Kids and Parenting

Enjoying food-centered holidays can be a real challenge for people with diabetes but there are ways to make these traditional gatherings more diabetes-friendly.

It’s normal for a six-month-old to wake up during the night and then go back to sleep after a few minutes; however, if your baby is having increased trouble falling back to sleep, they could be experiencing a six-month sleep regression.

Between getting dressed up and heading out for trick-or-treating, sitting down for a nutritious meal might not seem like a priority, but it can make a big difference.

The fall is a great time to build a garden in the window with your kids. Whether you build a window herb garden or plant some veggies, it can make for a great bonding experience with your child that instills healthy eating habits in them.

Deaths by suicide among Americans age 10 to 24 has increased by nearly 60% since 2007. While it is a challenging and painful topic to discuss, talking proactively to children and teens about suicide is a key part of prevention.

This supervised exercise consists of placing a baby on their stomach for a short period of time while they’re awake. Learn more about the benefits of tummy time, as well as tips and tricks to keep your baby safe and happy.

Let’s look at the causes of childhood obesity, preventable factors and ways to create healthy habits for children.

As students are into their fall sports seasons or playing on the playground, it’s important to teach them about this type of brain injury and how to recognize the symptoms in themselves and others.

Kids are constantly growing, staying active and burning energy, so they need steady sources of protein to fuel their bodies and brains. Learn more about adding different kinds of protein sources to your child's diet.

Being a mom to an 11-month-old, you would think I’d be used to not getting enough sleep. Still, no matter how many times I wake up to my baby’s cries in the middle of the night, I’m not used to it.

A good breakfast can set you up for a successful, productive day. The morning meal is especially important for children who need fuel and nutrients to play, learn and grow.

Social anxiety tends to ramp up for kids and teens in August, when the new school year approaches. Combat those uneasy feelings by creating an anti-anxiety back to school kit.

Sleep is essential for all ages, but the amount of sleep required varies, especially for children.

Summer break can throw off routines, including dietary and sleep habits. Parents can support a smooth start to the school year by easing children back into routines ahead of time.

These skills can help children grow into adults who can navigate life’s stresses and challenges. Here are the benefits of self-awareness and how parents can raise self-aware kids.

While screens can provide education and entertainment, it is important to moderate screen time for children. Learn more about the negative effects of too much screen time and how to limit it.

Sleep is crucial for the development of babies’ neurological and physiological well-being. But as a baby reaches 3 or 4 months of age, they may have a change in sleep patterns.

Whether or not your kid has a medical condition such as diabetes or allergies, it’s important to ensure kids know what to do in case of an emergency.

Children are impressionable. By modeling appropriate behaviors, they can better learn how to appropriately interact with and treat others. These can be meaningful qualities when interacting with members of the disabled community.

The heat has been intense in Michigan over the last week or so. Before letting your kids play outside, it's important to take these tips and advice into consideration.

It had never crossed my mind that quitting breastfeeding could cause such a visceral reaction, so when I started experiencing these symptoms, I had no idea what was going on. I wanted to share my experience because it’s something nobody ever told me.

A trend known as "looksmaxxing" and the social media activity surrounding it can create unreasonable expectations and pressure to fit in with new male beauty standards.

For many families, summer is a time of relaxation and freedom from the rigid structure of the school year. But for children with learning disabilities, that freedom can lead to frustration or lost progress if not balanced with thoughtful structure and purposeful activities.

Few young children get migraines, but children age 10 and older are increasingly likely to have them. About 28% of teenagers will have migraine. Learn more about the symptoms of migraines, symptoms and causes and how to treat them.

Michigan is home to many zoos, petting zoos, refuges and specialty animal conservancies that are exciting, fun and educational experiences for the whole family. We’ve compiled some of the best zoos and conservatories from across the state.

If you’ve ever found yourself staring blankly at your screen after a long scroll through TikTok until the early hours of the morning, you might be experiencing what the internet has dubbed “brain rot.”

It's not always easy for parents to get their teenagers to open up to them about how they are feeling. But if you feel like your child's self-esteem is low, here are some tips and conversation starters.

Our children's self-esteem can be fragile, especially in a world so driven by social media. Modeling confidence as a parent can help children build their own.

If it’s been a while since you’ve said thanks to your parents, there’s no time like the present. Here are some simple ways to show appreciation.

Through co-regulation, children can learn how to manage their emotions in a healthy way from a young age. This helps children understand how to have healthy relationships and learn to self-regulate, skills that will help them for the rest of their lives.

Skin care products promise glowing, healthy skin and anti-aging benefits. However, these luxury and often pricy items are not suitable for children and teens.

Whether they’re playing recreationally with friends on the playground or in an organized league at school, the safety provided by masks and eyewear should be a top priority for kids this spring.

Autism Acceptance Month in April can be a time to learn more about the connection between selective eating and autism. Here are eight tips parents can try to help their kids become less selective.

Children should stay home from school when they are sick to avoid spreading infectious diseases. But once a child goes through the symptoms, when should they return to school? Let’s look at the guidelines for when children should stay home and when it’s safe to get back into the classroom.

