Build a Happy World for Your Baby
Lynda Fassa

This may seem like a big undertaking, but you really can make the world a better place for baby without breaking your budget. As a mom of three brilliant, healthy and (mostly) happy children, I know firsthand that creating a better world doesn't have to be overwhelming or only for movie-star millionaires. Here are my three easy guidelines for improving your baby's world

Green Your Kid: Gardening
Lynda Fassa

There are many fun things to do in the backyard with the kids: picnicking, jumping through the sprinkler and playing catch-and-release firefly competitions, to name a few. But the most memorable -- and possibly the best brain-builder -- is gardening.

 

Stay Hydrated

Keep Your Athletes Hydrated On and Off the Field
Sue Hubbard, M.D. - The Kids Doctor

With summer heat at its peak across the country and kids heading back to school athletics, band practice, drill team and the like, this is a good time to discuss heat-related illnesses and their prevention.

 

Lack of sleep

Fighting Drugs With the Power of Sleep
Ewen Callaway

Parents looking to steer their teens away from drugs may want to encourage them to stay in bed longer. Lack of sleep seems to lead to increased drug use -- not the other way around, as many researchers previously concluded -- and this is likely to be a pattern of behavior that teenagers acquire from their friends.

Break That Hovering Habit Early
Arlene Weintraub

College administrators say they're coping with a growing crop of freshmen suffering the aftereffects of having been raised by overinvolved parents. These moms and dads may see their tendency to hover and help at every step as loving and protective. To prep kids to thrive in college rather than struggle, parents should begin to break their overprotective habits. Here's how

Back-to-School Shoppers Hunt for Deals
Kimberly Palmer

As Americans embark on their annual back-to-school shopping trips, they're cutting back and saving money where they can. That means clipping coupons, sticking to a budget, and reusing last year's supplies. So, where are Americans cutting back? Here's what they said they would focus on

Green Your Back-to-School Shopping
Cara Smusiak

It's the time of year again: Kids and parents around the country are getting ready for another school year, and that means serious shopping time. But before you head out for a marathon shopping day, think about the ways you can go green to make your child's school year an eco-friendly one

How to Stop Your Baby's Wheezing and Prevent Asthma
Ella Brooks

Are you concerned when you hear your baby wheezing? You're not alone. The good news: A new study published in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology has identified consistent risk factors for wheezing in infants -- which means there are steps you can take to help prevent it

Back-to-school Advice
Peg Rosen

Change is most dramatic for children starting a new chapter -- kindergarten, middle school, a move to a new school district. But even returning to what's familiar can rattle kids. So how can you help? First, be calm -- even if your child isn't. Then, try these tips for a smooth ride into the new school year

Parents Guide to Playing Pretend
Your Family Today

Pretend play is a learning experience for young children. It lets them explore the world around them and experiment with social and emotional roles. It also boosts problem-solving skills. So pick up a wand or sword, put on a cape and get into your child's fantasy world. Here are some new additions to old-fashioned make-believe games that you can enjoy together

The Power of Persuasion: Food Marketing Really Does Work
Sharon Palmer, R.D.

A fast food commercial pops up and you feast your eyes on a glistening cheeseburger. The next thing you know, you're hungry and you've got a hankering for a burger. Is this mere coincidence or do food ads really hold the power to change the way you eat? The answer is right before your eyes; multi-million dollar advertising campaigns would not exist if they didn't work.

Teaching Your Child Money Habits for Life
Kimberly Castro

Financial responsibility, for the most part, stopped with the piggy bank. So, how can you teach your children the importance of saving, accounting for their spending, and self-discipline? Here are some money management strategies and tactics for parents that can help kids take control of their financial futures

6 Essential Tips to Avoid Swimming Dangers
Madonna Behen

Whether it's a lazy week spent lounging at the seashore or leisurely afternoons at the town pool, many of our cherished childhood summer memories involve having fun in and around water. To help your little swimmers create happy memories of their own, it's important to keep them safe and healthy. Here's six key tips to avoid swimming dangers

Exercise for Kids: 5 Tips for Parents
January W. Payne

It's no secret that childhood obesity is a major issue in the United States. At the core of the problem is the fact that less than one third of all children ages 6 to 17 get regular vigorous exercise, defined as at least 20 minutes of physical activity that makes them sweat and breathe hard. So what should parents do to get their kids moving more often? Here are 5 tips to get started

Too Much Screen Time for Kids Means Poorer Health
Lilian Presti

The average American child spends four to five hours a day in front of a screen -- that's roughly one-third of their waking time either in front of a TV or a computer, and all that screen time could be adding up to poor health. Parents should consider the following strategies

Table Manners: Ready, Set, Napkins!
Aviva Patz

If your child still brings his plate to his chin to shovel rice into his mouth or wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, don't despair! It's never too late to teach him good table manners. The trick is to help him see why it's important -- beyond just to placate you. Use these games and activities to make learning good table manners fun

