Expert advice for college-bound grads

Helping college students “figure it out” sooner rather than later is what the latest edition of the awarding-winning “Been There, Should’ve Done That — 995+ Tips for Making the Most of College,” (Front Porch Press) continues to do.

College advice from the ‘experts’ who’ve been there

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.

Student volunteerism can have a positive impact ... and help pay for college

Volunteerism can help young people grow into well-rounded, responsible individuals. When volunteering, kids can learn new skills, foster new friendships and contacts, and improve both their social and interpersonal skills.

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.

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.

Teen Acne Affects Moms, Too

If you're a parent with an adolescent over 12 years of age, that is a teenager, who is facing acne, you know how challenging it can be to watch as your teenager deals with red, pus-filled pimples and blemishes that never seem to go away. While you do your best to answer questions and help your teen understand it may only be a temporary phase, you want to help manage the acne.

Family fun is better with active grandparents

"Mens sana in corpore sano" is a Latin quotation meaning "a healthy mind in a healthy body." Some mourn that it has been forgotten as North Americans witness a decreasing family interest in outdoor activities and an alarming obesity rate among children.

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.

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.

Environment Watch: Students teach parents about their futuristic school

It's Open House at Richardsville Elementary School in Bowling Green, Kentucky, but this is not your usual parent-teacher event. On the faces of beaming students, it is immediately obvious that today it will be the parents that learn a thing or two.

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.

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.

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.

How to have a safe spring break experience

Each spring millions of students from high school and college embark on a pilgrimage to a vacation locale of their choice and proceed to kick up their heels and relax. For some students, the vacation is really a chance to unwind from months of study and is duly deserved. Other students use spring break as an excuse to participate in reckless behavior, including overconsumption of alcohol.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Research indicates 'freshman 15' is a myth

Hundreds of new students enter college each September. One long-standing assumption about college freshmen is their propensity to gain weight -- on average 15 pounds over the course of their initial year in college. As it turns out, a new study pokes holes in that assumption and goes on to point out the truth about freshman weight gain.

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.

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.

Keep kids learning during the holidays

Don't let the fun and food of the holidays interfere with your child's learning. Video games and flashy electronic toys may appeal to many kids, but often don't work your child's mind as well as non-electronic games and puzzles. Parents shouldn't fret, however.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What is Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease?

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a hereditary motor-sensory neuropathy (HMSN). HMSNs are part of a progressive group of neurological disorders that affect the way the body moves and senses nerve impulses in the peripheral nervous system.

Shedding light on 'the biggest disease no one has ever heard of'

Allison Moore, founder of the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation (HNF), has made it her life's mission to educate people about a neurological condition known as CMT after experiencing sudden-onset CMT in 1997. The disease was triggered from a chemotherapy drug in her cancer treatment.

Exercise promising for CMT

The benefits of exercise have long been touted for everything from maintaining a healthy body weight to improving mood. Exercise, it seems, also may be beneficial for those with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) Disease interested in improving their quality of life.

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.

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.

Teens make ideal volunteers

When it comes to volunteering, perhaps no group of people is better suited to volunteering their time and services than teenagers. Teenagers typically have lots of free time and are liable to gain great perspective on life from helping others.

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.

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.

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?"

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.

Fun Fall Crafts for Kids Simple Projects to Celebrate Autumn

As leaves turn and the fall weather cools, nature becomes a playground for imagination with its deep reds, oranges, yellows. And, of course, many children start planning their costumes early, using every excuse to dress up before Halloween actually rolls around. With these quick and easy craft projects, the whole family can enjoy celebrating one of the most colorful seasons of the year.

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.

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.

National College Savings Month Reminds Parents, Loved Ones to Save Early and Often

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.

School smarts for green living School supply savvy saves money and the planet

The average family with children will spend roughly $570 on school supplies this year, according to the National Retail Federation. School does require a bevy of supplies, but oftentimes parents and students look to disposable items when shopping for supplies. Did you know that six million disposable pens are thrown away in the U.S. each year?

Make the most of a rainy day Halloween

Rain on Halloween. It may not be as bad as households running out of candy, but the thought of drizzle or downpours occurring on a day where much of the fun is spent outside can induce a case of the rainy day doldrums.

Halloween costumes for 2011

What would Halloween be without costumes? Each year children and adults alike mull over the most creative or spookiest costumes to don before heading to parties or trick-or-treating events.

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.

Frightening films a Halloween tradition

Movies are one of the many traditions associated with Halloween. What would Halloween be without some scary classics? To many, horror movies are part of what makes Halloween so great. This Halloween, turn the lights off, pop some popcorn and then cuddle up with these frightening classics.

