If you’re a mom who dreads taking the kids when you run errands, then there are ways to keep them occupied and perhaps make those mundane trips learning experiences for them. For example, a grocery store excursion could become a way for them to learn about nutrition. Make comparisons among…
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…
If you haven’t taken a peek into your medicine cabinet lately, it might be time to take a look. Every home should have basic supplies to help with minor accidents or middle-of-the-night illnesses. A medicine cabinet should also have important phone numbers taped inside of the door to call in…
When it comes to our children’s happiness, less is more. That’s the surprising perspective of one Chicago psychologist concerned about the rising rates of youth depression and anxiety. “Millions of well-intentioned parents have made life harder for their children by shielding the kids from every kind of unhappiness,” according to…
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…
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…
Santa isn’t the only one making a list and checking it twice. For most children, making a Christmas list is a favorite pastime. What could be more fun than creating one giant wishlist with anything — and everything — you’ve ever wanted? Of course, it’s only natural that many kids…
Summer camp is a rite of passage for many kids, but choose the wrong one, and you’ll hear about it for years to come. It’s important to decide whether your child is ready for sleepaway camp or if day camp is the way to go. Kids as young as 6…
If you have kids who are about to hit their teenage years, then you may have noticed an uptick in the chitchat, whether on the phone, online or when they have friends over. Girls in particular are eager to compare thoughts and experiences with their peers, while boys aren’t usually…
March has been declared National Nutrition Month® by the American Dietetic Association, so I can’t think of a better time to talk about ways to improve your child’s lifestyle and eating habits. We all know that a banana is a healthier snack than a bag of potato chips and that…