Teach your kids about the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as well as about the importance of the civil rights movement and cultural diversity.

Teaching kids about Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated the third Monday in January in honor of his birthday — January 15. From books to videos and celebrations to special events, many resources are available to teach your children about MLK.

Choose age-appropriate books to teach your kids about Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement. Even very young kids can benefit from learning about the life and teachings of Dr. King. Read the books with your kids and talk to them about racial diversity and what it means to be considered equal.

Here are a few reading suggestions to consider, depending on the age of your children.

• For preschoolers:A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr.
• For grade school kids:Meet Martin Luther King, Jr.
• For high schoolers:The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Celebrate MLK's birthday by appreciating diversity. You can create a multicultural dinner where you serve food from various parts of the country and the world. From Italian pasta to Boston clam chowder and Chinese egg rolls to Atlanta peach pie, your children will love learning about the different cultures and foods from around the globe. Talk to your kids about the diversity in your own family, and how we all are really from the same melting pot.

Since most schools are closed on MLK Day, allow your children to help out in the kitchen preparing your special meal.

Read about teaching kids to embrace diversity and be inclusive>>

The Seattle Times has put together a special MLK section that is especially helpful to parents, teachers and children. It includes Dr. King's biography, photo galleries, a timeline, quizzes, and a selection of his speeches, sermons and letters. Allow your kids to listen or read his "I Have a Dream" speech and other excerpts. Discuss what his words mean.

Talk about the civil rights movement and some of the problems that still exist today. The King Center website is also a fabulous resource for information about Dr. King, his life and his message.

Teens may have interesting insights into diversity and equality as they see it. Take this opportunity to engage them in a discussion of what they see and how they might change it for the better.

Almost every major city in the country holds special events and celebrations on MLK Day. Find out if there are any marches, parades, seminars, church services or other activities in your area. Check with your chamber of commerce, convention and visitor's bureau, parks and recreation department, libraries and museums to find out about events you may be interested in attending.

Older children may be involved in programs at school during the week of MLK Day. Let them "teach" younger siblings what they have learned at school.

Check out these ways to teach kids about racial and cultural diversity>>

As a follow-up to MLK Day, start planning ahead for Black History Month in February. Black History Month celebrates the achievements and contributions of African-Americans in U.S. History. The History Channel offers a number of TV shows, online articles, videos, photo galleries, book suggestions and other interactives that can be helpful in teaching your children about Black History Month.

More about Martin Luther King Jr.

Awesome places to visit this Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech
Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day with kids

by Sarah Churman
as told to Julie Weingarden Dubin

I was born legally deaf. Several years ago I underwent testing and scans to find out the exact root of my hearing loss. I learned that I was missing the hairs in my inner ear. The hairs are what transmit the sound waves to the brain. It was just a genetic abnormality.

In May of 2011, my husband, Sloan, was driving in his truck and heard a radio ad for the Esteem hearing implant by Envoy Medical. He listened to the ad, and in a feverish frenzy called me up and told me to Google it. He was certain it was for me. I immediately started researching like mad and I realized it was indeed my miracle.

My mother-in-law cashed in her retirement savings so I could get the device. In August of 2011, I had the first implant done and it was activated at the end of September. I got the second implant in January of 2012 and it was activated in March.

Millions of people watched me hearing my voice for the first time in September of 2011, after Sloan recorded the moment and put it on YouTube . But what people don’t know is how scared to death I was to hear my own voice. Scared that the implant wouldn't work and worried that I wouldn't like it. Having “good ears” was something I dreamed about my whole life but I was extremely nervous.

As odd as it sounds, there was a certain sense of comfort in the way I was. Every morning for 29 years, I knew what to expect. I knew I'd wake up and put in my hearing aids and go through the motions. I could only hear loud noises and vibrations wearing hearing aids.

Prior to getting the implants, being “legally deaf” was all I’d ever known. I could hear some sounds like vibrations and loud noises through my hearing aids. Sloan and I had developed a way of life. I was blessed in that I married a man who pretty much has been my ears when I needed him to be. He was always the one to hear the kids at night, and if it was my night to get up with the baby, then he'd get me my hearing aids and wake me up.

I was always aware of what I was missing out on . My daughters, Olivia, 5, and Elise, almost 3, had only known life with a mother who needed a little extra help at times. They were groomed to be children that focused on me as they spoke because I needed to read lips. They were always aware that they had to get my attention and that things like speaking to me from the other room were not going to work. As far as everyday life, I just stayed as tuned in as I could to my girls, constantly watching their faces and body language.

When I first heard my voice I remember feeling a strange sensation. I thought I sounded weird. The very first day Sloan joked with me that he had a new wife because I spoke so softly compared to before when he had to sweetly ask me to speak quieter in certain situations.

The implants have changed my life dramatically. I'm now able to talk to my girls from the other room. I can really enjoy their little voices, the tones, the noises they make. I fell in love with their faces and body language the first part of their life, now I can fall in love with their voices. I've gained self-esteem and I’m a better wife, mom and friend. I'm more outgoing and willing to do things on my own. I'm not afraid of what others are thinking or that I'm missing out on something.

I've always had a passion for life, and for the beauty around me in everyday things due to paying such close attention to details and always being so tuned in. But now, I'm experiencing things for the first time in a new way. I even wrote a book, Powered On, published by Indigo River Publishing, to share my story about the beauty of hope. I want people to think about others and find good in the world.

Watch Sarah hearing her voice for the first time

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Looking for something to do this Martin Luther King Jr. Day with the kids? Take them on an educational journey to learn more about Martin Luther King Jr., who was a civil rights leader assassinated long before his time.

These day trips can introduce kids to African-American history, the civil rights movement and the history of voting rights. They can also transform the seldom celebrated day into a meaningful, special and educational journey that will stay with your kids.

So, where should you go?

No matter where you are, there is something special to do this Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

These special sites are perfect for learning more about Dr. King all year round.

More activities for kids

Teaching kids to make a difference in the world
Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day with the kids
How to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Shakira

Her bump don’t lie! Shakira bared her baby bump in a sexy photo with her shirtless boyfriend Gerard Pique via Twitter.

