Don’t cry for me, Argentina

Yes, my son is on the autism spectrum.

Yes, immediately after his diagnosis at 2 years old, I experienced Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’ Five Stages of Grief — the ubiquitous denial, anger, bargaining, depression and finally, acceptance. The anger and depression stages hit me hard, much like the alcoholic buzz of an underage college student on spring break with a new fake ID and a bottle of cheap tequila.

But, like most of life’s unexpected surprises, you accept the hand that was dealt, and deal with things the best you can. Speaking of mothers, mine likes to say, “Our family makes lemonade out of lemons.” Surely, she gleaned that little nugget of wisdom skimming the pages of Aristotle’s Greatest Hits, Volume Ena; Ena is Greek for the number one, for those of you playing at home. While her words were only slightly less memorable than the notorious “Kennedys don’t cry” mantra, she was right.

On its best day, autism is a challenge; on its worst, an Afghanistan cave in 110-degree heat, with an all-direction parched brown landscape, and nothing to read but wall hieroglyphics. Yet, I have found things — aside from my son, who is a rock star — that make autism downright enjoyable!

Mannys and paras and teachers, oh my!

Many special needs children require a paraprofessional, who is a person trained to assist professionals but do not themselves have professional licensure, during school hours to help them focus and act appropriately.

My son’s paraprofessional is a man. A man. A single, athletic man in his late 20s. A man who is over six feet tall with a nice build. A man with a really nice smile and terrific personality. A man my son absolutely adores. And, so do I... along with every other mother at school.

There’s also our 21-year-old summer Manny who could be mistaken for one of the models in a hipster catalog. Ethan lights up whenever he sees him. So do I. Finally, there is Ethan’s 30-something behavior music therapist, who is so good looking that all my friends want to arrange play dates while he’s at my home. Not play dates for their children, mind you -- play dates with him!

The thing is, I am happily married. But I firmly believe that as a parent of a special needs child, it is a privilege -- no, a constitutional right -- to surround myself with eye candy that can play a tremendously positive role in my child’s development.

Step one: Get the ice cubes, a tall glass and a straw!

Two presidents and a lady walk into a bar...

Well, it wasn’t so much a bar as it was the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. And truth be told, I’ve never been mistaken for a lady. But there I was, with my arms around two Presidents — Barack Obama and Bill Clinton — in one room. And, I have my son to thank! Because of my son, I became involved in Autism Speaks.

Because of my son, my family raised enough money for the Westchester County New York/Fairfield County Connecticut Autism Speaks Walk to be named the Top Fundraising Team. Because of my son and the fundraising, I was invited to meet the Presidents at a fundraiser. However, it is because of President Clinton that I wore a green dress, not blue a la Miss Lewinsky.

Step Two: Squeeze those lemons!

Who’s afraid of a little mouse?

Who says amusement parks are brutal? Almost every family in America, that’s who. Unless, of course, you are a family with a special needs child. Then, all bets are off.

Before we had children, my husband and I used to have nightmares about amusement parks. The people! The lines! The Princesses! Ugh! Well that all changed when we took our son. Many amusement parks are sensitive to special needs families, so much so that you can bypass long lines in many instances. However, amusement parks are also very sophisticated, and can spot the “scammers” who say they have special needs children, but don’t. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Although I must say that whenever my friends tell me they are going to an amusement park, I always ask if they want to take my son to avoid the lines. It’s a win-win!

Cold water? Yes, please. Pass the sugar while you’re at it.

Now just relax, play the hand you were dealt, take a long, soothing sip, count your blessings and enjoy your lemonade.

More about autism

A spectrum of Grey
Autism 101: The good, the bad and the ugly
Living with autism: Now what?

Why do you say parents have a toxic relationship with repeating?

Meredith Wait: The No. 1 complaint I receive when I work with parents through my business, Bag of Tricks Parenting, is repeating! Repeating triggers a thought and behavior process in parents that fast tracks to high levels of frustrations, a lack of desired outcome, unnecessary consequences, and most significantly, no change in the parent/child interaction.

Adults are outcome-oriented ; children are process-oriented . When an adult asks her son to put away his toys, the expectation is that it is done immediately, similar to when an employer tells his office manager to forward all calls to his voicemail. There is a command, an action and an outcome. Over time, grown-ups learn that not following a request leads to a negative outcome. Young children haven’t made this connection between A and B. When you want your child to do something, it must be communicated with a clear link to what will happen afterward.

Teaching accountability

What do you try to get across in your lesson on accountability?

Wait: Accountability results in some not nice feelings, and parents have it stuck in their heads that it is in the job description to keep their children happy at all times. Accountability is best taught in a loving, forgiving environment , with plenty of examples from parents. Did you snap at your child for no reason? If so, take the time to look them in the eyes and apologize. Encourage dialogue that praises accountability as a positive trait, rather than one that will get them into trouble. If parents do not teach accountability, the world will, and the effects will be far harsher. Leading the way is a fantastic starting point, and when your child does own up to coloring the walls purple, make sure to compliment their bravery, before giving your consequence.

How can Mom and Dad get on the same page with parenting?

Wait: Parents don’t have to have the same style to be on the same page. Virtually all parents have the same goal — to raise happy, healthy children who contribute to society. Start scheduling weekly parenting meetings with your partner. Create a core set of hard rules that you both agree on. Agree that you will begin the mantra “If Mommy says no, Daddy says no, if Daddy says yes, Mommy says yes.” Presenting a united front is critical in protecting the culture of your home. Any disagreements can be discussed privately, and be aware of trying to hog all the parenting duties. Dads have some amazing tactics to contribute, especially when you’ve hit your breaking point. It is OK to disagree on certain things, as long as your core family rules and values remain intact.”

Staying on track

What do you find parents are struggling with today?

Wait: I feel that parents have veered off track in their understanding of what their job entails, and yes, parenting is a job. Parents want their children to be happy all the time, have the best of everything, and many times it backfires. What I’ve dubbed “The Princess Phenomenon,” has created a disaster. Preteens cruising the mall with Coach purses, credit cards and iPhones are not a product of parents who don’t love them, rather the product of parents who only want the best for their kids.

But with long working hours and guilt over not being present at every game or field trip, parents have overcompensated by instilling in their child that they are the center of the world. I tell my own children , that while every child is special, no child is the center of the world.

Make an effort to engage in a charitable act together. Speak about world politics and take advantage of a child’s natural giving demeanor.

Read more on how to discipline

What role does discipline play in parenting?
Evaluating your discipline techniques
5 Reasons inner strength is a must for raising children

"practice what you preach"

Kids notice. They notice when you say something and do something else. They notice when you don't apply standards fairly. And yes, they even notice when you expect something of them that you yourself don't do. Here's how to stop being a hypocrite and start practicing what you preach.

