Do you know the difference between discipline and punishment with their Latin roots? Punishment implies inflicting pain, while discipline means to teach. Parents who use punishment are missing important opportunities to teach their children better behaviors and help them self-discipline. Children can actually be taught responsible behaviors to help them…
Several studies show that girls’ self-esteem and self-confidence tends to decline after about age nine as girls enter puberty. How do you encourage self confidence and increase self esteem during these early years? There are things that can be done. This article will review some of those things. Start with…
As parents, we only want the best for our children. But sometimes our judgment is clouded, and our actions can actually impede our kids’ progress. By nature, we want to see our children succeed, even if it means giving them a gentle nudge. Unfortunately for some parents, that nudge often…
Revamping your child’s wardrobe can be a costly endeavor, especially if you don’t have hand-me-downs to fall back on. If you’re in the market for new kiddie clothes, there are some simple money-saving strategies that will save you a buck… or $20. For starters, exhaust all of the serious saving…
The trappings of modern American culture-TiVo/high-speed Internet/texting–make it a special challenge for families to stay fit and active. Unless you and the kids walk or bike to work or school, chances are good that you have trouble squeezing in as much daily physical activity as your family needs. Even when…
Young, wild, and free … isn’t that what it’s supposed to feel like to be a teenager? While it’s normal for teens to push and discover their limits, it’s also dangerous. Due in large part to the fact that parenting decisions are only as sound as the information on which…
Summer camp is a rite of passage for many kids, but choose the wrong one, and you’ll hear about it for years to come. It’s important to decide whether your child is ready for sleepaway camp or if day camp is the way to go. Kids as young as 6…
Talk about hair-owing. There’s nothing worse than spending top dollar on hair accessories, only to have them disappear after just one wear. Ribbons, bows, barrettes and headbands are just some of the standard hair staples that are part of every girl’s wardrobe. The problem is keeping track of these fancy…
Moving to another home is always stressful, regardless of whether or not you have children. The transition can be tough on the whole family, and kids might take a move pretty hard, depending on their age. The decision to make a move might not be an option, depending on your…
A great babysitter is a precious resource – and one that’s highly coveted by other families. When date night comes along, or if you have to go out for any reason, making decisions about with whom you can entrust your kids is important. Of course, leaving the kids with a…