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

Learning smart ways to teach your children could help improve their reading and math skills — and there are plenty of things parents can do from home, whether kids are in school or not.

For instance, experts say that something as simple as reading aloud to a child regularly can help him or her build literacy skills.

“Reading aloud stimulates the brain and serves as the foundation for literacy development. Plus, studies show that the more a student reads, the more likely he or she is to stay in school and experience academic achievement,” says Dr. Mary Mokris, a reading specialist for Kumon Math and Reading Centers. The Centers, which help boost student confidence and performance by improving reading and math skills, offer these additional tips to help get kids learning: Read More

Your child’s first day of preschool may be just around the corner, but you may already be concerned that she won’t make it into college because she hasn’t perfected counting to 10…in French.

With morning TV shows doting on pint-size geniuses and neighbors prepping their tots for top-notch private school “interviews,” many parents are feeling the heat to get their child’s academic career off to a good start. If your child is still a few ABC’s away from your comfort zone, don’t worry; there are other tips and tricks for ensuring preschool readiness:

• Ease separation anxiety. If your child hasn’t experienced much time away from you, think about arranging a weekend with Grandma, or a few nights with a babysitter. If you aren’t able to help your child adjust to the separation in advance, talk to your child’s teacher about allowing you to linger during his first few days in school.

• Enforce a schedule at home. Preschools usually follow a predictable routine: story time, snack, art time, playground, music time. If your child doesn’t keep to a schedule and each day is different from the last, it can help to standardize her days a bit before she starts preschool. Start by offering meals on a regular timetable. You can also plan to visit the park each afternoon, or set-and stick to-a bedtime routine. Read More

There are so many rites of passage in our children’s lives over the course of many years, from their clinging to our legs at preschool to their dressing up for prom. But what happens when their milestone rite of passage — graduating from high school — also marks a great change of life for parents?

“Graduating from high school and moving on to college is perhaps one of the most significant changes in a parent’s life,” says Laura Gauld, parenting expert and co-author with her husband Malcolm of  The Biggest Job We’ll Ever Have book and parenting seminars.

“It’s the first time a child leaves home as a young adult,” Laura says. “And when it’s your youngest going out the door, it means an empty nest.”

After the tassel has been turned, the caps thrown in the air, and the initial shock begins to wear off, parents may begin to ask themselves – what is my role as a parent now?

“Parenting does not end,” Laura continues. “Your children will always need their parents. However, your role as a parent should be evolving from far less of a supervisor and micro-manager and more toward a mentor and sounding board.”

Amidst the excitement and newness of this transition, young adults will encounter challenges and adjustments, especially if this is their first time away from family. But perhaps the greatest challenge of all facing a college freshman is…FREEDOM. Read More

There are a number of simple ways by which parents can help keep their children’s teeth healthy. Yet the rate of cavities in baby teeth is on the rise, according to the most recent report on the topic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, over one-fourth of children 2 to 5 years old have cavities.

Dentists point to several contributing factors, including increased consumption of juices and soda. And while baby teeth will eventually wind up with the Tooth Fairy, cleaning the teeth and gums at an early age helps develop healthy habits for a lifetime of beautiful smiles.

Here are a number of tips for keeping their smiles healthy:

• Select a toothbrush with soft bristles.

• Encourage your toddler to engage in brushing his teeth twice a day.

• Bring along a “friend” to the bathroom sink–such as a favorite stuffed animal or doll — so the “friend” can also have his teeth brushed.

• Encourage toddlers to drink plenty of water after meals. This is especially important with toddlers who won’t allow parents to brush their teeth as often as recommended. Read More

One challenge busy parents face is finding a sitter, but there are many safe, effective ways to find new sitters you can trust:

• Talk to your friends at work, school, church, etc. Ask your friends which babysitters they use and if they would mind sharing and making an introduction.  Also, ask your friends if any of their children have begun babysitting. It is easy to lose track of kids’ ages and before you know it, they’ve graduated from high school and are off to college (and you’ve potentially missed out on a great sitter).

• Join your local moms network. Many mom groups have sprouted all over the country and the best ones often focus on moms in your specific, local community. Your local moms network is an invaluable resource helping families, schools and the entire local community. Families in these networks often post messages or send e-mails looking for babysitters or informing the network that their teenager is available to babysit. Read More

When packing for a family vacation, don’t forget to bring a travel first aid kit and some safety common sense. Sometimes injuries happen while on vacation because families are relaxing and don’t take the precautions they normally would at home. You can create your own travel first aid kit and place the items in a plastic container to keep moisture out.

