Flashcards and Beethoven Do Not a Genius Make

Here are ten things you should know about the brain of your child from author Harry H. Harrison- 1. Let’s start with the flashcard and Beethoven. Lord knows where this idea originated, but every NPR listening, PBS watching, back-to-earth organic eating parent believes it. Yet there is not one shred of scientific data supporting the [...]

It’s a Blood Pressure Thing: Should You Be Concerned for Your Child?

High Blood Pressure is not just for the older generation. It can start early. Although it is difficult to imagine, children and adolescents are at risk of HBP, and HBP at a young age may be a precursor to hypertension in adults. As stated in a recent study involving a group of children and adolescents [...]

Four Ways to Connect to Your Teen

As the lives of our growing teens become more demanding and involved, they move further away from the family routine of their childhood. Being excited about mom’s help in school, play dates and the general support that parents provide to young children fade as they progress through their teen years and become more dependent on [...]

Confidence or Arrogance: What Kind of Child Are You Raising?

We all know the feeling…the moment of pride when someone notices how outspoken or articulate our child is. We bask in the knowledge that our child is smart, has a great sense of self-esteem and succeeds at virtually everything they attempt to do. There is a fine line between confidence and pride and arrogance. Experts [...]

Back to School: The Secret Tool Kids Need to Succeed

Its that time of year again. Stores have been cleaned out, clothes purchased and backpacks are full. Kids from Kindergarten through High School are anticipating the new school year and all of the adventures and challenges that can bring. Parents and teachers have read the latest methods on coping with bullies, Internet safety, and they [...]

Teens and Independence

I often hear parents say they wish they had a manual on how to raise caring kids. Of course, there are many including the work of Dr. Michele Borba, who is one of the leading experts on nurturing character in kids. After reviewing hundreds of articles, book excerpts, interviews etc. from many of today’s top [...]

Teaching Kids Respect

There is a big question making the rounds among the parents at my daughter’s class. Should the kids refer to the parents’ friends as “Mr. Jones” or “Mrs. Smith”, rather than using their first names? I was quite shocked, having come from a home where it would have been unheard of to refer to one [...]

Power Struggles: Who is Misbehaving?

The most common question among parents is how to cope with the ongoing power struggles between parents and kids…bedtime, cleaning their rooms, cooperation in the morning, it goes on and on. These are the common complaints of misbehavior. I remember so clearly the struggles with my firstborn daughter when I decided to nurse her. There [...]

Choosing Safe Activities for Teens Online

According to Department of Labor statistics from 2002, mothers stay home while fathers go to work in 23.2 percent of American families. Only about a quarter of those mothers who stay home while the father works have children between the ages of 14 and 17. Yet there is a growing amount of research that children [...]

Helping Teens with Homework: When to Step In

I have two teenage daughter who make everyday a magical experience. Yes there are the normal issues revolving around raising teenagers…hormones, the growing need for independence, and other typical teen issues. However, the area we struggle with the most is homework. Its hard to know when to step in and when to let them accept [...]

What to Do if Your Child is Being Bullied

Bullies have become an everyday part of our kids’ lives. In person or online, they are threatening kids and causing fear even when they are not in the same room. If we are going to help it is critical that we recognize the signs in our kids and know what to do if your child [...]

Should Bad Manners Count as Misbehavior?

Manners do count! And manners are learned, so there’s no reason to accept rudeness. Below are six easy steps to eliminate your kid’s misbehavior and tune up a general sense of respect toward others. Set clear limits The first step to changing a rude attitude is to simply refuse to allow it. Keep in mind [...]

The Truth About Tired Teens: Why Parents and Teens Fight Over Sleep

As the mother of two teenage daughters, I struggle daily with the reality that they don’t go to bed at what I would consider an early hour. I know they are up late into the night and it just seems like they are not getting the sleep they need.  Parenting expert Jody Pawel, President of [...]

Seven Steps to Screen a Nanny Professionally On Your Own

Choosing a nanny or au pair for your children is a process that should be organized and performed carefully, to ensure you find someone who can be trusted, will contribute significantly to the development of your child and integrate well into your family. The step-by-step process below will help you make an informed decision and [...]

Is Online School Right for My Child?

Getting into a respected university has always demanded hard work and self-discipline in addition to a stellar high school record with the advanced coursework admissions officers seek.  However in today’s competitive world, many students are achieving all the above from a very non-traditional place….their own living room. Five Key Benefits of Home School Programs: 1. [...]

Hire a Pal: 5 Reasons to Consider a Virtual Sitter or Mentor for Your Teen

Statistics show that the hours right after school are the times when teens get into the most trouble. Northeastern University’s College of Criminal Justice reports that teens commit serious crimes mostly between the unsupervised hours of 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. No responsible parent would leave a small child home alone. However, once kids reach [...]

Empowered Parents are Knowledgeable Parents

By Abigail Natenshon MA, LCSW, GCFP Since the inception of eating disorder treatment, parents have traditionally borne the brunt of blame and guilt for causing life threatening anorexia and bulimia in their child, a misguided belief which all too frequently have resulted in misguided treatment protocols that have excluded parents from participating in the healing [...]

Will Your Child Become a Saver or a Spender?

According to parenting expert Dr. Michele Borba, what your child spends at 12 will determine how she saves the rest of her life. The habits you set in early are the habits that will last a lifetime, so it’s important to teach your child, especially in the pre-teen years, the importance of saving. Here are [...]

Hours of Fun for the Entire Family!

Whether you flip forward or flip backward, you will definitely flip out for Sky High Sports! You can free-bounce and do tricks all day, or you can join us for some of our organized activities, like our trampoline dodge ball. As long as you like to bounce, Sky High Sports is for you. Everyone is [...]

When a Parent Adandons a Child: How to Cope

As hard as we try to give our children the best life possible, sometimes things are just out of our control. It can be devastating and confusing for kids when life doesn’t go as they think it should. In our home we have had to deal with some very difficult issues following a divorce and [...]

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