Pregnancy and Birth

Many first-time parents are concerned about giving their baby the best start. This means a healthy pregnancy. If you are interested in learning more about a healthy pregnancy, as well as your birth options, these blogs can help you.

1. Ob/Gyn Kenobi: Learn more about pregnancy, health and childbirth from this doctor.
2. At Your Cervix: This labor and delivery nurse offers helpful information on childbirth.
3. Navelgazing Midwife: This midwife offers insights into natural childbirth and healthy pregnancy.
4. Fit Pregnancy: Learn more about having a health pregnancy, and staying fit throughout.
5. What to Expect: Great blogs and insights that can help you understand pregnancy and have a healthy pregnancy.
6. Pregnancy: Learn more about pregnancy, what to expect, and how to be healthy throughout.
7. Stand and Deliver: Learn more about natural childbirth, your options and being a parent.
8. Pregnancy Advice: This Families.com offers helpful information on a successful pregnancy.
9. Babyfruit: This blog about pregnancy, miscarriage and pregnancy is inspiring and helpful.
10. The Postpartum Stress Center: Offers great insights and support for those struggling with postpartum stress and depression.

Child Health and Development

Learn more about child health and wellness. These blogs can help you learn how to care for your little one at birth, and as he or she grows. Keep up with the information you need to ensure that your child has the best possible start. Includes some blogs that focus on parenting children with special needs and development issues.

11. Thrive: This is the blog from Children’s Hospital Boston on pediatric health.
12. Pediatrics Blog: Get information related to your child’s health.
13. Dr. Nabong’s Pediatric Blog: A look at news, information and tips related to keeping your child healthy.
14. Joy’s Autism Blog: Learn more about raising an autistic child.
15. Adventures in Autism: Another blog offering insight into life with autism.
16. Parenting Teens: Get solid information and help on parenting teens and keeping them healthy in body and mind.
17. Infant, Child, and Teen Health: This Healia blog offers great information on raising healthy children.
18. Ann’s Learning Disabilities Blog: A great resource for parents whose child has learning disabilities.
19. Special Needs Blog: Read more about parenting children with special needs.
20. Freedom to Learn: An interesting blog from Psychology Today about learning — especially with ADHD.

Childhood Issues and Trends

Are you concerned about how to parent children and teenagers in an increasingly confusing and complex world? These parenting blogs offer insight and information on the latest issues affecting children and parents, as well as trends in parenting. Includes great blogs on green parenting.

21. Mom Logic: A great place to go to learn more about trends facing children and parents.
22. Momsational!: News, tips and more about the issues that affect children and parents.
23. Connect with Your Teens: Learn about what is going on with teenagers, and how to keep in touch with what’s important to them.
24. The Parenting Coach: Learn more about parenting, navigating tricky issues faced by children and teens, and more.
25. ParentDish: News, trends and tips on better parenting, with reference to what your child is interested in.
26. Radical Parenting: This is an interesting site that includes parenting advice — from kids.
27. The Green Mom Review: A blog that can help you learn more about products that can help you with greener parenting.
28. Green and Natural Parenting Blog: A look at green parenting and tips for incorporating the principles in your life.
29. Mindful Momma: Learn more about parenting in a more sustainable way.
30. Suburban Turmoil: Issues related to raising children and the trends that they are interested in.
31. Parenting Blog: Help dealing with issues that come with raising children.

Being a Parent

Being a parent can be tough. The following blogs can help you connect with other parents, and learn what to expect. You might be overwhelmed by your new role as a parent, but these blogs on parenting and being a parent can help you cope — and find your footing.

32. The Busy Dad Blog: Get information on being a dad.
33. Dooce.com: Keeps you up to date on being a mom, and how you can cope with the challenges of parenthood.
34. GeekDad: This father blogs about being a geek and a dad.
35. MomGrind: This mom blogs about social issues, health, wellness and other things related to being a woman.
36. RebelDad: Learn more about parenting as a dad from this insightful and thoughtful father.
37. Jobs and Moms: Resources for moms who are trying to balance work outside the home and parenting.
38. Daddy Types: Find out more about coping with life as a parent.
39. Mama-Om: Looking for peace while you parent.
40. The New Dad Blog: Insight advice and help on being a new daddy.
41. Adventures in Parenting: Advice and more about coping with the challenges of parenting.
42. The Bean Blog: Issues in parenting, tips and helpful advice.
43. Haluski: Dealing with being a parent.
44. MotherThoughts: Great insight into coping with the challenges of motherhood.

