Valentine’s Day is a perfect excuse to show your child just how much he or she is loved. Use these creative ideas to show how much you care now and throughout the year. Edible Ideas Lovely Lunches. Add a shaped candy to your child’s lunch box. Stock up during...

You’ve picked up your child from her 2s, 3s or 4s program, with the rest of the day or the weekend ahead of you. Now what? It’s a common dilemma. “So many parents ask me, ‘What do I do with my child when we get home?’” says Elissa Sungar, a former preschool teacher...

by Sherida Mock Johnny Costarell recently turned 14, but he’s already gone through two heart transplants. His first was at age 3, when his original heart gave out. Then in March 2015, it became clear that Johnny’s transplanted heart was failing. The Costarells went...

By Sherida Mock The Stars of “Quints by Surprise” Turn 7 When Casey and Ethan Jones were ready to start a family, pregnancy did not come easily. The couple first turned to in vitro fertilization, without success. Artificial insemination, although less likely to work...

A new educational movement to tie math, science and technology concepts to practical application is gathering momentum in Austin,, giving students the tools they need to turn theory into reality. STEM Education If you’ve been paying attention to media reports on...

One of the easiest ways for children to express thanks is through a simple, handwritten note. Unfortunately, the ability and desire to write thank you notes is becoming a lost art. When we encourage our kids to routinely verbalize their gratitude, we teach them that...

The holidays are a perfect time to thank the people who provide great services all year long. An envelope of cash is nice, but a gift shows you took extra time to appreciate someone’s hard work. If you are stuck on ideas for the babysitter or cleaning crew, check out...

As a parent, you may be anticipating a New Year’s Eve that is less sequins and champagne and more mini hot dogs and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Fortunately, celebrating this traditionally decadent night in a family friendly way can be just as much fun for grown-ups as for...

In the late ‘70s, Romalda and Charles Edwards graduated from UT and looked around for a small business to run. They started making toys by hand with the aim of selling them to retailers. Charles carved the shapes from salvaged wood scraps, and Romalda gave them a...

  Already dreading the thought of taking your rambunctious brood to Grandma’s for a holiday meal? Most parents know that manners don’t come naturally to children, and though we strive to teach children niceties like “please” and “thank you,”  etiquette doesn’t...

By Sherida Mock Brandi Rarus’s tale begins like many other adoptive parents’ stories. She and husband Tim had three boys and wanted a little girl to complete their family. The couple began the process of adoption, expecting to welcome a child from China. Their...

Like most parents, I often wonder what kind of adults my children will be when they grow up. I hope they will be altruistic individuals, giving more than they take from the world. But my children are constantly bombarded by messages from billboard ads, celebrity...