Betwixt and Between Expect to worry. A preteen child combines the toughest parts of teenage-dom and childhood: He’s old enough to think he can make his own decisions, but he’s still too young to recognize his limitations. And, to make matters worse, preteens seem genetically hardwired to believe that all parents (and especially moms) are stupid and ignorant and that somehow they have been dropped into your family by mistake. Teenagers, you hope, have already begun the maturation process that may ultimately lead to responsibility....

Sonohysterography may also be referred to as hysterosonography, saline infused sonography (SIS), transvaginal sonography with fluid contrast augmentation, and the abbreviation SHG (sono-hystero-gram). This same test with special attention to the fallopian tubes may be referred to as sonosalpingography. What Sonohysterography Is During sonohysterography, a very thin tube (catheter) is placed inside the cervical opening. Saline solution (a sterilized salt water solution) is slowly introduced via the thin tube. The saline solution gently distends the uterus, so that the uterine walls move slightly away from each other....

The fetus has a medical condition which is certain to result in death either before or shortly after birth.The mother risks death by continuing the pregnancy. The decision to go ahead with a termination is usually very painful for parents. There are many things to consider, from your personal moral beliefs to religious laws, state laws, and insurance coverage. As always, the choice is personal, and your doctor should not pressure you into any decision that makes you feel uncomfortable....

Essentially, water birth involved sitting in a warm tub during at least a portion of the labor process; in some cases, it is possible to actually give birth in the water. Why Women Choose a Water Birth Many women have sought out childbirth in the water for a variety of reasons, including: Less Pain Water birth has been shown to be very effective at reducing pain. Some studies say that water birth is second to only the epidural in pain relief....

The reason pool barriers are so important is that even when parents are conscientious about supervising their little ones, drowning can happen in an instant. Toddlers are inquisitive and impulsive. They’re also unpredictable, and their abilities change almost daily. By the time a child’s absence is noted, it may already be too late. A very young child is unlikely to splash or scream, so the parent or caregiver may not be aware that a child’s in trouble....

Your SAT graders have very definite expectations—and prejudices—about the kind of essay they expect from you. The simple, concise, natural writing advocated by Strunk and White will leave them underwhelmed. (Besides, as even Strunk and White would readily admit: simple, concise writing is anything but natural. Such writing requires painstaking efforts, numerous rewrites, and lots of time to achieve—all luxuries you don’t have while writing your SAT essay at breakneck speed....

Age group: 18-40 months Duration of activity: 20 minutes Keep safety in mind while you do this activity with your child. If you use any cleaning, cosmetic, or toxic products, be sure to reinforce the idea that these products are not for the child’s use.

This recommendation has changed and the car seat may not need to be replaced after a minor crash. However, note that car seat manufacturers are ultimately responsible for their products. If the manufacturer says to replace a seat after any crash, follow that rule. NHTSA Car Seat Re-Use Recommendations The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers recommendations on when to replace children’s car seats and booster seats after car crashes....

Deck of playing cards Directions

“Mark!” Kathy cried. “Why aren’t your supplies in your book bag where they’re supposed to be?” Before he could respond, eight-year-old Jenny dropped a box of cereal on the floor, scattering its contents. Kathy sighed loudly. “Jenny, aren’t you finished with your breakfast? The bus will be here any minute!” She yelled to her ten-year-old son, “Mark, I need you to help your sister clean up. I’ll get your book bag ready....

The hard part about it is that there isn’t really a way to predict with any accuracy who will be overly sensitive to a particular smell. In fact, smells that you once loved may now give you a headache or make you want to hurl. Though when asked, many pregnant women had some categories of smells that seemed to top their lists over and over. They include: Food Products When you’re pregnant, you might have a love/hate relationship with food....

Bar of soap Washcloth Thread Needle Fabric or felt scraps Directions

Effort: Easy - some sewing required Materials: Black leotard and matching tights, or sweatpants and blackturtle neck Black shoes Two pairs of additional tights Polyfil stuffing Black thread and needle Scissors Black yarn or clear fishing line Double-sided tape Contrasting felt or reflective cut-outs Flexible plastic-coated wire, or pipe cleaners Face paint Fangs (optional) Instructions: The person’s arms and legs make four of the spider’s eight legs. To make the other four, cut off the tops of the two additional pairs of tights and stuff the legs with Polyfil....

Paper plate, thin cardboard, brad, scissors, markers Some things are best left to fate… and other things are best left to fortune-tellers. Here’s an easy way for your child to make a fortune-telling device that’s guaranteed to be somewhat accurate, some of the time. Attach a spinner to the center of a paper plate using a brad, making sure that the spinner can spin freely. (The spinner, which you can cut out of thin cardboard, should measure about 4 inches by ½ an inch and end in a point....

Ah, conflict. As we all know, stepfamilies are full of it. In the following list, I’ll lead you through a basic five-part approach to resolving interfamily struggles. Before you begin your problem-solving, let’s briefly explore a few general conflict-resolution approaches: The unilateral adult as Big Boss, “because I say so” approach. Many of us are guilty of at least occasionally falling into this trap. It might work for a moment, but the problem isn’t really resolved—it’s just been overruled....

As a stepparent, your approach to discipline will depend on where you are in the process. A new stepparent has a different role than a stepparent who has been part of the family for years. James K. Keshet, author of Love and Power in the Stepfamily, has developed a five-stage approach he calls the Stages to Stepparent Authority. I like them a lot, and with a number of changes, I’ve adapted them here....

“Strength training, when done correctly, can improve the overall health of children and adolescents of all athletic abilities,” says Katherine Stabenow Dahab, MD, who did a comprehensive review of scientific research on the topic (published in the journal Sports Health). Strength training can improve your athlete’s performance in the sport of her choice. It can also boost metabolism, and help your child reach a healthy weight and maintain it. There are risks associated with strength training, such as growth-plate fractures and lower back injuries....