The same kids who run around from morning until night can be the biggest slowpokes when you need them to hurry. But, what if you didn’t have to always encourage them to hurry? Here are some tips on removing the rush and savoring the process.

Tips to avoid saying “hurry!” 348 times a day

Waiting

It happens nearly every morning and always before I’ve had enough coffee.

My daughter stands in front of the pantry as I plead with her to make a choice between her breakfast options.

And, nearly every morning, I stand there, desperately wanting to scream, “Just make a choice! It’s only breakfast!”

With errands, activities, work and appointments ahead of me, those moments in the morning seem to drag on. But, the other morning, as I leaned against the counter while she made her selection, I glanced at the clock and silently waited. It took her 52 seconds.

52 seconds.

Learn more about why kids need to make their own choices >>

Realization

I realized three things in that moment; I too frequently hurry her from one thing to the next, what feels like an eternity really isn’t and I really do want her to always thoroughly think through her options and make good choices.

Heidi Kiebler-Brogan, M.A., a licensed professional counselor, says that there’s more harm to rushing our children than we may realize: “[O]ur increasingly fast-paced world may contribute to an increase in childhood anxiety disorders, attachments disorders, behavior difficulties and even attention problems.” 

Realizing that things need to change is only half the battle. How do we learn to “unhurry” our kids?

Action plan

Our kids are at the top of our list of priorities, so make your to-do list and then add them to the top. Sometimes actually seeing them listed there is a great reminder. Those moments when we’re waiting for them are moments when we have a captive audience. We can talk and smile or we can nag.

Learn more about how to simplify your morning routine >>

And lastly, when all else fails, remember that although those moments when we’re waiting feel like an eternity, we’ll blink and they’ll be off at college and we’ll look back and wish we had savored every moment, even the ones we spent waiting.

More about savoring the moment

Practicing Gratitude: 5 Tips for photographing childhood
Top 10 family-time activities
Finding time to connect with your family

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, clothing is the most effective form of sun protection. When your kids are playing out in the sun, dress them in clothing made especially for protecting delicate skin from the sun’s harmful rays. When choosing sports clothes and swimwear for your children, check for the garment’s UPF rating. The FTC explains that the higher the UPF, the higher the protection from UV rays that contribute to skin damage and skin cancer. For the best protection, look for clothing rated UPF 50 and use sunscreen on exposed skin. Check out these stylish options to protect your kids.

UV Skinz swim shirt

For active boys and girls, UV Skinz offers sun protection in a stylish, rash guard swim shirt . Available in sizes 2 to 16, these shirts come in a huge variety of colors and patterns. After losing her husband to skin cancer, Rhonda Sparks founded UV Skinz and carries sun protective clothing for infants, kids and adults. Sparks promotes sun safety and skin cancer awareness, including donating swim shirts to infants.

Learn more about summer skin care for children >>

Xtreme Gear sunglasses

To protect eyes from damage, the CDC recommends wearing sunglasses that block as close to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays as possible. Real Kids Shades carries sunglasses for sizes ranging from babies to teens. The Xtreme Gear convertible sunglasses are appropriate and safe for active kids playing sports and playing at the beach. The sleek, adult style will help encourage kids to keep sunglasses on.

Discover the best beach toys and sand toys >>

Solartex girl’s rash guard and bikini

If you have a girl who loves expressing her own fashion sense, it can be difficult to encourage adequate sun protective clothing. Solartex carries cap-sleeved and long-sleeved swim shirts with funky floral designs and matching bikini bottoms and swim skirts. These chlorine-resistant bathing suits help fight the wear and tear that can cause fabric to lose its UPF rating. The designs are sweet and fashionable without exposing too much skin to the sun.

More sun safety

How to prevent childrens' sunburns
Sunscreen for kids
Teens and tanning — a dangerous combination

Once upon a time, driving symbolized freedom and independence for those who had yet to get their licenses. But nowadays there are fewer teenagers rushing to the DMV on their 16th birthdays.

No longer a rite of passage

Driving is viewed by today's generation as, largely, nothing more than a hassle.

It turns out that teens aren't rushing to get their driver's licenses these days, something almost unfathomable by those 15- and 16-year-olds from a generation earlier. Why the sudden shift in cultural behavior? It turns out our society is more connected now and there isn't as much of a need for a car, some experts think. This is the first time in decades that vehicle travel is slowing down.

Facebook, Twitter, etc.

"The availability of virtual contact through electronic means has reduced the need for actual contact among young people," Michael Sivak, research professor at the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute, told the Los Angeles Times.

Yes, parents, Facebook, Twitter and various other social media platforms are, at least, partially responsible for your teens avoiding the task of driving. Apparently, since the birth of the internet, maintaining a social life from the comforts of home is easier than ever.

Other factors at play

Of course, the internet isn't the only reason teens are delaying the almighty task of obtaining a driver's license. Experts think there are a handful of reasons and grouped together it has resulted in the decline of independent teen drivers. Some of those reasons include rising gas prices, the cost of insurance and the extracurricular lives of teens today. Students today also have more homework than their predecessors. Teens are used to being shuttled around by their parents at an early age — to baseball practice, dance lessons, soccer, chess club, SAT tutors, you name it.

