Parenting

Parenting

If you think about it, lots of popular baby names today are actually just words or names of other things - think River, Maverick, and Sage. Nature names, flower names, and virtue names are all super trendy right now, but they all fall under one larger category: word names for babies. And while all of the earthy names and animal-inspired monikers are beautiful, if you look outside those common categories, you'll find even more unique and meaningful word names for babies that will have people saying, "Oh, what a beautiful name," your baby's whole life through.

It's all dependent. My parents did and were very civil; our home was loving, and I had no idea they had issues at all. You would have to ask them how they felt, but as a kid, I always thought everything was fine and noticed no issues in how they changed post-divorce (after I finished college). They are still kind and communicate with one another. They keep in touch,

"If only more people were as intentional and thoughtful about having children than he is," one comment read.

A spoiled child is used to getting what they want when they want it with few exceptions. "Every kid has an off-day -and so do adults - but spoiled kids are stuck in 'me' mode," said Michele Borba, educational psychologist and author of "UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World." "Everything revolves around their needs, concerns, feelings, wants, desires, and everyone else takes second place."

It's so hard to get kids to brush their teeth,

There were times during my childhood when I remember being exhausted by the antics of my energetic, spontaneous younger sister and sensitive younger brother. With three kids, there was also almost always a two-against-one situation. I was either paired up with a kid who would do my bidding, or I was the enemy of the younger two, when my demands got to be too much.

My husband's family has had a block of season tickets to our local NFL team for the past three generations. I enjoy going to the games because I like the chance for us all to be together as a family (not to mention the indulgence of stadium junk food), but I have little understanding of football. Dear Concussed Kids, I also know that those who play football are at risk of serious brain injuries.

Readmio is a mobile reading app that turns your voice into the centerpiece of the story. As you read aloud, the app adds sound effects and music that respond in real time. When the story says the wolf growled or the wind blew, you'll actually hear it. The result is an experience that feels more immersive than a regular book, without relying on screens or flashy visuals to keep your child engaged. It's also on sale right now.

3. A two-pack of sun safety roller shades to make those long car rides easier - not only will you protect their skin and eyes, but it might help make the nap last just a little bit longer. Who's the sunny one, now? (It's you!) 6. A perfectly sized (and durable!) kids' digital camera so you can give your phone a break from your kid's sticky fingers. But also, how cute is the idea of seeing your trip through their eyes?

Sleep is one of the most important factors in a baby's healthy development, yet it often feels like a moving target for parents-especially when dealing with infant cat naps. These short naps can leave little ones waking up cranky, and caregivers wondering why their baby isn't sleeping longer during the day or through the night. Understanding why babies catnap, how their sleep cycles work, and what to do about it can make a world of difference.

My son "Emmett" is 29 years old and getting married towards the end of the year. His girlfriend, "Leila," is a lovely woman, and I do wish them happiness. But I also don't want to go to the wedding. Over the years, I've become firmly convinced that marriage is an inherently unfair practice that subjugates women to men, and that we would be far better off if we dropped it in the ashbin of history alongside other revolting concepts like slavery and child sacrifice.

10. A set of self-feeding "spoons" for teaching utensil use early, without the need for advanced fine motor skills. These spoons are meant to grow with your baby as they get more confident with solids - making them an investment that makes sense.

My husband "Jake" grew up with three brothers. Their dad always took a week to bring them on a guys-only fishing trip together each year, something they all still do together. Jake and I have a 7-year-old son, "Finn," and a 5-year-old daughter, "Miley." Jake and his dad and brothers began including Finn in their trips when he was Miley's age, and now that she is old enough to understand, Miley is upset about being excluded.

My mother insists that Aiden can stay with friends or at a motel! The reason? They want to visit with their dogs, and Aiden is severely allergic to dogs and cats. Dear Not a Hotel, Even if I were willing to entertain this idea (which I am not), the entire house would have to be cleaned after the dogs left, and even then there would be no guarantee that Aiden's allergies wouldn't be triggered. It's not a risk I'm willing to expose him to.