“We’d like to celebrate the imminent birth of our first child with all of you,” Shakira wrote, with a link to the UNICEF charity website promoting her “World Baby Shower to help UNICEF save children’s lives.”

“To celebrate the arrival of our first child, we hope that, in his name, other less privileged children in the world can have their basic needs covered through gifts and donations,” Shakira and Gerard write. “Thank you for sharing this unforgettable moment with us.”

“Every expectant parent around the world shares all the same hopes and dreams for their children that we do/ Yet many don’t share the same opportunities. Together we know we can change that,” she said.

The couple is expecting their first child, a boy, very soon and has asked fans to donate to UNICEF to help buy things like mosquito nets and food for underprivileged kids.

Next up: Kate Middleton is reportedly around 13 to 14 weeks of pregnancy. Is she showing yet?

Photo credit: Celebrity Baby Scoop: Celebrity Mom and Baby News

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Kate Middleton

Pregnant Kate Middleton wore a belted red dress as she viewed her controversial new portrait of herself by Paul Emsley at the National Portrait Gallery in London on January 11. The Duchess is gorgeous and glowing — however no sign of a baby bump just yet!

Middleton is reportedly around 13 to 14 weeks pregnant and the Palace released a statement after a recent ultrasound to confirm the due date — and it appears to dispel rumors she is expecting twins.

“Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in July,” the statement reads. “The Duchess's condition continues to improve since her stay in the hospital last month.”

Middleton will be sharing a due date with Kim Kardashian, who is also due in July.

Next up: Want to compare baby bumps? Check out Kardashian’s pregnancy curves next!

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Kim Kardashian

Pregnant Kim Kardashian dresses her bump in a black dress as she arrived at the SiriusXM Radio station in New York City on January 15.

Kardashian recently told Kathie Lee and Hoda on the Today show that she has similar fertility issues as her sister Khloe Kardashian.

“It's kind of a miracle that I even got pregnant,” said Kim, who is pregnant with Kanye West’s baby after dating nine months.

“Khloe has been very open about her fertility issues and I think I was always really kind of quiet about mine, and I have similar issues,” said Kim.

Khloe and her husband Lamar Odom have been married for three years and have been trying for a baby.

"It was a pleasant surprise when so many doctors were telling me one thing and then the opposite happens,” she said.

The reality star said she is still coming to terms with being pregnant. "I think until I really start seeing, like, a belly, it won't really sink in. It's just like a weird realization until you really start seeing the physical changes," she said.

Next up: Pregnant Evan Rachel Wood is showing!

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Evan Rachel Wood

Evan Rachel Wood holds her baby bump as she films scenes for her new movie, 10 Things I Hate About Life in Malibu on January 7.

Wood, who just married actor Jamie Bell last year, took to Twitter back in November to dispel pregnancy rumors after a photo was snapped of her touching her belly.

"Sorry to disappoint. But no baby on the way here," she tweeted.

Fast forward to January, and her rep made this announcement to Us Weekly:

"Evan Rachel Wood and husband Jamie Bell confirmed that they are expecting their first child later this year. "The couple is thrilled."

In case you are keeping track, the True Blood star was once engaged to Marilyn Manson.

Next up: Jessica Simpson shows off her bump in a tight leopard print dress

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Jessica Simpson

Pregnant Jessica Simpson appeared on The Tonight Show and opened up about her second pregnancy and her pending wedding to Eric Johnson.

"We've had two different wedding dates, but he keeps knocking me up," she joked.

Simpson found out she was pregnant again when her daughter Maxwell Drew was only 6 months old.

In typical Simpson fashion, she didn’t hold anything back when recalling how her surprise pregnancy happened:

"I was extremely shocked because I was going through a lot of hormonal changes, trying to get back to the old, vibrant Jessica. You know, it was kind of like a one-night stand. And it happened, all over again!" said the Fashion Star judge.

The Weight Watchers spokeswoman said she gained more weight than doctors would recommend during her last pregnancy. Simpson lost 50 pounds with the program before her surprise pregnancy.

"I was really happy to be pregnant and I didn't ever step on the scale. I didn't realize you could gain that much weight that quickly," she confessed.

“We're doing it very backwards, I know... I'll just keep my legs crossed, I guess, this time,“ she mused. “Apparently it was a part of God's plan for my life."

From Channing Tatum's wife to Kristen Bell, check out more pregnant celebrities here>>

Photo of Jessica Simpson courtesy of Celebrity Baby Scoop: Celebrity Mom and Baby News; All other photos WENN unless noted.

Raising well-mannered kids

Good manners help teach empathy

Emily Post might have been on to something. Beyond the social niceties of “please” and “thank you,” basic manners actually serve as the building blocks for the development of empathy in young children by encouraging awareness for the feelings of others and decreasing ego-centrism.

Etiquette aside, basic manners do more than raise polite children who impress your neighbors. Good manners promote good values such as consideration, appreciation, responsibility, respect and empathy.

Empathy differs from sympathy. While sympathy is feeling sorrow or concern for someone else, empathy is the ability to identify with and understand another person’s feelings and motives without necessarily having experienced them yourself. Though some may say certain children are born with this capacity, most experts agree empathy is a skill that can be nurtured and developed whether or not a parent sees a natural inclination.

Young children are inherently ego-centric. As they develop, they begin to distinguish ‘self’ from ‘others,’ and this is a prime opportunity for parents to encourage empathic thoughts and behaviors. Manners are a simple yet critical tool in helping a child develop empathy since, by their very nature, manners are the outward expression of appreciation and consideration for another.

Please, thank you and excuse me. Use these magic words everywhere, especially at home with each other. There is no better company on which children can practice than their own family. These seemingly simple words teach children to consider another’s generosity, feelings or time through simple recognition and thankfulness.

Offering help. Life is the best teacher. A ripped bag spilling items to the floor, a woman with a double stroller trying to get through the door — all of these daily incidents are great opportunities for children to help. Pointing out these opportunities and encouraging them to offer assistance will, over time, become internalized. They will be more apt to notice these moments in the future and take the initiative to help independently.

Appropriate greetings. Properly greeting someone when arriving and departing should not be an overlooked manner. Even if children are busy playing, it is important to have them give their greetings using good eye contact. This instills not only an awareness of other people’s feelings but also helps to practice basic social skills.

