Call me a dreamer, but I didn’t want my newborn son to be so scared by the sight of me when he was born that he would want to rush back in there. I was naïve as hell about the actual labor process and the fact that I would indeed lose control of body functions, so I moved forward with my plan to get dolled up for delivery. RELATED: What It Means If You Have Flu-Like Symptoms During Early Pregnancy The only challenge was that I was too fat, ashamed, and unkempt to bravely visit a stranger for a vagina wax....

And yet, when I got pregnant, I received some not-so-gentle advice from the older women in my life: “You’re going to love this baby more than life itself. Just don’t tell your husband,” said one. “You don’t want to neglect your husband, dear. Let him know he’s still the most important person in your world,” said another. But I didn’t take their arguably sage marriage advice. And why? Since the 1980s, at least two-dozen studies have posited the idea that the quality of marriage drops once the couple has kids....

However, it took less than four hours for me to be absolutely grossed out with the state of the Tinder-verse, and I had to power through to even make it to 24. Just the thought of opening the app and seeing the little orange dot informing me of a new message makes my stomach churn the same way it did when I had the stomach flu last winter and wanted to die a horrible, horrible death on the bathroom floor....

Every job takes pieces of your freedom. We concede our personal time, our bodies, and sometimes our health and happiness to earn a living. It is, as one might say, a part of life. It’s important, though, that we understand what we are giving up to make money. Is the job stressful? Dangerous? Does it involve long hours? Is it worth it? When we accept job offers, we agree to job duties and conditions in the workplace....

For literary purposes, I’m going to the ex-husband in question as CB, which stands for cuddle bum (cuddling being the only thing at which he truly excelled, aside from lying). As the breakup fades mercifully into the distance, the reasons why our union failed so dismally become increasingly clear. What I know now, but didn’t then, is this: it’s not enough for a couple to share sizzling chemistry, or a passion for growing heirloom tomatoes, or simply the determination that this one is The One, dammit....

I grew up with role models like Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Pink, and Gwen Stefani. Strong, independent women who didn’t need a man but stayed true to themselves when they did get into relationships. Women who turned their pain into chart-topping hits. While my singing is more akin to a cat being baptized, I looked up to these women. Their ferocity and strength inspired me to become a strong woman. RELATED: 75 Best Strong Women Quotes About What Makes A Strong Woman I was a strong woman when I was nearly homeless, couch surfing my way through friends....

In fact, I can honestly say that my love life has been so terrible to me that it’s caused me PTSD. It’s so bad that I can no longer believe people when they say that “not all men are bad,” even though I am in a marriage pact with someone who treats me well. I still get panic attacks at night worrying about when things will turn sour. I can’t begin to explain how bad men have failed me and how bad my dating life has screwed me up emotionally....

But that’s not what I wanted. Growing up I always pictured a large family. At least five kids, I said. I will be a great mom, I said. It will come naturally, I said. RELATED: If Roe V. Wade Is Overturned, Abortion Access Will Not Be The Only Human Right At Risk None of that was true. Mama said there would be days like this. I struggled through the first year....

But while that kind of hypnotherapy makes for an entertaining scene in a sitcom, it’s a major disservice to real-life hypnotherapists whose main objective is to help people. And that’s what I set out to find when I tried hypnotherapy for anxiety and depression. RELATED: Being Hypnotized Into A Past Life As A Man Brought Me True Love Grace Smith falls into the category of helping people. Admittedly, when I was initially offered a hypnotherapy session with Smith, my first instinct was to pass....

But I didn’t understand what. I was with a dream guy. He was handsome, incredibly funny, motivated, successful, and charming. Everyone loved him. I loved him. I thought I had made a smart choice. I was no longer pursuing the bad boy of yesterday. Those first few years of marriage were agonizing. I missed the guy I dated. The one who never crowded my cheeks with tears. The one who seemed incredibly warm and caring....

