MOM

Being a mummy, wife, housekeeper, cook and all-around-get-it-all-done woman

This is the story of Alissa Torres and her graphic novel, American Widow, illustrated by Sungyoon Choi, which describes her personal experience as a 9/11 widow and single mother.

Ah the mother-in-law. She loves her son and wants what's best for him, which may or may not include you. A study by a British psychologist found that 60% of women felt tension with their mothers-in-law, compared with 15% of men. But not all MIL relationships are strained. This week's New York Times Modern Love essayist tells of her incredible relationship with her lover's mother. Then there are the famous MIL relationships: Barack Obama's mother-in-law may be moving into the White House, and Heidi Montag's mom thinks marrying Spencer Pratt was a bad idea. Read the full article to find out how to ease conflict with a mother-in-law.

What do you call the in-laws? Mr. Smith? Bill's Mother? "Hey you?" Learn all the linguistic techniques for addressing your in-laws in this episode of "Love U".

Do you have a "monster-in-law?" Watch this primer to learn all the techniques for getting along with his first love, his mom. Think honesty is the best policy? Think again!

According to a recent survey of moms, the most desirable Mother's Day gift is a card. A chore-free day of rest is a close second. Jewelry falls somewhere well below the two. With women tackling more household duties than their male counterparts, it's no wonder a mother's best gift is of rest and relaxation. Reuters reports that stay-at-home moms work an average 94 hour work week while moms who work outside the home clock in an extra 55 hours of "mom duty."

If your husband wants to have it, the quickest route to the bedroom is by way of a vacuum, a duster, and possibly a mop. I know, not very romantic and probably not your strong suit, but the small gesture of cleaning or picking up a bit around the house can lift a mother’s spirits—and lighten the stress of the impending household-chore doom. So guys, if you want to get it on, but your new-mom permanent-scowl wife just doesn’t seem up for it, clean. And make no mention of sex. Just clean. Without being asked. We guarantee you’ll be getting some by the time baby’s in bed.