Why Non-Parents Are Happier Than Parents
Bonnie Erbe

In a recent New York Magazine article, a mother traces her own expectations as a parent and how reality clashed with those expectations. She cites mountains of data and studies showing that, as far as she can tell, American parents are more stressed and less happy than non-parents. The article says what I've always experienced, but never yet confirmed: non-parents are happier than parents

Fast-track Your Morning Routine
Dana Rousmaniere

Need a little extra shut-eye in the morning? (Don’t we all!) If you tend to hit the snooze button a few more times than you should, rest assured that you can still simplify your morning routine to get out the door in 10 minutes flat, looking and feeling your best. Here's practical tips for parents

How Dogs React to Human Infants
Brad Kloza

Even if dogs can anticipate a new family member, that doesn't mean they know how to handle it. Here are some tips for getting your dog properly prepared and acclimated

Streamline Your Daily Life
Laura Roe Stevens

Juggling too many things leads to more than anxiety: It can actually make you sick. Keeping your life on track means balancing work, family, friends and alone time, as well as making sure everything runs smoothly. For that, look for help from these five Internet tools

Summer Fun With Kids on a Budget
Debra Muccio

It can be difficult, not to mention expensive, trying to entertain the kids now that school is out for the summer. By taking advantage of some local summer programs, family fun can happen -- even on a budget

Have a Safe Trip
Kristin Bailey Murphy

Most parents think it will never happen to them, yet thousands of car accidents occur each year. According to the National Highway Safety Transportation Agency, 8,000 American children die in auto-related accidents each year -- 20 every single day. So how can you help protect your children? Follow these hard and fast car safety rules

What Parents Can Do to Keep Kids From Snacking Their Way to Obesity
Nancy Shute

The news on childhood obesity is almost universally bad, including this latest item: Kids snack three times a day on junk food, accounting for almost one third of their daily calories. Parents do have the power to help protect our children against the health risks of obesity, starting now. Here are three practical steps you can take today

 

Chicken Tortilla Wraps

Chicken Tortilla Wraps
Betsy Berthin RD, LD

Feeding kids healthy and nutritious meals is not as hard as you might think. The trick is to follow two basic rules. First, serve only quality meals. They won't know what they're missing -- i.e., junk and processed food -- if they never had it. Secondly, give them what they want. Yes, its that simple.

Triple Threat of Toxic Friends
Girl World Daily

Look, all friendships have ups and downs. But if a friend's behavior routinely pulls you down or cramps your style, you could be dealing with a toxic friend. Here, we take a look at three types of toxic friends and dole out advice for detoxing from a pal's poison darts.

Parenting: The Art of Saying No to Your Children
Gail Belsky

By the time they reach school age, kids are as skilled at debating as politicians on the campaign trail. But while their persistence can wear you down, giving in to their pleas will only encourage them to keep it up. If you say no, and your child learns to accept it, your child learns to accept your values. Here are five steps for saying no

Beginner's Guide to Dating Boys
Girl World Daily

Need a little help on how to, un-complicate 'The Date'? Even if you don't feel quite ready yet for your first date you can tuck these tips away for later.

Sick Day TLC
Dana Rousmaniere

Help make your little one's sick day a little better with some creative touches you can both feel good about.

When to Call the Doctor
Dr. Elyane Haddad

At what point is it necessary to call a doctor when my child is not feeling well? Here are four red-flag scenarios in which you should call the doctor

 

Cooking School for Kids

Taking the Kids To Cooking School
Eileen Ogintz

As kids become more sophisticated eaters there are more opportunities to learn about cooking and local cuisine on vacation, whether visiting local restaurants or farmer's markets. In fact Kids can even learn to cook while on vacation. Here's how

Formspring.me - Teens' Ugly Scrawlings Go High Tech
Ana Veciana-Suarez

There's a new social networking site called Formspring.me, and if the language in some rap songs offends you, this is not the place to be. Formspring, with 29 million users, is hot-hot-hot among teenagers, especially middle schoolers. Turns out Formspring is a highly effective way to insult, belittle and spread rumors. Because it affords anonymity, the gossip is raw and mean-spirited.

Formspring.me - Teens' Ugly Scrawlings Go High Tech
Ana Veciana-Suarez

There's a new social networking site called Formspring.me, and if the language in some rap songs offends you, this is not the place to be. Formspring, with 29 million users, is hot-hot-hot among teenagers, especially middle schoolers. Turns out Formspring is a highly effective way to insult, belittle and spread rumors. Because it affords anonymity, the gossip is raw and mean-spirited.

Internet Safety Tips for Teens
Girl World Daily

Sure, you love to surf the Internet. But are you playing it safe? Unfortunately, a lot of creeps are crawling around on the Web, and some use sneaky tactics to exploit unsuspecting kids. Here are some Internet safety tips every teen and parent should know.

