Most kids carry backpacks to school everyday, and pediatricians, physical therapists and parents are reporting increasing numbers of schoolchildren complaining of back, neck and shoulder pain, along with tingling or numbness in their arms and hands. This is being attributed to children carrying heavy loads of schoolbooks in backpacks and…
With a new set of video game systems coming out every few years it can be tough to decide the best system for your family’s needs. Unfortunately, because this is technology we’re talking about, “hand-me-downs” are mostly out of the question when it comes to game systems. Luckily, consoles are…
If you’re ready to do some spring cleaning or just tired of a potential avalanche every time you open the hall closet, it may be time to consider a yard sale. You don’t need to invest a huge amount of time and effort, just a few hours for the actual…
Back when Ernie of “Bert and Ernie” fame sang his famous love song to his rubber duckie, millions of children could relate; the classic yellow rubber tub toy was the most popular (and in many cases the only) floating fun item to be found in the family bath tub. These…
Having a bored child around the house is no fun for anyone. Kids have so much to entertain them these days that boredom doesn’t have to last for long, but it’s wise to look closely at what kinds of entertainment children are consuming. The most popular diversion for children is…
Halloween may be a holiday for children, but for parents, trick-or-treat time can be a little troublesome. Nearly 40 years ago when I was younger, I remember some of my parent’s concerns like razor blades in apples or treats from Ex lax made to look like chocolate candy, and avoiding…
The number of recalls issued by toy manufacturers is staggering. Today there seems to be little attention and thought in the design of children’s toys, other than to make them as cheaply as possible. The design level is certainly lacking the element of making safety first. It is apparent the…
With kids, anytime is the time for a party. You do not have to rent giant blow-ups for your front yard and feed every kid within a radius of 100 miles either. Letting your kids have a slumber party with a homemade cake, homemade pizza, a couple of bags of…
Computers and the internet have become a way of life. Telling your kids that they can’t go on the internet is like telling them they can’t breathe. Not only has the internet become a social aspect for kids, it is also educational. Kids are expected to know their way around…
Before cliques, dating, break-ups and office politics, comes that first and developmentally vital tradition in a human being’s life: play dates. Play dates are a child’s first foray into the world of friends and social rules. Kids can learn a great deal about social interaction during play dates, which is…