Find out all of the care options for your child, plus the pros and cons of each type. Whether you're heading back to work full-time, planning a night out with your significant other, or looking for an extra pair of hands to keep older kids entertained while you take care of a newborn, child-care providers can help give you a break. But you may be overwhelmed with the variety of child care choices. Should you choose a nanny or an au pair? A mother's helper or a relative? Which

Does your child do chores? Research suggests that the probability a parent would answer "yes" to this question these days is pretty low. How low? A recent survey found that while 82% of current parents did them when they were young, only 28% of the children are doing them today. This trend is certainly disconcerting. I conducted a review of research on chores spanning the last few decades. It was clear that they should be a part of growing up: They promote school achievement

What parents can do to smooth the transition between caregivers for their toddlers. Q. We are moving and will be switching childcare centers. How can we help our 18-month-old son say goodbye to his current teacher (someone he adores) and transition to the new center? A. Transitions can be hard for young children, especially toddlers who are, by nature, not fond of change. Being sensitive to the fact that this will be difficult for him, especially because he will also be deali

"I don't want to go to school!" It's an age-old complaint from children. But a growing body of research suggests that this protest can signal a deeper problem: school anxiety. Recent studies show that anxiety disorders are one of the most common psychiatric conditions among kids, with as many as 10% suffering from them and requiring medical treatment. No studies have been conducted on how common school anxiety is, but some experts believe it's on the rise among younger kids,

Did you see the article, too? Maybe, like me, you couldn't bear to read it right away, or perhaps you couldn't read it at all. I wouldn't blame you, as the details are beyond heartbreaking. A mother needs to go back to work after delivering her firstborn. She's not going to be bringing home much money—not after paying for the cost of child care—but she needs the health insurance, for herself, her partner, and her baby. In this particular story, the mother feels lucky, because

Here is a quick list of questions to ask any day care facility you may be thinking of using for your children... DAY CARE CENTERS [if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></

Everyone knows that summer day camp can be great for school-age kids and their families. Camp gives kids the opportunity to make friends, learn new skills, have adventures, and get some exercise. It cuts down on screen time by getting them outdoors and encouraging active play. It also helps working parents who need childcare during the summer months. But did you know that summer camp can be beneficial to your preschooler as well? Many programs take children as young as 3 year

Good childcare is a must for any working mother, but if you’re worried about putting your child in daycare, take heed. A well run, quality daycare program can give you the reliable childcare you need and also be good for your child’s health – and yours as well. Read on for six health benefits of daycare. 1. LESS EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS Kids in daycare whose mothers are depressed are less likely to have their own emotional problems, separation anxiety and social withdrawal symptom

When looking to enroll your child in a program most parents can find it overwhelming to begin looking at facilities. Where do you begin and what are the differences in each program? There are 5 main differences to consider when choosing your child care option. 1. THE HOURS A Day Care is a facility where parents can have their children cared for by professionals for most if not ALL of the day and tend to offer a year round program. A Preschool is usually in session as few as 3