepared as she felt a new mom could possibly be. However, the group's dynamic was more about bragging than bonding. “Women at this mom’s group were encouraged to brag about how fast their labor was, how precocious their babies were with pooping, rolling over, sitting up, smiling,” she said.

More: Mayim Bialik is literally the worst at The Big Bang Theory trivia

“Everything was a competition,” she continued. “These were not my people. I left in tears!” Bialik then posed a question for viewers. “Why are moms so competitive?” According to Bialik, there’s a simple reason behind the competitive spirit many women often feel inclined to wield against fellow moms.

“I think that competition comes about because we are the first generation of women who were raised after the revolutionary turmoil of the women’s movement and were the first generation who was constitutionally raised to believe that we can and should do it all,” she theorized.

The outspoken star’s observation struck a chord with a number of fans. Many agreed, while others have taken issue with Bialik's sweeping conclusion — or felt judged by Bialik's own statements about, well, feeling judged.

"I felt very judged by moms who started conversations with 'I use cloth diapers and don't use bottles.' This blog brought back all of the feelings of failure," commented Jen Egan Cranston.

While Bialik may not have found the sense of community she sought more than a decade ago, considering the number of likes her vlog attracted, at least we can hope she's found some sort of community on Facebook.

The weird feeling of body competition so many women feel after childbirth — you know, the pressure to quickly "bounce back" into their pre-childbirth bodies like some kind of sci-fi project — is overwhelming. Never mind the 40ish weeks that body just spent creating a tiny human. Despite it all, the people must know: When will you be able to wear that two-piece swimsuit again?

One fitness trainer is fighting back against this warped view of postpartum bodies. Emily Skye is a global ambassador for Reebok and an all-around fitness guru based Down Under. She recently gave birth to a little girl, and despite many people assuring her she'd have "no problem" losing the baby weight (what with her fit lifestyle and all) Skye is here to assure us that several days after giving birth, she still looks pregnant. Yep.

More: This Mom's Before & After Pics Get Real About Post-Baby Bodies

“So many people told me I would 'bounce right back' after giving birth like a lot of other fit women do,” Skye said in a lengthy caption on Instagram. “Well that’s definitely not the case for me! It’s only 5 days after I gave birth to Mia and I look about 6 or so months pregnant.”

Of course, every pregnancy story is different. Despite Skye’s attempts to workout during her pregnancy, she was often in too much pain or it was simply too uncomfortable to commit to a regimen. But now, instead of hiding her "imperfect" postpartum body, she's doing a good deed for all of womankind: She's putting it on full display, “granny undies” and all.

“I can tell I’m going to have a LOT of hard work ahead of me to get fit and strong again which I KNOW I can do but it’s not my priority right now,” she continued. “Spending this time with my daughter is. Getting my 'body back' can take a back seat for the time being... I’ll get there in a realistic time frame & I refuse to put pressure on myself to get there.”

More: 15 Celebrity Moms Who Make Us Feel Better About Our Postpartum Bodies

When it comes to Instagram, every demographic has its obnoxious trends. From staged “sleeping” selfies (come on; you’re not asleep — you took the photo) to avocado toast, there are a number of traps we fall victim to and grow exhausted of seeing. But for moms and moms-to-be, there may well be no trend as divisive as the “snap back” phenomenon — that postpartum photo many women feel pressured to take in an effort to show the world how much weight they’ve quickly lost after giving birth. And while it's true that some women shed pounds in a snap, others don’t shed them quickly or ever — and that's absolutely wonderful too.

Check out the rest of Skye's heartfelt message below.

We may not have heard too much from Abby Lee Miller since she started her sentence in federal prison, but that doesn't mean she hasn't been busy. The former star of Dance Moms has been taking a lot of classes while behind bars, preparing her for being uber productive once she gets released.

More: The New Boss on Dance Moms Is All Business & Zero Drama

Us Weekly reports that Miller has already completed a prison release preparation program, which gives inmates the information they need to successfully prepare for being released from the system. She's also reportedly received a certificate in personal finance, as well as for real estate, by completing Adult Continuing Education classes.

Miller was sentenced in May after being convicted of bankruptcy fraud and bringing $120,000 from Australia into the U.S. without reporting it to customs. She was ordered to complete a 366-day prison sentence, which she began serving in July at a federal prison in at the Victorville, California. She was also fined $40,000 in addition to the $120,000 judgement, and she'll face two years of supervised release once she gets out of prison.

More: Abby Lee Miller Wants her nNext Maddie Ziegler but Isn't Putting in the Work

Spending time behind bars isn't stopping Miller from thinking about her career. She previously told Us Weekly that once she's released, she wants to get right back to work.

"I hope to come out and have a new TV show, a scripted show that I’ve created," she said. "And it’s kind of, you know, a teenage show where Dance Moms leaves off, what should happen next because I know what should happen next."

More: It's Official: Abby Lee Miller's Finally had Enough With Dance Moms' BS

Whether it will actually happen is a big mystery, but with more than half of her prison sentence still left to complete, Miller probably won't be back on TV any time soon.

