March has been declared National Nutrition Month® by the American Dietetic Association, so I can’t think of a better time to talk about ways to improve your child’s lifestyle and eating habits. We all know that a banana is a healthier snack than a bag of potato chips and that…
Conscious eating is all the rage, with numerous movements-local first, all organic, green living, etc.-celebrating the virtues of consuming foods that are good for the body and the Earth. This is great news for American families who have an interest in following a more balanced and healthy diet, as the…
Cooped-up kids who can’t go outside on a stormy day can make for a miserable time. But they don’t have to. Help them burn that pent-up energy in productive ways, instead of lying around watching TV or playing video games. Rainy days are a perfect time to focus on fitness;…
“What are some of the ways in which you explain to kids that mom and dad need time alone, without feeling guilty about it?” A journalist, writing an article on having time alone and couple time when you have kids, asked me this question. Parents will feel guilty only when…
“Are you listening to me?” How many times have you asked your child that very thing? It may seem like you say things a thousand times, and your child still never hears you. Truth be told, they may be hearing you; they’re just not listening to you. Not sure how…
The tax man cometh. But are you taking advantage of all the credits to which you’re entitled? The cost of child-rearing is mind-blowing, which is why Uncle Sam feels inclined to cut you a break — literally. Before you complete your taxes this year, make sure you’ve taken advantage of…
You can’t stand the suggestive lyrics in your tween’s favorite music, but your preschooler’s Wiggles obsession drives you batty. It’s tough to explain to a child terms like “sexy,” “booty” and “hooking up,” but it seems like that (and worse) is all over the airwaves. And if you catch yourself…
With kids, anytime is the time for a party. You do not have to rent giant blow-ups for your front yard and feed every kid within a radius of 100 miles either. Letting your kids have a slumber party with a homemade cake, homemade pizza, a couple of bags of…
Many potential parents feel they’re ready to take on the responsibility of raising a child, but the majority of new parents vastly underestimate the real costs associated with bringing up baby. A Redbook survey says up to 41 percent of new parents believed that in hindsight, they weren’t as financially…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 500 people a year – including about 30 kids – die of carbon monoxide poisoning, and even more are sickened. This odorless, colorless gas is given off when gas, oil, kerosene or wood are burned, and it’s the most common…