Single Parents

Single parents face their own special challenges and struggles. These great blogs can help you find your way as a single parent. Even if you aren’t a single parent yet, these blogs offer great insights that any first-time parent would be glad to have.

45. Single Parents Blog: Tips and issues related to single parenting.
46. Jennifer’s Single Parents Blog: Helpful information on handling parenting as a single.
47. Dad’s House: A looking at single parenting from a dad perspective.
48. Ms. Single Mama: Life as a single mom, parenting tips and an interesting and genuine perspective.
49. Single Parents Unite: A blog meant to help single parents find resources.
50. Single Mom Seeking: A look at family life, dating and parenting.

Each link leads to the download page, either at Google Chrome or at the developers’ sites. You may discover a few extensions that will add to your browsing safety and pleasure as well, especially when you can find tools that help you to avoid risky sites and to watch international television. For more extensions, visit the Google Chrome Extensions Web site.

Parental Extensions

1. Adblock Lite is a fast, easy way to block ads while browsing. It is the only extension that does not need to be configured before surfing, and it hides advertisements before they appear on the page. Needs daily updates, however.
2. BitDefender QuickScan takes full advantage of the “in-the-cloud” scanning service and is capable to detect active malware in less than a minute, taking just a fraction of the system resources needed by a regular virus scan.
3. CEOP’s internet safety advice is a tool produced by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre. Download their extension and keep CEOP specialists at your fingertip whenever and wherever you use the internet.
4. Click&Clean deletes browsing history, typed URLs, Flash cookies, all traces of your online activity to protect your privacy.
5. F Off! is a profanity filter for Google Chrome that cleans your Internet of swearing. It’s a great app for people who would like the power to choose what sort of language they consume on the Web, or for those who would like to make the web a cleaner place for their kids.
6. FlashBlock allows you to block all Flash features or to be selective with the embedded whitelist manager. Each Flash element is replaced with a placeholder that allows you to load only selected elements on a given page.
7. Ghostery allows you to protect your privacy by detecting trackers, Web bugs, pixels and beacons placed on Web pages by ad networks, behavioral data providers, web publishers, and other companies interested in your activity or your child’s activity.
8. LinkExtend provides a toolbar that allows parents to set safety browsing, to install a KidSafe alert and erase tool, page ranks and more. Great for parents as well as for kids.
9. PasswordFail Extension warns the user if the Web site being used stores passwords in plain text, a practice which is unnecessary and dangerous.
10. SiteAdvisor for Chrome is based upon McAfee SiteAdvisor and warns you about page ratings before you open the site.
11. WOT, or Web of Trust, is a safe browsing tool, which warns you about risky sites that cheat customers, deliver malware or send spam. Traffic-light rating symbols show which Web sites you can trust for safe surfing, shopping and searching on the Web.

Fun Extensions for Kids

12. Chrome TV is a free plug-in that enables users to watch online TV direct from the Chrome browser. With more than 3,000 TV channels from all over the world, this is best way to easily watch TV on your computer.
13. Cooliris transforms your browser into a full-screen 3D Wall for searching, viewing and sharing the Web. The Cooliris extension includes a plugin that requires access to your graphics card in order to render the high-performance 3D Wall. Cooliris also helps parents seem cool.
14. Flixster Movies extension lets you find out about new movies and watch trailers directly from your toolbar.
15. Justin.tv Channel Browser shows what is on Justin.tv without going to the site. Find live videos and search to find a live channel to watch streaming videos.
16. Kidstube Button allows Internet users to open KidsTube with a click of a button, and avoids any unnecessary browsing. KidsTube has a wide variety of age-appropriate videos.
17. One Manga Reader helps users to follow the updates of favorite mangas and beautify the One Manga Web site. Mangas are sorted in alphabetical order in the list. Mangas with new updates appear on top of the list.
18. TV Chrome is the TV Extension for Google Chrome that allows users to watch 2780 live television channels sorted by country and category directly from the Chrome Browser.

