Maybe we need an "ask a lifehacker" column with a few different categories-parenting, work, relationships (this already exists for dating but could be all relationships), personal life (for things like motivation, creativity, etc.). The writer gives their take and offers tips and then the awesome hivemind of…

You do know that you can wash mattress covers right? Way better for your wallet and the environment!

Memory foam has lots of problems, especially off-gassing. I went with natural latex. Got mine at Ikea. Sadly it isn't 100% natural latex (I think it was 90/10, the one they sell now is 85/15), but I figure if it is mostly natural then that is better than having something that isn't at all. Most natural latex (even…

We have the Markor tv stand from Ikea.

We have the Markor tv stand from Ikea.

Question about the cleaning of wounds: isn't the use of soap, hydrogen peroxide, etc. needed to prevent infection? I don't think water alone can remove/kill germs effectively. Wouldn't the risk of infection outweigh any damage to the area caused by soap etc.? I've never heard of it "killing tissue" so I am…

I'm sorry these people are being so rude. I'm also really sorry that your doctor sucks. Is there no other doctor you can see? A doctor who does not listen to their patients concerns is not a good doctor. I always search around until I get a doctor who will explain the hows and whys of things. I'm a questioning…

While she is totally wrong about vaccines, most ear infections are caused by viruses. Many doctors prescribe antibiotics just in case it is bacterial (even though they know it is likely not) and this is a problem because overuse of antibiotics does indeed lead to superbugs that put us all at risk. See antibiotic…

This whole thing is so ridiculous. I still can't believe hobby lobby won. Those who are screwed, maybe make use of an FSA or HSA if offered to at least get money pre-tax that you can use towards your birth control? There's nothing they can do about how you spend that as it is your money at that point and they…

Hi! I saw Levar awesomely answered your question, but he didn't give you an age range. Reading usually develops between the ages of 5-7. Some kids do start reading at 3, but they are few and far between. Due to No Child Left Behind and the advent of testing, most school districts are pushing for kids to be reading…

I think most of the disagreement on this is semantics. I think people who say reverse racism exists think of racism as any negative view attributed to an entire ethnicity. To be fair, that's often my knee-jerk reaction to the word because so many people use it that way. BUT, I think you are right that that is…

That's why I have one of these!

Exactly! In PA you can do a police background check online for $10. It only checks PA records, but that's still a lot better than no check. There are also services that do more thorough checks.

All our blinds are pulled up about 6" just so the cats can get to the window. Otherwise they'd destroy them. I don't think it reveals anything...

This list made me think of diy.org (which I suggested in response to another comment). I did a search to see if lifehacker has ever mentioned/featured it and was surprised to find it hasn't. The site is great. I found it when I was looking for an alternative to boy scouts (sadly nothing else exists in my area) and…

diy.org is an awesome site for this sort of thing. There are tons of skills to learn and badges to earn. They have projects they can follow/do and they encourage kids to come up with their own ideas and share them too. It's also a safe online environment that lets the kids share but requires them to remain…

Do an internet search for bento lunch ideas. You will have more ideas than you could ever want that are easy, interesting, and healthy. Laptop lunches has a great ideas section http://www.laptoplunches.com/bento-menus/ Their containers are pretty great too, although I just use pyrex.

Not sure where you live, but it might be worth doing an internet search for produce delivery. I've used Door to Door Organics before and it was like $25/week for the small box that had a ton in it and you could make substitutions. It's not a CSA but kind of works like one. I only stopped it because the delivery day…

This is for you and all of the other GF peoples out there.

Sadly, you're right. It's a tough world for girls these days. I substitute teach and so I interact with kids of all ages and backgrounds. One thing I have noticed is that the girls who are confident and don't give a crap usually have parents who teach them the hows and whys of things and set good examples. Your…

I still worry about the food thing even with a baby boy. I don't want him to have to struggle with weight like me and I don't want him to have weird food issues. My husband and I are both picky eaters, but we've both made progress and we eat lots of stuff that we never would have growing up or even 5 years ago.