http://www.sheknows.com/authors/jen-klein/articles Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/952997/sexist-kids-toys When you talk to your child about the future, you hold out the world. “You can be anything you want to be,” you say. But are your child’s toys sending a different message? Are toys telling your kids that girls have only one kind of role and boys have another? Are the toys for your kids sexist? http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/952997/sexist-kids-toys Jen Klein Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/952245/your-childs-classroom-might-be-making-him-sick You're careful about your home environment. You take the time to do things like choose low toxicity cleaners and are aware of environmental issues that affect health. Even so, your child still gets headaches and stomachaches and maybe even asthma episodes. What gives? Maybe it's not your home -- maybe it's your child's school. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/952245/your-childs-classroom-might-be-making-him-sick Jen Klein Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/949657/how-to-decipher-standards-based-report-cards Perhaps you didn’t pay attention when your child’s school announced a move to “standards-based” report cards. Yeah, whatever, you thought. But when the first such report card arrived home, you weren’t the only parent to think, “What the heck?” You were looking for simple As and Bs -- and you saw a complex grid of Ds and Ps, or 2s and 3s. Huh? http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/949657/how-to-decipher-standards-based-report-cards Jen Klein Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/948527/fun-ways-to-get-your-child-to-brush-his-teeth-longer You know the guidelines: your kids should brush teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste for two minutes to help prevent tooth decay, cavities, and promote oral health. But how often do your kids actually brush for the full two minutes? To kids, two minutes can feel like an eternity! http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/948527/fun-ways-to-get-your-child-to-brush-his-teeth-longer Jen Klein Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/947579/asthma-and-your-teen You're not thrilled that your child has asthma, although you have learned to manage it over the years. But suddenly your teenager is having more episodes and she's refusing to carry her inhaler. "It's not cool, Mom," she says. Management of this chronic condition can be complicated by adolescence and your child's need to fit in. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/947579/asthma-and-your-teen Jen Klein Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/946031/how-the-arts-benefit-your-child-academically STEM -- science, technology, engineering and math -- has been a buzzword in education for several years. Education leaders and politicians tout STEM as the key to our children’s academic future and to remaining competitive in the global marketplace. But what about the arts? Don’t they have a place in our children’s education? Of course they do. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/946031/how-the-arts-benefit-your-child-academically Jen Klein Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/851777/simple-ways-to-boost-your-childs-creativity What does it mean to be creative? Is it about being an artist? Sometimes -- but it’s also much more than that. Creativity is about problem-solving, flexibility, exploring and being open to new ideas. Creative thinking is a big concept, and it’s something you can boost in your child’s life with a few simple actions at home. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/851777/simple-ways-to-boost-your-childs-creativity Jen Klein Mon, 26 Dec 2011 12:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/850479/help-your-kids-learn-to-make-amends-for-mistakes There are times when a simple “I’m sorry” isn’t enough. It’s hard enough to face this situation as an adult, but it can be even harder for a kid just learning about emotions and hurts and navigating relationships. Everyone needs to make amends at some point -- and your child needs your guidance in learning about this delicate and important part of friendships. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/850479/help-your-kids-learn-to-make-amends-for-mistakes Jen Klein Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/849581/a-familys-top-10-lists As the calendar year winds down, it seems like every publication is putting out a top 10 list. From best songs to worst TMI celebrity moments, top 10 lists are a fun way to encapsulate the year. They don’t tell the complete story, of course, but do offer perspective on your year. Why not create a top 10 with your family? http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/849581/a-familys-top-10-lists Jen Klein Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:30:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/848885/is-twitter-the-new-facebook-for-teens First it was texting and then it was Facebook. With each tech development adopted by your teen, you have followed along, learning the technology in an effort to understand, teach and supervise. It's time to add another new technology to your repertoire: Teens are moving to Twitter. