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…
Do your kids know the value of a dollar? In an age when parents whip out the plastic to pay for things, or the ATM seemingly spits money into your lap with no repercussions, it’s hard to teach kids about managing money. But in today’s economic times, it’s important, and…
All families should have a first-aid kit – or two – on hand for emergencies. Gathering supplies ahead of time and educating your whole family on how to use the items in your kit is essential to handling emergencies. Treating minor injuries that happen around the home or while traveling…
Does your kid plunk down in front of the PlayStation or Wii, or grab his Nintendo DS first thing when he gets home from school? If you’re concerned about the frequency at which your child is playing video games, then it may be time to take a look at his…
They teach your children well — so how do you express your gratitude? With the holiday season in full swing, you may feel like you need to buy presents for just about everyone, and your child’s teacher is no exception. The question is: How do you show your appreciation without…
Sometimes it is better to receive than to give, and Christmas cards is one of those instances. While some people have everything ready for their Christmas cards months in advance, others find that same old box of cards going untouched year after year. The good news is that the task…
If your extended family is strewn from coast to coast – or even in different countries — then it might be hard to keep them in the loop about what’s going on in you and your kids’ lives. We all get busy and lose touch with family members once in…
Nothing compares to the feeling of panic parents feel when jolted out of a deep sleep in the dead of night by their child’s screams. A bad dream can be provoked by a life-changing experience, such as the death of a family member, or something as minor as a dog…
The Internet can be a great source of entertainment and education for your kids. Whether you need your child out of your hair for a few minutes to get a meal on the table or your child needs homework help, going online might be a great way to get things…
If Christmas means peace on Earth, goodwill to men, then why does your house look like a bomb went off? Face it, it’s hard to maintain some level of quality control over your house during the holidays, and Christmas day is no exception. Between wrapping paper, presents and dishes, you…