Back to Happy: No More Back to School Blues #EmotionalSmarts
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Back to Happy: No More Back to School Blues #EmotionalSmarts

September 2, 2014 This month’s Emotional Smarts conversation came on the heels of my daughter’s first ever back to school related melt down. Because she faces a lot of changes and uncertainty, this new school year feels overwhelming to her. I imagine many of us deal with the same anxiety or reluctance in our kids…

How Diem Brown is Fighting Her Third Cancer Diagnosis
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How Diem Brown is Fighting Her Third Cancer Diagnosis

September 16, 2014 Fans of MTV’s reality television series, The Challenge, are well acquainted with Diem Brown, who has been a mainstay on the show since 2006. In her debut challenge, she shocked the cast and production team by announcing that she had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Since then, it has been quite a…

Valuing Differences: Opening Kids’ Worlds Through New Perspectives
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Valuing Differences: Opening Kids’ Worlds Through New Perspectives

September 15, 2014 We recently spent the day with one of my favorite cousins and her family. She and I are astonishingly similar for being so different. We share a rather twisted sense of humor that relies heavily on sarcasm and a general go-with-the-flow perspective toward life. We both put family extremely high on our priority…

Jennifer Garner Discusses “Mindful” Marriage to Ben Affleck
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Jennifer Garner Discusses “Mindful” Marriage to Ben Affleck

September 18, 2014 Whether you are famous or not, one thing remains true – marriage is work. Sure, some things might be a bit easier with fame and fortune but there are also unique challenges as well. Hollywood relationships are well-known for their short lifespan so it’s always interesting to hear how some people manage to…

How Much Should You Save For Your Child’s College Tuition?
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How Much Should You Save For Your Child’s College Tuition?

September 24, 2014 3 Steps to Find the Magic Number Worried about how you’re going to pay for your children’s college education? You’re not alone. According to a recent study from Discover Student Loans, parents overwhelmingly see the value of their kids going to college. However, 85 percent of all surveyed parents said that they’re…

New Nintendo Gear for Holiday Shopping
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New Nintendo Gear for Holiday Shopping

September 26, 2014 Nintendo may not be currently garnering the kind of frenzied attention as Microsoft’s Xbox One or Sony’s Playstation 4 but their selection is hard to beat when it comes to family-friendly gaming.  With the holiday season fast-approaching (is it really almost October, already?), they have decided to unveil some new titles and…

Was Coverage of Amal Alamuddin and George Clooney’s Wedding Sexist?
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Was Coverage of Amal Alamuddin and George Clooney’s Wedding Sexist?

October 2, 2014 After years on the most eligible bachelor list, George Clooney got married last month and, of course, it was big news.  It seemed like every other headline was about the wedding and contained phrases like “Meet the New Mrs. Clooney” or “All the Details from George Clooney’s Big Day” or “Clooney’s Bride…

When It Isn’t a Costume: Dealing with Developing Hormones
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When It Isn’t a Costume: Dealing with Developing Hormones

October 6, 2014 This Halloween season, Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde might not be just a costume! You might notice smells, excess hair, a tendency toward drama, and even behavior altering rage. This very change snuck up on our family. It struck with deodorant and went downhill from there. We have ushered in the age…

Start Saving for the 2014 Holiday Season Now
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Start Saving for the 2014 Holiday Season Now

October 10, 2014 It’s only October but this is a great time to start thinking about your holiday planning. We willingly devote so many of our resources to making this time of year special which speaks volumes about its importance. The downside is that we often enter the new year emotionally, physically and financially exhausted….

5 ADD Interventions That Apply to All Kids
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5 ADD Interventions That Apply to All Kids

October 14, 2014 A friend of mine has been going through the very lengthy and detailed process of testing her son for Attention Deficit Disorder. As I listened to her explain the symptoms, many sounded like my daughter. One expert describes this kind of brain as choosing what is most interesting instead of what’s most important….

