I just managed to completely freak myself out by glancing at my first grader's calendar, because exactly who authorized the last day of school to be in less than THREE WEEKS AWAY? Oh god, summer break's almost here. Sun, fun, and many hours of "YOU GUYS NEED TO PIPE DOWN I'M TRYING TO WORK!!!"

If this summer's anything like last year, we'll manage to figure out a precarious balance between activities and downtime and deadlines -- and I'm sure in addition to the wholesome outdoors and sunshine, my boys will be getting some screen time. They're not quite at the Internet-using age yet, but if your kids will be doing more than their usual amount of web surfing this summer, I've got 5 handy (and free!) Google tools specifically aimed at helping parents keep their kids safe while they're online.

Instagram photos are all the rage these days. If you don't have the app, you seriously need to get it, because it's awe-some. You can make a boring old ice cream cone look like a work of art. Or yourself look like a supermodel (filters!). It's, in my opinion, the best form of social media, and everyone needs to be using it.

Now. Despite Instagram's ability to make the totally mundane sublime, there still are ways to kick your photos up a notch. Here are 7 ways to make a good Instagram photo great.

Being a parent is hard. Despite it being the most rewarding job on earth, it can also be exhausting and downright frustrating at times. We need a break once in a while -- a time-out for ourselves, if you will. And although the thought of taking a trip without the little one is slightly terrifying, it really can do wonders for Mom and Dad -- and it's good for the whole family! Here are 5 ways a vacation without the baby will make you a better parent. Bon voyage!

Admitting that you have a gender preference when you are going for a baby is one of those crazy taboos that few people are willing to cop to. After all, some people say you ought to be grateful just to have ANY healthy baby. Of course we will, but some of us can't help but have SOME preference. Perhaps we already have two of one and are going for the third to get that other sex. Or maybe we want our kid to have a same (or opposite) sex sibling.

Whatever the reason, we have every right to wish and hope, and there is science that backs up the idea that we can actually have our way. Here are 6 different methods of choosing which sex you get during conception. Let us know if they work for you! See below:

All marriages inevitably go through some rough patches. It's just impossible to spend more than 50 years (God willing) with a person and never have any difficulties. But one of the most telling signs of rough waters ahead is when you start to give up things you used to love together.

Early on in dating, there is almost non-stop smooching, texting just to see how the other person is, and butterflies in the stomach. I know when my now husband and I started dating, I couldn't think about anything else but him, when I was going to see him again. Things have changed, though, 12 years later. I still adore him, but some things -- kissing, hand-holding, staying up all night talking -- have fallen by the wayside. They shouldn't, though. Here are 7 things married couples need to take from newly dating couples:

This may come as a shock to you, but parents actually judge. I know, it's terrible. If you've ever set foot into the wild world of parenting blogs, or, um, been around a person with children, you know this is true. Is it right? Of course not! But it's just the way it is.

I try not be a judgy mom, really I do. But sometimes, things just happen. I'm not proud of it. But I am going to own it. Here are 6 things I judge other parents for.

Remember traveling before you had kids? Packing was a breeze: A few of your favorite wrinkle-free outfits, makeup/toiletries bag, Advil, iPod, a good book (Kindles weren't invented yet when I was still childless, okay?), maybe a protein bar or two, and you were good to go! Fast-forward to filling a suitcase (or several) with everything your family needs to survive sans the comforts of home: Wait a second, are we going on vacation or are we moving?!

It's true, there's really no such thing as traveling light when kids are involved. But if you plan ahead and keep organized, packing doesn't have to feel like punishment. Here are 25 things every mom should have on her spring travel checklist:

Most of us use the Internet day in, day out, not putting too much thought into what we're doing. We go online; we do what we need to do out of convenience or sheer desire; and we move on. But there really are certain things we shouldn't willy-nilly do on the Internet, as they could have serious repercussions. I'm not talking about being unfriended on Facebook here. I'm talking about having your identity stolen or bank account wiped out. No bueno.

Here are 8 things you just shouldn't do online.