Thanking a person for their gift. A thank you card, email or phone call fosters a sense of gratitude and appreciation essential to developing empathy. Even young children not yet able to write can draw a picture or participate in a phone call. Recognizing the gift-giver helps discourage the dreaded “spoiled” or entitled attitude by simply reinforcing appreciation over expectation.

• Repetition: Don’t let manners slide when the guests are gone. If a child isn’t expected to show mannerly and respectful behavior and language with you at home, your efforts will be notably diminished and their success outside of the home limited.

• Consistency: Like any learned behavior, manners must be introduced as early as possible and reinforced consistently. No child is ever too young to begin practicing manners.

• Modeling: Children follow the example set by adults, so always model good manners yourself both inside and outside the home, especially when addressing your own children and spouse.

• Meaning: Manners can become a rote, mindless drill so it is important to relate the meaning behind the manners regularly. Try to focus on how good the manners made someone else feel not just insisting your child parrot back the magic words.

More about manners

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When mom has a potty mouth
How to teach your toddler table manners

From lowtop slip-ons to bold colors and fun prints, rain boots have come a long way from standard-issue yellow rubber. Before you stock up on everything you need to wrap up your family's winter wardrobe, check out the latest in rain boot fashion for kids!

Shopping tips for buying rain boots

• Consider buying a size bigger than your child's typical shoe size, to allow more room for layers of thick winter socks, if needed.
• If you're expecting more rain than snow, make sure the boots you have your eye on are waterproof. If snow is in the forecast, pick boots that come up to mid-calf and have wider openings at the top, so kids can tuck their pants inside of the boots.
• Don't sacrifice substance for style. Check for sturdy soles and solid traction to help your little ones safely navigate across icy or wet surfaces.

More rainy day fun

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4 Ways for your family to beat the winter blues

Just yesterday it was pigtails and slushees. Now it’s hair extensions and double espressos? Why does your tween think she’s 20 and what the heck can you do about it?

A double espresso with a side of 'don’t grow up'

From the 'tude that shows up as quickly as it disappears to the constant desire to change her look, should you be concerned with your tween's rollercoaster-like behavior? "Children at this age are finding their wings and spreading them — it is a phase of individuation and what is so complex is that they can shift from playing with dolls to putting on makeup within the same hour. This is destabilizing for them and for us as parents," says Dr. Ramani Durvasula.

So what do you do when your tween wants to change her hairstyle or dress older? Durvasula suggests, "Give them a room or space of their own, privacy in appropriate ways. Go shopping with them and help them oversee choices. Check in with yourself. I hate to say it, but as a mom of a tween, I actually take more time to make sure that I keep it tame in terms of my look ."

Give your middle-schooler more freedom>>

It's a fine line between giving them freedom of expression and making sure there are distinct boundaries for their behavior. "They may not tell you that they want boundaries, but they do," stresses Durvasula.

"They like knowing how far they can go, and there is a certain discomfort in having loose boundaries . Too many parents are confused — so obsessed with being a child's friend that they are unable to be a parent. It's not cool to be a killjoy and say no heels, no makeup, and less revealing clothing . Tough — you are a mother, you are not supposed to be cool. It's OK for them to fight against you, hold your ground," adds Durvasula.

From awesome to awkward overnight>>

"One thing that makes this tough is that our kids are exploring in an era where sexual expectations run high, and the imagery to which young people are exposed is overly sexualized — at a time when they do not have the emotional tools to manage the images. Tweens are highly suggestible — wanting to emulate overly sexualized pop stars and TV imagery," adds Durvasula.

"In terms of parent emotions — this is hard. We are watching our kids grow up seemingly instantaneously. Talk with friends who have similarly-aged kids — even consider tossing together an impromptu support group. If you as a parent can find appropriate ways in which to discuss your emotions — it may result in fewer blowups at home with your child," says Durvasula.

"And every so often — pull them close and just hold them — they still want it, it helps them contain and soothes them ."

More about your tween's behavior

Battling a moody tween
Mean girls, tween girls: What parents can do
Mean girls rule the school? Help your daughter deal

How to confront teen stealing

When your teenager has been caught stealing, is it simply rebellious behavior or a cry for help?

Don't risk your youngster shutting you out completely; instead learn how to deal with teen behavior when your child has been caught red-handed: Your teen's a thief.

Whether stuff goes missing from your home or your teen is caught stealing from a store, it may not be an accident that your young adult has been caught red-handed. "Teen stealing is often an expression of the teen feeling deprived of love and attention," explains psychiatrist and author Carole Lieberman M.D., www.drcarole.com. "The object stolen represents taking something that he feels he is not getting enough of at home. It's also a way of rebelling and getting negative attention from parents, which seems better than no attention at all." Regardless of how big or small of a deal your teen's behavior may seem, it may be a red flag of a deeper issue, so don't ignore the signs.

Every child is unique but is your kiddo's actions considered normal teen behavior? >>

Growing up is tough, especially when your youngster is yearning to fit in with the popular crowd. When your teenager sees friends around her stealing and encouraging her to do the same, she may feel the risk of getting caught holds less consequences than the risk of being rejected by her peers. Or, with the spotlight on so many name-brand clothes and high-priced gadgets, your child may feel like it's the only way he can keep up with the Joneses and cave in to the temptation of pocketing possessions that he wouldn't otherwise have. While the consequences of these thefts may be the same, the motivation behind the illegal teen behavior may be very different.

As tough as the conversation will be when confronting your teen's rebellious behavior, confronting teen stealing is imperative, advises David Simonsen M.S. LMFT, www.help4life.net. "When parents knows their teen has stolen they must have a direct conversation with them and clearly lay out consequences for them." But, it doesn't mean that your youngster is expected to sit quietly and take a verbal lashing. "It would be helpful if the teen is able to participate in that conversation and even give some ideas on what they are going to do to make things right. If they are completely unwilling to make things right then unfortunately the authorities may need to be involved."

How to deal when your teen hates school>> 

Whether your teen's been caught red-handed by you or another source, writing teen stealing off as rebellious teen behavior is the worst thing you can do for your child. "If a parent does nothing then they can expect their teen to take more risks related to stealing," warns Simonsen. However, armed with these parenting tips here — and a whole lot of patience — you can get to the root of your teen's stealing before it becomes a lifestyle.