Our teens are far busier than ever before. Also, many communities, especially in large cities, have better and safer public transportation options that were not as readily available decades ago. There is also the expansion of the "green movement," and many youngsters identify with efforts to conserve energy and lessen their carbon foot prints. For whatever the reason, it's apparent that more teens are willing to wait when it comes to driving.

Read more on teens and driving

Teaching teens to be safe drivers
How to choose a driving school for your teen
License to drive

Two boys, aged 8 and 10, were left alone in a home with a loaded gun. What happened next raises all sorts of questions, from how can kids be safe with a gun in the home, to how young is too young to stay behind? Read on to find out more.

How can we keep our kids safe?

Two young Missouri boys fired a gun after they were left at home alone by their parents. Initial claims that they shot at an intruder have been dismissed, and the parents are facing the possibility of their children, aged 8 and 10, being taken away from them. Why didn’t the parents make sure their firearm was locked up safely, and were they wrong for letting children so young stay home without adult supervision?

Bring up a safe shooter

Some parents took issue with the fact that the kids haven’t been taught properly about gun safety. “I am totally pro-gun and my children have been taught to respect them and they also know how to use them,” wrote Kellie, a commenter on KCTV 5’s Facebook page. “An 8-year-old playing with a gun has not been taught proper respect and gun safety or they wouldn’t be playing with it in the first place.”

Liana, another commenter, agreed. “This situation has to do with lack of education and knowledge,” she said. “Guns seem intriguing if they are not a part of your life.”

Here’s how to raise a child safely around guns >>

Totally irresponsible

Most parents seem to think that this mom and dad have a few screws loose to let their kids stay at home alone with access to a loaded gun. “At 8, to be left alone while mom goes to the grocery store or runs an errand for an hour?” said Jennifer, another commenter. “Not a big deal, if the parent has raised the child to be responsible, independent and knows how to dial 911. All day because the parents are at work? Not old enough. All day with an unlocked gun and access to ammo? Irresponsible.”

Jessica, another commenter, concurred. “I know teenagers that shouldn't be left home alone, and my 10-year-old could be, so age is not the issue,” she explained. “Parenting and maturity are the issue -- why in the world would you leave any kid home alone with a gun in the house?”

It has yet to be determined whether the kids will be taken into state custody or charges against the parents will be filed, but hopefully moms and dads will step up and keep their kids safe at home, even if there are firearms present -- it can, and should, be done.

More on safety

Safety first: The safe home guide
Keeping your autistic child safe
Home safety tips for the holiday season

iPad

Help your dad stay connected wherever he goes with the new iPad. Tablet computers are a must for people on the move these days, and the iPad is top-notch. If your dad hasn't bought one of the previous iPad models, he doesn't know what he's missing.

Your can purchase the iPad at your local Apple store or online at Apple.com, starting at $499.

Universal Charger IDAPT i4

Nowadays, dads have tons of gadgets and electronics. For the man with multiple mobile devices, the IDAPT i4 makes the perfect Father's Day gift. This charging solution allows users to charge up to four mobile devices simultaneously, saving both time and space. The i4 is stylish, compact and eco-friendly too. It's also compatible with over 4,500 devices including the popular iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Nintendo DS and PSP. It also charges digital cameras, Bluetooth products, and even your GPS.

You can learn more about the IDAPT i4 on their website and place your order for just $60.

Beats by Dr. Dre headphones

For the dad that loves his music, you can't beat Beats by Dr. Dre headphones by Monster. These ear-bud headphones deliver precise clarity, big bass, natural vocals and full power. The Beats by Dr. Dre Tour High-Resolution In-Ear Headphones were originally priced at $180, but you can find them at a number of retailers for $150 or less.

If your dad prefers over-the-ear headphones instead, the Beats by Dr. Dre line offers those too.

Roku 2 XS

Now your dad can ditch his cable TV and turn to Roku instead. Roku allows you to watch TV shows and movies on demand and through Netflix, as well as play video games, watch live sports, play music and much more. You don't need a PC to start streaming. Roku connects simply to your TV and wi-fi network at home. Roku comes in four different models with the basic one starting at just $50, and the most expensive -- the Roku 2 XS -- only $100 with free shipping. The Roku 2 XS features access to over 500 entertainment channels with hundreds of free movies. It works with almost any TV and plays the best HD video .

The device also comes with the full edition of Angry Birds!

Leap Motion

If your dad is always on the cutting edge of technology, then undoubtedly he's heard about the Leap Motion control system. With this little device for laptop and desktop computers, he can do amazing things. He can sign a digital document with a real pen or pencil, play video games with just his hands and much more. You have to really see it to believe it, so check out this demo video below. It's as reliable as a keyboard, more sensitive than a touchscreen, and looks more fun than anything.

The Leap is available on preorder right now for the low price of just $70.

More about Father's Day

Creative Father's Day gifts Dad will love
Father's Day menu he'll love
Father's Day gifts for the new dad

Maile Smucker
as told to Julie Weingarden Dubin

Hard times

In 2008, my husband Shawn's painting business began to flounder after the housing market crashed. By the summer of 2009, the business was virtually dead and we were $60,000 in debt. We had to give our house back to the bank, leave our friends in Virginia and move our family of six into my in-laws’ basement in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. We hit rock bottom, financially.

