In our house, electronics aren’t considered a right or even a teenage rite of passage; we monitor and restrict our daughter's online activities. This is an ongoing source of woe for her. But here's why it’s the right thing to do.
A mom's effort to end her teen's unhealthy friendships has to be something of a covert operation. Here, Circle of Moms members share four tactics for keeping a teen away from the wrong crowd.
Shannon T. and other moms say getting homework done is a nightly struggle. “I cannot get my eight-year-old to do his homework without a major mean fight." Here, members share homework insights, tricks, and tips, including one very creative use of sugar!
Bullying is a hot button issue in schools across the nation, but what do you do when the bully in the classroom is your child’s teacher? Here's how to know if your child is being bullied by a teacher, and what you can do to stop it.
Activities like sports, art classes, and musical lessons offer your kids a great chance to discover and explore their interests. But have you over-scheduled them? Here are five questions that will help you know whether to slow things down.
When your teen or tween starts dating, you're probably not far away from their first big breakup. What are the best ways to cope with the fury of emotions and hormones, and what can you do to help?
Spring is around the corner, and for many moms, it’s time to start plotting out ways to keep the kids busy this summer. If camp is on your child's horizon this year, try these tried-and-true strategies for finding the best options.
When it comes to letting your child quit, whether the activity is scouts, sports, or violin lessons, there’s no single answer that works for every child. Here's how Circle of Moms members decide what to do when a child’s attention lapses and he wants o
When they reach the tween years, kids need to start handling more on their own, but it's not easy for moms to let them do so. Here, our moms share strategies for encouraging kids to spread the wings of independence — and for reining in the worrying.
How can parents get the most out of parent-teacher conferences? We put the question to teacher moms and they shared seven great suggestions, from what questions to ask to the best way to respond to bad news.
Many kids go through a phase of not wanting to shower, wash their hair, or brush their teeth. How long should you let it go, when should you worry, and how can you encourage cleanliness?
Whether your child is struggling because he's the new kid in town, is flummoxed by playground politics, or simply because he's shy, there are ways you can support him.
Looking for birthday party games that will keep a room full of kids happy without breaking the bank? Here we've rounded up seven mom- and kid-tested games that are perfect for entertaining 6- to 8-year-olds at a party.
Teenagers present unique challenges in every household. But many can be overcome if you enlist your kids' help in raising them to become fabulous adults. Here, Circle of Moms members share five important lessons learned about raising teens.
Guiding your daughter through her coming-of-age years can be tricky, especially when the "right" ages for various milestones feel like moving targets. To help, we've rounded up the best advice from moms on everything from first bras to first boyfriends.
With so much of kids' lives unfolding out of our sight, parents can feel clueless about what’s really going on. But today's parents have access to new tools — web filters, tracking software, and even GPS — that allow us to track every move. Dare we?
Ever find yourself wondering "Who are you and what have you done with my sweet child?" Check out these tips on how to curb your kid's smart mouth, bad attitude, cursing habit, and more.
What's the best time for kids to do homework? Should you reward good grades with money? How can parents best educate teachers about special needs? Here, we've rounded up answers to frequently-asked questions about school success.
Fear of school bus bullies is just one of the common phobias Circle of Moms members find their grade school-age kids struggling with. Other common fears at this age include tests, darkness, barking dogs, flying, and death. Here's how a parent can help.
Do you have to remind your child a half dozen times to make her bed? A chore chart could help. If you want to get started – or to change up your current system – check out these tips from other moms on the best chore charts and reward systems.
To many people, writing letters of thanks is a dying courtesy, but not to all! Why do some moms still insist their kids send thank you notes for every gift? Here are three important benefits they say kids receive from expressing their gratitude in writing
You bought your child a video game...and now he won’t get up! Or worse, when you ask him to take a break, he screams, “But the game isn’t finished!” Here's how to fix it without taking away the fun.
How do you know when your child's cute mispronunciations actually signal a need for speech therapy? Here, we’ve rounded up the basics on lisps, plus advice on how and when to have your child's speech evaluated by a pro.
‘Tis the season for flu and colds, which in turn bring on long days at home with sick kids who can't go to school. Here, Circle of Moms members share ideas for making sick days more fun for your child, and more bearable for you.
The spanking debate is one that always sends sparks flying on Circle of Moms, and it was no different when a member asked whether moms who spank their little ones decide to stop when those kids reach a certain age.
Wondering how to help motivate and support your child when he or she is struggling in school with an academic subject? We put this question to moms who are also experienced teachers. Here are the techniques they use with their own kids.
When a child loses a baby tooth it's a major milestone — one that's worth getting excited about. Here, Circle of Moms members share fun, unique traditions for marking the loss of your children's milk teeth.
Why do so many kids like about relatively unimportant things, like whether or not they brushed their teeth? Here are some insights from Circle of Moms members on the reasons our kids lie, and ideas on how to deal with it.
Many Circle of Moms members with kids in grade school say that TV-watching is a drag at this stage because they constantly have to censor what pops up. Here, ideas on what to watch and how best to monitor your kids.
Is your daughter ready for her first bra? Circle of Moms members share tips on when to take her shopping, how to find the right bra, and on how to make the experience fun.
What should you consider when you're trying to decide when to let your daughter shave her legs? Here are three key questions, plus suggestions on how to get her started.
Stumped on what to give your child's teacher as a holiday present? To help solve this gift-giving dilemma we went straight to potential recipients of the gift: our Teacher Mom bloggers.
Is your daughter showing an interest in lip gloss and mascara? Here are seven great tips, all suggested by Circle of Moms members, for helping her develop a healthy, moderate, and hygienic approach to wearing makeup.
Taking the passenger seat to help your 15-year-old practice driving is one of the most anxiety-inducing moments in motherhood. Here, 7 tips for keeping your sanity when your teen gets behind the wheel.
Anywhere from 1 in 20 to 1 in 6 children experience sensory symptoms that could affect their everyday lives. Read up on the basics on Sensory Processing Disorder and key signs of the condition in children of different ages.
Who's left on your holiday shopping list? We've rounded up great gift ideas for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, grade-schoolers, tweens, teachers, and other moms.
They're not teens, they're not tots, and they're tough to get to bed because they just don't want to be there! To help you win the bedtime battle, here are five helpful strategies from Circle of Moms members on how to get your big kids to sleep.
The holly jolly holiday season has arrived, but will your tween join in the fun? Here Circle of Moms members offer five tips for successfully luring pre-tweens into family holiday festivities.
It's not easy to teach a child whose favorite word is "mine!" about poverty, hunger, and the importance of generosity. Here are five great ideas from Circle of Moms members on teaching kindness, compassion, and charity — to a preschool-aged child.
They're not teens, they're not tots, and they're tough to get to bed because they just don't want to be there! To help you win the bedtime battle, here are five helpful strategies from Circle of Moms members on how to get your big kids to sleep.
It can be especially tough during the holidays to be around kids who act entitled. Here are six smart tips for enjoying the season even when your kids are ungrateful.
In a world where your teen will make a million excuses to avoid one-on-one time, you have to be super creative if you want to spend time together. Here, Circle of Moms members offer clever ways to make that time happen.
With headlines always broadcasting the frightening details of child abuse cases, moms are talking about ways to keep kids safe from predatory adults. Here are five key safety skills and messages for your children, from our members.
Whether your child is struggling with algebra problems, vocabulary, or history lessons, the following websites are all recommended by moms as great resources for homework help.
