How to Talk to Your Child About Sex, Ages 3 to 6
How early do children have sexual feelings? Almost from the very beginning, children are exploring their bodies. But before that idea makes you anxious, remember that at this point your child’s curiosity is less about sex as you think of it and more a…
Learn MoreViolence: How it Affects Children
Spurred on by family instability, violent crime now touches millions of young lives. The control of crime in the streets, in the schools, and in the home ought to be the preeminent ‘children’s issue.’–Karl Zinsmeister, “Growing up Scared,” Atlantic M…
Learn MoreAggression, Ages 6 to 12
My child hits, kicks, and lashes out at other kids. Should I be concerned?Yes. Most children outgrow this kind of behavior by the time they enter grade school, because they’ve developed the language skills to express themselves in words and been socia…
Learn MoreAnxious Child, Ages 1 to 3
Anxiety is a normal part of your child’s behavioral and emotional development. Toddlers often get uneasy when separated from their parents or introduced to strangers. Fears of the dark, the toilet, animals, and loud noises (such as fireworks or thunde…
Learn MoreHow to Talk to Your Child About Sex, Ages 6 to 12
How do I handle the birds-and-bees speech responsibly? Give up on the idea of presenting the subject in one big talk — you’ll overwhelm your child with more bewildering and even distasteful information than she can process at once. Instead, think of …
Learn MoreHow to Talk to Your Child About Sex, Ages 12 to 16
What’s the best way to initiate a conversation about sex with my child? First of all, give up on the idea that it’s going to happen the way you plan it — fruitful conversations with adolescents rarely take place when and how their parents want them t…
Learn MoreTravel Tune-up: How to Help Your Child Adjust
Vacation is the time to chuck the alarm clock and strike out for unfamiliar territory. But your daily grind is your child’s security. She thrives on predictability, on knowing what’s next. Take away her routine and she’s liable to start whining, cryin…
Learn MoreBabyproofing Your Home
With his 2-year-old upstairs taking a nap, Tim Anderson* seized the chance to do some yard work. A few moments later, he was bewildered to find the toddler lying on the lawn, crying inconsolably. That’s odd, he thought: How did he get downstairs so fa…
Learn MoreType 2 Diabetes and Kids: The Growing Epidemic
Can children get type 2 diabetes?Before the obesity epidemic in the United States, type 2 diabetes was practically unheard of in people under 30. That explains the former name for the disease: adult-onset diabetes. Not long ago, almost all children wi…
Learn MoreChildhood Obesity: Guidelines for Families
Children and teens in America are three times more likely to be overweight than they were 30 years ago. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about one out of five U.S. children is now obese. While there are a few mysteries and unans…
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