Free up your summer with simple time-saving tips
With so many fun things to do, who wants to stay cooped up indoors with housework and a to-do list? Make sure you’re able to take advantage of everything the season has to offer with these tips that can help you spend more time under the sun.
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Enjoy a stress-free summer with the kids
Between camp, going on holidays and playdates, summer vacation can feel like endless planning and shuffling from activity to activity. Fortunately, you can use these tips and tricks to cut down on your stress and enjoy quality family time together.
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Author and mom offers 5 simple tips to get dinner on the table
The challenge working parents face in maintaining work-life balance is often compared to a juggling act. Finding time together, especially on weeknights when family schedules tend to be hectic, is no small task.
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Safety tips for outdoor meals and entertainment
The warm weather is finally here, so it's time to get ready for that first backyard barbecue bash.
CSA Group, a leading certification and testing organization, offers these important tips for a safe, seamless summer soiree -- try saying that three times quickly!
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Probiotics beneficial for both Mother and baby
According to recent studies, the use of probiotics by pregnant and nursing mothers can be beneficial for both mothers and their infants. Probiotics are friendly bacteria that help support the natural balance of microorganisms in the body. They inhibit the grown of harmful bacteria, promote good digestion, can bolster the immune system and also help to resist infection.
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Help make your child's school healthier
Because children spend most of their time in classrooms, schools are an ideal setting for healthy behaviors to be taught and modeled. Therefore, parents are speaking up and getting involved in an effort to improve the health of their children at schools.
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Safety tips for summer fun
The weather is heating up and Americans are heading outdoors to soak up the fun. Warm weather enthusiasts should keep safety on the top of their minds when they're out camping, boating and barbecuing.
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Toddlers get a chance to ride
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and CAN-Bike, children two years of age and older who exhibit signs of pedalling and steering are at a good age to start learning to ride a bicycle.
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Bicycle riding tips to give your toddlers more fun
The milestone of riding a bike is a big one for kids and their parents. With new equipment, toddlers can reach that two-wheeled milestone earlier than ever and enjoy many sidewalks and bike paths together.
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Healthy hardwood flooring Soy-based finished floors new 'green' innovation for parents
Since most of an infant's time is spent on the floor playing, crawling and discovering, more and more parents are now looking for flooring options that will minimize exposure to harmful allergens, germs and toxins.
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Expert tips for keeping kids' smiles healthy, even through the spring candy rush
In terms of candy consumption volume, the Easter holiday is second only to Halloween. While baskets full of chocolates and candies can seem like a child's dream come true, parents may cringe at the prospect of their little ones' mouths filled with so much sugar.
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Make fruits fun for kids
Many parents can attest to the challenges in encouraging children to eat healthily, including incorporating plenty of fruits and vegetables into their daily diets.
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Choosing the right summer camp
It can be difficult to envision warm summer days when the wind is blowing and the snow is falling. However, the winter months are a great time to explore summer camp options. In fact, many camps have strict enrollment timelines that require decisions to be made prior to spring.
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Baby is on the way ... time to set up the nursery
Expecting parents eagerly anticipate the arrival of their new bundle of joy. After 9 months of waiting to see what he or she looks like and wanting to cuddle their newborn, the baby's arrival is a momentous event.
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Window guards save kids' lives
The weather is warming and that means windows are being opened to let in fresh air and warm breezes. The advantages to open windows are many. But one particular disadvantage is the safety hazard open windows present to young children.
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The 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's disease
Few families are fortunate enough to say they have not been impacted by Alzheimer's disease. A progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, Alzheimer's impairs thinking and memory, accounting for 50 to 80 percent of dementia cases according to the Alzheimer's Association.
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Protect kids from poor environmental factors in the year ahead
As many across the globe adopt more eco-friendly lifestyles, protecting the environment remains a top priority. The popularity of hybrid cars continues to rise while more and more communities are recycling and reusing. Each of those things is an effort to decrease carbon footprint and protect the environment from human behaviors that can be harmful to the planet.
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Kids can make resolutions, too
New Year's resolutions are made so adults can improve their lives in the year to come. But nowhere does it say resolutions are exclusive to adults. In fact, kids can make New Year's resolutions and reap much the same benefits as Mom and Dad.
