However, unless your child’s car seat is one of the few that specifically states to use both seat belt and lower anchors at the same time, you’ll need to choose one or the other, not both. Forward-facing car seats all come with a tether strap, which secures the top of the car seat to an anchor in the back of the car. Every forward-facing car seat is safer (and better able to protect your child’s brain and spinal cord) when you use the tether strap....

And of course, parents can always choose to not send their kids to school. Children who are home-schooled usually do not have to meet the same vaccine requirements as children who attend public or private schools. Kinds of Exemptions People have been trying to get exemptions from vaccine requirements as long as vaccines have been protecting people from vaccine-preventable diseases. Today, vaccine exemptions fall into three main categories: Medical exemptions: Includes severe allergies to the vaccine or components of the vaccine, immune system disordersPhilosophical exemptions: Also called personal-belief exemptionsReligious exemptions: Based on the tenets of an organized religion that prohibits vaccinating its members...

The conversation usually concludes with one of two anecdotes. Either they will attempt to connect with you by sharing that their sister’s brother-in-law’s cousin’s niece’s nephew’s uncle had twins. Or, they will make a statement that will really set your teeth on edge. Want to see a twin mom’s blood boil? Watch her reaction when a stranger (or worse, a friend!) makes the claim that having two children close in age is “just like having twins....

For example, parents who don’t think their 7-year-old should watch movies that are rated PG-13 may feel pressured into allowing him to go to a party where a PG-13 film will be shown; and if that film is something like “The Dark Knight,” and if your child wakes up screaming and has nightmares for weeks afterward, it’s not a good thing. And just as it can be very difficult to go against the tide for children, it can be tough for adults to do, too....

You can also provide “trade-in” chores. Say Paula is scheduled to clean out the refrigerator, but she just can’t stand the idea. She can trade in her refrigerator chore for the chore of washing the car, or cleaning the attic. (See the sample chore chart, below.) Kids also sometimes like to trade chores. Develop a policy that trading chores should happen at family meetings, or with the agreement of a parent, to ensure that the trading is fair, and nobody gets the shaft....

By some translations, the name Astrid could also mean “God’s strength.” Astrid isn’t a very popular name in the United States but it’s gradually climbing its way up the charts through pop culture. You’ll come across characters named Astrid in television shows like “Fringe,” “The Office,” “Vikings,” and “The Tomorrow People.” You might also recognize the name from popular books like “Crazy Rich Asians” and “White Oleander.” How Popular is the Name Astrid?...

A nervous cat will feel more secure in an enclosed space and could be a serious hazard loose in the car. Some cats also vomit when transported by car, either from motion sickness or, more likely, sheer nerves. Cleanup is much less arduous if the mess is confined to a carrier, and a hard plastic one with removable bedding is the easiest to clean. You can also find soft carriers, which look like duffel bags with ventilation....

To help you along the way, we have created the ultimate crib buying guide with everything you need to know about crib safety features, styles, and designs. Baby Crib Safety Any new crib you purchase is supposed to meet minimum government requirements. So, it’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the latest crib safety standards before you shop. That said, as long as you assemble your crib according to the manufacturer’s instructions and use it properly, even the least expensive crib should be safe for baby....

There are also a few ways to use “A” names for your new additions. Perhaps “A” names run in the family and you want to add to the collection. Or maybe you want to have each child’s name start with a different letter for a strategic reason. Alphabetical order starting with “A” is one way to do it—you could even rotate the same letters for family members. For example, if your initials are BAL, maybe you want your child to be ABL....

Causes of Back Labor Back labor has traditionally been attributed to the baby’s position during labor, and the ​occiput posterior position (OP) is often pinpointed as the most likely culprit. In the OP position, the baby’s head is down but is facing toward the parent’s pubic bone, causing the harder part of the baby’s skull to rest on the back of the pelvis and along the spine. This can result in pressure on the nerves and cause pain....

If the water is really deep, you might have to use an electric- or gas-powered sump pump. If you use a gas pump, keep fumes out of your house by putting it outdoors and running the hose through a window or door. While it’s important to get the water out of your house as soon as possible, you don’t want to pump it out too quickly if you’re dealing with lots of water in your basement caused by groundwater or floodwater seepage....

5 Core Components of Healthy and Effective Child Discipline Healthy discipline should include these five core components: A Healthy Relationship With Your Child If you don’t have a healthy relationship with your child, discipline isn’t likely to work. Your child will be much more motivated to listen to what you have to say when he respects your opinion. The need for a healthy relationship stems beyond biological parents. Step-parents, teachers, and daycare providers will be much more effective when they have a healthy relationship with a child....

Tape or string One beanbag per player Directions

The amount of time children spend in foster care varies greatly by state. Many states are working to reduce the amount of time children are in state custody by trying to reunify children with their birth families or place them for adoption sooner. On average, children remain in foster care for two years. Six percent of children in foster care remain in foster homes for five or more years. There’s always a huge need for adoptive homes in most states....

Picking Your Parts Imagine that you’re running around in a field. Your leg muscles are getting much more of a workout than your back muscles are. And if you’re running around on four legs, you can count your front legs and shoulders amongst those well-used muscles, too. When shopping in the supermarket for meat destined for your slow cooker, here are the cuts to look for: Shanks Shoulder Round Rump...