Schedules are everything. They are so important in my life and many of my friends' lives, simply because they keep us organized. My friends and I all keep fairly busy schedules, so having a way to lay out our day and what we need to achieve makes it much easier than trying to juggle everything all
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Middle School and the Art of Friendship
by Ronald A. Rowe January 12th, 2026 | Social, Tweens
There are the friends we choose and the friends that are chosen for us. Sometimes relationships aren't quite so simple as we'd like. Middle school is a hornet's nest of new feelings, experiences, and social hierarchies. Jill may be friends with Julie because they like each other and have similar interests. But maybe Jill isn't so fond of Julie's BFF Jillian. Jill and Jillian still have to find a way to get along, or at least coexist peacefully, if they are both going to be in Julie's sphere of friendship.
How to Schedule; It’s Elementary
by Michele January 5th, 2026 | Elementary, SeasonalYour child has entered elementary school, and a good portion of her day is consumed by school. This might make scheduling easier than the preschool days that filled only a few hours a couple days a week, or so you thought. However, even though a large portion of her day consists of school and the bus ride there and home, there still are many other pieces to be juggled.
Morning
Your child's day should begin at the same time to get him used
Soothing Separation Anxiety in Preschoolers
by Marnie Bii December 29th, 2025 | Behavior, PreschoolAlthough separation anxiety hits in full force at 18 months to 2 years of age, those frustrating feelings commonly resurface as preschoolers get ready to enter school. The newfound independence of attending preschool can make kids feel unsure, out of sorts and anxiety ridden. With a little support, these anxious times melt away just as they did before, leaving your preschooler no worse for the wear. Here's how you can help your child cope with separation anxiety.
Go Over the Schedule
Preschoolers thrive
Holiday Tips for Curious Babies and Toddlers
by Tania Cowling December 22nd, 2025 | Infants/Toddlers, Seasonal
The holiday season is upon us, and we are busy decorating the house and getting into the spirit. Please, don't forget the babies and toddlers; they want to feel the joy too! Here are some tips to make your youngest of children happy during the holidays.
Safety
First, let's think of safety. Babies and toddlers are curious beings. Thus, when you put up a Christmas tree or set out the menorah, they can't wait to head over to
Teen’s Perspective: Making it Through the Holidays
by Sam P. December 15th, 2025 | Seasonal, Teens
For as much as I love Christmas, I understand it can be very stressful. All those family visits are fun and lovable at first, but can get a tad annoying very quickly. Having gone through it for the past seventeen years, I have learned a few tricks on making the holiday season a little less stressful.
Shopping
The most important thing is to skip Black Friday. Now that tip may not help for this year, but it will in the future. Believe
5 Tips on Handling the Holidays with Tweens
by Lori Sciame December 8th, 2025 | Seasonal, TweensPresents...food...concerts...decorations...religious observances...parties...pageants...and STRESS. The hype surrounding the holidays begins around November 1, and the frenzy doesn't end until after January 1. This makes for a LONG holiday season. Adults have experience dealing with the holiday blitz. However, children have a
Say Thank You, Dear
by Gary Hays December 1st, 2025 | Communication, Elementary
Especially with the holidays upon us, this is the perfect time to reiterate to your child, the value and importance of proper communication. This is a time of family. If yours is akin to the typical one, you will be spending at least a portion of your time with relatives, some of whom you only see once a year. And goodness forbid, you be the family member who is remembered throughout the remainder of the year as the one with unruly and unmannered children. Not that your children would ever dare
3 Ways to Bond Over Family Dinner
by Joe Lawrence November 24th, 2025 | Preschool, SeasonalFamily dinners are one of the best, if not the best, ways to bond. There is something about sitting down as a collective group that brings us all closer together. However, when you have a preschoolers or toddlers, it does not always feel like bonding as much as it does a survival exercise. There are a couple of things we can do to introduce some sanity to the process.
Look at one another
The family dinner has been a study interest for social
5 Cooking Tasks to Assign to Your Toddler
by Marnie Bii November 17th, 2025 | Infants/Toddlers, Seasonal
Toddlers love to be included in the fun of cooking meals and desserts for the family. Cooking teaches your toddler a number of important skills, including counting, measuring, and fine motor control. Mixing up meals and desserts can even have an impact on picky eaters. You may notice that your toddler quickly gobbles down food he or she helps prepare. You will need to start slowly when assigning tasks your toddler can complete. From there, you can add on new tasks as your toddler's motor skills and understanding increases.
