Today's Parent | Parenting Resources… Articles, Advice, Help & Tips

“A child can learn some wonderful life lessons while caring for an animal, but there can be some potential hazards that accompany pets of any kind, says Debra Holtzman, J.D, M.A, an internationally recognized safety and health expert and best-selling author of the new book “The Safe Baby: A Do-it-Yourself Guide to Home Safety and Healthy Living” (Sentient Publications, 2009). A young child can harm your pet, and some pets can most certainly harm your child. Never leave a baby or young child alone with any pet and always supervise children around dogs, cats, ferrets and other animals. Even if your home doesn’t have a pet, teach your children these important tips. Read More

When preparing packed lunches for school-age children, don’t forget the essential whole grains, protein, fiber and nutrients. If this seems like a lot to fit in a brown sack, think again, says Target health and nutrition expert, Dr. Susan Mitchell. The nationally recognized authority on nutrition says it’s easy to integrate sound eating into busy lifestyles-any parent can provide wholesome lunch options for children at affordable prices.

A child’s lunch should re-energize the body and fuel the mind. Whole grains, lean protein, fruit, vegetables and fortified foods that are low in fat will make kids feel revived and ready to pay attention in classes, says Dr. Mitchell. She recommends these top lunch box tips: Read More

Parents always want the best for their children, and for parents of student athletes, helping their children navigate the recruitment process and gain a college athletic scholarship can be stressful. With recent stories about parents’ involvement in the process, such as young David Sills who was offered a scholarship to USC for 2015 due to the aid of his father and private quarterback coach, the question of how to balance supportive yet not too involved at the same time has come into question.

The country’s leading college athletic recruiting organization, National Collegiate Scouting Association (NCSA) has outlined eight tips for parents to follow to help them define their role in the recruitment process in the book, “Athletes Wanted”.

“Parents’ primary challenge is walking the fine line between guiding their student athlete through the process and becoming overbearing,” says founder of NCSA and author of “Athletes Wanted”, Chris Krause. Here are the golden rules for parents to help their children. Read More

Parents know that music and entertainment are a big part of youth culture. But many are also under the false impression that today’s kid tunes aren’t exactly music to mom’s and dad’s ears. Read More

Babies may be priceless, but raising one these days can be costly. When you add up housing, food, transportation, clothes, medical expenses, child care and education, the average American family spends more than $10,000 a year to raise one child, according to a recent U.S. government survey. That adds up to over $170,000 by age 17–before junior even heads off to college. Read More

We are constantly barraged with information about camps – from magazines and emails, to headline news and parents talking on the sidelines at little league. Sometimes it’s hard to separate fact from fiction. You will want to know what’s true and what’s not as you answer the all-important question, “What will I do with my kids next summer?” To help guide you, I’ve compiled a list of myths vs. facts about camps.

Myth: “Overnight camp is only for the rich.”

Fact:  The truth is that there is a camp out there to fit every budget. And, if you plan ahead, you can take advantage of early enrollment discounts and financial aid. Applying early, it is possible to get a 20-50% discount off of camp tuition, based on need. Private camps tend to be more expensive, so contact camps run by your local county government or agencies like the Campfire Boys and Girls, the Jewish Federation, Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts, the Jewish Community Center, and the Salvation Army. Lastly, inquire about shorter sessions and discounts for multiple children from one family. Read More

Nobody tells you that you only have to make it to Christmas break and it all gets easier. Life would be so much easier if parents would share information. The parents who’ve been there, done that.

Sending your first-born off to college is a challenging time for parents. You are so full of hope, and excited for their new adventure. Naturally, there is also the parental nervousness and anxiety. Will she be okay? Will she eat and take care of herself? Will she be happy? And most of all, will she be safe? Read More

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Making sure children get regular, comprehensive eye exams is a key way that parents can identify treatable problems early and help kids achieve their greatest potential–in the classroom, at home and in sports.

Studies show that around 60 percent of children who have been identified as problem learners actually suffer from undetected vision problems and may mistakenly be diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to the American Optometric Association. Read More

The simplest, cutest difference between girls and boys.