In a moment of clarity, we decided that Shawn should pursue his dream of writing. So in October of 2009, Shawn began the long and treacherous road of becoming a freelance writer and he wrote an e-book, Building a Life Out of Words, which describes our dark period when we lost almost everything.

Over the next two years, we moved out of my in-laws basement, began paying off our debt and scraped by with the money Shawn made from writing projects. At the same time we decided to live life more intentionally, pursing our dreams now instead of putting them off. We were going to make our dream of seeing the country come true by traveling in a borrowed RV.

Life in an RV

I was excited to hit the road but I’d often wake up in the middle of the night in a complete panic. I worried about the safety of our children driving in a house on wheels and spending nights at truck stops.

During our journey, I blog and teach our kids. We've homeschooled for the past three years, which definitely made taking this trip a lot more feasible for our family. Our budget didn’t allow us to eat out much. We’d eat raw fruit and veggies and handfuls of cheese for lunch, and dinner was usually a one-dish wonder like soup or pasta.

At first the tight living space was overwhelming with toys, pajamas and books littered across the floor. Personal space was non-existent, and I felt claustrophobic, nervous and frustrated. But deep in my heart I felt I had to press forward. I didn’t even consider going home as an option. I knew that as hard as it was to wake up in a new location every couple of days and engage with my children from the moment my eyes opened to the moment they closed each night with few opportunities of peace and quiet, or to stay calm when the RV got stuck in a ditch or the brakes went out on top of a mountain, the experiences were all life-changing opportunities for growth. The trip proved to me that when you persevere and push forward, you get stronger.

Heading home

The best part about this experience has been the memories we’ve made as a family. We’ve shared many hilarious and fun times and we got to show our kids that the world is so much bigger than their backyard or hometown. I loved seeing my kids catching their breath in awe at their first look at the Grand Canyon and gazing wide-eyed out the windows at the wildlife bursting in every crevice of Yellowstone — what a gift.

We’ll end this trip as very different people and with a chance to make some new choices for our family. I’m trying to be more selective about which dreams I pursue in order to be the best guide for my children, and I hope that through my choices, I can contribute four loving, compassionate and intelligent adults to the world.

Our journey is just about over and we’re going back to Lancaster. Now, 2-1/2 years later, after Shawn lost his business, he's still pursuing his dream. Shawn will continue to freelance and I'll homeschool the kids. It's a path paved with both uncertainty and deep satisfaction.

Today, we look back on his failed painting business as one of the biggest blessings of our life; without that devastation, this new life of excitement and fulfillment would have never been birthed.

Read more on “Mom Stories” and family finances

Mom story: I was homeless with three young kids
Mom story: My crafting saved us
Should you tell your kids about family finances?

Building a breastfeeding culture

Is there a right age to wean?

In a country where even moms who breastfeed infants get hassled in public, it's hard to imagine why anyone would be brave enough to continue nursing beyond infancy, much less into the preschool years. But despite the stigma that may be attached to it or the ridicule that I may face,  I love breastfeeding my preschooler, and here are some of the many reasons why.

Breastfeeding my preschooler

I never intended to nurse a 4-year-old. In fact, before my first son was born, I thought that breastfeeding beyond a year was unnecessary and probably a little bit kooky. Wouldn’t it be awkward to nurse a child who could ask for a snack to go with his milk?

But as I approached the 12-month mark, I realized that it seemed like an arbitrary number. I looked down at my sweet baby cooing at me with drips of warm milk on his chin and my mothering instincts told me that weaning him would be wrong. If my baby was still enjoying nursing and getting so many nutritional benefits, why should I stop now? As time passed, I became more comfortable with the idea of extended breastfeeding. I learned that the average age of breastfeeding worldwide ranges from 2 to 7 years of age, with a median age of 4 years old. This is a dramatic contrast with babies in the United States where only 60 percent are still being breastfed at 6 months according to the CDC.

The 4-1-1 on baby-led weaning >>

Tips for breastfeeding toddlers and beyond >>

Nursing is a relationship

Although there are overwhelming health benefits for extended breastfeeding, I have to admit that this is not the main reason I continue to nurse. Babies, toddlers and small children ask for the breast for much more than nutrition. They come for love, warmth and affection. While it is true that moms can provide all these things without nursing, this certainly doesn't preclude breastfeeding from being another wonderful form of nurturing parenting.

In our case, we nurse because nursing is a relationship. Nursing is one of the special ways that I bond and connect with my growing son. As he grows and explores more each day, nursing is a warm, cozy place he can check in each night to feel safe in this big wide world. I know that it is good for him not because statistics can prove the nutritional, emotional or developmental benefits, but because I can feel it in my heart. And to me, that is what being a mother is all about.

More on extended breastfeeding

Why you should breastfeed your toddler
Mayim Bialik: I nurse my toddler
The pros and cons of extended breastfeeding

Feeling stressed? Not getting enough sleep? Eating poorly? Any number of factors could affect your breast milk production. Here’s how to get your ducts flowing.

Ways to increase your milk production

Once upon a time, there was a father-to-be attending a breastfeeding class. He asked the instructor, “Will my wife produce more milk if she drinks a lot of milk?” Ah, not quite. But there are easy ways to make sure you’re producing enough food for your baby.