More tips on dealing with teen behavior

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Depression rates in teen girls
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Have we, as a nation, become so accustomed to fictional violence in television shows, movies and video games that we now are desensitized to real-life violence and death?

Reflections on the Newtown massacre

Contributed by Dr. George Drinka

As I ponder the events in Newtown and the conversations taking place in the media surrounding the massacre of innocent children and their teachers, I am perplexed and dismayed at how desensitized many of us have become to senseless and violent deaths, even of little children.

Some congressmen and pro-gun activists call for our teachers being armed as a deterrent to such shootings. Fight violence with violence, they seem to say. One pundit declares that since only 2 percent of schizophrenics are violent, perhaps treating them more effectively would not move the number of violent deaths downward. So helping the mentally ill is questionably worthwhile. Others point out that the Brady Bill, which outlawed assault weapons for 10 years, did not statistically change the number of homicides in our country. So maybe we should do nothing with automatic weapons.

In short, we live in a society in which even a public conversation over minimal actions that might avert future deaths is tilted toward doing little or nothing.

At best, we might make some changes around the societal edges even as we fail to take a closer look at how the society has hardened itself to such slaughter and refused to even ponder how deeper societal changes are necessary.

Why are we the way we are about violence and senseless slaughter? I suggest that much of our desensitization has transpired on a national level since we have lived through decades surrounded as a people by brutal images our media has pushed on us.

How many times has each of us seen and heard automatic weaponry rat-tat-tatting on TV sets or in the movies? How many kids are taking deep pleasure in playing at mass murder in video games night and day? And how many quarrels have broken out in American households between parents who wish their kids to study or go to bed and their children who wish to watch more action movies, commit more murders on their screens? We may see this all as fictional, but this blood-splashed imagery has seeped, I suggest, deeply into our sensibilities as a people.

As social science researchers in the field of media violence have made clear via their voluminous studies, incessant watching of media violence not only leads to trends in many kids toward greater bullying and violence, but also it enhances our children’s desensitization to violence.

So these kids immersed in fictional violence are more likely to perceive real violence as acceptable, as a reasonable way to solve any problem.

Because many of us have been reared on this media diet in which brutal, perverse and gratuitous violence is the norm, naturally we will tolerate high levels of violence in our society.

So most will not insist on real change in how violence is perceived and will accept a few changes on the edges of the society as enough -- a few more dollars spent of mental illness prevention, a little tweak of the law around background checks for buying guns, a few more schools with automatic door-locking mechanisms. These changes done, we can then change the channel and go on with our lives.

Dr. George Drinka is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and the author of The Birth of Neurosis: Myth, Malady and the Victorians . His new book, When the Media Is the Parent, is a culmination of his work with children, his scholarly study of works on the media and American cultural history, and his dedication to writing stories that reveal the humanity in us all.

More about violence

Witnessing domestic violence: The effect on children
Connecticut school shootings: How to talk to kids about violence
When education becomes violent

Martin Luther King Jr. has forever changed our country by his courageous leadership qualities. With this easy-to-understand information, help teach your children about this historical leader and the importance of standing up for what you believe in.

Educate and celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.

Start the conversation with your kids and honor the man that changed equality forever.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day of remembrance established by the U.S. government to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It's observed on the third Monday of January each year. Dr. King was born on January 15, 1929 and this year marks what would have been his 84th birthday.

MLK Day gives us a day to reflect on the monumental changes that one man set in motion.

Martin Luther King Jr. fought for equal rights amongst black and white citizens in the 1950s and 1960s. These rights included the right to work and make an honest living, the right to vote, the right to use public places and the right to receive a good education. It is important to educate, remember and honor the man that made these equal rights possible for our children and for all of us.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 17-minute public speech in 1963 included these famous words: "I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

What do the children of 2013 dream of for our future? Because we love their honest answers, we asked a few children about their dream for the future and this is what they shared:

• "I dream for all the LEGOS in the world and then I will share them with the kids that don't have any. But I will keep the good ones."— Connor, age 7.
• "I dream like Martin Wuther King." — Jonathan, age 5.
• "I have a dream for world peace." — Hunter, age 9.
• "I have scary dreams sometimes." — Bennett, age 4.

Read Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I have a dream" speech>>

Asking your children their dream is not the only thing you can do to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Involve your children in these activities to pay respect to the man that fought for equality.

• Read a book about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and discuss the lessons he taught about freedom and racial acceptance.
• Act out his famous "I have a dream" speech while implementing your own words and hopes for the future. Ask your children what it means to have a dream, and how they can achieve theirs.
• Organize a peace parade in your neighborhood. Children can decorate their bicycles or scooters and invite friends to join in.
• Fly the American flag from your house.
• Write out dreams on small pieces of paper, attach them to helium balloons and let the balloons go outside.

More on racial diversity

Teaching kids about racial and cultural diversity
Teaching kids to embrace diversity and be inclusive
Actress and author Diane Farr talks about raising a biracial family

Preparing for a sleepover

It’s OK to be nervous about your child with special needs having his first sleepover. Learn how to make this big first a gentle experience for you and your child.

Help your child
enjoy a slumber party

Sleepovers are a huge rite of passage for little kids. Help your child with special needs transition toward having his first sleepover. With a little preparation and built-in wiggle room, everything will be fine.

Help your child understand what to expect and how to respond at a sleepover. Julie Liberman, M.A., CCC-SLP, works with children on the autism spectrum. “Preparation is key,” Liberman says. “Resources such as social stories, written stories that detail the event beforehand, are great for reducing anxiety and helping children know what to expect.” Children with special needs may not pick up on or understand social cues or common situations like sleepovers. A social story about sleepovers, such as this blogger’s example, helps kids understand simple aspects of a sleepover, such as the comforting fact that you’ll be back in the morning.

