What’s not to love about Valentine’s Day? Plenty, if you don’t get your act together for this favorite pastime. For kids, there’s nothing grander than exchanging those traditional Valentines with classmates, friends and family. And face it, you don’t really have an excuse for not being prepared. From card stores…
Leaving your child with a new babysitter so that you can enjoy a little adult time can be a daunting task. Of course you worry about how the sitter might handle an emergency, how much to pay her and how the kids will act while you’re gone – but do…
Dining out with a little one can be a disaster – and usually is, for some parents. But it doesn’t have to be an awful experience when you take your child out to eat. You can foster that same adventurous spirit that you might have for culinary experiences in your…
Between television, video games and all of the other daily distractions, some people often forget to read between the lines, or read at all, for that matter. When it comes to activities you do with your children, there is no substitute for reading. The American Association of Pediatrics maintains that…
All moms know that the most precious cargo they shuttle around each day in the car is the kids. So keep them safe, whatever age they may be, by getting the right car seat and securing it properly. Full-term newborns can sit in rear-facing convertible or infant car seats. You’ll…
There are an array of dizzying options for how you might deliver your new baby, so how can you figure out what’s right for you and your new bundle of joy? Many hospitals and birthing centers offer doulas — a strange word that describes a birth helper. But with midwives,…
Whether you react with joy or dread when the holidays and all of its hosting rigors roll around depends on how well you prepare and plan for them. Unexpected guests may show up at any given time, whether they’re brought along by other family members or friends, or they simply…
Whether it’s a nursery that needs updating as your child gets older or your teen needs a grown-up take on his childhood room, an entirely new room can break the bank. But a whole new look can be had on the cheap, and the number-one low-cost item that can transform…
Children express emotions in a range of ways, and they may not always seem like appropriate reactions. Being scolded might turn a child into a wailing, hysterical mess, but the death of a close family member might be met with stoicism. This is because children model their behavior after what…
For a lot of babies, pacifiers can soothe and help fussy babies float off to dreamland, without the help of a sometimes-exhausted mom. But when kids start to depend on pacis — or binkies — to fall asleep or for comfort, often up to the age of 4, then it’s…