Give milk to get milk

“The ideal way for a mom to establish, maintain and increase milk supply is directly nursing at the breast. Babies are generally the most efficient way of releasing the milk, based on the hormonal and physiological actions that take place when Baby is directly skin-to-skin on Mother’s breast,” says Gina Ciagne, certified lactation counselor and senior director of professional relations at Lansinoh Laboratories. “Moms can also pump — ideally with a double electric breast pump — to increase supply.”

How to choose the best breast pump >>

Have a cookie… or three

No one needs an excuse to eat a cookie, but nursing moms can now chow down on healthy lactation cookies from Milkin’ Cookies to get things flowing. “The cookies contain lots of whole grains along with the nutritional yeast and flaxseed,” says founder Cheri Wiggins, who began making the cookies with a fellow physician when they were both working stressful jobs and suffering with low milk supply. You can even feed these cookies to your kids and your husband — you just might not want to share!

Coddle your critters

Milk Buds by Corn Bag Critter Co. help increase milk flow and alleviate blocked milk ducts. “I nursed both of my children and used warm wash cloths to stimulate flow,” says Aimee Jones, owner. “However, I was drenched with water when it came time to nurse! There had to be a better way — and Milk Buds were born.”

Guide to breastfeeding for working moms >>

Sippity sip sip

Instead of a cup of joe or orange pekoe, Mama’s More Milk Please Sippin' Tea from The Spoiled Mama is made with 100-percent organic ingredients to help stimulate and increase blood flow to mama's mammary glands. "Our tea was created like all of our products: out of a need,” says Tamara Johnson, founder. “During my first pregnancy, I was unable to find organic products that address stretch marks, milk production and sore/cracked nipples. With my healthcare background and close relationships with other nurses, lactation consultants and MDs, I was able to formulate natural and pregnancy-safe solutions like our tea."

Time magazine: Is this kid too old to breastfeed? >>

Getting specific with foods and herbs

“Common herbs used to effectively increase milk supply include alfalfa, fenugreek and milk thistle,” says Ciagne. These can be taken in capsule, tincture/liquid or tea forms. In addition, “There are foods that have been eaten for centuries around the world that have been used for increasing milk supply,” she says. These include: fennel, carrots, beets, yams, dark green leafy vegetables, oatmeal, barley, chickpeas, lentils, garlic, ginger, nuts .

More articles about breastfeeding

WTF: When did men start breastfeeding?
How to safely store breast milk
Coping with the “booby” blues

Depending on the TV to occupy your kid

Every parent has done it, even though you said you never would: You’ve used the TV as a babysitter. And it worked — so well in fact, that you’ve used it again and again. Real parents share their anecdotes of what led them to cave, and why they changed their minds about the beauty of the boob tube.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 2 stay away from television, but there are tons of television programs and DVDs that are marketed toward that age group so many parents relent. For older kids? TV is a main attraction. And let’s face it — letting your kiddo watch TV can be, at times, a necessary tool if you want to cook, clean, bathe or relax for a half hour. You may not be a huge TV fan, but if you let your kids watch TV so you can get things done, you’re not alone.

Extraordinary circumstances

Even moms who don’t want their kids watching TV will rely on the talking box in certain situations. Kayla, mother of one whose husband accidentally shot himself in the hand recently, is a good example of an extraordinary situation leading to more TV time.

“I have let her watch TV more since Erich shot himself,” she shared with us. “I just can't do it all at the moment. Normally, she might watch one show a day while I make breakfast and that's it. But since I've had to wake up every few hours for medication schedules and changing bandages, helping Erich shower or put clothes on, I can barely keep my house picked up or make a meal.”

Other moms let their kids watch more when they themselves are under the weather. “I use the TV when I've been sick and can barely function,” said Kayte, mom of four. Lindsay from Texas agreed. “He watches more when I'm sick as a dog,” she explained. “It is so hard to entertain a toddler when your head is throbbing. The only show that works is hockey. Otherwise there is no point in using the TV here!”

Not worth it

Other moms don’t even bother because the results can be less than spectacular. “I did last week and remembered why I don't,” Noelani, mother of one, told us. “Malachi [age 3] was in a terrible mood after and screamed for an hour when it was bedtime. Quiet during the day is not worth an impossible bedtime routine.”

So whatever your take on television watching, if you resort to the TV, keep it on a developmentally-appropriate channel and know that you, mama dear, are definitely not alone.

More on child development

Is your child watching too much television?
Television as a conversation starter
Mom vs. Dad: The TV debate

Jewel

Singer Jewel is known as much for her unique, crooked-teeth smile as she is for her folksy songs, so it came as a surprise when she tweeted a photo of her new perfect teeth! The singer, who is playing June Carter Cash in a new Lifetime movie, wrote:

“Here I am as June in my trailer with her blue eyes and perfect teeth,” she tweeted, using the hashtag “ring of fire."

Check out Jewel with perfect teeth and blue eyes here >>

We have to admit, she looks gorgeous, however her new teeth are only temporary. “I am proud of my flaws and you should be too. Not only do I think my horrible snaggletooth is uniquely beautiful, it also comes in handy,” she recently told Jimmy Kimmell.

We love her confidence!

She also tweeted about her 10-month-old son, with the cool baby name of Kase.

