We have explored why it is important for parents to read. Well, all those benefits that you can get from reading can also come to your older children and teens when they read to themselves. The trouble is that the rates of reading for pleasure drop as children get older. A recent study found that while about 53% […]
Following up on last week’s water safety post, this week we discuss other ways to keep your kids safe in your own backyard.
Summer is officially in full swing, which means the sprinklers are flowing and swimsuits have become everyday wear. As toddlers and young children ask to spend more and more time playing outside, it […]
Children are naturally drawn to water. Makes sense—they float around in their mama’s fluids for nine months before joining us in the outside world. As infants and toddlers, many children enjoy splashing in the pool or other small bodies of water. Like most other aspects of their lives, water play requires a certain degree of […]
A new sibling means some major changes for your toddler. From the toddler’s perspective, once the ruler of the roost, they now have to share you with a tiny, crying, pooping machine. Not fair, right?!
You may have heard that it’s going to be a bumpy road as you adjust to your newest addition, but planning […]
It’s important for family members to model reading for children. Not only is it important to read TO your child, but it is also to read AROUND her. Children who see adults reading and see reading material in their houses are more likely to pick up the habit of reading themselves.
But what if you, the […]
The Art of Negotiation
Children are born negotiators. They learn early on that with a little persistence (and pestering) they can eventually wear down their parent’s resolve. “Pester Power” is the power children have to repeatedly make requests until their parents give them what they want. Whether it’s cake for breakfast or wanting to go to […]
Encouraging children to read during the summer helps them to keep their reading skills strong. There are a lot of different summer reading programs both at local libraries and nationwide (check out this list) that offer incentives for kids to read. You can also start you own, homegrown summer reading program. Here are some tips […]
The phrase “Helicopter Parent” gets thrown around a lot these days. It’s used to describe parents who overprotect their children from risk or failure, whether it’s physical or emotional.
Most of us are not as extreme as “Helicopter Parents,” but we want to protect our children. Allowing our children to take risks can be challenging for […]
Spend just a few minutes playing with a toddler and it becomes clear that their imaginations are capable of taking them to wonderful places and on amazing adventures.
The downside to their busy brains? They don’t come with an “off” switch. At around age 3, the fear of imaginary creatures (such as monsters or shadows in […]
Let’s be honest: Most of us don’t waltz into parenthood knowing what we’re doing. We seek guidance from family, peers, and pediatricians, but even then, parenting is still often a learn-as-you-go process, which is why we make mistakes and fall into parenting traps.
The good news is that when it comes to parenting there is always […]
