A Woman's Work offers products, services, and resources to support women in the special work of childbearing and breastfeeding. The store is designed for any woman wishing to get advice, weigh a baby, nurse or pump breastmilk, buy a perfectly fitted bra, flip through the latest books on birth and breastfeeding, or choose from an array of products, clothing, and gifts.

Items include maternity clothes, nursing bras, baby gear such as slings and diaper bags, clothes for the newborn, breast pumps and other feeding accessories, and baby care basics.

A lactation consultant is available for individual counseling and breastfeeding "troubleshooting" by appointment, both in-home and at the store.

Across the street, A Woman's Workshop provides a gathering place for expectant and new mothers to learn and share their experiences. Classes and workshops include preparing for childbirth, infant massage, infant CPR, baby-proofing your home, and others. Support groups also meet on a variety of subjects such as postpartum and breastfeeding. Babies are welcome in most classes, except when noted in course descriptions.

Pre-registration is required for all workshops and classes.

The Becker Early Childhood Center is housed in its own wing of Congregation Emanu El, and the children participate in the traditions of the synagogue. Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the school offers Judaic and secular childcare programs for children ages 15 months to five years old.

The Center also offers a series of parenting programs throughout the year.

Beyond Baby Academics offers products, parties, and private sessions to help new and expecting parents. The Kinder Secret is a book filled with tips on creating little geniuses, enjoying motherly playtime, and more.

The birthday party package - Kinder Secret Playtime - consists of selective rhymes, songs, movements, "babyize" language, and one book for the hosting family. (Each parent must be involved; this is not a parent breaktime.)

Beyond Baby Academics also offers a baby shower package which includes some Kinder Secret advice, an introduction to "babyize" language, one book for the mom-to-be, and some selective toys.

Parents can also set up private sessions at their homes featuring advice on how to follow The Kinder Secret, demonstrations on how to better arrange selective toys around the house, tips on how to speak "babyize," and more.

Briargrove House is an afterschool social skills and life skills program for children and teens on the autism spectrum. Those enrolled in the program learn how to interact with their peers, cook basic meals, wash their clothes, make their beds, and clean up after themselves, as well as how to attend to personal hygiene needs. The students also engage in age-appropriate peer-building activities.

Knowing what to do in an emergency can save the life of a child, and CPR-to-You teaches parents how to do that. Classes can be arranged with friends, family, or co-workers.

What's free in downtown Houston for kids and families?

The new crown jewel of downtown, Discovery Green, offers plenty to do: a playground, splash fountains, a lake, a grassy hill, a garden, an amphitheater, and the HPL Express library with indoor and outdoor reading rooms. The park also hosts free exercise and entertainment activities on an almost-daily basis; check our calendar for upcoming events! Other park space and picnic spots can be found around the reflection pond at Hermann Square in front of City Hall, and at nearby Sam Houston Park. From there, a short stroll down the steps or ramp takes you to the paved Sabine-to-Bagby Promenade along Buffalo Bayou.

Brush up on local history with a stop at Allen's Landing, the birthplace of Houston, where revitalization efforts now offer visitors a paved wharf, a walking trail, a sloped lawn, and park benches.

Kids are often mesmerized and delighted by the fountains at Main Street Square, between McKinney Street and Lamar Avenue. The dozen or so geysers gush streams of water high in the air right in the middle of the street - and although no car traffic is allowed on that block, the light rail train passes right through the waterworks.

Or escape the heat with a trip to the underworld of Houston - literally. The Downtown Tunnel system is a network of underground passageways that connects the office buildings, restaurants, theaters, and hotels in the area, and features food courts, gift shops, boutiques, and other services down below the street. The tunnel is open during regular business hours only (Mon-Fri, 7am-6pm).

Of course, another way to the beat the heat (or the rain) is with a stop at the Central Library, where the fourth floor is devoted entirely to kids and teens. Storytimes, craft workshops, teen movie nights, and homework help are just some of the many activities for families - and checking out a big pile of kids' books is always a good option.

