A great babysitter is a precious resource – and one that’s highly coveted by other families. When date night comes along, or if you have to go out for any reason, making decisions about with whom you can entrust your kids is important. Of course, leaving the kids with a…
“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…
Whether it’s a nursery that needs updating as your child gets older or your teen needs a grown-up take on his childhood room, an entirely new room can break the bank. But a whole new look can be had on the cheap, and the number-one low-cost item that can transform…
You may think of the kitchen as mom’s domain, but letting kids get a feel for the process of creating a meal teaches them more than how much work it really takes. When you let your kids help select foods at the grocery store, you teach them about nutrition. Discuss…
“I’m hungry!” How many times a day do you hear those dreaded words? By the time most children arrive home from a long day of school, they’re likely famished. And we’re guessing your children probably aren’t much different. If you’re one of those parents who are on the never-ending quest…
Watching a young girl hit, kick, and call her mother names I never imagined a 6 year old knew, engaged in an (ultimately successful) attempt to get dessert led to an enlightening luncheon conversation with a few friends last week. As parents ourselves, we had all dealt with incidents like…
Snow days are no excuse for slow days. Cold weather may seem like the ultimate “get out of exercise free” card, but it shouldn’t be. Regardless of the outside temperatures, your children need to stay active. It’s the foundation for a healthy lifestyle for kids and adults alike. The Centers…
No one is perfect, and that fact becomes even more obvious when you become a parent. It’s tough not to hold yourself up to traditional mom role models, like June Cleaver, but even June Cleaver wasn’t that perfect. She just didn’t have “experts” like Dr. Phil and Oprah telling her…
Eating a nice meal with a child can seem downright unappetizing at times if the child’s manners leave a lot to be desired. Teach your kids manners without starting a food fight. The best time to start teaching table manners is as early as they can hold a spoon. Start…
It’s summer, and the buck stops here for many teens. The break is the perfect opportunity for teens to get their feet wet in becoming gainfully employed. In addition to getting workplace experience, the income can also ease the burden on Mom and Dad’s purse. Although summer jobs were a…