Television is here to stay, and parents can choose to deal with it in one of three ways: hate it and see it as an enemy, use it as a default babysitter, or manage it and make it one of many powerful teaching tools. Like any machine, television is not good or bad, per se. It's all in how you use it and your attitude towards it. Here are some smart ways to use television so … [Read more...] about 5 Smart Ways to Use TV to Teach your Child
family bonding
5 Ways to Reach Out to Your Teenager
All parents want to have a close, healthy relationship with their kids. But what do you do when your once-affectionate daughter suddenly turns into a sullen teenager? Or, after an ugly divorce, you move out-of-state, and your few custody visits seem strained? The good news is that no matter how 'distant' your kids seem, they really do want to be close to you. The … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Reach Out to Your Teenager
15 Cheap Summer Thrills That Kids Will Love
A few weeks into summer and your kids are already complaining. 'Mom, I'm bored!' they whine. Or, they spend the whole day watching cartoons, lazily stuffing chips into their mouths. When you tell them to turn off the TV, they mumble: 'Oh, but there's nothing else to do!' Here are some fun activities to try this summer. Many are easy. Most are really, really cheap. All are … [Read more...] about 15 Cheap Summer Thrills That Kids Will Love
9 Bedtime Books Kids (and Parents!) Love
'Please read me a story.' The bedtime story is, hands down, the best ritual you and your child can ever share. You build a lifelong love for reading. You teach vocabulary, memory and listening skills. And—as you cuddle under the covers, your voice reciting the familiar lines of a favorite book—you enter a private, intimate moment that he will remember long after he's outgrown … [Read more...] about 9 Bedtime Books Kids (and Parents!) Love
8 Life Skills That Kids Get from Doing Crafts
Art paper and crayons may seem 'boring' and 'outdated' to a child who's used to flashy video games and battery-operated toys. However, many experts urge parents to get kids to do at least one hour of arts and crafts a week. Your child may balk a bit ('But mom, my favorite cartoon is showing!') but he'll eventually enjoy it…and will definitely learn a lot from it. There's … [Read more...] about 8 Life Skills That Kids Get from Doing Crafts