The following are some kid-specific New Year's resolutions, courtesy of the American Academy of Pediatrics, that can improve the lives of children while teaching them a lesson or two along the way.
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Keep your family healthy through the holidays
The holiday season is upon us once again, and with it comes the season's notoriously hectic pace. With crowded social calendars and the stress of holiday shopping, it's easy to feel overwhelmed once the season hits full swing.
Unfortunately, many people have trouble staying healthy through the hectic holiday season.
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Get the facts on bronchiolitis
Parents have likely heard about bronchitis. But another respiratory infection, bronchiolitis, gets far less attention.
Bronchiolitis is an infection of the small tubes inside of the lungs (bronchioles) that is caused by a virus and generally affects young children during the autumn and winter months.
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Desiccant not so dangerous
Parents fret over many of the items kids come into contact with, particularly small objects that can present choking hazards or items that may be poisonous. One common thing that often turns up in a home are packets of silica gel.
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How to tell family you're eloping
Just as many men and women may have visions of what their wedding will be like, parents, family members and friends also may envision others' weddings. Parents who have their hearts set on seeing their little girl in a white, princess gown or their boy beginning to start his own family could be disappointed at the prospect of not attending a big wedding.
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Keep your children fit while they play
Toys that encourage physical fitness are a great way to keep your children fit, active and having fun all year-round. Therefore, putting just the right activity-gift under the tree will not only ensure your kids have fun, but will also stay healthy without even realizing it.
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The right toys will teach problem solving skills
Encouraging the use of creative activities and games that challenge your children to think outside the box and build their problem solving skills at an early age will help encourage them to become independent thinkers and problem solvers -- skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.
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Holiday Entertaining Simplified Time- and Money-Saving Tips for Holiday Gatherings
The holidays are a season for savoring moments with loved ones shared over delicious foods. Whether you prefer buffet get-togethers or intimate dinners, simplifying the details by planning and prepping as much as possible in advance are surefire ways to save time and money. Here are a few helpful tips to take the stress out of holiday entertaining by keeping it simple and budget-friendly.
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How to accommodate overnight holiday guests
Thousands of people travel far and wide to visit family and friends for the holidays. Chances are many holiday hosts and hostesses will open their homes to overnight guests.
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8 ways to create new holiday traditions
Much of what makes the holiday season so special is the traditions that people hold dear. While families have traditions that stretch back decades, there is plenty of opportunity to embrace new means of celebration to breathe new life into Christmas, Chanukah or the season's other holidays.
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New reason to potty train
If you're a parent to a toddler, encouraging him or her to potty train a little earlier can be a considerable help to the planet, particularly if you're currently relying on disposable diapers.
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New Year's Eve for kids
New Year's Eve is widely known as a night of indulgence full of entertainment that is not particularly appropriate for young children. There's actually a lot of fun ways to get kids into the New Year's Eve celebration in age-appropriate ways.
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Delicious sugar cookies
Part of the enjoyment of the holiday season involves spending time in the kitchen whipping up delicious treats. Particularly for young children, baking sugar cookies with Mom or Dad and then decorating the creations can be a festive way to spend a day.
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Goggles show teens what it is like to drive drunk
Although statistics on paper and even the sight of a banged-up vehicle can be a wake-up call for some teens, the reality is many are still drinking and getting behind the wheel. A relatively modern invention may help to change all that.
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The basics of estate planning
Regardless of the size of an individual's estate, there's no reason not to have an estate plan in place. The following are some of the basics of estate planning, which should be a priority for men and women, young and old.
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10 ways to clothe kids for less
So what can a parent who is looking to keep expenses down on kids clothes do? Here are 10 ways to scale back and keep kids fully clothed.
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3 Tips for the perfect holiday buffet
The countdown to the holidays is on, bringing with it the challenge of how to serve a large gathering fast and easy. Fear not! There's a simple solution. Forego the traditional, full-service, sit-down meal and opt instead for a buffet-style serving. Follow these three steps and yours will be a gathering remembered with fondness by both your guests and you.