“Here we are all moved in to our new house in Atlanta! Kase did great travelling. I did a 5 hour fitting, & tomorrow I record as 'June'! Fun” she wrote.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow caused a bit of controversy with this tweet when she was at a Jay-Z concert with friends:

“Ni**as in paris for real @mrteriusnash tyty, beehigh,” she wrote, with a link to Jay-Z on stage.

She then responded to one follower who wrote: “Okay or Not? [Gwyneth Paltrow} Tweets the N-Word.”

“Hold up. It’s the title of the song!” she quickly responded.

Gwyneth was referring to Jay-Z and Kanye West’s song, “"Ni**as in Paris,” however her tweet still raised some eyebrows. Do you think her tweet was appropriate?

She also tweeted a photo of her daughter, Apple, rocking out at her father’s Coldplay concert. Lucky girl!

“Take your daughter to work day,” wrote Gwyneth, with a link to a photo of her cute daughter.

Alyssa Milano

“No one better give me about being late to the #LAKings game,” tweeted Alyssa Milano. “Milo was stung by a bee. I had to take him to the emergency room. He's ok!”

She then responded to a follower who wrote: “BC Stanley Cup Investigation: Was Alyssa Milano wearing a bra at Game 3? We're not asking her!”

“My braless days are behind me,” she quipped back.

She also wrote about the death of writer Ray Bradbury. “I'm going to introduce my son to the public library today in honor of Ray Bradbury. #RIP” she tweeted.

Danica McKellar

Former Wonder Years star Danica McKellar has filed for divorce from her husband, composer Mike Verta. They have one child together, 1-1/2-year-old Draco Verta, and she is seeking joint custody.

“Thank you so much for all your love and support during a tough time!” she tweeted.

No word what caused the split, however she did give an idea on what is going on with her relationship with this tweet: “You cannot be lonely if you like the person you’re alone with. - Dr. Wayne Dyer.”

She also wrote about the joys of being a mom.

“Sometimes when we pose for a picture he tries to eat my face off,” she wrote with the hashtag... #lovebeingamommy and a link to a cute photo.

Bethenny Frankel

Bethenny Frankel has been on the rumor mill lately as she is reportedly divorcing her husband Jason — and is pregnant! Of course, all the publicity she is putting to good use to promote her new talk show. Judging by her tweets, however, she is neither divorcing nor pregnant!

“We just had skinnygirl white sangria with cut up fresh fruit. Such a pretty and refreshing summer cocktail!” she tweeted.

Would health-conscious Frankel drink while pregnant? We don’t think so!

As far as the rumored divorce, she tweeted: “Jason & I are at lunch & the waiter is a hot young single guy. Should I ask him to bartend on my show?”

The busy mom of daughter Bryn also shared a cooking with kids tip: “The way I manage to cook & watch bryn is I get her involved ie: she likes the salad spinner or helping me stir. What do u do?” she wrote.

From Britney Spears to Debra Messing, check out more fun and crazy celebrity mom tweets >>

Photos: WENN

New mothers have heard the mantra for years — don’t offer a pacifier to a breastfed baby, or she will suffer nipple confusion. It turns out that the doctors giving this advice may have been the ones who were confused.

Babies offered pacifiers still love breasts

Doctors at the Oregon Health & Science University recently found that pacifiers may actually help the breastfeeding process. Keep reading to see if nipples are still confusing.

Common practice with breastfed newborns has been to recommend against the use of any artificial nipples at least for the first month of life, preferably longer. This is to prevent babies from using the different sucking technique that is used for bottle-feeding or pacifier use. Babies use their mouths differently when they are breastfeeding, and doctors have speculated that the confusion between techniques causes babies to reject the breast.

Read about these celebs who breastfeed >>

What they found

Laura Kair M.D. and Carrie Phillipi M.D., co-authors of the study, looked at data on more than 2,200 infants born at OHSU between June 2010 and August 2011. Halfway through this time period, restrictions were implemented on pacifiers being given to breastfeeding newborns in the hospital. During that time period, breastfeeding rates dropped substantially — from nearly 80 percent to about 68 percent — and the percentage of breastfed babies being supplemented with formula rose. During that same time period, the rate of formula-only fed babies remained statistically constant.

"Our observations suggest routinely removing pacifiers may negatively impact exclusive breastfeeding rates during the birth hospitalization," said Dr. Carrie Phillipi, who is also a pediatrician with Oregon Health & Science University.

Debunking breastfeeding myths >>

What now?

The authors of the study do not feel that these results alone should prompt a shift in pacifier policies. More research into the relationship between pacifiers and breastfeeding would be helpful for parents — and their doctors — to make more informed choices. "Our goal with publicizing this data is to stimulate conversation and scientific inquiry about whether there is sufficient evidence to support the universal recommendation of not offering pacifiers to breastfeeding infants in the first few days to weeks of life," says Dr. Kair.

