So, how's your family's emergency preparedness plan coming along? What? You haven't gotten around to doing that yet? I understand. Planning for an emergency is one of those things most people never seem to get around to doing. We lull ourselves into complacency by thinking 'it won't happen to me,' or how about, 'we live in the United States -- how bad could it be?'

If you fall into one of these categories, it's time to wake up. Turn on the TV. Watch a major news program. See any disasters? Yeah, I thought so. The truth is, this could happen to you and you need to be prepared. Here's how.

Continue reading "Emergency Preparedness -- Are You Ready?" »

Posted by Lydia Johnson at 3:00 AM | Permalink

One of the most important things a child does is learn to read. Without reading, tackling any of the subject areas later on grows difficult, let alone achieving success in life. It's never too early to start learning to read with your kids.

Fortunately, great products exist out there to help your child learn. Unfortunately, many of them are expensive and inferior, and don't help him learn to read. That's where this article comes in -- let us answer the age old question: How can I help my child read?

Continue reading "Help Your Child Learn to Read" »

Posted by Lydia Johnson at 3:00 AM | Permalink

When it comes to trans fat, experts believe that we might as well be eating poison. That's right: there's simply no upside when it comes to trans fats. They're essentially a heart attack in food form -- far more so than the normal American diet of high fat, low nutritional foods.

Understanding the facts about trans fat foods helps you protect yourself, and your family, from this nutritional nightmare.

Continue reading "Get the Trans Fat Facts in Your Diet" »

Posted by Lydia Johnson at 3:00 AM | Permalink

Would you like to know the 'key' to teaching your children good eating habits? It's not as difficult as you think. By learning this one concept, you'll be on your way to teaching your children how to eat right, have healthy eating habits, and the bonus of saving money.

Continue reading "Save Money -- Teach Your Children Good Eating Habits" »

Posted by Lydia Johnson at 3:38 PM | Permalink

Yes, I know. Even when it comes to school lunches, there is peer pressure. Your kids want to have lunches like everybody else. They don't want to be the weird kid who brings a boring lunch to school -- with kids; even lunches have to be cool.

If you've found yourself in this situation, instead of arguing with the kids, use these school lunch ideas, pack cool lunches, and save a cool fortune.

Continue reading "Are School Lunches Costing You an Arm and a Leg?" »

Posted by Lydia Johnson at 4:01 AM | Permalink

One of the most important things new parents need to learn is child safety. Thousands of children are hurt in their own homes every year -- often, these accidents were preventable. To keep your child safe, follow these tips about child safety in the home.

Continue reading "Safety First! What You Need to Know About Child Safety" »

Posted by Lydia Johnson at 2:12 PM | Permalink

In today's 'gimme, gimme' world filled with commercialism, marketing, and 'looking out for #1,' it's heartwarming and encouraging when you hear about acts of charity and kindness -- especially when the good Samaritan is an 8-year-old.

Such is the case with Quinn Sargent. Learn how this thoughtful boy put others first, how he was rewarded, and how you can encourage this type of behavior in your child.

Continue reading "Charity Starts at an Early Age" »

Posted by Lydia Johnson at 4:37 AM | Permalink

Do your children's toys overwhelm you? Are your children overwhelmed by their toys? Do guests mistake your home for Toys R Us? If so, you have probably followed in the footsteps of many well-meaning parents before you. You, most likely with the help of over-eager grandparents, have given your children too many toys. Now the toys have taken over your home. How do you regain control? Follow these helpful guidelines.

Continue reading "Tame the Overflow of Children's Toys with these Toy-Buying Guidelines" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 4:42 PM | Permalink

Fun activities are one of the best ways to build lasting relationships and memories with your children. The problem is, what your kids think is fun is also usually expensive. If you're looking for fun activities for kids that everyone in the family will enjoy, look no further.

Continue reading "Free, Fun Activities for the Whole Family" »

Posted by Lydia Johnson at 2:39 AM | Permalink

Buying your new baby a baby crib can be fun and exciting. After all, it is where your precious little bundle will sleep. Gone are the pioneer days of bringing home the baby and letting it sleep in dresser drawers. Today babies get their own specially decorated rooms.

Preparing a special nursery? Be sure you choose the right crib, read these essential child safety tips.

Continue reading "4 Tips for Choosing a Baby Crib that is Safe for Your New Baby" »

Posted by Lydia Johnson at 3:00 AM | Permalink

Choosing the best day care for your children can be difficult. Your children are your most precious possessions and you work hard to give them the best of everything. Day care shouldn't be any different. Confused about how to choose a day care center? Follow these tips.

Continue reading "5 Tips to Choosing the Best Day Care for Your Child" »

Posted by Lydia Johnson at 3:00 AM | Permalink

With the Christmas season looming, it's time to discuss safety when buying kids toys! According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Children's toys are responsible for an alarming amount of injuries each year, sometimes, even death. No parent wants to go through this nightmare. Keep your children safe and follow a few simple tips

Continue reading "Buying Children's Toys -- 5 Safety Tips" »

Posted by Lydia Johnson at 3:00 AM | Permalink

Having a baby gets quite expensive. By planning ahead and being practical, you can really cut the cost of having a baby. If your budget is a little on the slim side, follow these tips to save money.

