The Family Ties Parents Panel is taking a short holiday break. This month, enjoy a few previously published posts.

Do kids have to decide by age 3 or 4 what sport they’re going to play for the rest of their life if they have any shot of being good at it? The bigger question is why do parents and coaches push kids at such young ages to start competing? Is it what the parent wants or what the kid wants?

The Family Ties Parents Panel is taking a short holiday break. This month, enjoy a few previously published posts.

What must a single parent take into account once the decision has been made to date?

The Family Ties Parents Panel is taking a short holiday break. This month, enjoy a few previously published posts.

Do kids have to decide by age 3 or 4 what sport they’re going to play for the rest of their life if they have any shot of being good at it? The bigger question is why do parents and coaches push kids at such young ages to start competing? Is it what the parent wants or what the kid wants?

The Family Ties Parents Panel is taking a short holiday break. This month, enjoy a few previously published posts.

“The Story of Stuff” is a very funny, creative and thought-provoking online video that I strongly recommend for parents, teachers and religious leaders who are concerned about the misplaced values of an economy that teaches us that the more we consume, the more successful we are.

The description for this recipe said that even people who aren’t crazy about fruitcake would like this one. That seems to be true because I’ve never been a fruitcake fan, but thought this one was delicious. It was a hit at our family’s holiday gatherings.

Halloween may be the one time kids get a temporary free pass to eat sweets, but those trick-or-treaters wearing braces might be in for a fright if they eat the wrong stuff. The American Association of Orthodontists offers several braces-friendly recipes for Halloween parties.

Help! New Year’s Eve is approaching, and I expect my 17-year-old son will want a taste of champagne at midnight. Should I let him have a glass of the bubbly — or continue to draw the line at sparkling cider?

Help! My 2½-year-old can’t sleep alone. How do we put the kibosh on her late-night bed hopping? Will she outgrow it?

I cannot let another holiday season pass without sounding a whistle of warning about what is possibly the third-weirdest Christmas-themed show ever (right behind “Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special” and “A Left Behind’ Christmas,” in case you were wondering): “The Polar Express,” which is soulless and inorganic and creepers and depicts a world populated entirely by CGI robot Tom Hankses.

Several weeks ago, in this column, I encouraged parents to not ask principals for teacher reassignments, as in “I think my child, who has a learning problem, will do better with Mrs. Whimsy because from what I hear she’s more patient.” As one might imagine, I am now the Certified Hero of Principals Everywhere. On the other hand, some parents who previously enjoyed reading my column have now decided I am Parenting Satan.

EdVenture Children’s Museum
211 Gervais St., Columbia
(803) 779-3100, edventure.org
SPECIAL EVENTS:
“Museums on Us” Free Weekend
Jan. 2-3
“Museums on Us” is a Bank of America program that offers its card holders free admission to more than 70 museums nationwide. EdVenture Children’s Museum is the only museum in South Carolina participating in this program. Information: museums.bankofamerica.com.
Family Night
Jan. 12, 5-8 p.m.
$1 [...]

Parents bottom line on “Nine”: More challenging than the light musicals that have been recent hits, this one is sure to confuse the 12-and-unders.

Parents bottom line on “The Young Victoria”: Entirely too historical and talky for younger children, though teens and tweens into history or princess romances might enjoy it.

EdVenture Children’s Museum
211 Gervais St., Columbia
(803) 779-3100, edventure.org
SPECIAL EVENTS:
“Museums on Us” Free Weekend
Jan. 2-3
“Museums on Us” is a Bank of America program that offers its card holders free admission to more than 70 museums nationwide. EdVenture Children’s Museum is the only museum in South Carolina participating in this program. Information: museums.bankofamerica.com.
Family Night
Jan. 12, 5-8 p.m.
$1 [...]

Learn about the winter sky at the South Carolina State Museum’s seasonal star labs. These 30- minute portable planetarium shows ($3 per person plus museum admission) focus on seasons, constellations and moon phases. Star Labs will be presented on Dec. 30, Dec. 31, Jan. 2 and Jan. 3.
South Carolina State Museum
301 Gervais St., Columbia
Information/schedule of [...]