Before I had kids, I was skeptical of kid-specific products. Why would kids need a special bowl or spoon when adults already have small versions of those things, I wondered. Why would kids need plastic, character-driven versions of a household item, like a broom - couldn't we just teach them to use the normal kind? But then, of course, I had kids and I understood. By creating kid-friendly versions of household items, we reach kids on their level.

My boyfriend and I are doing a trial run before we get married. I am renting out my condo and we are renting a house. He has a 10-year-old son with 50-50 custody. We generally get along because I make sure to keep in my place: I am not a parent and make sure that his father is the authority figure. The problem is that his ex-wife thinks she can treat me like an unpaid nanny with zero impact or input.

My close friends have several kids who are generally "OK" as kids. I've had some fun conversations with the kids as they've grown but my issue is one of the kids ("Alex") was babied (parents acknowledged this) and her behavior has really gotten out of hand. Think weaponized incompetence, neediness, unhelpful most of the time accompanied by extreme attitude and yelling at the parents when asked to do something she doesn't want to do, often relies on their other siblings to do things for them-and she's the oldest!

It could be on the front page, or it could be in the business section, or maybe even in the sports section of the newspaper. But simply, at the breakfast table-hopefully on a weekend day where there's lots of time and everybody's very relaxed and the children are sitting at the table-just say, "Would you listen to this?" Then read that article, lean back in your chair and say, "What do you think of that?" And then just be quiet.

Planning a children's picnic might seem tricky, but it doesn't have to. With the right food, games, and activities, you can create a fun, memorable experience your kids will love. Whether you're at the park, beach, or in your own backyard, these picnic ideas will make your outing enjoyable for everyone. In this post, we'll share kid-approved picnic food suggestions, fun outdoor games, easy picnic setups, and DIY crafts.

"Yeah... Imma hold your hand when I say this." "Sleep when the baby crochets." "Showering is gonna feel like your special hobby." "I drove through chick fil once on maternity leave." "You won't have time to brush ur teeth, drink water, eat, use the restroom, nor to sleep." "I had so much planned out but ended up doing nothing but caring for the baby, just pick some shows and get comfortable girlfriend." "Girl. You will be figuring out wake windows and trying to get your baby to nap longer than 24 minutes until about 6m postpartum." "Yall had time for hobbies???"

I am terrified about paying for college or trade school,

11:29 A.M. That's the exact time my phone rang on the first day of school. It was the school nurse. My child had been "back to school" after a long summer break for precisely two hours and 29 minutes before he needed me again. He had an ear infection, and his ear was draining fluid. "I'll be right there," I heard my cheery mom voice telling the nurse. Inside, of course, I died a little.

Routinely sitting next to or near each other at school tips toward growth as well. Parents may or may not have a role in shaping such opportunities. Play is the major driver of friendships in the preschool years. Children who choose the same or similar play settings, routines, or activities will get a lot of practice being together, waiting their turn, sharing, winning and losing-all things that teach essential social lessons. Sam's father called his son's clutch of friends the "Magna-Tile mafia."

My daughter and her two kids (boys, 7 and 9) recently moved in with us until she can get back on her feet. Her and the kid's dad (not married) had an acrimonious break up, and because she was working for his family business, she is now without a job. But she should be starting one in the next week or so. The house she was living in with him is owned by the business, so she had to move. The dad isn't paying much for child support and doesn't plan on paying more until "the courts decide the amount."

That familiar sound of escalating voices fills the house again. One second the siblings were playing peacefully, and the next moment, World War III has erupted in the living room. Sound familiar? Sibling rivalry is as old as time, yet dealing with the daily battles between brothers and sisters remains one of parenting's greatest challenges. This comprehensive how to deal with sibling rivalry guide explores practical strategies to reduce sibling conflict, foster meaningful bonds, and transform your home from a battleground to a playground.

Halloween is nearly two months away, but there's already trouble brewing over my 13-year-old daughter, "Shelby's" choice of costume. Shelby wants to go as a sexy nurse. My husband is vehemently against it and has told her that she is "not going out dressed as a slut." The costume is a little on the skimpy side, but it's not THAT revealing. And our daughter is no longer a child. I don't see the harm in this sort of thing for a single evening.