Parents and their children establish their relationship and love in a variety of ways, and one of the first ways to begin that process is bonding with baby. Bonding establishes trust between parent and child, and it prepares the child for learning what the world is all about. Starting the…
When we were children, it felt like we had the weight of the world on our shoulders with those overstocked backpacks. But not anymore. Parents, school officials and medical professionals have wised up to the potential health hazards of packing those backs too much. Hence, the ever-growing popularity of backpacks…
April marks Alcohol Awareness Month. It’s a great opportunity to discuss the topic of alcohol abuse and its consequences with your children. Unfortunately, a child’s first exposure to alcohol – and alcohol abuse – can be at home. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to lead by example. In other…
For every action there is a reaction. We’re talking about consequences, and it’s an important lesson kids should learn in life sooner rather than later. It goes without saying that you want children to learn the consequences for their actions, especially when those actions aren’t appropriate. Ann Douglas, author of…
Whether it’s thumb-sucking, nose-picking, picky eating, bad manners or other annoying habit, many kids drive their parents crazy. But there are ways to break your kids of bothersome rituals. First of all, harping on them to quit doesn’t work. Punishment probably won’t, either. When you want to break your child…
You may have seen scrapbooks created by grandparents, other parents or simply crafty types that are works of art, or you may have heard of scrapbooking “parties,” where moms learn how to create these works of art for themselves and their families. If the idea of this kind of memory…
Many kids suffer from low self-esteem, which can lead to depression and other feelings of worthlessness. A child’s self-esteem forms early in life, even when a child is a baby learning to roll over successfully. The pattern of trying, failing, trying again and ultimately succeeding builds a child’s self-esteem intrinsically….
Kids are getting played when it comes to taking a break at school. Yes, they’re there to learn reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic – but what about that fourth “R,” recess? Many schools are doing away with kids’ sole opportunity to give their brains a break during the day in favor…
Vampires may be all the latest rage, but what’s a parent to do when she discovers she’s rearing her own little Edward Cullen? We’re talking about the dreaded biters. Getting a call from the school that little Bobby has bitten one of his classmates can be among a parent’s worst…
As a new parent, the thought of your young child being exposed to germs can be downright frightening. While there are no guarantees that your little one won’t get sick, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk. It’s all about investing in the right protection. For example,…