Turns Out Listening's His Strong Suit
Ana Veciana-Suarez

And so begins another mother-son exchange that leaves me wondering if my kids truly listen or if my words float off unheeded like dust motes in a ray of sunshine. With my days of mothering a minor numbered, prom season becomes one more opportunity to worm my way into his head and, perhaps, into his heart. I'm running out of time.

Finding the 'Me' in Motherhood
Elizabeth Hurchalla

Whether you're a mom or not, at some point you've likely put yourself on the back burner while turning your attention to the needs of those around you. But moms know this feeling better than anyone: With kids, life isn't only about you anymore. But if you're losing yourself in the process of raising a family, it's time to refocus. Here's how to find a balance

Sunscreen Facts You Need to Know
Stephanie Tweito Jacob

You know sunscreen is a must whenever you're outside, but sunburn has probably still caught you by surprise at some point. By slathering on sunscreen, you may have thought you were playing it safe, but there's actually more to it than that. Check out these commonly held sunscreen myths, then the facts that will keep your fun in the sun safe.

The Threat of Childhood Obesity
Jessica Rettig

William Dietz, a medical doctor and pediatrics expert who directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, discusses the nation's problems with childhood obesity and what parents can do to encourage healthy choices by their children

Marriage Hopes on a Tightrope
Clarence Page

Motherhood no longer appears to be what it used to be. Compared to 20 years ago, today's mothers of newborns are older, more educated, less often white, more often Hispanic -- and less often married. A record 41 percent of American births in 2008 were born to single mothers. Is marriage over? Not quite.

Finding Hidden Moments for Me-time
Kim Atkinson

When your day is devoted to taking care of your kids, your husband, your job and the many other important things on your agenda, it can seem impossible to schedule time for yourself. But setting aside your own time is key to maintaining your physical and mental health. Here are six expert ways to find hidden moments in your day and how to spend them so you feel energized and invigorated.

Creative Ways to Combine Work & Family
Kimberly Palmer

Sharon Reed Abboud, author of All Moms Work: Short-Term Career Strategies for Long-Range Success, writes about 'the new mommy track,' or the trend towards mothers finding creative ways of combining work and family after their children are born. Abboud says telecommuting, freelancing, and owning your own business are all ways to make it possible

Stay-at-Home Moms Need a Career Plan
Kimberly Palmer

Becoming a stay-at-home mom doesn't necessarily mean bringing your career to a screeching halt. The possibility looms, however, if you don't maintain your network and keep current with your industry. Stay-at-home moms are advised to keep their career in motion, even if at a slower speed, by devising a short-term career strategy

Challenges and Rewards of Part-Time Work
Kimberly Palmer

To work or not to work many mothers grapple with that issue. Some moms decide to stay home for months or years, if it is economically feasible. Others continue to work full-time. Still others decide to reduce their hours to part-time, and remain on their career path, although possibly on a slower schedule.

Make Cleaning Fun and Get the Kids to Help Too
Julie Smart

Here are my top four tips on getting -- and keeping -- your house super-clean without much effort.

Teens Don't See Drinking and Driving Dangers
Driving Today

Spring school rituals -- prom and graduation -- begin with so much excitement and promise, yet they can end in tragedy for hundreds of teen drivers and their passengers. New research from Liberty Mutual Insurance and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) suggests this season could be no different

Peer Pressure? Whatever!
Girl World Daily

How far would you go to have others think you're cool? Would you steal from a store? Pull a cruel prank on a teacher? If you'd take risks and behave in ways you normally wouldn't just to follow the pack, that's caving in to peer pressure.

How can I tell if my kids' backpacks are too heavy
Michael Castleman

If you've been watching your youngsters head to school burdened by heavy backpacks, you've probably wondered if they're doing their bodies harm. One way to find out is to weigh your kids, then weigh their fully loaded packs

What I Want for Mother's Day
Ana Veciana-Suarez

Mother's Day is fast approaching. Breakfast foods -- toast waiting to be burned and eggs ready for scrambling -- feature prominently in grocery circulars, and soon restaurants will report an uptick in reservations for Sunday brunch. Well, la de da. Why would I mock a day set aside to celebrate my accomplishments? Because, honey, a single, solitary day ain't enough payback

Youth Kicks Today: Beating Each Other Senseless for Internet Notoriety
Mitch Albom

They are all over the Internet, short video clips with titles out of a boxing poster. Raul vs. Pedro. Red vs. Robert. Twinkie vs. Saylor. But these are not professional fighters. These are kids. High school kids, middle-school kids. They punch each other, pound each other, slap, yank, pull, tackle, rip, scratch and kick each other. And all the time, someone is filming.

To Stop Kids from Killing Kids
Clarence Page

What might the highly publicized suicide of a Massachusetts girl tormented by cyber-bullying have in common with the videotaped fatal beating of a teenaged boy in Chicago? Other students apparently knew that trouble was brewing, but no one managed to step in and stop it.