Spooky tomes for tweens

Halloween is the perfect holiday for kids, providing them a unique opportunity to dress up in costume and scour the neighborhood soliciting treats.

Safety first on Halloween

For kids, few holidays are more anticipated than Halloween. The chance to dress up in costume and patrol the neighborhood with friends while collecting treats is the highlight of many a child's autumn.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Digestion troubles often linked to autism

Digestion problems could play a role in a child's susceptibility to autism or the severity of the condition. A new experimental drug is being fast-tracked by the Food and Drug Administration and could prove helpful in the fight against autism.

Did you know?

Children as young as infants can begin wearing contact lenses. Some infants are fitted with contact lenses because of congenital cataracts, a condition in which the eye's natural lens is cloudy instead of clear.

Understanding second impact syndrome

Perhaps thanks to professional sports leagues, concussions have become a hot-button issue within the medical community. Rules changes in the National Football League were enacted to protect players not only from concussions, but from further injury after suffering a concussion.

Overweight girls less likely to develop breast cancer as adults, says study

Swedish researchers have determined women who were heavyset as youngsters have a lower risk for breast cancer than others.

Fifth disease: A condition of childhood

When kids get home from school, parents may be anxious to see what assignments and keepsakes their sons and daughters have brought with them. What they may not anticipate are sick days due to infectious diseases.

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.

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.

Children in a wedding means no kidding around

A wedding is a joyous event that couples want to share with as many people as possible. Couples commonly ask family and friends to take part in the ceremony as ushers, bridesmaids or readers. Before enlisting the help of a child to fill such roles, couples should carefully consider whether a youngster is capable of participating in the wedding ceremony or if he or she may not be up to the task.

High school sports seasons

Participation in high school sports programs is a favorite activity among many high school students. In many instances, scholastic sports seasons mirror the schedules of professional sports leagues, although the school seasons are often shorter.

Lice in classrooms is common

Head lice do not spread disease and aren't dangerous. However, the fact that they are highly contagious makes them a nuisance at school.

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.

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.

Supplies for the 21st century student

School supplies have evolved significantly over the years. Items that appear on today's school-supply lists may be quite different from yesteryear.

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.

TV show sparks renewed interest in show choir

Students who love to sing and perform are discovering the benefits of choir and chorus programs at school after a popular television show has proven inspirational.

Extracurriculars could help improve school performance

Parents and students who want to improve grades and classroom performance may want to look to extracurricular activities. There is evidence that some after-school activities can actually help promote better results inside of the classroom -- even helping to mediate symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Volunteer opportunities abound for today's teens

When attempting to gain acceptance to the college of their choice, teenagers quickly learn the admission requirements extend beyond their report cards. Colleges weigh academics considerably, but many institutions of higher learning also want well-rounded students who will make great additions to the community as well as the classroom.

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.

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.

Lap belts an issue for school bus safety

In an effort to promote safer riding for students, many school districts have made school bus lap belts mandatory. But the very devices aimed at protecting children actually could be putting them at greater risk for injury, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Only three states require seatbelts on new school buses, and those are New York, New Jersey and Florida. They are optional in other states.

How to take effective notes

A student's success in school is measured by the assignments completed and tests he takes. The students who garner the best grades and do well in class are often those who are effective listeners and note-takers.

8 ways to save on school expenses

Every year parents spend significant amounts of money on school expenses. While there's not much parents can do about tuition, there are ways to save on additional expenses, including clothing. Restocking a student's wardrobe can be costly, but savvy Moms and Dads can lessen the blow in a variety of ways.

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.

Tips to improve standardized test scores

Though some professional educators debate the use of standardized tests, students of all ages can expect such tests to continue to play a role in their education. Younger students might take standardized tests to help determine the class level that best suits their abilities, while high school students will need to take certain standardized tests in order to gain admission to a college or university.

Prescription drug abuse on the rise among today's children

Many children experiment with drugs. What many parents and caregivers may be surprised to discover are even stereotypically "good" kids may try drugs, and legal drugs are becoming just as popular as illegal ones among kids looking to experiment.

Maintaining a gym locker

Students often find middle school or high school is their first foray into a structured physical education class that requires changing into a gym uniform or workout clothing. With this comes the responsibility of outfitting and maintaining another locker on campus.

Pros and cons to learning in a digital age

The world has quickly become digital, and the younger generations are leading the pack with technology that just may make some other items obsolete. As pre-teens and teenagers routinely turn to digital devices for entertainment and schoolwork, the face of education may change as well.

How to help kids find the right extracurricular activity

Today's kids are busier than ever before. Be it the increasingly competitive nature of scholastic life or the increase of two-income households where kids need something to do other than come directly home after school, children today are much busier than their school-aged counterparts of yesteryear.