Ask yourself this — do you really act the way you expect your kids to? Or do you expect them to behave in ways that you yourself don't model? If the latter is true, it's time to start modeling the behavior you want your kids to exhibit.

Yes, as they say, you should practice what you preach.

Why it matters

This is way more than a familiar saying. Practicing what you preach is an important part of imparting the right lessons onto your kids. "You see, a parent's responsibility is to develop for their child a 'family culture' where the child can feel safe learning the values, ethics and morals their parents hold as a standard for the family identity, as well as their own personal identity. If a parent adopts the model of 'do as I say, not as I do,' they leave their child open to confusion," says Dr. Phil Dembo, author of The Real Purpose of Parenting, The Book You Wish Your Parents Read.

Your kids will notice if your expectations don't match your own behavior. "Parents are and always will be the primary role model for the standards that their child is expected to live by. If you, as a parent, practice it, you barely have to preach," says Dembo.

Keep your credibility

What happens when you don't practice what you preach? Well, your kids could lose their faith in you — and that's something you definitely don't want to happen. "Kids are impacted deeply by the hypocrisy they experience when their parent preaches one thing and does another. Kids are keenly aware of whether their parent is credible and whether they do what they say and say what they do," says Dembo.

That loss of credibility can lead to kids losing trust in authority and themselves as well, says Dembo. "There is anger associated with such loss of trust and a diminishing of motivation to try to do their best. When you lose your role model, why bother trying," says Dembo.

So, ready to make the changes so that your actions and expectations match up? That's fantastic, Mama! "This can be a moment of learning and changing the dynamics, but a parent has to come clean, and change their model. Kids need to see that their parent is willing to raise the bar on their own standards and be consistent with what they do and what they say," says Dembo.

Dr. Dembo suggests taking these three steps to modify your behavior and become a model of what you expect for your kids.

More on raising good kids

How to encourage good behavior
How to raise responsible kids
How to reward your kids

Non-punitive parenting is a parenting movement that seeks to raise children without any form of punishment: no spanking, no time outs, no yelling.

Parenting without punishment

At first glance it may seem like a way of raising out-of-control kids, but parents who practice it claim that it develops well-behaved children and establishes a strong relationship between Parent and Child.

The majority of parents today were raised in punitive households, where punishments and consequences were doled out for bad behavior. Punitive parenting is what most of America is familiar with, and because of that, the non-punitive parenting model can be a difficult concept to grasp.

What is non-punitive parenting?

Non-punitive parenting is a style of parenting that breaks the punitive mold by avoiding physical punishment, treating children with respect, and focusing on developing a strong parent-child relationship. It is a method that raises children without spanking, shaming, or yelling, and avoids the punishment-reward cycle of traditional punitive parenting.

With punitive parenting, punishments are given for inappropriate behavior, and rewards are given out to encourage good behavior. If a child misbehaves, they are given a punishment to teach them a lesson and to act as a warning that if they misbehave again they will receive the same punishment. Rewards may be given for good behavior; for example, if you pick up your toys you get an ice cream cone.

In non-punitive parenting, the parent seeks to instill good behavior in their child without dependence upon punishments and rewards. A child raised in a non-punitive environment does not behave well simply out of fear of punishment, or to get a reward in return for good behavior. Brooke Walsh, mother of two, says, “punitive parenting seeks to gain compliance by threatening children with punishments or enticing them with bribes; non-punitive parenting seeks respect by giving kids respect.”

Positive discipline: Why time outs don't work >>

No punishment does not mean no consequences

Raising a child without punishment does not mean letting him behave however he wishes. This style of parenting relies heavily on natural consequences when undesirable behavior arises. If a child can’t play responsibly with a toy, that toy may be taken away until the child can play with it appropriately. If a child is hitting or being unkind to others, then the child is removed from the situation until she can compose herself and behave appropriately again. This differs from a traditional time out in the sense that it seeks to teach the child the skills that she needs to regain composure, rather than seeking simply to punish her by not allowing her to play.

Walsh points out, “While there are not punishments, this is not permissive parenting. We still set boundaries. We still set rules. We just respond differently if these rules are not followed.” Walsh adds that non-punitive parenting works because when children see their needs being met and their parents modeling respectful behavior for them, they begin to learn to give that respect back without the need for punishment or bribery.

What role does discipline play in parenting? >>

Non-violent communication is key

Non-violent communication is a cornerstone of non-punitive parenting and can be helpful even within a punitive model of parenting. Non-violent communication is about more than just not yelling, it is a way of looking at the needs of children and parents alike, meeting those needs and communicating when needs are not met.

It is based on the theory that all humans have basic needs — for physical things like food and shelter, but also for emotional things like acceptance and love. When these needs are met people are able to interact with others respectfully and feel a sense of well-being. “When I first started studying non-violent communication, I began to see it as this kind of handbook on how to communicate to anyone at any time about anything,” said Brooke Walsh.

Using non-violent communication involves not just communicating with children in a way that is respectful, but teaching them about the basic needs that they have and how to recognize when they are feeling frustrated, sad, angry, happy, excited, and so on. When they are able to recognize these emotions they become able to communicate them instead of simply acting on them. Parents, then, interpret the child's emotions to figure out what unmet need is causing the emotion and help the child create an action plan toward respect again.

When a child needs sleep, for instance, he may be unable to play with toys that require concentration or restraint . During those times a parent may decide to find another activity for the child, acting preemptively to avoid an undesirable situation instead of waiting for the situation to occur and then responding with a punishment. “In this way, non-punitive parenting is the art of acting before a problem occurs instead of just responding when things go wrong. It’s discipline of continual guidance,” Brooke Walsh says.

More on discipline

Alternatives to spanking: Positive parenting
Evaluating your discipline techniques
When parents disagree on discipline

How to dispose of your expired car seat

Expired car seats can be a hot topic in the parenting world, but no matter how you feel about car seat expiration dates, there will come a time when the car seat your child is currently using will be expired, meaning you can no longer sell it online, via Craigslist or at a consignment store. So, what exactly are you supposed to do with your expired car seat?

Once a year, Babies "R" Us locations all across the country have an in-store event where you can bring in your expired car seats or other baby products that you may have safety concerns about, trading them in for a huge discount on new items to replace them. The Great Trade-In Event generally happens near the beginning of the year and is a quick and easy way to benefit from that expired car seat taking up room in your basement.

Prevent mommy road rage with these 5 things you need in your car to keep your baby happy >>

Use your expired car seat to make a difference in the world with the BabyEarthRENEW program. Although you pay for the shipping to get your expired car seat to their facility, it's well worth the cost — BabyEarth takes apart each seat and sends the materials to developing countries, who can use the straps, buckles and other pieces for new purposes. What they can't pass on, they send to certified recycling centers. BabyEarth also accepts other broken-down baby gear, such as highchairs and bouncers.

