In the U.S., methamphetamine is especially popular among 18- to 26-year-olds. Unfortunately, it’s a highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. According to the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), more than 10.4 million Americans — some as young as age 12 — have tried meth at least once. NSDUH also reported that, overall, meth use decreased among 8th- and 12th-graders between 2006 and 2007....

“Grandparents and grandchildren are kind of hard-wired to connect in ways very different from parents and children,” says Dr. Arthur Kornhaber, founder and president of the Foundation for Grandparenting, a nonprofit organization committed to promoting the importance of grandparenthood. “They have this adoration and unconditional love and joy in one another’s existence.” More: 25 Alternative Names for Grandma and Grandpa Grandparents are not burdened by the inherent judgment that parents face: namely, that a child’s behavior reflects their effectiveness as parents....

“Having a few age-appropriate options for entertaining kids on a long car ride will help make the trip smoother,” Sara Huberman Carbone, MD, a pediatrician at One Medical in Orange County, California, told Verywell Family. “Consider choosing some activities kids can do on their own and some that involve the whole family to help mix things up.” Games can be especially helpful for kids who are prone to car sicknesses or if you are aiming for a screen-free ride....

When purchasing gifts for the youngest members of the family, it’s important to remember that some infant gifts are only appropriate for a short time, while others may last well into toddlerhood. You’ll also want to consider the parents and their interests. Gifts from their baby registry and things that are useful—like teething toys or soft blankets—will always be welcome. But other items, like child-safe seats for when the growing baby learns to sit or sound machines to soothe them to sleep at night, might be the right gift for the growing family....

Some may prefer a practical gift that’s usable for years to come, while others would appreciate a fun gift that’ll keep the baby’s attention. And if you’re at a loss, a keepsake or customizable item will always stand out. No matter your intention, we carefully considered value, design, ease of cleaning, and toy safety when reviewing products. Pliable, brightly colored loops intersect on a center cube that makes a soft rattling sound with movement....

While it’s fun to give children toys that meet their interests, you can also challenge them to play with other toys. Just be sure to consider age recommendations so the toy isn’t too overwhelming (or seem too young and childish—they’re almost tweens, after all). We carefully considered design, toy safety, value, and age recommendations when reviewing products. Here are our favorite toys for the 9-year-old in your life. Price at time of publication: $20 Price at time of publication: $10 Price at time of publication: $118 Price at time of publication: $29 A simple survey helps get you started to find the right books for your child....

While you want to keep safe sleep in mind first, consider your lifestyle and whether the bassinet can be used for other purposes outside the home. Moreover, some baby bassinets have extra features, like vibration and rocking, that can help soothe your baby, but keep in mind it may drive the price up. We carefully considered design, assembly, material, value, and any age, height, and weight recommendations when reviewing products....

“Usually, the earliest children can learn to drink from some sort of cup is around 6 months old," says Heather Shafi, MD, of Pediatrician Care Associates in New Jersey. “This is both when they can learn a new oral-motor skill and when their core tends to be sturdy enough for them to be able to sit upright for short periods of time.” We looked carefully at design, material, age recommendations, and maintenance when reviewing products....

Keep an eye on key features for buying a kite, like how to safely a kite, age recommendations, and the different shapes or styles available. Checking out these features can help ensure your flying will be as safe and successful as possible. We carefully considered design, material, ease of use, value, and any additional features included when reviewing products. It packs up small enough to fit in a backpack or glove compartment....

“When children play in science, they’re creating all sorts of powerful cognitive anchors,” Chris Emdin, PhD, the Robert A. Naslund Endowed Chair in Curriculum and Teaching and professor of education at the University of Southern California, tells Verywell Family. “[Through play] they’re able to witness the phenomenon in real-time, manipulate variables and see their effects. … When you play with something, that becomes a part of who you are. When you play basketball, you’re like, ‘Wait....

For some parents, portable toddler travel beds are must-haves to provide young children with a safe and comfortable place to sleep while on vacation. “Simpler is always better, especially when thinking of traveling with toddlers,” says Anjuli Gans, MD, a pediatrician at Karabots Pediatric Care Center, West Philadelphia. “So, when it comes to a toddler travel bed, you don’t need all the bells and whistles. There are a lot of fancy ones out there on the market, but your baby really just needs a safe and comfortable place to sleep....

Gather Your Supplies You need… A pregnancy test A disposable cup (if you’re using the dip stick kind of pregnancy test) A timer (probably got one on your phone) A pleasant morning hour (You really should take the test in the morning.) Your calendar or fertility chart Your favorite chocolate (Just in case… we won’t talk about why, so we don’t jinx it, but I know you know why.) Since it’s best to take the test in the morning with your first morning urine, you might want to consider gathering these supplies the night before you take the test....

Here’s a look at what’s going on behind the scenes during the first two weeks of pregnancy—the germinal stage. A New Life’s First Journey When an egg is fertilized, the result is a single-celled organism called a zygote, which then develops into a multicellular structure called an embryo. Almost immediately the zygote is on the move, making its way from the Fallopian tube where fertilization took place toward the uterus....

In addition to the two emotional items we discussed, savings and personal spending, a standard budget will include the following: Food Shelter (includes utilities) Entertainment Insurance Transportation Health care Clothing Before you start tackling this part of the budget, do the following calculation: $ __________ Write down your monthly income. $ __________ Subtract your planned monthly savings. $ __________ Subtract your planned monthly personal spending. $ __________ The money left for your monthly budget....

Breakfast with a Bang You’ve heard it a million times: Breakfast is important! Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. Think of your body as a car: it needs fuel to run properly. When you wake up from a good night’s sleep, your body has been fasting for about eight hours (if you’re lucky enough to get that much sleep). “Break-fast” in the morning helps kick your body into gear by supplying it with energy....

Your newborn needs to latch on well to get enough breast milk to grow and thrive, otherwise, they will require infant formula. A good breastfeeding latch and the regular removal of breast milk from your breasts is also necessary for the building up of your breast milk supply. On the other hand, if your newborn has a poor breastfeeding latch, they may not get enough breast milk. They may gain weight slowly or even lose weight....

Looking for some ideas for fun outdoor games to play at your next barbecue or family party? Good ol’ fashioned group games — from sack races to cornhole and other toss games — are all the rage these days! Check out this list of our favorite old and new outdoor games (to buy or DIY) that will make your backyard the ultimate kid-friendly party spot this summer. Many of these games are also great for the beach!...

More: 5 Alternatives to a Traditional Baby Shower A traditional baby shower isn’t completely out yet, but it certainly is not everyone’s style. For the expectant couples that prefer a modern approach to celebrating their baby, a co-ed baby shower may be the perfect fit. Why You Should Have a C0-Ed Baby Shower If you decide to plan a co-ed baby shower, these are the steps you will need to take in the planning process:...

Raising children in foster care looks a lot like raising biological children. Children in foster care need structure, discipline, love, and guidance like any other child. They also have after-school activities, friends, and homework. But raising children in foster care presents a few unique challenges. And it’s important for foster parents to understand the challenges they may face so they can be equipped to help kids in foster care thrive....