Parenting

Should children have the right to participate in decisions or should they be protected from decision making? This hub discusses the options and pros and cons of each.

My cousins and I grew up with single mothers. These five assets helped us survive the odds predicted for fatherless children. They offer hope, not despair, to single mothers and fatherless children.

The overuse of social media, including Facebook, can have a definite impact on teenagers and parents should be aware of the potential negative effects on kids.

Spankings, time-outs, and digital groundings are not only ineffective forms of discipline, but they hurt the parent-child relationship and can cause long-term psychological damage. Moms and dads use them because they're quick, easy, and get immediate results but what really works in the long term?

Want to start writing about your experiences as a mom? Here are lots of ideas for topics that can inspire, encourage and entertain. We've all been there!

Tips and suggestions for making playing with toy cars fun for your kids as well as helping their development.

Self-absorption, bitching and moaning, extreme negativity, an inability to plan ahead...these are characteristics of teens that drive us parents nutty. But, if we appreciate that their brains are still developing and their behavior is normal, we can relax, stop worrying, and enjoy their teen years.

Date night tips for parents: Learn how to plan your date and prepare your kids before you leave with this date night guide for parents.

Parenting a child takes commitment and backbone. A parent must give guidelines and discipline, with a lot of love to make a difference in a child's life. Find out the foundations of good parenting.

You spend hours each week planning menus, shopping for food, and preparing home cooked meals for your family, only to have your child look at it and say "Gross!" Let's end that habit for good!

This article describes narcissistic mothers and their impact on children and blended families.

A step by step guide to getting these annoying critters out of your child's hair. Information on what they look like, how to tell if your child has lice, and how to get rid of them.

Help your baby sleep through the night as kindly and gently as possible. Use these 7 Top tips to help your baby fall into a deep and peaceful sleep...

Car insurance for teen drivers cost more since accidents by teenage drivers are the number one cause of death among teens. Tips to help decide if your teenager is ready to drive are given.

I am sharing with you the things I've learned being a parent to an 11-year-old boy. Topics include independence, girls, setting rules, friends, and the importance of family time.

Parents with fat kids: who is responsible for your children getting fatter? Are you guilty?

Childhood memories are the ones that will remain for a lifetime. Here are ways you can create beautiful memories for your children.

Why growing up as a military brat is a unique experience. My childhood as a Navy Junior, daughter of a career Naval officer and Annapolis grad shaped me more than I ever knew

It is important to have cell phone rules for kids. Your family cell phone policy should include limits on cell phones at night and at school, and you should monitor cell phone contacts for young kids.

Many of these quirky, old-fashioned girl names are moving up quickly on the trend list: Trudy, Celia, Etta, and Lillian, among others. These timeless "old-lady" names are gaining modern appeal.

Recycle toilet paper rolls into binoculars, a kazoo, race tracks, marble runs, and other fun toys for toddlers. These inexpensive crafts will inspire a lot of imaginative play!

From packing your bags to arriving safely at your destination, flying with a child is a tricky business which must be handled from start to finish with delicate precision. Here are some tips for flying with kids and making the flight easier for everyone!

Having a baby can be an extremely overwhelming experience. Sometimes the last thing we want is for visitors to show up unannounced. Here are some helpful ways you can help keep visitors in check after your new sweet baby arrives!

The lessons we learn in life become the tools we carry with us everywhere. Here are 6 life lessons I've learned being a stepmom...

(And how to cloth diaper if you've never done it before) The essential cloth diapering guide for newbies!

After you've delivered a beautiful baby, you will be exhausted. You would think your sweet baby would be too, but often times that's not the case. We're going to go over a few things you can do to help get your baby to sleep through the night!

“You're amazing” is what parents today say for every achievement (big or small) their child has. But, parenting experts say such over-the-top praise is not only meaningless to kids but can actually hurt them. It makes them less confident, less resilient, and less likely to take on challenges.

Having a baby doesn't mean the end of your education goals. Don't let social pressures keep you from achieving. Here's how I survived college with an infant, and how you can too!

A summary of rides at Disneyland California Adventures theme park that are suitable for toddlers and preschoolers.

This advice is relevant in recovering from ANY abusive relationship, not just at the hands of narcissistic parents, but also spouses/lovers, siblings, bosses, etc.

If your child is considering serving in the Military, read this article.

No, smartphones haven’t “destroyed a generation.” But to address the negative effects of social media on adolescent development, we need to listen to and respect teenagers—not condescend to them.

Do you know how to help your child study for an exam? It's more than just sitting beside them as they browse through their books. Parents must actively participate in the education of their children.

More and more research shows the positive effects outdoor play has on young children, and summer is the perfect time to capitalize on that. When kids are outdoor in nature, they build confidence as they use their bodies for new feats, take on more challenges, and explore the world around them.

We recently ran across a picture for Matilda's Activity Tower on Pinterest. We immediately saw the usefulness and made one for ourselves. Learn why we love this tower and see a few changes we made.