If neither of these are an option for you, the next step is to get on the phone to your local children's stores — consignment stores in your area, in particular, will often offer a weekend during the year when you can bring in your expired car seat, charging you a small donation that goes to a local charity for them to dispose of it properly. Most recycling centers will also take expired car seats as well. They often have requirements about how the car seat should arrive and may charge you a small fee for the service.

Weigh in on this parenting hot topic... Child safety locks: When should you disable? >>

The last resort, when it comes to disposing of an expired car seat, is to simply throw it away. But, be sure to take some precautions before setting your expired car seat out at the curb with your weekly garbage pick-up. Cut the straps on the seat or remove them all together to insure that nobody will snag it from outside and take it home to use. Even if you take it to your local garbage center yourself, be sure to make it unusable, so that another family isn't tempted to use what probably still looks like a perfectly functioning car seat for their child.

More on car seats

Top infant car seats for Baby
Convertible car seats: Which one is right for you?
Large family life: Car seats

Protecting your kids

If you have a family history of skin cancer, it's likely that your child needs to be checked as well. Read more about what experts say about skin cancer in children, tips for keeping an eye out for unusual skin markings and more.

checking your child for skin cancer

We can all agree that summer is fun — the days are filled with trips to the beach, the pool and your own backyard. Your kids are often clad in nothing more than a bathing suit. But are they also wearing a hat? Sunglasses? Sunscreen? What time of day are they playing in the sun?

With sun comes a lot of fun, but also comes the risk of skin cancer. But those risks can be minimized by taking simple steps to protect your children.

Mind your A,B,C,Ds and Es

So where should you start? According to oncologist Dr. Jessica Roberson, rates are on the rise for melanoma and research suggests the rise may be partly due to sun exposure during early childhood. "But the good news is," says Roberson, "Parents can substantially lower their child's risk by protecting them from the sun, paying attention to moles on the skin and teaching sun safety at an early age." Roberson suggests following the ABCDE rule. If you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions, you should consult with a dermatologist.

• Asymmetry - If you were to cut the mole down the middle, would the left and the right sides look different?
• Border - Are the edges blurry and undefined?
• Color - Does the mole look darker or lighter than usual?
• Diameter - Is the mole larger than the eraser on a pencil top?
• Elevation - Does it have a raised surface?

When looking for irregular moles, be sure to check your child's entire body — not just the obvious spots. "Don't forget to check the scalp and the feet and toes where moles aren't as obvious," urges Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd, a Miami-based board certified dermatologist.

In addition to a new mole that looks different or stands out from all the other moles on the skin, you're also looking for moles that bleed and/or don't heal. "Signs and symptoms of skin cancer are spots that bleed easily without trauma and spots that don't want to heal," says Dr. Jean Urquhart, a board certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist at Mountain Dermatology Specialists in Colorado.

How early do you start checking?

When you've just had a baby, the last thing you want to think about is anything bad happening to your child, especially cancer. But that's when your skin cancer checks should begin. "From birth on," says Dr. Judith Hellman, associate clinical professor of dermatology and board certified dermatologist at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York. "Some children are born with congenital moles and some of those can pose a risk of skin cancer. It's good to have a dermatologist examine any growths as early as one finds them."

So how likely is it that you could discover skin cancer in your baby or very young child? "Skin cancer is very rare in prepubertal children. The most common skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are very rarely found in children because they are a result of chronic sun damage that is accumulated over many years. If a child does have a basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, it may be an indication of a genetic disorder that can make children more prone to skin cancer," says Dr. Urquhart.

Dr. Urquhart adds, "Melanoma is also very rare in prepubertal children. Risks for melanoma are linked to family history, history of multiple sunburns as a child, history of precancerous moles, fair skin and greater than 50 moles."

How can you help prevent your child from getting skin cancer?

"Sunscreen — especially on vacations," says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. "One study showed that children who went on sunny vacations had a greater number of atypical moles."

And what about newborns and infants? "Avoiding the sun when the baby is born is a start and you can start applying sunscreen after the age of 6 months. However the best prevention for all children is to stay in the shade. Since most skin cancers are a result of cumulative sun damage, the less exposure to sun damage and burns, the better the long-term preventive value." says Dr. Hellman.

Dr. Richard Asarch, a board certified Denver dermatologist, also reminds parents that sunscreen needs to be applied daily and not just on sunny days. "Even on a cloudy day, up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays can pass through the clouds. Apply an SPF of at least 30 15-20 minutes before sun exposure to allow a protective film to develop." Asarch continues, "Re-apply every two hours or after excessive sweating or swimming. Use enough sunscreen to generously coat all exposed skin."

"Don't forget to apply lip balms with an SPF of 30 or higher to your child's lips to keep them from burning," recommends Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist, Dr. Arthur Glosman. "The mouth is often forgotten when applying sun protection and also a vulnerable area where skin cancer can strike."

"Make sure your dentist is performing a lip exam as part of their routine dental visit — and if you notice any abnormalities either on the lip, around the lips, or inside the mouth of your child, see a doctor right away."

Read on to learn about sunscreen and more >>

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What type of sunscreen should you buy?

SPH, UV, UVA, UVB... Have your eyes ever glazed over as you've stood at the drugstore staring up at the shelf filled with dozens of sunscreen options? There are some simple things to look for on the sunscreen bottle. "It's best to use a broad spectrum sunscreen, to cover UVA and UVB rays. SPF 30+ is a good start. Certain brands carry sunscreens for young children, containing less chemicals. Physical sunscreens containing zinc, titanium oxide are also best," says Dr. Hellman.

Winning the sunscreen battles: Great products kids will let you apply >>

Sunscreen isn't the only way to help prevent skin cancer

But it's important to note that there is more to prevention than just sunscreen. The time of day your child is outside and the clothes your children wear are also factors. Dr. Urquhart points out, "The most intense sun exposure occurs midday between 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. If it is possible to schedule outdoor activity earlier in the day or later in the day, it would decrease the amount of sun damage children receive. When children are out in the sun, it is also important to use sun protective clothing. Long sleeves, hats, swim shirts, sunglasses are all very helpful in preventing sunburns."

What if there is a history of skin cancer in your family? What else should you do?

"In addition to sunscreen," says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd, "Mole mapping should be done for children with multiple atypical moles. Mole mapping involves mapping moles with pictures so changes are easily identified at yearly follow-up visits."

How often should you get your child checked by a doctor?

