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…
As much as you want Christmas morning to be just right, it rarely goes off without a hitch. There’s always something you’ve forgotten or want to forget. More often than not, the kids are usually dragging you out of bed before daylight. With your eyes barely open, it’s hard to…
The idea of owning a cell phone appeals to most kids, especially tweens, who are forming social groups and getting involved in after-school activities. But how do you know when it’s time to let them phone home with their very own phone? The first thing to investigate is whether or…
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…
When it comes to their education, you want to know that your children are in good hands. That means having an open line of communication with his or her teacher that goes beyond the annual parent-teacher conference. We’re not saying you should assume the role of a helicopter parent, hovering…
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…
Does the thought of bacteria give you the creepy crawlies? Well, you can be harboring this hazardous element in bath toys, toothbrushes, sippy cups and other places. Believe it or not, bacteria can be hiding in places you never thought it would be. Think your bathtub is in the clear?…
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare — the incessant crying that just doesn’t seem to cease. For new — and old — parents, those crying jags can feel like they go on forever. Fits of screams that don’t stop…no matter what you do. But have you really tried everything? There are…
Watermelon soup? Pasta with strawberries? Topping a burger with kiwi? It may sound strange, but there are lots of ways to incorporate summer fruit into your dinner dishes to take advantage of antioxidants like lycopene and vitamin C. How about some plum pizza? A ready-made pizza shell brushed with a…
There’s a hot hobby that has launched a thousand blogs, inspired a whole lot of classes and saved families cash on the things they buy all the time, like groceries. Maybe it’s a result of the recession, but couponing has become all the rage for moms who want to save…