Metered parking throughout downtown is free all day Sunday, and on Monday-Saturday after 6pm. Surface lots can run $5-$20, depending on days, times, and proximity to special events such as concerts or Astros' and Rockets' games.

Know of more free stuff, events, and activities for kids and families around Houston? Add a comment below and we'll get right on it!

Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch - or even dinner? Restaurants all over the Houston area invite kids to enjoy a meal on the house, every week - sometimes even more often. (Please note that while we do try to stay on top of the trends, restaurants often change their kids-eat-free promotions and schedules without notice; we strongly recommend that you call ahead to confirm.)

At StarFire Grill in Clear Lake, kids free on Monday night - and can get free low-fat yogurt cones with their meals everyday!

The most popular night of the week for kids-eat-free options is usually Tuesday, when Maui Tacos, Berryhill Baja Grill (on Post Oak Boulevard), and all locations of Black-Eyed Pea offer free kids' meals with the purchase of adult entrees.

James Coney Island's many locations all over town offer a free kiddie combo meal with every regular combo meal purchased on Wednesdays, 4pm-close (dine-in only).

Meanwhile, any day of the week you can head to Shoney's along South Loop 610 or to Incredible Pizza Co. in Sugar Land, Pasadena, or Conroe, and let the wee ones (ages three and under) graze at the buffet for free.

If you've discovered some other places where kids eat free, please add a comment below!

Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch - or even dinner? Restaurants all over The Woodlands area invite kids to enjoy a meal on the house, every week - sometimes even more often. (Please note that while we do try to stay on top of the trends, restaurants often change their kids-eat-free promotions and schedules without notice; we strongly recommend that you call ahead to confirm.)

On Sundays, head over to Dickey's BBQ on Kuykendahl Road, where families can get one free kids' meal per each adult meal purchased.

Tuesdays bring a few free options. At Berryhill Baja Grill, kids 12 and under eat free all day, while at Pappas BBQ in Conroe, kids' meals are free after 4pm (one per adult meal purchased). Black-Eyed Pea, meanwhile, features a similar offer for dinner.

All James Coney Island locations offer a free kiddie combo meal with the purchase of a regular combo meal on Wednesday nights from 4pm to closing time (good on dine-in only).

And everyday, the buffet at Incredible Pizza in Conroe offers is free for kids ages three and under.

If you've discovered some other places where kids eat free, please add a comment below!

What's free in the Montrose area for kids and families?

Art-lovers can spend some time browsing the galleries at The Menil Collection, where admission is always free and the exhibits rotate often. A brief stroll outside leads across the street to a simple little park, one square block, featuring nothing more than plenty of grass, a scatter of benches, and majestic, 100-year-old oak trees whose trunks kids love to climb and from whose low, swooping branches kids love to hang. The park is ideal for spreading out a picnic, throwing a Frisbee, kicking a ball, or just lounging with a book.

Rothko Chapel is on the other side of the park and offers further opportunity for peaceful strolling with its reflection pond, benches, and green space out front.

Just a couple of blocks north of Westheimer Road, Cherryhurst Community Center has a nice neighborhood park with a playground, handball court, and tennis court.

Local libraries are always a good way to while away an afternoon for free. The Freed-Montrose Branch offers storytimes for babies and toddlers on Monday and Tuesday mornings - and borrowing a pile of great kids' books is always an option. Walk past Kraftsmen Baking next door to the library, and at the far end of the parking lot, in front of the Black Labrador pub, the kids can engage in a game of giant chess on the outdoor board painted onto the ground.

Challenge the kids to a treasure hunt for loose change (who knows what's lurking under the sofa cushions and car seats?), then take the spoils to the Kroger store on Montrose Boulevard south of Westheimer Road - and pass some time magically turning change into bills in the Coinstar machine. And while you're at it, this is a perfect opportunity to introduce kids to the "rule of threes" by dividing the loot into three piles - one to save, one to donate, and one to spend!

Know of more free stuff, events, and activities for kids and families around Houston? Add a comment below and we'll get right on it!

What's free in the Museum District for kids and families?

