Parenting toddlers is not an easy job. Many parents would readily confess that the toddler years are some of the most trying. Parents have to cope with highly-charged young minds, live with their frightfully demanding and beyond reasoning temperaments and deal with their huge tantrums and sometimes absolutely unreasonable demands.
Parenting toddlers as said is a [...]

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Learn to Say No to Over-Spending on Your Kids
And Teach Them to Value the Dollar
by Vicki Salemi
In this age of designer toddler clothes and cell phones for second graders, here’s how two parents keep their spending in check, and keep the kids’ tastes down to earth.
Don’t succumb to peer pressure.  For David Mott, father [...]

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Are You Read to Playgroup? 4 Pointers To Get Started
Tips for finding or creating a playgroup for your toddler
By Mary Fetzer
‘Fess up… does your child need practice taking turns, sharing, and – let’s face it – detaching from your hip? If so, it’s time to playgroup, my friend! Get out there and connect with [...]

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6 Ways to Avoid Toddler Food Fights
Take the drama out of mealtime

By Dawn Papandrea
Karen Wright of Mankato, MN buys ketchup in bulk. Without it, her three-year-old son Grant refuses to eat anything — not graham crackers, cheese, or even yogurt. “At least it has lycopene and vitamin C,” she reasons. Plus, she’s hoping [...]

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A Parent’s Crash Course in College Planning
5 tips to keep in mind as you approach (dread) college exploration time
by Gina LaGuardia
How the day got here is beyond you. All of a sudden, that little girl in pigtails who used to cling to your leg is spending more time surfing college Web sites than downloading [...]

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10 Parent-Friendly TV Shows for Your Toddlers and Preschoolers
They may even learn something while you take a break
By Mary Fetzer
I’m guilty. I admit it. I’ve used the TV as a babysitter.
As grateful as I am for that half-hour of peace and quiet, I’m sometimes freaked out by the “Poltergeist effect” the TV [...]

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8 Toys You Hope Your Kids Don’t Ask For

From danger to controversy, consider this your un-wish list.
by Vicki Salemi

Let’s face it: when your kid wants you to buy a toy gun or violent video game you cringe, get a knot in your stomach, pray they’ll get over it, or all of the above. [...]

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