We all know that celiac disease is a problem of the small intestine, but most of us are probably unaware that it could actually be the root cause of a whole host of neurological problems from brain fog, to tingling and numbness sensations in your extremities, to developmental delays and learning disorders, autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, movement disorders like ataxia, and even psychological issues from irritability or depression to schizophrenia. (more…)

You don’t need to rely on a future preschool teacher or the television set to teach your child literacy. Proactive parents can do quite a bit for their children at a very young age to set the stage for early reading and lifelong success at school. A child who feels successful has confidence, and as we all know, one who struggles with failure will often times develop poor coping skills and very low self-esteem. Don’t wait until your child is formally enrolled to start thinking about literacy. Start now. There are 10 very simple things parents can do with their toddlers that will ensure future success at school. (more…)

This topic idea was born out of necessity in our house. My very precocious 4 year old has run the gamut on dangerous and costly experiments, always conveniently performed in the space of 90 seconds or less. When he finally stopped up my toilet with an entire double roll of toilet paper I decided it was time to stimulate his devious mind with something a bit less destructive than an inch of water splashed across my tile floor and a pipe so stopped up we needed a plumber. I powered up the computer and began to show him the ropes. Within a few weeks he had a basic grasp of dragging, dropping, clicking, and closing. Together with my boys, and with the help of a few other moms, I have compiled a list of the top ten websites for preschoolers and their parents that do more than just entertain, they educate too! (more…)

In 2005, Gary Null produced a video entitled “The Drugging of our Children” that questions the validity of medicating so many children for symptoms of ADHD.

Toddlers between the ages of one and two love to explore their world. They are delightful and exhausting, funny and fearless, and without common sense about the many dangers they will encounter within even the most carefully baby-proofed home. From the time your darling baby takes her first steps until she is finally ready for school, you will probably be quite anxious about safety, and rightfully so. A good way to channel your toddler’s curiosity and energy is to begin teaching her some chores, because regardless of how much you invest in toys, your inquisitive toddler will always want to be in your business.

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No one likes to wait in line. It is right up there with getting a root canal or having blood drawn. Long lines and international flights have got to be the two most irritating places to find yourself trapped when you are in the company of bored and irritable children 5 and under. Nothing causes a parent sweaty palms more than idol minds, fidgety fingers, and restless legs forced to stay put and keep quiet for a half-hour or more.

Here is a quick and simple list of things you can do to keep the whining at a minimum while you’re waiting: (more…)

As a mother of three very young and inquisitive little boys I am guilty of hiring the electronic babysitter while doing laundry, making dinner, and talking on the phone. And I am sure if I did an informal telephone interview with other mothers I would find this to be true for most everyone. I know that excessive T.V. watching without adequate interaction will cause verbal delays. That’s just common sense. We don’t just plop our kids down in front of the television for hours on end and then just walk away. So in lieu of the recent Baby Einstein shake up I thought I would take a moment to jot down a few very successful non-television activities that my boys and I have done together this summer. They both have busy little minds and are often easily bored so I have to get creative quite often to keep them occupied.

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Breast milk is best for a variety of reasons, but sometimes your baby weans early or the mother’s milk doesn’t get firmly established and supplementation is necessary. You resort to feeding your baby formula, and you are racked with guilt by this because the pressure to breastfeed is so strong. It is not so rare to have a baby exhibit colicky behavior when switching to formula (more…)

I recently took my 4 year-old son on a play date with a boy he has known at least two years. When we arrived, however, we were surprised to find an older neighbor boy there too. Something in my gut made me uneasy, but I didn’t mention it to my friend. Just after we were in the door I caught the other two boys playing “gang-up” style shoot-em-up with squirt guns. My son had none. I had to stop them and talk with them about playing nice.

We stayed a couple hours, ate lunch together, and I watched the boys as they moved freely in and out of the house. At the close of our visit I reminded my son to thank our hosts and tell them he had a good time. He said no, very candidly, and I was admittedly embarrassed in front of our company.

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Long car trips with little children can bring stress levels to the brim, which is not something we need when we are taking a holiday from our hectic day-to-day home and work schedules. Kids need a holiday as much as their parents do, but that doesn’t mean abandoning their regular schedule and hitting the road like a band of hippies.

The most important thing to do is plan plenty of activities both in the car and along the way that will help pass the time. Simple car games like “I spy with my little Eye” and the “A, B, C” game are a great way to keep kids from getting bored and irritable after too many hours in the car.

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