Halloween may be a holiday for children, but for parents, trick-or-treat time can be a little troublesome. Nearly 40 years ago when I was younger, I remember some of my parent’s concerns like razor blades in apples or treats from Ex lax made to look like chocolate candy, and avoiding…
Back when Ernie of “Bert and Ernie” fame sang his famous love song to his rubber duckie, millions of children could relate; the classic yellow rubber tub toy was the most popular (and in many cases the only) floating fun item to be found in the family bath tub. These…
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…
Let’s face it; we live in a busy world. Despite modern conveniences and advances in technology, it seems that today’s families are busier than ever. We try to squeeze in as much as we can in a day under the assumption that the more we get done, the happier we’ll…
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,…
Living with a teenager is challenging in and of itself; trying to assist a student who may not want help is even more difficult. Teens desire nothing more than independence from their parents. They crave autonomy even though they still want parental feedback and approval. Teens are known for testing…
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…
Most moms notice that their kids enjoy repetition. From watching the same video over and over to requesting a favorite book every night at bedtime, children crave the security and reassurance that a consistent routine provides. One way to enhance this sense of comfort derived from repetition is to create…
Having kids is one of the best things in the world. Seeing them happy and enjoying usually gives us a very satisfying emotion. We always want what is best for our kids. So what if your kid desires to have a pet? Do you think he or she might be…
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…