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7 Communication Secrets for Parents of Elementary Aged Kids

May 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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Learn effective ways to communicate with your younger children.

At the end of January, I covered 7 communication secrets for parents of teens and received some great feedback from our Social Moms readers. I was talking with a friend yesterday and she asked for similar advice, but this time she needed tips for talking to her elementary-aged child. It's definitely important to start early. If you communicate well with your kids when they're younger, it makes talking with them as teens and young adults quite a bit easier. Changing your communication ... Continue Reading

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Social Media: How It’s Stressing Out Our Teens

March 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Girls with laptop

The latest social media apps can stress out your teens and leave them with a deflated sense of self-worth.

Are your teens on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram? If they are, there's a good chance that it's caused them stress or anxiety. For something meant to connect us with others, social media seems to have the exact opposite effect on teens. According to mental health consultant Stefanie Weiss it can even make them feel isolated and lonely . Social Media and Self-Worth With many teens accessing social media on a daily basis, it's a place they are increasingly turning ... Continue Reading

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Dora vs. Batman: Does Watching Positive TV Improve Your Child’s Behavior?

February 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment
kids tv

Studies analyze the importance of limiting the type of show your child watches on TV.

We've all heard the saying 'You are what you eat' and it's natural for parents to encourage their kids to eat healthy. But what about 'You are what you watch?' Should parents encourage their kids to watch positive TV programs that don't include any violence or sarcastic comments? Does what they watch make a difference in their behavior?  One study says it does, but the results seemed short-term. Positive TV Programs and Healthy Eating A recent study by the journal Pediatrics, involving ... Continue Reading

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7 Communication Secrets Every Parent of a Teen Should Know

January 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment
middle aged mother and teen daughter

Learn to communicate with your teen through asking questions, listening, and solving the problem together.

Teenage drinking. It's a subject many parents of teens don't like to think about - or even discuss with their kids. Some parents assume that if they don't have a drinking problem, and don't have any alcohol in their home, their kids will be fine. But, according to a recent study, teenage drinking rarely has anything to do with the parent's drinking habits. So who influences whether our kids will experiment with drinking or not? Their best friends. Samuel Kuperman, from the University of Iowa, ... Continue Reading

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Child Hazards: A $15 Fix That Could Save Your Child’s Life

January 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment
toddler watching tv

Keep your little ones safe from tipping furniture and television sets.

With the holidays over, many families are enjoying new television sets and furniture pieces. Unfortunately, these common gift items can pose a huge safety risk for your child. In fact, television sets falling and furniture items tipping over is becoming a more common cause of injury and death among children. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission released a startling report in December that showed just how dangerous these common household items can be. The CPSC data report shows that 349 ... Continue Reading

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Getting Your Kid Off the Couch This Winter Season

December 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Group of cheerful children running in the snow.

Get your kids exercising and having fun, even when it’s cold outside.

With winter weather upon us, and the sun setting earlier each day, it's likely many kids could spend an entire weekend, or school break, lounging on the couch watching TV or playing video games. So much of the time, it's up to the parents to give the kids a little nudge in the direction of, say, the back door, or get them involved in activities to keep their bodies in motion. Here are 7 ideas to get kids moving and the blood pumping! 1. Plan family walks for the daytime. As long as ... Continue Reading

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Kitchen Science: Testing the pH of an Unknown Solution

December 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
girl in science class

Teach the acidity of a solution by using red cabbage!

The third in our series of science experiments. These are a great way to explore the world around you - and for some schools an experiment for the science fair is mandatory. At a loss for ideas? Here's another one to test. We often refer to orange juice, lemon juice, or tomato products as ‘acidic’ but do you (or your child) really know what that means?  If there are acidic items in our kitchen what do we call those items that are NOT acidic?  The acidity of a liquid is measured on a ... Continue Reading

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Teach Kids the Art of Giving

November 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
woman holiday presents

Help your kids see that the holidays are more about giving than getting this year.

Wants and wish lists can often overtake the true meaning of the holidays - giving back. While adults may realize it’s better to give than to receive, teaching kids this mantra can be tricky. The best way to impart this wisdom on your children is to show them, not tell them. Here’s a few ideas on how you can do just that this December: Gifted. With all the consumerism and festive frenzy, it’s easy for kids’ toy chests to overflow after all the presents are opened. This year, before ... Continue Reading

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How Far Can Books Go? #100millionbooks

November 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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Encourage teachers and programs in your community to register with First Book.

Access to quality books and educational materials can make the critical difference in helping children succeed – in school and in life.  In middle class and affluent communities, children have ready access to books – through books at home, in their schools, and in places throughout their community.  By alarming comparison, in some of the lowest income neighborhoods in the country, there is only 1 book for every 300 children!  This disparity puts millions of children from low-income ... Continue Reading

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Dealing With Back-To-School Stress

September 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Busy schedule

Some tips for organizing, preparing, and easing back into back-to-school.

During the summer months, we tend to slip away from our routine and let things be a little more casual.  The kids are out of school so there’s no need for structure around that rigid schedule and there’s no homework to look over.  The freedom feels great but then, like most good things, it comes to a sudden end.  Getting back to school and back into the swing of things can be tricky and stressful - but here are some tips for making it a smoother transition. Organize and Be ... Continue Reading

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