What Makes a Housewife Desperate
Diane Farr

One hour into my new job on 'Desperate Housewives,' Felicity Huffman asks me, 'You have three kids under three years old? How are you managing it all with work?' I can't even meet her eye as I shamefully reply, 'Work is the best part of my day.'

Mom's Best Backup Plan
Dana Rousmaniere

Whether it's a result of a surgery or something more common such as a cold or flu, if you need time to rest and recover, make sure your backup plan is in place ahead of time. Check out these strategies and be prepared.

Secrets of a Girl Bully
Girl World Daily

There is a recent rise in girl-on-girl physical violence, but most girl bullies use smack talk to intimidate their victims -- and they even take their smear campaigns online for widespread humiliation. Here, we point out a bully's weak spots so you can see straight through that plastic Queen of Mean mask she's hiding behind

Parents Who Shouldn't Be Allowed on a Plane
Christopher Elliott

The problem is as old as air travel itself: Adults seated next to misbehaving kids while confined to a pressurized aluminum tube. But it seemed like until now, at least, we knew whose side the parents were on. Today, you can't be so sure.

How to Raise Caring Kids
Your Family Today

Kids are naturally many things: They're curious, funny and loving. But one thing they're not is thoughtful. Empathy for others is a trait that must be learned -- and you are the best person to teach it. Volunteering together is an excellent way to increase your child's social and emotional growth while spending quality time together. Here, some age-by-age ideas for lending a helping hand.

Mom Buried in Toy Landslide
Kristin Bailey Murphy - Your Family Today

It may be easier and faster to take care of it yourself, but that doesn't help your kids learn responsibility and gain organizational skills. And if you don't teach them how to pick up after themselves, they're not likely to do it. Help your kids take control of their stuff with this step-by-step guide.

Parenthood is A Real Scream
Ana Veciana-Suarez

OK, I'll fess up. I have screamed at my kids. I have screamed out of frustration. I have screamed because they should know better. I have screamed when I'm rushed, overwhelmed, anxious, or because I've just plain had it with their boorish behavior.

Help Your Kids Learn Better
Lilian Presti

In a country where nearly three million students are receiving special education services for a learning disability, many parents are hungry for ways to support their children's learning. The problem many children face is they've lost their zest for learning. Here's a few key steps to reinforce learning

Doesn't Take An Einstein to Raise Kids
Ana Veciana-Suarez

As a mother, I would do almost anything to give my children a leg up in life. This is true, I think, for most conscientious parents. Call it biological imperative, if you will. This is why the 'educational' label is so ubiquitous, and learning colors, figuring out shapes and identifying letters has turned into Big Business

Game On: Are Video Games Harmful
Harvard Health Letter

Getting Kids to Eat Their Vegetables
Lilian Presti

We've all heard of the kid who won't eat anything except chicken fingers and hot dogs -- and maybe you recognize this child well because he or she is yours. Although most children aren't this extreme, many are still not eating as much healthy foods as their parents would like

Taking the Kids To San Francisco's California Academy of Sciences
Eileen Ogintz

We're at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, which in the year since it has re-opened has emerged as the city's top cultural tourist attraction, drawing more visitors than Alcatraz

Sometimes Good Enough is Just Right
Ana Veciana-Suarez

I've often joked that children are the most stressful factor in a marriage, especially for those of us who juggle work and family. Rushed, conflicted and usually overwhelmed, mothers who toil outside the home feel there aren't enough hours in the day to keep up with parenting obligations, job duties and household chores. Life turns into a never-ending to-do list, a blaring alarm that's can't be quieted

Power of Positive Thinking Is Psychology's Latest Focus
Lindsay Lyon

Positive psychology itself is a relatively nascent field. Formally founded a decade ago by the University of Pennsylvania's Martin Seligman, its emphasis on what goes right with people was a sea-change from psychology's traditional preoccupation with what goes wrong -- from depression and anxiety to mental illness of all flavors. ...

Teens and Spring Break A Sometimes Lethal Combination
Mitch Albom

Matt James fell off a balcony. He died. He was 17, four years under the legal drinking age. Police say he was drunk. This would be a tragic story if it were an isolated story. It's more tragic because it is not.

