Be the Grown-Up Whether your children are concerned about troubling economic news, or you’re currently dealing with unemployment, what kids want to hear is much the same message. “They want reassurance,” says Janet Bodnar, editor of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and author of Raising Money-Smart Kids. “They want you to be the grown-up.” Being the grown-up means having a plan in place for dealing with unemployment. “Kids ask, ‘Will we have food on the table?...

Some of the warning signs of suicide include: Seeming depressed; low energy level; loss of interest in things. Talking about suicide or discussing suicidal fantasies. Your teen may not discuss these issues with you, but you may get reports from siblings or even friends who are worried. Giving away treasured possessions. Writing about death in journals. A teen who wants you to know what he is thinking may actually leave a journal out around the house open to significant pages....

There are other, one-time deductions, such as the points you pay at closing, but interest and property taxes are the long-term biggies. These deductions are great news for homeowners. When paying the mortgage bill every month starts to seem like more than you can bear, remember that, come April, you’ll be happily filling out Schedule A, which is a part of your federal income-tax return. If you itemize deductions, the interest and taxes paid on your loan lowers your tax liability....

Budgeting money. If your child has to buy a variety of clothes, she’ll have to learn that she can’t blow it all on a fancy pair of boots, leaving nothing in reserve for underwear. Or, he’ll have to decide whether to spend a lot on one good pair of pants or several less pricey ones. Shopping for values. If your child knows that there’s only so much to spend on clothes, he’ll become a better shopper....

Older kids may know what things cost, but they may have little idea about whether they’re getting value for their money. They may know that a pair of sneakers costs $100, but are they worth the money? That’s why it’s important to help your child understand what things cost and whether there’s value in that cost. There are several ways you can do this. Give your child an allowance. Nothing teaches kids quicker about what things cost than by giving them their own money to spend....

Mothers and Sons Imagine that you are a spectator at a mother-son playgroup, watching the pairs of mothers and sons as they join in various activities. One mother hovers over her son, pulling him back before he can take even the smallest risk. Another mother talks to a friend in the corner, ignoring her son’s pleas to “look at me, Mommy.” Another mother hugs her son every few minutes, while he squirms and struggles to break free....

Always dress appropriately for the job. Arrive on time. Be respectful to employers, coworkers, and customers. If he needs to call in sick or take time off, he should give as much advance notice as possible. Work at assigned tasks cheerfully and willingly. (Many adults know how annoying it is to try to get service from a surly, bored, or monosyllabic employee.) Take criticism and/or instruction with good will. If your teen gets fired, talk to her about what happened....

Your kids would be much better off learning to avoid those types of high-calorie, high-fat foods and instead enjoying foods that are high in fiber, low in fat, and have calcium, iron, and other vitamins and minerals. Instead of giving their kids an unpeeled whole apple or a cut up ​a whole apple, parents often give kids peeled apples, applesauce, or apple juice as alternatives. Peeling the apple makes it lose about half of its fiber, and applesauce is also much lower in fiber than a whole apple and has more sugar and calories....

For obvious reasons, a great graduation gift will depend on the student’s age. Younger students will appreciate a fun, whimsical gift, while college grads might have something in mind that they need for their new careers. We carefully considered age, purpose, functionality, customization, future use, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best graduation gifts for students of any age. It’s fun and easy to use, creates instant high-quality prints, and is perfect for all ages....

There are plenty of options to help your family cool off, including inflatable, plastic, and frame pools. Whichever variety of kiddie pool you choose, be sure it is appropriate for your children’s age and durable enough to withstand their play. “Kiddie pools are a fun way to cool down from the summer heat, but remember safety does matter!” Mona Amin, DO, a board-certified general pediatrician based in Florida and member of Buybuy Baby’s Parenting Pros says....

When shopping for a dollhouse, consider where your child will play with it and where you can store the dollhouse. It’s helpful for kids to have space around the house to play and fun to add other dolls, toys, or vehicles from your kid’s personal collection. If you have room, it can be helpful to put a dollhouse on a platform or table so kids can access the small details, especially if they will be playing with others....

“Toys that allow them to make-believe and be imaginative are key, as this is a growing interest in this age,” Justin Schreiber, DO, MPH, the Co-Chair of the School Health Committee and a member of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, tells Verywell Family. Safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to kids’ toys. Consider whether the toy contains any small pieces or button batteries to avoid a potentially dangerous situation....

Before purchasing a toothbrush for your baby, check for one that is age-appropriate with soft bristles for gentle brushing. We carefully considered design, age recommendations, ease of use, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best baby toothbrushes to get your little one excited about brushing teeth. The Baby Buddy is designed for babies 4 months old and up, because the soft silicone bristles make it useful before those teeth start to show....

Fast-forward a few weeks or months and you’re probably wearing vomit-covered sweats while falling asleep with your half-eaten dinner on the couch. Fitting in sex after having kids will always be a challenge (sorry). But we’re here to help with guidance, support and even some hacks for getting the mood going in under five minutes! Bringing Back Your Sex Life After Having a Baby About six weeks after the birth of your baby you’ll be scheduled for a routine follow-up visit to your obstetrician....

What children think their parents want for them can play a significant role in shaping the children’s chances of future success. Parental pressure to excel can increase kids’ risk of stress, as well as have a negative impact on their well-being. This is especially true if parents value grades and achievement over things like empathy, compassion, kindness, and social skills. Kindness Counts Researchers at Arizona State University set out to investigate what role parents’ attitudes played on kids’ psychological health and academic performance....

Once your baby arrives, the questions keep coming and the stakes can feel even higher with baby in tow. There are so many choices to make, from sleep training to feeding to child care, and you may feel the need to always make the “right” decision, whatever that is. However, tackling one choice after another is an unavoidable part of parenthood. Learn more about how to avoid getting overwhelmed as you navigate all these choices....

Texting, sharing, trolling, scrolling, you name it—teens who are sometimes dubbed the iGen or screenagers—are professionals in the social media spheres. It’s gotten easier to be cruel with the protection of a screen, and it’s gotten harder to differentiate reality from the highlight reel of a teen’s social profile. Spending hours perfecting their social identities, the pressures of social media can be overwhelming for teens and is leading to serious health issues like eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and depression....