You might be asking yourself why kids need to know this. Good question. Economics sounds like a dreary academic activity, but it’s not just for textbooks. Knowing about economics helps children to understand how things work. Kids are dealing with economic factors every day, even if they don’t know it. When you start filling them in on some important financial issues, you might be surprised at the outcomes: Things that may make no sense to kids begin to come into focus, such as why a toy with a sale tag of $10 costs $10....

The Role of Genetics Although there are many different possibilities for the exact combination of genes your child could inherit, it all comes down to DNA. And predicting your baby’s looks is not easy. Most traits that babies inherit are the result of multiple genes working together to form their appearance. When those genes come together, some of the effects are amplified while others are reduced. Still others are completely turned off....

Are Strawberries Safe for My Baby? Strawberries are safe for babies beginning around ages 4 to 6 months old when solids are typically introduced. That said, it’s better to rely on developmental achievements than age to gauge whether your child is ready for food. Can they sit up alone or with support? Control their head and neck? Bring objects to the mouth and open their mouth when food is offered? Swallow food?...

Whatever your level of experience, interest, or postpartum goals, you may be wondering when you will be able to start, how to ease back in safely, and how to manage any challenges that come with postpartum exercise. When You Can Start Exercising After Pregnancy Previously, the guidelines were to wait for your six week postpartum check-up to get clearance from your doctor to resume exercise. However, ACOG cautions that if you had a C-section or any kind of complication during birth, you should ask your doctor or midwife about when you can safely resume exercise....

At about two weeks old, newborns make just enough tears to keep their eyes moist. They don’t produce real tears that you can see when they cry. Infants often don’t develop real tears that you can see until they are about two months old. When Do Babies Start Making Tears? Babies’ eyes aren’t completely dry at birth, but they have minimal moisture. Newborns start making more tears once their lacrimal glands are fully developed....

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (part of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends that all children 6 months old through 8 years old should get two doses of flu vaccine the first year that they are vaccinated against the flu. If your child had their first flu shot last year but only got a single shot, then this year, they should get a flu shot and a booster shot....

If your child turns five in the late spring or summer, she may have more difficulty adjusting to the changes of kindergarten than someone who will turn six in the late fall or winter. If your child then responds to this difficulty with negative behavior and poor social responses, her classmates may shun her and her self-esteem will plummet. If you suspect that your child is a “young five” (in terms of maturity, not necessarily age), then you may decide it’s best to hold her back a year....

Many parents even have their own (often fond) teenage memories of tiptoeing out the door or shimmying down the trellis well past curfew. But while sneaking out may be a particularly powerful American meme, that doesn’t mean you want your kid to do it. Why Teens Sneak Out At one time or another, most teens are faced with the temptation to sneak out with their friends. Regardless of whether they intend to get together for harmless fun (as in just enjoying the thrill of hanging out when they’re supposed to be home) or to engage in more dangerous activities (such as drugs, alcohol, sex, and/or reckless driving), sneaking out is unsafe, a violation of parental trust, and generally a recipe for trouble....

Why Does My Baby Like to Play with Baby Dolls? If you have a playroom filled with exciting toys, books, and games, you may be wondering why a simple baby doll commands your child’s attention. “A lot of it has to do with what the doll is like and whether it’s a sensory match for the child,” says Florida-based psychologist Debbie White, PhD, who has been working with children for 30 years....

Folic acid is clearly an essential nutrient in the body. But can folic acid help you conceive? Should men also be taking folic acid? Should you take a supplement, or can you get what you need from diet alone? Folic Acid Benefits for Men Folic acid can help with erectile dysfunction and it could potentially boost sperm count. Studies have been mixed on how well folic acid improves semen, but there’s no harm in trying....

But now, things have gone kind of haywire. For some reason, every evening at about 4 p.m., your baby gets extremely fussy. They won’t sleep or settle. They whimper and cry. Often, they even refuse to eat. Either that or they won’t stop eating. They seem fine during the first half of the day, but every evening—like clockwork—they turn into the world’s fussiest baby. What on earth is going on?...

From that day on, all of your priorities are flipped upside down. You can no longer just think of yourself without considering your baby’s needs first. As a mother of two, I’ve found that the toddler stage has a way of breaking me down to my most irritated self. From all the “no’s”, the constant moving (and falling), to their utter lack of reason and logic, it’s like they’re designed to squeeze every ounce of energy and patience out of me....

“It is definitely not uncommon for women to start snoring when becoming pregnant,” says Salome Masghati, MD, FACOG, an OB/GYN based in Maryland. Here, discover why many people start snoring during pregnancy, how to reduce it, and how to tell if your snoring is a sign of something more serious. Why Do Pregnant People Snore More? The increased likelihood of snoring during pregnancy is primarily due to the hormonal changes that support the growth of your baby....

In terms of development, there aren’t many huge changes that happen with your baby between their first and second week of life. Still, your baby is coming out of their shell a little more, and there are some exciting changes on the horizon that you may start to see glimmers of this week. Let’s take a look at what to expect when it comes to your 2-week-old’s development, feeding and sleep patterns, and what you need to know about baby care and safety during this stage....

It’s important to be flexible. You may have preferences as to the type of birth you want, but accepting that your choice may be limited or advised against because of a preexisting medical problem, or because a problem arises in labor, will help you prepare mentally and curb disappointment if events don’t go as planned. It is generally accepted that the care of healthy women in labor who have had a straightforward pregnancy should be monitored and managed by their doctors at the hospital, with support given by the nursing staff throughout the process....

More: TTC? 5 Things to Consider First Change your mindset According to HeHe Stewart, of Tranquility by HeHe, a Boston-area, concierge birthing and doula service, now’s the time to “reframe the wiring in your brain.” “Approach things from a place of gratitude and confidence,” explains Stewart. “This confidence includes confidence in yourself, your body, your baby, the universal timing, God’s plan, your spiritual guides–whatever you put your faith in….you need to trust it....

Since the Social Security Administration keeps track of every child born in the United States, it’s fairly easy to see which baby names are most popular. If you expect your baby girl to arrive soon and still are stuck on choosing the perfect name, then have no fear. This way, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from before your little one makes her debut into the world. After all, your precious baby deserves a name that fits her beauty!...

Because of this rule of thumb, many couples wonder if they have to try to get pregnant for a whole year before they would be able to tell if there is a problem. However, there’s no need to wait if you suspect you’re having trouble getting pregnant. Here are some questions you and your partner can consider if you think you might be dealing with infertility. If you answer yes to any of these questions, talk to your doctor....