What About ADHD Teens and Driving? (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

This is one of the most common questions asked of me by parents of teenagers who have ADHD.

 "Should I let my teen drive when he turns 16? He seems so immature. But it would mean so very much to him."

How To Develop Your Babys Brain (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Have you ever wondered why toys for babies tend to have so many bells, whistles and lights? Or why they have so many different textures, and materials and colors? It's almost as if we want to provide young babies with a whole world of stimulation and we can't quite get it to them fast enough.

Vouchers --- Parents, Dont Depend On Them (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Vouchers, which give tax money to parents to pay for tuition in private schools, sound good in theory. The problem is that voucher programs are few and very far between. The Supreme Court declared vouchers constitutional in 2002, but currently only thirteen cities or states have created voucher or education tax credit programs.

25 Things That Matter When Relating To Our Children (Leaving A Legacy Of Love To Those We Love) (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

In my opinion, these things matter...

1. Enjoying childlike delights before the child no longer delights in being one.

You Dont Need a Supernanny to Be an Active Parent (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

The hot new reality TV show "Nanny 911" has been joined by a similar nanny-to-the-rescue show called "Supernanny." These shows depict families in which the children are extremely out of control, rebellious, spoiled or otherwise quite a handful. The nannies come in for a week (from sunrise to bedtime each day), helping the family get back on track by teaching the parents effective parenting skills and modeling these skills firsthand with the children.

Diapers: Do You Choose Disposable Or Reusable? (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Diapers..

Changing a dirty diaper is not the best part of having a baby, but there's no escaping it. And you'd better get used to it - you'll be changing around 5,000 diapers before baby's potty trained!

Disciplining the Wild Child (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Do you have a wild child? Then this article may be for you. Do you just blow up when you can't take it any more? Then this article is definitely for you.

Peer Pressure - Five Ways to Help Teenagers Beat Peer Influence (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Young people generally want to fit in to their various social groups so peer approval is a significant driver for their behaviour. For a young person resisting peer influence can mean isolation or instant ostracising so it sometimes takes great strength of will to refuse to follow the crowd.

Send the Kids Outside! (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Think back to your own childhood. Chances are, some of your fondest memories are of outdoor activities and places. Perhaps you had a favorite climbing tree or secret hiding place. Maybe you remember jumping rope or learning to turn cartwheels with your best friend or playing fetch with the family dog. Do you recall the smell of lilacs, the feel of the sun on the first day warm enough to take off your jacket, or the taste of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich eaten on a blanket in the park? Did you enjoy lying on your back and finding creatures in the clouds?

Treatment Options for ADHD (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Ritalin has been shown through the years to be very effective in the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms. Although it has potential side-effects which many families would like to avoid, we have seen it help a lot of people. More recently, other interventions such as EEG biofeedback training have shown themselves to be very useful in treatment as well. A great deal of energy and money has also been invested into the development of non-prescription treatments for ADD ADHD.

What a Parent Must Do to Stop Online Predators (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Teens can freely access the Internet from computers at school, at their friends' homes and in public places such as libraries and even from cell phones and video game consoles. Internet is everywhere, that is why kids and teenagers (and their parents, too) should be well aware of its dangers to avoid them.

Missing The Bus (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

As a step daughter and step grand daughter, I followed the examples that were set for me years before when I became a step parent. The way my stepson finally came to love and respect me as his step mother, was through all of the "trying" experiences we had. Excuse the pun, but raising kids is a very trying experience!

A Good Preschool Idea (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

The successful preschool idea behind many successful preschool learning centers is thorough all round planning and well-chosen staff members. Any preschool idea that does not begin with sound financial planning and in-depth budgeting knowledge will probably fail.

Backpacks and Bullies. Is Your Child Prepared? (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

As the flurry of Back to School activities subside, parents are left to ponder more pressing issues than notebooks, backpacks, and sneakers.

Two Means Trouble (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

You have two kids who are 14 months apart. How cute, they look alot alike...are they twins? One is taller and more mature than the other, so that can't be.

Let Kids Help (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

One fantastic way to get your children involved in what they are eating, is to have them help. A great way to start is to let them make up their lunch for the next day. Obviously you will need to set some guidelines. For example, when I turned 9 I was allowed to make up my own lunch. In my girlfriends' houses they were 10 and in some others 11. However, we all felt very important and grown up that we were allowed to make up our own lunch. Again, my mom had certain guidelines. We had to pick a lunch meat, fruit or yogurt and bread to put it on (white, wheat, rye or a roll; today wraps are another alternative). As I got older however, I cut down to a half sandwich as I found I didn't always finish a full sandwich. I continue to eat lunch this way today, a half sandwich and some fruit.

Back to School Care Packages! (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

I am crying tears of joy mixed with great sadness as my oldest daughter prepares for her freshman year of college at the University of Maryland in the fall. She has already told me I am to send care packages.

Give Your Child the Gift of Self-Esteem (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Much has been said about the "gifted child" but in truth every child is born with unlimited potential. As expressed so well by Orison Marden:

The Benefits of Music Education (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Despite serious reductions in funding for arts programs in public schools, there is a great need for studying music.  Band, orchestra, and choir all offer students a chance to work together in a social and intellectual group setting and excel at complex tasks.

Managing Sibling Rivalry (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

It is human nature to feel competitive and envious toward others. A moderate spirit of competition is a positive and productive attribute in school and in business. Sibling rivalry is a normal part of growing up in families. The competition between siblings starts when the second child is born. Unfortunately, many parents ignore it and some even make the situation worse.