For most parents, the days of letting their kids run around the neighborhood from sunup to sundown went out with the lax attitude about bike helmets. These days, summer is all about structure for most kids. Whether it’s camp, daycare, summer school or other activity, it’s important for kids to…
This is the time of year when many children enroll in school or leave the home for college. And with those enrollments come vaccinations, in many cases. The next few months will see doctors’ offices stocking up on flu shots in anticipation for the winter season. The National Institutes of…
Look at just about any Christmas tree, and the most eye-catching ornaments are usually the ones made from scratch. You don’t have to spend a fortune on those store-bought ornaments to make your tree stand out. In fact, you can create some awesome ornaments from scratch right in the comfort…
You may have seen scrapbooks created by grandparents, other parents or simply crafty types that are works of art, or you may have heard of scrapbooking “parties,” where moms learn how to create these works of art for themselves and their families. If the idea of this kind of memory…
Saying one thing and doing another, melting down over seemingly nothing, refusing to use the bathroom — kids are contradictory little things sometimes. But before you throw your hands up and take your little one to a shrink, try to get to the bottom of those tumultuous thoughts. Maybe your…
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…
What better way to get your child to eat her vegetables than have her grow them herself? When kids take an interest in gardening, they’re looped into the process it takes to get produce to grow from seeds and ultimately end up on their plates. For toddlers and preschoolers, it’s…
It’s a parent’s worst nightmare. We’re talking about back over injuries. According to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, at least one child a week dies as a result of being accidentally backed over by a family vehicle. Even more tragic is that it’s often a family member who is…
Ah, the lazy days of summer. Unlike the rest of the year, the rules change come summertime, especially when it comes to meals. If you haven’t already, it’s time to put those canned soups and raviolis and on the backburner in favor of some lighter fare. Take a vacation from…
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…