These learning opportunities are designed to provide kids with the skills they need to function in their everyday life. Depending on their age, kids may be taught everything from how to make a sandwich and how to follow a daily schedule to how to take public transportation. These skills, which can also include doing laundry or shopping for groceries, are sometimes called “life skills” or “skills of daily living.” While these skills aren’t critical, they are important for anyone who plans to participate in a modern community....

“I have 102 buddies on my Buddy List and you can click on your buddy if they’re online,” she says. “At the most I’ll talk to 7 or 8 people at one time, usually 3 or 4.” Samantha’s mother, Helene, complains, “Left to her own devices, she’d be talking to her friends constantly. And she had the gall to say to me, ‘I don’t have time to do my homework!...

“Opt for a book that has a variety of pregnancy-related topics with resources so you can refer to it along your journey,” explains Gina Charles, DO, a board-certified family medicine physician based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She also recommends seeking out books that are supported by evidence-based studies and written by credentialed experts in the field to ensure the information is accurate and up-to-date. It doesn’t matter if this is your first, second, or third pregnancy—there are books for a wide variety of needs....

“At six, most kids have started to build an ability to follow rules, so [they] can benefit [from] games with a mild increase in complexity and that requires an understanding of following steps as laid out by the rules,” according to Justin Schreiber, DO, MPH, board-certified pediatrician and child psychiatrist of Pennsylvania. He adds that the best toys for this age group offer “opportunities [for] imaginative play with peers,” are more complex and challenging, and offer opportunities to practice reading....

While these everyday summer activities may not necessarily inspire idyllic childhood memories of summer, they will happily fill those long summer days spent at home. Work-at-home parents, in particular, need ideas for enjoyable summer activities that school-age kids can do on their own. If your kids are old enough to play outside unattended, don’t overlook outdoor fun like shooting a game of HORSE at the driveway basketball hoop or sending them out to play tag....

It’s the season of sparkles, cozy sweaters, and velvet dresses! It’s so fun to get dressed up for the holiday season, but winter looks aren’t only fancy holiday outfits. Christmas pajamas and casual clothes can be just as festive. Who doesn’t love getting up early on Christmas mornings, and watching kids sit by the tree opening presents still in their pajamas? Getting your kids special Xmas pajamas makes going to bed the night before Christmas feel even more special....

More: The Best Baby Shower Gifts For Moms-to-Be Pin these ideas to save them for later: Here are our top gifts for the future grandparents in your life: Picture Frame This sweet chevron picture frame is the perfect holder for a sonogram, and something grandma will definitely cherish long after the baby makes their arrival. Purchase it here. Dog To Human Mug If you have a fur baby, and are now expecting a real baby, this fun mug set is perfect!...

Ideas for Your Next Girls’ Night In Here are 10 fun ideas to help you plan your next at-home night with your best girlfriends. Spa Night If the bags under your eyes serve as a cruel reminder of how little time you have to indulge in yourself, consider a spa night with the girls. Have the ladies come to your house for some much-needed mom pampering. Dress in pajamas or bathrobes and give each other facials, manicures, and pedicures....

The toxins in cigarettes take their toll not only on the lungs but also on the health of your entire body. This includes your reproductive system. In April of 2016, European Urology published a meta-analysis on the effect of smoking on semen health. The analysis included 20 studies and just over 5,000 men across Europe. The study found that smoking was associated with decreased sperm count, decreased sperm motility (that’s how sperm swim), and poor sperm morphology (how sperm are shaped....

Do you know someone expecting twins? Or are you looking for the best twin baby products for yourself? We’ve looked at various product categories and compared all of the important details and specs to find the best gifts for twin babies. Giving birth to and raising twins is a one-of-a-kind experience, and the bond twin siblings share is even more special. While in the womb, some twin babies interact with each other as early as 14 weeks by reaching out or laying head to head....

These are the top baby names you might regret in ten years: Cersei This name - or any other name - that has been inspired by your Game of Thrones binge watching is one to stay away from. Leaving your child the legacy of being named after a violent TV show that you were once obsessed with may not be the one you ultimately want to provide. Bertha Although this name means “glorious” and “beautiful,” this name, along with other old-fashioned Germanic names like Gertrude and Helga just don’t have the same ring of beauty that they once did....

This is your ultimate guide to celebrating International Women’s Day with kids. We’ve got everything from themed food to activities, books, TV shows, movies, and online resources. International Women’s Day is on March 8th, and it is a day that can serve as a launching point for education and inspiration. The campaign for International Women’s Day this year is all about choosing to challenge. As the International Women’s Day website shares, a challenged world is an alert world, and from challenge comes change....

Whether it’s a day camp, an overnight camp, or a week filled with your child’s favorite sport, let’s review a list of supplies you should pack. Don’t forget to label everything. Day Camp Packing List Many sports programs offer day camps only. Though you won’t need to pack a lot of items, it is good to send your child off with supplies to get them through the day. Backpack (ideally sturdy, but lightweight)Bagged lunchCombination lock (if necessary)Extra socksHat with a brim and/or sunglassesMedications your child takes regularly or might need (find out the camp’s policy on this in advance)Reusable water bottleSpending moneySports equipment and safety gear (make sure everything fits and is in good shape beforehand)Sunscreen, insect repellent, lip balm, hand sanitizerSwimsuit, goggles, and towel in a plastic or waterproof bagWindbreaker or sweatshirt (in case of chilly weather or rain)...

Reasons for Collecting and Freezing Breast Milk Women express their breast milk for many reasons. When you collect expressed breast milk correctly, you can freeze and store it for six months or even longer. You may choose to pump and freeze your breast milk if: You are returning to work or school, but you would like your child to continue to receive your breast milk. You need to relieve the pain and swelling of breast engorgement....

When to Hire a Tutor Hundreds of thousands of children having difficulty with a subject in school are currently being tutored in the United States for a variety of reasons: The Coordinated Campaign for Learning Disabilities is providing parents with a few useful tips to use when choosing a tutor. How to Choose a Tutor 1. Explain to your child why you think a tutor is needed and what a tutor does....