Did you know?

Cyberbullying occurs when a child is embarrassed, harassed, humiliated, threatened, or tormented by another child using the Internet, mobile phones or another interactive and digital technology. Just as genuine a concern as bullying, cyberbullying has resulted in children killing others or even committing suicide.

Kids' outdoor fun can be eco-friendly

The warm weather is tailor made for children who want to enjoy some fun in the sun. As the kids get ready for summer, parents can find activities that are fun and beneficial to the environment.

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.

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."

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.

Make Safety a Prom Priority

There is a bustle of activity that takes place during prom and graduation season. With so much going on, caution often takes a backseat to other issues. However, it is important to keep safety in mind during prom and graduation season.

Spot the Signs of Potential Teen Violence

Routine news reports of teens and young adults lashing out at school or of violent streaks at home have become all the more common. While this frequency may cause some people to become desensitized to the issue, others may want to take heed of potential warning signs of teenage violence to help prevent dire results.

Taking Control of Kids' Weight Issues

Many parents are having conflicts with their children, and they're not over doing homework or cleaning their rooms. The disagreements are about food and how many of today's youth need guidance about what they eat because of pronounced weight gain.

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.

Spare a Prom Budget With an Inexpensive Gown

Prom night is supposed to be a rite of passage for high schoolers. However, with prom budgets ranging anywhere from $500 to several thousand dollars, it can turn into a stress-inducing event, especially for the students (and parents) who don't have the money or the desire to spend so much money on one night.

Five Things Your Dentist Really Wants You to Know About Your Mouth

Have you ever wondered what your dentist really wants you to know about the health of your teeth, gums and mouth? Below are five tips that can help improve your oral hygiene, as well as make your next dental appointment something you can feel confident about.

Encouraging Kids to Live a More Active Lifestyle

Unlike their parents, today's kids often forgo sandlot baseball or games of tag for much more sedentary fare like video games or surfing the Internet. While video games and Internet access aren't lacking in value, many parents would prefer their kids be more active.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Give Kids the Gift of Going Green This Holiday Season

Few movements in the 21st century have proven as popular as the "Go Green" movement. An effort to live with a more eco-conscious mindset, the Go Green movement has found entree into all aspects of life, be it the foods we eat, the cars we drive or the products we buy.

How to Pick the Right Doll This Holiday Season

For a little girl, there is no more magical gift to receive during the holidays then a beautiful new doll. Despite all the high tech toys, classic doll play has stood the test of time giving children today the same wonderful imaginative play experiences as they did centuries ago.

Keep Kids' Needs in Mind While Holiday Shopping

In a perfect world, holiday shopping would take place free from crowds, with low prices on all the items, and with no crabby children in tow. However, reality often means that time-pressed parents have to brave the crowds to get their presents purchased -- and often with children along for the ride.

SIDS Safe Sleep List

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained, sudden death of an infant that claims more than 2,000 infants per year. Most cases of SIDS take place when a baby is sleeping. New information surfaced in early 2010 linking SIDS to low serotonin levels.

How to Prevent School Bus Injuries

Every morning, more than 25 million children across the country board a school bus and head to school. Although no parent wants to think about their child becoming hurt on the trip, injuries can, and do, occur.

Tackling Childhood Obesity

Obesity is now among one of the most widespread medical problems for children and adolescents. The American Obesity Association reports that about 15 percent of adolescents (aged 12 to 19 years) and children (aged 6 to 11 years) are obese in the United States. Doctors say that obesity among children is one of the country's greatest health challenges.

Calling All Parents: Have a Lifesaving Discussion with Teens About the Dangers of Drinking

To help parents, MADD recently launched The Power of Parents: It's Your InfluenceTM. Sponsored by Nationwide Insurance, the program (www.thepowerofparents.org) gives parents of high school students real world communucation tips they can use at home to stop teen alcohol use.

Does My Child Need Braces?

Genes are responsible for many traits in a person. They'll determine if you'll have brown eyes or blond hair, and could dictate whether you will be tall or short. Genes are also largely responsible for dental problems that could necessitate orthodontic braces, something many children need to correct crooked teeth or bite issues.

Kids Make the Ideal Volunteers

Few things can be as refreshing as the attitude of a child. The exuberance many kids exhibit makes them the ideal volunteers, as kids can brighten up a room in ways adults rarely can.

Who Are Kids Chatting With Online? Protect Privacy by Being Informed

Millions of people, including school children, use a computer, mobile phone or another digital device to participate in social networking sites. This combination has the potential to be dangerous. The information being shared or the "friends" on the other end of the connection may lead to trouble for unsuspecting individuals.

