age 4

Babysitters and Childcare

Choosing a teenage babysitter

For generations, teenagers have been the first line of babysitters (after siblings, of course). Here are some tips on how you can...

Family Activities

Family movie night: Recreate the larger-than-life movie experience right at home!

The expense of theater movies, concessions and gas to get there has reached beyond most family budgets. So why not enjoy a weekly...

Family Activities

6 Spring party themes for kids

It has been a long, drawn-out winter for many parents and kids. Cooped-up kids can’t wait to run outside and shake off the cold...

Parenting Advice & Columns

Encouraging visual arts from a young age

If you consider yourself a creative or artistic person -- and even if you don’t -- you may be thinking about ways to encourage your...

Babysitters and Childcare

How to find a good childcare program for your child

Finding quality care for your child during those vital, formative years is one of the biggest challenges you'll face as a parent....

Preschoolers

Preschooler sleep problems solved

Your preschooler was sleeping through the night...until suddenly they weren't. Or maybe yours can't seem to tire enough to go to...

Parenting Advice & Columns

How to stop hyper-parenting and just relax with your kids

If you’re a hyperparent, you might not even know it -- we parents tend to be in denial about that sort of thing. But if you are, you...

Monday Mom Challenge

Monday Mom challenge: Plan your family garden

How many times, as you have started the annual spring yard work and cleaning, have you thought, “This year, I am going to plant a...

Potty Training

Potty training praise and encouragement: How much?

When your child is learning to use the potty should you give lots of applause and praise, or simple, matter-of-fact acceptance?...

Mom & Dad

6 Simple secrets to shopping with toddlers

It’s not that it’s abnormal for a 2-year-old to throw herself on the ground in the middle of the mall and refuse to stand up, even...

Parenting Advice & Columns

Favoritism and sibling rivalry

How many times have you heard it? “It’s not fair!” Or “You let her do it. Why won’t you let me?!” Or the atom bomb of sibling...

Monday Mom Challenge

Monday Mom challenge: Build special relationships with each child

It’s impossible to treat our kids exactly the same. You know it is! Yet do you sometimes find yourself trying to do just that? An...

Parenting Advice & Columns

Getting to the bottom of your kids' health issues

Does your child seem to have a chronic or persistent medical issue? How do you know? Are symptoms related? Or not? Are they subtle?...

Family Fun

Make a tissue paper heart decoration

For Valentine's Day, why not make a simple and sweet tissue paper heart to decorate with? This craft is fun to do with kids, but...

Parenting Advice & Columns

Flying with kids: What you need to know

Air travel has changed a lot in recent years. If you are planning a trip with your kids, this is what you need to know to get your...

Parenting Advice & Columns

The cure for bedwetting

Many misconceptions revolve around the idea that there is or is not a cure for bedwetting. The fact is that different things work...

Child Development & Health

Is yoga right for your child?

Yoga has become an increasingly popular form of exercise over the last decade. Whether it’s the core of your fitness routine or just...

Family Activities

Crafty letter-writing tips for kids

As a child (and into adulthood!), one of my favorite things in the world is getting "real" mail. You know what "real" mail is. It...

Family Activities

How to have a last-minute cookie decorating party

If you’ve always wanted to have a Christmas cookie decorating party, there’s no time like the present. Yes, just days before...

Super Mom Tips

Tips to shop peacefully with young children

Shopping with kids can be oh-so-stressful, but these easy tips will make your next trip a lot more enjoyable.