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More: The Relationship Between Social Media and Body Image in Teens It may not be “allowed” but, today, some parents are bucking the rules and sending Ubers to pick up their kids and taxi them around. It’s a big topic of conversation in major cities where kids have long commutes to their high schools and are tired of subways and public buses. Why Some Parents Allow Their Teens to Use Uber “I can understand the urge for parents to use Uber to transport their children,” says Katie Leikam LCSW, LISW-CP, a therapist and parent based in Decatur, Georgia....

Taking an advanced class or two can give your child a running start on high school courses, and the experience might also nudge your child to develop better study skills, and time management skills. Taking advanced courses may also get your tween thinking a little about high school and how to make the most of those four years. But not every child is ready for advanced courses in middle school....

Consequently, many parents don’t even realize that the coach is bullying their child. Instead, they trust in the coach’s position, and falsely believe that the coach excels at being tough and pushing kids to succeed. Considering this scenario, it stands to reason that bullying in youth sports can have significant consequences. Why It’s Important to Recognize Imagine a child who is not only being bullied, but the adult figures in their life unknowingly support that bullying....

Many first grade lessons plans will place increasing emphasis on the academic—first-grade reading, math, spelling, and so on—and many first graders will begin to get increasingly more difficult homework than they did in kindergarten. In many classrooms, the saying, “Kindergarten is the new first grade, and first grade is the new second grade” will often apply, with first graders being expected to handle more difficult verbal and math lessons, become skilled at taking achievement tests, and spending less time on things that were more common in previous generations in the early grades like art, music, dance, development of social skills, and even physical education and recess....

Here are some recipes for fake blood and other disgusting makeup. You, too, can turn your kitchen into a Hollywood special effects laboratory! Fake Blood One pint of clear corn syrup 1 ounce red food coloring 1 or 2 teaspoons of yellow food coloring Mix the corn syrup and red food coloring. Add the yellow a little at a time until you get the color you want. Dilute with a little water to get the right consistency....

Typically, babies start crawling somewhere between 7 and 10 months old, but sometimes babies start earlier or later—or skip crawling altogether and go straight to walking. Learn more about when you can expect your baby to start crawling, the different styles babies use when they learn to crawl, and how you can encourage your baby to crawl. When Do Babies Start to Crawl? On average, parents and caregivers first notice signs of babies trying to crawl when they are around 7 months old....

Maintaining normal motion prevents stiffness and subsequent weakness. In sports, full motion is necessary to achieve maximum power for most activities. There have been many studies done to evaluate the effects of stretching on preventing injuries, with some mixed results. Recent studies have suggested that stretching is not necessary immediately before competition; one study suggested that stretching before a speed event can actually slow you down, because muscles and ligaments may lose their “spring....

Did you know that somewhere in America a woman is raped every two minutes?* If you’ve ever waited anxiously for your daughter to come home from a night out, now you can find out how to teach her to protect herself from sexual predators. Don’t miss this exclusive interview with Gavin de Becker, author of Protecting the Gift, and America’s leading expert on violence. Q: How can parents prepare their daughters to recognize the behaviors of “predatory” men?...

Developmentally speaking, it’s good for children to learn to form their own opinions and to be able to express their thoughts and ideas. But it’s important for kids to understand that they must express themselves in a respectful manner, whether they’re discussing something with adults or with other kids. In fact, the ability to calmly share your ideas even when it conflicts with other people’s viewpoints is a sign of maturity....

Incoming Calls How many times have you spoken to a friend, only to learn that she already called, but you never got the message? The importance of message-taking must be emphasized, and it should be stressed as an obligation for all members of the family. To encourage this, keep a pad and pen near each phone. When a call comes in for you, your teen should: Handle the call politely. Take down the person’s name (asking them to spell it if necessary) and telephone number....

Yet as I speak with groups of parents around the country, attend school events in my own community, and collaborate with colleagues, I often see that families intent upon raising accomplished children are doing exactly the opposite–and as a result find themselves in perpetual states of nervous energy. At PTA meetings, athletic events, and even on grocery lines, I hear mothers and fathers worrying about their daughters’ grades in school, status with friends, progress in extracurricular activities, and chances of getting into first-rate colleges....

Some books also provide a timeline to potty train kids, which some parents may find helpful because it sets a clear goal in a specific amount of time. Other features to look for include the author’s credibility and durability (if you plan to read the book with your kid). We researched a variety of books with these features in mind. Here are the best potty training books on the market....

Bozhena Fisher, DDS, a board-certified pediatric dentist and a mother, tells Verywell Family that parents should pay attention to ingredients. “I recommend toothpaste that is more natural and has no artificial colors or flavors,” says Dr. Fisher. When it comes to cavity prevention, parents should look for toothpaste that contains fluoride. While there may be some confusion over whether or not fluoride is safe, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clarifies that fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is present in almost all forms of water....

“The secret is to highlight the bump as much as possible and to follow your own usual and natural style,” Gonzaga tells Verywell Family, adding that it’s also OK to be bold with your maternity clothing choices. “This is the unique time in a woman’s life when she should be more courageous style-wise, not less.” While style is certainly something to consider, to find a quality maternity bathing suit, you also want to pay attention to its materials, design, and fit....

As with any hair product, it’s important to find one that is either designed for their locks’ texture and style or is made with the best ingredients for their specific hair type. “There are several methods to choose from when it comes to detangling hair,” Jess Van Diest, licensed stylist and salon manager at Kidtopia Salon in Virginia, tells Verywell Family, “The hardest thing is figuring out what works for your child....

You’ll want to make sure that the toys you choose are fun and developmentally appropriate. Children this age are intrigued by colors, sounds, and textures. But they also like to put things in their mouths, so choose toys that are safe and easy to keep clean. Make sure to look for toys that are challenging—but not too advanced—by following the age recommendations on the toys you choose. To find the best toys for one-year-olds, we researched products that are safe, durable, easy to use, educational, and age-appropriate....

“[Manual breast pumps] don’t have any motors or mechanical parts and rely on your hand power to work,” explains Ashley Blankenship, breastfeeding counselor, founder of Supported Season, and creator of Bump Up Birth Method. “They shouldn’t be painful or too uncomfortable. You’re in control of how much suction you create. You only need enough suction to get milk flowing. More suction will not make more milk, and can cause breast or nipple damage....