Kids in the U.S. and Canada grow up expecting a delivery of decorated eggs and candy from the Easter bunny each year, but that tradition may seem odd to some. Brought to this country by German immigrants in the 1700s, the practice is rooted in the belief that rabbits and eggs symbolize fertility and rebirth. While this may be the norm in Canada and America, other cultures have their own unique Easter celebrations. Whether it's drenching one another with water in... [read more]

In the summer everyone wants to have fun in the sun, but you really want to protect your children’s tender skin from sunburns. Follow these sun safety recommen- dations from the American Academy of Pediatrics: For babies under six months: It’s best to avoid sun exposure by making sure your baby is in full shade, like from a dense tree or an umbrella. Even when baby is in the shade, the sun's rays reflect off sand and water, so dress him in lightweight clothes that... [read more]

Physical fitness should start early, so here are a few exercises disguised as play that you can do with children as young as two years. · Ball walk. Find a small bouncy ball, and have your child hold it between his or her knees. Then challenge the child to walk farther and farther without dropping it. · Giant walking. Have your child take the longest step he or she can, then stop for a moment all stretched out. Then have the child stand up straight and take a giant... [read more]

Raising confident children means building up their self-esteem, especially when they make mistakes. Here are 5 ideas for minimizing mistakes and maximizing encouragement at those critical moments: Don’t get overly emotional or reactive. By modeling the right reactions to mistakes, you teach your child how to deal with mistakes in an emotionally mature way. Show your child what to do differently next time. Learning what NOT to do is only part of the experience. But many kids... [read more]

An elderly man living in Phoenix calls his son in New York and says, “I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your Mother and I are divorcing.  Forty-five years of misery is enough.” The son gets all excited and responds, “Pop, what are you talking about?  You can’t divorce Mom after all these years.  That’s crazy.” “It may be crazy,” says the old man, “but I am going to tell her on Christmas Day.  It... [read more]