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When you encourage your child to make their own snacks (with supervision and guidance as needed), you’ll satisfy their need for independence, build their pride and confidence, foster kitchen skills, and cultivate more adventurous, engaged eating. Getting involved in the kitchen will also help your child build other important life skills, such as teamwork; shopping and meal planning; organization and clean-up, and the basics of food safety. Getting Started Let your child do as much as they can on their own....

For families with twins, or for those that know them well, it’s not much of an issue. Somehow, each twin takes on an individual persona that makes them immediately recognizable as themselves. But twin mix-ups remain an item of concern so here are 10 tricks for telling twins apart. She explains, “My girls have made it easy for me to tell them apart. First, Emma is very adamant that nobody gets her confused with her sister, and will correct you if you get it wrong (and they are only 3-years-old!...

Sure, “mommy blogging” saw its heyday back in the early 2000s, but thanks to microblogging via Instagram, the rise of social media influencers, and a shift back to authenticity, there’s been a resurgence of traditional parenting blogs as more parents are looking to connect. These real-life moms are sharing their own family escapades publicly in engaging parenting blogs—from the difficult challenges to the joyful moments that make up modern-day parenthood....

While browsing this list of Hawaiian baby names for boys and girls, you might notice that many of them sound quite similar. This is largely because the Hawaiian language uses an abbreviated alphabet which consists of only 12 letters — seven consonants (h, k, l, m, n, p, w) and five vowels (a, e, i, o, u). Popular Hawaiian Baby Names for Girls Here are some popular and unique Hawaiian baby names for girls along with their meanings, origins, and other interesting information....

But even while being a part of youth culture (and the slang that defines it) when you’re young, it can get harder and harder to keep up with the latest teen jargon by the time you’re the parent of one. Overview Trying to figure out what teens are saying is increasingly challenging, as the explosion of social media, memes, digital communication, and the ever-present-cellphone means teen-speak is evolving faster than ever....

She blasts people on her Facebook page, gossips about her neighbors, and makes thinly-veiled remarks about other moms that do not live up to her standards. She may even criticize another mom right to her face, reprimanding her for everything from breastfeeding to volunteering. Regardless of her methods, or her message, there is no doubt that she exists. And she’s mean. Although the bullying tactics used may vary from one mom to another, these adult mean girls have always been around....

There are different ways to do so, some that are incredibly personal and private and others that allow friends and loved one to share in the loss. Here are eight simple ideas that may help: Living plants ultimately honor the life and represent growth and the future. If you do not have space to plant a tree, there are numerous environmental organizations that will plant one in a state forest in return for a small donation....

If your nightly refrain is how tired you and the kids are, perhaps your family is struggling with balancing work, school, and everyone’s activities. Here are some quick tips for juggling your family’s schedule while creating some quality time together as a family. Establish Regular Family Time Whether you set aside one afternoon or evening a week, establishing set family time can create memories that last a lifetime. Whether it’s movie night, take-out night, game night, or even a weekly family bike ride, the key is that at least once a week you have time designated for togetherness....

A recent study published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings highlights the risks of using antibiotic medication on kids under the age of two. The study finds that these medications can increase the prevalence of health conditions like asthma, allergies, celiac disease, and obesity later in life. While the exact cause is unknown, it’s assumed that the gut changes brought about by antibiotic use are to blame. According to the study, the findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the composition of the microbiome—the trillions of beneficial microorganisms that live in and on our bodies—plays a critical role in the early development of immunity, metabolism, and behavior....

Lanolin cream is a nipple cream often used to help cope with this breastfeeding problem. Read on to find out if lanolin is safe for mothers and babies while breastfeeding, how to use it to reduce pain while breastfeeding, and when it’s time to see a professional. What Is Lanolin Cream? Lanolin is a mixture of alcohol esters and fatty acids derived from sheep’s wool. It’s used in many different kinds of cosmetic and pharmaceutical ointments, such as soap and lubricants....

Our team of editors and parents tested 11 travel cribs in our Verywell Testing Lab in New York City and in the real world, using them at home and on the go. In this test, we evaluated the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light and the Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib for ease of assembly, compactness, design, and care. Both travel cribs have different strengths, making them great picks for families with varying wants and needs, but one travel crib stood out more....

Abstinence Pros: No physical side effects; nothing to purchase; excellent protection against sexually transmitted diseases Cons: Both partners have to commit to this option; often no protection is used when abstinence ends Effectiveness: The only method that is 100% effective Implant (Nexplanon) Pros: Continuous but reversible protection against pregnancy for three years; one-time insertion procedure with nothing to apply or insert at the time of intercourse; menstruation can become lighter or stop; no obvious visible sign that person is using it once the incision heals (although the implant can occasionally be seen, and can be recognized easily if touched) Cons: Requires small incision in the arm for placement of implant; occasionally temporary pain at the insertion site; side effects include irregular bleeding, headaches or change in appetite (but these usually resolve within three months); no protection against sexually transmitted diseases Effectiveness: 99....

But, as the weeks and months go on, you may start to wonder what’s next. When should you start cereal? When should you try baby food? Once you start cereal and other foods, how much should you breastfeed? It can become especially confusing when you have family and friends telling you what they did and giving you their opinions and advice, welcome and unwelcome. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered....

In fact, bullying has a lasting impact on victims. They often experience anxiety, fear, nightmares, sleeplessness, depression and a host of other symptoms. And because victims often feel vulnerable, powerless, and unable to defend themselves, bullying also can lead to stress-related conditions like PTSD. What’s more, recent research has shown that there is a direct link between bullying and PTSD. PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder that occurs after a trauma like bullying....

Benefits of Oats for Breastfeeding The benefits of eating oats when breastfeeding include the following: Beta-glucan is found in oats: Beta-glucan is a type of fiber that’s thought to raise the levels of the breastfeeding hormone prolactin. Higher prolactin levels can have a positive effect on breast milk production. Oats are full of nutrition: Oats contain proteins, vitamins, and minerals. They are high in iron, zinc, manganese, and calcium. They are an excellent source of soluble fiber....

If left untreated, eclampsia can be life-threatening for both the parent and baby. Learn to recognize the symptoms and causes of this condition. Symptoms Symptoms of preeclampsia often precede those of eclampsia and may include: Protein in the urine Elevated blood pressure (>140 mmHg systolic or >90 mmHg diastolic) Abdominal pain Decreased urine output Signs of “fetal distress,” i.e. indications that the baby is having problems Swelling of the hands, face, or entire body...

When this news came out, many parents were understandably unsure about what this meant. Will their child be required to get the COVID vaccine in order to attend school? Will COVID boosters be an annual requirement for kids? As the CDC notes, these are simply recommendations—only states have the power to mandate vaccines for school or otherwise. Still, many questions still linger. We reached out to experts to help us unpack this news and to help us understand how child immunization schedules work and what the purpose is....