Dr. Urquhart says she recommends annual skin cancer screenings for children starting around puberty. "This helps children understand their skin and also reinforce messages of sun protection that they have been getting from their parents. However, if a child has a strong family history, a genetic predisposition for skin cancer or has numerous moles at a young age, I will start skin cancer screenings at an earlier age." Dr. Asarch adds that, "Children born with large pigmented birth marks should also be seen yearly."

Be aware of the myths

If you still believe your child may not be at risk for developing skin cancer, Dr. Asarch urges you to consider these myths:

• Tanning or getting a base tan helps prevents skin cancers — False.
• There is little risk of sunburning on cloudy days — False.
• The sun is more intense at the hot summer beach than in the cool mountain elevations — False. Check the UV index for the area you live in to determine the risk.
• My child is not at risk because he has dark skin — False. While it is true that skin cancer is less likely in darker pigmented skin, it is not risk free. Sun protection is essential for all skin types, tones and pigmentations.

Read more about preventing skin cancer

Quiz - Are you protecting your kids from skin cancer?
Protect your child with UV-blocking clothing
How to prevent children's sunburns

Because you don't have to prep this recipe on the stove, little kids and big kids alike can happily pitch in with this playdough recipe.

Materials:

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix water, salt and oil with a spoon; when crafting up a whole batch in a single shade, you may opt to mix in the food coloring at this point as well.
2. In a separate bowl, mix flour and cornstarch and then add slowly to water mixture until the consistency of bread dough, adding additional flour if needed. Once dough begins to firm up, you'll likely need to knead it with your hands.
3. Add in color as needed when separating one batch into multiple hues, however, be warned that mixing in food coloring at this point can be a bit messier, but washable.
4. Store in a reclosable bag or covered, as playdough dries out quickly.

Have fun and teach kids about recycling with these soda bottle crafts for kids >>

"I recently introduced my son to finger painting and being an eco-conscious mom, I wanted to use an organic finger paint," shares Kelly Bejelly, freelance writer, product reviewer and frugalista at www.agirlworthsaving.net. "After checking prices and finding most kits sold for $35 and more, I decided to make the paints then from scratch. Using water, cornstarch and assorted produce — beets, spinach, and blueberries — I was able to create edible finger paints at a fraction of the cost."

Materials:

Directions:

1. Combine cornstarch and water in a saucepan over medium heat, but stay close; the ingredients will heat up quicker than you think.
2. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until mixture has thickened.
3. Lower heat and continue to stir until smooth; you can use a whisk if need be, but most lumps can be creamed by pressing them against the side of the saucepan while mixing.
4. Remove from heat and separate cooled concoction into separate bowls or containers, such as emptied and cleaned baby food jars; dye each a different color.

Next up: Find out how to make moon sand >>

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Although most moms can attest that they aren't moon sand's biggest fans, kids love this moldable play sand more than the old-school stuff you'll find on the playground.

Materials:

Directions:

1. Combine play sand and cornstarch in a bowl and mix well with your hands.
2. Add water and combine, adding additional water in small amounts as needed until desired consistency is reached; but be cautious not to add too much or you'll end up with a soupy mess.
3. Store in airtight container and add a tablespoon or two of water before playing when homemade moon sand begins to dry out a bit.
4. Tip: The most vital ingredient in this moon sand recipe is the play sand; using gritty sandbox sand won't mix like the fine craft-grade kind you can pick up in most craft stores and toy stores.

Get creative under the sun with these 4 messy outdoor crafts for kids >>

When it comes to crafts, you'll almost always need glue, so instead of heading to the store for this sticky stuff, head to your kitchen and mix up a batch that's even OK — but not tasty — to eat.

Materials:

Directions:

1. Combine flour and sugar into a bowl and set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, mix water and vinegar; combine both in saucepan over medium heat.
3. Stir mixture with whisk until warm and becomes a smooth, thick consistency, but avoid boiling; the homemade fusion will thicken upon standing.
4. Remove from heat and cool before transferring to container.

Source: Eco Child's Play

Read more craft tips

5 Best budget craft supplies to have on hand
Plan a family craft night
Beach crafts for kids

5 Ways to reason with a preschooler

Helping her adjust

Parents who have dealt with preschoolers before you can attest to the fact that reasoning with them is never easy. Still, you often need to find some common ground especially in the midst of a difficult situation.

For many kids, preschool is their first exposure to other children their age. Up to this point, their world has revolved around themselves and you. Now they’re being asked to let other kids touch their teddy bear? Here are five common preschooler situations and expert advice to help you cope as your child learns to adjust.

During a play date, a visiting friend dares to touch a coveted toy. Your preschooler quickly melts down and starts grabbing the toy, refusing to share.

"Before your preschooler’s play date guest arrives, ask him to pick three or four special toys that he doesn’t want to share. Show your child that you are putting them away so his guest won’t touch them and explain that everything else is fair game or ‘share’ toys. If your child melts down when his friend dares to touch a share toy, narrate how hard it is to share and take turns by saying, ‘Mommy is helping you practice sharing.’ This is one of the main goals of play dates." — Dr. Fran Walfish, child and family psychotherapist and author of The Self-Aware Parent

Find out the 10 things our kids' preschool teacher want us to know >>

During a trip to the supermarket, your preschooler asks you to buy him a treat. You say no and a fit ensues.

"Often the ‘no’ tantrum is caused because preschoolers don’t have the verbal ability to express their feelings. Whenever possible, a parent could verbalize the feelings that might be underlying this behavior such as, ‘I know you must feel really angry/sad that Mommy won’t let you have that treat now. I understand, but having that treat now is not a good idea. How about helping me find something for dessert tonight?’ Children at this age can be easily distracted and often this alternative can be enough to stop the fit." — Dr. Andrea Weiner , author of More Than Saying I Love You: 4 Powerful Steps That Help Children Love Themselves, child psychologist and parenting coach

Read about 5 fast ways to stop a tantrum >>

During a summer afternoon trip to the pool, your preschooler is asked to share her snacks of grapes with her older siblings but she's not in the sharing mood.

"Sharing among preschoolers is something they have to learn because they are still pretty egocentric. However, it has to be practiced and ultimately becomes an important social skill. In this situation, a parent could say, ’Sharing your grapes with your sister would make her feel very happy. You’ll feel happy, too, because you are doing something nice for someone else.’ They feel that they are gaining something in sharing rather than losing whatever they don’t want to give up. Also, it is teaching them about the feelings of others, which is a precursor to empathy." — Dr. Andie

Read about raising considerate kids of all ages >>

The house is a disaster and preschooler's toys are strewn across the family room. Mom asks him to help clean up and he refuses.

