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Fun and creative activities to do with Dad

Father's Day is just around the corner, and if you haven't planned anything for dear old Dad, check out this list of fun Father's Day activities. More>>

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Does your child have seasonal allergies or a cold?

It can be difficult during the spring months for parents to determine whether their children have a cold or seasonal allergies, but an expert outlines how to tell the difference. More>>

Time magazine's breastfeeding cover sparks controversy

Time magazine has sparked controversy with its latest cover depicting a mom breastfeeding her 3-year-old son. More>>

Kids who sleep in parents' bed less likely to be overweight

Children who wake up at night and are allowed to fall back asleep in their parents' bed are less likely to be overweight than kids put back into their own bed, a new study says. More>>

Remembering Maurice Sendak, in his own words

In 2002 Maurice Sendak spoke about his personal history growing up in post-WWII Brooklyn; his escape into an inspired, illustrated world; and his expansion into music. More>>

Kid-friendly projects to celebrate mom

When mom is your go-to person for a ride, help with homework or a quick snack before dinner, take a moment to show your appreciation this Mother's Day. More>>

8 creative sick-day activities for kids

Sick days are rough for a parent, especially if you have to miss work to take care of a sniffling kid. Check out this list of simple activities to make the most of your day together. More>>

Mother's Day ideas: No spa day for me, please

Mother's Day 2012 gift ideas -- Give me a fun day over a spa day, anytime. More>>

Fun Earth Day activities for kids

It's time to show your love for the planet!  Celebrate Earth Day with kid-friendly activities and crafts. More>>

U.S. children exposed to hours of background TV daily

American children are being exposed to background TV for nearly four hours every day, new research finds. More>>

Family fun: Homemade gifts for Mother's Day

With these three craft ideas, you'll be well on your way to making Mom's special day all the better. More>>

Even toddlers succumb to peer pressure

Toddlers are more likely to pick up a behavior if they see most other toddlers doing it, a new study shows. More>>

Youth sports: Martial arts

More than any other contact sport, teaching children martial arts must be given careful consideration. More>>

Dye Easter eggs with unique & creative ideas Video included

For centuries, families have been dyeing Easter eggs each spring. With the countless ways to create beautiful eggs at every skill level, egg dyeing is accessible to everyone. More>>

Easter egg hunt ideas

Easter egg hunts are a timeless favorite for kids everywhere. Plan ahead to help yours to go smoothly and safely for everyone involved. More>>

What to buy right now

There's no secret to smart shopping. You just have to do a little homework before shelling out your hard-earned cash. More>>

Hunger Games is an opportunity to bond for many families

Family members have been reading The Hunger Games books and plan to see the movie together. Tales of multigenerational bonding over this harsh parable abound. More>>

Keep youth baseball players safe on the field

Youth baseball season will soon begin, and parents and coaches need to know how to prevent player injuries, a medical expert says. More>>

A parent's guide to cold medicine

When your child's under the weather, check out this guide to over-the-counter cold medicine. More>>

Top 5 ways to work at home with young kids

The following tips can be used as a template to help level the work-at-home playing field. More>>

Self-centered kids may just have immature brains

Selfish behavior in young children is linked to incomplete development of a brain region involved in self-control, according to a new study. More>>

St. Patrick’s Day crafts for kids Video included

With some simple supplies, you can spend an enjoyable afternoon crafting with your kids. More>>

Snoring tots may develop behavioral issues later

Infants and toddlers who snore or have other breathing issues while sleeping are more likely to develop behavioral problems by the age of 7, new research suggests. More>>

Basement conversion: How to design a family room

Building a basement family room increases your usable living space and the resale value of your home while creating an environment that encourages togetherness with family and friends. More>>

Credit cards for kids

Giving your child a credit card can be an important lesson in money management.



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5 costly first year baby expenses

Raising a child is expensive, and it requires a lot of planning. Here are some unexpected ways your money is going to be used when you have a baby.



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Eco-friendly activities to beat the winter blues

Keep spirits up -- and the kids entertained -- with these simple, eco-oriented indoor activities. More>>

Easy instructions on how to build a snow fort

Building a snow fort is a great opportunity for spending quality time with your children and teaching them basic construction techniques. And, it can provide hours, or days, of outdoor fun for the entire family. More>>

Tips for taking great family photos

Since most families don't have a resident professional photographer, here are some useful tips to help any member of the family take wonderful pictures that will be shared and saved for generations to come. More>>

Tips for choosing a daycare for your child

With more and more parents needing to work to make ends meet, it's only natural that more kids are spending an increasing amount of time in daycare each week. More>>

Healthy Valentine’s Day snacks for kids

While Valentine's Day can mean romance for grown-ups, this holiday means love, friendship, sweet goodies, and time with loved ones for children and toddlers. Take advantage of this festive occasion by making fun, eye-popping snacks out of healthy foods for your little ones. More>>

Kids' snacks can be healthy and inexpensive

A new study conducted in YMCAs found that healthy snacks aren't always more expensive, and in some cases are even more economical. More>>

Valentine's Day party ideas for kids

For children, Valentine's Day focuses on sweets, parties, and perhaps a Valentine from a "Secret Admirer." Plan the perfect party for a fun celebration of this day devoted to love, friendship and sweet treats. More>>

Simple ways to make dinner at home a special night

Dining at home has many advantages, from saving money to affording family members more time together. But it's easy for those at-home meals to become routine and boring - unless you take some simple steps to make dinner time a special time for everyone. More>>

Game On – What does a video game culture mean for kids?