It is helpful to know the typical timeline for baby teeth falling out and permanent teeth growing in to help your kids navigate this transition. While losing teeth is generally quick and painless, there is value in teaching your kids about the process to avoid unnecessary anxiety around the experience.

How much exercise do my children need to stay healthy? And what does exercise look like for a child? Walking 12,000 steps a day is a great way to get started.

When was the last time you got a new toothbrush or changed the head on your electric toothbrush? While you know toothbrushes don’t last forever, it can be difficult to determine when it’s time to replace them.

Although getting the kids outside is important and still an option in the winter, the temperature and wind-chill require caution.

Nearly half of American children have had a cavity filled or are dealing with an untreated cavity. While brushing and flossing daily along with regular dental exams are the best preventive measures against cavity, it’s also important to understand how cavities form.

In the six to eight weeks following childbirth, women are in the postpartum period. As you transition to motherhood, your body is also healing and recovering after pregnancy and childbirth.

The thrill of whooshing down a sledding hill is fun for all ages. But sledding comes with risks, too.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were more than 200,000 emergency department visits for toy-related injuries in the United States in 2022. Before checking off the holiday shopping list, here are some important safety tips to keep in mind:

Keep the festive decorating tradition alive with these creative candy alternatives that allow you to maintain a healthier holiday for the whole family. These ideas will not only help you curb candy cravings, but they will also allow you to stand out in your next gingerbread decorating contest.

Are your child's toys safe? Each year, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized due to toy-related injuries.

When you have a picky eater in your family, this can cause stress leading up to and during the holiday meal. Here are some ideas and recipes that can help your picky eater join in on the Thanksgiving dinner.

Being born early can mean serious health risks for infants, particularly in their brain and lungs. The range of premature birth spans several weeks, and premature babies will require more care.

We all love to document moments with our children that mean a lot to us, but oversharing pictures and information about our kids online carries serious risk. The term for this habit is "sharenting."

When choosing meals for kids with type 1 diabetes, aim for a balanced mix of complex carbohydrates, proteins and fats. It’s also important to time meals and snacks in accordance with insulin doses.

As the seasons start to change, make it a goal to keep your kids active and outside. Michigan fall is a beautiful time to get your kids involved in nature while letting them be creative and hands-on.

As of 2020, more than 54% of school-aged children in the United States participated in youth sports. Youth sports are associated with higher levels of physical activity and improved physical and mental health. There are multiple benefits to participation in youth sports.

Silk pillowcases and other silk accessories such as wraps, scarves and bonnets have become increasingly popular for their benefits for hair and skin. These silk head accessories have been a cornerstone of Black hair experiences to protect natural and braided hairstyles long before they were more widely adopted as a healthy hair technique. Now the use of silk material has become more popular regardless of hair type.

A healthy breakfast doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming, but a little planning and preparation can go a long way.

By current estimates, more than 7 million children and more than 8 million adults in the United States have ADHD. Here are 8 tools to better manage ADHD for both adults and children.

Yoga is known for its health benefits, including increased flexibility, increased strength, improved sleep and the ability to help with chronic pain and inflammation. Many of these benefits apply to kids as well. Learn how to introduce yoga to kids with these tips and yoga poses.

Healthy childhood eating habits help shape a child’s body image perception, relationship with food and chronic disease risk later in life.

Putting sunglasses on a baby or infant is sure to be cute – but it’s also an important preventive choice to protect the child from sun damage. Learn when kids start to need sunglasses and how to pick out the right set of sunglasses for a baby or infant.

The first year of middle school is full of new experiences and challenges. Parents and mentors have an important role in helping kids acclimate and succeed in middle school. Learn some approaches and tips for helping kids prepare for middle school.

Sharing meals is a great way to spend more time with your family and friends. It turns out there are multiple benefits to health and well-being from sharing meals, including improved eating habits, reduces stress and tension, improved self-image in kids, and improved family relationships.

Reading out loud to your kids is a great way to spend time together and has multiple educational and emotional benefits for both kids and adults. Time spent together with books and stories can help kids’ reading and comprehension skills, as well as be a centering and calming practice for everyone involved, especially when reading together is part of a routine.

Located in Midland, the Dow Gardens is 110 acres of tall trees, running water, and beautiful blooming flowers. The botanical garden is the perfect place to take a day trip to disconnect from the world and take a nature walk.

Practicing self-compassion at this time is important for your mental health. You’re going through a major life change, which takes time to adjust to.

Multivitamins may seem like an easy way to ensure kids get the vitamins and minerals they need, but are they necessary? In healthy children, it’s best to get minerals and vitamins through a wide range of healthy foods. 

Properly preparing for fall sports during the summer months is essential for the health and safety of young athletes.

Creating a gentle routine for your kids is important for their development and well-being. Knowing what to expect helps children feel more safe and secure.

Kids lose up to two months of education in the summer months. Use these tricks to keep them sharp all summer long.