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How civilians can lend military families a helping hand
The efforts of men and women in the military is something everyone, be it fellow military personnel or civilians, can appreciate. In an effort to protect their country and stabilize other countries, service members make many sacrifices, including leaving their families for long periods of time.
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Puzzles, games and educational value
Why do people buy and play games? Entertainment value certainly factors in, but there are several other benefits to puzzles and games, including their educational value.
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Great starter pets for kids
Parents know the day will come when their kids ask for a pet. Some parents dread that day, while others see it as an opportunity to instill a sense of responsibility in their children.
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Have a safety plan for kids while holiday shopping
It's easy for children to get lost in big crowds. According to safety expert Alyssa Dver, founder of the Center to Prevent Lost Children, statistics indicate 90 percent of families will experience losing a child in a public place.
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Survive holiday shopping with kids in tow
Tackling a holiday gift list -- particularly at the peak of the season -- can be stressful even for enthusiastic shoppers. But bringing kids along for the ride can be enough to inspire the most passionate purchasers to forsake shopping -- at least brick-and-mortar shopping -- forever. While leaving the kids behind may be optimal, here are some surefire strategies for surviving your next consumer outing with little ones in tow.
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Kids and gifts: How many is too much?
Despite the many messages from all corners promoting a "more is better" philosophy when it comes to holiday gifts, the truth is far more complex -- especially for children. While most parents work hard to give their kids everything they need and much of what they want, it is often hard to draw the line, prompting many well intentioned moms and dads to ask, "How much is too much?"
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A quick guide to gift-giving etiquette
Deciding on and paying for holiday gifts can be a challenge under the best circumstances. But then there are the inevitable "sticky situations" that can leave even the most experienced gift-givers scratching their heads. In the hopes of dodging major gift gaffes this holiday season, here are eight tips for gracious giving and receiving.
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National College Savings Month Reminds Parents, Loved Ones to Save Early and Often
Starting a college savings plan when your children are young sets you on a path for success and can help you reduce the need for expensive student loans down the road. Establishing a college savings plan early and contributing to it often is the key to reducing, or even eliminating, student loan debt.
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Key to Affording College is to Have a Plan
Setting goals is often the first step to achieving your hopes and dreams for yourself and your family. Making a plan, however, is crucial to making those dreams a reality. This is especially true when it comes to a college education for your children.
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Safety first with kids' car seats
The importance of child safety seats in automobiles cannot be overstated. Despite how well safety seats protect children, Transport Canada says surveys show that more than one-third of children in Canada are not properly restrained when traveling in vehicles. In the United States, research indicates that among those who use car seats, 4 out of 5 seats are installed incorrectly.
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National College Savings Month Reminds Parents, Loved Ones to Save Early and Often
Starting a college savings plan when your children are young sets you on a path for success and can help you reduce the need for expensive student loans down the road. Establishing a college savings plan early and contributing to it often is the key to reducing, or even eliminating, student loan debt.
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What to look for in an elder care facility
s men and women enter their golden years, many decide they can no longer maintain their homes and choose to downgrade to something smaller, be it an apartment or a condominium. For millions of others, health plays a significant role when deciding where to move when it's time to sell their homes.
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Did you know?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that each year in the United States, more than 4,500 infants die suddenly of no immediately obvious cause.
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Haunted destinations for Halloween travelers
To kids, Halloween is all about traveling around the neighborhood dressed up as ghouls and goblins and trick-or-treating for favorite candies. But adults who still love this popular holiday know they can't travel door-to-door and ask for treats. However, there are several destinations across the globe that are tailor made for Halloween revelers.
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Safety first with kids' car seats
Motor vehicle accidents routinely cause for injuries and fatalities. Young riders, including infants and children under the age of 10, have bodies that are more fragile and therefore may be more susceptible to injury. They require adequate protection while riding in a car.
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Go to new heights in the fight against childhood cancer
The thrill of skydiving is what draws thousands to this extreme sport on a regular basis. Taking to the skies and enjoying the rush of free-falling can make you feel more in tune with nature, connected with personal feelings -- or even help you raise money for a worthy cause.
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Dispelling myths surrounding ADHD
There is still much that doctors, parents and caregivers can learn about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. While answers are constantly being investigated, it should come as no surprise that certain myths abound about ADHD.