Find online resources for children with special needs>>

In the best case scenario, your child has made friends with other kids with similar special needs. Try befriending other moms at therapy groups and waiting rooms if your child is currently in treatment. In addition to finding great playmates for your children, you may find yourself meeting friends who really get you. For that first sleepover, allowing your child to stay the night with a family with experience with special needs takes some of the pressure and nervousness out of what should be a fun situation. Families who have experience won’t bat an eye at some of the everyday challenges you and your child face. If your child doesn't spend the first sleepover with a playmate, try a sleepover at a close family member's home.

Any child, regardless of special needs, may want to bail on a slumber party. This is a perfectly normal response to sleeping somewhere new and being around another family. Whether your child has anxieties or not, anticipate this being a potential issue. Make sure the parents of your child’s friend understand that it’s all right to call for you to pick your child up at any time. You don’t want to unintentionally create a situation where your child feels forced to stay somewhere she feels anxious or unsafe. If your child decides to come home, it isn’t a failure. There are plenty of opportunities for sleepovers in the future.

Discover sleepover safety guidelines>>

The key to sharing crucial information about your child’s special needs is to avoid embarrassing your child. To keep your child from feeling embarrassed, get with the parents in person or send some emails prior to the sleepover. Don’t worry about over sharing. Other parents would rather have too much information than not enough in the unlikely event of a meltdown or emergency. Create a basic “frequently asked questions” sheet including quirks, medical needs and allergies. Include ways your child feels comforted at bedtime. Make sure your contact information is there and let the parents know that it’s OK to call or text you at any time of night.

More special needs

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Birth announcements for children with special needs
Gift ideas for kids with Sensory Processing Disorder

Michelle Obama

In honor of Michelle Obama’s 49th birthday, the First Lady revealed her new Twitter account — @FLOTUS .

At recent count, she already has over 48,000 followers and is following 15 people. Her first tweet read:

“The @FLOTUS Office is now on @twitter & will post updates & pics. When it's her, she'll sign -mo. PS: RT to wish Mrs. Obama a #HappyBirthday.”

Her next tweet unveiled her new haircut with bangs!

“The First Lady just met with Inaugural citizen co-chair David Hall ahead of #MLKDay of Service,” the tweet read, with a link to the following photo.

We are still waiting from the first official tweet from the first lady herself. Do you plan on following The First Lady on Twitter?

Adele

New mom Adele picked up Best Original Song at the Golden Globe Awards for her work on James Bond with her song "Skyfall."

It sounded like the singer, who gave birth to her son 12 weeks ago, was a little starstruck!

“Oh my god I feel like Meryl Streep!! Thank you,” she tweeted.

Followed by: “I just met Daniel fu**ing Day Lewis!!!”

Her acceptance speech was just as colorful, as she said, "Oh my God. Oh my God. Honestly, I've come out for a night out with my friend Ayda. We're new Mums. We've literally come for a night out, I was not expecting this.”

No word on Adele's Twitter feed as to the name of her son. This mum... is staying mum!

Kim Kardashian

It sounds like newly pregnant Kim Kardashian is enjoying this new phase in her life. “Looking up baby websites with @jOYCEBONELLi...oh how times have changed! I remember when we were single roomies just a few years ago!” she tweeted. “I love life!”

Kardashian, who is reportedly around 14 weeks pregnant with Kanye West’s baby, is having fun dressing her new pregnancy curves.

“Chic, effortless and comfy!” she tweeted, with a link to this photo at the airport.

“I have never ever in my life overslept! But I was supposed to leave for my 7.40am flight to NYC at 6am and my home gate rang at 6.30am!!!!! The driver was asking where I was! I have never had my alarm not go off. I rushed to the car, thank GOD I was packed. I didn’t even brush my teeth or wash my face! I bought a toothbrush into the lounge and brushed my teeth!" she wrote.

"Style Snapshot: I love this drapey look! So chic. I’m wearing a Margiela dress and an Ann Demeulemeester jacket with Alexander Wang boots. So easy and effortless and COMFY!”

She also addressed the rumors that she and Kanye just purchased a $4.5 million dollar home in Bel-Air.

“So funny when you see magazines & photos online of this new home that's supposedly mine but its the wrong house! LOL” she wrote.

Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie is one of my favorite celebrity moms on Twitter because she is pretty darn hilarious.

"'It's 8:30am & I've already gotten into 5 fights' - thugs, and parents of toddlers,” she tweeted.

“I'd hit it,” she later wrote, with a link to a photo of her husband Joel Madden.

“2012 was a year of learning the importance of family loyalty... via The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” she tweeted.

And one more gem:

“Telling people you're on a juice cleanse is a perfect way to make sure everyone is visualizing you having diarrhea.”

Busy Philipps

"I wonder if Michelle Obama is like me and INSTANTLY regretted cutting those bangs??" tweeted Cougar Town star Busy Philipps, who is currently pregnant with her second child.

Crafty mom alert! "I have to make a dress out of recycled materials for my kid's preschool's Project Runway like assignment. I'm currently fusing plastic bags," she wrote, saying she will "post a pic of the finished dress."

"Flying back to LA today, using SO much hand sanitizer & have shoved SO MUCH Aquaphor up my nose, if this flu gets me, I deserve it...," she tweeted, followed by:

"Guys, Jeff Bridges is on my plane doing stretches in the front galley. The Dude is stretching it out! I love him! This is amazing..."

From Megan Fox to Snooki, check out more funny, sweet and wacky celebrity mom tweets here>>

Photo: Johnny Louis/wenn

Give yourself a break

Let the selfish mom school you

So what if you don’t enjoy sitting on the sidelines of your child’s soccer game. Who cares if it’s not your bag to volunteer at the bake sale. No matter that you won’t extend the kids’ bedtimes because it will cut into your time. All moms should be more selfish.

It's the new year. Would it really be such a bad thing to put yourself first a little more often? When it comes to family, why not resolve to move yourself up on your own to-do list in 2013? And dare we suggest: Be a little more selfish...

Between school, work and household responsibilities, days are often long and hectic. Would it be the worst thing in the world to send the kids to their rooms for quiet time before bed so you can have a little time of your own — to decompress or chat with your husband? There's no hard and fast rule that demands the kids need to be attached to your hip at all times. Or, tuck yourself in after you put them to bed. You'll wake up the next day refreshed and ready to be a better mom.

