Relationships & Family Articles

Cheat Sheet / Updated 05-13-2022

Congratulations — you’re engaged and that should be celebrated! Now it’s time to make it official and plan your perfect wedding day. It’s all about perspective. The big picture in planning a wedding is that at the end of the day, you will be married. That’s what’s most important. Along your journey, there will be bumps in the road. But wedding planning doesn’t have to be stressful. Following the simple steps outlined in this Cheat Sheet will ensure a perfect wedding day.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-25-2022

Hundreds of genealogy websites help you research family origins and movements; online is the place to be for genealogy research. Among many specialized websites, Helm's Genealogy Toolbox is the oldest comprehensive genealogy and local history index. The links on this site point to other resources available to assist your research. Some common myths and misperceptions about genealogy might surprise you.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-12-2022

Potty training is an important step in childhood development. As a parent, you need to recognize the signs that your child is ready for the toilet talk, institute a potty-training process, keep that process going, and recognize when your child is almost there. Along the way, you need to make sure that your child knows potty-trianing terminology, be able to spot problems that need medical attention, and separate potty-training myths from reality.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-23-2022

Practicing proper etiquette means knowing the mechanics of dining, the correct amount to tip for a service, giving a gift graciously, and traveling with ease while exercising good manners.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-16-2022

Wedding etiquette rules have relaxed a bit over time, but common sense and basic etiquette are still necessary in every phase of wedding planning — and on the big day itself. Familiarizing yourself with what to do before, during, and after your wedding will help ensure that everyone enjoys all your wedding festivities.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-10-2022

Your baby’s first year is a precious time that will pass all too quickly — in retrospect. To help calm your new-parent jitters, cover the basics: Make sure that you have a list of essential phone numbers handy, know what symptoms dictate that you call the doctor immediately, and understand the many reasons your baby cries. And for yourself, repeating an affirmation or two can help you keep your perspective and your sanity.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-09-2022

Following some helpful advice about parenting will help you keep your cool and forge ahead with enthusiasm even when the going gets rough. In case of a family emergency, make sure you have a list handy of emergency phone numbers and that everyone in the house knows where it is. Parenting comes with a set of absolute rules, so get to know and consistently practice them. When you can't figure out why your baby is crying, go through a list of possible reasons and their remedies from top to bottom.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-09-2022

Planning a wedding shouldn’t break the bank — it should be fun, exciting, and worry-free. To plan a budget wedding that looks anything but cheap, make a priority list, cut back on food (the biggest wedding expense), and consider adding some wallet-friendly touches that are also good for the environment.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-08-2022

As you go about your day and navigate the world with virtual meetings and cellphone calls — and deciding whether to respond to your aunt's latest post on your social media — it’s important to know the best way to connect, meet, respond, call, post, chat, and more. Before you pick up your phone in a movie theater, respond to a chat message that has a tone you don't like, or send an email to your boss, see this Cheat Sheet for some tips and reminders designed to ensure that you're coming across in the way you intend — in the best light possible.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-24-2022

From time to time, we all need to work a little harder with our partners at making our relationships the best they can be. This Cheat Sheet covers some of the key issues you’ll meet along the way. Keep it handy.