Teen Violence: Senseless Rage Sparks Inexplicable Tragedy
Ana Veciana-Suarez

Why are teens so angry? That question invariably pops into my head when I read about teen-on-teen violence. Sadly, such incidents seem to have become more common, and the question has taken on a new urgency as I struggle to make sense of the senseless

How to Raise a Foodie
Your Family Today

The trick to getting children to try new foods that are also healthy for them is to create situations where they can discover that pleasure on their own. Here, three ways to lead your child to the table without making him eat

Food Allergy Update
Your Family Today

Food allergies are a very common concern among parents -- and with good reason. Even though the rise in allergies is very real, parents often blame food for mild symptoms that are actually caused by something else. To avoid a misdiagnosis by Dr. Mom (or Dr. Dad), here are common symptoms of exposure to nonfood allergens, plus a quick guide to the three methods of testing for true food allergies

How to Rush-proof Your Morning Routine
Madonna Behen

What are mornings like at your house? If you're like most moms, it's probably the busiest part of your day. The beginning of the day tends to be chaotic and stressful for a bunch of reasons. With some key planning and organizational strategies, it is possible to turn the morning mayhem into a peaceful and manageable routine. Here's how busy moms can make it happen

How to Green Your Baby's Nursery
Cara Smusiak

When parents think about safety in the nursery, they tend to think about falls from changing tables, baby getting sandwiched between the rails and mattress, or an infant getting caught up in cords. But the materials used in a nursery can carry a lot of chemicals that are harmful to a child's health. Here's what to look out for and avoid

Household Chores - Get Job Done Right
Diana McKeon Charkalis

Encouraging your children to pitch in around the house helps them as much as it helps you. Kids expected to do their fair share tend to develop a sense of accomplishment and pride. They also learn how to handle responsibility. The key is to start early -- and to be patient. Ready to get started? Follow these five pointers for putting your kids to work

Put the Brakes on Watching TV
Darcy Lockman

It's no secret that most kids watch too much television. For years, psychologists and pediatricians have sounded alarms that excessive television time contributes to an array of modern childhood problems -- from obesity to a failure to develop new interests. The good news is: If you start early, you can raise kids with a balanced and appropriate TV diet. Here's how

How to Bring out Your Kids Best Behavior
Kristin Bailey Murphy

If you're the parent of a perfect child -- one that never whines, argues, lies or misbehaves -- this article isn't for you. But if your child is guilty of any (or all) of the above, don't despair. He's just doing what most kids do. So how do you go about changing his negative behavior? Use positive reinforcement. Here, some tools you can use to bring out the best in your child

Can You Afford to Be a Stay-at-home Mom?
Your Family Today

Leaving the workforce to be a stay-at-home mom might seem risky these days. But it can be a good decision, particularly if your spouse has a secure job. If you're deciding whether you can afford to be a stay-at-home mom, consider these factors: finances, your partner's support and your own emotional well-being. Here's how to weigh the risks and rewards

Teenagers Testing My Patience
Ana Veciana-Suarez

Parenting, my husband tells anyone who will listen, is the last stand of the amateur. This rings particularly true when children pass through the fun house known as adolescence. No matter how patient or strict or understanding parents try to be, the teenage years test our mettle and our sanity. We're suddenly stupid beyond our years, an embarrassment to the family

Moms: Stop Kids Fears Before They Start
Elizabeth Hurchalla - Sniffle Solutions

Sometimes a small concern can quickly escalate into feelings of real fear. If this sounds familiar, there are steps you can take to avoid making yourself sick with worry -- for your sake and your child's. Check out these strategies for managing fears that come with being the No. 1 caretaker for your child's health.

Journal Writing New Kind of Prose Just for Parents
Jessica Blau - Your Family Today

Setting aside time to sit down and write may seem like an impossible luxury. But carving out just 15 minutes every few days to jot down thoughts in your journal writing, frustrations and dreams offers unexpected rewards. All you need is paper and a pen (although you might prefer a computer or a bound blank book) and a sliver of time. Write on!

Games for Building Better Family Bonds
Lisa Cohen - Life & Beauty Weekly

Your typical afternoon probably goes like this: Pick up kids from school; shuttle to soccer, music class and dance lessons; head to grocery store; get back home to make dinner. You probably wouldn’t classify this as quality time. But who’s to say that everyday experiences can’t turn into special moments? And what better way to infuse fun than with these kid-friendly games

How to Organize and Store Vital Family Documents
Catherine Ryan - Life & Beauty Weekly

With so many responsibilities demanding your attention, it's no surprise when some stuff is just put off for a rainy day. But there's one family project that's more important than you think: securing your family's vital documents. The good news is that it's easier to accomplish than you think. It takes 10 simple steps to organize and store your important personal documents. Here's how

De-stress Your Mornings
Lisa Bova - Your Family Today

For most moms, mornings are a mad dash to get everyone up, dressed and out the door -- hopefully with some breakfast in them. But the a.m. rush hour doesn’t have to be so hectic. Here, solutions for simpler, saner mornings

Battling Over Bedtimes? Not Anymore
Elizabeth Hurchalla - Your Family Today

When it's time to brush their teeth and go to bed, many kids go into meltdown mode. They refuse to put on pajamas, plead for 'just one more story' and get up at least 10 times after they're put to bed. Sound familiar? Follow these steps for combating bedtime bummers and put more ease into your z's.

