Now that kids are going back to school, that doesn’t mean they should trade in all their time outdoors for hours in front of the computer, TV or video games. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has launched a new program as an antidote for kids too wired to technology, sometimes called “nature deficit disorder.” NWF’s […]

In all aspects of life, it takes a combination of traditional teaching and hands-on experience to learn new things. This is why field trips are so valuable for children. Problems with time and budgets can affect a group’s ability to participate in field trips, but communities are stepping up to help kids continue learning.
“Our research […]

For students across the country, the beginning of a new school year is just around the corner. And, if you haven’t started your back-to-school shopping yet, you may soon find yourself dealing with large crowds and pricey cash register totals.
Back-to-school spending is expected to jump 6.9 percent this year, and families with school-aged children are […]

Is your daughter ready for the social aspects of middle school? Why not help prepare her — and yourself — for what’s ahead?
“It’s a little like a horse race,” says Dr. Jim Longhurst, psychologist for children and family services organization Starr Commonwealth. “The maneuvering, the jockeying for position — this is how middle school can […]

Summertime, the old song goes, and the livin’ is easy. From lounging by the lake to picnicking in the park, spending time outdoors with friends and family is what warm weather is all about. But summertime can also be full of buzzing, biting pests. Uninvited guests — particularly mosquitoes and other pesky insects — can […]

While Hurricane Katrina raged outside Beth Moore’s New Orleans home, another storm had been raging inside it.
Over the past several years, Moore’s 13-year-old son Bobby, diagnosed with bipolar disease at age nine, had become increasingly more violent, angry and out of control. The hurricane only made things worse. “Everything in our lives became unsettled,” says […]

Your teen may act “too cool for school,” but the truth is that school is a major source of stress for teens.
According to a survey by kidshealth.org of over 600 teens ages 14 to 17, schoolwork (32 percent), social issues (30 percent) and appearance (25 percent) topped the list of back-to-school worries most cited by […]

Do you have a son or daughter heading for college this fall? Along with the requisite cell phone, CD/DVD player and wardrobe, are they prepared for the costs and financing decisions when heading off to one of more than 4,200 colleges and universities in the United States?
As reported by the U.S. Census, more than 17.6 […]

Going back to school can cause many emotions including anticipation, happiness, apprehension and exhaustion. But it’s not just children who feel the stress and excitement of a new school year, parents do as well. With a little planning, the transition can go smoothly for the entire family.
Visit School
Many schools allow you to visit the classroom […]

The challenges of being a Gen X mom are more demanding than ever. Whether it’s alternating between soccer practices and ballet recitals or library nights and professional careers, keeping all the balls in the air can take a toll on a mom’s state of mind, as well as the state of her appearance. In response […]