Quite frankly, I did not stand a chance even in a million years to be that popping. Two pregnancies later, the mysteries surrounding both are still just that: mysterious for me to explain. From how I only gained 8 lbs. during my first pregnancy to losing 7 lbs. my second time around, I was just as intrigued as the outstanding medical professionals that cared for me. At times, I was also scared something was wrong with my pregnancies....

There is something about this heart of mine that holds onto feelings so deep. It grabs ahold of someone’s love with a death grip and doesn’t seem to want to let go. It dreams up a world with them and takes a dive from a mountain top when life doesn’t follow through. RELATED: 20 Crucial Things To Do (And Not Do) After A Breakup Sometimes it feels unbearable, sometimes it makes me feel unnerved....

The idea has become ingrained in the minds of media, courts, treatment facilities, and addicts. It’s also a stigma. A debatable concept is that if you are an alcoholic or drug addict, you are ill. The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines addiction as “a chronic, relapsing brain disease.” And thus, this definition has been adopted by medical researchers and policymakers worldwide. RELATED: Getting Sober: Why Overcoming Addiction On Your Own Is Totally Possible...

According to one theory, fans think that Joseph Quinn, who played beloved character, Eddie Munson, will return for “Stranger Things” season 5 despite his death in season 4, volume 2. Eddie became a fan favorite thanks to his brief but impactful role in the hit series and viewers were left devastated at the thought of him being left out of next season. But, rumors suggest we may not be saying “goodbye” to Eddie just yet....

In a Reddit post, one user theorized that Jenner may have given a hint about her new business venture due to her latest Instagram story post. Is Kylie Jenner launching hair care? Jenner appears to have filed a trademark for “Kylie Hair,” sparking speculation that the mogul is branching into hair products. RELATED: Kylie Jenner Accused Of ‘Lying’ To Fans In Video Of Herself Working In Cosmetics Lab “Kylie is about to launch a hair product....

According to an anonymous submission from celebrity gossip page DeuxMoi, the 54-year-old “Avengers: Endgame” star can’t keep his hands to himself and is in danger of finally being exposed. Is Mark Ruffalo cheating on his wife of of 22 years Sunrise Coigney? Mark Ruffalo allegedly ‘can’t keep his hands off’ a member of his team and sleeps with her when he’s away. For this blind, the submitter revealed that they were a “Marvel superhero who is known to be a family man and amazing husband” and that he likes to “smash” — pun very much intended....

YungSweetRo, whose legal name is Rojean Kar, made headlines over the weekend after swirling rumors that she and the rapper were supposedly hanging out. RELATED: Why Travis Scott Still Refuses To Live With Kylie Jenner — Even Though They Have Two Kids Together The dating rumors began after Kar posted a video to her Instagram story where she appeared to be on the same set as Scott. However, both Kar and Scott denied any romance between them....

The photo showed the comedians outside of Rowling’s home at the gate holding signs of protest and also showed part of the house’s address — including the house number and half of what could be the street name. Stand-up comedian Holly Stars, drag king Richard Energy, and actor Georgia Frost likely thought nothing of the photo that was posted and didn’t think Rowling would blow up in the way that she did....

Alas, we grieve its loss but the reality is — those initial fireworks are dead and not coming back. And this is normal! But just because the short-term spark fizzled out doesn’t mean you can’t continue to enjoy a passionate and steamy sex life in your long-term relationship. RELATED: 100 Sweet Ways To Say ‘I Love You’ My husband and I have been together 15 years, and though our relationship has its fair share of issues, we’ve got the sex part nailed!...

Kardashian, who is on the cover of Variety this month along with her sisters and mother, had spoke to the magazine about their new Hulu series ‘The Kardashians,’ which is set to premiere on April 14. In the video portion of the interview, the Skims founder, 41, had some harsh words for women in the workplace. Kim Kardashian’s advice to women in business has not been well-received. “I have the best advice for women in business: Get your f**king ass up and work....