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…
Most kids carry backpacks to school everyday, and pediatricians, physical therapists and parents are reporting increasing numbers of schoolchildren complaining of back, neck and shoulder pain, along with tingling or numbness in their arms and hands. This is being attributed to children carrying heavy loads of schoolbooks in backpacks and…
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…
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,…
Just because you’re trying to keep the family on a sensible budget doesn’t mean you have to do without everything fun. Likewise, an economical evening with the family isn’t limited to a night of shadow puppets, though in the right context, even that can be a blast! Instead of dwelling…
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…
Nothing brings back fond memories like a family vacation. But with so much to do in so little time and so much to remember, the delight of a family vacation can be coupled with plenty of stress! Here are some ways to take the stress out of family vacations. Plan…
When it comes to physical activity, every little bit counts! LET’S GET MOVING month is designed to get you and your child to become more physically active. Children are less physically fit than they were a generation ago. In fact, inactive children, when compared to active children, weigh more and…
Television, in moderation, can be a relaxing, enjoyable activity for all ages. With such a variety of shows to choose from, there is something for everyone. Here are some great TV shows that can be found on the air or are available on DVD. We’ve broken everything down into age…
The trappings of modern American culture-TiVo/high-speed Internet/texting–make it a special challenge for families to stay fit and active. Unless you and the kids walk or bike to work or school, chances are good that you have trouble squeezing in as much daily physical activity as your family needs. Even when…