Should Kids Play with Their Food? Of Course!
Junky, processed food and afternoons spent in front of tech are taking a toll on our kids' health, with everyone from Michelle Obama to the United Nations looking for solutions. But what if the path to healthy eating is simpler than we think? The key ingredient is play -- something at which our kids are already experts. When kids are involved in the process of growing, harvesting, and cooking without the pressures of "are you going to eat your spinach?" they experience those
Have You Lost Your Child to a Smartphone?
I recently reached out to a number of parents, six to be exact, about my concern for our children and what personal technology is doing to their minds, moods, behavior, relationships and just about everything else. Specifically, I pointed out what I witness: the constant need for distraction, relating to the device rather than the peson they are with; chronic fear of missing out on what might be happening on the device; continual posting of selfies (often in lieu of enjoying
Kevin James Shares Hilarious Bedtime Strategy for Getting His Kids to Sleep
[Video available to view at the link below.] While promoting his new movie, "Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2" on "The Tonight Show," actor and father of four Kevin James told Jimmy Fallon about his strategy for putting his kids to bed at night. "Kids are like wolves. They can sense when you don't want to be there, and they will make your life a living hell," James said, explaining that he's always trying to get his children to sleep quickly so that he can watch sports on TV. "I just l
What Does Autism Awareness Even Mean?
April is Autism Awareness Month. I'm not sure when this tradition started. Does anyone out there know? I would research it, but I'm in the middle of eating a huge, yummy cinnamon roll from Cinnabon and I don't feel like multi-tasking. But it's a curious thing, this awareness. When my sister and I were kids, we would play a game where we'd say a word over and over again until it lost all of its meaning. aware aware aware aware aware Then we'd try to think of as many rhymes as
OMG, I Just Found Out my Son has ADHD
I'm sure you imagined your child, at some point during pregnancy or the adoption process, proudly showing you his latest A on a school test or crossing the stage during college graduation. Parents want the best for their children and have the highest hopes for them. An ADHD diagnosis initially feels like an abrupt end to many of the dreams you had for your child. It raises the possibility that your dreams for her may not come true. But it doesn't mean that achieving her dream
Masters Winner Jordan Spieth Inspired by Sister with Special Needs
Jordan Spieth won the Masters on Sunday, finishing a historic run where he lead from start to finish. At 18-under, he tied for the best score ever. With all the buzz around his extraordinary talent, Spieth says what keeps him grounded is his sister Ellie, who has autism. Spieth, inspired by Ellie, began the Jordan Spieth Charitable Trust to support military families, junior golfers and special needs youth. "Ellie certainly is the best thing that's happened in our family," Spi
What's the Hardest Part of Autism? One Mom's Answer...
“Part of the problem with the word ‘disabilities’ is that it immediately suggests an inability to see or hear or walk or do other things that many of us take for granted. But what of people who can’t feel? Or talk about their feelings? Or manage their feelings in constructive ways? What of people who aren’t able to form close and strong relationships? And people who cannot find fulfillment in their lives, or those who have lost hope, who live in disappointment and bitterness