http://www.sheknows.com/authors/abbi-perets/articles Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:24:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/814768/lighten-your-load-by-giving-your-kids-more-responsibility-2 Hey, Supermom, tired of doing it all yourself? Then round up the troops and assign them some chores. Yes, even the toddler. Yes, even the teenager -- and all the ones in between. We've got chores for kids of all ages. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/814768/lighten-your-load-by-giving-your-kids-more-responsibility-2 Abbi Perets Fri, 16 Apr 2010 08:45:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/814705/5-easy-ways-to-exercise-with-your-kids-1 Summer is just around the corner, which means you may be forced to confront parts of your body you generally try to hide. In order to minimize the trauma -- and oh, yeah, get healthy -- check out these five easy ways you can work out with your kids. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/814705/5-easy-ways-to-exercise-with-your-kids-1 Abbi Perets Sat, 10 Apr 2010 07:45:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/814608/how-to-create-a-home-operations-manual-1 The laundry. Menu planning, Doctor and dentist appointments. After-school activities. Managing a family is no small task. "Just" a mom? There are, frankly, days when the President has it easier. He, after all, has a staff of people to support him, whereas you have children who think that "helping" means decoupaging the Sunday paper to the dining room table. A home operations manual can be your secret weapon in the war on chaos. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/814608/how-to-create-a-home-operations-manual-1 Abbi Perets Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:40:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/814535/answering-questions-about-your-special-needs-child-1 You're out at the park for a bit of fresh air. The sun is shining, there's a slight breeze in the air, and you're half expecting to see animated bluebirds in the trees. And then Another Mother and her Typical Kid show up, and you know it's just a matter of time before one of them asks a question. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/814535/answering-questions-about-your-special-needs-child-1 Abbi Perets Fri, 29 Mar 2013 07:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/814464/fun-ways-to-celebrate-april-fool-s-day-with-kids-1 Sometimes, you have to take a step back from the seriousness of life and just laugh. What better excuse than on April Fools' Day? Here are a few ways to create a fun and memorable experience for your kids on April 1. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/814464/fun-ways-to-celebrate-april-fool-s-day-with-kids-1 Abbi Perets Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:30:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/814463/6-ways-to-advocate-for-your-special-needs-child-1 Advocating for your special needs child is one of your most important jobs. It can feel overwhelming and intimidating, but if you remember that you know your child -- and his needs -- better than anyone, it gets a little bit easier to fight the good fight. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/814463/6-ways-to-advocate-for-your-special-needs-child-1 Abbi Perets Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/814462/create-an-organized-medical-file-for-your-special-needs-child-1 The amount of paperwork generated by kids with special needs is astonishing. It's important to keep that paperwork organized, even though the task can seem overwhelming. Here's how to keep it all under control and easily accessible. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/814462/create-an-organized-medical-file-for-your-special-needs-child-1 Abbi Perets Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:13:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814436/time-out-for-time-outs-1 Your four year old is jumping on the sofa. "Stop jumping on the sofa," you say, as you haul a bucket of laundry up the stairs. You return to find Junior still jumping. "Knock it off, or you're going to time out," you say. Junior doesn't stop. In fact, he shouts, "No, no, no," as he continues jumping. "That's enough!" you shout back. "Go to time out!" http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814436/time-out-for-time-outs-1 Abbi Perets Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:58:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814435/the-best-shows-about-animals-for-animals-er-kids-1 There are days when I’m certain the group filling the back of my Odyssey is a herd of wild elephants instead of my children, but then I realize that the elephants probably wouldn’t be insulting each other. Nevertheless, there’s something about animals that’s vaguely reminiscent of children—and vice versa. So it’s not much of a surprise that kids really like shows about animals. http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814435/the-best-shows-about-animals-for-animals-er-kids-1 Abbi Perets Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:49:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814434/the-funniest-books-for-kids-1 Can you remember the last time you read a book that made you laugh aloud? Can you think of a book that still makes you laugh when you remember reading it? Truly funny books are rare finds to be treasured and reread