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…
Pop Pop. Mom Mom. Papa. Nana. Grandpa. Grandma. They go by many different names, but their role is always the same – to spoil their grandchildren with hugs, kisses and everything in between. Every year, Grandparents Day falls on the first Sunday after Labor Day. When Marian McQuade founded National…
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…
As a new parent, the thought of your young child being exposed to germs can be downright frightening. While there are no guarantees that your little one won’t get sick, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk. It’s all about investing in the right protection. For example,…
There may be nothing worse than being pregnant and feeling terrible. Being sick with a cold, the flu or some other malady may be even worse for pregnant women, whose medication options are limited. If you have a cold while pregnant, then the symptoms can seem worse than if you…
Peanuts, dairy, gluten, soy, eggs, sulfites…many foods contain potential allergenic products. And up to 8 percent of kids have life-threatening food allergies, and those limitations can become problematic as kids enter school or change schools. But parents and administrators can keep all kids safe and happy as they deal with…
Your kids are clamoring for an allowance, and what better way to allow them to earn one than with regular chores? Contributing to the workload around the house benefits the entire family. Completing chores boosts children’s self esteem by making them feel like a valued part of the team. Chores…
Tiny bubbles in the bath make you feel happy, make you feel fine. Or do they? There’s long been a debate over whether or not bubble baths are really good for children, especially when it comes to girls. While some health experts believe that bubble baths can be linked to…
It seems like new babies reach milestones faster than new parents can keep up, so you might be wondering when your baby will be ready to start eating solid foods, like rice cereal and baby food. There are a few characteristics to look for in your baby around 3 or…
New year, same old dilemma — how do you stave off those horrid hangovers after the biggest party night of the year? While the only tried-and-true way to ward off is abstinence of alcoholic beverages, there are some steps you can take that may lessen the blow. Of course, there’s…