Dear Diary, As a child, you couldn't catch me without a book in my hand. My idea of fun was spending a Saturday at the library, checking out every hardcover I could carry. I would read to anyone who would listen, including my Cabbage Patch Kids lined up on ..read more

Dear Diary, Today’s #TMITuesday topic is a load of crap. That’s right. We’re talking ‘ish and shooting the sh*t! And no, we’re not discussing dirty diapers. We’re sharing way too much information about pooping during delivery. I didn’t ..read more

Disclosure: Diary of a First Time Mom is proud to partner with Guardian Storage to chronicle my journey to home ownership and organization. Some form of compensation has been received, however all opinions are my own. #GuardianStorage Dear Diary, Hi, my ..read more

Dear Diary, This year, I'm celebrating the season solo. Oh, the joys of co-parenting! My ex is picking up our daughter mid-month. Although Thanksgiving somewhat prepared me for her time away from "mommy's house" as she calls it, her absence will still be ..read more

Dear Diary, Tonight, I'm searching online for last-minute gift ideas for infants and toddlers. If you are the mother of a little one who has almost everything like my little girl, you're probably in the same present position. Last year, Santa brought ..read more

This is a flashback from 2012, but it's so fitting for the New Year I had to repost! I've since implemented a lot of the advice below. I even celebrated the holiday this year with the love of my life. I'm looking forward to what next year's update will ..read more

No one really wants to wash a car in the winter. It’s not as fun as a summer scrubbing session, where you can squirt your kids with the hose, water the flowers while you work or even wash your dog as well. But it’s a necessary evil. If you don’t rinse off the salt and cinder, it can cause corrosion. Here are some tips to ensure you don’t damage your ride when washing it. Replace Your Mats: If you haven’t done so already, swap out the carpeted mats for rubber ones. You can easily wipe away slush and salt. Wipe Your Windows: Clean your windows regularly and spray on an anti-fogging coating, whic ..read more

Apartment living has its ups and downs. The ups include amenities like swimming pools, fitness centers and restaurants in walking distance. A big downer is street parking. Even if there’s a parking lot for tenants, it’s not the same as pulling into a garage. But don’t worry! There are things you can do to protect your car against the outdoor elements. Wax Your Ride You can protect your paint from harsh winter and summer weather by waxing your car regularly. This preserves your paint, preventing oxidation from occurring. There is also a cosmetic benefit! The clear coat can cover up minor scratc ..read more

Show your car some love by stopping at your dealer’s automotive care center. By getting an oil change, you can extend the relationship you have with your car. Remember that all oils are not alike, so talk to a specialist about which one is best for your car. Here are a few things to look for in an oil change. Protect Some oil options provide complete protection from friction and allow you to drive more miles per year with a cleaner engine. Check  Check your car manual to see if the manufacturer recommends synthetic oil. If you have an older car, this is likely your best bet as it prevents ..read more

Most drivers don’t plan to be the folks on the side of the road wondering what went wrong with their vehicles. But unfortunately, tires flatten, engines fail and accidents occur. This is why it’s critical to obtain not only car insurance but roadside assistance as well. You can select a plan from a full-service auto club or your car maker. Plans vary in price and services. Be sure your provider offers the basics: 1. 24-Hour emergency assistance 2. Battery jump-start 3. Ditch extraction 4. Emergency fuel delivery 5. Flat tire repair and replacement Click here to find out other important items f ..read more