How to sneak in a little "me" time>>

This play date won't involve Legos or a swing set . Instead, this one will be adults only and involve a glass of wine and uninterrupted bonding time with your girlfriends. Think about how much you schedule for your kids — between birthday parties and sleepovers. And ask yourself, when was the last time you had proper adult time? And we're not including play dates where you are friends with your child's friend's mom. Because really, when was the last time you had a decent conversation during one of those?

Social calendar in a rut?>>

There are some moms who love to attend each and every one of their child's sporting events. And if you're that mother, more power to you! But if you're not, you don't have to pretend that you are. In fact, you can skip a game or two and you can even tell your child why. If you explain your reason for not attending, whether it's to catch up on sleep, run errands or read a book, your child will understand that you also have things you need to do and sometimes those things coincide with his sporting events.

And obviously children's activities don't exist solely so you can come watch them. First and foremost, they are for your child. Hopefully he enjoys playing the sport and being a part of the team. So you coming to sit in the stands should be an added bonus.

Peer pressure and parenting>>

More ways to make more time for yourself

It's "me" time, not "mom" time
Mommy guilt: "You" time versus "kid" time
Mom's balancing act: How to take better care of yourself

When a child’s life becomes complicated for any reason, it may be helpful to visit a licensed mental health counselor who specializes in family issues. Learn what kinds of situations may warrant extra assistance from a professional.

When kids need
extra guidance

Adults face a stigma around seeking help for mental health issues. The same often goes for kids. When it comes to their children, parents may hesitate to seek professional assistance and guidance for a number of reasons. Learn when some kids can benefit greatly from counseling and therapy.

Sometimes families are touched by events outside of parental control. Divorce, job loss, grief and conflict within the family are all issues that affect kids. As a parent, you may not know what to say or how to respond. If you’re struggling to find ways to comfort and console your child, consider seeking assistance from a therapist who specializes in children’s issues. Get a referral from your pediatrician, use your health insurance provider to find a specialist or talk to your child’s guidance counselor at school. This kind of therapy is often temporary but makes a huge impact on a child’s ability to deal with stressful, trying life events.

Children and teens may ask for help directly or may ask for help in indirect ways. Never brush off a child’s concerns or assume that he’s exaggerating. If your child or teen expresses an interest in talking to a medical professional or someone outside of the family about any sort of issue, become an advocate for your kid and make that happen. Try not to be insulted if your child would rather talk to a neutral party than talk to you. It isn’t a sign of bad parenting and it doesn’t mean that your child doesn’t trust you. You’ll always be the expert when it comes to raising your child, but there will always be occasions when a professional’s assistance is needed.

Learn about raising a sensitive child>>

Dr. Joseph Shrand, who works with at-risk teens at the High Point Treatment Center in New England, urges parents to follow their instincts and act on worries. “A ‘professional’ will let you know if your child could use some therapy, but they will never have that option if you don't bring the child in,” says Dr. Shrand, who suggests that parents look for warning signs like lack of interest in usual activities, school friends or hygiene. Isolation, sadness and irritability can also be warning signs. Regardless of age, Dr. Shrand suggests immediately seeking help for a child with suicidal thoughts or passive mentions of suicide. “Definitely [seek help] if they are even mentioning not wanting to live, whether they have a plan or not,” he says.

Get help finding the right therapist for your child>>

Teens are notoriously moody and may be withdrawn or anti-social by nature. During these difficult years, it may be harder to judge whether or not a child needs help. Be especially aware of issues surrounding body image, eating disorders or self-harm. If your teen shows signs of drug or alcohol use, remember that addiction can affect teens. Bullying and school stress may also affect a teen’s emotional well-being. If your tween or teen has previously been in therapy for mental health or developmental issues, keep in mind that as kids age, they’re faced with new and different challenges. Talk to your teen’s doctor if you’re concerned about your teen’s behavior in any way. If your teen asks to talk to a therapist, help her find someone she trusts and feels safe with.

More about your child's health

The 4 deadliest drugs teens are taking
Depression rates climb as girls enter the teen years
Does your teen have an eating disorder?

The child formerly known as your baby has just turned 18. In the eyes of the law, things change once your child is of legal age. Suddenly parents are left out of decisions and parts of their child’s life even though they may still be supporting him.

What changes — and what stays the same?

When your child turns 18, he doesn’t magically assume the role of adult in your eyes. Most teens turn 18 during their senior year of high school, when the majority of 18-year-olds are still supported by their parents and living at home. While you may still see a child who leaves socks on the floor and forgets to take out the trash, your child is now legally an adult.

What does the law say?

Ben Luftman is a criminal defense attorney in Columbus, Ohio who has seen many 18-year-old potential clients walk through his doors. “There is a major change legally once a child is of legal age,” Luftman says. “In most states, if a minor is charged with a juvenile offense, a parent or legal guardian is required to attend court hearings with their child. Parents are often asked for input on their child’s overall temperament, potential substance abuse issues, attendance and performance in school and level of maturity.”

Once your child has turned 18, she will be charged as an adult for even minor offenses. Luftman adds, “The parent is no longer required to be there, and they often do not know their child has been charged. They are often left out of the decision-making process with respect to their child’s case.” Talk to your teens about their legal rights and what they should know if they are ever arrested. Your guidance and experience will still be valuable to them — even if they aren’t legally required to include you. Luftman always tells potential 18-year-old clients, “The shame you may feel or your mom or dad’s disappointment is temporary, the decision that you make with your case could be permanent. If you are unsure of what to do, you should speak to and get guidance from your parents.”

Read about the deadliest drugs teens are taking>>

Medical concerns

Most 18-year-olds can still be included on your family’s medical insurance policy, but here’s where things get tricky. Your access to medical information about your adult child is limited by HIPAA privacy rules. Hallie Hawkins, J.D. is one of the founders of Get it Together, a company that provides workshops and independent financial and legal education. Hawkins recommends that parents obtain a Healthcare Power of Attorney . “This is especially important if your adult child has chronic illnesses, but it is an important item to have in emergency situations,” says Hawkins. “Make sure your adult child gives a copy of the HCPOA to their primary doctor wherever they are.”

What about financial issues?