Hundreds of studies have been written both pro and con about the developmental impact of video games on children. With the advent of tablet computing, the pervasiveness of a video game oriented society will inevitably increase. What should parents do? More>>

Fun ways to include kids in fitness resolutions

Parents can involve their children in any New Year's fitness resolutions they may have in the works, says one fitness expert, by making exercise seem fun and exciting. More>>

Mother-toddler bond may influence teen obesity Video included

Teens are more likely to be obese if they had a poor emotional relationship with their mother when they were toddlers, according to a new study. More>>

Does your teen constantly challenge you?

Does your teen often disagree with your views -- and let you know exactly why he or she knows you're wrong? Is your teen able to make well-reasoned, albeit annoying, arguments for being able to stay out later, or not cleaning the bedroom? More>>

Managing family conflicts

Every family has conflicts and disagreements. It's learning how to work through them that counts. More>>

Recession hurt parent-child ties

The recent recession took a toll on parent-child ties, with parents who were under financial strain reporting that they felt less connected to their kids and kids saying they were less likely to act with generosity. More>>

Toy safety tips help protect kids

Toys are a major part of children's fun and excitement during the holiday season, so parents and others need to make sure the toys are safe, experts say. More>>

Working moms happier, healthier than stay-at-home peers

Working mothers have better health and fewer symptoms of depression than stay-at-home moms, a new study indicates. More>>

Broadway strikes an autism-friendly chord Video included

For most Americans, attending the theater is just one more form of entertainment. But for Katie Sweeney and her family, a recent trip to Broadway was true cause for celebration. More>>

Active indoor activities for kids during rainy days

Keeping your active kids entertained indoors when the weather becomes too extreme outside can be a challenge. Here's a list of ideas to diminish the possibility of kids plunging into cabin fever meltdown. More>>

Vacation travel advice for parents with young kids

Without question, traveling with young children over an extended period of time requires planning. Here are some tips to help you get over the river and through the woods without too much anxiety.
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Managing spending on toys

Between children's pleas and clever marketing from toy stores it's easy to go overboard when buying gifts for your kids. Here are some ways to help you get through the holiday season with your sanity and checkbook intact.
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Kids of all weights benefit from car seats

Child safety and booster seats protect children of all weights, including those on the heavy side. More>>

Multitasking stresses out working moms more than dads

Ever unload the dishwasher while helping with a child's homework? Ever keep one eye on soccer practice while checking your voice mail and trying to figure out what to make for dinner? More>>

Slim down the holidays

You want to dial back the holiday spending this year, but you don't want to disappoint friends and family -- especially your own kids. Here are ways to keep the spirit while sparing the cash.   More>>

Siblings deeply affected by child's cancer death

Many children who've lost a sister or brother to cancer say they became more mature and more compassionate as a result of the experience, new research finds. More>>

Bullying moves from online to text-messaging: study

Kids' exposure to online attacks and deviant behavior appears to have leveled off, but as more kids socialize by cellphone, sexual and other bothersome text messages are on the rise, a new study finds. More>>

School hygiene program reduced flu cases Video included

A hand hygiene and cough etiquette program for elementary school children reduced cases of flu and the number of absences, a new study says. More>>

Fatherhood may help tough guys straighten out

Men are less likely to drink, use tobacco or commit crimes after they become fathers, according to a long-term study. More>>

Low-income dads are involved with their kids

A new study finds that low-income, urban fathers in the United States take an active role in their children's health and encourage them to eat healthy foods and exercise. More>>

How to raise caring kids

Empathy for others is a trait that must be learned -- and parents are the best people to teach it. Volunteering together is an excellent way to increase your child's social and emotional growth while spending quality time together.

 
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How to handle sibling rivalry

The arguing, teasing and endless competition between your kids may drive you nuts, but a bit of sibling rivalry may actually be good for them. More>>

Weight loss surgery can help whole families Video included

When one member of a family has bariatric surgery to lose weight, other family members may be more likely to shed a few pounds, a new study finds. More>>

Is your kid a Twitter addict?

Parents are complaining that their kids are glued to Twitter. Here's what to do. More>>

Why Johnny won't go to school

The symptoms aren't often alarming: headache, stomachache, fatigue. But they tend to come on weekdays, specifically when your child should be heading off to school. More>>

TV ads whet kids' appetite for junk food

Food ads have a powerful influence on children's food choices but parents can lessen that effect, according to a new study. More>>

Dog-friendly games for the whole family

A yard, your family and friends, plus at least one dog equal a recipe for ultimate fun. More>>

Happy kids a product of genes, parenting

As scientists continue to tease out the impact of nature versus nurture, it appears that kids unlucky enough to get a "downer" personality gene can end up with sunnier outlooks when they're parented in a warm, positive... More>>

Keep kids in rear-facing car seats until age 2

Many American parents place their children in forward-facing car seats at too young an age, a new study indicates. More>>

Tricycle to bicycle

What can be more exciting and terrifying for a child (and parent) than making the jump from tricycle to bicycle? Here are some tips to help ease that transition. More>>

Fiber beats other remedies for constipated kids, study says

Many children in western countries suffer from chronic constipation, and when the going gets slow, fiber seems to beat all other non-drug remedies, new research from the Netherlands suggests. More>>

De-stress your mornings

The morning rush hour in your home doesn't have to be so hectic. Here are solutions for simpler, saner mornings.  More>>

Accidental medication poisonings in kids on the rise

Despite ongoing prevention efforts, a growing number of young children are being accidentally poisoned with medications, according to new research. More>>

Child safety and cars

If you follow your state laws regarding child safety seats, your children must be safe in your car, right? Oh, how wrong you are. More>>

Is 'SpongeBob' too much for young minds?

Fast-paced TV shows like "SpongeBob SquarePants" seem to negatively affect children's concentration levels shortly after watching it, while slower-paced shows don't, a new study suggests. More>>

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