Learning Extensions

19. Basic Calculator is a simple and easy-to-use calculator that allows users to choose a favorite style and icons.
20. Chrome Dictionary Lite lets you translate words on any current page. Click the magnifier icon to turn on on particular page, then move your mouse to hover words to translate.
21. Diigo Web Highlighter and Bookmark highlights Web pages with multiple colors as you read online. Also allow tagging and sticky notes.
22. Fast Typer is a game and a learning tool as users see how many six-letter words they can type within one minute.
23. Google Dictionary helps define words with a double click. Once you double click on a work, a small pop-up bubble shows the complete definition of that word.
24. StayFocusd increases productivity by limiting the amount of time per day that users spend browsing time-wasting Web sites. Once your allotted time for the day has been used up, the sites you have blocked will be inaccessible for the rest of the day. Good way to teach kids how to stay focused and to restrict time spent on certain sites.
25. Wikipedia Companion — Mini Wiki Browser is a full-featured mini-browser and lookup for Wikipedia and is an essential tool for any Wikipedia user. It saves your recent wiki lookups, is multi-lingual and moves back and forward and more.

Newborns

Understanding how to care for newborns can be a daunting task. Especially if you are a first time mom. Here are some mommy bloggers that can help you find your way:

1. MomBlog: This collection of blogs from FamilyLife offers helpful insight on different stages of development. The newborns blog is written by different moms who share their perspectives and wisdom in caring for the newest addition to your family.
2. Breastfeeding 1-2-3: With helpful advice on breastfeeding from Angela, a breastfeeding lawyer, this great resource provides practical advice on making it work for you and your newborn.
3. Baby Care Answers: Get answers to some of your baby care questions. This blog is written by Cortney Gibson, a mom dedicated to helping parents of newborns take better care of their babies.
4. Babylune: Learn how to take care of your baby, and get helpful parenting tips from Eliza Ferree.
5. Breastfeeding Mums Blog: Another breastfeeding blog, this one helps you learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and how it can work for you.
6. Nursing Your Kids: This blog is mostly about the different ways your newborn can benefit from breastfeeding. Give your newborn the best start.
7. Cloth Diaper Blog: If you are interested in a “greener” way to care for your newborn, you can get good information and tips from this blog about effective cloth diapering.
8. What to Expect: The author of the popular What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Heidi Murkoff, has a site/blog full of articles about baby care and newborn care. It’s not just about the pregnancy.
9. ModernMommyBlog: This blog is written by a mom with a sociology degree and who teaches about child development. She a child just out of the newborn stage, and a great deal of insight on what happens in the first year, and beyond.
10. The Natural Newborn’s Blog: For eco-conscious parents, this blogger is intent on helping you find ways to take care of your baby in a more natural way.
11. Suburban Cloth: This is another diaper blog about cloth diapers and using them for more natural care of your newborn. Christine helps you learn how to care for your baby in a more natural manner.
12. Molly Hilton Baby: This blog isn’t exactly about caring for your newborns. But if you are interested in having your baby photographed, Molly Hilton can provide you with some great ideas.

Twins and Multiples

Taking care of multiple babies can be difficult on any parent. There are plenty of blogs about caring for twins and multiples that can help you figure out what needs to be done — or just provide a little support and perspective.

13. Twins & Multiples: Pamela Prindle Fierro has identical twin girls, and provides a number of helpful insights on her About.com blog.
14. How Do You Do It?: This blog offers insight from a number of mothers who parent multiples. These is even information on this blog about caring for preemies.
15. BeTwinned: A great place to go to learn about parenting multiples — and doing it with cancer.
16. The Joys of Twins: Learn how to take care of twins, and other multiples. Dawn has interesting insights and a clean style, making her clear and approachable.
17. 4tunate: Follow the life adventures of a “quatro mama” who had quadruplets.
18. Got Triplets? This blog is devoted to raising three firecracker girls who happen to be triplets.
19. Multiples… and More!: This blog is all about having multiples, how to care for them, and sharing stories about how they can change your life.
20. Twin Utero: Thoughts and insight on parenting twins, and overcoming the challenges.
21. Susan Heim on Parenting: Susan is a mommy blogger writing about parenting multiples from a Christian perspective.
22. Les Sharma: Twin boys, along with an older boy. A great look on dealing with the craziness that is parenting three active boys.
23. Looky, Daddy!: It’s not exactly a mommy blog, but it does offer insight into caring for twins — especially when you already have another child. This stay-at-home dad tells it like it is.

