“I’m telling!” may be the most annoying phrase that your child emits, particularly around the preschool age. But tattling usually boils down to one motivation: getting attention. Excessive tattling usually happens when kids aren’t mature enough to settle conflicts among themselves, and that’s normal for younger children. They look to…
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…
Families today more than ever are looking for ways to be entertained without breaking the bank. A night out at the local movie theater can cost $10 or more per person, not to mention breaking the bank – and the belly – at the snack bar. Luckily, movies can be…
One of the tried and true organization and time-management tools is the trusty old “to do” list. I was trained to diligently put one together at the end of the day for the following day, and whatever tasks I failed to complete, to carry it forward. This system has worked…
If you’re a new parent readying yourself for the first outing with baby, then you might wonder what else goes into the diaper bag…besides the obvious diapers, of course. It’s best to have the diaper bag packed while you’re still pregnant and waiting for baby to arrive. After all, in…
What’s not to love about Valentine’s Day? For kids, it’s yet another opportunity to party. And what child doesn’t love to celebrate while also satisfying that sweet tooth? At some point, you may be called upon to create goodie bags for your child’s class. Perhaps you’ve even made it an…
Having a bored child around the house is no fun for anyone. Kids have so much to entertain them these days that boredom doesn’t have to last for long, but it’s wise to look closely at what kinds of entertainment children are consuming. The most popular diversion for children is…
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…
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. We’re talking about that heart-stopping moment when a child chokes on food. In an instant, you have a life-or-death situation on your hands. Perhaps the most frightening aspect is that choking is unpredictable and can stem from what seems like the most innocuous foods, everyday…
There’s no denying that laundry is the ultimate chore. Unfortunately, it’s often a task that falls mainly on the woman of the house. But it doesn’t have to be a one-woman job. Get the kids in on the act, and it will make tackling those mounds of dirty clothes a…