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….
February is Children’s Dental Health Month. That means it’s the perfect time to help your kids brush up on their dental hygiene habits. Sadly, many of us are too casual when it comes to brushing up on our oral hygiene. Even as adults, we’ve gotten in the habit, albeit a…
Choosing a pediatrician is one of the first — and most important — rituals you’ll experience as a parent. When it comes to picking your child’s doctor, you want someone you can trust, which is why due diligence is integral. After all, you’re putting your child’s life in this person’s…
New parents seem to sweat the small stuff more than seasoned parents. And while it’s true that babies develop at different rates, depending on when they were born, their temperament and myriad other factors, there are a few milestones that parents should look for as they enjoy watching baby grow….
Not sure who should know CPR? A good answer is everyone, especially parents. CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is the technique that’s used to keep someone alive when they’ve stopped breathing. CPR can actually save a child’s life in the event of a near-drowning, choking, poisoning, smoke inhalation or electrocution. Sadly,…
All kids get bashful or uncharacteristically quiet in some settings, but what should you do if your child is chronically introverted? Experts say absolutely nothing, if this is the child’s true nature, and the shyness doesn’t exclude your child from opportunities that present themselves, either personally or academically. Never persecute…
Come clean already. Do you struggle with laundry? In a perfect world, we could afford to have everybody’s clothes dry cleaned on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, those costs can add up over time. That doesn’t mean you can’t handle with care yourself. It’s a delicate situation — so follow these…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, yet some people can’t help but get down in the dumps around the holidays. It’s ironic that although the season is supposed to be chock-full of cheer, it’s often just the opposite. According to the National Mental Health Association, there are many…
Much of the excitement of Independence Day is the rockets’ red glare, especially for kids. But those bombs bursting in air can and do injure people, especially kids. In 2008 alone, there were 7,000 fireworks injuries reported. Nearly half of those casualties were children. No wonder they’re illegal in a…
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…