Special Needs

Many parents find out during pregnancy, or soon after the birth, that their child is a special needs child. Looking online for those who can understand and who can provide you with helpful hints on parenting can be a real godsend.

24. Special Needs Children: Another great offering from About.com. Terri Mauro provides helpful information on taking proper care of a special needs child.
25. The Special Needs Parent Blog: Joan helps you find strategies to parent your special needs child, whether he or she is a baby or getting older.
26. To The Max: This blog is about parenting a child with cerebral palsy. Ellen writes honestly about taking care of Max from the time he was born.
27. speak softly…: Vicki’s special needs child passed away, but she still blogs about disabilities, and advocates for children. A great blog for reading about caring for children with special needs, and getting through the pain of losing a child.
28. Slurping Life: Melody has given birth to and adopted boys with different special needs. Her kids are affected by bipolar, ADHD, cerebral palsy and autism.
29. 1-2-3 Autism Free: This mommy blogger writes about caring for a baby and, later, a child with autism.
30. MOM — Not Otherwise Specified: A great blog written by a mom raising a child on the autism spectrum.
31. Cerebral Palsy Baby: Shannon writes about having cerebral palsy and still giving birth. An interesting perspective.
32. Parenting Children with Special Needs: This blog is found on an adoption blog, and can provide insight to those who adopt a baby with special needs.

Parenting with Attitude

Sometimes, when you are dealing with the stresses of a new baby, what you really need is someone irreverent to help you get through it. You also may need some laughter and insight from a source with attitude. These mommy bloggers can help you laugh and get through it all when you really need it.

33. Badgermama: With her purple hair, Liz occasionally raises some eyebrows. But her fresh approach to parenting can be a real help.
34. Chookooloonnks: With a sly wit, Karen shares her thoughts on motherhood and life.
35. IzzyMom: This sarcastic mom has an irreverent view of life. She is a non-traditional in a number of ways, and can provide a bit of spunk and attitude to your day.
36. Fussy: Eden blogs about raising children and doing it with a little attitude.
37. Motherhood Uncensored: Just what you would expect: An unapologetic and unflinching view of the ups and downs of parenting.
38. Not Calm (dot com): Read about the crazy life of Jen, a mother of four. Brings a little laughter and perspective to your day.
39. Notes from the Trenches: Learn about the insane life of Chris, a mother who works hard to keep her six boys and one girl in line.
40. Three Kid Circus: Jenny is a seasoned mother of three who can help you learn how to raise your kids with a little levity.
41. Karen Sugarpants: This mother is often hilarious, sharing thoughts on motherhood and helping you get away from it for a little bit.
42. Mama Drama: Houston Chronicle readers weigh in about motherhood. A range of experiences from a variety of mommy bloggers.

Finding Balance

A new baby can make it difficult for you to accomplish everything you feel you should. Here are some blogs that can help you find yourself again — and still be a good (or at least adequate!) mother.

43. It’s All About Balance: April shares her thoughts on keeping it all together.
44. The Journey: Renee blogs about finding balance and peace, starting on the inside.
45. On Balance: Leslie blogs for The Washington Post about finding that balance between work life and home life. A valuable resource for working moms with new babies.
46. Dirty Laundry: A helpful blog about knowing what to let slide, and figuring out what is important.
47. Birth Balance: A blog devoted to finding balance and harmony throughout the birthing and postpartum processes.
48. Postpartum Progress: Addresses the issue of postpartum depression, and what can be done about it.
49. PPD Survivor: Learn how to deal with postpartum depression.
50. Motherlode: This blog from The New York Times writer Lisa offers insight on newborns, finding balance, caring for yourself and addressing emotional issues in child rearing.