Here are ten examples of HOA rules that got a little out of hand. No Hurricane Shutters — In Florida: My friend’s parents live in Florida, and even though this state probably sees more hurricanes than any other part of the country, they’re not allowed to leave up hurricane shutters because it’s an “eyesore.” They must install them right before the storm (because, you know, you have plenty of time to do that while Mother Nature is hurtling at your doorstep), and take them down afterwards....

Now, no matter who you’re throwin’ said pool party for — tots or your closest circle of friends — you’re going to need a soundtrack of fun, fitting poolside tunes. Here, 10 tracks you can’t miss when building the ultimate pool party playlist! What song(s) would absolutely be on your pool party playlist? Image via Sonja Lovas/Flickr title: “10 Splashy Songs To Play At Your Next Pool Party” ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-02” author: “Gary Rondeau” Now, no matter who you’re throwin’ said pool party for — tots or your closest circle of friends — you’re going to need a soundtrack of fun, fitting poolside tunes....

(And, yes, that’s my 9-week-old golden retriever. Don’t let her cuteness fool you. She’s a devil.) You’ll no longer sleep though the night. You’ll be up just as often as you were with a newborn and a puppy isn’t nearly as good of an excuse for dark circles as a new baby is. Scrubbing pee and shit out of the carpet becomes part of the daily routine. It turns out dog poop is even worse than baby poop....

These Paleo summer dinners won’t leave you feeling weighed down by grains or processed foods, so you’re free to enjoy tennis, a run, or even a long walk. Whether you’re comfortable outdoors grilling or inside whipping up a colorful salad that’s as lovely as it is healthy, you’ll find plenty here to fill you up and give you energy at the same time. Image via Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock A photo posted by M & M ~ on the back porch (@backporchpaleo) on Jul 4, 2016 at 7:21pm PDT More from CafeMom: 15 of the Prettiest Picnics on Instagram A photo posted by Autumn Meyer (@playinghousewholetime) on Jun 30, 2016 at 7:26pm PDT More from CafeMom: 13 Paleo Snacks You Don’t Have to Be a Caveman to Love A photo posted by Dorota Szmeling (@paleoflavor) on Jul 1, 2016 at 4:57pm PDT A photo posted by Dorota Szmeling (@paleoflavor) on Jul 4, 2016 at 11:47am PDT More from CafeMom: New Paleo Diet Cookbook for Babies: All the Cool 3-Month-Olds Are Doing It!...

King Major Princess/Prince Beautiful Awesome Yes, all of those names actually appear in the Social Security name database — and not just once or even twice! Experts say that parents now teach that the world revolves around their children — and pick a name accordingly. Here’s 11 more names I suspect that we might see in the next few years. Kate Middleton. If you’re going to name your little girl “Princess” might as well take it one step further....

Today we are going to enjoy some blind date stories from both ends of the spectrum, We’ve got tales of blind dates that led to babies and wedding bells and stories that prove that sometimes it is better just to stay single. I honestly wasn’t sure anything could beat the story of a friend who got set up on a blind date with a guy who turned out to be her cousin (!...

You’ve gotta see some of these ingenious menstruation accessories. We love some of them so much we want them no matter what time of month it is! Let’s hear it for Aunt Flo! Which of these funny products is your favorite? Image via etsy.com More from The Stir: 20 Creative Ways Women Say ‘I’m on My Period’ More from The Stir: What to Eat When You Have PMS More from The Stir: Your PMS Cravings Delivered to Your Door, Genius!...

And choosing a nickname as a first name isn’t a bad idea, right? More from CafeMom: 15 Baby Boy ‘Nicknames’ That Make Kickass First Names As Laura Wattenberg of BabyNameWizard.com points out, these baby names boast a ton of nickname style that could make them the perfect option for our baby girl. “The names are light, friendly, and cheerful, and usually easy to spell and pronounce — they come across as straightforward and likable,” she says....

We asked birth photographers to share some of their most powerful images of babies right as they entered the world with us. Click through and you’ll be reminded of just how astonishing and life-changing it is to become a mom. Which of these stunning images is your favorite? Image via Hello Baby Birth Photography More From The Stir: Birthing Center vs. Hospital: Where Should You Deliver? More From The Stir: My Kids Will Be in the Delivery Room When I Have My Third Baby More From The Stir: 3 Good Reasons to Delay Cutting Your Newborn’s Umbilical Cord More From The Stir: Incredible Images of Babies Being Born Give Us a Look at the Miracle of Birth...

