While enjoying a wholesome meal together is surely a worthy goal, family meal campaigners don't always acknowledge the work that goes into this achievement: the time demands, parenting challenges and financial burdens required to put good food on the table. These pressures exist daily, but for many of us-particularly women-- they come to a head during holidays.

At its worst, a dirty, dusty, moldy room can lead to allergy eruptions, and a disruption of a good night's sleep. If you've noticed that your child is sneezing or stuffed up every night at bedtime, or in the morning when they wake up, it may be because of allergens you can take steps to eliminate.

If you're a parent, you may be wondering when your children should start filing their own taxes. Even if they're still too young to take this on themselves, every child can benefit from a simple conversation about income, money management and how taxes come into play.

You might be surprised to learn that you don't just need to go to the gym or bundle up for a power walk to stay fit. Your daily chores can help burn calories and can add up to a personal fitness routine as well. There is a reason they call it housework. You can burn some serious calories during a marathon cleaning session.

There is so much hype about the holidays. Unfortunately, our romantic notions are too often dashed and replaced with resentment, exhaustion and financial stress. But it doesn't have to be that way. With a bit of compromise, perspective and goodwill, you can survive and even thrive as a dynamic duo.

Cleaning. It's a necessary evil. It's also one of the top excuses given when people are asked why they didn't fit a workout in. Too many chores. Vacuuming to be done. Dishes to wash. Loads of laundry to fold. The list goes on. Certainly those chores do indeed need to be done, but the incredible thing about fitness is that you can fit it in while you complete your household chores.