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Wilms' tumor a lesser known foe to children
The word "cancer" is used to refer to a group of more than 100 diseases. Because of that, it can be hard to keep track of all the different types of cancers, and some are inevitably bound to gain more attention or headlines than others.
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Simple Solutions for Summertime Snacking
When kids are on summer break and off from their normal schedules, it's important to keep a structured daily routine for both meals and snacks that keeps them feeling energized and at their best throughout the day. Connie Evers, a registered dietitian, founder of NutritionForKids.com and author of "How to Teach Nutrition to Kids," has developed some simple tips for parents to help break bad on-the-go eating cycles as well as ideas for smart snacking options this summer.
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Dinnertime can be family time, too
Today's families are busier and more budget conscious than ever. With kids more engrossed in extracurricular activities and Mom and Dad fighting to make ends meet in a still struggling economy, time spent together as a family is increasingly scarce.
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Breastfeeding and breast cancer
Although a breast cancer diagnosis while lactating is rare, such diagnoses do occur and women face the question of whether they can continue to breastfeed their infants. It is important to talk with an oncologist and lactation consultant about the pros and cons of doing so.
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Create a designer look on a budget
Interior designers have a knack for pulling together furniture and accessories to create rooms with widespread appeal. But not every homeowner has the resources to hire a professional to help turn their interior from drab to fab.
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Food dyes and difficult kids
Those blue drinks, red popsicles and multi-colored cereals could be triggering temper tantrums, learning difficulties, sleep disorders and a host of physical complaints such as asthma, headaches, hives and ear infections.
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Like Father, Like Son Dads' nurturing paves the way for future fantastic fathers
Parenting is hard work, and raising boys can be particularly challenging. Having fathers who show compassion, nurturing and caring can help shape what kinds of fathers, uncles and husbands they'll become someday.
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Healthy and quick breakfasts for busy school mornings
Breakfast has long been referred to as the most important meal of the day. It is beneficial for students heading off to school to enjoy a meal before they catch the bus.
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Birthday party basics
When children enter school their circle of friends expands. This means that when their next birthday arrives, there may be requests to invite the entire class to the party. Parents facing the prospect of 20 or more children may wonder what to do in this instance.
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Cleanliness a concern in the classroom
News of swine flu epidemics in schools and the last vestiges of contagion may have dwindled, but that doesn't mean that classroom cleanliness isn't still a safety concern.
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Alleviating first-day-of-school jitters
The first day of school can create butterflies in the stomachs of parents and children. However, following a few tips can alleviate feelings of nervousness.
August and September are prime months for the return to school. Whether this is a child's first time entering the classroom or he or she has done the back-to-school thing multiple times, it's not uncommon for feelings of anxiety to arise.
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What to look for in a student's tutor
Parents of children who are having difficulties grasping school lessons routinely turn to tutors to provide the added measure of instruction some students need to succeed. When selecting a tutor, parents should ask questions and keep important things in mind.
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Pros and cons to keeping multiples together in school
Parents of multiples have to make decisions regarding their children in duplicate or triplicate. Once multiples reach school-age, one of the questions parents must face is whether to keep their children together in the same class during the early elementary years or separate them into two different classrooms.
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Safety tips for young Web surfers
Parents have worried about their children since the beginning of time. Such worry is part of being a parent, and parents will worry about things both large and small.
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Camping 101 Make your family camping trip a success
Family vacations are a tradition for millions of families across the globe. Such vacations have declined in number over the last several years, when many families were forced to cut expenses in the midst of a struggling economy.
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The Desire To Be Attractive: Feeling Confident by Regaining Bladder Control
Is it safe to say the general public is obsessed with beauty? It could very well be. Individuals will go to great lengths to look good and feel good about themselves. Those who experience health issues, such as urinary incontinence, may wonder how they can keep up appearances while managing their condition.
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Keep children fit through fun this summer
Fresh air and outdoor fun are beneficial to maintaining your physical and mental health. Outdoor toys are a great way to keep your children outside, active and having fun during the summer months.
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Encourage learning all summer long
Don't let summer fun interfere with your child's learning. Research has shown that kids can lose much of what they learned during the school year during the summer months, a phenomenon known as "summer brain drain."