Most 18-year-olds have their own bank accounts and debit cards, but is your name on the account? If not, you will no longer be able to access the account, even in an emergency. Hawkins also recommends a Financial Power of Attorney for parents of older teens. “Unless you are [listed] on a bank account, you can't get banking information,” she shares. “For example, my daughter was going to be using her credit card overseas and forgot to tell the bank. I was able to go into the bank here with the Financial Power of Attorney and inform them of her travels so her card would be valid and would not be turned down. It was much easier for me to do this here in our local bank rather than having her do this overseas.”

Teach your child about household budgeting>>

The key to staying informed about your older teen’s activities is to keep the lines of communication open. They may technically be adults now, but they still need a bit of advice and guidance now and then.

More on parenting teens

Teaching your teens good money habits
Teens and sex: Playing it safe, or still taking risks?
Should you let your teen tan?

If you have homeschooled your children for any length of time, you're familiar with the term "homeschool burnout." Many of us have fallen victim to burnout at some point in our homeschool journey.

Keep burnout at bay

Feelings of frustration, inadequacy, anger and exhaustion can all be signs that you might be at the end of your rope when it comes to home-educating your children.

I have come to learn that burnout isn't necessary and can be avoided altogether. Here are six attainable steps to keeping homeschool burnout at bay.

My husband always reminds me of the life-saving instructions we receive on airplanes: "Secure your own oxygen mask before assisting your children." If we don't take care of ourselves then we can't properly take care of our families, let alone homeschool them. We have to make ourselves a priority and pencil in that "me time."

Sleep - Get your ZZZs, 7 to 8 hours a night when possible. Just like our children, when we don't get enough sleep, we become cranky and short-tempered. Sleep can help strengthen your immunity, improve your memory, aid with weight loss and so much more. We need a good night's sleep in order to tackle the day and juggle the many hats we must "wear" as homeschool moms.

Exercise - Getting in a small amount of daily exercise will increase stamina, benefit overall health, boost your mood and make you feel better about yourself! Something as simple as a 30-minute walk with or without your children will do wonders. Don't forget to stay hydrated! The general rule is to keep yourself from getting thirsty.

Focus - It's essential that we take time to quiet the mind and control our thoughts. Whether this be a quiet time in the morning before the kiddos wake up or a mid-day family quiet time, take a daily break. For me it is a daily quiet time and prayer. If God has brought me to it, he will bring me through it!

S.O.S. - Create simple, organized solutions for every area of your homeschool. Lose the clutter! Clutter is anything that is obsolete, time-consuming and de-energizing. Make sure there's a place for everything and everything is in its place. There is nothing more frustrating than losing precious time to disorganization.

Make a homeschool schedule, but try not to overschedule. Set realistic goals, allowing for creativity and spontaneity in your learning. We are essentially trying to nurture a love and lifestyle of learning in our children. Socializing is a good thing but packing your week with activities outside of the home can be taxing and cause undue stress to the entire family.

Plan your days. Even a loose schedule is better than no schedule at all. Plan your lessons, chores, meals and play time. I don't have a timed schedule but I do have a plan and routines for each day.

Take a little time to enjoy some fresh air. I give my sons at least three outdoor breaks throughout our homeschool day. When they go out to play I often go with them to watch the birds and take in the sun. There is something about sunshine and fresh air that feeds the mind, body and soul.

Winter nature study: Taking your homeschool outdoors>>

Don't compare yourself to your fellow homeschool moms or public/private school children. Trying to keep up with the mom that grows her own organic food, makes bread from scratch, has her children two grade levels ahead and speaking three languages will only leave you with feelings of inadequacy. We each have our own struggles to overcome and goals to achieve; there is no need to heap on the added stress of comparison.

Support and a sense of community is crucial when it comes to homeschooling. Homeschooling can be somewhat isolating and just as we want our children to play and socialize with other children, moms also need time to unwind and share with fellow homeschool moms. Whether it be a local homeschool group, co-op or an online homeschool community, finding support, empathy and fellowship is a necessity.

If you are experiencing homeschool burnout, you have more than likely lost sight of your goals. Remember the reasons why you started homeschooling in the first place — it may be that you have gotten off track from the real purpose of having your children at home.

The greatest lessons your children will learn, lessons that will carry them into adulthood, are the lessons they learn from watching you cope with difficult situations, lessons in patience, grace, respectfulness and perseverance.

More homeschooling tips

Free and frugal homeschooling
Understanding homeschool laws
Set up a preschool classroom in your home

World Religion Day is a great time to talk to your child about different faiths. Whether you are a devout believer in a particular religion or not, it's healthy to expose your kids to various faiths in order to promote tolerance and harmony.

Read about different religions

Start with the basics by reading. Even very young children can be exposed to various religions and faiths through books. Head to your local library where you can find endless stacks of books about religions around the world. Here are a few titles that you might consider:

• What Do You Believe?
• The Kids Book of World Religions
• One World, Many Religions: The Ways We Worship
• A Faith Like Mine

If your kids can't get enough of your iPad, use it to your advantage. Try the FarFaria app. This iPad app, dubbed “the Netflix of storybook apps” by USA Today, offers numerous stories helping to explain different global faiths and our commonality as one big human family. Your children can get immersed in stories from David and Goliath and Noah's Ark to Gandhi and the Spelling Test and The Life of Buddah.

Take part in a World Religion Day event

Special events are being held around the globe to celebrate World Religion Day. At WorldReligionDay.org, you can find a calendar to find the nearest event or meeting near you. All these events promote harmony, unity and peace among people of different faiths. A World Religion Day event may be the perfect opportunity to introduce your children to new religions for the first time.

Visit various places of worship

Whether you are devoutly religious or unsure of your faith, you can visit other places of worship outside your own religion or denomination. Even if you don't believe what is being preached, you and your children will learn how many of the core values are the same across a number of religions. Virtues such as kindness, generosity, patience, faithfulness, love and many more are valued by many.

Talk to your kids about religion

Exposing your kids to different faiths shouldn't be a once-a-year event on World Religion Day. You should teach your children about faith every day of your lives. Some parents don't know where to begin with young children when it comes to faith.

With so many different religions, and the expansion of secularism in school systems, how do parents successfully teach their children their own and other religious convictions? The answer isn't a simple one — it requires time, perseverance, and more than anything else, being/living the example.

