Holidays
Printable Worm Valentine Card for Classmates
These cute Valentines are perfect for a classroom of kids. Be sure to let friends know they are special with this cute little printable worm valentine.
Young Child
The Social Lives of Preschoolers
There are no #SQUADGOALS for the preschool set. Managing (parents’) expectations for preschooler social interactions.
Holidays
Tree Sun-Catcher Craft for Tu B’Shvat
Tu B’shvat is a Jewish Holiday and special day for celebrating trees, like a Jewish Arbor Day. Create some pretty tree sun-catchers with kids to celebrate.
Toddler
The Nightmare Babysitting Charge
A babysitter is stuck in an sticky situation. Her toddler babysitting charge has behavioral issues that his mom refuses to address and it’s negatively affecting her own children and animals. Since the toddler is a friend’s child she’s having a hard time knowing how to proceed.
Food & Home
Pancakes (Recipes Kids Should Know How To Cook Before Leaving Home)
Teaching older kids how to make pancakes from scratch is easier than you think. Here’s our tutorial especially for kids; another recipe that kids should know how to cook before they leave home.
Big Kid
Push. Pull.
As the clock ticks down on my oldest’s remaining time at home before launch, the pushing and pulling between us intensifies, bittersweet.
Health & Safety
Lavender Oil, Revisited
Amalah explains the evolution of her change in personal opinion regarding her once safety-focused concern on lavender oil in children’s personal care products.
Holidays
Celebrating the Pongal Harvest Festival with Kids: making Pongal Clay Pots
Celebrating the Thai Pongal Harvest Festival with a tutorial on making air-dry clay pots with kids.
Big Kid
Why Don’t Teens Want Their Driver’s Licenses Anymore?
If you have a teen, chances are you’ve encountered the puzzling phenomenon of your kid not caring about driving. What?? Why don’t today’s teens want to drive?
Health & Safety
No, You Cannot Play Football
Having moved recently to a new neighborhood, football has been on Amalah’s mind and she shares her recent thoughts about her young kids playing contact sports.
Toddler
Better Mornings For a Family of Non-Morning People
A mom is eager to get her family of non-morning people started with their daily routine earlier in the day. Her New Year’s resolution is not faring so well thus far and turns to Amalah for some advice.
Big Kid
College Prep Shouldn’t Be College Madness
I’m so tired of the notion that it’s up to parents to figure out their kids’ college choices, and to do so starting in middle school, to boot. That’s silly.
Baby
Night Training vs. Nap Training: Which Comes First?
Parents have the go-ahead from their pediatrician to help their baby learn to fall asleep on his own. Where should they start? With nighttime or naps?
Pregnancy
Families, Pregnancy & WAY TOO MUCH ADVICE
An expectant mom is experiencing high anxiety from the extraordinary amount of very detailed and unsolicited advice she is getting from her mother and in-laws so early in her pregnancy. She needs help setting boundaries.
Parenting
The Biggest Challenge of Having a Large Family
There are challenges that come with a big family. Constant comments from strangers and lots of mouths to feed. But there is one challenge I find the hardest.
Baby
The Sleep Schedule From Outer Space
A mom of three is having a very hard time deciphering her 8 month old’s sleep schedule after several months of trying. There’s no pattern and she needs help establishing a routine that is predictable for her family.
Big Kid
Transitioning To An Empty Nest
I finally bought a new car, but is it just a car or the beginning of a bunch of transitions on our way to empty-nest-dom?
Pregnancy
Is It Safe? Hot Yoga During Pregnancy
A reader asks whether it is safe to continue practicing hot yoga now that she’s pregnant.
Big Kid
How To Handle The “Bad” Girlfriend
A reader is worried her young teen son’s girlfriend is a bad influence; there’s lots to unpack, here, but I give it my best shot.
Young Child
Daycare Drama: When To Call It Quits
An older toddler is having a difficult time with separation anxiety at daycare. His parents can’t decide whether they should stick it out or start looking for other options. It’s a special situation and Amalah helps navigate the details.