
Barbie's Got a New Body
Body Image... If you are a parent of a young girl, tween or teen, you are aware of the "body image" battle that our daughters face. Whether it be the constant media they tune into or the peer pressure of friends at school, our girls are facing a crisis of how they define beauty in our culture. Well...help is on the way. The designers and CEO's are listening. As profits sink and parental spending goes elsewhere, the toy giants are learning that parents have choices to what the


Why Routines are Important for Kids
Routine. Routine. Routine. We all hear about it from day one of being a parent. You need to get them on a routine! So what’s the big deal? Why do our kids need a routine? I posed this question to Erin O’Keefe, MA, PCI Certified Parent Coach of The Intentional Parent. ................................................................................................................................... When a child knows what to expect, their world is more comfortable, it makes sen

Keeping Teeth Clean at School
From our friends at Delta Dental of Oklahoma Five months down, five to go. With winter break behind us now, the school year is about halfway over. Help your children finish the second half strong with sharp minds and stellar oral hygiene. Teach them these four tips for keeping teeth clean at school… and expect brighter smiles in graduation pictures. Brush After Breakfast Brushing immediately following a meal helps clean teeth and eliminates halitosis, or bad breath. After bre


The Picture on the Box
From our friends Stan and Cheryl Schuermann over at 12PassagesForParents.com Have you ever tried to put together a jigsaw puzzle without first seeing the picture on the box? Or, better yet, to put it together with no picture and with the pieces laid out upside down? ...By the time they (your children) leave your care and start their own family, they should know how the pieces fit together. YOU will have been to them the picture on the box. Read the entire article here #parent

Yes, Coffee Might Actually Be Good for Your Teeth
If you have a desire to stain your teeth, consuming multiple cups of coffee a day is a sure way to get you there. That much you likely already know. What you may not know, though, is that drinking coffee in moderation can actually help you protect your teeth, because of coffee’s unique anti-bacterial properties. And, coffee isn’t alone in this regard. Tea, too, has some pretty marvelous properties, despite its propensity to stain teeth as well! So, if you’re a fan of a cuppa
The Emergency Most Parents are Worried About.
A recent article on Parents.com shares that "the emergency parents are most worried about, yet only 1 in 4 know what to do" is that of an infant who suddenly stops breathing. The video below was created by a UK ambulance service with the hope of teaching UK parents the skills in dealing with such a scenario. It is a fun attempt to help change these parental fears.. it opens up with everybody's favorite hill-climbing couple, Jack and Jill. Read More #InfantCPR #parentinghacks


First Smiles: Keep Them Healthy
From our friends @ Delta Dental of Oklahoma Your baby’s first tooth is a major milestone in growth and development. As parents, we cherish those first toothy smiles. Following good oral hygiene habits and visiting a dentist regularly will help ensure that your child has a healthy smile for years to come. Baby’s First Teeth It’s never too early to begin good brushing habits. You can start by wiping your baby’s gums after each feeding. Once your baby’s first tooth comes in, beg


Cavities and Tooth Decay
Prevention Good oral and dental hygiene can help you avoid cavities and tooth decay. Below are some tips to help prevent cavities. Ask your dentist which tips are best for you. Brush with fluoride toothpaste after eating or drinking. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and ideally after every meal, using fluoride-containing toothpaste. To clean between your teeth, floss or use an interdental cleaner. If you can't brush after eating, at least try to rinse your mouth with wat


"Why you should stop checking your kid's homework right now"
Great title to catch your attention right? Well it has some deeper meaning, but yes it caught mine as well. Let me explain. As parents raising a middle school child and high schooler, we have had our trial and tribulations when it comes to homework. Starting in elementary school it was apparent that our children were receiving more and more homwork for their classes and were expected to have it completed nightly so as to turn it in the next morning. If this was all that was o


Brush, Book, Bed: How to Structure Your Child’s Nighttime Routine
Brush, Book, Bed, a program of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), has a simple and clear message for Each night, help your children to brush their teeth. Read a favorite book (or two)! Get to bed at a regular time each night. Having a predictable nighttime routine will help them understand and learn to expect what comes next. Additionally, routines may ease the stress that some families experience at nighttime. The resources below will help you get started with your ch