Bring a picnic and make a day of it at Hermann Park, where life is full of simple pleasures: rolling down the big grass hill; feeding the ducks around the reflection pool; strolling through the Japanese Garden; cooling off in the fountains; monkeying around on the playground; and splish-splashing in the sprayground.

Situated at the edge of Hermann Park, Miller Outdoor Theatre offers an entire season of free music, dance, and theatrical shows from March to November. And families can take advantage of free admission days at the Houston Zoo on several holidays throughout the year, including New Year's Day, the Fourth of July, the Friday after Thanksgiving, and more.

Free admission is standard at the Contemporary Arts Museum, the Holocaust Museum (appropriate for older kids, ages 10 and up), and the Museum of Fine Arts' sculpture garden, located across the street from the museum's Caroline Wiess Law Building, at Bissonnet Street and Montrose Boulevard.

The Museum of Fine Arts also offers free admission to its main exhibit halls all day every Thursday, while the Children's Museum is free on Thursday evenings from 5pm-8pm, and the Health Museum on Thursdays from 2pm-7pm.

Know of more free stuff, events, and activities for kids and families around Houston? Add a comment below and we'll get right on it!

What's free around the West Loop for kids and families?

Get out and enjoy some of Houston's hidden outdoor beauty at the Houston Arboretum, where trails take visitors through a forest filled with trees, ponds, and critters. An indoor center also offers plenty of hands-on explorations for nature lovers. And one of Houston's other great, free spots for nature- and science-loving kids is the Nature Discovery Center in Bellaire. The upstairs rooms are chock-full of activities, and visitors can also walk down the beautiful, shaded path to the playground at Russ Pittman Park.

On hot days, kids can cool off in the mist at the Williams Tower Water Wall behind the Galleria. The 64-foot wall of cascading water is adjacent to a stretch of greenspace, perfect for picnics and scampering about.

For the crafty minded, Lakeshore Learning Store sets up free craft stations every Saturday afternoon.

Storytimes abound at Borders locations at Meyerland Plaza and the Galleria, as well as at Barnes & Noble across the street from the Galleria.

Local libraries are always a good way to while away a day with baby and toddler storytimes in the morning and afterschool programs for older kids - and, of course, borrowing a pile of great kids' books is always an option. Check out the offerings at nearby branches, including Jungman, Looscan, and McGovern-Stella Link.

Getting hungry, and looking to save a few bucks? Berryhill Baja Grill's location on Post Oak Boulevard near San Felipe Street offers a kids-eat-free deal on Tuesday nights (one per purchase of an adult meal).

Know of more free stuff, events, and activities for kids and families around Houston? Add a comment below and we'll get right on it!

HowsMyNanny.com is a nanny-reporting service: Parents purchase a license plate for their stroller, and the public is encouraged to anonymously report good or bad nanny observations. Registered parents receive emails alerting them to reports about their particular nanny.

Innovative Counseling & Consulting Services offers counseling to children and parents dealing with childhood depression, difficulty adjusting to a divorce, special needs, and more. A free initial phone consultation is available.

The therapist is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Mocha Moms is a national parenting support group for women of color who have chosen not to work full-time outside of the home. The group has both a West Houston and South Houston chapter.

The group is involved in community service projects and holds moms' night out, support meetings, and get-togethers for the kids. Members also help new moms with cooking, housework, and/or childcare.

Mocha Moms has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show and in major magazines and newspapers, and for good reason - this is a fabulous organization.

For West Houston Mocha Moms contact mmwestnw_houston@yahoo.com.
For South Houston Mocha Moms contact 1mom2angels@sbcglobal.net.

An accessory that keeps us organized? We're so there.

The ingenuis momAgenda was created by a busy mom (is there any other kind?) who was frazzled by keeping track of her own schedule, along with her four children's appointments, lessons, playdates, and parties. Her solution is a refined day planner that provides a way to track multiple schedules with week-at-a-view spreads with rows for each child and mom, monthly views, and places for notes, dinner ideas, and other necessities. The colors range from all-business chocolate and black to vibrant lime or fuschia.

