“High blood pressure in kids? That’s what my grandmother has!” Nearly 2 out of 3 American adults have unhealthy blood pressure. Hypertension, or high blood pressure (HBP), cuts off nearly 5 years from an average person’s life. It is more common beyond middle age. Hence, what comes to mind when…
Parents today want toys that are both fun and educational for their children. Toy manufacturers want toys that are big hits with both kids and parents. Enter in the Toy Awards. There are several awards given each year for Best of Breed toys, but they all judge toys on different…
When I was in my early 20s, I read Adele Davis’s book, “Let’s Eat Right To Keep Fit.” I learned from her that “you are what you eat.” I also learned that our babies are what we eat while we are pregnant, and then are what they eat once they…
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…
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…
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…
If the crud hasn’t hit your house this season yet, then it probably will soon. And when it does, be prepared. You can end the misery of colds and flu faster – or at least make them more tolerable – by taking a few precautions. Of course, getting a flu…
You think your children are ready to play ball (or any other sport for that matter), but are they really properly prepared? When it comes to playing the field, it’s a matter of safety first. Parents have an obligation to take all of the steps necessary to ensure that their…
Everyone benefits from a good night’s sleep. Children also need to learn how to unwind at the end of the day with an uninterrupted period of restorative sleep. For some children, this comes easily. For others, it may mean a night of counting sheep and difficult morning rises. Break the…
When it comes to patience, do you feel like you’re always running on empty? When York University conducted a study in 1999, respondents listed patience as the most important parenting skill. Of course, patience is fleeting. Even if you have it, it’s easy to lose once you’re under the pressure…