by Chris Grannis
In the environment of openness and communication that is today's world it is strange that parents often have a knee-jerk reaction to... Read more
Homeschooling--Finding Your Way
by Katriena Knights
As homeschooling has become more and more popular, resources have become readily available. From online sites dedicated to gettin... Read more
Helping Your Child Adjust to Middle School
By Deb McLeod
Middle school is a different experience for most children. Middle school can be strange, scary or dangerous. It can also be fun, exciti... Read more
Kids love summer vacation, but parents often find it difficult to keep them engaged in productive activities. And most kids experience a summer learning slump during their time away from school. According to the National Summer Learning Association, at best, students show little or no academic growth over the summer, and at worst they lose one to three months of learning.
It's possible to give kids a fun way to keep up with learning by providing engaging books that feature hands-on activities. Three new books from DK Publishing will help kids of all ages fill their summer with science fun.
Adolescence: "What the heck?!" (Do your kids say that all the time? Mine do.)
By Julie Burton
As I entered the parenting arena nearly 15 years ago, I began to hear all sorts of talk about colicky babies, the terrible twos, and the f-ing fours (sorry, that's what my friends called it). But I noticed that people started to clam up a bit as their kids hit the earliest stages of puberty. When I'd complain about something my toddler was doing, like wetting the bed or throwing food at the dinner table, people with older kids would respond with a little chuckle, "Oh yeah, just you wait
... Continue reading Surviving Your Child's Adolescence.
FrugalMoms Guide to Kid's Sports Equipment
by Angela Heidt
We all want our kids to be involved in sports activities, as we know that doing so will keep them healthy, happy, and out of trouble. The problem is that all this involvement costs money. Depending on the sport it can run you a few hundred dollars or more every year for the equipment for just one sport, let alone the two or three different activities that most kids want to get into. Even sports that are done through school usually require that you pay for the equipment.
The trick is finding a way to balance your child's sports and your budget. Luckily, there are many ways tha
... Continue reading FrugalMoms Guide to Kid's Sports Equipment.
Surviving Your Child's Adolescence
Adolescence: "What the heck?!" (Do your kids say that all the time? Mine do.)
By Julie Burton
As I entered the parenting arena nearly 15 years ago, I began to hear all sorts of talk about colicky babies, the terrible twos, and the f-ing fours (sorry, that's what my friends called it). But I noticed that people started to clam up a bit as their kids hit the earliest stages of puberty. When I'd complain about something my toddler was doing, like wetting the bed or throwing food at the dinner table, people with older kids would respond with a little chuckle, "Oh yeah, just you wait
... Continue reading Surviving Your Child's Adolescence.
Kids and Summer Jobs
by Katriena Knights
It's a question every parent will face eventually--should I let my child take on a summer job? Whether it's dog walking, house-sitting, or a formal job at the local grocery, there are many issues to consider before giving the go-ahead.
When kids start talking about summer jobs, too often their focus is on the money they can earn and how they can spend it. They spend much less time considering the logistics of the job itself and the responsibility that comes along with taking on this kind of activity. As a parent, you can help them through the planning stages and give t
... Continue reading Kids and Summer Jobs.
When Should Kids Date--How Old is Old Enough?
by Deb McCleod
The day your child comes to you and asks if he can ask a girl out is the day when you realize he's not a baby anymore.
But is he old enough to date? When should he date? What happens if your girl accepts a date without asking you? What is dating these days anyway?
Don't panic, mom. There are answers to your dating questions. First, much has changed since we were in the dating world. As we hear so often, kids these days grow up much faster than we did. But that doesn't mean that we have to allow exposure to things we can control. We might not be able to control
... Continue reading When Should Kids Date--How Old is Old Enough?.
Tutoring Services in Minneapolis-St. Paul
by Megan Torrini
The school year is more than half over and the struggles your child has been facing these past few months have not gone away. Now is a great time to evaluate how your child is performing in school, and to hire a tutor if need be. If your child is having a little difficulty or just needs a bit of enrichment, the Minneapolis-St. Paul area has plenty of options. Private tutors as well as large companies that offer tutoring services are available throughout the metro area for kindergarten through college age students.