Continue reading "Having a Baby? Here's How to Save Money" »

Posted by Lydia Johnson at 3:00 AM | Permalink

School can mean many things: learning, fun, friends, and... head lice. There's just no two ways around it. When you have a large group of children together, an outbreak of head lice at one time or another is almost inevitable. Learn how to prevent, detect, and get rid of head lice.

Continue reading "Protect Your Children from Head Lice this School Year" »

Posted by Lydia Johnson at 11:56 AM | Permalink

Lead in children's toys is a hazard and an ongoing concern for parents. If you're confused about which toys are safe and want to know how to avoid dangerous toys, follow these tips.

Continue reading "Keep Your Children Safe -- Test for Lead in Children's Toys" »

Posted by Lydia Johnson at 3:00 AM | Permalink

Try These Free Family Activities When Your Spring and Summer Days Get a Bit Boring

Spring will be here before you know it and then summer will begin, which means you're probably going to be in need of some fun family activities to keep you and your little ones busy. After all, no one wants to hear "I'm bored" day in and day out, right? Here are some things you can do with the entire family. The best part? They won't cost you a dime!

Continue reading "Fun and Free Family Activities for Spring and Summer" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 2:06 AM | Permalink

What to Do When the Schoolyard Bully is Harassing Your Child

A schoolyard bully is something no one should have to deal with, and competent schools staffed with intelligent teachers and principals are implementing no-tolerance policies when it comes to bullying and harassment. Unfortunately, teachers and other school staff aren't always observant or ready to step in when needed. With the new school season upon us, here are some tips to help you should your child become the victim of this year's schoolyard bully.

Continue reading "Beating the Schoolyard Bully" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 9:54 AM | Permalink

Tips for Making the Most of your Road Trips

Kids, more so than any other members of the family, are likely to appreciate and enjoy impromptu family road trips. With a minimal amount of planning and preparation, you can all experience a memorable trip without any pre-trip stress! Here are some helpful tips to get you started...

Continue reading "Road Trips: Making Your Next Vacation an Adventure" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 10:54 AM | Permalink

Free Kids Activities That Provide Cost-Free Family Entertainment

As gas prices rise and families feel the corresponding financial crunch, more and more people are opting to stay home with fun and free kids activities rather than pay for more expensive activities or trips. If you're like many, you're looking for some new ways to entertain your kids -- ways that are both fun and free. We've got some ideas for you!

Continue reading "Fun And Free Kids Activities: You Don't Need To Spend Money To Have Fun!" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 6:18 PM | Permalink

My 3 Favorite Recipe Websites on the Web

Even the most seasoned cook runs out of ideas every now and then, which is what makes recipe websites such a lifesaver. The recipe websites of today, however, put yesterday's to shame. Forget about a few recipe ideas here and there. Today's sites allow you to organize your own online cookbook, share recipes with others and view and rate thousands of recipes from across the globe. Here are my three favorites.

Continue reading "3 Recipe Websites You Can't Live Without" »

Posted by Lydia Johnson at 7:04 PM | Permalink

Weekly Meal Planning Made Easy

If you have a family and work full time (or even part time) weekly meal planning can seem like mission impossible. After all, you want everyone to eat healthy but you don't have hours to spend in the kitchen. How do you manage to feed everyone home-cooked meals without paying for a personal chef? With a few insider secrets, you can manage it. Here are some tricks of the trade I've been using for years.

Continue reading "Weekly Meal Planning Doesn't Have to be a Nightmare" »

Posted by Lydia Johnson at 5:33 PM | Permalink

Easy Ways to Save Money on Baby Food

As many parents know, canned baby food is very expensive. A small jar of fruit or vegetables can cost close to $1.00, assuming you get the good stuff. Making homemade baby food is not only more cost efficient, it is also healthier. If you want to save money on baby food, then you might want to try some of the following suggestions.

Continue reading "Baby Food Doesn’t Have to Cost a Lot" »

Posted by Lydia Johnson at 5:53 PM | Permalink

A Weekly Allowance Can Teach Your Kids to be Consumer Savvy

If you are a parent, it can be even more important for you to be an example of a consumer savvy individual. As parents we are continually setting an example for our children. Our bad spending habits can rub off on our children and affect their financial stability during adulthood. It is impossible to expect that our children can enter the adult world without ever experiencing basic but important tasks such as budgeting. It is possible to teach your children to be consumer savvy by doing something that parents have been doing for decades-giving their children a weekly allowance.

Continue reading "Raising Consumer Savvy Kids" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 9:10 PM | Permalink

What Symptoms Should Parents Look for If They Suspect ADHD

Childhood ADHD, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a concern for many parents. Parents need to know what signs to look for if they suspect their son or daughter might have this disorder. Oftentimes, parents have a difficult time determining if their child’s behavior is typical childhood behavior or the result of a condition such as ADHD. The following information can help you tell the difference.

Continue reading "Does Your Child Have ADHD?" »

Posted by Lydia Johnson at 2:08 AM | Permalink

It’s Time to Discuss Swimming Pool Safety

It’s the time of year when the temperature begins to rise and when that happens, families everywhere look for ways to beat the heat. Sprinklers, inflatable backyard waterslides, and slip-n-slides are all popular choices but perhaps nothing is as popular as the backyard swimming pool. Because many families with backyard swimming pools have young children, swimming pool safety needs to be priority number one.

Continue reading "Make Swimming Pool Safety a Priority" »

Posted by Lydia Johnson at 3:21 PM | Permalink