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Build your child's problem-solving skills
One of the most important life skills children struggle to learn is problem-solving -- the process of identifying a problem, coming up with a solution, and executing it to achieve a desired result. It is a skill that we all use as part of our everyday lives, yet one that most of us struggle with on a daily basis.
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Finding a Birth Parent
Mother's Day can be bittersweet for a person who has been adopted. He or she may be very close with adopted parents but always harbor questions and "what ifs" about birth parents. Searching for a birth parent doesn't negate the love one feels for adoptive parents. Oftentimes, it just serves to answer questions about heredity and satisfy curiosity.
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Did You Know?
Men and women who die without a will do not automatically have their assets seized by the government. When men and women die without a will, they leave what is known as intestacy.
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Simple Saving Tips for Families
Though the economy is on the mend, many families forced to make sacrifices during the downturn will continue to look for ways to maintain more control of their finances in the event another period of economic struggle surfaces down the road.
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Talking to Kids About Violence
High profile incidents of school violence often make headlines for days or even weeks at a time. Once the news cycle has expired, however, these incidents are often forgotten or at least put out of mind by men, women and children who were not directly affected.
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Talking to Kids About Alcohol
One of the most important discussions parents can have with their children is a discussion about alcohol. Parents are often wary of such a discussion, fearing if they come on too strongly when discussing the dangers of alcohol that their children might be too curious about alcohol to avoid it.
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At What Age Can My Child ...?
While the premise of "Home Alone" is a humorous one, and Kevin certainly has the smarts to outwit the two foolish thieves and seems relatively self-sufficient, in real life the idea of letting an 8-year-old stay home by himself is one that would no doubt raise an eyebrow. In fact, many states have laws in place that regulate the age at which a child is legally able to stay home alone.
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Boom or Bust? Kids' Favorite Beverages Not Always Healthy
Health-conscious parents often worry about what their kids are eating. Those greasy fast food French fries kids love might be cringe-worthy to parents, but it's not just the foods kids request that parents should monitor.
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Factors to Consider When Choosing an Afterschool Program
According to the United States Department of Education, millions of children are left home unsupervised every day after school. While it's hard to pinpoint an exact figure, estimates range anywhere from 7 to 15 million children are going home from school every day and finding an empty house.
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Explore Foster Care and Help a Child
Many people make the choice to become foster care parents and open their homes to children in need. Being a foster family can provide a host of benefits. Prospective foster parents should learn what is required before starting the process.
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Celebrating More Than Moms on Mother's Day
Every spring individuals celebrate their mothers on Mother's Day. It has evolved from a day to honor mothers to one that recognizes all special women. Therefore, if there is a woman in one's life who isn't a biological mother -- but special nonetheless --
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How to Be Confident About Your Next Trip to the Dentist
Few people enjoy a trip to the dentist's office. For many, the fear of the dentist's office stems from what they might find out while in the chair. All of a sudden they start thinking about all of the candy, soda, and sweets that they have consumed since their last dental checkup! But, there are easy ways to help ensure that your next trip to the dentist is a convenient and comfortable experience.
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Tame the Toys
If spring cleaning means taming the toys and games in the home so that the living room doesn't look like an aisle in Toys 'R Us, keep in mind that it's possible to maintain some style in the home while cohabitating with the kids.
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Whooping cough: Without booster vaccine, pre-teens at risk for lengthy, disruptive illness
Another fitful night. A mom lies awake, listening helplessly as her child coughs and coughs. This mom knows tomorrow will be another day of school and soccer practice missed. For her it means another day of work missed. She wonders wearily when it will end.
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Cherished Heirlooms Make Great Holiday Gifts
In this day and age of rapidly advancing technology, what's here today is not only gone tomorrow, it may very well be gone tonight. With that in mind, holiday shoppers are increasingly reticent when shopping for friends and family, fully aware the "perfect gift" they find at their neighborhood retailer might be obsolete by the time the New Year rolls around.
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Wedding Woes Be Gone! How To Make Your Dream Wedding a Reality
Brides and grooms often have an ideal of what their wedding will be -- a vision of their perfect day. While each couple's vision is unique, they all share the same burden -- the ever-rising cost of weddings.
