Parents

Many parents want their children to learn to play a musical instrument — in theory. But the reality might have them questioning that desire. Living with a beginner and having to hear them practice the violin or trumpet can be tough. And don’t even get parents started on the sounds of those godforsaken recorders schools

Hirurg via Getty Images You might be surprised where COVID-19 is and isn’t spreading. The types of places that carry the biggest risk for COVID-19 transmission have changed over time ― partly because experts have learned more about how the virus works and partly because the virus itself has changed. The delta variant is more

Irina Marwan via Getty Images Everyone has a favorite Halloween candy, from chocolatey M&Ms to pucker-inducing Sour Patch Kids ― or my personal favorite, Reese’s peanut butter cups. But if you’re feeling guilty about doling out bags full of sugar to the kids in your neighborhood, you only have a couple of options: Be the

PeopleImages via Getty Images Adults who have depression or a schizophrenia spectrum disorder are now eligible for a Pfizer booster shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has included some mood disorders on its list of underlying conditions that can increase a person’s risk of becoming severely ill if they are infected with COVID-19.

Siri Stafford via Getty Images Nameberry’s experts took a look at the lower end of the popularity rankings to identify names that might trend in the future. Baby name experts often share their predictions about which names will be popular in a year or two. But the folks at Nameberry recently decided to take it

Sam Edwards via Getty Images Try one of these items the next time your neck pain strikes. Neck pain is an extremely common problem; it’s estimated about 80% of people will experience it at some point in their life. And it’s no surprise it’s so common, considering all the time we spend on our computers

PeopleImages via Getty Images Need to lift your mood? These lessons on happiness just might help. The road to happiness isn’t always easy, nor does it really have one final destination. Joy exists on a spectrum. And thanks to work, life and relationship problems ― not to mention, you know, an extremely distressing global pandemic

d3sign via Getty Images Teaching children to conserve energy is one way to help them learn environmental stewardship. It can be incredibly challenging as a parent to talk to your child about the realities of climate change. Eco-anxiety is real and kids are not immune to it, so many parents have an understandable urge to

At this point, most of us know that the very best thing we can do to give our immune system a boost is to get our COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot, and a COVID booster, if you’re eligible. But as the days grow darker and colder and we’re faced with a possible “twindemic” — meaning

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said kids can go outside and enjoy Halloween this year thanks to vaccinations and a gradual ebbing of new COVID-19 infections after a devastating summer. “I think that particularly if you’re vaccinated, you can get out there. You’re outdoors for the most part ― at least

Need parenting help? We do one-on-one parent coaching. We can help you find success with your child while improving your relationship. Visit us for more information https://www.smarterparenting.com/coaching/

REDA&CO via Getty Images Did you know you can use the “yogurt” button on your Instant Pot to make burrata? Instant Pot fans know there are certain ingredients that go into the pressure cooker and come out tasting delicious, from chicken and rice to pulled pork. But if you make the same things over and

It’s not quite chilly enough for a big puffer coat, and it’s too cold for a jean jacket. If you’ve hung out at enough tailgates or soccer games, you know the best way to bundle up in the fall is to wrap yourself in a big wool blanket ― and thankfully, some designers have made

Sometimes it seems like children would subsist entirely off sugar if they could. That’s how many parents feel, anyway. From endless requests for cookies to refusals to share ice cream, there’s no shortage of opportunities for kids to express their love for all things dessert ― and no shortage of opportunities for parents to tweet

How well could you describe a piece of candy blindfolded? In this game, using the steps of Observe and Describe describe a candy by touch and taste and try to guess what it is. Learn more: http://www.smarterparenting.com/observe-and-describe

isayildiz via Getty Images RSV and COVID-19 have some overlapping symptoms, as well as some different ones. Here’s what parents should know. As COVID-19 cases in children continue to climb, pediatricians warn that parents and caregivers should not overlook another respiratory illness that recently surged unexpectedly: respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. Both RSV and COVID-19

Tom Merton via Getty Images Instead of putting together multi-item ensembles, parents know onesies are the way to go with an infant. Onesies, bodysuits, snapsuits. Whatever you call them, if you’ve got a baby in the house then you probably have dozens of these. Technically “onesie” is a trademarked term that’s been owned by Gerber

Jasmin Merdan via Getty Images Children ages 5–11 could be eligible for COVID vaccines in the coming weeks. Here’s what parents need to know about the dosage. For months now, many parents have anxiously awaited the day when children under 12 will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, wondering: What’s the hold-up? Well, the “hold-up” has

Parents want to raise emotionally healthy kids. The key to healthy emotional development in children is helping them recognize different emotions and learn how to handle those emotions in healthy ways. What is NOT healthy is teaching children to avoid certain emotions. For example, there was a time when boys were told not to cry.

SolStock via Getty Images Walking and talking can be a good way to get kids to open up. For a voluble kid, my 6-year-old has a real gift for shutting down when I ask him how school is going. He’ll spend hours talking to me about Pokemon or strange animal facts, but when it comes