Most Popular Articles

Rediscovering the Outdoors with Your Kids

With school almost out, summer is the perfect time to rediscover the outdoors. Experiencing nature's wonders firsthand -- admiring a garter snake slithering in the grass, planting flowers in the yard or devouring strawberries picked fresh from the garden -- can prove as captivating as anything on the TV or video-game screen. So begin today to get your kids to celebrate and capture summer outside with our living planet.

(ARA) - With school almost out, summer is the perfect time to rediscover the outdoors. Experiencing nature's wonders firsthand -- admiring a garter snake slithering in the grass, planting flowers in the yard or devouring strawberries picked fresh from the garden -- can prove as captivating as anything on the TV or video-game screen. So begin today to get your kids to celebrate and capture summer outside with our living planet.

Parents searching for inspiration don't have to look far to identify great outdoor activities that are nearby, easy and fun. And the benefits are enormous, studies reveal. More-active kids do better academic ... Continue reading Rediscovering the Outdoors with Your Kids.

Cutting Back on TV Time

It's no secret that most kids watch entirely too much television. Developmental psychologists are sounding the alarm, voicing concerns that all this tube time contributes to a wide array of modern childhood problems, from obesity to failure to develop new interests, and even early sexualization. There are ways to ensure that your child is well below the mean when it comes to screen time.

By Darcy Lockman

It's no secret that most kids watch entirely too much television. Developmental psychologists are sounding the alarm, voicing concerns that all this tube time contributes to a wide array of modern childhood problems, from obesity to failure to develop new interests, and even early sexualization. But concerned parents can relax: There are ways to ensure that your child is well below the mean when it comes to screen time. Here, Sylvia Rimm, PhD, psychologist, Today Show ... Continue reading Cutting Back on TV Time.

Ready... Set... Hunt!

It's a beautiful day and you want to get outside... Try planning a scavenger hunt. With a little bit of advance planning you can design an exquisite afternoon of challenge and fun. Start by dividing your gang into two teams. Each team receives a clue collection bag containing a Polaroid instant camera, film, hunt instructions, a challenge sheet, and various supplies.

By Telly Scotchmeyer

It's a beautiful day and you want to get outside... Try planning a scavenger hunt. With a little bit of advance planning you can design an exquisite afternoon of family challenge and fun.

Start by dividing your gang into two teams. Each team receives a clue collection bag containing a Polaroid instant camera, film, hunt instructions, a challenge sheet, and various supplies.

Decide how long each team has to complete the hunt, and you're off. Each team ma ... Continue reading Ready... Set... Hunt!.

The Seven Biggest Driving Mistakes

Most parents think it will never happen to them, yet thousands of car accidents occur each year. According to the National Highway Safety Transportation Agency (NHSTA), 8,000 U.S. children die in auto-related accidents yearly. To decrease the odds of your own children becoming future car-wreck casualties, we've listed the top seven behaviors you should avoid at all costs when you're behind the wheel.

By Kristin Bailey Murphy

Most parents think it will never happen to them, yet thousands of car accidents occur each year. According to the National Highway Safety Transportation Agency (NHSTA), 8,000 U.S. children die in auto-related accidents yearly -- which means over 20 kids die on American roads every single day. To decrease the odds of your own children becoming future car-wreck casualties, we've listed the top seven behaviors you should avoid at all costs when you're behind the whe ... Continue reading The Seven Biggest Driving Mistakes.

Balance Dueling Careers

Logistical acrobatics is the best way I can describe the daily process families undertake to get moms, dads and kids to the right place – work, daycare, school, play dates and appointments – at the right time. As a working mom in a two-career couple, I know life can feel like a constant negotiation of household and transportation responsibilities.

It's complicated. The roles of caregiver and breadwinner are shared in a dual career family. Depending on the circumstances of the moment, the demands of each role changes. It is an ongoing tug-of-war and shifting of plans.

By Lisa Martin

Logistical acrobatics is the best way I can describe the daily process families undertake to get moms, dads and kids to the right place – work, daycare, school, play dates and appointments – at the right time. As a working mom in a two-career couple, I know life can feel like a constant negotiation of household and transportation responsibilities.

It's complicated. The roles of caregiver and breadwinner are shared in a dual career family. Depending on the circumstances of the moment, the demands of each role changes. It is an ongoing tug-of-war and shifting of plans. For example, Tuesday is your night t ... Continue reading Balance Dueling Careers.

Teach your Kids the Value of Giving to Others

By Elisabeth Cremer and Julie Burton

Raising caring, appreciative, compassionate, and generous children is a daunting task, given the somewhat egocentric world we live in. Parents want to give children the best life possible, and thus kids often become accustomed to getting virtually everything they want, and are not at all satisfied by getting just what they need. To prevent children from developing a serious case of the "gimmies," and to reverse some of the expectations they have established, kids need to see first-hand the struggles of others. But the exposure alone is not enough. It is essential to teach our kids that ... Continue reading Teach your Kids the Value of Giving to Others.