Smag31 Your child’s experience of the world will be shaped by you and drawn from a range of influences that will all have their roots in your past. She will naturally look to you for guidance on what is “right and wrong”—and will push the boundaries of acceptable behavior during the learning process. “Your child has … Read more
You will want to give your children the best direction and care, but at some point you are likely to slip into a style of parenting that is convenient and instinctive, rather than developed consciously. How do you find a way of parenting that works for you and your family, and what should you avoid? … Read more
Your Premature Baby If your baby was born prematurely, she may have spent time in a neonatal intensive care unit. Such a challenging start is bound to impact the early years of parenting, but it is important to try to come to terms with and handle your feelings. “I can reassure you that most premature … Read more
Your hopes There are as many personal reasons for having children as there are for not having children. For some parents, children represent the hopes, dreams, and ideals that are unmet in their own life; they represent the chance to “put right the wrongs” of the past; for others, having a child is the natural … Read more
Your baby’s first birthday will be a major milestone for all of you. Just when you think you have your routine figured out, and know what to expect, your rapidly developing baby may start to resist your attentions and show every sign of developing an independent mind. Welcome to the toddler years! “The first year … Read more
Caring for the Pets in Your Family People aren’t the only ones whose needs you must consider. Family pets come along with their own list of care requirements. If you are still at the stage of deciding whether to get a pet or what kind of pet to get, then you should choose responsibly by … Read more
Caring for the People in Your Family When we work on putting together a family schedule, we completely forget about the essentials needed to take care of the people in our family. As we mentioned before, we get so caught up in the extra, special activities that we overlook the basics that are crucial to … Read more
If taking care of the basics sounds tedious to you, remember that a little time invested to make your family’s basic life run smoothly will allow everyone to enjoy the special activities even more. In this section, you’ll learn how to build a schedule that accommodates the demands of your job, along with the necessities … Read more
Seeing you relax will allow your children to get to know you as a whole person, rather than simply the person who comes home from work and takes care of his every need. However, in reality, the needs of adults who want to unwind don’t always mix smoothly with the needs of toddlers. “The true … Read more
The subject of child abuse is a very difficult one to read about and harder still to acknowledge if it occurs within your own family. However, the reality is that in the vast majority of cases, child abuse is committed by someone who is already known to the abused child. “Children are vulnerable and need … Read more
Toddlers usually grow out of the habits that make adults feel uncomfortable, although occasionally these may be a sign of deeper distress. This section looks at common types of behavior that sit on the borderline between acceptable and unwanted toddler behavior, and suggests coping strategies. “Make sure your child has plenty of opportunities to be … Read more
A child with special needs is a child first and foremost. As such he needs everything that has already been talked about in this guide: warm, responsive, sensitive parenting with firm and consistent boundaries, as well as plenty of opportunities for play, exploration, and fun. “A child’s special needs are as much a part of … Read more
By the time your toddler reaches his fourth birthday he will be well aware of his place in the family, and the people within it will make up the largest part of his world. This section looks at some of the broader areas that may affect your toddler’s upbringing and your parenting choices. “I missed … Read more
by Lisa LiddanE photos by Nicholas Koon A barclay butera-designed house retains its cozy and relaxed atmosphere after a decade. Two works of art by Hisashi Otsuka in the dining room have provided color inspiration for that room. The allwhite kitchen features a Carrara marble-topped island and espresso cane bar chairs; The master suite features … Read more
Five children? Wow. Really? Why????? Just a few of the responses I have received from people when they find out how many little ones we maintain in the Hurley brood. I come from a two-child home, just me and my younger sister, Lauren. I remember always wanting more siblings and begging my mother to “just … Read more
Melanie McCarthy When I was pregnant with my son, one of my favorite pastimes was daydreaming about the nursery. I would flip through catalogs and browse cribs and bedding Online when I was supposed to be working. What color would I paint his room? What’s the theme? Pastel lambs or fi sh in primary colors? … Read more
Q: My son is not “work ready.” What can I do to help him? A: There is a specific set of skills that will help your son do well no matter what job he goes for. These include attending every day unless he’s sick, arriving on time, appearing clean and tidy, and listening to instructions … Read more
Your baby’s first birthday will be a significant and emotional milestone for you and may trigger mixed feelings. The past 12 months will have been life changing and it is quite normal to feel a few pangs as you put away the baby clothes and start to look forward to your child’s next phase of … Read more
“Get ready! Your child is about to embark on an exciting journey into toddlerhood.” On the move Your baby’s horizons will suddenly expand as she learns how to walk and starts to view her environment from a whole new perspective New activities As your toddler’s hand—eye coordination develops, he will become more skilled at handling … Read more
Potentially risky behavior Smoking, drinking, and sex Most teenagers experiment with smoking, drinking alcohol, and sexual activity. Initially this is out of curiosity, because everyone else is doing it, and because it is pleasurable. How do parents know when experimentation becomes a problem? Smoking Preventing your youngster from starting to smoke cigarettes may be considerably … Read more