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/848885/is-twitter-the-new-facebook-for-teens Jen Klein Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/848295/fun-winter-sports-for-the-whole-family The family that plays together, stays together. From goofing off in the backyard to intense competition, your family is all about togetherness. But does your family bonding time wind down in the winter months? Does the cold diminish your playtime? Don’t let it! Winter sports are for the whole family -- together. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/848295/fun-winter-sports-for-the-whole-family Jen Klein Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:30:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/847817/how-to-teach-your-kids-to-fight-fair In an ideal world, we would all get along, all the time. But the world is not ideal and conflicts do happen. There are spats and full-blown fights between siblings, friends, partners, strangers, parents and children. Instead of pretending conflicts don't happen, accept that they do -- and take the opportunity to teach your children how to fight fair. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/847817/how-to-teach-your-kids-to-fight-fair Jen Klein Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:30:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/847815/monday-mom-challenge-fight-fair It would be nice to think we could get through life and relationships without conflict, but that's not reality. Disagreements -- fights even -- happen. Whether with someone we love dearly or a stranger, learning to handle disagreements responsibly, respectfully and effectively is an art, and almost a lost one at that. Isn't it time you learned to fight fair? http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/847815/monday-mom-challenge-fight-fair Jen Klein Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/847091/helping-your-kids-discern-between-message-and-messenger Teaching your kids effective communication is a critical part of parenting -- and one we often don’t think about enough. With everything there is to teach, communication is just naturally a part of it, right? Well, sort of. There are elements of effective communication that need to be specifically addressed. Discerning between the messenger and the message is one of them. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/847091/helping-your-kids-discern-between-message-and-messenger Jen Klein Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/847087/monday-mom-challenge-dont-shoot-the-messenger We’ve all heard the phrase, “Don’t shoot the messenger,” right? And pretty much know how to apply it to criticism or bad news situations. But does it apply in other situations? Do you dismiss words -- even kind ones -- because of who says it? And what if the manner of communication really is the issue? http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/847087/monday-mom-challenge-dont-shoot-the-messenger Jen Klein Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:30:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/846481/how-to-help-your-family-reduce-stress-through-the-holidays Do-it-all moms aren’t the only ones who feel stress through the holiday season. Families as a whole and kids in particular can feel more stress during the holidays due to the high level of excitement and expectation. Your family needs your help to manage holiday stress so all of you experience the full happiness of the season. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/846481/how-to-help-your-family-reduce-stress-through-the-holidays Jen Klein Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/846479/monday-mom-challenge-enjoy-the-holidays-without-losing-your-mind Oh, the expectation of the holiday season! What is supposed to be a time of joy and family togetherness often turns mom into a stressed out mess of gotta do this and no time to do that. This year, instead of getting caught up in the holiday madness, enjoy the holidays -- without losing your mind. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/846479/monday-mom-challenge-enjoy-the-holidays-without-losing-your-mind Jen Klein Mon, 07 Nov 2011 11:30:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/845869/how-to-help-your-kids-break-the-screen-habit Your kids are just like you: They love technology. Between cell phones, video games, laptops and any number of devices, they are connected. They are digital natives. A world without technology is unthinkable. But perhaps they could use a little time away from those screens. How do you break the screen habit with your kids? http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/845869/how-to-help-your-kids-break-the-screen-habit Jen Klein Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/845867/monday-mom-challenge-go-on-a-technology-diet Between your smartphone, your tablet, your laptop, your netbook and goodness knows how many other devices, you are one connected mama! But... do you respond to your phone's new mail alarm faster than to your daughter's wail? You need balance. Time to go on a technology diet. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/845867/monday-mom-challenge-go-on-a-technology-diet Jen Klein Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/844545/monday-mom-challenge-get-ready-for-the-holidays-yes-already Despite your best intentions, it sneaks up on you every year. The holidays. One day it’s a lovely, relaxing fall day, and the next, it’s all out holiday insanity. Gifts, decorating, cooking, entertaining. It’s a sprint-paced marathon from late November to late December. This year, though, you really can be ready. Start now. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/844545/monday-mom-challenge-get-ready-for-the-holidays-yes-already Jen Klein