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

We’ve all got our strengths and weaknesses. If we’re lucky, the adults we looked up to as kids taught us to take advantage of our strengths, which gave us the confidence to tackle our weaknesses. To build self-esteem and self worth, we’re taught not to zero-in on those things we do poorly. We should approach ADHD treatment the same way.

They see the big picture.

We’ve all been told throughout our lives the importance of seeing the “big picture” because so many of us get caught up with the little, minute details. Kids with ADHD are often excellent at seeing the big picture, in and out of the classroom. For example, while a child may have trouble remembering names or dates, he may far outshine his peers in understanding the broader significance of people or events in a historical context.

A sidetrack can wind up as the best track.

Kids with ADHD are often characterized by their distractibility and impulsiveness. They may rapidly shift their focus from one thought to another, or have urges to forge ahead into new areas of thought altogether. Thomas Edison, who invented the light bulb, was known for his easy distractibility. Like Edison, kids with ADHD can put the flexibility of their thought processes to great use generating groundbreaking innovation and productivity. Read More

Great things happen when youth and mountains meet . . . and when they meet at camp something extraordinary happens. For nearly 150 years, camp has been part of the hearts and minds of children and parents. The camp experience has provided important steps toward the milestones of many young lives — creating and fostering the artist, the musician, the articulate businessperson, the inspired politician, the actor, the scientist, or the visionary who lives in each child’s heart.

Children’s camp experience is part of the story of their life. Camp is about firsts — a first campfire outdoors, a first time leading a pony, catching a frog, or enjoying evening stories — and being chosen to be part of a community that values each child and his or her special gifts. It’s about making memories, honoring traditions, and being a part of something bigger. Read More

The elements-from strong summer sun to cold winter winds-can take their toll on baby’s delicate skin in many different ways, not the least of which is dry skin. In fact, a recent clinical study revealed that babies’ skin is drier than most parents would expect. And…it’s not always easy to recognize signs of dryness on baby’s skin.

Researchers have identified that 90 percent of mothers surveyed believed that their baby’s skin was not dry, yet more than 60 percent of these babies actually had clinical signs of dryness. The researchers also found that infant skin reacts differently to moisture than adult skin. Baby’s skin absorbs and loses moisture at a faster rate, so infants need extra-mild cleansing and protection against dryness year-round.

Whether playing at the beach or bundling up for the cold, when it comes to keeping your baby’s skin protected from the harsh elements, proper moisturizing is one of the best ways to keep that skin baby smooth. In fact, according to Dr. Jennifer Trachtenberg, a pediatrician practicing in New York City, “following a basic, daily moisturizing routine, including the use of gentle cleansers, can prevent baby’s delicate skin from drying out.” Read More

Credit scores, loans, interest payments and budgets. … Most adults are familiar with these terms and what they mean. However, unless their parents have taken the time to discuss these key financial topics, many teens may not be as familiar.

Teaching teens about finances and how to make informed and responsible financial decisions is one of the most valuable lessons parents can provide — and an increasing number of moms and dads are taking steps to ensure that young adults develop financial discipline.

A recent study of high-school seniors conducted by the Jump$tart Coalition found they were able to correctly answer less than half of the financial literacy questions posed to them — a failing grade. This means that many young adults do not have the financial survival skills they need to succeed.

A new online guide, “Parents, Teens, and Money: A Clear and Simple Guide to Discussing Financial Responsibility,” offers interactive tools and resources to help parents engage their teens and guide discussions on a broad range of financial topics. The comprehensive guide, published by Chase Card Services and College Parents of America, is available at www.chaseclearandsimple.com and www.collegeparents.org. Read More

In these uncertain times, world peace, the war on terror and western civilization hang in the balance. Everyday, some American host mom or dad is taking a kid from Kazakhstan, or Russia, to the soccer game, to the mall, or to church, just as they would their own child. And at the end of the school year, these kids go back home and change the world.

At our house, his name is Abdumanon Yusupov. He’s a quiet kid from southern Tajikistan. In his town of Sarband, many of his friends tend sheep and goats; they don’t much think about living in America.

But in the 15 years since its inception, over 14,000 ambitious students like Abdumanon have come to the United States through the Future Leaders Exchange program (FLEX). FLEX was established in 1992 as the centerpiece of the NIS Secondary School Initiative with FREEDOM Support Act funding from the U.S. State Department and USAID. Through FLEX, high school students from the former Soviet Union are given the opportunity to experience life in America and then return home to promote democratic values and institutions throughout Eurasia. Great program, and one of many. So where is the national security emergency?

