The beginning of spring ushers in lots of sweetness — the smells of fresh-bloomed flowers, the sounds of happy, chirping birds and the taste of delicious honey. While you can find many brands of honey on the grocery store shelves,… read more
Olivia Pitkenthly
Do You Pay to Make the Grade?
The start of a new school year brings hope that this year will be just as good, or even better, than the last. However, as the year carries on, are they still motived to do well in school? You want to… read more
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? Getting Real About Imaginary Friends
When I was about 5 years old, I had a friend named Patty. She had straight brown hair with bangs, brown eyes and stood as tall as my bedroom doorknob. She had a brother named Norman and always had a… read more
Decisions, Decisions: The importance of giving your toddler a choice
I remember being a kid and going to Toys ‘R’ Us, gripping a gift certificate in my little hand. I felt like I was holding a lottery ticket as I walked down every aisle, amazed at how many toys were… read more
The Write Stuff: How to Encourage Good Handwriting
Learning how to write is a struggle, for both the kids and the parents! Kids have to learn to hold a pencil with “pinchy fingers,” keep their hands and shoulders steady and leave spaces between words. Parents have to learn… read more
When the Grandparents Move In
Grandparents living with grandchildren is becoming more and more common due to financial strain, health issues and the desire for closeness. From 1980 to 2008, the number of U.S. households with at least two adult generations increased from 12 to… read more
Bump to the Pump: How Do Working Moms Balance Breastfeeding?
The number of breast-fed babies in Florida continues to rise. In 2017, 58.3% of infants were breastfeeding at 6 months, according to the CDC Breastfeeding Report Card. So, how do moms balance breastfeeding with employment? Fortunately, there’s a law for… read more
How to Talk to Your Kids About Gun Safety
One in three American homes with children has a firearm in the house, according to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center. Even if you don’t have a gun in your home, chances are your neighbor does. Teaching your children about gun safety… read more
Saying Sorry: How To Teach Your Kiddos to Apologize
Admitting when you are wrong and asking for forgiveness is difficult for some adults. Imagine being a kid and trying to understand these concepts. Young children act and react impulsively, sometimes leading them to insult or hit someone else, and… read more
How Does The Way We Talk Affect Our Babies’ Language Development?
There’s something about babies that brings out this unfamiliar voice and vocabulary. Suddenly, we’re speaking in a higher pitch and making up words like “boogly googly” and “nosey wosey.” But, how is this affecting our babies' language development? Brandee Charles,… read more