Being a parent to a newborn is hard enough. See how this solution helped me regain my sanity and helped my little one and me get a break from the sleepless nights.

It's temping to tell the kids to never mention their mother, especially if she is a high conflict ex-wife. There is a better way.

Avoid the mistake of overindulgent parenting that could create self-centered, narcissistic children. Set limits with love and increase your chances of raising children who become healthy adults.

Hair tourniquets occur when a baby gets a hair or thread wrapped around their toe. This can be serious if not detected early. Find out how to remove the hair at home and when to head to the doctor.

The beauty industry is a very influential part of our young girls' lives. How does this impact their self-esteem and self-worth and how can we help?

Having a black-sounding name can subject a person to prejudice and employment discrimination. Parents should be aware of this when naming their children.

Many children have sensory processing problems that influence behavior. Children may not like being touched, may have unusual preferences in clothing, or may have limited food choices. Understanding these issues may make it easier for parents and teachers to deal with children’s problem behaviors.

Are kids these days being pushed too far with sports, after school activities, clubs, and all the things their parents wished they had as children? Is over scheduling crushing little spirits and minds?

Reading the statistics on what happens as a premature baby grows up can frighten parents. But statistics only paint half the picture. Read this article to see how to look behind them.

Be prepared for your newborn with this list of baby essentials. Learn what you need for the baby and how you can save money buying items for your new baby.

Most people have heard of the “dive reflex,” which apparently means that babies are born able to swim. But there is more to the dive reflex than most of us assume, and some of its effects may not be what you would want for your baby. If you are thinking about teaching a young baby to swim read this article first.

Premature infants must fight to survive in a world that they are not yet scheduled to enter for weeks or months. Their immature central nervous system easily becomes overstimulated. The Developmental Care Model seeks to minimize environmental stress in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and improve developmental outcomes.

Learning how to discipline is one of the most important parts of raising your child. Many default to spanking, but there are many other ways to discipline that does not involve physical force.

Looking to jazz up your youth group? Starting a new group at your church? Here are more than 50 ideas that will make your weekly youth meetings the place to be!

A natural playground contains elements from nature, such as trees, grass, rocks, sand, and water. It's a great place for both active play and creative play.

The FDA has discovered a trend that until recently remained largely unrealized. This trend, backed by data from an innovative new study, is the substantial number of mothers who supply their newborn infants with herbal teas and/or various supplements. A warning has been issued to physicians treating infants to look for possible drug interactions with any substances provided to a baby by its mother.

Learn about a variety of DIY glow in the dark projects, games, and activities.

A collection of the tried and tested home remedies for diaper rash (nappy rash), proven to work quickly and safely to relieve your baby's discomfort.

The case of abused child Mary Ellen Wilson captured the nation's attention because the President of the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was instrumental in securing her rescue from the abusive home.

With competitive job markets, and a need for people to step up and take leadership roles, it has become important that we instill strong leadership qualities in our children. Here are some tips and ideas on how to shape the future leaders of the world.

From alcoholic names to poser cowboy names to poser aristocrat names, a list of baby names that I wish people would not give their children!

This is the story of how I was affected by my controlling mother, and how I overcame the psychological consequences of overbearing parents.

Sometimes a stroller is needed for an older, larger child. This article reviews different stroller types for big kids, and provides examples of stroller alternatives, jogging strollers, and large umbrella strollers.

How many times have you spoken without thinking? I have done it more times than I am proud of. While it was never my intent to hurt anyone's feelings, somehow I did so anyway. Maybe we all need to stop, slow down and think about what we are going to say before we say it.

All symptoms of ODD and bipolar disorder have resolved in my son since we started using non-flushing niacin (vitamin B3). He has been 95% symptom-free of his conditions for 11 months now. There is hope. Here's my story.

Child abuse can take on many forms and can be hard to recognize at first. In this article, I discuss the signs and symptoms of various types of abuse, how to recognize these signs of abuse, and what you can do to stop it from occurring.

Be prepared with necessary supplies for your baby or young children as well in the event of an emergency or disaster. The article includes extra items to consider for your baby or young child(ren).

Helping children cope with death is one of the hardest things you will encounter. But the most important thing is to let them deal with death in their own terms.

Fevers are a body's natural method for fighting of viral or bacterial infections. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to lower a fever—a combination of fever-reducing medications and natural fever reducers may be used to comfort a sick child.

Does your baby have a diaper rash, but you don't want to use over-the-counter creams to treat it? This article covers a list of natural ways and products you can do and use to treat your baby's rash.

Children in the US are exposed to thousands of hours of television, internet content, billboards, magazines, and other forms of media. What effect does it have on young minds and what can parents do to counteract any negative influence? Find out more here.

As long as parents have been naming their children, they have been drawn to names inspired by colors. From Rose to Cole, here are some favorites.

Patterns are all around us and they help children to understand the natural order of every day life. Patterns build math vocabulary and concepts.