How to Throw a Green Kids' Birthday Party
Lilian Presti

These days, aren't we all trying to be a bit more green? We're trying to recycle more, create less waste, eat natural foods, and walk and cycle more. So why not take it one step further and throw your child a green birthday party?

Little Girls Really Don't Need to Walk in Our Shoes
Ana Veciana-Suarez

I'm a fan of sensible shoes -- the low-heeled, wide-toed variety that allows me to walk without limping or tripping. I save those shin-torturing, bunion-producing pumps for special occasions. So I don't understand the latest trend in little-girl fashion: kindergartners in high heels.

Giving Kids a Creative Edge
Aviva Patz - Ideas That Spark

Creative and artistic experiences help kids express their feelings and come up with new ideas and ways to solve problems. Studies show that involvement in the arts boosts test scores and promotes academic achievement. You can get your child’s creative juices flowing at home with basic art supplies and the right attitude. Bring out the creative genius in your children with these simple tips.

New Twists on Family Game Night
Sarah Mahoney - Ideas That Spark

The more creative the game, the more thoughtful, clever, funny and outrageous your kids can be. They'll go nuts for contests that require you to show a different side too -- especially if it's a ridiculous one! These five non-board games will help bring out the unexpected best in your family.

4 Ways to Make Dinnertime Work
Elizabeth Hurchalla - Your Family Today

When you arrive home after a long workday, your mind is on your family ... plus the stack of bills to pay, the pile of laundry to do and the list of phone calls to return. But dinner? It's tough to imagine how you're going to make this meal happen at all, let alone make it healthy, tasty and maybe even fun. But believe it or not, you can. Here's how

Sibling Warfare? Stay Neutral
Lisa Lombardi - Your Family Today

When your kids practically come to blows over which one got more cream cheese on their bagel, you know you’ve got a serious case of sibling rivalry. It’s likely you also know that there’s no avoiding it. But while you may not be able to keep the peace between your kids, there are things you can do to squash the squabbling.

Raise a Smart Spender
Sarah Mahoney - Your Family Today

Most kids love the holidays -- and all the giving and getting that goes with them. So why not tap into that enthusiasm for a quick lesson in money management? If you want to teach kids that buying decisions should involve time to think, holiday shopping is the perfect moment. Here are six lessons you can start teaching right now

Money for Something?
Peg Rosen - Ideas That Spark

Certainly, kids shouldn’t be paid every time they put a dish in the dishwasher. But there are chores, tasks and jobs that require extra effort and time. And in this culture, money is the best thing we have to acknowledge our kids’ contribution when they take them on according to Peter L. Sheras. Here, some primo projects for teens and preteens

Sick-day Strategies for Keeping Kids Entertained
Ella Brooks - Sniffle Solutions

'Mommy, I don't feel good.' Sound familiar? It’s the call of an ill child who’s stuck in bed. It breaks your heart, but there are plenty of things you can do. Experts say the best course of action includes activities that are low-key and keep a child busy without wearing her out. Here are 11 comforting and clever ways to help kids have fun while they recover.

Sync With Your Spouse on Discipline Style
Lisa Lombardi - Your Family Today

Is your wife a strict disciplinarian, while you prefer to let things slide? Is your husband a yeller, while you are an 'inside voice' kind of mom? When you have different parenting styles, it can often feel like you're at odds with your spouse. Here are strategies from Harvey Karp, M.D. for navigating this common parenting conundrum.

What Kind of Parent Are You?
Peg Rosen - Your Family Today

For decades, pop psych has embraced the premise that there are three basic parenting styles: authoritarian, permissive, and last but not least, authoritative. The authoritative approach -- a combination of no-nonsense limit-setting with understanding and concern -- which experts say is ideal. Not sure where you fit in? Check out these scenarios

Making Baby Food: Easier & Healthier Than You Think
Lilian Presti

Many parents are beginning to make their own baby food in an effort to start their babies off on the right, and healthy, foot. Contrary to popular belief, making your own baby food can be easier than you think.

Chaos Reigns When College Kids Come Home
Ana Veciana-Suarez

I believe in miracles, in sobering transformations and life-changing experiences. But maybe I've been reading too much fiction. Consider my latest encounter with reality: I sent my 18-year-old off to college. Now he has returned, for the holidays, a 19-year-old with 'college dorm' experience. Which is to say he has acquired some interesting habits

It's Good, Clean Fun And It Rocks
Ana Veciana-Suarez

Oh, my, how those girls love their soaps! They sing to the bars, take them on outings and, when it's time to go night-night, tuck them in a necktie gift box I've labeled the soap dorm.

Parents Influence Kids' Relationship With Food
Lilian Presti

In today's world of fast and convenient food, many people have disordered eating. The evidence of obesity, anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and an obsession with dieting is proof we aren't healthy eaters. The problem is many of the people with unhealthy relationships to food are parents, and that makes them role models for their children.

