Age 18

College solicitations: Real mail or junk mail?

Jen Klein — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:00:00 -0700

In the increasingly competitive college application process, not only are our kids competing for spaces in the college or university of their choice, colleges and universities are competing for them, as well. When a child does well on a standardized test, such as the PSAT or SAT, colleges take note. And then they start the hard sell.

Teaching children to embrace their differences

Ami Burns — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 09:05:00 -0700

Everyone feels different at some point in her life. Rather than focusing on differences in a negative way, parents can teach their children to embrace their differences. This can be easier said than done -- so here are some expert teaching tips.

Boost your teen girl’s self confidence

Kori Ellis — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 07:30:00 -0700

Help boost your teenager daughter's self confidence by nurturing her talents, being a good role model, and helping her build a positive self image. By improving her self esteem, your teen girl can be happier, healthier and more successful.

The Nutmeg high: A new drug trend?

Meagan Morris — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 05:41:00 -0700

YouTube is now home to several videos of teens smoking nutmeg in order to get a "nutmeg high." What is up with this and what can you do to keep your kids from trying it?

4 Ways to get kids to school on time

Julie Ruditzky Loffredi — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 06:19:00 -0700

For most families, the most hectic time of day is when the alarm clock goes off. Getting the kids out of bed, dressed, fed and ready for school can be a daily battle. Here are a few tips to help make mornings easier on everybody.

How to explain to your kids why parents fight

Michelle Maffei — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:35:00 -0700

When kids witness their parents butting heads or engaging in a yelling match, they may be confused, scared or even worried that the family is headed for divorce. From explaining the difference between having a disagreement and an argument, to letting them know that it doesn't mean you don't love each other, here's how to explain to your kids why parents fight.

Is 3-D okay for your kids?

Sarah W. Caron — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 05:59:00 -0700

Advances in technology are bringing 3-D into movie theaters, the home and even your kid's hand-held video game. But the technology is flawed. Experts say that one in four viewers experience motion sickness or other ill effects. And Nintendo has even said that their new 3-D hand-held video game system isn't okay for kids under age six. That said, is 3-D okay for anyone?

Is your child over-scheduled?

Tiernan McKay — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 07:30:00 -0700

As a parent, it seems there are a million opportunities to sign your child up for some sort of activity. Whether it's sports, clubs, enrichment courses or lifestyle classes , there's never a shortage of extra-curriculars. While these activities help our kids become well-rounded, they can also create unmanageable schedules. What's the right balance between enriching your child and over-stressing him? Read on for more tips to determine the best way to keep your child interested but not over-scheduled.

Introducing your kids to what it takes to run a household

Jen Klein — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 08:37:00 -0700

What does the term “running a household” mean to you? Is it cleaning? Is it budgeting and bill-paying? Is it cooking? Is it scheduling? Is it home maintenance tasks? Is it personnel management and conflict resolution? Is it daily planning? Is it all that? Is it more? Yes, yes and yes. For all the tasks moms do in the course of a day, MBA programs could learn a thing or two about management. And your kids need to learn it, too, on their paths to independence.

Starting the college search? Recruiters looking to state schools over Ivies

Sarah W. Caron — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 05:55:00 -0700

High school juniors and seniors are thinking about college as the school year gets underway. But where should they be looking? A new WSJ survey revealed that job recruiters are looking more towards state schools when finding job candidates because they often have larger populations to draw from. What are the benefits of state schools versus Ivy League schools?

Schedule now, don't overschedule later

Jen Klein — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:18:00 -0700

One of the reasons summer time is so loved and dreamt about is the extended period of downtime. There’s less schedule, less demands, less exhaustion. It’s as much recovering from the very busy school year as it is enjoying the sunshine. As the summer winds down this year, however, think about ways you can prevent that over scheduling that causes all that exhaustion and such deep need for summer recovery. As the school year nears, consider the schedule carefully -- and don’t overschedule.

8 Tech gadgets for kids

Michelle Maffei — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:06:00 -0700

Parenting in the 21st century means keeping up with technology -- especially when it comes to the gadgets your kids are using. From the coolest gadgets like the iPad to smart cell phones that give your youngster access to the world, discover the tech gadgets for kids that your adolescent may using.

Should you encourage your teenager to go to art school?

Jen Klein — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 07:01:00 -0700

“Mom, I decided I want to go to art school.” The words hang in the air. Sure, you’ve encouraged your child’s artistic and creative expression through his academic career -- but as a complement to the math and science and history education. You figured he’d aim for something a little more….practical. Doctor? Lawyer? CPA? Artist really wasn’t in your differential. But it's here now. Should you encourage your child to go to art school?

No, life is not fair

Tiernan McKay — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:20:00 -0700

The other day, I overheard my five-year-old son tell my seven-year-old daughter that, “Life is not fair.” While the heated conversation was fueled by a toy-related dispute, I was nonetheless proud of his ability to retain this very important message. No, life is not fair.

Aromatherapy for kids

Tiernan McKay — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 07:34:00 -0700

If you are dedicated to green living, you've probably heard of essential oils, but have you tapped into their potential? Essential oils have aroma-therapeutic properties than can benefit kids in many ways.

10 Simple ways to bond with kids

Kim Grundy — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:30:00 -0700

Between work, school and extracurricular activities, you may feel disconnected from your family and kids. If you feel like you are texting your kids more than talking, and yelling at them more than playing with them, follow these 10 simple tips for bonding and connecting with your kids.

Daredevil kid? How to keep your adrenaline-seeking child safe

Jen Klein — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:28:00 -0700

You’ve got one of those kids who just loves adrenaline and to push his or herself beyond the comfort zone. Most of the time everything is fine, but you do find yourself gasping every now and again -- and you’ve become quite skilled with the antibacterial ointment and bandages. On one hand you don’t necessarily want to limit your adventuresome child, but you are worried about safety. How do you keep this kind of a child safe -- or at least keep injuries to a minimum? And can you?

"I'm not here to be your friend."

Tiernan McKay — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 06:34:00 -0700

Growing up, I cannot tell you how many times I heard, "I'm not here to be your friend, I'm here to be your father!" Anytime I stepped over a boundary, made an inappropriate request, talked back or otherwise disobeyed, my dad was right there to smack me with a dose of parental reality.

Responsibility and your teen’s first job

Laura Willard — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:07:00 -0700

Does your teen want a job? Do you want your teen to get her first job? Or perhaps you both think it’s an awful idea that will distract from her studies and interfere with her social life. If you’re trying to navigate the world of teenage employment, there are several factors to keep in mind. Read on for solid advice.

9 Experiences your family should have this summer

Sarah W. Caron — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 23:16:00 -0700

From watching fireworks to jumping in puddles, these easy summer activities are sure to make lasting good memories for the whole family.

10 Family fun nights under $20

Kristin Chessman — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:20:00 -0700

In the age of texting, tweeting, blogging and skyping, families can go days without face-to-face conversations. That's why planning regular family bonding time is more important than ever.