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…
Let’s face it; we live in a pretty competitive world. Because of that, children may not understand the importance of sportsmanship when involved in competition. Winning can easily become the sole focus of a game, so children may not think much about the importance of good sportsmanship. Parents and coaches…
Whether you react with joy or dread when the holidays and all of its hosting rigors roll around depends on how well you prepare and plan for them. Unexpected guests may show up at any given time, whether they’re brought along by other family members or friends, or they simply…
During the summer, the familiar refrain of “I’m bored!” might waft through the house every so often, especially when it’s too hot or rainy to go outside. But aside from catering to your child’s every whim and becoming his or her entertainer, what can you do to help them keep…
You’ve had the familiar pang of longing while looking at the babies of friends and family. Heck, diaper commercials may even bring a tear to your eye. But it’s not all emotions; you’ve done the math, weighed your options and decided: it’s time to have a baby. Women of childbearing…
No matter how your household is run or who is working outside the home, dividing up the chores can be a way to make the running of the home fair and balanced. Today’s families are made up of unique situations. In some homes, both parents work and in other homes,…
As if you needed even more tension between you and the in-laws…When kids come along, so does the advice – many times, unwanted – from in-laws and other relatives. How do you keep the peace and adhere to your own child-rearing principles when your pushy relatives have their own ideas…
If you have daughters, then you might be tired of all things Disney princess, pink, girly and so on. But have you ever stopped to think about the impact the girly-girl culture might have later on in life? Peggy Orenstein has, and she’s written the new book, Cinderella Ate My…
Eating disorders are on the rise, which raises serious concern for parents. Although eating disorders normally appear during adolescence or in early adulthood, children as young as 4 have also been susceptible to body image issues that can help to trigger eating disorders. Parents should understand the signs of an…
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…