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…
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…
Kids and clutter go hand in hand. Children have a way of creating chaos with their belongings. Clutter can be eliminated and contained with some easy organizational tips. Organizing Smaller Toys Just about every parent has experienced stepping on a small but very painful toy. Legos, blocks and small cars…
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…
Nothing captures memories and powerful moments more than a photograph. You don’t have to be a professional photographer in order to snap the perfect family picture. You can add life and interest to your family pictures with these tips. Taking Pictures at Different Levels Typically, adults stand up when taking…
Grandparents Day began with the idea of honoring the elderly and championing the cause of the lonely in nursing and retirement homes. Marian McQuade, a housewife from West Virginia, brainstormed the idea, which was later to become a nationally recognized holiday, thanks to Jimmy Carter in 1978. Now the holiday…
Living with a teenager is challenging in and of itself; trying to assist a student who may not want help is even more difficult. Teens desire nothing more than independence from their parents. They crave autonomy even though they still want parental feedback and approval. Teens are known for testing…
Volunteering is a great opportunity to promote family togetherness while doing something good for your community. Many volunteer activities can be fun, educational, great sources of exercise, or all of the above! It’s also a great opportunity to teach your children the value of helping others and making a positive…
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…
As women, we’re inundated by ads for skincare products every day. They’re pitched to us on TV, in magazines, online and at the mall. Most of us have made a few unwise expenditures of alleged miracle creams, and came out of it wiser, more savvy shoppers. Now, as moms, we’re…