"It’s best to ask your preschoolers to clean up their toys immediately after playing with them. Kids must learn cause and effect. If your child resists and refuses, say, ‘Show Mommy how you can pick up your toys and put them away or Mommy will help you.’ Wait a silent count to two, then physically place your hand over your child’s and help him pick up the toys and place them in the proper place. Be sure to immediately praise your child for doing a good job. Once he learns that resistance and refusal fail to get him out of his responsibility, he will require less physical assistance." — Dr. Walfish

Read about involving your child in daily chores >>

You’ve enjoyed a lovely afternoon at the park with some friends. When it's time to go, you gather your things and ask your preschooler to start heading to the car. She doesn't want to leave and suddenly becomes very stubborn about the situation.

"Preschoolers are not very good at transitions at this age. The best approach for parents is to give them time to prepare for the transition, such as a five-minute warning. They really have no sense of time so we have to help them with this. The transition time allows them time to learn to make the change and to switch from one activity to another in an easier fashion." — Dr. Andie

"If your child resists after a five-minute warning, tell him with genuine empathy that you ‘know it’s hard to stop when you’re having fun. Show me how you can hold Mommy’s hand and walk with me to the car or I will help you.’ Wait a silent count to two then physically put your arm around your child’s waist and walk him to the car. Your child may kick and scream but he needs to know that you are more powerful than he. He must learn that if he doesn’t want to comply with reasonable commands, a supportive parent or authority figure will help him be accountable." — Dr. Walfish

Read more about parenting preschoolers

My preschooler is depressed
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Recalls have been issued for some Peg Perego and Kolcraft strollers due to serious hazards, and a child’s death has been reported. Read on to see if your stroller has been recalled.

danger: Strangulation,  choking hazards

Peg Perego and Kolcraft have both issued voluntary recalls for some models of their strollers due to serious hazards. Read on and check out the model numbers — is your stroller involved?

Product Description: This recall involves around 223,000  Peg Perego strollers — two different, older models of Peg Perego strollers are affected: The Venezia and Pliko-P3, manufactured between January 2004 and September 2007 in several colors. These strollers were manufactured prior to new industry standards that were put into place in 2008 that required larger leg openings in strollers to prevent entrapment and strangulation.

Only strollers that have one cup holder have been recalled — those with two cup holders, or a bumper bar in front of the child, are not involved. The model number is printed on a white label on the back of the Pliko-P3's stroller seat and on the Venezia stroller's footboard.

Where/when it was sold: These recalled strollers were sold at various retailers nationwide from January 2004 through September 2010 for between $270 and $330 for the Pliko-P3 stroller and between $350 and $450 for the Venezia stroller.

Reason for recall: One infant death has been reported when a 4-month-old child died of strangulation when his head was trapped between the seat and the tray of his stroller, and a 7-month-old infant was nearly strangled in a similar manner. If a child is not harnessed properly, she can slip down and her head can become trapped in the opening between the seat and the stroller’s tray.

What you need to do: Stop using the recalled stroller immediately and contact Peg Perego for a free repair kit.

Company information: You can contact Peg Perego at 734-6020 anytime or visit their website at www.PegPeregoUSA.com.

Product Description: This recall involves around 5,600 Kolcraft Contours Options LT Tandem strollers. The model number is ZT012. The model number and date of manufacture are printed on a label found on the rear leg of the stroller. There were two color schemes — black with red accents and canopies, and gray with yellow accents and canopies. The stroller features two seats with mesh baskets beneath the seats.

Where/when it was sold: These recalled strollers were sold at juvenile product specialty stores and Burlington Coat Factory, as well as online through Amazon.com and Target.com, between February 2012 and July 2012 for about $250.

Reason for recall: The front wheel assembly can break, which poses a fall hazard to the child. Also, on strollers manufactured in January and February 2012, the nuts that hold the stroller’s basket support in place can come loose, posing a choking hazard.

What you need to do: Stop using the recalled stroller immediately and contact Kolcraft for free replacement wheels. Also, those who have strollers manufactured in January and February 2012 will receive free replacement screws.

Company information: You can contact Kolcraft at 453-7673 between 8 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. EST Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. EST Friday, or visit their website at www.kolcraft.com.

More on strollers

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According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, reasons to have a C-section may include:

It's important to ask the reason why you're having a C-section. For example, if it seems like you have a big baby, you may be able to try labor positions like squatting, kneeling or lunging to help open your pelvis and give him more room to rotate and descend.

Also, be sure to talk to your doctor or midwife about the benefits, risks and possible alternatives to having a C-section.

Learn about preparing for a super size birth>>

What to expect before and during a C-section

Andrea Kemp, M.D., MPH, maternal fetal medicine specialist at Illinois Masonic Hospital, explains,
"The C-section procedure entails first administering regional anesthesia to numb from the waist down. Once this is done, and a sterile field is formed in the operating room, a skin incision is made to get through the abdominal wall — typically a 'bikini cut' but sometimes, if being done more emergently or if more room is needed to deliver the baby, then a midline incision may be made below the belly button. A separate incision is made through the uterus to deliver the baby."

Unless you need an emergency C-section that requires general anesthesia, your support person can be in the operating room with you.

How to prevent a C-section>>

What to expect immediately after a C-section

Kemp explains, "Once the baby is delivered, and the cord is cut, the infant is passed off to the waiting pediatric team that is usually present for all C-sections. The baby is placed under a warmer and dried off and suctioned to clear the air passages of fluid. Once stabilized, the infant is often wrapped in a blanket and allowed to be at the head of the bed near Mom. If further tests are needed then the infant may be taken immediately to the nursery to be returned to Mom after she has returned to her post-partum room."

What to expect during recovery

"Pain is the biggest issue usually, so adequate pain control is important," says Kemp. "The medications used are typically safe for breastfeeding so this should not be a reason not to use them. Early walking is important in the healing process and is encouraged. Using a pillow over the incision to help support the area when coughing or sneezing is useful in buffering the pain especially in the first few days after. It is also important to keep the incision clean and dry once the bandages have been removed to aid in the healing process and decrease risk for infection. Avoid heavy lifting or straining that could possibly put too much strain on the incisions."

Read more

C-section recovery tips
Planning a C-section
Recovery after C-section: What you should know

Megan Fox

Megan Fox showed off her baby bump in a white, flowing skirt and bikini top as she and her husband, Brian Austin Green, enjoyed the view of Kona, Hawaii from their private terrace. The couple’s babymoon was also to celebrate their second anniversary, as they got married in Hawaii as well.

This baby will be the first for Fox, however, Green has a 9-year-old son named Kassius from a previous relationship.

The couple have not yet spoken out about the pregnancy, and, in fact, Green denied she was expecting back in May — however there is no denying it now! The Transformers star looks to be around five months pregnant.