Delicious Cheesecakes Bites: Turtle, Pumpkin & More
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Delicious Cheesecakes Bites: Turtle, Pumpkin & More

October 15, 2014 Most everyone loves cheesecake, so these mini, bite-size desserts are perfect for any party or holiday celebration. They won’t need a fork or a plate! I’m going to start by teaching you the basic ingredients for plain cheesecake as we go on I will show you how to make into different flavors,…

Halloween 2014: Top 5 Apps for a Fun, Safe Holiday
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Halloween 2014: Top 5 Apps for a Fun, Safe Holiday

October 17, 2014 Technology has some definite disadvantages. We stare at the screens of our smartphones too often and for too long and, sometimes, miss out on what’s happening in the world around us. Occasionally, however, we are able to put this obsession to good use and Halloween is a perfect example. The spooky holiday…

Kesha Abuse Allegations Reveal Dark Side of Success
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Kesha Abuse Allegations Reveal Dark Side of Success

October 18, 2014 Unique in both her musical and personal style, Kesha (who no longer has the $ as the s in her name) had no trouble attracting fans. Her songs are known for their infectious, fun beats and the promotion of individuality and having fun. Unfortunately, according to recently filed court documents, things have…

Fall Festival Survival: 5 Tips for a Smooth Carnival
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Fall Festival Survival: 5 Tips for a Smooth Carnival

October 21, 2014 Between school, organization, and community events, there’s a good chance you’ll be sucked into attending a Halloween/Fall/Harvest festival this season. My first few of these chaotic mash-ups of families felt like a nightmare. I learned through experience and watching other parents that there’s an easier way to navigate the day. Here are…

Should Amanda Bynes Get the Britney Spears Treatment?
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Should Amanda Bynes Get the Britney Spears Treatment?

October 23, 2014 When Britney Spears had a very public meltdown, many feared for her life. She was embroiled in a divorce, engaging in erratic behavior (including walking into a barber shop and shaving her own head) and having her parenting skills seriously questioned (and investigated). Rather than watch their daughter implode, Britney’s parents, Jamie…

Watch the Polls: Teach Kids to Think Critically About Voting
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Watch the Polls: Teach Kids to Think Critically About Voting

October 28, 2014 Next week, on the first Tuesday of November, people all over our nation will head to the polls to vote for various candidates, propositions, and bond measures. Every four years, the election process becomes glamorous, or at least high-profile, as we elect a new president but these mid-term elections can slip by…

Ask Annie: Teaching Options & Exit Strategies For Girls
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Ask Annie: Teaching Options & Exit Strategies For Girls

October 29, 2014 Dear Annie, My daughter has a lot going for her except confidence. We’ve always emphasized caring and kindness and I’m proud to say that she embodies these traits. The problem is that she is easily disappointed when others don’t embody these ideals and in 5th grade there are many girls who don’t. Today…

5 Tips for Parenting Positive Body Image in Girls
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5 Tips for Parenting Positive Body Image in Girls

November 4, 2014 Fifty percent of American girls report using unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting and taking laxatives to control their weight. It’s a startling fact, especially if you have girls. I myself have two daughters and it’s my mission in life to raise them to be confident…

From Space to Rebellions, November is a Great Month for Movies
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From Space to Rebellions, November is a Great Month for Movies

October 31, 2014 We are entering those winter months and getting ready to usher in the holiday season – so it’s time to leave behind the summer blockbusters and Halloween thrillers. This is always an interesting time for movies since, really, the theme can be wide open. There’s quite a variety in this one month and that’s exactly what…

Mixing Business with Pleasure: 8 Holiday Party Tips
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Mixing Business with Pleasure: 8 Holiday Party Tips

November 17, 2014 Nearly everyone will find themselves with an office party invite this holiday season. Whether it’s for you or your significant other, plan to go, have fun and use the event to your full advantage. Your biggest mistake this holiday season is seeing the holiday party as a party. Instead, this event can be one of the best networking opportunities you’ll…

Black Friday 2014: How to Score the Best Deals
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Black Friday 2014: How to Score the Best Deals

November 14, 2014 Before going any further, let’s just acknowledge the fact that people have a genuinely good point when they say that there’s something questionable about Thanksgiving weekend turning into a major shopping frenzy. That being said, almost all of us can benefit from saving money and, as long as you don’t go overboard…

Sarah Josepha Hale: An Overlooked Thanksgiving Role Model
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Sarah Josepha Hale: An Overlooked Thanksgiving Role Model

November 18, 2014 While I researched yesterday’s article 10 Random Things You Might Not Know about Thanksgiving, something made me progressively more angry. Number 6 on that list includes Sarah Josepha Hale who campaigned for Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Articles mention her frequently in connection to the celebration with the explanation “author of Mary…

Is Melissa McCarthy’s Weight Loss Our Business?
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Is Melissa McCarthy’s Weight Loss Our Business?

November 21, 2014 Over the years, Melissa McCarthy has made a name for herself as a plus-sized actress in a minus-sized Hollywood. As is the case for most average women, her weight has fluctuated between a smaller size on The Gilmore Girls to fuller figured in Tammy. Regardless, she’s never been a size zero but…