Grandparents Day began with the idea of honoring the elderly and championing the cause of the lonely in nursing and retirement homes. Marian McQuade, a housewife from West Virginia, brainstormed the idea, which was later to become a nationally recognized holiday, thanks to Jimmy Carter in 1978. Now the holiday…
Peanuts, dairy, gluten, soy, eggs, sulfites…many foods contain potential allergenic products. And up to 8 percent of kids have life-threatening food allergies, and those limitations can become problematic as kids enter school or change schools. But parents and administrators can keep all kids safe and happy as they deal with…
Whether it’s an April shower, a sick day or just a quiet day indoors, things can get boring pretty fast. If you don’t want your kids to veg out in front of the TV for hours, then arts and crafts can provide a great diversion. But don’t run to the…
Sex, drugs and alcohol — these are subjects you’ll want to talk about with your children before there is a problem. As a family, you can establish boundaries and consequences and come to a common understanding of what is acceptable. Sex: According to Advocates for Youth, statistics indicate that children…
The emotional rollercoaster of trying to have a baby can take its toll on the relationship that you share with your girlfriends, whether it’s you or them who’s trying to conceive. If you’re the one trying to get pregnant, then stress, self-esteem issues and hormonal fluctuations have probably made you…
If you’re looking for that flash of brilliance in your child that may signal that he’s smarter than other kids, then you may be ready to slap on that “gifted” label. Whether your child walked, talked, read or reached some other developmental milestone earlier than his peers, it’s tempting to…
Find out the difference between serving sizes and portions sizes. Choosing nutritious foods and keeping portion sizes sensible will help keep your family at a healthy weight. One of the best ways you can help your child live healthy and maintain a healthy weight is to teach them what an…
Whether they’re babies, toddlers or preschoolers, a case of separation anxiety can hit your child – and you – when you least expect it. The screaming fit that can ensue as you walk out of daycare or even just the child’s nursery can send you running back in, but that’s…
“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…
Now’s the time when families tend to hit the road – whether it’s to visit Grandma, Disney, the beach, or just to sightsee and get a taste of other communities. It’s not the destination; it’s the journey, right? Not when you have kids in the backseat asking “are we there…