Take it everywhere, or check out the kitchen folio version for "command central".

The MOMS Club is a support group for moms - those who stay at home, work from home, work part-time or full time. The club offers a variety of playgroups for children and a monthly Moms' Night Out.

The MOMS Club (Moms Offering Moms Support) is a support group for moms - those who stay at home, work from home, work part-time or full time. The club offers a variety of playgroups for children and a monthly Moms' Night Out.

Moxie Moms members save at least 15% at over 80 participating businesses such as StrollerFit, Houston Swim Club, Gymboree Play and Music, Double Daves, Super Suppers, Bella Salon, and Go! Toys & Games. In addition to saving money, you can also attend Moxie Moms events such as storytimes at area businesses, free fitness activities, free demos at participating businesses, Moms' Nights Out, Family Fun Nights, and more.

Moxie Moms groups are spreading throughout the Houston area. Visit the website to find other nearby chapters.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers a Child Safety Seat Inspection Station Locator on its website. Searches can be done by zip code or by state, and can be filtered to include only stations with Spanish-speaking technicians.

There are more than 245 Ronald McDonald Houses in 26 countries, offering support and practical assistance to families with very sick children. It's a safe bet that your local chapter can always use volunteers.

Texas Children's Hospital is an internationally recognized full-care pediatric hospital located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston. The largest pediatric hospital in the US, Texas Children's is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine and is its primary pediatric training site.

Texas Children's has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthrough developments in the treatment of cancer, diabetes, asthma, HIV, premature babies, and cardiogenic and attention-related disorders.

Texas Children's medical staff consists of more than 1,580 board-certified, primary-care physicians, pediatric subspecialists, pediatric surgical subspecialists and dentists. The hospital has a referral program; check their website.

The Hospital has prepared Texas Children's Tips for Parents for parents and families. Whether you're curious about your child's symptoms or are following up on a diagnosis, this guide provides handy information for emergencies or making plans. Written by the staff of Houston's renowned center for children's health, it address everything from safety and injury prevention to common childhood illnesses and more.

The TABS website has listings of hundreds of schools and the database is accessible at no charge. The write-ups are sketchy at best, but do typically include contact information.

The Dan Center provides individualized occupational therapy and other services for learning-challenged and autistic children. The center's holistic approach is based on meeting as many of the individual's needs as possible, including behavioral, nutritional, and sensory.

The Motherhood Center is a resource center for mothers during various stages of development, from prenatal and postnatal to those with growing families. The Center features a nanny referral agency, an on-site babysitting service, doulas, family photography, and much more.

Classes include breastfeeding, infant CPR, parent/child music for infants, art, ballet, and Mommy-and-Me yoga.

Tottoos.Org creates personalized temporary tattoo-like decals called "Tottoos" for children's safety. Decals can be printed with a parent's cell phone number in case the child and parent become separated. Parents choose the personalization that gets printed on the decals, such as "If I am lost, please call (phone number)" or "To reach my parents, call (phone number)." These decals are recommended for children six and under, who may not have a parent's cell phone number memorized, who would become afraid if they were lost.

Medical Tottoos are available for people of any age to alert to conditions such as peanut or bee-sting allergy, asthma, diabetes, autism, seizure disorders, multiple food allergies, Alzheimer's, allergies to medication, and more. They are a highly visible and waterproof way to provide vital information in case of emergency, and can include emergency phone numbers and special instructions such as "use EpiPen" or "heart medication in purse."

Also available are Be Visible, Be Safe Glow Lights, created to keep kids safe after dark. They are pre-printed with the phrase "Emergency Contact Number" and you can write whatever number is appropriate at the time of use. The lights can either be worn as a necklace or attached to clothing. Use with young children to help keep an eye on them at night and have your phone number visible in case you get separated, or with older children and adults when they go out after dark to ride a bike, go camping, or even when boating or out on a hiking trip. The light glows for 12+ hours and not only adds visibility, but enables your emergency contact to be reached if you become injured or lost.