Want to get a little something more out of your vacation than a sunburn or some souvenir mouse ears? Try taking the kids on an educational vacation this year, where they can supplement what they learn in school with some real family fun. Museums and zoos close to home are…
In the 18th and 19th centuries, American pioneer women spent months alone on the prairies raising their children, doing endless backbreaking chores, and protecting the homestead from countless sources of danger. Some of these women would go on to develop lifelong mental illnesses resulting from the continued stress and isolation….
Most people think of acid reflux as a condition that only affects adults. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Acid reflux, also known as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), affects children of all ages, including newborns. Symptoms of GERD include burning in the throat, gagging or choking, sore throats,…
Spring is the time of year when high school juniors are learning about different colleges and high school seniors are receiving their acceptance letters. Yes, and a great many high school seniors will receive those other kinds of letters as well: You’ve been waitlisted, or even worse, the rejection letter….
Whoever said parenting is easy never had children. Like anything else in life, expertise comes with experience, and raising kids is no different. Proper parenting takes practice, and our skills develop with time. Of course, there are steps you can take to improve your technique. The first step is to…
It’s a parent’s worst nightmare – a child becoming the prey of a sexual offender. Unfortunately, the sick individuals who stalk young children aren’t branded with a scarlet letter, and by the time some parents find out that a predator has infiltrated their surroundings, it’s too late. In the United…
When it comes to our children’s happiness, less is more. That’s the surprising perspective of one Chicago psychologist concerned about the rising rates of youth depression and anxiety. “Millions of well-intentioned parents have made life harder for their children by shielding the kids from every kind of unhappiness,” according to…
It’s a hard habit to break, but it can be done. We’re talking about the dreaded thumbsucking. Parents – take heart. Eventually, the time is going to come, probably just not soon enough. Research shows that 30 percent of preschool children still suck their thumbs, although most outgrow it by…
If you think your kid oughta be in pictures, get in line. All moms believe their kid is the most beautiful of them all, but how do you know if yours has what it takes to make it as a child model? First, decide how far you want to take…
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…