Let's face it: if you are wrangling kids all day (even if it's not every day) you need great flat shoes, the kind that you can walk a thousand miles in, and that let you run or climb when necessary. Instead of opting for flip flops or Crocs because they're easy, choose a flat with some style and panache, and give your kid-wrangling duds a little bit of style.

When you are shopping for a flat, look for a sturdy sole, something that's not slippery; look for a toe box that is wide enough to accommodate your foot comfortably; look for a cushioned insole to keep your legs happy. When you shop for lower end shoes, think about buying one size up and adding a gel insert, to keep feet and legs from getting worn out mid day.

Look for color and details, too, because your shoes should be part of your whole look, not just something you toss on as you leave the house.

Here are five great flats for late summer and early fall. Put those Crocs away and put on some pretty shoes.

Metallic flats are a simple way to give your Mom Uniform an edge.

Why we love these: Clean styling in a metallic faux leather is classic and trendy all at once.

Wear them with: Capri pants or boot cut jeans; choose a hemline that hits either at the ankle or within half an inch of the floor.

American Eagle Clique Moc, $24.99 at Payless. Also available in black patent.

Driving moccasins are a simple way to merge comfort and style when you're chasing busy kids.

Why we love these: The bright yellow and the cool detailing on the toe make these more than just a basic flat.

Wear them with: Jeans, either a boot cut or a skinny jean, or with a simple A-line skirt.

Merona Marcela moccasin, $24.99 at Target.

Summer's not over yet, and there is still time for a great sandal.

Why we love these: The ankle strap keeps them on your feet, but the bright color and cool embellishment make them more interesting than flip flops or Crocs.

Wear them with: Bermuda shorts or a skirt or a sundress.

Old Navy Patent Bauble T-strap sandals, $19.50. Available in four colors, including basic black.

A basic flat doesn't have to be basic -- look for great detailing to dress up your everyday shoes.

Why we love these: The bow is feminine without being too girly, and the color is a perfect addition to any outfit.

Wear them with: Skinny jeans or cropped pants or a skirt.

Jill bow detail skimmer, $49.00 at Ann Taylor Loft. Available in three colors.

The combination of suede and patent dresses up this very casual shoe.

Why we love these: The Mary Jane styling gives these flats a hip edge that's still practical for everyday.

Wear them with: Jeans or a skirt and tights.

a.n.a. Stayton Mary Jane, $50.00 at JCPenney.

My sons have walkie talkies; mostly they use them to talk to each other, from opposite ends of the house. Their conversations go something like this: "Can you hear me?" "What?" "I said CAN YOU HEAR ME?!?" "WHAT???"

Fun for everyone.

Recently, though, a West Virginia mom heard more than she anticipated over her three-year-old son's walkie talkie. The toy was apparently picking up CB conversations between truckers. If that weren't odd enough, the conversations included references to getting high and going to strip clubs; mom Deborah Pancaro describes them as "really explicit." The walkie talkie, made by Fisher Price, is designed to work at up to a distance of 20 feet, but somehow it was picking up CB radio transmissions from the guys driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, over 275 miles from Pancaro's Huntingon, West Virginia, home.

Pancaro wrote to Fisher Price asking for a recall of the Dora and Diego walkie talkies, because, she said, "I'd just hate for little kids to be hearing things like that." The company has apologized for what it terms a "disappointing experience" and has tried, unsuccessfully, to contact Pancaro twice this week. Maybe they need to use one of those walkie talkies to get in touch with her.

What say you -- should Fisher Price recall ALL the walkie talkies, or is this really not that big a deal?

%Gallery-27399%

Here's a scenario I'll bet you are familiar with: you get up in the morning, toss on your jeans or capri pants and a t-shirt, and then realize that it's colder out than you expected. So you add ...

A sweatshirt. Possibly your husband's, or one that you stole from the largest child. Or maybe, if you're feeling REALLY adventurous, you toss on some sort of hoodie! And now you're dressed and ready to leave the house.

Let's go back to the closet, shall we?

Instead of grabbing layers from someone else's laundry, think about investing in a great cardigan, one that you can wear with jeans or yoga pants or a skirt. Look for a shape that fits your shape -- no baggy or droopy cardis, please. Look for a slighly longer hemline, to keep everything covered; look for washable knits, to make this a piece you will really wear and not stash away for some future day when the kids are all grown and gone and not touching you with their sticky hands. Look for beautiful colors, to brighten even your basic mom uniform.