again and again. The best ones are those that grab even the most reluctant readers and deliver such a payoff that books are suddenly intriguing and worth the effort expended. http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814434/the-funniest-books-for-kids-1 Abbi Perets Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:32:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814432/the-best-read-aloud-kids-books-1 The thing small children value most -- more than toys, ice cream, and television -- is time alone with an adult. They desperately crave our attention and they are thrilled to spend just a few precious minutes sitting with Mom or Dad. http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814432/the-best-read-aloud-kids-books-1 Abbi Perets Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:18:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814431/the-best-of-midseason-family-tv-1 As we settle into the doldrums of winter, one of the bright spots is the midseason shows the television networks put on for our viewing pleasure. Sure, you're eagerly awaiting the return of favorites like Lost and 24, but what about your kids? Is there anything you can watch together as a family? http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814431/the-best-of-midseason-family-tv-1 Abbi Perets Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:02:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814430/the-best-family-tv-show-picks-by-network-1 Some days, it's terrifying to turn on the television. You never know what you'll see, or if you'll want your kids to see it. So we've looked at the current lineups for the major networks to come up with a list of the family-friendly TV picks you can safely turn on anytime. http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814430/the-best-family-tv-show-picks-by-network-1 Abbi Perets Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:40:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814429/the-best-bedtime-stories-1 Reading aloud is such a fantastic way to end the day with your kids. And the pleasure doesn’t have to end once your kids can read on their own. You can tweak the bedtime ritual to fit your family’s needs and create a tradition that’s uniquely yours. http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814429/the-best-bedtime-stories-1 Abbi Perets Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:10:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814428/kids-favorite-holiday-music-2 The house always seems more festive with music playing, and that's especially true at the holiday season. With so much great music available, it's really a shame not to fill your home with the sounds of sleigh bells or whatever else you and your kids are in the mood to hear. http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814428/kids-favorite-holiday-music-2 Abbi Perets Thu, 25 Mar 2010 13:55:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814427/honey-i-spanked-the-kids-discipline-mistakes-parents-make-2 Your 8-year-old is yelling about something, and you've already told her to stop three times. The tantrum continues -- and now she's dumped her jacket on the floor to boot. http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814427/honey-i-spanked-the-kids-discipline-mistakes-parents-make-2 Abbi Perets Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:01:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814414/top-kids-books-of-2008-1 In a year with no new Harry Potter releases, what's a kid to read? Fortunately, more than a few authors stepped up to take the spaces vacated on the bestseller lists by the great Ms. Rowling. http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814414/top-kids-books-of-2008-1 Abbi Perets Wed, 24 Mar 2010 10:06:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814411/tv-homes-we-d-love-to-live-in-1 It's not uncommon to find yourself watching a television show and wishing for the main character's good locks, hot boyfriend, fabulous clothes -- or even her house. So many TV shows use a twisted version of reality where a character who works only very occasional hours at a fabulous job somehow has enough money to wear high-end couture and live in incredible luxury. http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814411/tv-homes-we-d-love-to-live-in-1 Abbi Perets Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:16:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814323/tv-moms-bring-home-the-bacon-1 Once upon a time, television mothers tied aprons around their waist and smiled a lot. Their feet were planted squarely in the kitchen, and their lives revolved around their families. June Cleaver and Margaret Nelson never even expressed a desire to work outside the home. Of course, once upon a time, many real-life mothers lived that way, too. http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814323/tv-moms-bring-home-the-bacon-1 Abbi Perets Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:06:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814322/video-games-whole-families-can-play-1 The weather outside is frightful, there's nothing on television, and you'd like to spend a little quality time with your family doing something everyone can actually enjoy. Have you considered a video game night? http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-plus/articles/814322/video-games-whole-families-can-play-1 Abbi Perets