More on breastfeeding

The breastfeeding diet for nursing moms
When should you stop breastfeeding?
5 Breastfeeding tips for new moms

FBI Child ID App — Free

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has now found a way to help protect your kids quicker with the FBI Child ID App for the iPhone and Android platforms. The app enables you to store and password-protect photos and vital information about your child on your mobile phone or tablet and have it on hand to quickly supply to law enforcement or FBI personnel should your youngster go missing. Get the app >>

Norton Safety Minder — Free

Part of your job as a parent is to be nosey — especially when it boosts your kids' safety. And, when it comes to your kiddo's electronic activity, keeping in the know is easier with the right technology. This free child-safety app can be downloaded to your youngster's Android mobile phone or Kindle Fire device and monitors their smartphone habits. You can view the websites your kids visit, block specific sites or types of sites they access, or upgrade to Premier to see who and what your kids are texting and what apps they install. Get the app >>

Is tracking your children smart or invasive? >>

Sex Offender Search — Free

Whether on the go with your iPhone, Android, or Blackberry, Life 360 gives you a way to scan the neighborhood you're in for sex offenders and keeps your kiddos safe from threats. With this free child safety app, you can locate sex offenders, access the criminal's profiles and photos, and get automatic alerts whether you're hanging at home or making an impromptu stop at the park while running errands. This app is part of a Life360 account to help you also locate your family's whereabouts and other safety features. Get the app >>

Family GPS Tracker — Free

Thanks to the power of GPS, you can now keep track of where your family members roam with this free app from Family Safety Production. The Family GPS Tracker gives you your kiddo's exact location, alerts you when they're in trouble, and even comes equipped with a check-in feature. You can also spy sex offenders in your area. However, your youngster will have to "accept" being tracked by verifying a text, so trailing your kiddo on the sly is not an option. Get the app >>

Chime in: do you read your teen's text messages? >>

iHound Phone & Family Tracker — $3.99/yr after 7-day Free Trial

While the main purpose of iHound Software is for personal use, its ability to secure and keep track of your mobile phone or tablet and to automatically check into designated locations can also help you keep track of your child. Although it would be nice to assume your kiddo will call you when she "gets there," you can opt to receive an email when she arrives at school or a friends' house without the battle over embarrassing her in front of her friends. Get the app >>

Read more child safety tips

Zui.com puts safety into social media for kids
Vehicle safety: Protect your children from backover accidents
Kids and gun safety

When I was a little girl, I loved to play with my mom's makeup. I would sit in her bathroom looking at her lip colors, eye shadows and blushes for hours! To me, it was the most glamorous place on earth.

I wasn't allowed to have my own makeup until I was in sixth grade. I begged my parents for weeks to get me Revlon's Pink Foil lipstick, it was all I wanted and I all dreamed about. I had a sixth grade dinner dance coming up, and I wanted to go to it feeling beautiful — hence the need for lipstick .

Fast forward 20 years, I'm still a lover of makeup and it still makes me feel beautiful. I don't have my own little girls to sit with and dish about makeup, but I do have two nieces who are both in sixth grade. They are my little fashionistas and love everything and anything beautiful! A couple of weekends ago, their moms were talking about how "into makeup and beauty products" they both are, but they just weren't sure what was appropriate for girls who were 12 years old.

Enter Auntie Audrey, lover of a beauty challenge.

I spent the next few nights scouring my favorite beauty sites and chatting with my favorite beauty experts finding the best makeup and beauty products for little girls.

I found amazing products made specifically for little beautiful faces and I'm excited to share them with you this week on my "What I'm Loving this Week" column.

Read about Teens & makeup: What's OK for school? >>

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Tween makeup: Sweet or slutty?
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Dad’s “Hand-y box” for tools

Your kids will love creating this special handmade and practical gift for Dad — and you will love this gift because it will help keep Dad organized.

Materials

Directions

1. Remove the lid from the gift box and with letter stencils or by hand, write: “Dad’s Hand-y Box.”
2. With a pencil, trace your child’s hand on one side of the box.
3. Repeat step two for each child.
4. Trace the handprints with a dark colored marker.
5. Decorate each handprint with colored markers .
6. Fill the box with some old or new tools.

Follow in Dad’s footsteps picture

This sentimental gift for Dad is sure to be cherished for years — plus it’s simple and modern and will look great in Dad’s office!

Materials

Directions

1. Apply a coat of paint to your child’s foot with the paintbrush, covering the bottom of your child’s foot completely.
2. With your child sitting down, gently bring the canvas to your child’s foot.
3. Gently press your child’s foot and toes against the canvas.
4. Let dry.
5. On a piece of cardstock paper, write: “Daddy, I love you and I love following in your footsteps!”

Handprint tile paperweight

Another practical gift for Dad’s office is a tile paperweight, which can also double as a coaster!

Materials

Directions

1. With a Sharpie pen, write: “Happy Father’s Day!” on the tile.
2. Apply a coat of paint to your child’s hand with the paintbrush, covering your child’s hand completely and then press hand to ceramic tile carefully.
3. Let dry 48 hours.
4. After 48 hours, place your tiles in a stoneware baking pan.
5. Before turning your oven on, place your tiles in the oven.
6. Heat your oven to 325 degrees F. Bake for 30 minutes.
7. Remove the tiles from the oven and cool completely before handling.

How to make a handprint plaque for Dad >>

DAD pictures

This interactive gift is fun to do with the kids and captures each child’s personality.

Materials

Directions

1. With a pencil, draw block letters on the poster board.
2. With markers, draw and decorate each block letter.
3. Carefully cut out the letters.
4. Have your child hold each letter and take one picture for each letter.
5. Print or have the pictures developed.
6. Insert the pictures into a gallery frame or three separate frames.