Because even the non-sporty kids still need to be physically active, we reached out to 15 moms who aren’t living the soccer mom life to find out how they make sure their kids get moving — and have some fun. These are smart ideas for physical fun with no teams involved. “She’s really been enjoying our having a membership at our neighborhood indoor trampoline place. She goes for open jumping time and comes out totally sweaty and stress-free....

Here are 15 hilarious signs that really understand the struggle. More from CafeMom: 9 Creative ‘Keep Out’ Signs Kids Hung on Their Bedroom Doors More from CafeMom: 20 Signs You’re a Millennial Mom More from CafeMom: 20 DIY Home Upgrades for Every Season More from CafeMom: 11 Wine-Infused Desserts Because Wine O’Clock Should Be Always More from CafeMom: 12 Ideas for Creating a Cool Home Office in a Small Space...

Fall is the perfect season to be pregnant. The air is crisp enough that you can sleep comfortably at night and make it though the day without sweating through your newly purchased nursing bra. The swirling red and gold leaves and pumpkins everywhere are the perfect backdrop for maternity photos. And apple cider doughnuts with a mug of hot cider on the side are just what you, er, the baby, is craving....

Part of our problem is that I have one kid who would be on a screen every single moment if we let him. The other kid will binge-watch kitten videos one day and then ignores screens the rest of the week. We’ve tried different rules for each kid but we still haven’t found our sweet spot. We want the kids to get to play the apps they love but also don’t want them to be zoned out all the time....

The American Pregnancy Association calls nesting “the overwhelming desire to get a home ready for a baby.” Overwhelming is putting it lightly — we call it losing our damn minds. We’re talking going from “I’ll unload the dish washer tomorrow” to “I must scrub every mite of dust from the inside of all my kitchen cabinets” crazy. When one refers to it as pregnancy brain or even just the third trimester crazies, either way, the nesting instinct is strong, people!...

That may why be many folks who’ve had — or are still struggling with — mental illnesses ink remnants of their ongoing battle. Whether it’s a semi-colon or a compelling portrait, these 15 powerful tattoos serve as a reminder that there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. After all, few things bust mental health stigma more than proudly displaying your struggle on your skin. A photo posted by ⚓️Princess Lizzi⚓️ (@lizzibxx) on Nov 29, 2015 at 3:10pm PST A photo posted by Port Angeles Tattoo (@port_angeles_tattoo) on Dec 21, 2015 at 10:25am PST A photo posted by Remington Tattoo Parlor (@remingtontattoo) on Nov 17, 2014 at 10:18am PST A photo posted by Beauty Behind Illness ?...

The sweetest and most treasured ornaments are the ones with a story behind them. So, this year, instead of buying all of your new tree trimmings, make merry memories with the kids by DIYing these adorable (and dare we say, stylish) ornaments. Your Christmas tree will never feel so loved. Grab your craft box and cozy up by the fire. Here are 15 DIY ornaments you don’t want to miss....

What’s worse? People also have the audacity to actually tell women to their faces what motherhood “should” look like — and that often doesn’t include women with funky hair, piercings, or tattoos. Inked moms know all too well the snide comments and sideways glances thrown their way simply for looking “different.” And trust us — they have heard it all. Here are 15 of the things tattooed moms hear and experience — and are flat-out tired of....

Sadly, headlines about mothers who face backlash for breastfeeding their little ones, either in public or just in front of someone with a strong opinion, are all too common. Eye-roll- and sometimes even anger-inducing conflicts along these lines have played out time and again for celebrities, social influencers, and moms all across the country. It seems like closed-minded people are everywhere and just waiting to give moms a hard time for nursing their little ones....

Here are a list of compelling reasons you shouldn’t get married. What are some other reasons you can think of not to get married? Image via bradleypjohnson/Flickr title: “15 Very Good Reasons To Never Get Married” ShowToc: true date: “2024-08-29” author: “Mark Whitney” Here are a list of compelling reasons you shouldn’t get married. What are some other reasons you can think of not to get married? Image via bradleypjohnson/Flickr...

Who doesn’t love a baby? Adding a new member to the family is a blessing no matter how you look at it — but unfortunately, not everyone thinks that way. Seriously, some people have no filter. Wait until you hear some of the meanest, wackiest, and downright uncalled for things that have been said to moms after telling people they’re pregnant. More From Our Partners: The Most Confusing Gender Reveal EVER!...