We've found five options for you, each with a little something special to spiff up your everyday outfit. Step away from the sweatshirt and let's shop.

Why we love this: The simple shape and slightly longer length of this cardigan is flattering on everyone, while the machine-washable cotton makes it practical for everyday wear.

What makes it special: That little ruffle at the collar is a nice touch -- feminine but not too frilly.

Wear it with: A V-neck tank or tee.

Old Navy ruffle neck cardigan, $26.50. Also available in argyle, for the Preppy mom.

Why we love this: The reverse A-line shape of this cardigan is flattering for moms with larger chests.

What makes it special: The ribbon tie -- it's just a little bit dressy, but not too over-the-top.

Wear it with: A contrasting tank or cami and jeans.

Gap open front ribbon tie cardigan, $48.00. Available in sizes XS to XXL.

Why we love this: The tailored shape is a nice alternative to a polo shirt.

What makes it special: The bold color is dramatic and cheery.

Wear it with: Wide-leg trousers or boot-cut jeans.

Avenue big button short sleeve cardigan, $34.95. Available in lime green, blue, berry (pictured), and black (but go for color -- you'll be glad you did).

Why we love this: The babydoll cardigan is a nice alternative to a hoodie or sweatshirt -- still slouchy enough to be comfy, but fitted enough to look respectable.

What makes it special: The babydoll can be overwhelming on some frames, but this sweater has the perfect proportions.

Wear it with: Yoga pants, for a slightly nicer Casual Weekend look.

JCPenney Worthington babydoll cardigan, $24.99. Available in six colors, in misses, petites, and plus sizes.

Why we love this: What's not to love about a cashmere sweater? Soft, durable, and easy to care for (hand wash in cold water and baby shampoo -- and do NOT dry clean, ever) this is, perhaps, the Perfect Sweater.

What makes it special: The simple, classic shape and beautiful color make this a perfect go-to piece for chilly days.

Wear it with: Everything.

Garnet Hill long three-quarter sleeve cashmere cardigan, $138.00.

If you are currently pregnant, you might want to think twice before you run out and buy a new iPhone: a recently released study found that women who use cell phones frequently during pregnancy are more likely to have kids with behavior problems. The study also found that kids who use cell phones appear to be at risk for behavior problems.

Researchers looked at 13,159 children whose mothers had signed up to participate in a Danish National Birth Cohort study during their pregnancies. When the children were seven years old, the researchers did follow-up studies in which they correlated maternal cell phone use and behavior problems in the children. According to a Reuters news report, "After the researchers adjusted for factors that could influence the results, such as a mother's psychiatric problems and socioeconomic factors, children with both prenatal and postnatal cell phone exposure were 80 percent more likely to have abnormal or borderline scores on tests evaluating emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity, or problems with peers."

One theory is that radiofrequency exposure from the cell phones caused some kind of neurological damage to these children in utero, and that childhood cell phone use is now exacerbating that damage. And yes, the researchers also took into account the possibility that moms who talk on their cell phones a lot are ignoring their children, which may be the real cause of the bad behavior. Frankly, I'm more willing to believe that than anything.

What do you think -- are you concerned that your cell phone may be harming your unborn baby?

Jeans are a wardrobe staple in our culture; you can dress them up or down and wear them almost anywhere. For moms-on-the-go, jeans are a perfect solution to the what do I wear today? dilemma. But you want to be sure you're choosing the right jeans, and that you are caring for them properly, to get the longest possible life from them.

Start with a dark-rinse, mid-rise jean with a boot-cut leg, one that falls straight from the widest part of your hips. The slightly higher rise (no more than two inches below your belly button) and wider leg make you look long and lean, no matter what your actual height or weight. A dark wash is always more versatile than a distressed or faded wash; you can wear dark rinse jeans with a tee and sandals, or with a beautiful blouse and dressy pumps.

Take good care of your jeans and they will last and last, no matter how often you wear them. Wash inside out, with all zippers and buttons fastened, in cold water and mild detergent; hang to dry. If you REALLY want to preserve your jeans, hand wash them (but that's a lot to ask of a busy mom).

Ready to shop for jeans? Here are five options, for real mom bodies -- everything from the ultimate bargain jeans to an extravagant splurge -- as well as some basic tips for getting the right fit.