7 Tips for better kids pictures >>

More crafts for kids

4 Messy outdoor crafts for kids
5 Spring handprint crafts for kids
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Game tickets

Give Dad a gift you know he'll enjoy — a pair of tickets to see his favorite team play. Right now, we are in the middle of the NBA playoffs, baseball season is in full swing and football season is right around the corner — so you have plenty of ticket options to choose from.

Head to Ticketmaster.com or StubHub.com to find game tickets to almost every sporting event in the country.

Team jersey

You can't go wrong with buying a jersey for your hubby or dad from his favorite sports team. Fanatics.com offers jerseys, T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and other items. In addition to apparel, you can also find flags, bags, collectibles and whimsical items for your home.

Whether he loves the NFL, MLB, NBA or any number of other sports, you'll be able to find the perfect Father's Day gift.

KRUPS BeerTender

If your dad likes to have a beer or two while watching the game, the Krups BeerTender is a must. Compatible with the Heineken DraughtKeg system, the unit releases Co2 every time the tap is opened, ensuring the beer remains fresh and crisp for up to 30 days. The Krups BeerTender is perfect for parties, or anytime you want a refreshing beer.

You can find the BeerTender at a variety of retailers, including Amazon.com, priced at $150.

Ron Abuelo rum

If your dad would rather have hard liquor than beer to celebrate his team's success, check out the Ron Abuelo Limited Edition Father’s Day Gift Set. This set includes a 750ml bottle of Ron Abuelo 12 Años rum along with a travel kit that includes a keychain, money clip and passport holder.

Priced at just $33, this is an affordable Father's Day gift that your dad will love.

Callaway Ion X golf glove

If your dad loves to hit the links, give him the gift of a new top-of-line golf glove. Created from Cabretta leather and with mesh ventilation, the Callaway Ion X Golf Glove features an ion band built into the wrist. Highly rated by golfers, this glove offers a fantastic fit that doesn't bunch or wrinkle. Reviewers also rave about the comfort and grip.

At just $24, this Father's Day gift is a big bargain.

Experiential gifts

Try something a little different this year and give Dad a gift he can experience. A variety of experiential gift companies offer amazing sports-related experiences such as driving a racecar, taking a private ballpark tour, having lunch with a professional player and much more.

Visit websites like excitations.com and cloud9living.com to learn more about all the experiential gifts they have to offer. Experiential gifts start at just $50 and are available all over the country.

More Father's Day gift ideas

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Father's Day gifts for the new dad
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Play catch with... water balloons

Fill up your balloons with water and play catch. Start close together and move farther and farther apart. See how far you can get from the other person before the water balloon drops and breaks. You can play with two people or in groups of three or more. At the end, have a good old-fashioned water balloon fight!

What you'll need: Water balloons and your family. If you want to get creative, make something to catch the balloons in. One idea is to use milk jugs. Cut off the bottoms and flip them over. Hold on to the jug handle and go!

Slip-n-slide races

Get your hands on a duel-lane Slip-n-slide or set up single lane slides side-by-side. Set up races for the kids and time them as they race down the slides. The children will love this fun and competitive way to beat the heat.

What you'll need: Slip-n-slide, a hose and a hot afternoon!

5 Fun water toys for outside play >>

Best beach and sand toys for kids >>

Wash the car!

Grab a bucket of suds, the hose and your brood. Turn on the tunes, throw on your suits and have fun while you clean your car. This will be a great way to soak up some sun while also getting some work done. After you park the sparkling automobile in the garage, have a water fight!

What you'll need: A bucket, soap, a hose and some elbow grease.

More family water activities

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When you tell friends, family members or former co-workers that you are a work-at-home mom, eyebrows may be raised — or they may not really give it a second thought, simply because they don’t realize how difficult it is to be a WAHM.

Separate working area

If you have the space, create a separate work area with a door that can be shut. This is important not only for solitude and concentration , but for the ability to shut the door and leave any projects behind at the drop of a hat . It will also be easier to leave work behind for a day if you can’t see it.

Your support staff

A good support staff is essential for a WAHM to be successful. Your partner, your mother or even your older children can pitch in to help you out. A few hours in the morning of alone work time is a blessing. See if someone can take your toddler to the park a few days a week, for instance, or see if Daddy will take her with him when he runs errands.

You can also try to arrange your working time for when your kids are asleep. Easy for naptime, but can be hard at bedtime if you’re exhausted too. If you’re like many moms, you like to clean when your baby is napping, but if you can get in a good hour of work time that will be a bonus.

Hiring childcare

Hiring outside help may seem to defeat the purpose of working at home, but it can become a necessity — when you think about it, having someone there can make your work time more productive. You won’t be constantly interrupted and you will likely be able to get done quicker than you would if it was just you alone with your kids. This in turn will make your time with them less distracted and more fun.

With a few strategies such as these, you can create a more harmonious working environment in your home and truly benefit from both worlds.

More on working at home

Work-from-home ideas for stay-at-home moms
Chasing the Dream: How to be a work-at-home success
Deciding to be a work-at-home mom

How to advocate for your child

When a child isn’t able or prepared to advocate for himself, a parent is often the best person to speak on behalf of her child, no matter what the circumstance. Are you ready to step into those shoes?

The reality of parenting just doesn’t lend itself to a clear-cut job description but one thing is for sure: parents are on the frontline when it comes to advocating for a child. Nobody else is as qualified to speak on behalf of your child or as concerned about her well-being. So, how do you best advocate for the little ones in your life?