There comes a stage in most parents' lives when their children are less excited to stay home with them and more excited to be out with their friends. Ah, well — it's bound to happen eventually. And as a parent, of course you want to protect your teens, but you also want to give them room to become their own people. While it's natural for kids to want their independence, it can be tough for parents to chill out and set them free when alcohol and drugs are so prevalent at parties. That's why New Year's Eve can feel like a nightmare for many parents of teens.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways for teens to have a good time on New Year's Eve — and still be in a safe environment. Here are five activities that let them celebrate, have fun and most important, come home safe.

More: 12 Resolutions to Make You a Better Parent by 2019

1. Daytime ball drops

Museums and other local venues often host daytime, family-friendly New Year's Eve ball drops where young and old can count down to the new year without having to stay up until midnight. Check with your local convention and visitor's bureau for possible events.

2. Fireworks

New Year's fireworks

New Year's fireworks

Start the new year off with a bang and take your teen to a professional fireworks show. Some ballparks and amusement parks put on an amazing fireworks display that can be viewed from both inside and outside the park, so pack a blanket and enjoy the show.

3. Organized events

New Year's skating

New Year's skating

Indoor activities such as roller-skating, ice-skating, bowling and commercial arcades are great New Year's Eve activities for teens. Check for special deals and events that may ensure kids — including teens — remain on-site until they're picked up by a parent. Have your teen plan to attend with a group of friends — and coordinate among the adults as to who will be in charge of picking them up.

4. Host a party at home

Hosting a safe New Year's Eve party for teens is the easiest way to ensure your child is playing by the rules. Music, movies and munchies know no age limit — and you can let your kid help plan everything from the decor to the food. Try make-your-own pizzas, cute appetizers, fun mocktails and maybe a chocolate fountain for dessert.

More: 11 Ways to Have a Family-Friendly New Year's Eve Party

5. Amusement parks

NYE Amusement parks

NYE Amusement parks

Theme parks often offer special events and hours during the holidays (Disneyland in Anaheim, California, is open until 2 a.m. on New Year's Eve). Security patrol, monitored activities and an enclosed environment ensure parents can rest easy — while the amusement park ensures teens will have fun.

Don't forget safe driving rules

There are many options for safe New Year's Eve celebrations for teens, but that all goes out the window if your teen gets into a car with someone who's been drinking or doesn't practice safe driving herself. If your teenager will be on the road this New Year's Eve, review safe road rules — including no texting while driving.

"End the night right: If you fear that your driver for the evening may have become under the influence during the course of the night, do not — under any circumstances — get in their vehicle," Kevin Markham of Ford Global Driver Safety urges teens. And what can parents do? Make sure your teen knows they can always get a ride. "Your parents or sibling won't be mad if you call late for a ride," Markham tells teens. "In fact, they should be happy you made the responsible and safe decision."

With the right choices and ground rules, you can help make this a safe New Year's your teen won't soon forget.

More: How to Use the New Year to Teach Your Kids About Goals

A version of this article was originally published in December 2012.

Most people who have periods find them unpleasant. From having symptoms like cramps, headaches and bloating to just plain having to bleed three to seven days a month, periods can put a real damper on your life. Some unlucky folks even experience something called heavy menstrual bleeding, or menorrhagia, a medical condition in which your period is abnormally heavy, long or both. Nearly a third of menstruating people get treatment for HMB at some point.

The Mayo Clinic describes HMB as a period that impacts your life so much you’re unable to live life the way you would if you had a normal period because of such severe blood loss and cramping. But how much do you have to bleed for it to be considered HMB? Needing to change your pad or tampon once an hour or more or having to empty a menstrual cup much more frequently than normal is one sign you’re bleeding too much. Having to double up on pads or waking up in the middle of the night to change your pad or tampon are as well.

More: Does My Period Really Stop When I Go Swimming?

Other symptoms of HMB include having blood clots that are bigger than a quarter and bleeding for more than a week. Also, look out for signs of iron deficiency anemia, like fatigue or easily becoming short of breath and bleeding between periods or after menopause.

If you believe you may have HMB, it’s important to get in to see a doctor as quickly as possible. Sometimes, the cause of HMB can’t be found by a doctor, though it is often caused by a greater health concern, such as a hormonal imbalance due to polycystic ovary syndrome or issues with the thyroid. Other causes of HMB include polyps, fibroids, endometrial cancer, using an IUD and using certain medications.

There are several tests a doctor might run to determine the cause of HMB, like a simple blood test, an endometrial biopsy, a Pap test, an ultrasound or an X-ray. After that, your doctor can go about treating HMB and/or the cause of it. A doctor will then base treatment on your medical history, how severe the HMB is, what causes it and whether you plan to have children.

More: 7 Symptoms That Might Indicate Your Period Is Coming

HMB is something that can affect all menstruating people, though the cause of it can differ by age. For children and teenagers, anovulation is often the culprit. Anovulation is a phenomenon in which an egg doesn’t form and then ovulation doesn’t occur. The older you are, the more your risk for endometrial cancer gets and the greater your HMB being caused by cancer becomes, according to the Mayo Clinic.

It’s always important to pay attention to your body, particularly changes that occur for seemingly no reason. This includes how much you bleed while on your period. It isn’t senseless or silly to be proactive about your health and get checked out. Even if the cause of HMB isn’t serious or life-threatening, it’s better to have that knowledge, that peace of mind.

By Kelley O'Brien