Next up: Pregnant Sister, Sister star Tamera Mowry at Teen Choice Awards

Photo source - CelebrityBabyScoop:  Celebrity Mom & Baby News

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Tamera Mowry

Actress Tamera Mowry showed off her baby bump in a black and white printed Rachel Pally gown as she walked the red carpet at the Teen Choice Awards with her twin sister, Tia Mowry. Their reality show, Tia & Tamera, was nominated for Choice TV: Reality Show, however was beaten out by MTV’s Punk’d.

This will be the first child for Tamera and her husband, FOX News correspondent Adam Housley. The former Sister, Sister star, 34, recently revealed that she is expecting a boy due on October 30. Tamera also shared how they decided it was time to start a family.

"My husband and I hadn’t made a conscious decision to start trying to have a baby. However, after an amazing, life-changing trip to Africa, we decided we would leave our chances up to God. Two months later, we became pregnant," she wrote on her blog on People.com.

Next up: Drew Barrymore gets some pregnant pampering

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Drew Barrymore

Time for some pregnant pampering! Drew Barrymore wore a colorblocked tee that showed off her growing belly as she left a nail salon in Los Angeles. Barrymore, 37, is expecting her first child with her new husband, Will Kopelman.

Barrymore’s new coral colored manicure shows off her new wedding ring bling! Barrymore got married last month in Montecito, however has kept a low profile since then. She has yet to speak out about her pregnancy, preferring to let her belly do the talking for her. After living much of her life in the spotlight, we can't blame her for wanting to keep this more private.

Next up:  The Bold and the Beautiful star Heather Tom is pregnant on-screen — and in real life!

Photo credit - CelebrityBabyScoop:  Celebrity Mom & Baby News

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Heather Tom

The Bold and the Beautiful star Heather Tom is letting art dictate real life, as both she and her onscreen character are both pregnant! This is the first child for Tom and her husband, James Achor.

"James and I are very excited," she told Soaps.com. "I’m due in October so there is a lot of planning going on right now. Also, we just found out that I’m having a boy!"

The actress is pictured here in a floral bump-hugging gown with her husband at the Daytime Emmy Awards.

Next up:  Reese Witherspoon is pregnant in plaid

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Reese Witherspon

Pregnant Reese Witherspoon manages to look stylish and cute, even when she is trying to dress down! The actress was spotted at the Los Angeles airport in a plaid shirt paired with the Isabella Oliver Ruched Tank in French Navy and cropped jeans. Her trucker hat and sunglasses completed her casual maternity style.

The stylish star is a fan of the maternity line, as she was previously spotted in the Isabella Oliver Tank Dress, as well!

Witherspoon, who is expecting her third child with new hubby Jim Toth, has been busy working on her new movie, Devil’s Knot, in Atlanta.

Next up:   Camila Alves shows off baby bump in bandage dress

Photo courtesy of Isabella Oliver

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Camila Alves

Pregnant Camila Alves wore a chic I.N.C. International Concepts bandage dress as she attended the screening of Killer Joe with her husband, Matthew McConaughey. The couple is expecting their third child, and the Magic Mike star said their kids, 4-year-old Levi and 2-year-old Vida, were excited to learn they would soon have a sibling.

"When Camila and I told them the news, there was a lot of dancing and a lot of singing," McConaughey said. "One of them wants a brother, the other one wants a sister and then they switch the next day."

From Anna Paquin to Kristin Cavallari, check out more celebrity baby bumps here >>

Photo credit: Wenn

In an ideal world, you would define your dream, tell your kids, spouse, family, friends — everyone — and be flooded with support and offers to help you get there.

Don't let 'em
get you down

But let's face it: this isn't an ideal world and some people won't support you. How do you handle that? And how do you ignore the naysayers and soldier on?

For the goal-driven mom, life can be a careful balance between her parenting responsibilities and her efforts to make her dreams a reality. But when close friends or family members don’t support it, it can make everything harder. How can this impact a mom's ability to achieve what she wants?

"If a mom's family — children, spouse, parents, in-laws, extended family — don't support a mom's goals, it has the effect of stopping many women dead in their tracks because it takes support, accountability and time from those closest to you to be successful," says Caroline Adams Miller, a life coach and author of Creating Your Best Life. "No one succeeds in a vacuum, and women typically support their children, their spouses and even their communities before they think of themselves, and we are also putting friends and physical fitness at the bottom of priorities, all of which conspire to keep us down and out."

So, what do you do if your loved ones aren't supporting you?

Don't let it stop you

Hearing others voice opposition to your dreams can really bring you down. But you don't have to let it. Start by limiting who you share your dreams with. "If we know that someone isn't supportive, we should never share our early dreams or progress with them. The research shows that the first person we share good news with should only respond in one way — 'active constructive' — which is marked by enthusiasm and curiosity," says Miller. "Any other type of reply has the ability to undermine us permanently."

And if you tell someone and they are less than supportive, it's OK to communicate exactly what you need from them — though it might not always work, says Miller. "There are some people who will never want us to be successful, so it could be wasted breath."

How to find happiness as a mom >>

Familial support

As for your spouse, he should be supportive of your efforts — no matter what. Talk to him, explain what you want and how you plan to get there and seek his buy-in so that you can succeed. For the kids, the act of your spouse openly supporting your dream can be a great teaching moment. "Ask that the spouse demonstrate open types of support for the mom in front of the children so that the kids grow up seeing that Mom's goals matter, and that others can make sacrifices in that direction," says Miller.

Staying positive in the face of opposition

You have the power to control your environment and the people you surround yourself with. Avoid negative people and those who will bring you down. "Surround yourself with people who are positive, zestful and who are also pursuing their own goals. This type of attitude and behavior has been found to be contagious, and the research even shows that loneliness, depression and obesity are all contagious," says Miller. "There is even a ratio for the ideal environment that allows people to be curious, successful, zestful, socially engaged with others, and flourishing: it is five positive comments for every one negative. Anything below 3:1 has the effect of reducing well-being and every other positive emotion or action that would help with goal accomplishment."

Learn how to use positive thinking to achieve your dreams >>

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Why you need a mentor — and how to find one
How Jaden Hair achieved her dreams

Children with special needs often thrive on routine and structure. After putting together solid routines and working to stick to them, parents may be overwhelmed with small day to day discipline moments. It can be hard to say no when you’re already tired, when you feel like your child deserves positivity, or when you’re not sure your child will respond appropriately to discipline. Learn why “no” might be the best thing you can say to your child with special needs.

