As I near the end of my blog series on a Mom's Bucket List that highlights the milestones that we moms experience on our parenting journey, I can't help but think that with every passing birthday I waver between being so excited at my child’s new-found independence and wishing she would just “slow down” as I wonder if this is the year when she won’t want to hold my hand anymore.

It’s that time again. That time to trade in the loose (OK, lazy) routines of summer for the fixed schedules that a new school year requires: set school drop-off times, regular homework routines and other rituals (read: more caffeine) to get the household humming again.

Last week, I shared about the milestones or rites of passage most Moms experience when their children are between 2 and 3 years old. If you’re loving that age, there is even more to look forward to when your child hits his third year.

By Whitney Wingerd, Mommies With Style

The last few days have been an exciting whirlwind for me! I was without my kids in New York City, attending the annual BlogHer conference. BlogHer has hosted the annual conference since 2005 and this year’s conference brought more than 6,000 attendees to New York for dozens of sessions where bloggers and brands came together to educate and engage in interesting dialogues.

We all talk about milestones our children will hit, but we rarely talk about the milestones that we Moms will hit on our parenting journey.

We all talk about milestones our children will hit, but we rarely talk about the milestones that we Moms will hit on our parenting journey.    Last week, I shared about these milestones or rites of passage most Moms will experience when their child is between 1 2 years old [hyperlink to former blog post].  

It’s that time of year that brings a certain excitement to bloggers like me. No, not the end-of-summer sales, but the annual BlogHer conference! Started in 2005, BlogHer brings together bloggers from all over the world to discuss, inspire and connect with each other…and let’s face it, sharing a cocktail or two makes it fun too!

By the time my children turned 1 year old, I was finally starting to trust my own parenting judgment. I wasn’t perfect; but I could diaper with one hand, balance a kid on my hip while doing the laundry and generally left the house wearing something other than pajamas.

You’re “in it.” Oh boy, are you in it. We all know that no one “gets” motherhood until you’re living and breathing it. Try explaining to a non-parent why you examine the various colors of your kid’s poop or the fascination of watching your child sleep and you’ll be met with blank stares or perhaps sympathetic murmurs that you should really get more sleep.

As the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day or "America's birthday" as my kids call it, there are sure to be many reunions, BBQs and fireworks planned by households across America.

Here are some tips to help keep your family’s celebration healthy and safe this year