We talked to Scott W. Ventrella, author of Me Inc.: How to Master the Business of Being You, and radio show host. Ventrella's nationally syndicated radio show, "The Business of Living," focuses on managing the most important aspects of life, including religion and spirituality. He provided the following guidelines for parents looking for ways to introduce religion to their children:

• Educate your children. All religions contain certain rituals, traditions, practices and beliefs that are mostly unique to a particular faith system. Be sure your child understands what these are. This can be accomplished through formal religious education or simply visit different places of worship and speak to spiritual leaders.
• Follow your particular religion's practices.
  
• Act consistently with your belief system; don't become a "do as I say, not as I do" parent.
• Share your own faith journey.
• Learn about other religions. Teach your child about other faith systems and the importance of respecting other religions.
• Make it a way of life. Help your child understand the importance of practicing their faith 24/7/365; not just on occasion.
• Seek God everywhere. Show your child that in addition to formal religion, they can find God anywhere, not only just in a congregation, church or synagogue. In everyday life, they need to feel that they are never alone, that faith is also experienced outside of a building, in nature, in other people, in reflection, gratitude and prayer.
• Make faith time, family time. Designate time for quiet reflection, gratitude and prayer; together as a family.
• Take time to answer any questions your children might have and avoid being judgmental if they don't understand or completely agree with you. Keep this up beginning in the early years right up through adolescence. At a certain point , a child will make up her own mind about God, faith, religion, etc. Once she's arrived at this point, respect whatever decision she might have made. As parents, we have to learn to let go, taking comfort in the fact that we've done all we could in providing the proper foundation.

More about teaching your children about religion

Teaching kids about racial and cultural diversity
How to give kids a spiritual foundation
Teaching kids tolerance and diversity

This is a true story about the most ridiculous and adorable move a person has ever made on behalf of parents, the Tooth Fairy and pleading children.

Parenting help from a guy without kids

Once upon a time, there was a 9-year-old named Autumn who had long hair that tangled easily. Since she was 9, she didn't want to brush it religiously but she also didn't want short hair. Every morning her mother would work her way through the rat's nest created during the previous day and night. Every morning Autumn would yelp and wail at the pain. Finally, overcome by the situation, Autumn's mom said it was time for a haircut.

Who hasn't been there? Nearly every woman has been in that exact situation, either as mom or a daughter. All the detangling spray in the world couldn't get out the tangles from a hard day's play. And, who has time to brush their hair when there's iCarly to watch and Barbie houses to rearrange? Distraught over her impending loss of hair, Autumn sought help from the only person she could think of: The Tooth Fairy.

This has to be handled just right. Nine is a tricky age when kids begin to see the truth behind "magic." You don't want to squelch a child's wonder, but you also have to teach your kid there are consequences for their actions.

Enter Guy Without Kids, a friend of Autumn's parents. When he heard about Autumn's attempt to beg a miracle from the Tooth Fairy, he decided she deserved a response. He was aiming for a letter of "credit denial." What he wrote was a pretty creative peace negotiation.

This guy could teach the Parental Peace Negotiations 101 class. In this instance, Autumn wasn't denied the existence of fairies nor did they give in to her plea. If she wants to keep her hair long, she's going to have to learn to take care of it then reapply to the Tooth Fairy.

It's kind of genius. It's very adorable. And, even though he didn't mean for it to be, it's a reminder not to take away your kid's wonder when you're on the verge of losing patience.

Well played, Guy Without Kids.

Autumn's letter courtesy of her mother.

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Boost your Child's Inaugural IQ

On January 21, 2013, President Barack H. Obama will be inaugurated in Washington, DC. As you prepare to view this historic event with your children, share these 10 exciting facts about inaugural ceremonies, past and present.

Do you know where the first presidential inauguration took place? How about which inauguration was first televised? Learn a thing or two as you share these 10 kid-friendly facts with your kids in preparation for President Barack Obama’s inaugural ceremony on January 21, 2013.

Four years ago, President Obama’s first inauguration was themed ”A New Birth of Freedom,” which is a line from the Gettysburg Address. This year, in 2013, the theme is “Faith in America’s Future.”

For each inauguration, the platform, which holds more than 1,600 people during the ceremony, including the President of the United States, is built from scratch. According to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, the platform will be more than 10,000 square feet. Only the 2005 platform has been this big.

When the very first president, George Washington, was inaugurated, it didn’t take place in Washington, DC. In 1789, New York City was the U.S. capital. George Washington carried a sword during his ceremony.

Before television broadcasts, Americans only had the option to travel to the location of the presidential inauguration if they wanted to watch the ceremony. In 1949, Harry S. Truman was the first president to have an inauguration broadcast on TV.

The weather isn’t always pleasant for a presidential inauguration. In 1873, when Ulysses S. Grant was sworn in, it was only 16 degrees at noon. William H. Taft’s Presidential Inauguration took place indoors because of a massive blizzard. During Ronald W. Reagan’s Inauguration, it was 7 degrees.

Long before the inaugural ceremonies, the First Nail Ceremony marks the beginning of the long process of building the huge platform. This year, it took place on September 20, 2012. Members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies hammered nails into a plank.

During the presidential inauguration, the president is sworn in on a Bible. The Bibles are often heirlooms. The Bible may be open or closed, and different presidents have opened the Bible to different pages. Ronald W. Reagan used a family Bible given to him by his mother. President Obama used the same Bible Abraham Lincoln used at his presidential inauguration.

There are lots of events throughout the day during the inaugural ceremonies. These include the procession to the Capitol, the vice president’s swearing-in ceremony, the Inaugural Address, the Inaugural Parade and the Inaugural Ball.

On January 20, 2009, President Obama’s inauguration was the largest inauguration attendance in U.S. history. It was also the largest attendance of any event in Washington DC’s history. He was the first African-American to hold the office of President of the United States, and the first Hawaiian-born citizen.

Presidents have been sworn into office 69 times, but this is the 57th presidential inauguration. President Obama will be sworn in privately on January 20th, the constitutionally-mandated date for presidential inauguration. Because this falls on a Sunday, the public ceremony will be held on Monday, January 21.

Image credit: DJDM/WENN.com

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