The start of a new school year with a new routine that takes over most of the kids’ waking hours is a significant transition from the long, lazy days of the summer. Whether your child is just beginning school for the first time or a seasoned student, a new grade level or school with new […]
Kimberly Blaker
Kimberly Blaker is a freelance parenting and lifestyle writer. She's also founder and director of KB Creative Digital Services, an internet marketing agency, at kbcreativedigital.com.
Posted inSpecial Issues
Learning disabilities and ADHD: What parents need to know
Approximately 10% of American school-age children suffer from a learning disability (LD) and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control. About 4% of children have both. But for many kids, these disorders go undetected despite their ongoing struggles with school work and behavior issues that often accompany […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Start your kids off on the right foot this school year
The mark of a new school is often anticipated with a mix of emotions for kids and parents alike, ranging from exhilaration to anxiety. Kids are excited to wear their new clothes, see their classmates and participate in extracurricular activities. Parents are proud to see their kids reach another milestone and look forward to exciting […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Teens live in a different time zone
Teen sleep habits are an ongoing frustration and battle for countless parents. Many teens stay up into the wee hours of the night. Then they struggle to wake up during the week for school and sleep through the day on weekends. But sleep is crucial to adolescents’ well-being. School-age kids between ages 6 and 13 […]
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Easy updates you can do yourself
So you’ve been dreaming of updating your home, but the cost of new flooring or a kitchen remodel doesn’t fit your budget? Don’t despair. There are lots of ways to revitalize and update your home without breaking the bank. Check out these simple updates and fixes that will give your home a fresh new look, […]
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Fun phone apps for kids to stimulate thinking and creativity
With a massive sea of kids’ phone apps on the market, which ones best maximize kids’ media time? The following is a selection of kid-tested and parent-approved apps to help boost kids’ critical thinking skills and creativity. Piano Kids – Music & Songs (Free for Android. Ages 3+). This top-rated app teaches kids and parents […]
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Taking the lead in sportsmanship
We’ve all seen it – the parent who stands on the sidelines criticizing the decisions made by coaches and officials; the one who yells at his own child when she makes a mistake; the fan that hurls rude remarks to the opposing team; and the parent who always places blame. Some of us have even […]
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Books on gardening with kids
To get your family gardening project off on the right foot, consider an age-appropriate book on gardening. This will also help build your child’s enthusiasm. Included below are a couple of books for parents too, to help make your family garden a success. The Little Gardener by Jan Gerardi (ages 3-4) The Little Gardener by […]
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Gardening with kids
There’s no question, playing in the dirt tops the list of fun for young children, despite the protests of many well-intended parents. If you’re one of those parents, you can put your fears aside. It turns out dirt is actually beneficial to the long-term health of kids, according to a Northwestern University article, “Germs at […]
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Teaching children religious tolerance
A hate crime is committed every hour in the United States, according to Tolerance.org, a web project of the Southern Poverty Law Center. Of particular concern to parents is the fact that young men under 20 are the perpetrators of half of these violent acts. Biases are learned during early childhood, explains the Leadership Conference […]