Lack of structure in the summer can lead to mindless snacking. Try these swaps to help kids eat right this summer.

It’s tempting to romanticize childhood as a time where the biggest concerns are who to sit with in the cafeteria, what your summer plans are, and what to spend your allowance on. Reality during childhood can often be a lot different than the ideal.

Hot air balloons offer the chance to see the breathtaking sight of different colors flying through the sky and learn about the physics of the balloons. There are plenty of opportunities across the state to see these spectacles. We have a list of a few different locations and dates where you can see a hot air balloon festival in Michigan.

Every year it can be a challenge to come up with something new and exciting to celebrate the father figure in your life. What to do for a man who has done so much for you? We’re here to help you come up with ideas to honor the father figure in your life.

The freezer aisle of your favorite grocery stores is filled with different flavored popsicles sure to make you cool off a bit. However, in those freezers full of popsicles there are a lot of added sugars, colors, high fructose corn syrup, and preservatives. Learn some healthy fresh-fruit popsicle recipe to make at home.

It can be a hassle finding healthy snacks your kids will eat and enjoy. These quick, easy, and nutritious snack options are perfect for your active kids this summer.

Hear from Dr. Amy McKenzie on how to recognize and cope with students who are struggling with a learning disability.

When a child suffers a fall or a blow to the head, concussion is a concern. It’s important to know the signs of a concussion, warning signs that need immediate care, and what to do for a child who may be concussed.

Looking for something fun and healthy to do this weekend? Check out these ideas to usher in the unofficial start of summer.

May 6 to May 10 is Teacher Appreciation Week this year. It is common to celebrate teachers during this week with events, gifts, and an outpouring of appreciation and respect for teachers and their work. Here are some examples of acts that students and parents can use to show their appreciation for teachers.

It can feel like a constant effort to keep your kids eating healthy meals. Kids can also be notoriously picky, for a variety of reasons. Read on for some ideas for creating healthy meals for your kids and tips on getting kids to eat healthier.

Vaccines prevent more than 2.5 million deaths each year and protect not only those receiving the vaccine, but also everyone around them, particularly those with weakened immune systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Autism affects the way a person communicates and interacts with others. It does not affect all people equally, rather there are varying degrees of severity.

A Michigan mom shares the story of her family’s journey with autism and how she wants more understanding for people like her son.

The primary dangers related to sleep for infants, and risk factors for sleep-related infant deaths, involve the positioning of the child while sleeping, the materials and environment the child sleeps in, temperature, respiratory inhibitors and choking hazards. There are a few basic standards or rules to go by when setting up a safe sleep environment for your baby.

We're used to celebrating our children's big milestone moments. But it can be valuable for both the parent and the child to celebrate the smaller triumphs, too.

These healthy pregnancy snacks incorporate many key nutrients and are also easy to prepare, transport and eat whether at home, work or on-the-go.

Feeding and eating disorders are considered mental health disorders and medical illnesses. Understanding the types, signs and symptoms is important, regardless of an individual’s age and gender. 

Limiting certain foods and teaching dental hygiene habits at a young age can lead to a lifetime of healthy behaviors while preventing cavities in the process. 

West Michigan mom Amanda Banic, 35, almost died from a rare, genetic disease that caused her heart to tear apart – and she credits her baby with saving her life.

In this healthier paczki recipe, banana slices are dipped in a fluffy batter, seared to golden perfection, then served on a platter with drizzles of raspberry preserves and a dusting of powdered sugar. Enjoy as breakfast or dessert.

If you love sledding, you’re in the right place. Here’s our list of favorite sledding hills across Michigan.

How can you help kids make healthy choices when they buy lunch? It’s important to educate children on nutrition and how to make healthy decisions on their own.

When your weeks feel cyclical and repetitive, try treating a weekend like a vacation. Here's how to unplug, unwind, and get into that vacation mindset.

Children make the holidays brighter. Make sure you set aside some special activities just for them, like the five ideas listed here.

Ready to make your own natural cleaners? We’ll show you how.

Do you love to let the holidays linger? When is the right time to take down your Christmas tree?

There's a lot to juggle when setting out to host a family gathering. Before you host yours, give these five tips a glance.

Step into a warm-water splash zone, join a museum mini camp, or skate away through a lighted forest trail. Winter Break activities are all about adventure. 

Cold weather means your furnace is kicking on, and drying out the air in your home.

The average kid is likely going to consume between 3,500 and 7,000 calories from candy on Halloween. This is the equivalent of up to three cups of sugar. -- and can be hard for kids to brush off of their teeth. Here are some tips to navigate the sugar rush of Halloween, and how to keep kids' teeth clean and healthy.

Knife-related hand injuries soar around Halloween for kids and teens. Here are some safety hacks for pumpkin carving.

The brain is a highly active organ that requires a healthy supply of energy and micronutrients to function at its best.

Pumpkin patches are a fall treat in Michigan. Find a good one, then stay for a wagon ride, eat a donut and do a little pumpkin bowling.