The fact is that while the U.S. recognizes the importance of these programs, there are not enough host families to accommodate all the students who are eligible. Make no mistake, these kids are not slackers. They go on to be foreign ministers, politicians, and leaders in fields ranging from astronomy to zoology. In fact, Georgian President Shakhashvili participated in a State Department-sponsored internship program during his collegiate years. Just think, the kid whose dirty socks you clean could end up as Prime Minister of his country one day. Read More

Our kids are at risk over the summer months for losing the skills they’ve developed during the year in math – and the risk is greater for losing math skills than reading skills. Summer is a time when children may lose gains in math learning if they are not offered educationally sustaining math activities. Research suggests this loss is greater than the loss of reading gains and is also partly responsible for widening achievement gaps as minority students progress through school.

I encourage parents and children’s organizations to help children overcome the summer slump in math. Here are some fun things you can do to avoid this summer slump and give your kids a leg up on math for the fall.

Money, Money, Money!

Kids are always on the lookout for ways to earn money during the summer months. You can hone their math skills by helping them set a goal for the total amount they want to earn, and make a chart or graph to track weekly progress. Encouraging them to budget an amount for saving as well as spending is another way to engage them with money math.

How Far? How Many? How Much?

As parents, we get asked these questions often enough, but how often do we turn them back to our kids and share a brief math moment? If we say, About how far (how many, how much) do you think it is? and then suggest ways to estimate, we can help them recognize those times when an answer that is ‘close enough’ is actually ‘good enough!’ Estimation (or making an informed guess) is a useful math tool any time a precise answer isn’t necessary to solve a problem. Read More

TOY STORY 3 welcomes Woody (voice of TOM HANKS), Buzz (voice of TIM ALLEN) and the whole gang back to the big screen as Andy prepares to depart for college and his loyal toys find themselves in… daycare! These untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice, so it’s all for one and one for all as plans for the Great Escape get underway. A few new faces—some plastic, some plush—join the adventure, including Barbie’s counterpart Ken (voice of MICHAEL KEATON), a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants (voice of TIMOTHY DALTON) and a pink, strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear (voice of NED BEATTY). Directed by Lee Unkrich (co-director of “Toy Story 2” and “Finding Nemo”), produced by Pixar veteran Darla K. Anderson (“Cars,” “Monsters, Inc.”), and written by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Michael Arndt (“Little Miss Sunshine”), TOY STORY 3 is a comical new adventure in Disney Digital 3D™. Read More

Being a dad is the toughest and most rewarding undertaking you’ll ever do. You’re doing everything you know to do as a dad. But if you’re like most dads, you’re wondering if you’re doing enough, being there enough, and loving enough.

But hold on. Dads do a lot of good stuff. I say it’s high time to give them a well-deserved high five. Here’s my “high five to dads” list. (If you see yourself doing or wanting to do a lot of these things, count yourself a member of the Good Dads Club.)

1. Dads work hard. No matter how boring the job or what the pay is, dads go to work every day to play their part in making sure there’s a comfortable place to live, enough to eat, nice clothes for the kids, and enough money for extra activities and fun things to do. If possible, there’s a vacation every once in a while. And rarely do you hear Dad complaining. Read More

Fishing is a hobby that offers a wonderful chance for spending time with your children. As you sit with fishing pole in hand, explore the endless possibilities for conversations. Keep these tips in mind for a good fishing experience.

1. Fish in areas where you are most likely to catch many fish. Most kids would rather catch a lot of little fish than one or two big ones. It will reinforce the idea that they can fish and make them anticipate their next trip.

2. Consider fishing on the shore, not on a boat. That way, if kids get bored, they can look for bugs, feast at a picnic, watch birds or skip stones across the water. Also, it will avoid any chances of seasickness. Plus, they’ll have easier access to a land-based restroom.

3. Don’t forget the essentials. Pack snacks (wrapped individually to prevent water damage), beverages, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat or visor, and a first-aid kit. And don’t forget premoistened hand wipes to stay clean. Read More

For millions of children, youth, and adults, summer camp is right around the corner. Camp is a unique environment that promotes growth and independence. For many families in today’s plugged in society, camp is the first real separation they have experienced — and many parents may be worried about homesickness — both for their happy camper, and for themselves.

Research indicates that homesickness is normal. It is common for campers and parents to feel a tinge of homesickness at some point during the camp session. So, how can parents help? The American Camp Association® (ACA) recommends the following do’s and don’ts families can use to help deal with homesickness:

• DO encourage independence throughout the year. Practice separations, such as sleepovers at a friend’s house, can simulate the camp environment.

• DO involve your child in the process of choosing a camp. The more that the child owns the decision, the more comfortable the child will feel being at camp.

• DO understand the camp’s philosophy on how issues, like homesickness, are addressed. Talk candidly with the camp director to understand his/her perspective on your child’s adjustment.

• DO discuss what camp will be like before your child leaves. Consider role-playing anticipated situations, such as using a flashlight to find the bathroom. Read More