family
Books for younger set celebrate snow
Here are six delightful early toddler through kindergarten picture books that use snow as a prop or the star of the story.
Parents aren’t unhappier, studies find
Having kids may not make us miserable after all. The findings of two new studies suggest that parents today might, in fact, be happier than non-parents.
Study: When parents split, preschoolers show behavior problems
Kids whose parents split up when they were preschoolers have increased behavior problems, according to new research that suggests the timing of such breakups has long-term effects. The study by University of Chicago and Georgetown researchers found that such disruption — particularly in a child’s first three years but probably until they’re as old as 5 — “more strongly influences children’s development than changes later in childhood,” and those influences “seem to have negative effects on children’s behavior.”
New, faster drug to challenge Viagra, others
Consumers will soon be hearing a lot about a new drug to handle erectile dysfunction — the first new pill for the condition in a decade. This one — to be sold under the brand name Stendra — starts working in about 15 minutes, versus 30 to 60 minutes for Viagra, Levitra and Cialis.
Ways to get your kids to exercise
It should not come as news that the current childhood obesity problem continues to (pardon the pun) expand. On average, almost a third of children in the U.S. are overweight, many with Type 2 diabetes putting them in line for developing life-threatening diseases as they get older. Inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama’s organization, “Let’s Move!,” which was created to fight childhood obesity, you also can get your child moving onto a healthy path with some of these tips.
Puzzles help young kids develop math skills: study
Want to improve your child’s chances of going into a career in science, technology or engineering? Giving a child puzzles to play with between 2 and 4 years old might help, a University of Chicago study suggests.
Fun ways to get kids interested in reading
Learning to enjoy reading at an early age gives your child a jumpstart on her education, but schoolwork should not be the only reason to raise an eager reader. Enjoyment of reading is an important puzzle piece to a fulfilled life.
New book a guide to turning children into healthy little eaters
The Cleaner Plate Club is a must-read for parents of picky eaters. It comes with lots of information, a witty sense of humor, and even an any-mistake-you-made-we-made-it-too attitude.
Top 6 tips on how to get the family eating better
The Cleaner Plate Club author Ali Benjamin tells you how to get your kids on the road to healthy eating.
M&M;’s, good gloves and patience help make skiing fun for the whole family
Eventually, with the right pink helmets, foot-warmers and what seems like an endless supply of granola bars, I have two devoted, dedicated skiers who now voluntarily give up birthday parties and sleeping in to spend time with Mom and Dad on the slopes. That has made what really were just a couple of frustrating days so worth it.
Eight things to consider before expanding your family
Being a parent brings you joy beyond what you thought was possible before you became a parent — bet you didn’t you know your heart was capable of that much love. Will you be growing your family this year? If you are doing some fence sitting, take into account these considerations.
Couples’ friendships offer benefits, research finds
Long-term friendships between couples offer each couple “a role model for how you can manage your ups and downs,” new research finds. Such friendships are hard to maintain among four people, but, when they work, they are a relationship plus, according to Geoffrey Greif and Kathy Deal, authors of the new book Two Plus Two: Couples and Their Couple Friendships.
Is your child ready for a sleepover? How to tell
Sure your children have spent the night at Grandma and Grandpa’s house, but that’s a lot different that a sleepover at a friend.’s. At what age is it OK to start the practice? And how do you get your child ready for spending an entire night away from home?
Handling the holidays when you’re a divorced parent
The holidays can be tricky for divorced parents, but a little planning, and understanding expectations, can make things a lot easier.
Gen X aren’t slackers, study finds
Generation X has turned out to be no “slacker generation,” a new, long-term study finds, despite that age group’s reputation as a bunch of insecure, angst-ridden underachievers. The notion that Gen X won’t do as well as their Baby Boomer parents and the World War II-era Greatest Generation “doesn’t seem to be the case,” says political scientist Jon Miller, director of the Longitudinal Study of American Youth at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research.
