Last week, my my 11-year-old son asked if he could sign up for an Instagram account. This was definitely an eye-opening experience for me and my husband and taught us an important lesson about our kids online.
Although my kids are still relatively young, just 10 and 12-years-old, sometimes I feel like I became a mother in the Dark Ages. But 2003 really was kind of like living in a cave, I guess, because I missed many of the trends that have now become permanent fixtures in the life of parents. Gender Reveal Parties? Smash Cakes? Elf on the Shelf?
Now that we know what to look for in a sunscreen, let’s talk about the products that are the best choice for your family.
The Hot Holiday Toy of 2012– Furby –gets to live with two school-aged boys. What’s the verdict?
Get your boys reading this summer with our awesome list of Books Boys Love! (And we’re pretty sure girls will love it, too!)
There are obviously a lot of variables that go into when a kid is old enough for his first “real” concert, but in my opinion, 11 or 12 years-old is ideal. Not only are the children probably fans of the artist and know his or her songs by this age, but they’re able to sit still during the boring wait times and they won’t get too exhausted when the hour gets late.
I hope you understand that you’re doing the best you can right now. You really are. But all of the tears, the worrying, the agonizing, the self-doubt? Useless.
A few things I wish I’d known before we began orthodontic treatment for my kids. So if you’re just beginning the process, here is my handy guide to getting started.
A combination of organized activities and unstructured time for kids seems to be the right mix for this family and mom.
All that said, the decision to leave your kids alone is obviously a very personal one and depends on factors such as their maturity, their environment and your basic comfort level. As well as other issues like whether you should put the oldest kid in charge and your kids’ ability to follow safety rules to the letter.
My sons and I love spending time playing The Game of Life. And, though obvious that they’ve updated LIFE through the decades, I’ve noticed that the board game still a bit behind the times on a few things. Therefore, I’ve put together some suggestions as to how to make The Game of Life current for 2013.
It seems like there are camps that specialize in almost any interest a child might have. Here are just a few of the kids summer camps I wish actually existed.
When back-to-school feels bittersweet. Time goes so quickly and this mom isn’t sure she’s ready for the kids to be gone from home all day just yet.
This summer, I dusted off my film degree and compiled a list of less obvious classic movies for us to watch as a family. These are all films that both kids and adults will enjoy, so we should have many, many hours of movie fun.
Are OTC cough and cold medicines effective? Are cough and cold medicine safe for children? Do natural cures even work? It’s hard to know which advice is best. That’s why we’ve put together the following cheat sheet of cough and cold medicine information for parents wondering just how to treat their sick child. Hopefully it’s advice that will not only help your kids feel better, but will help you feel better, too.
now that my boys are 11 and 13, there are a lot more shows that we can all enjoy and watch together. No more gritting our teeth through painful kid programming like The Wonder Pets or the one show that makes me want to scratch my skin off with a dull butter knife—Jessie. We’re in the sweet spot where we can happily meet in the middle with entertainment that isn’t too kid or too adult. Here are some of our family’s current favorites.
Yes, I am the not-so-proud owner of an 11-year-old boy who refuses to wear pants in the winter. He (very strongly) insists on wearing shorts year-round, even when the temperature is only in the high 20’s.
Every year at this time, our elementary school holds individual ceremonies for the third, fourth and fifth grades. Anyway, that part of the event is all fine and good and it’s great to see the kids get their little medals and certificates. But then? Then things take a very obnoxious turn. Because that’s when the principal thanks everyone for coming, makes some closing remarks and opens up the mic. To the audience. Of parents….
Your child is approaching or in preadolescence. This new phase of development may seem fairly natural and normal to you, but it’s probably the exact opposite to your child. Puberty can be embarrassing, awkward and scary. For that reason, any puberty advice or information you give your child now is only going to help their comfort level during this transitional time.
There’s more to think about when it come to protection from insects, like mosquitoes and ticks, than just “let’s spray THIS.” We look at DEET and other considerations.