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Asthma, Diabetes, and Other Health Conditions Bring Greater Flu Risks CDC Urges People with Chronic Health Conditions to Get a Flu Vaccine
If you are one of the millions of Americans with a long-term health condition like asthma, diabetes, stroke, heart or lung disease, this important information about flu applies to you. When combined with your existing health condition, the flu increases your risk of becoming seriously sick, which could result in an unexpected and expensive trip to the hospital -- or even death.
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The flu vaccine -- Protection from the flu. Peace of mind for you.
As a parent, you do everything you can to protect your children. Buckle them up in the car. Watch them closely when they're in the water. Teach them to look both ways when they cross the street. Warn them not to talk to strangers.
How about making sure they get the flu vaccine? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone 6 months and older get the flu vaccine every year. That includes children from tiny to teen.
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Finding the Right Retirement Fit
When searching for a retirement community, retirees often place an emphasis on fun. And that's perfectly understandable, as retirees have worked their entire lives and earned the right to relax and enjoy themselves however they may choose. Gadsden- Etowah County, Alabama could be the hidden gem retirees are searching for.
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Keep Kids Healthy Through Cold and Flu Season
Winter is upon us, and with it comes the return of cold and flu season. For the parents of the world, this means the annual challenge of keeping kids healthy through a season that's often as hazardous as it is hectic.
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Keep Your Family Healthy Through the Holidays
The holiday season is upon us once again, and with it comes the season's notoriously hectic pace. With crowded social calendars and the stress of holiday shopping, it's easy to feel overwhelmed once the season hits full swing.
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Hosting the Ultimate Holiday Family Reunion
The holiday season is right around the corner and for families across the country that also means gathering for holiday reunions. Whether the get-together is a large group gathering in a vacation destination or the whole extended family is headed your way, here are some stress-relieving tips to keep this family holiday one to remember.
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How to Throw the Best Backyard Barbecue
With fall just over the horizon, kids across the country are getting ready to return to school while Moms and Dads are saying so long to summer office hours. Though it might seem as if autumn is right around the corner, the nation’s grill masters know there’s still plenty of time to revel in one of summer’s most beloved summer traditions.
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Dinnertime Is Key Component to Successful Parenting
Today's families are busier and more budget conscious than ever. Each family member has a host of activities filling the calendar and responsibilities that make it challenging to find quality time together.
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Social Gaming Fun for the Whole Family
This holiday season, videogame publisher Activision Publishing is delivering several new ways for families to experience game night -- they can jam in a family band, learn to skate like Tony Hawk, rock the house with a turntable and save the world as only a super hero can. These games appeal to all ages and the sociability of being able to experience them as a family makes game night something to truly look forward to.
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Keeping a Clean House With Kids Around
Many a homeowner who is also a parent has dreamed about an immaculate house -- one where there are no dishes piled in the sink and no little fingerprints all over the door to the patio.
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Family-Friendly Vacation Ideas That Won't Break the Bank
With the economy still not back to full strength, many families are looking for ways to stretch their vacation dollars this summer. One of the ways in which families are doing just that is by cutting travel costs and exploring what their own regions have to offer.
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Plan a Successful Family Reunion
Family reunions are a popular summertime tradition for families across the globe. Though studies focusing on family reunions are rarely conducted, in a survey conducted by market research company Bruskin roughly a decade ago, 62 percent of respondents said they would be attending a family reunion that year.
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How to Encourage Your Baby to Self-Soothe
There are many things parents can teach their children. However, there are some things that children must learn for themselves. Soothing is one of them. But that doesn't mean parents can't provide the environment for baby to do the learning.
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Advice For New Moms
Becoming a mother can be a wonderful, if not nervewracking experience. You want to be sure you do everything right by your baby.
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Family Menu
Families can use this sample menu to create meals for an entire month.
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Choosing a Caretaker for Your Kids
Today's families are typically two-income families, in which both parents work full-time jobs. As a result, children are often left in the care of others, and just who parents choose to be those other people can be agonizing decision. However, there are steps parents can take to ensure they make the right decision with respect to their child's caretaker.
