Three kids are the most stressful number, says a survey by the Today Show.

I have three kids. I win the mommy stress competition! Phew, I knew that something good would finally come out of my multiple progeny.

According to the 7,000 women surveyed, moms of three kids have more stress than mothers with less kids, and even more stress than mothers who have four or more. The Today Show called it the "Duggar Effect". As if 19 kids are less stressful than my three.

Did you know that if you got a serious sunburn before the age of 18, your chances of having a melanoma are doubled? Raise your hand if you got a serious sunburn before you were a teen. Because I sure did! My pale, freckly skin has burned to a crisp more than once. And that freaks me out.

Melanoma can be deadly. And it can be caused by sun exposure. (I admit it, before this post my knowledge of melanoma came from Izzie's experience on Grey's Anatomy.) 

I want to make sure that my kids don't raise their hands when asked the same question about sunburn. So I buy sunscreen all year round and yet, I still find myself confused at the aisle, with 483 different lotions at the drugstore. Is SPF 80 double the strength of 40? Is 15 even worth it?

Luckily, I went to a lunch sponsored by Coppertone where dermatologist Dr. Sonya Cook explained the ins and outs of SPF and sunscreen. 

My daughter can tell you how she was almost born in an elevator. My son loves the story about the time his dad drove the car into a field to see the deer and one of the babies kicked the car (maybe more myth than truth at this stage).

These stories are part of our family mythology. Just like the time I fell down the stairs holding my oldest, while pregnant. And the fact that my husband hung out at my locker in high school until I finally took notice him. 

Bruce Feiler, author of The Secrets of Happy Families, says that a family narrative is the tie that binds us together. He says studies show that kids who know the ups and downs of their family histories are the ones who are the most resilient. 

We were errant parents in the babyproofing department (well, not just there). We didn't do anything outside of gates at the tops of stairs (which have become very useful for our dog). No bumpers on the corners of our glass coffee table. No outlet covers, or drawer locks.

And you know what? Our kids hurt themselves sometimes. But so do all kids. They never stuck anything into an electrical outlet though. I just think that in this day and age were are too quick to protect and discourage. We tame everything because of our own fears and accidents still happen. Some serious and some not. Most of them are learning experiences.

So how far do you go to protect your kids?

It is 10 am and my daughter is being given a Kool-Aid and a packaged Rice Krispie square for a snack from a lovely, well-meaning parent after her ball hockey game.

And I'm, like, really?? 

Celebrity Giuliana Rancic says her marriage comes before motherhood.

She said that she puts husband Bill, over their 5-month-old Duke, even though he is the "cutest baby ever".

She told Us Weekly: "We're husband and wife, but we're also best friends, and it's funny because a lot of people, when they have kids, they put the baby first, and the marriage second," says the 37-year-old breast-cancer survivor. "That works for some people. For us, I find, we put our marriage first and our child second, because the best thing we can do for him is have a strong marriage."

What are the big issues that moms face today?

Work-home life balance. Marriage. Finding time for yourself. Guilt.

All of these issues were tackled on the Today Show with three of their experts. I am going to be honest with you, I don't usually love expert panels. They are often too superficial and populated by women who seem to have it all. But I thought these women did a good job on touching on some of the issues that face us all. (And yes, they are beautiful and have lots and lots of kids and seem to have it all.)

My friend Heather Greenwood-Davis is passionate about people and how we treat them. Her trip around the world with her kids only made her more sensitive to those who don't have a voice. In the following guest post she asks parents to reconsider the idea of putting athletes and celebrities on pedestals without knowing who they truly are. 

Guest Post: The Problem With A Pedestal

Recently I overheard a conversation about Oscar Pistorius. The athlete nicknamed "The Blade Runner" - in relation to the double leg prosthesis he wore during his quest for Olympic glory on behalf of South Africa - has been charged with premeditated murder in the death of his girlfriend. It’s a grisly tale.

The couple I overheard discussing this was clearly shocked, as I think most people were, to hear the news. But their response, which was also likely common to many, is demonstrative of the problem we have as a continent.

“I can’t believe he could do that!” said one. “He seemed like such a nice guy…”

Shaking his head, the other responded, “He was a role model!”

Actually he wasn’t and isn’t.

A Washington state family of five got a surprise on their restaurant bill -- but it was a good one -- the owner had given them a well-behaved children discount.

Or at least that is what he typed on the bill. The discount actually came in the form of a bowl of ice cream for the kids to share. 

Laura King says her kids ages two, three, and eight, are comfortable in restaurants. She said they were just behaving as they normally do when eating out. She was surprised and delighted by the receipt and a friend put a photo online.

And then it went viral. Along with the question, should restaurants offer well-behaved kid discounts?

We have a problem. Not a big one, but an annoying one.

Our kids have forgotten how to sit at the dinner table. Or maybe they never knew how to begin with. 

It started with our middle child. He isn't that interested in food, so he fills up fast and then is on the run to a nearby chair. My daughter may follow with a marker in hand. My eldest starts to feel the pull of the Xbox and then my husband and I are left looking at each other and yelling, "Get back here!" Or, we enjoy the silence.