Preparing Kids - And Yourself - For Their Hospital Visit: 11 Tips
Sarah Baldauf

Without thoughtful preparation, your kid's visit to the hospital has the potential to morph into a traumatic experience. Yet some upfront legwork on the part of Mom and Dad can ease a child's anxiety and also set the stage for his or her positive future dealings with the medical world. Here's 11 Helpful Tips ...

Beaches Resort - Turks and Caicos

Taking the Kids - Rare Caribbean Resort That Works for the Littlest Vacationers Parents and Grandparents
Eileen Ogintz

Welcome to Beaches Resort in Turks and Caicos -- the family resort of the Sandals brand -- where kids, tweens and teens rule. Plus it's a great resort for parents and grandparents as well.

 

Oasis of the Seas

Taking the Kids - Aboard the Biggest Cruise Ship Afloat
Eileen Ogintz

As family friendly as imaginable and ocean breezes too, as you cruise from Florida to the Caribbean and back on the world's largest cruise ship afloat -- Royal Caribbean's spanking new Oasis of the Seas

 

Parenting - Spanking Causes More Harm as Children Get Older
Nancy Shute

Spanking is a huge hot-button issue for parents. Many psychologists say that spanking or any other physical discipline harms children and their relationship with their parents. But quite a few parents disagree, and some experts do, too.

Seasonal Cold or Swine Flu? Moms Face Tough Calls
Deborah Kotz

I sent my 11-year-old son to school today with a stuffy nose and mild cough, as I've done countless times in the past. Now, though, I'm wondering whether I should have kept him home. How do I know it's really a garden-variety cold and not the swine flu?

Trick-or-Treat? Conquer Sugar by Offering Kids Sweeter Alternatives
Lilian Presti

In an age when close to one in five kids in the U.S. is overweight or obese, should we be rethinking our manner of celebrating Halloween, or simply carry on with what we've been doing? The answer appears to lie somewhere in the middle, according to childhood obesity experts ...

Bridging the Generation Gap Has Gone Too Far
Ana Veciana-Suarez

A Pew Research Center study earlier this summer found that while two-thirds of Americans 16 and older saw an age divide, respondents didn't believe it caused a lot of problems in their families or society. The generational squabble, the report states, "is a much more subdued affair than the one that raged in the 1960s."

Parenting - All Kids Need is Love And Attention
Lilian Presti

Many of us parents believe purchasing educational toys or providing them with the latest technology will help them to be smarter, more creative or at the very least help them to get a head start. But there are rumblings that these assumptions of what helps children learn and develop may well have been based more on effective marketing than on any real proof.

Newborn Screening Can Identify a Variety of Treatable Conditions
Dietrich Matern, M.D., and Piero Rinaldo, M.D., Ph.D.

The blood taken from your baby after she's born will be examined to find out if she has any of a variety of treatable conditions. This procedure, called newborn screening, is very important because these conditions can be most effectively treated when they are identified early, before symptoms appear.

What Parents Do not Know About How Their Kids Use Facebook & MySpace
Nancy Shute

Parents of teenagers know how important texting and social networking sites like MySpace, Bebo, and Facebook are to the over-13 set. But if we think we know what our kids say and do on the sites, we're kidding ourselves. My 13- and 14-year-old nephews kindly remind me more often than I'd like of my cluelessness, and a new survey confirms that I'm not the only parent who has no idea.

What Parents Should Know About Swine Flu Shots
Nancy Shute

The questions I asked at my daughter's well-child doctor visit this week were not happy ones: They were all about what to do if the swine flu pandemic gets much worse this fall and she becomes sick. I left the pediatrician's office just as worried.

Taking the Kids to Alaska and Meeting Some Bears
Eileen Ogintz - Taking the Kids

Welcome to 'bear camp,' an outpost of the Kenai Peninsula fishing lodge Great Alaska International Adventure Vacations, where families come to hike, fish, raft and, of course, check out the bears.

Taking the Kids and Myself to a Spa
Eileen Ogintz - Taking the Kids

Of course, my mom never took me to a spa -- I don't think she's ever been to one herself -- but I've taken my daughters to spas from the Caribbean to Colorado, from Arizona to Austria from the time they were young teens, and like others their age, they are perfectly at home getting facials and massages. It turns out they've got plenty of company

Taking the Kids To Mexico Where You'll Find Adventure, Culture, Beaches and Great Deals
Eileen Ogintz - Taking the Kids

We're just an hour or so from Cancun, a few miles from Playa del Carmen, five miles off the highway along a bumpy road in Rio Secreto, a unique cave just opened to the public last year, after the owner of the land, Don Cleo, inadvertently discovered it while chasing one of his animals

Why and How to Put Together a Family Medical History
Katherine Hobson

Most of us are aware of our family medical history on some level -- we're pretty familiar with our parents' recent ailments, for example, and probably could tell you what our grandparents died from. But if pressed to be more specific, we might not have all the details -- and those can be important. The information a detailed family medical history offers might change your own medical care or provide a needed incentive to make better lifestyle choices.

