Back to school this year is especially tough because many budgets may be feeling squeezed. But we still want to get our kids what they need and the fun, fashionable supplies they want. As an educator and a mom of three, I think back to school shopping is a great time to teach your child how to be a smart spender. Here are a few ways to do that last minute school shopping so everyone ends up in a win-win spirit. 1. Make a shopping list. Involve your kids in developing their own shopping list....

Here is a recent question I received from a mom about those soaring gas prices and trying to keep the kiddies content. If it helps, pass it on to others, please! QUESTION I have 3 little ones! 1 1/2 and 4 and 6? I'm a stay at home mom and this summer I think is going to drive me crazy with gas going up! What are some ideas that we should do with out put a hole in my pocket? ANSWER I hear you! Gas prices have put a damper on family's summer plans. And right now is when those "I'm bored" kid...

I receive dozens of letters each week from parents. Unfortunately I can't get to answering them all, but do try in this blog or in my Parenting Secrets blog I write for iVillage. This query from a mom about the media impact on our daughter's body image concerned me so, I wanted to include my response here. QUESTION I'm concerned about all of the idealized images of women in the media and I'm wondering how best to raise my daughter with a healthy body image and a strong sense of self esteem...

You see your child take a candy bar from the store and put it in her pocket. You notice your daughter is playing with a Barbie that you told her she couldn’t have at the store. You find a video game in your son’s closet, and know it doesn’t belong to him. The one behavior that’s guaranteed to shake up even the calmest parent is discovering that their kid has stolen something. Be assured that stealing is far more common than you might realize-especially amongst the younger set with still a...

Well, well. It now appears that the Gloucester High School story that rocked the nation these past days is just a hoax. In case you missed the news 17 young teens at the small Massachusetts high school allegedly made a pact to get pregnant and then help raise each other’s babies. It turns out that the pact was just another urban legend. But don’t feel too relieved just yet. Pact or not pact, there’s a point we can’t overlook. Those 17 unwed pregnant girls are not alone. The Center for Disease...

“So Mom, when did you lose your virginity?” “What kind of drugs did you do Dad?” “How many times did you do it?” Kids have always said the darnedest things, but these days they’re also asking embarrassing and frank questions about their parents’ past lives: “How old were you when you took your first drink?” “Did you and dad hook up before you were married?” “What do you mean you didn’t inhale?” Their questions shouldn’t come as any big shock. After all, this is the Facebook Generation where...

There is one cardinal rule about children that law enforcement and mental health professionals are well aware: Do not ever give notoriety to a teen-initiated crime, suicide, school shooting or homicide. Ever. Front-page coverage to such a tragedy actually increases the odds that an emotionally fragile teen (or teens) will duplicate the act. It’s called the "The Copycat Effect." The threat is so high that most press (or those with a conscience,anyway) prints such tragedies only on back pages to...

WHEN THINGS ARE MORE THAN “JUST A PHASE…” When to Worry and Seek Help For Your Child Of course we love our kids and worry about them. But when should we worry—really worry--enough to seek professional help? It’s a question that haunts parents. Here are my four rules for when to pick up the phone. And by the way, any one rule can be enough to seek advice of a professional. When to pick up the phone and seek help for your child: 1. Not normal. The behavior is not typical or appropriate for your...

Let’s be perfectly honest: nearly all kids--from tots to teens--stretch the truth and for all sorts of reasons: • avoid punishment • make themselves look or feel better • get out of a task, keep their friend out of trouble The latest research shows that 98% of teens who believe that honesty is the best policy still lie. A U.S. News & World Report poll found that one out of four college students said they would lie on a job application; 84% believe they need to use deception to get ahead in the...

REALITY CHECK Can you name one of the fastest growing businesses in this country tailored to children (P.S. $4.3 billion yearly)?? There’s no doubt about it--tutoring has turned into a billion dollar business. Tutor prices can vary from $10 to $250 an hour. It’s really little wonder with all the emphasis on test scores and the push to try to get kids into the best colleges. But do you really need to hire someone from that pricey tutoring site or can you just use the kid next door? Those were...

Underage drinking has been a rite of passage and test of rebellion for generations, but these days kids are doing more than just sneaking a quick sip or slamming a beer. These days teens -- and even pre-teens (those tweens)-- are playing drinking games and are really going for that full blackout drunk thrill. It's more of a numbing than a buzz. And there is heightened danger in binge drinking (consuming five or more alcoholic drinks). Young bodies and brains can't tolerate the high alcohol...

This us the fourth in a series of Risky Teen Behaviors from a segment I did for the NBC Today Show. This next risky teen behavior is right in your medicine cabinet. Taking cough and cold medications continues to be a hot craze for kids. The trend IS increasing and younger kids are joining ranks. It is also the cause of addictions as well as deaths. YOUR REALITY CHECK: When is the last time you checked your medicine cabinet for cold and cough syrup medications (especially those bearing the...

Reality Check: Did you know that the US Census Bureau says 36% of all births are to single mothers? Whenever I hear someone say, “How does she do it?” a single mom comes to mind. Parenting is challenging enough with a partner, but raising a child alone has to be darn right tough. And when your child is ill, how do you do it??? Really! I was an absolute basket case from rocking my son all night long, and I had a husband there to help. My hat goes off to you. It’s amazing what mothers are...

After all the test-taking, application filling, essay editing, campus touring, and acceptance-waiting, the big event is almost here: dropping your child off at college. You'd think that would be the easy part, but move-in day on college campuses is actually a high anxiety, emotionally draining affair (so says the voice of experience! Believe me, you’re never prepared enough.) There are boxes to unload, roommates to meet, dorms to find. And there’s also that final moment when you know you have...