Recognizing Drug Use in Teenagers

The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry says that the average age for children to experiment with drugs (marijuana is the most commonly used first-time drug) is age 14, and they may have had their first alcoholic drink by age 12.

Keeping Kids' Minds Sharp Throughout the Summer

Though teachers appreciate the break from classes and parents understand their kids need time to play, educators and parents alike are concerned by how to keep kids' minds engaged over the summer while still allowing them the opportunity to be kids on summer vacation. The following tips can help kids stay sharp and enjoy themselves this summer.

Alternatives to Summer Camp

Not every family can afford summer camp or chooses to have their children attend. But faced with two long months of vacation from school, what options are there for keeping children occupied during the lazy days of summer?

How to Throw a Kids' Birthday Party Without Spending a Fortune

If you're scaling back budgets for everyday expenses, it makes sense to also save money on frivolous purchases, inlcuding those associated with birthday parties. But such scaling back doesn't have to equal a bad party. Here are some tips for having a birthday party that's both a hit and a bargain.

Identifying Childhood Depression

Depression is an illness that affects millions of adults but does not discriminate by age. Children can be just as likely to develop the condition, especially if there is a genetic component, meaning depression runs in the family.

Turn the TV Off For Better Language Development

Recent studies indicate that young children exposed to television viewing from infancy can experience a delay in speech and know fewer words than children who didn't watch television. But up until very recently it really wasn't understood why. Research points to fewer words being uttered around the house by caregivers in the presence of audible television. Therefore, turning off the TV can promote better language skills for children and adults alike.

Editorial Services

Metro Interactive Planning Calendar

Online e-Sections

Categories

Expert advice for college-bound grads

College advice from the ‘experts’ who’ve been there

Author and mom offers 5 simple tips to get dinner on the table

Student volunteerism can have a positive impact ... and help pay for college

Probiotics beneficial for both Mother and baby

Help make your child's school healthier

Teen Acne Affects Moms, Too

Family fun is better with active grandparents

Toddlers get a chance to ride

Bicycle riding tips to give your toddlers more fun

Environment Watch: Students teach parents about their futuristic school

Healthy hardwood flooring Soy-based finished floors new 'green' innovation for parents

Expert tips for keeping kids' smiles healthy, even through the spring candy rush

Make fruits fun for kids

How to have a safe spring break experience

Choosing the right summer camp

Baby is on the way ... time to set up the nursery

Window guards save kids' lives

Protect kids from poor environmental factors in the year ahead

Kids can make resolutions, too

Get the facts on bronchiolitis

Research indicates 'freshman 15' is a myth

Keep your children fit while they play

The right toys will teach problem solving skills

Keep kids learning during the holidays

New reason to potty train

New Year's Eve for kids

Goggles show teens what it is like to drive drunk

10 ways to clothe kids for less

What is Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease?

Shedding light on 'the biggest disease no one has ever heard of'

Exercise promising for CMT

Puzzles, games and educational value

Great starter pets for kids

Teens make ideal volunteers

Have a safety plan for kids while holiday shopping

Survive holiday shopping with kids in tow

Kids and gifts: How many is too much?

National College Savings Month Reminds Parents, Loved Ones to Save Early and Often

Fun Fall Crafts for Kids Simple Projects to Celebrate Autumn

Key to Affording College is to Have a Plan

Safety first with kids' car seats

National College Savings Month Reminds Parents, Loved Ones to Save Early and Often

Did you know?

School smarts for green living School supply savvy saves money and the planet

Make the most of a rainy day Halloween

Halloween costumes for 2011

Haunted destinations for Halloween travelers

Frightening films a Halloween tradition

Spooky tomes for tweens

Safety first on Halloween

Safety first with kids' car seats

Go to new heights in the fight against childhood cancer

Dispelling myths surrounding ADHD

Wilms' tumor a lesser known foe to children

Simple Solutions for Summertime Snacking

Digestion troubles often linked to autism

Did you know?

Understanding second impact syndrome

Overweight girls less likely to develop breast cancer as adults, says study

Fifth disease: A condition of childhood

Food dyes and difficult kids

Like Father, Like Son Dads' nurturing paves the way for future fantastic fathers

Children in a wedding means no kidding around

High school sports seasons

Lice in classrooms is common

Healthy and quick breakfasts for busy school mornings

Birthday party basics

Supplies for the 21st century student

Alleviating first-day-of-school jitters

TV show sparks renewed interest in show choir

Extracurriculars could help improve school performance

Volunteer opportunities abound for today's teens

What to look for in a student's tutor

Pros and cons to keeping multiples together in school

Lap belts an issue for school bus safety