Which way do you swing when your child behaves? What’s best – spanking or time outs? Before you even get to the point where discipline is needed, experts say that kids need clear-cut boundaries so that you can head off discipline problems before they even happen. Certainly, those boundaries need…
Can playing music to your baby or young child make her smarter? That was the claim of the much-hyped “Mozart Effect” several years ago, but the truth isn’t exactly black and white. Certainly, music is a great complement for stimulating babies’ brains and teaching toddlers vocabulary, but the jury’s out…
Bridging the gap from childhood to adolescence can be rough for a lot of kids – and their parents. As a parent, you never know what sort of outburst or frightening revelation is going to erupt from your hormonal, emotional tween. But your tween is still your child – and…
It’s a hard habit to break, but it can be done. We’re talking about the dreaded thumbsucking. Parents – take heart. Eventually, the time is going to come, probably just not soon enough. Research shows that 30 percent of preschool children still suck their thumbs, although most outgrow it by…
A penny for your thoughts… and a dollar for your efforts. It’s the old allowance conundrum. We’re talking chore charts, compensation rates and more. For an allowance novice, it can feel like a real handful. The dilemma goes beyond what to give and what not to give to your children….
All moms know that the most precious cargo they shuttle around each day in the car is the kids. So keep them safe, whatever age they may be, by getting the right car seat and securing it properly. Full-term newborns can sit in rear-facing convertible or infant car seats. You’ll…
Are your kids getting more than the vitamins and minerals they need in their food? Likely so, if they eat a lot of processed, packaged food. Some of the most common food additives can have some pretty unsavory side effects, so it’s a good idea to check labels before buying…
Summer means it’s time to enjoy fresh, locally grown fruits, veggies and other homegrown goodies. Take advantage of the season and make a visit to the farmer’s market fun and educational for the kids. As they have a choice in the foods they’re served, they’ll be more encouraged to get…
With Christmas just a couple of days away, you’re all set to receive. But have you had the opportunity to give? One of the most rewarding things about the holidays is having the chance to help others. In the current economic climate, there is no shortage of families in need….
When your child starts drinking milk, you’ll want to ensure that she’s drinking the cream of the crop. With so many types of milk out there, the choices can be confusing. Should you choose cow’s, goat’s, almond, rice, soy? Only you can say what’s right for your family, given any…