1. Treasure Bins Kids, especially the younger set, love nothing more than digging for hidden treasures. It’s a sensory and exploratory extravaganza that most kids enjoy. Pirate treasure themed boxes are easy to make and use tons of imagination. Most craft and party stores have small pirate themed trinkets, like plastic coins and costume jewelry. Choose a bunch, then take a shoe box or another bin and fill it with your choice of bulk material to hide the items....

Having been a teenage girl, I remember thinking everything I was experiencing was the most important thing ever. However, now a mom whose child (albeit a son) is swiftly approaching the teen years and watching friends and close family parent their teens, I understand how easily the parent-child relationship can become tense. Most tense moments as parents set boundaries and rules eventually fizzle out, and relationships strengthen and re-bound. So what do you do when your relationship contains unhealthy boundaries and toxic behavior?...

More: Cha-Ching! 7 Ways to Make Money by De-cluttering Your Home If you can relate, here are five tips from the Konmari Method you NEED to know to keep your house in order: Everyone is responsible, but clean together: Yes! Your child should be responsible for cleaning their own space. Children as young as 18 months can help with cleaning up. Make it a family thing and lead by example....

“Parents are pushing the envelope in lots of ways in terms of choosing names that will be different,” says Pamela Redmond Satran, author of The Baby Name Bible. “They’re looking for names that their child won’t share with anyone else.” One of the most beautiful ways to give your child a unique name is to be inspired by nature. Many nature names are new and rare, while others have actually been used for centuries....

In order to earn that trust, your fifth grader will have to step up and be able to accept responsibility for his mistakes, become a little more dependable and start understanding that that “fair” doesn’t always mean equal. There are a number of cognitive skills that will help your child stay in the game, including the ability to argue more logically and with more poise. This is a great skill for more expansive writing....

For your teen to achieve the best success in college, start by focusing on the following six life skills before they embark on their journey in the fall. More: Easing Anxiety and Worry in Teens Before Starting College Time Management Transitioning from the structure of a school day to a more relaxed college atmosphere can be challenging for teens. From getting themselves up and out the door in the morning without the support of a nagging parent, to managing days with fewer classes and less structure, there are many opportunities where poor time management can quickly spiral out of control....

A handwritten letter is always appreciated! Have your child write a short letter outlining the reasons she likes being in her teacher’s classroom. These free printable thank-you cards for teachers are also a great way to show your child’s gratitude. Draw a Heartfelt Card Kid-made cards are adorable, and your child’s teacher will love displaying them in his classroom. Fold a piece of paper in half and have your child decorate the front cover....

As a result, it is important to choose your friends wisely. Be sure the people who are closest to you are the ones that make your life better, not worse. Remember, good friends improve your life, while toxic friends destroy it. The User This type of friend is sometimes called a fair-weather friend. The User seems to be there for you, make plans with you, and even invite you places—that is, until something better comes along....

More: 50 Names That Mean Life for Your Little One Whether you’re looking for girl names, boy names, or gender-neutral names, we’ve got you covered with this list of 75 baby names that mean light. To get started, check out the origins and name meanings for many different unique ways to describe light. Baby Girl Names That Mean Light Baby Boy Names That Mean Light Gender-Neutral Baby Names That Mean Light Looking for more baby names and inspiration?...

In addition, insufficient sleep can affect fertility. Why this happens is not fully understood, but research suggests that hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) activation and circadian dysrhythmia may interfere with reproduction. Also, a small review study found a moderate increase in miscarriage rates among people who worked fixed night shifts. Poor sleep may also lead to excess weight in all genders. Having significant excess weight can lead to ovulation problems. In addition, excess weight and obesity can also impact sperm health....

More: What to Do If You Catch Your Teen Sexting: A Step-By-Step Guide Dr. Fran Walfish, a Beverly Hills, CA-based family and relationship psychotherapist, shares her advice for dads on how to handle their daughter’s dating in today’s day and age… Pin these tips to save for later: Discuss with your teen your dating expectations for them “Of course, it would be unreasonable for you to say no dating until after you’re 18 years-old,” says Dr....

This fourth-grade guide for parents offers tips on helping children deal with cliques, heavy backpacks, and more. Fourth Grade Basics What You Can Expect in Fourth Grade: Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect in your child’s fourth-grade year. What Do Kids Learn in Fourth Grade?: Kids learn a number of new things in fourth grade, both socially and academically. Just as the formation of cliques begins to increase and complicate your child’s social life, the academic ante is upped as well, requiring a student to not only to be responsible for their own work but to effectively work in groups as well....

Celebrate the coming of spring by telling a story about the season! Materials needed: · White paper (several sheets)· Two sheets of construction paper· Scissors· Hole punch· Ribbon or yarn· Glue· Markers, crayons, paint, glitter, or other decorative materials· Flower petals, leaves, pieces of grass, or other spring mementos. What to do: Step One: Take a walk outside and help your child to notice of all the changes that are happening with the coming of spring....

Sadly, some claims about alcohol and breastfeeding can erode a parent’s desire to nurse or damage the breastfeeding relationship with their baby. That’s why it is important to make sure you have the facts about alcohol and breastfeeding to keep you and your baby safe. Breastfeeding Parents Can Drink Alcohol in Moderation While frequent, excessive drinking is strongly discouraged, there is nothing wrong with the occasional alcoholic beverage while breastfeeding....

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Overriding the Panic Button Your first goal when dealing with a wild critter is to keep your cool. This will help you accomplish your most important mission, which is to get the animal to leave, preferably under its own steam. This is your goal, regardless of whether the animal is a casual intruder or has taken up residence. Say Buh-Bye! Wild animals can wreak havoc while inside your house, so you definitely want to get them out as quickly as possible....

A recent study published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings highlights the risks of using antibiotic medication on kids under the age of two. The study finds that these medications can increase the prevalence of health conditions like asthma, allergies, celiac disease, and obesity later in life. While the exact cause is unknown, it’s assumed that the gut changes brought about by antibiotic use are to blame. According to the study, the findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the composition of the microbiome—the trillions of beneficial microorganisms that live in and on our bodies—plays a critical role in the early development of immunity, metabolism, and behavior....