Understand that no isn’t negative

Saying no can make parents feel like the bad guy. What many parents don’t understand is that children rely heavily on the structure of rules. “They are not emotionally or developmentally equipped to make major decisions, rules or to self-regulate,” says Lori Freson, M.A., MFT. “That's your job.” Freson encourages parents to set limits and stick to them, regardless of tantrums or other retaliatory behaviors. “Your child will feel safer and more secure, which may even alleviate some of the negative behaviors that so often come along with the special needs.”

Why are you tolerating your kids' bad behavior? >>

Think about evaluating your discipline techniques >>

Discipline peacefully

Saying no to your child doesn’t mean losing your temper or yelling. In fact, if you yell or behave in a way that escalates a situation, it’s unlikely your child will react with anything but fear, resentment or anger. Parents of children with special needs often find themselves on edge. It’s especially important to give yourself space to calm down and attend to your own needs so that you can discipline through peaceful methods that benefit your entire family. Discipline can be subtle, such as gently encouraging your child to regulate his own behavior or seek out soothing behaviors to help derail negative behaviors. When you say no, don’t elaborate. Your child needs the structure, not the explanation.

More on discipline

How to discipline toddlers, kids, tweens and teens
Avoiding power struggles: Parenting without bribes or threats
Positive discipline: Why timeouts don't work

Preschool separation anxiety

Some preschoolers experience separation anxiety in one form or another. Typically, separation anxiety will not happen on the first day or during the first week. It’s usually once your child realizes he will be staying at preschool all day, for multiple days in a row, that it begins. Here are some tips to help ease and reduce separation anxiety while still reassuring your child.

• Practice now by dropping your child off at a friend’s house for short periods of time. Then gradually increase the time away from your child.
• Calmly and efficiently reassure your child that you will return.
• Give hugs and kisses, but don’t prolong the goodbye process.
• Once you leave, do not immediately return. If you forget something in the car, take it to the office to give to your child’s teacher.
• Ask that the office call you with an update or ask what their policy is on notifying parents after a difficult drop-off.

10 Things our kids' preschool teachers want us to know >>

Call your child’s new preschool to find out their daily routine for the fall. If you can implement a similar routine at home, your child will go into his or her new preschool environment with a better sense of security and consistency. While you don’t have to structure your day to match the school’s schedule perfectly, you can plan snack, lunch time, outside play and nap or rest time at or around the same time as the school to help familiarize your child with the pattern of what’s to come.

Preschool prep at home

Preschool helps a child’s cognitive development and fine motor skills. To enhance your child’s cognitive development, encourage play through exploration and imagination. Preschool-aged children learn by doing and, in turn, they work to master fine motor skills, coordination and dexterity.

Preschool prep play ideas

• Play with Play-doh to create letters, numbers and shapes.
• Go on a nature walk to locate and label trees, rocks, sticks and birds.
• If your child has an interest in trains, visit a museum or train station.
• Stack wooden blocks or nesting blocks to make towers, bridges and buildings.
• Practice drawing and coloring on blank paper and with coloring books.
• Sing and dance to music.
• Plan a tea party complete with pretend or real foods and practice pouring water into cups.

Prepare your child emotionally for preschool

Young children can and often do experience anxiety in new situations — especially when they realize they are returning to preschool consistently and staying for a long period of time.

Tips to emotionally prepare your child for preschool

• Associate preschool with positive, light conversations and spend a few minutes each day talking about it with your child.
• You may feel emotional about your child starting preschool, but try not to let your child see your emotions.
• Allow your child to pick out his or her own backpack and lunchbox for preschool. If your child has a hard time deciding, select two and let your child pick the final one. This fun Skip Hop Zoo Pack backpack pictured here is perfect for preschoolers. It's available comes in 17 styles and is priced at just $20.
• Get duplicates of your child’s favorite items to keep at school. If your child naps with a special blanket at home, make sure you have a duplicate or travel version to keep at the preschool.

Tip: Consider bringing the same crib sheets for your child’s cot, pillow case and a copy of your child’s favorite book.

Preschool story time: 5 Classic must-reads >>

Expect and prepare for some changes

Your child will be coming home from preschool physically, mentally and emotionally stimulated and may express these changes different ways and through different behaviors. He may need an earlier bedtime, an extra afternoon snack or increased cuddle time with Mom and Dad to help calm his senses. Night terrors and separation anxiety can and often occur during the first few months of preschool due to a child being overtired and from prolonged separation from parents. If they persist, contact your child's doctor for advice.

More on preschool

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Counting games for preschoolers
Building brains with building blocks: The importance of kinesthetic play

Helping your child to connect with nature is the perfect way to instill a natural love for the planet. Take part in outdoor activities as a family on regular basis. Read on to learn about more ways to raise an environmentally conscious child.

Teach your child to love the earth

Make the world your playground

What’s the best way to teach your child to love the earth? Go outside! Research by environmentalist Louise Chawla shows that children who spend time outdoors regularly develop a deeper respect for the environment. When we feel connected to the natural world, the desire to protect it comes naturally. You can help your children become environmentally aware by making a conscious effort to spend time outdoors. Go camping. Take nature hikes. Go searching for seashells along the beach. Have a picnic in the forest. Everyone in the family will have fun while you develop an appreciation for the natural world.

Discover creative outdoor activities for the family >>

Grow your own food

When you grow up in a world where chicken and milk come in packages from the supermarket, it can be hard to understand how our everyday life impacts the environment. Planting a vegetable garden is a wonderful way to help your children make a deeper connection to the natural world while fostering environmentally-healthy habits. Do you live in the city? Consider working together with your neighbors to plant a community garden that will help everyone in your community develop a sense of stewardship for the environment.

Inspire a green thumb! Garden with your kids >>

Teach sustainable habits

We can easily help the next generation to live more sustainably by changing our own daily habits. Young children learn best by imitating those around them. Show your children how to leave a smaller carbon footprint by turning off faucets and lights, recycling, eating locally grown foods, using natural cleaners and choosing to walk or take the bus to local destinations.

Greening the next generation: How to teach kids to go green >>

Participate in eco-friendly service projects

Enrich your family life by becoming more environmentally active. Not sure where to begin? How about organizing a neighborhood clean-up of a local park, planting a tree in your backyard, adopting a road for trash pick-up, improving the recycling program at your school or church, or raising awareness by planning a fun Earth Day activity for friends and family? Little changes can make a big difference. Let's all get involved and we can make a better world together.

More on helping the environment

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There is nothing more special than the relationship between your parents and your children, don't you agree? But, if the grandparents in your kids' lives live in another city or another state, it can be hard to keep that connection strong.

Keeping a special bond alive from afar

Here are tips for making sure kids and grandparents stay close, even when they're far away, including Skyping and sending a journal back and forth.

Connect through technology

For communicating with the tech-savvy grandma or grandpa, using the latest technology like an app is an easy, exciting and clever way to bring your child and his grandparents closer together.

