You might be so focused on helping your child soothe her hurt feelings that you may not even see the day coming when she hurts yours. Inevitably, at some point, your child will utter those awful words – “I hate you,” “You’re the worst mommy ever” or something equally hurtful….
For a lot of babies, pacifiers can soothe and help fussy babies float off to dreamland, without the help of a sometimes-exhausted mom. But when kids start to depend on pacis — or binkies — to fall asleep or for comfort, often up to the age of 4, then it’s…
The first thing your pediatrician will do, starting with your very first well-baby visit, is measure your child’s height and weight, plus his head circumference through infancy. It’s to ensure that he’s being nourished enough to thrive and grow, plus to check for developmental delays or other health problems. Your…
It’s the end of an era — or at least a year. The biggest party night is upon you, but celebrating just isn’t the same now that you’re a parent. In fact, the only ball you’re going to see dropping is your head on the pillow. Before you go chalking…
They may not wring their hands, yell or furrow their brows, but kids do experience stress, just like adults. Childhood may not be one big picnic for all kids, all the time. And just like adults, kids need healthy ways to relieve stress and relax. A calm, stable and reliable…
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…
When it comes to Valentine’s Day, candy seems like the go-to gift for adults and kids alike. From a box of chocolates to conversation hearts to jelly beans, there’s no shortage of sugar. Lots of parents don’t exactly love the idea of loading their kids up with candy, especially when…
Just because you aren’t Jewish doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate Hanukkah, the festival of lights. Many people now celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas, even if they don’t practice Judaism. Hanukkah is a great opportunity for you to expose your children to other religions. More than just a learning experience, it…
Imagine you run into a high school friend whom you haven’t seen in 20 years; you hug, you quickly play catch-up and she says; “You haven’t changed a bit!” It’s easy to take that as a compliment, particularly if you were prom queen and head of the cheerleading squad, but…
Before cliques, dating, break-ups and office politics, comes that first and developmentally vital tradition in a human being’s life: play dates. Play dates are a child’s first foray into the world of friends and social rules. Kids can learn a great deal about social interaction during play dates, which is…