January 1 is just two days away. A new year means a new you, right? Not so fast. How many times have you made a laundry list of New Year’s resolutions only to fall off the wagon within days? Whether it’s losing weight, quitting smoking or becoming more organized, we…
When it comes time to celebrate your kids’ birthdays, do you simply run to the grocery store to get the latest cartoon character immortalized on a giant sheet of processed sugar? Would you like another option? Well, if you’ve never tried baking your own birthday cake, then maybe this is…
Probably the most frightening aspect of Halloween is the amount of candy your children bring home. No matter which type of sweet treats they get, it all boils down to the same thing – sugar, sugar and more sugar. While you don’t want to rain on your child’s Halloween parade,…
The arrival of a new baby affects all aspects of parents’ lives, but the one that may have the most impact is the amount – or lack thereof – of sleep you get. All new parents are subject to sleep deprivation, but the effects of it vary from person to…
It may start with your 2-year-old clandestinely pinching his newborn sister…but sibling rivalry can last for years when it goes unchecked. When they’re small, squabbles about toys, personal space and competitions for affection seem to spark rivalry. When a toy dispute arises, resist the urge to intervene every time. Siblings…
You’ve got the reading and ‘riting down – but what about that last R, ‘rithmetic? Math has changed since those days when future moms completed worksheet after worksheet and worked out addition, subtraction, multiplication and division tables – without the aid of a calculator. Math, thankfully, has become more hands-on…
Let’s face it: Kids in close quarters like classrooms are going to spread all kinds of germs to one another, right? Probably, but when you encourage healthful habits, kids tend to miss less school because of illnesses they’ve passed on to one another. The top illnesses that keep kids home…
It’s sometimes amazing to watch what seems like an out-of-control child submit to a teacher’s bidding at school. Parents who are exasperated with their kids’ at-home antics can be really surprised when they watch their child interact successfully with their teachers away from home. How do teachers harness all that…
It could be at a playgroup, in a restaurant or at school – your child cries at the drop of a hat. What makes some kids more sensitive than others? Kids have vastly different temperaments, and there are pros and cons for each. A stubborn child might carry that streak…
Taking a vacation with little ones can seem like anything but when kids are pulled out of a familiar environment and familiar rituals. But with a little planning and flexibility, you and your family can have a good time and keep everyone happy and well-rested. The first thing to consider…