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Sightseeing Tips to Keep Kids Engaged and Enthusiastic
Summer is a season synonymous with vacation. The kids aren't in school and Mom and Dad often take a week or two off to enjoy the warm weather and some time away with the family. For many families, no vacation is complete without a little sightseeing. A chance to experience other cultures or even the uniqueness of your own culture and its vast history, sightseeing is often a joy for adults but can prove tiresome for kids, particularly younger children.
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Helping a Parent After the Loss of a Spouse
Few children, even adult children, are ever prepared enough to help their parent deal with the loss of a spouse. In addition to coping with their own loss of a parent, many adults must find a way to help a parent who just lost the love of their life.
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Is the Family Ready for a Pet?
The way to prevent overpopulation in shelters is to carefully consider getting a pet and then being a responsible pet owner. Here are some ways to tell if your family is ready to take on the added responsibility of a pet.
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Keep Your Family on Schedule
Reduce stress in the household and maximize the time that everyone can spend together by ensuring everyone is aware of appointments and obligations.
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Don't Fall for These Common Baby Myths
Have a baby? Chances are you'll receive a lot of mixed advice with regards to caring for your little one. Most of it comes from well-meaning family members or friends who think they know best. However, while you can listen to the advice of past parents, safety should always prevail and you should trust your instincts and those of professionals above all else.
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Average Costs of Raising a Family
The following table represents the average costs for a two-income family with two children, based on figures from 2001 U.S. Department of Agriculture reports. Factoring the estimates for just these necessities, the total is around $61,000. However, transportation and other costs likely push that figure over $100,000. In the years to come, researchers estimate the costs to surpass $200,000.
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How to Bond in Blended Families
Babies learn to trust their parents over time. When the infant cries because he is hungry and you feed him, he learns that you will be there to address his needs. The same can be said for stepchildren. Over time stepchildren can learn to bond with their stepparent ... it just requires a little patience.
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Secrets to Family-Friendly Meals
When selecting meals, consider those that can be customized. For example, pita pizzas can be changed based on toppings, so a meat-eater can pile the sausage on high, while someone who likes lighter fare may opt for fresh vegetables. Tacos, fajitas, soups, and more can be modified with different flavors, easily changing up the base recipe.
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When the Empty Nest Becomes Full Again
Soaring unemployment numbers, rising prices on necessities and stricter rules regarding qualifying for a home mortgage have become the norm. As a side-effect, many adult children are finding difficulty making ends meet. The solution for many is to ask Mom or Dad if they can move back home.
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Don't Make These Biggest Car Seat Mistakes
One of the primary goals of being a parent is keeping your children safe. There are many guidelines to follow in and around the home. However, safety should also extend to the family car. As the weather warms and family travel and vacation season is in full swing, families are likely to spend more time on the road. Ensure young children are safe by avoiding these commonly made mistakes regarding child safety seats.
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Easy Ways to Raise a 'Green' Baby
Do you recycle and reuse? Are organic foods your specialty? Is your hybrid car your pride and joy? Chances are if eco-friendly living is a priority to you, then you may want to extend this lifestyle to the way you raise your child. It's easier than ever to raise a baby by following "green" values. Here are a few ways to do so.
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Financial Tips for Young Families
Today's young families arguably have it tougher than any generation in recent memory. With the global economy on the rebound, many young families face an uncertain future, one that depends largely on an uncertain job market and a housing market that is increasingly unpredictable.
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Eating Healthier as You Get Older
Because even the most active senior is limited in what he or she can handle with respect to physical activity, a greater emphasis must be placed on eating healthy the older a person gets. Fortunately, there are many ways for seniors to eat healthier without making drastic changes to their lifestyles.
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Age a Factor When Disciplining Children
Children need a certain level of discipline. But what is the best method of teaching them right from wrong? Depending on your child's age, there are some strategies you can employ.
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Consistent Bedtime Could Be Good for Kids' Health
The National Sleep Foundation says infants and toddlers need on average 12 to 14 hours of sleep daily, which is a combination of nighttime rest and additional naps. Even children up to age 12 should get 10 or 11 hours of sleep. Developing a set bedtime for children early on and creating a bedtime routine can help children anticipate sleep and get the rest they need.
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