9 Dos and Don'ts for Making the Most of an Empty Nest

In a viral social media post shared on the eve of move-in day, San Diego State University encouraged incoming freshmen students to let their parents take pictures, make their bed, and embarrass them because “[a]s you start the new chapter of your life, they are also starting the new chapter of theirs. And believe it or […]

8 of the Best STEM Toys to Help Kids Learn While They Play

STEM, the acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math, has been a hot buzzword for years now. It’s a rapidly expanding job field and a crucially important part of education … but more than that, the explosion of everything STEM-related means that there are more cool educational toys on the market than ever before. From […]

Best of 2018 Winners!

In a city as vibrant as Chicago, making everyday decisions — where to order dinner, get a haircut, push your kids on the swings — can feel downright dizzying. Enter our (eighth annual!) Best Of awards: You shared your favorite spaces and places, we tallied the votes, and together we’ll celebrate all that makes our […]

Best of 2018: Kids

In a city as vibrant as Chicago, making everyday decisions — where to order dinner, get a haircut, push your kids on the swings — can feel downright dizzying. Enter our (eighth annual!) Best Of awards: You shared your favorite spaces and places, we tallied the votes, and together we’ll celebrate all that makes our […]

How to Motivate Kids: 5 Proven Steps for Success

Wondering why your teen is on Instagram instead of studying for an upcoming test? Frustrated with a kid who spends more time playing video games than practicing for the upcoming game? Parents want their kids to reach their full potential, and sometimes it all comes down to motivation. There’s a lot of conflicting advice out […]

How to Motivate Kids: 5 Proven Steps for Success

Wondering why your teen is on Instagram instead of studying for an upcoming test? Frustrated with a kid who spends more time playing video games than practicing for the upcoming game? Parents want their kids to reach their full potential, and sometimes it all comes down to motivation. There’s a lot of conflicting advice out […]

7 Drama-Free Strategies for Getting Kids to Do Chores

“No parent is full of more false hope than one with a new chore chart,” declared Simon Holland’s viral tweet that had parents everywhere laughing and nodding in agreement. For a household to function, there are chores that need to be done. But trying to get your kids to help you accomplish them can be […]

What You Need to Know About Your Teen’s Brain on Marijuana

Opinions about marijuana are changing. Greater social acceptance is evidenced by the drug’s legalization in some states, calls for decriminalization by politicians in others, and even Kathy Bates’ new television series “Disjointed,” about the owner of a Los Angeles cannabis dispensary. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States by teens […]

10 Ways to Set Kids Up for a Night of Healthy Sleep

There are times — at night and during early mornings — when as a parent you understand the power of cathartic release provided by certain profane parodies of nighttime stories. Because your child …  Just. Won’t. Go. To. Sleep. And that means you can’t get rest either. If you’re one of between 50 and 70 […]