How to Raise Confident Girls

Seven in 10 girls believe they are not good enough or do not measure up in some area, from appearance to academic performance to interpersonal relationships, according to research by the Dove Self-Esteem Fund. That study also revealed the startling fact that 75 percent of girls with low self-esteem reported engaging in negative activities like […]

13 Clever Contraptions to Organize Your Family’s Car

Sitting in rush hour traffic, shuttling the kids to sports games and birthday parties, taking road trips to visit colleges — for better or worse, most busy families spend a lot of time in the car. If you approach keeping your car organized in the same way you would the kitchen or mudroom, you’ll find […]

Have Our Teens Become Helpless? How to Help Yours Regain Control

In her most recent book, “Teach Your Children Well: Why Values and Coping Skills Matter More Than Grades, Trophies, or ‘Fat Envelopes,’” Madeline Levine, Ph.D., a practicing psychologist with almost 30 years of experience, prolific New York Times bestselling author, and educator, argues that real success is an “inside job” not measured by report cards […]

I Was Raped 40 Years Ago and Still Look Over My Shoulder Today

Editor’s Note: Make It Better Publisher, Susan Noyes, recently hosted a private event and book-signing with supermodel Beverly Johnson, who is one of the dozens of women who have accused comedian Bill Cosby of drugging or assaulting them. After the event, one of the invitees contacted Susan to share her story of having successfully, though painfully, prosecuted the man who […]

Summer Camps for Every Interest

From overnight camps to tech- and art-focused camps for kids, these great camps will leave Chicago area kids never wanting summer to end. Overnight Camps Camp Miniwanca From cherished traditional camp activities for middle schoolers to exhilarating adventures for teens, Camp Miniwanca programs make it hard for campers to leave. Managed by the American Youth Foundation, a […]

The Text That Can Save a Life

If you live in Lake or McHenry Counties — and soon if you live in New Trier Township — please be sure that your loved ones know they can text 847HELP to 274637. This text reaches Text-A-Tip, the only text crisis hotline in the country that provides complete anonymity and access to local licensed mental health professionals. Text-A-Tip was […]

The Trauma of Privilege: How Overprotective Parenting Hinders

Privilege can be a curse, according to Harriet Rossetto, founder of nationally recognized Beit T’Shuvah, a faith-based recovery community in California with 140 beds and an $11 million budget. When Rossetto noticed exponential growth in Beit T’Shuvah’s young adult population, she coined the term “trauma of privilege” to describe the misattunement children experience when they […]

Eating Your Way Through Spain With Kids

Spain, a breathtaking country with a fascinating history and rich food culture, is a wonderful European destination to visit with kids. An integral part of Spanish life, children are adored and welcomed just about everywhere — including restaurants. Experiencing Spanish meals like a local, however, will likely require some adjustments for American families, especially those […]