Where I live, whenever a new store is built and the parking lot is paved, there are always a few parking spots designated for “Expectant Mothers”, “Mothers with Young Children” or “New Moms” beside the traditional “Handicapped/Disabilities” parking spots.

I think that this concept is one of the best inventions ever. It makes complete sense. Whether you are pregnant, a new Mom or a Mom with young children, getting in and out of stores is difficult, let alone having to hike all the way from the back of a busy parking lot!

I do have a few issues and suggestions, however, with regards to these parking spots:

• These spots are usually right beside a handicapped spot, which makes things easier because there is always more room to get your child out and safely into a stroller or a grocery cart. Why not make these “Mommy spots” extra wide too? It’s difficult when you do have to park your stroller or grocery cart at the back of your car and cross your fingers that it doesn’t roll away as you load your child(ren) into the vehicle. It makes so much sense to make these parking spots wider so that you can walk right up to your vehicle door, unload your child(ren) and watch the cart or stroller at the same time.
• I will often see people using these spots that really don’t need to! I need those spots these days! Being 36 weeks pregnant and measuring as big as 40 weeks with a 3 year old in tow is a challenge. There are times where I can barely walk due to how this HUGE baby inside of me is positioned. I am truly grateful when I am lucky enough to get one of these spots, but it really makes me frustrated when I see someone who has absolutely no reason to use them. There are no fines to park “illegally” in a “Mommy spot”, so people don’t feel threatened, however, they should feel badly for taking the spot away from someone who legitimately could use it!
• I take issue with how most of these parking spots are labeled. While only women can be an expectant mother, men are new fathers just the same as women are, yet almost every single designated parking spot for new parents is labeled for women. I have seen the occasional “family” parking spots (like at Ikea, for example), but the rest are either “Expectant Mother” or “New Mom” or “Mother with Young Children”. What about the Daddies out there?

All in all, I am so thankful that these special parking spots exist. If they didn’t, I would probably second guess going out to shop these days due to how I am feeling. And that is the truth!

NursingDegree.net recently posted a list of the Top 100 resources for busy, expectant moms. (And what expectant mom is not busy?)

The list includes helpful Web sites, blogs and articles in the categories of exercise, nutrition, stress, postpartum, newborn care, healthy births and more. Babies Online has made the list in the category of ?exercise,? with an informative blog post by our very own Brit.

BOL would like to thank Nursingdegree.net, the complete guide to nursing degrees, as well as a health and fitness resource for nurses, nurses-in-training, and anyone conscious about their health, for recognizing Babies Online.

Now in its 11^th year, Babies Online continues to be a top resource for moms, dads and expectant parents. The Web site, which launched in 1997 as the Original free Online Birth Announcement Service, recently added custom-printed birth announcements to its offerings for new moms, as part of a partnership with TinyPrints.

Stay tuned to our site for future enhancements and even more exciting features to be added soon!

My kids and I attend a playgroup regularly with several other moms and their kids. It’s a pretty tight-knit group because we’ve been hanging out together since our first-borns were just a few months old.

We have a tradition in this group. Whenever a lady is about to have a baby – no matter how many other babies she may already have – we always throw her a baby shower and we always get her a gift certificate for a pedicure at a spa. I was a pedicure recipient back when I was out-to-here pregnant with my son during the hot summer months. I guarantee you one thing: A pedicure never felt so great as that pedicure did. There’s nothing like getting tired, swollen feet rubbed and cared for, and even though I had to strain to see my toes at least I knew they were pretty.

You might also consider booking a massage with a licensed massage therapist, but be sure the LMT has a special bed to accommodate pregnant bellies.

When considering a gift for an expectant mom, think beyond gifts for the baby. It’s always nice to receive cute baby clothes and toys, but if you’re in charge of a baby shower then add a little something for the mom. Remember, she’s been schlepping a baby in her belly around for months and she’s about to embark into painful labor and a long recovery. It’s a great idea to give her a little pampering before the baby comes along.

If the pregnant lady you’re buying for isn’t necessarily into pampering, consider buying her something that will make her life easier. A friend of mine had a mom who bought her one free housecleaning from a professional team of cleaners, and another friend received a gift certificate for services from a local window cleaner.

If you’re planning a baby shower, don’t forget a little something for the lady responsible for the baby!