Double scoop is an app that works on any Mac or PC computer, your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. Kids can draw pictures, write stories and take photos to share with their grandparents. The sky is the limit with what Grandma and Grandpa and their grandkids can send back and forth. Some grandparents even send math equations for their grandkids to solve.

The art of letter writing

Although technology is fun and fast, it's also nice to show kids another way to communicate with their grandparents like good old-fashioned letter writing. Something Grandma and Grandpa obviously know a thing or two about. The Traveling Journal, originally designed by best friends who moved apart, but still wanted to stay connected to one another, is a great way for grandparents to bond with their grandchildren across the miles.

It's simple, the grandparent can start by writing the first letter in the journal, then send it to the grandchild. Then the grandchild writes a journal entry and sends it back. And so on. Your child won't get the instant gratification he's used to from a smartphone or other technological device, but there's something to be said for teaching him that sometimes great things are worth the wait. He'll be excited to run to the mailbox each day to see if the journal from Grandma has arrived.

Grandparents Gone Wired

These days, studies still show that many in the 65+ age group are still not readily embracing or adopting new technologies. For the grandparents that are still a little tech-shy, Dosomething.org has an annual campaign that begins again this fall called Grandparents Gone Wired. The program is designed for teens to teach their grandparents about technology so they can better stay connected to family. Your teen can work one-on-one to encourage and teach Grandma and Grandpa how to sign up for Facebook, use email and Skype. The process of teaching them about technology will bond them. Plus, once they're comfortable, it will be a great way for them to stay in regular touch.

Read more about kids connecting with grandparents

4 Ways for kids to bond with grandparents
15 Ways for grandparents and grandchildren to bond
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Debating where eating disorders originate

More than ever before, the focus in today’s pop culture is on body image. Who’s the skinniest? Who’s the heaviest? Who has the most shapely legs? The buffest arms? The best toned abs? Teens read, see, and hear these stories — and many of them are influenced in negative ways. But is it only pop culture, or a hobby like ballet, that can create an eating disorder? Experts offer theories about what makes a teen at risk for developing an eating disorder, and what parents can do about it.

Children, starting when they are very young, are subjected to “ideal” beauty through television, magazines, the internet and Hollywood. And those who are engaged in sports or other activities, such as dance, can also pick up messages about what makes the perfect body. Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, are serious problems that can be fatal — and they can stem from body image issues. Is the media to blame, is it physical activities, or is there more to the story?

Mom and Dad

Sometimes, we as parents pave the way for our children’s body image issues. “If you think that your own preoccupation with diets and appearance has not contributed to the problem, I urge you to think again,” Carol Cottrill, certified nutritional consultant and author of The French Twist, shared with us. “Children learn most everything from their parents. The little they don’t learn from you, they pick up from the media or their friends who have been influenced ahead of them. These prevailing influences combined with the pressures of youth serve as the perfect Petri dish in which obesity and eating disorders grow, thrive, and ultimately kill.”

Pink pressure

Girls, in particular, are subject to even more pressure and expectations about their physical worth than boys are. “From the time baby girls come out of the womb, we put pink on them and all the expectations of what it means to be a girl,” said Erena DiGonis, licensed therapist and certified health coach. “This is definitely influenced by socioeconomic status and ethnicity but all girls have a lot of pressure. I see girls putting so much pressure on themselves to be brilliant and physically perfect.”

What can you do?

Change begins at home, with you, the parent. Emphasize your child’s core strengths, and be an ear if she’s fretting about her size compared to her teammates or friends. “Revisit your values,” explained Carol. “Be a role model and a mentor for all of the young people you encounter and affect. Help prevent obesity and eating disorders in America by fostering only healthy eating attitudes. Let go of the harsh scrutiny and unhealthy obsessions you inflict on yourself, for these are handed down to your young ones. There is no time like the present to make a difference in the lives of our children while creating a lasting footprint for future generations.”

You can’t control the media, but you can help shape your child’s sense of being. Offer fresh, healthy food and adequate exercise, but don't overemphasize weight. Also, it’s a good idea to learn how to recognize the signs of an eating disorder and seek treatment promptly if you suspect your child is suffering.

More on eating disorders

Understanding childhood eating disorders
Is it an eating disorder?
Could picky eating be an eating disorder?

Helping your child develop her sense of style is a lot of fun and a great bonding experience. Use these tips to have a good time with it while being the role model she needs.

Check out Teaching kids to dress their age >>

Be careful of body image

Teach your kids how to dress in a way that flatters their body style, but do it in a way that makes them confident, not self-conscious. Point out their best features, and show them how to dress to accentuate those parts. Teach him what colors make his eyes pop and her what cuts of dresses make her look taller.

More back to school fashion from SheKnows

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For more educational tips for kids

Finding age appropriate books and TV shows
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Who should read bedtime stories? Mom or Dad?

Every Dr. Seuss book is full of energy and fun, and these inspired family games bring that energy and fun to life!

Play a game of
Dr. Seuss fame

Cat in the Hat I Can Do That Game

The Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat I Can Do That! game isn't a typical sit-by-the-table board game. Players will jump, slide, balance and more as they perform hilarious stunts to earn stars. What a great way to reinforce physical activity, reading skills and memory!

When they're not playing the game, your kids will enjoy playing with its parts, taken right from The Cat in the Hat: cake, ball, book, fish, gown, fan, rake, toy man and boat.

Secrets of great family game nights >>

Dr. Seuss Matching Game

How good is your memory? The Dr. Seuss Matching Game is a colorful version of the traditional Memory Matching game.

1. Shuffle cards and place them face-down without looking.
2. One at a time, players turn over any two cards to try to see if they match. If they match, the player keeps the cards and takes another turn. If the cards do not match, they're turned back over and the next player gives it a try.
3. The player who collects the most pairs wins.

6 Family-friendly games for summer parties >>

Dr. Seuss B-I-N-G-O

Set up the game:

• Download and print free templates for a family game of Dr. Seuss B-I-N-G-O!
• Print one blank bingo game card for each player.
• Print one page of Dr. Seuss images for each player. Print an extra page of images for the call sheet.
• Each player cuts out twenty-five of the images and glues them in random order onto the twenty-five squares of the blank game card, leaving the center space blank.
• Cut out all of the images on the call sheet and place them in a bowl.

How to play:

1. Each player can place a penny, bean or token on the empty middle space .
2. Select one person to be the caller.
3. The caller pulls one image at a time from the bowl and holds it up for everyone to see.
4. Any player who has the called image covers it with a token.
5. The caller continues to pull images from the bowl until one player gets 5 in a row and yells Bingo!

Check out dozens of Dr. Seuss board games at Squidoo >>

More Dr. Seuss family fun

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