Cooking with the Family
by Sam P. November 10th, 2025 | Seasonal, Teens
I love cooking with my family. I think it is such a fun experience and a great bonding opportunity. Whether it is just baking a batch of cookies with your mom or a full course meal with your stepdad, it is always a fun and loving time. Even if you aren't a great cook or if the food burns, it doesn't really matter in the end because the experience was such a great time. I grew up cooking with my mom so I may be a bit biased, but I
How to Make Cooking Fun: Tweens
by Lori Sciame November 3rd, 2025 | Tweens
"Food, glorious food, hot sausage and mustard!" These words from the musical, Oliver, certainly convey a child's love affair with food. For children, eating is usually viewed as the fun part, while cooking the meal can seem like drudgery. A good parent knows, however, that children must learn how to cook in preparation for adulthood.
Alternatives to Trick or Treating
by Lori Sciame October 27th, 2025 | Elementary
Many young children have active imaginations. Because of this, Halloween may be an especially scary time for them. Some little ones love to dress up and head out on Halloween night with mom and/or dad to go trick or treating.
Fall Fun with Your Preschooler
by Lori Sciame October 20th, 2025 | Preschool
Fall offers lots of opportunities to bond with your preschooler while having both an enjoyable and educational adventure. From apple orchards to local museums, there's plenty to do - just you two! Don't underestimate the value of one-on-one time with your child. He or she will appreciate having your full attention.
Apple orchards provide plenty of opportunities for fun. Pick apples with your child, while also talking about how the fruit takes all summer to mature. That it begins its journey as a
4 Toddler Friendly Halloween Events to Enjoy
by Marnie Bii October 13th, 2025 | Infants/Toddlers, Seasonal
Halloween can be an overwhelming holiday for the littlest kids in the group. The dark atmosphere, scary costumes, and long walks all tend to keep toddlers from truly enjoying this awesome holiday. You can reinvent the holiday by embracing a month of fun activities that are geared toward the younger set. Here are some fun toddler friendly Halloween activities to enjoy.
Hayride
Before you head down to the pumpkin patch to pick your future jack o' lanterns, try to find a location
Managing a Busy Schedule: From the Teen’s View
by Jacob P. October 6th, 2025 | Teen Perspective, Teens
As an involved teenager, my life has always been exceptionally busy. This past month or so, though, my life has become even busier than ever before. Currently, I am heavily involved in school (where I am taking four AP classes, in the middle of a high school football season, applying to colleges, and trying to balance a social life and a girlfriend in there). This fast-paced lifestyle has been hectic, but there are also some major
Morning Routines: Keep Tweens on Track
by YPI Editors September 29th, 2025 | Seasonal, TweensTween years usually mark the start of middle school. Many middle schools have a start time that is earlier than elementary school, which equals an even earlier start to the day. Depending on your child's sleep pattern, an earlier start also may equal a grouchier start. However, once the earlier start becomes routine, it will be easier.
By middle school, your tween's morning routine should be established. He's been
4 Easy Ways to Increase a Child’s Sociability
by Lori Sciame September 22nd, 2025 | Elementary, Social
Being able to relate to others is a skill set all children must develop. Basically, being sociable will enhance a child's life in many ways, including performing better in school. All parents, then, should assist their children with
4 Ways To Help Preschoolers Eat Food Safely
by Marnie Bii September 15th, 2025 | Preschool, Safety
As kids reach their preschool years, they have the teeth and ability required to chew up their food into smaller pieces before swallowing. Kids also develop stronger tongue muscles for increased dexterity needed to push food into range of their teeth. As a result, you can start introducing foods that were previously off limits for being a serious choking hazard. Despite their improved physical abilities, young kids still require their parents' assistance and guidance to safely eat these new foods. Here are a few ways you can help.
4 Unexpected Movements in Your Baby’s 1st Year
Marnie Bii September 8th, 2025 | Development, Infants/Toddlers
As you eagerly await your baby's first movements, you may be surprised at the way the learning process transpires. Your child may throw you a curveball by inventing his or her own interesting ways to move around. Since the traditional movements will quickly follow suit, you can sit back and enjoy the inventive movement techniques your