Tips to Soothe Your Crying Baby

One of the toughest sounds to hear as a new mom is your baby crying. But consider this: Crying is the only way your baby can communicate at this stage. After all, he can’t yell out, “Mom, my diaper’s dirty!” or “I need a nap!” To soothe your crying baby, first look to see if there’s a problem: Is he hungry? Tired? Does he need his diaper changed? Does he seem too hot or cold? Over time,... 

5 Germ Hot Spots You Need to Clean for Family Health

Home is where the heart is – not to mention the dirt, dust, bacteria and mold. “Most people clean what they can see, but there’s a lot more to cleaning a home than just wiping down your bureau,” says Richard Symes of Clenz Philly, an eco-friendly home and commercial cleaning service in New Jersey and Philadelphia. The payoff to a more thorough clean: better air quality, fewer allergy symptoms,... 

The Power of No – The Best Gift You’ll Give This Year

’Tis the season for kids to plead, beg and whine for Barbies, Xboxes and iPods. But you don’t have to grant every wish — and more importantly, you shouldn’t. “Hearing ‘no’ helps kids learn to cope with the disappointment and frustrations that are part of everyday life,” says educational psychologist Michele Borba, author of The Big Book of Parenting Solutions. It also makes your... 

The Surprising Benefits of Peer Pressure

Kids do some crazy things to keep up with their friends – even preschoolers (“I dare you to eat a worm!”). But as negative as it can be, there are a few benefits of peer pressure. “There’s no doubt that peers can make each other more aggressive, but they can also make each other smarter and happier,” says psychology professor William M. Bukowski, Ph.D., of Concordia University in Montreal.... 

The Stress-free Method to Get Kids to Brush Their Teeth

Getting kids to brush their teeth can be like pulling teeth. So how do you make polishing those pearly whites less of a chore — for both of you? “The key to good oral hygiene is to start young and make it fun,” says Judith Post, D.D.S., a dentist in Bloomfield, N.J., adding that it takes just two minutes, twice a day, to build the brushing habit. Here’s how to make the most of those two...