• Created on 7/5/10 by Mothering Editorial

Hi, What do you think about kids earning money by doing things in and around the house? I read many familys do that like giving 0.10$ to 0.25$ daily to brush theeth, make there beds, clean play room, etc. Some other will pay more to do the laundry, cutting the grass, washing the dishes, clean the car, help on the farm, help to do renovation or construction, help in parent business, etc. Do you think its ok to do this or it leads kids to never want to help and expect money in exchange of doing anything? Can it destroy the natural willingness to help there parents? Is... read more

• Created on 7/3/10 by Mothering Editorial

Since a very long time our childrens (unschooled) have told us they want to earn money in a very specific way and they have recently told us with pressure that they want us to make it happen for them now. They seem very serious as they come back with it again and again with more and more intensity. But how helping a child earn money? We are both parents professional craft people and they want to make craft and sell it like we do. I though we could start them there own little business and explain to them how we manage ours so they can manage there business. They asked... read more

• Created on 6/29/10 by Mothering Editorial

We have a three-year-old at home and recently had another baby. Prior to our new baby, our three-year-old was our everything. He received lots of attention from both of us and I (mommy) was lucky enough to stay home with him on a full-time basis. Since the birth of our second son, our three-year-old has shown incredible jealousy. We expected some of this and understand it's a normal reaction to a new baby in the family. However, it's been five months now, and he continues to struggle with his interactions with his baby brother. I have to watch him like a hawk as I have... read more

• Created on 6/29/10 by Jennifer Margulis

My favorite part of summer? Visits from friends and family who bring along mustaches!You know it’s finally summer where you live when: 1. The sun is so hot you think you’re back in West Africa. 2. The baby gets a tan and the husband gets a sunburn. 3. Cigarette smoke, from the neighbors on both sides of the house, starts wafting in your windows at night. 4. You hear the sound of electric power tools — from lawn mowers to tree cutters — all day long. 5. Your 6-year-old, who does not have any scheduled activities this week, says “I’m bored, I’m bored, I’m bored,” 15 times... read more

• Created on 6/29/10 by Mothering Editorial

We have a three-year-old at home and recently had another baby. Prior to our new baby, our three-year-old was our everything. He received lots of attention from both of us and I (mommy) was lucky enough to stay home with him on a full-time basis. Since the birth of our second son, our three-year-old has shown incredible jealousy. We expected some of this and understand it's a normal reaction to a new baby in the family. However, it's been five months now, and he continues to struggle with his interactions with his baby brother. I have to watch him like a hawk as I have... read more

• Created on 6/26/10 by Cynthia Mosher

By Dee Kaye Web Exclusive - May 6, 2008 My husband, Tim, thinks our four-year-old daughter is an alcoholic. Sarah has never showed up tipsy to preschool. She's never sipped anything stronger than a juice box. And though she's occasionally been guilty of reckless tricycle riding, she's never been under the influence while pedaling—unless you count being high on sugar, that is. Still, Tim is convinced her craving for alcohol will one day be as insatiable as her appetite for breastmilk was as an infant. You don't know that," I snapped, the last time he made his... read more

• Created on 6/23/10 by Mothering Editorial

by Ginger CarlsonWeb Exclusive People often speak of how we ought to learn to look at life through the eyes of a child. That is, until they discover that you are doing it while traveling around the world with one. "Is that safe?" they say. "Oh, oh, I couldn't do th-that." "Surely you've fully vaccinated him?" We didn't plan it this way. It wasn't our intent to fly around the world three and half times with a child under the age of three. Still, we found ourselves trekking in the hills of Nepal, guided by a young Tibetan man who found refuge in our son's spongy toy... read more

• Created on 6/23/10 by Mothering Editorial

Issue 103By Peggy O'Mara  For over 20 years, I have been working for social change in the arena of childbirth reform and natural parenting. Until recently, I believed that if I just thought it right, said it right, or wrote it right, others would understand the importance of these issues and appropriate changes would be made in society. In many ways this has been so, but I and others have also been severely hampered by the special moneyed interests that compete with our parental influences. When I speak about special interests, I am... read more

• Created on 6/23/10 by mamazee

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I’m not much of a shopper. I don’t take my kids shopping very often, except to the grocery store. But have you ever noticed how even a routine jaunt to buy grapefruit and tomatoes can turn into a power struggle extraordinaire? Though my kids are pretty well-behaved (in public anyway), I find that our shopping trips–even just to the market–always go much more smoothly if I’m upfront about how I expect them to behave. The key to successful shopping with kids is to make sure you talk to them before you enter the... read more

• Created on 6/22/10 by Mothering Editorial

I am homeschooling my five year old daughter who spends most of her time playing outside but still wants to spend time with her friends from time to time. About once a week, we get together with my friend's four year old son who doesn't want to share his toys and can be aggressive towards my daughter. What usually happens is that my daughter lets him do what he wants for some time until she reaches a point where she cannot endure it anymore and comes to us adults for guidance. My friend and I would like guidance one what to do. I don't want the boy to feel forced to... read more