Make it fun. Try to choose books that your child will enjoy, based on his interests. If your child is not in the habit of reading, choose a book that is on his reading level or slightly below while you are helping to establish the habit. ... more >>

Prepare before the topic comes up. Read up on the subject. Ask other parents how they handled the issue. Stay calm. The conversation may transition from questions about where a baby comes from to questions ... more >>

Set limits. There’s so much Pokemon merchandise nowadays—cards, clothes, toys, bedspreads—that being an adult collector (much less a pint-sized fan) is a full-time job. Tell your son that you’ll indulge him in one, and only one, product line—so if ... more >>

Be age appropriate. Talking about euthanasia with a 6-year old who doesn't really understand death, will be very different than discussing it with a 12-year old who may remember losing a beloved pet or a grandparent. Use appropriate words and don't get ... more >>

Make a decision to do the will of God each day as you understand it to be. Read and put into action the words that Jesus said that appear in the Four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as printed in ... more >>

Start with your school's newsletter. As your children age, they become less and less communicative about what's going on at their schools. Make a point to ask them for their newsletters every week so that you can be aware of happenings and changes in the ... more >>

Do not offer money. The one thing my parents never did during my drug addiction was offer me money. It is my belief they understood that basic of drug addiction. A strung-out drug addict is in a sorry state. But instead of handing her money to go buy the ... more >>

Show respect in order to gain the respect of a stepchild. Express to the child that though you are not the biological parent and are not trying to be a replacement. Once you establish this fact, you can form a trusting bond. ... more >>

Head to the basement before the storm starts. Once the thunder and lightning starts, the children won't be able to see out any windows and the noise isn't quite so loud. This is also helpful in case the storm becomes severe enough that moving the ... more >>

Consider your family values and religious faith. Emphasize to your kids when answering questions the aspects of the Easter holiday that are most important to you. If you are a Christian, for example, and your kids ask about why we celebrate Easter, focus ... more >>

Recognize that you are your child's best advocate. Despite the professional opinions of doctors and researches, you know your child's personality. Don't be hesitant about calmly asserting your own views, but do so in a non-aggressive way. ... more >>

TRAVELING BY CAR? Don’t know how you’ll make it past the first hour? Here are some fun car-trip ideas. First and foremost remember - they can’t sit still. No matter how badly you want them to just sit and stare out the window, they can’t. The ... more >>

Start talking about money with your child as early as age 3. Take her to the market and explain that you earn money so that you can buy things you need. Give your child a small amount of money and let her ... more >>

Trust between parents and teenagers is a delicate balancing act. They want freedom, parents want safety. With cell phones now offering Internet access, text messaging and email in addition to phone use, teens have even more options to connect with one ... more >>

Plant seeds. Plant flowers, vegetables and herbs and trees to show your child most plants start as seeds. Water your plants together. Explain to your child how the water is absorbed by the roots. Have one ... more >>

If you have ever uttered the phrase: "there is not enough time in the day", then chances are you have experienced some sort of challenge keeping your relationship strong. These days especially, time seems to be ... more >>

Be yourself. Some have an image of the type of father to be, or not to be. It may come from examples set for us personally, or how we were handled as children. Either way, to each of us, there is a parenting ideal, but it is important to have a parenting ... more >>

Relate better with your children. A young parent has the ability to relate better with their children because the experiences that they are going through are still in fresh in the parent's mind. Be a ... more >>

Practice manners yourself. Say please, thank-you, and compliment others in front of your children. Show them that it pays to be kind. Whenever your children forget to use their manners, give them a gentle ... more >>

Make sure your family members or close friends know of your whereabouts at all times, how long you will be gone and approximately when you will return. If you are going to be late, call. Carry a cell phone ... more >>

Find out if you can have a child at an advanced age. Fertility issues are common for men and women over the age of 40. You may need to seek out alternate options in order to have a child. Look for ways to ... more >>

first you eat an energy bar or something people say has energy. if that doesnt work than go workout it should work. but if it doesnt then rely on an animal or ... more >>

Plan family viewing ahead of time. Ask your children to let you know in advance what they would like to watch so that you can consider whether or not it is appropriate. If some of your favorite shows include violence or sexual scenes, try to watch them ... more >>

Sort out old clothes in grown-up sizes ' shorten the legs of a pair of pants and put a bright, shiny cord through the belt loops, and your pirate will have his pantaloons! Big T-shirts can become dresses or Robin Hood-style tunics. ... more >>

Recognize that whatever happened in the past, your children are adults. They are responsible for their own life decisions which may not correspond to your life choices. Even though they are adults, they ... more >>