Travel First Aid Kit Checklist:

▪ Acetaminophen such as Tylenol or ibuprofen such as Advil for mild aches, pains and fever

▪ Non-stick bandages, gauze, tape and antibiotic ointment for cuts and blisters

▪ Eye wash for dust and other irritations in the eye, and ear wash for swimmer’s ear

▪ Antihistamines such as Benedryl for airborne allergies and itchy rashes

▪ First aid tools such as tweezers and a small pair of scissors

▪ Your child’s prescription medication

Since summer involves activities in the sun, parents should protect children from overexposure to the sun and avoid serious sunburn. Read More

Now that your baby is toddling around, bath time can present a whole new set of challenges. Not every toddler loves the water and many can make this daily ritual a dreaded battlefield. Below, you’ll find simple ideas for taking the leap from the sink to the tub.

As babies transition to toddlers, bathing becomes increasingly vital. Toddlers are far more apt to get into things and get messy and dirty. It’s so important to use products that are safe, natural and provide a dose of fun, to ensure a healthy, pleasant bathing experience.

Following are some easy, practical tips for making bath time the fun, soothing experience it is supposed to be:

· Temperature Check: Ensure that the water is warm, not hot. Be sure to run warm water over the sides of the tub so that if your child rubs against it, he won’t get a cold shock.

· The water should not be too deep. A couple of inches of water are usually plenty.

· Be sure to use natural bubble bath, soaps and shampoos that are non-toxic, 100% sulfate free, and safe for the tender, sensitive skin of your young child. Read More

This year alone, there are 4.2 million expectant fathers–and they’re much more involved in pregnancy and childbirth than ever before. In fact, many fathers-to-be are so intertwined with their developing baby that they experience symptoms such as weight gain, nausea, insomnia, and even labor pains, called Couvade Syndrome.

Fathers-to-be go through changes that rarely get discussed. These 7 tips are especially for them:

• Mind your own baby bump. Are you eating for two right along with your wife? Newsflash: Your wife will lose a lot of her weight automatically when she has the baby–you won’t! Studies show expectant fathers often gain extra pounds of “sympathy weight” during their wife’s pregnancy.

• Take one for the team. Get your TdaP shot as well as seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines to protect your precious cargo, who will soon be joining the family. Seventy percent of babies who get whooping cough are infected by immediate family members like you.

• Baby yourself. Have you even been to the doc lately? Studies show many men ages 25-45 don’t even have a primary care physician. Go get a checkup. Find out how you’re doing, health wise. Your baby needs a healthy dad who will grow old and wise. Read More

Parents want their children to have all the life skills they need to live happy and fulfilling lives. The current recession has brought our awareness of the lack of financial education in our society to the forefront. Managing money wisely should be an integral part of a child’s overall education, but it’s not included in the school curriculum. Because many parents feel inept at managing money themselves, they are uncomfortable teaching their children about it. Unfortunately, this often this leads to avoiding the topic completely and many children are never taught about money at all.

Take Action

For this generation of children, it is crucial that they develop financial independence in adulthood because in the future it is unlikely that there will be corporate pensions or government programs to take care of them. Our current economic situation clearly demonstrates that children with a strong financial background will have a big advantage in life. Parents don’t need to be financial experts to help their children learn about managing money, but they do need to take action. If parents can teach their children early on that true financial wealth is not about how much they earn but rather the choices they make with the money they earn, it will make a huge difference in the children’s lives.  Having the ability and willpower to make good decisions is crucial for success and developing good habits at a young age is much easier than after bad habits have set in. Read More

With Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Garner, Brooke Burke and Heidi Klum changing the face (and hair) of motherhood, what does this mean for real women who don’t have a team of stylists behind them? Forget the Carol Brady hairstyle! Women do not have to forgo youth and sex appeal in order to have effortless locks.

Below, you’ll find tips, tricks, and advice on low-maintenance hair for moms and mothers-to-be.

1. Change? Maybe Not: Since you’re going through many other changes, stay with what you’re comfortable with. However, if you do want to change your style, change the layering. You don’t need the short “mom haircut!” Longer hair can be sexier, youthful, and more current. After pregnancy, it’s important that women still feel confident and beautiful.

2. Fringe Benefits: Your hair becomes thicker when you’re pregnant. Unfortunately, about 3 months after you give birth, you begin to lose the hair you gained during your pregnancy. It falls out mostly around the hairline. Try bangs 6-8 months after giving birth or layer your style.

3. Re-consider the Short Do: Mothers often cut their hair short because it’s “easy.” However, short hair is not necessarily a time-save. It should be a “wash and add product cut” or a “get-up-and-go” cut that requires little daily maintenance.

4. Go Dry: Dry shampoo is the new hot trick, which is perfect for women who don’t have quite enough time to actually jump in the shower and wash their hair. The formula instantly absorbs impurities and oil on the hair and scalp so you quickly have hair that is clean and grease-free. Read More