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Playtime

Teaching Kids to Explore Through Play Instead of Literacy

Could it be that learning to read at a later age could have benefits, both for children now and the adults they become?

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Truancy or School Refusal: Helping Anxious Kids

While truant children are bored with school, or angry about having to go, school refusal is caused by something different: fear.

Learning father shows his son something in the distance sitting in car

Language Development: Forget the "50 by 2" Milestone. Shoot for 3,000 by 3.

Once parents have tallied the first 50 words, they seem less concerned about how their children's vocabulary grows. Here's what comes next.

Learning boy looking at his moving robotic toy car

What Star Wars Taught Me About the Growth Mindset

A growth mindset believes that YOU control your destiny, and what you do, or don’t learn.

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10 Things that Raise Men Who Respect Women

If we want to prevent sexual assaults, then we have a responsibility to our boys to have a much more uncomfortable conversation.

Wellbeing happy mother sitting while son running around in garden

What Being Fierce in Your 40s Really Looks Like

I’ve realized that being fierce in your 40s is so much more than Botox and electrolysis.

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You’re Going to Want to Remember This: Tips for Preserving Family Lore

Our families – made up of generations of stories – are like a treasure trove of golden moments just waiting to be heard.

Mentally Strong Kids Have Parents Who Refuse to Do These 13 Things

But raising a mentally strong kid requires parents to avoid the common yet unhealthy parenting practices that rob kids of mental strength.

Wellbeing little girl sucking spaghetti into her mouth

8 Ways to Get Your Kids to Eat More Than Just Cheese Puffs

In my efforts to get my kids to eat right, I’ve failed more times than I’ve succeeded, but I have succeeded on occasion.

Does Your Kid Have Constant Heel Pain? It Could be Severs Disease

Sever’s disease, also known as Calcaneal apophysitis, is the most common cause of heel pain in children.

Parenthood parents hand with wrinkles and child hand over each other

The Obvious Question When Your Kids are 35 Years Apart

“No, they’re both my sons,” I answered as his eyes widened. It happens every time people begin to understand that I have kids whose ages are 35 years apart.

Parenthood Boy sitting against a wall, backpack by side, looking down

A Parent Primer on How to Deal With Bullies

It’s time to get a refresher on how to train our kids to stand up to bullying and how to advocate for them.

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Determination and the Will to Live

This is a submission in our monthly contest. October’s theme is Determination. In the mirror I could see the impossibly tiny blue foot sticking out of my abdomen, no bigger than an almond. I only g...

Parenthood young father his little son giving high five

Be a Guide, Not a Guard and Raise a Happy, Responsible Kid

As guides, we help children develop internal motivation to do what is right because it’s right, rather than to do what is right to avoid being punished.

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Selected Instructions for Helping Non-Babies Fall Asleep (Based on Advice for Babies)

It turns out the techniques parents use to get baby to sleep can be more widely applied to ... just about anyone!

Parenthood Scary Closet

Now That My Kids Are Big: 25 Things I Will Never Have to Do Again

I have to remind myself that it wasn’t all sunny days and cuddle-time. I have to remind myself that every phase of motherhood has its joys and challenges.

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My 4-foot, 11 inch Mother is the Biggest Person in Any Room

If my parents had stayed in the Bronx, I might have grown up thinking my family was like all the rest.

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Determined...to Lighten Up

Lately, I’ve seriously resolved to take myself less seriously. It’s a paradox, isn’t it? Just like so many aspects of life. As time goes on, I’m finding that many age-old oxymoronic mantras ring tr...

Wellbeing newborn baby lying on a bed sleeping on white sheets

Why Turning Your Clocks Back Gives Your Brain A Boost

Getting that spark of natural light first thing in the morning can bring several welcome benefits to our body and mind this time of year.

Inspiration lady with scar in stomach

If These Scars Could Talk

I’m grateful for my scars. Each blemish has a story. Without my stories – and my scars – who would I be?

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When One "Snore" Closes, Another Door Opens

People fall apart over money, stress, jobs, lies, but not freaking snoring, unless the issue is of course not about snoring at all.

Parenthood sisters holding hands looking at the lake

Like Water on Waves

This is a submission in our monthly contest. November's theme is Gratitude. Dear Daughters, When I was 13, my step-father told me that victims of attacks – women – were attacked because they’d aske...

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The Old Normal, and the Imperative of Self-Defense Training for Women

In light of the countless high-profile assault charges recently meted I challenge us, individually, collectively, indivisibly, to say no. To scream no.

Learning Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Kid made

Kid Made Recipe: Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

This crispy, spicy vegetarian take on buffalo wings makes a great party dish, or the perfect  weekend movie watching snack!