When my toddler starts getting a little bit whiny and bored and destructive (parents know what I mean) I know it's time to grab a jacket and go outdoors. I have a small backyard, which used to frustrate me— I had always dreamed of having a big lawn where my kids could play. But as it turns out, kids don't need to have much space to have fun—as long as they have imagination (and … [Read more...] about Outdoor games for toddlers
parenting
How to teach your kids to save
We'd like to give our children everything, but one of the best things we can do is to teach them to earn what they want, or at least save for it. It may hurt us to say no (especially when they start whining or crying) but they need to have these money skills. And it's never too late to start. You can teach kids about money the minute they learn how to ask for things. Here are … [Read more...] about How to teach your kids to save
What kind of books can I get for my toddler?
Look for books that have large, colorful pictures, large words, and repetitive phrases. Ideally, the photos should be descriptive and "match" the sentence. One good example is "Duck, Duck Goose." Your toddler will soon get the idea that the words are related to the photos, and once he memorizes the sentences, will be able to "read" along with you. One good example is … [Read more...] about What kind of books can I get for my toddler?
Benefits of having older siblings
When I became pregnant with my second child, I spent a lot of time worrying about how my son would deal with having a baby. Would he get jealous? Make her cry? Compete for attention? I should've been more optimistic. My son adjusted to his new sister, and despite the occasional fight over toys and attention, the two adore each other. New research also shows that babies … [Read more...] about Benefits of having older siblings
How to find a good celebrity role model for your child
Lindsay Lohan. Snooki. The new and 'grown up' Miley Cyrus. Hollywood has never been the great bastion for moral values, but the latest generation of celebrities and cover models is particularly troubling. Their clothes, their choices, and a blase approach to drugs, sex and alcohol that make the 70's look like a playdate... it's enough to make most parents shudder. But it's … [Read more...] about How to find a good celebrity role model for your child