Teens Who Think They'll Die Young Take More Risks

Teenagers tend to wildly overestimate the odds of dying young, and teenagers who think they'll be dead before age 35 are far more likely to abuse drugs, attempt suicide, get arrested, or contract HIV. Scientists have known for quite a while that teenagers tend to think that an early death is much more likely than the infinitesimally small risk it really is.

7 Ways Your Siblings May Have Shaped You
By Lindsay Lyon

Ah, siblings: both a blessing and a curse. Approximately 80 percent of Americans have at least one brother or sister; in fact, kids today are more likely to grow up with a sibling than a father, experts say. What's more, the sibling relationship is the longest relationship that most people will have in their lives.

Mom Just Wants a Little Facebook Time
By Ana Veciana-Suarez

I have ruined Facebook for my children. Or so they say. See, any time parents sign up for something -- MySpace, Twitter, YouTube, texting -- the level of it-ness sinks like a deep sea diver in leaded boots. So as payback my kids have refused my numerous attempts to friend them

Latest Arrival Has the Family All A-Twitter
By Ana Veciana-Suarez

I can only think of the wonders my littlest darling will see, and seven hours in the waiting room offered a pretty good preview. The world, or at least the immediate family and circle of friends, was alerted to her impending arrival by dawn. From the hospital bed, in between contractions, the mother-to-be texted her four brothers, her cousins and friends.

High School Party Season: Dangerous Time for Kids
By Ana Veciana-Suarez

Alcohol -- beer usually, but straight shots, too -- is our high schoolers' drug of choice. Chugging until you stagger is especially commonplace as the academic year winds down and the freedom of summer beckons.

This is scary, and frustrating, and a painful reminder of parental impotency. Even if your child doesn't drink, he / she may be unlucky enough -- heck, foolish enough -- to be in the same car, the same room, the same road as someone else's drunk kid.

College Graduates Get Lesson in Hard Economic Times
By Ana Veciana-Suarez

A college diploma guaranteed a comfortable foothold in the American Dream. But this year's graduates find themselves in the worst economy their generation has known, and what should be a time of celebration has morphed into a bout of full-blown anxiety

5 Nutrition Facts About Milk & Healthy Kids
By Kerry Hannon

Here are five things you should know about your kids and milk.

Brain-building Strategies for Parents

Mental and physical exercises, as well as brain-enhancing nutrition, can aid parents in nurturing their children�s natural abilities. Parents should keep some important things in mind when choosing activities and foods to help build children�s brainpower.

Moms: Bond With Baby while Keeping Healthy in the Great Outdoors

Fresh air, open space and a natural atmosphere provide an ideal setting for moms to bond with their babies and also to stay active. After all, who knows how to multi-task better than moms?

Parents: Make Time for Healthy Choices

Between soccer practice, piano lessons and homework, more and more parents are discovering that it can be hard to balance a healthy life with a busy one.   Health care professionals, however, are discovering that nutrition- and activity-based habits, when developed early, can make a positive long-term impact.

Parenting: Turning the Page on Tradition?

Reading to your children more often can improve reading skills, math abilities and more.

Parenting: Relate to Your Child With These Easy Tips

If you're part of the working world and also have children, there's a good chance you aren't satisfied with the time that you get to spend with them. Your heart may be in the right place, but hectic schedules can leave little time to stop what you're doing in order to talk to your kids and truly connect with them.

Parenting: Keeping Kids Safe in a Web-Savvy World

In today's age of technology, keeping children safe on the Internet is a must.  If you came across an instant message conversation your child was having on your computer and discovered the acronym "PAW," would you know what to make of it?

Parenting: Stay Connected With Your Children. Show Them You Care in Three Easy Ways

When good communication is diminished, parents struggle to find ways to play a more significant role in their children's lives. The good news is that help isn't far away. Here are three ways to "stay connected" with your kids before they grow up too fast.

Parenting: Technology Helps Families Make Time for Togetherness

With the help of technology, families can take control of their hectic schedules and free up more time for togetherness.

Parenting: Tips to Build Reading Success

Children have limitless imaginations. They may dream of time travel and seeing prehistoric creatures up close. Perhaps they want to become mysterious sorcerers who cast binding spells.   Parents can easily accommodate these whimsical wishes by encouraging their children to read.

Parenting: Make a Connection With Your Teen

Talking with teenagers about their health isn't always a parent's or a teen's favorite conversation. But parents have more influence on their teen's health than they think, according to researchers with the Prevention Research Centers (PRC) network.

Joan Lunden Encourages Families to Cook up Some Conversation at Dinner Time

A nationwide survey conducted confirms the family dinner is alive and well - in fact, 80 percent of families surveyed reported eating dinner together at least five times each week. However, for three out of four American families, the focus is likely to be on the television rather than on talking to each other.