Advocacy, defined

Before you became a parent, you probably heard about the long hours you’d spend soothing unidentified ailments, the battle of wills you’d face in the teenage years and the endless amount of crucial decisions you’d have to make regarding their future. But, did anyone prepare you for the role of advocate? Probably not. Still, every parent is their child’s best spokesperson, so it makes sense to brush up on that skill. "Advocacy means to support, defend and/or speak on behalf of someone," says Laurie Gray, J.D., a child advocate and founder of Socratic Parenting. "As parents, our job is to nurture and support our children and empower them to become independent."

Read about 6 ways to advocate for your special needs child >>

Advocating effectively

Children most often need an advocate in the educational environment. "While parents can demand the best of themselves, they can only demand what is required of their children’s schools, and what is required will depend greatly on whether the child has special needs, falls within average intelligence ranges, or has exceptional talent or abilities in one or more subject matters," says Gray. She advises that, generally, there are three rules that will help a parent advocate most effectively:

Overcoming the roadblocks

Like anything involved with parenting, advocacy isn’t always easy. In fact, there are a number of roadblocks that can, and probably will, stand in your way. "Intrafamilial division, when the father and mother want what’s best for their child but disagree on what that might be, leads to ineffective advocacy by both," says Gray. Parents also need to pay attention to the manner in which they advocate and the reality of their resources. "Parents who are angry and discourteous are less likely to be listened to than parents who remain calm, reasonable and persistent," she says.

Emotions can run high when a parent is in a situation that requires advocacy. Some situations are best suited for a subtle, more nuanced approach while others need an aggressive approach. Although the process can sometime be difficult, parents can proceed with confidence knowing that they truly know their children better than anyone else. Nobody is more qualified to advocate for a child than a parent.

Read more about your kids and education

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An Arizona dad is feeling the heat after he forced his teen sons to drink liquor after he busted them sneaking into his stash. Is this sort of punishment cruel, or is this what kids need today to stay on the straight and narrow?

Punishment old-fashioned or just right?

Kristopher Harvey was unhappily surprised when he discovered his teen sons, aged 13 and 14, were sneaking alcohol while he was away from home. He forced them to consume three shots of hard liquor and has now been charged with two counts of child abuse after neighbors heard the kids shouting from the pool that evening.

"Unfortunately it was some of the things I learned when I was a child, that this is how you teach your children to do things,” said a remorseful Harvey. “I realize now that it was the biggest mistake of my life." He faces 17 years to life and may lose the ability to see his kids again.

Doing it old-school

Punishment like this certainly isn’t new and vogue — in fact, it has the vintage feel of old-school parenting. If a kid drinks or smokes, force him to do it until he gets sick — this way perhaps he’ll realize how wrong the activity was. Laura from Australia said this method worked wonders. “Forty years ago my daughter was 4 and I caught her and a little friend smoking behind the shed so I sat her down and made her smoke a whole cigarette,” she shared. “She has never smoked again, so it worked with her.”

And Jennifer from Arizona said, “I wish that ‘Here, drink more booze!’ was the response when I got caught drinking while in high school. Instead I think I was yelled at and then grounded for what seemed like years!”

Only time, and the courts, will tell whether this parenting misstep will go punished or not. But with the danger of alcohol poisoning — or simply making your kids hate you more — this may not have been the wisest form of discipline.

More on teens and drinking

How to deal: Teenage drinking
Is your teen drinking?
Should you lock alcohol away from teens?

Gifts from the heart

Father’s Day is a time to teach your children to shower Dad with love and affection.

Skip store-bought gifts and help your children create something handmade for their dad. Add a healthy dose of letting Dad veg on his big day and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a memorable Father’s Day!

If you’re not into messy play at home, it’s tempting to leave arts and crafts time at school. Even if you dread getting glue and glitter all over your countertops, the clean-up is worth the quality time spent creating something with your kids. This Father’s Day, help your preschoolers create homemade gifts for Dad with one of these four easy craft ideas.

Family stick puppets

Create puppets that represent the members of your family. Use popsicle sticks for the body and pipe cleaners for the arms. Let your preschoolers draw clothes and other features on the sticks. Tissue paper can be used to create clothing. Help your kids glue googly eyes onto the puppet faces. Have your kids create and rehearse a special puppet show for Dad to see on the morning of Father’s Day. At the end of the show, he can keep the puppets as his gift. For this craft, you’ll need craft popsicle sticks, markers, tissue paper, pipe cleaners, googly eyes and glue.

Find more creative Father's Day gifts Dad will love >>

Decoupage picture frame

Make Dad a one-of-a-kind picture frame. Over the span of several days, have your preschoolers cut out scraps of paper from magazines. Try using every color of the rainbow or just one color scheme, such as greens and blues. While your kids work on cutting scraps, cut out letters to spell your kids’ names. Carefully place the scraps of colored paper onto the frame and brush Mod Podge over them to seal them. After the first layer has dried, add your kids’ names. When the frame is finished, include a picture of your kids for a special gift for Dad. For this craft, you’ll need a plain craft photo frame, a photo of your kids, safety scissors, magazines, a paint brush and Mod Podge.

Avoid the top 5 worst Father's Day gifts >>

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