Speech and language delays are a concern for many parents, who wonder if their child is simply a "late talker"or if there is a true language disorder present. Learn the signs of a language delay: early intervention is vital to successful treatment.

If your baby is peeing through their diapers every night, it will inevitably cause problems sleeping for both you and your little one. Here are nine of the best tips for stopping nighttime diaper leaks.

Even natural toothpastes aimed at toddlers can contain ingredients that you would not want your child to swallow. This article reviews several natural toothpastes, taking a close look at ingredients as well as taste.

Concentrate on what's important when talking with teenagers, not things they don't need to know. Common mistakes parents make with their teens.

If your child is a picky eater and you don’t know how to get them to eat, here are some ways to combat their resistance without nagging or losing your cool.

The mom of a child with autism recalls the insenstive comments that magnified her grief. While most people were well-intentioned, anti-vaxxers felt the need to lecture her about vaccinations and everyone seem compelled to tell her about their cousin, aunt, friend, or neighbor who also had autism.

What is the difference between picky eating and a feeding problem? Learn the top ten signs that signal the need for medical investigation of picky eating in children.

Even the most seasoned stepmoms have their emotional weaknesses even after years of experience raising stepchildren. Here are 5 of the most difficult emotions stepmoms can end up struggling with the most.

The benefits of breastfeeding are legend, but what is breastfeeding really like? According to Chris Telden, it's not all serenity and bliss. With humor and blunt honesty, a nursing mother reveals the truth about what it feels like to breastfeed and whether she thinks it's all worth it in the end (duh, yeah?)

Here are the best books for children ages 2-6 that cover Chinese culture and feature children with Chinese heritage.

If you are a parent travelling solo with a baby or small children, learn from my mistakes and make your trip go smoothly. I’ve run of nappies/diapers while stranded overnight so you don’t have to, I’ve left the toddler’s favourite blanket in a suitcase that went astray so you don’t have to…

Your child has head lice and you can't seem to get rid of it. What do you do? Just live with the little buggers? Here's my tried-and-true tips on how to get rid of head lice once and for all!

This article explains why it's so common for teens to lack confidence and gives suggestions to boost your self-esteem.

How parental neglect in childhood effected me into adulthood. This article also includes research on how this type of neglect may affect others with similar experiences.

Don't be bored this summer! Here are 101 fun hobbies for teenage girls; everything from playing on your phone to hanging out with friends! You're sure to find something fun to do!

So you think you have what it takes to be a stepmom? Ask yourself these questions first...

Tips and advice for taking care of young children with a broken leg, ankle, or foot. Learn how to manage around the house by yourself easier with simple suggestions from a stay-at-home mom with experience.

So you've noticed that your child is playing with an imaginary friend. Should you worry? Should you take him to a psychiatrist? Read on to find out more about imaginary buddies.

When my 4-year-old son got diagnosed with autism, I worried about his future. Could he survive at a public school, play sports, go to college, and get a job? But, given his limited social skills, I worried most about whether he'd ever have friends. With my help, he most definitely did!

Do you think your child has a broken nose? Learn what signs to look for, when to go to the doc and what you can do at home.

Deciding when to start a family can be a complicated process, but deciding when to close the book on the baby-making chapter can be even more so. Here's my top reasons for not having any more kids.

Looking for a fun way to teach kids or teens about the concept of investment risk? This game teaches the correlation of risk to return using candies such as Skittles in an easy-to-learn dice game.

Engaging children is easy when you know how. It can be difficult at first (believe me I know!) but follow the tips below and you will soon find that engaging with children and keeping their attention has become second nature. If you don't have a...

Anxiety and depression are skyrocketing among our kids. While genetics plays a major role, moms and dads can also make an impact with the three E's: experiences, environment, and parental engagement.

Many women in today's society suffer from Superwoman Syndrome. These women feel the pressure that they have to do it all and do it all well. Some even turn to pill-popping to help keep them going.

How many children can one woman give birth to in a lifetime? How many children can one man father? Who is the oldest and youngest mother, father, and grand parent on record? How big was the world's heaviest infant? Perplexing questions with startling answer, all right here, along with many other reproductive records.

This article provide tips and ideas for getting your kids to eat more vegetables while avoiding mealtime power struggles.

I grew up feeling lonely and unloved. As a teen and adult, I battled obesity, low self-esteem, and depression. As a middle-aged woman, I discovered my problems were caused largely by having an emotionally absent mother. This realization helped me put my past in perspective, find peace, and heal.

When you're getting ready for a new baby, deciding what you need now and what you may never use can be pretty overwhelming. Here's my personal list of must-haves and naaaaahhhhs.

Toddlers and children may experience a speech delay for a variety of reasons. Use these strategies at home to encourage kids to talk.

Three ways to get a baby to take a bottle that up until now will only drink milk by breastfeeding.

What you should know if CPS becomes involved in your family, based on my years of experience as a CPS worker.