Hoodwinked
I didn’t have my 6-year-old with me for this review, but I’ll be taking him after the official release on Friday. And I won’t mind seeing “Hoodwinked” for a second time.  Read more...

Click here for the contents page of the October 2005 issue...  Read more...

Frog and Toad
Chicago Children’s Theatre makes a big splash with its inaugural production, “A Year With Frog and Toad.” The award-winning musical adaptation of Arnold Lobel’s charming books is a treat for all ages. Fast paced and funny, the show illustrates the ups and downs of friendships with great music, talented actors and engaging special effects.  Read more...

My husband steered our van to the side of the road in New Buffalo, Mich. "We’re at the gates of heaven," he announced into his cell phone to our friends who would be joining us for a one-week, two-family vacation in a four-bedroom rental house called "Blue Heaven."  Read more...

The coolest part about writing this column is, of course, the books. The next best part is sometimes getting to read the books before the release date. There is something extra special about an early edition of a good book. Three of these books are just being released this month.  Read more...

“Over the Hedge” 

“Over the Hedge” sent my whole family over the edge with laughter.

This animated feature, which opened May 19, follows the adventures of a greedy, self-centered raccoon named RJ (voiced by Bruce Willis), who decides to steal a cave full of food from a bear. When the bear wakes up, RJ accidentally knocks the food off the side of a cliff and into the path of a truck on the highway below. To avoid being clobbered by the bear, RJ promises to replace all the food within a week and heads into suburbia, where he hopes to round up some food fast.

It was during a visit to California to see a friend who missed her calling in life (she should have opened a catering company), that I learned the value of creativity when it comes to feeding kids.  Read more...

Recall roundup - October 2006
Among recent recalls are the following:  Read more...

Product test - October 2006
All Betters by All Better Products, $5;
www.allbetters.com
 Read more...

Q. My 3-year-old is really looking forward to Halloween, but he says he won't wear a costume. He insists that he doesn't want to "turn into someone else." I have suggested costumes of his favorite TV characters, such as Elmo, but he absolutely refuses.  Read more...

What's in your neighborhood?

As a child, William Frederking attended four grade schools, six high schools and lived in 10 different houses. The author of At Home, a book of black-and-white still-life photographs that capture the essence of his current Oak Park home, Frederking has spent at lot of time pondering the meaning of home.  Read more...

We often think we know what's best for our kids, whether it's choosing the foods they eat or the clothes they should wear each day. But sometimes parents need to take the lead from their children.  Read more...

Product test - October 2006  Read more...

Admittedly, Peoria was never on my list of "must-see" places. But that's only because I had never heard of the Lakeview Museum of Arts & Sciences.  Read more...

It's hard not to smile when you see a pumpkin fly through the air.  Read more...

Chicago Parent has a new editor. Her name is Tamara O'Shaughnessy. After a long getting-acquainted phone call, an interview with me, an interview with our editorial staff and a check of her very enthused references, we sealed the deal over dinner in mid-September.  Read more...

Glow: Living Lights at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
"Mommy, why do fireflies light up?" I have heard this question a hundred times over the past few summers. Now, "Glow: Living Lights," the new exhibit at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum provides some scientific answers.  Read more...

Click here for the contents page of October 2006 issue...  Read more...

Chicago History Museum
Could those really be raucous giggles echoing down the halls of a history museum? The laughter originates from the Children's Gallery at the Chicago History Museum.  Read more...

Snow White
Smiles and giggles start the moment you walk into the theater to find your seat. On the simple stage, two of Snow White's dwarfs are ready for their big moment in the spotlight with silly antics, handstands and playfulness with the kids, including pulling them out of the audience to play and sing on stage.  Read more...

We have tickets to Kiddieland in Melrose Park and "Wizard of Oz" at the Rosemont Theatre.

Click here to enter...

"Jungalbook"
It doesn't take long to figure out that the new adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's classic is no Disney version. Within the first 10 minutes, Baloo the Bear is teaching us the "Law of the Jungle," including rules about killing and murder.  Read more...

Spotlight - November 2006
Could those really be raucous giggles echoing down the halls of a history museum? The laughter originates from the Children's Gallery at the Chicago History Museum.  Read more...

"I think teaching our children to be environmentally conscious is so critically important," says Chicago Public School CEO Arne Duncan. "It's going to take a new generation of leadership to step up and really do the right thing. Those skills, habits and values are probably harder to learn later in life."  Read more...

Lunch table politics at schools around the country will be turned upside-down Nov. 14 as Mix It Up at Lunch Day sweeps cafeterias in the area and across the country. Sponsored by the Teaching Tolerance program at the Southern Poverty Law Center, the goal of Mix It Up is to break students out of their standard social circles and encourage them to overcome cliques.  Read more...

Don't let your Thanksgiving Day pass without a real celebration. As much fun as we have stuffing our faces and watching football, these traditions leave out much of the true meaning of giving thanks. Since my sons were born we have prepared for Thanksgiving by making a "Thanks Turkey" out of construction paper.  Read more...

Despite months of anticipation and reading everything I could get my hands on about being a parent, the midnight back pains still shocked me.  Read more...

Product Test
This messenger-style diaper bag was created with fathers in mind. This simply designed bag looks like it's more suitable for work or a laptop than for carrying diapers. The many storage compartments are a great bonus, especially if you have more than one child.  Read more...

Baby Owen is always on the go. From daily stroller strides with his mom, Kimberly Peterson, to playgroups and field trips, this 1-year-old from Libertyville is too busy to watch television.
* This is an updated version of a story that orginally ran in Chicago Parent.

When I embarked on my first pregnancy last March, I think I heard something about couples taking luxury "babymoon" vacations to celebrate their last days of child-free capriciousness, but I was probably too busy throwing up to pay much attention.
* This is an updated version of a story that originally ran in Chicago Parent.  Read more...

Reader Essay
I wanted to have another baby, so I went into the doctor's office and sat down on a needlepoint pillow that said "Miracles Happen." The optimism of the hand-stitched message made me feel a little anxious, because a miracle was probably the only thing that could help me. At 41 years old, I was in the office of a reproductive endocrinologist. This is who you see when all else has failed.  Read more...

So many books to choose from, and so little space in one best-of column.  Read more...

Parents and teachers have yet another reason to keep a watchful eye on young, overweight girls. Their academic and social development appears to be at risk.  Read more...

Q: My 5-year-old has become very fearful. He worries about terrorist attacks, that my husband or I will get in an accident, that he will be kidnapped or that his dog will die.  Read more...

Just 60 miles from Yellowstone National Park and surrounded by Grand Teton National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest, the choice of outdoor winter sports in Jackson Hole, Wyo., is as vast as the mountain scenery.  Read more...

Monica Friel, president of a Chicago home- and office-organizing service, started her business 16 years ago, before she became a parent. But even today, as mom to children ages 10, 8 and 3, she still feels that working from home offers the proverbial "best of both worlds' in terms of being successful as a parent and an entrepreneur.  Read more...

The word tween is more than just a marketing phrase. It is an identification-one worn proudly by the 10-, 11- and 12-year-olds who navigate the chasm between child and teen during the years of fourth and fifth grade. "I am a tween now," my oldest son said shortly after he turned 10. "That means that I am not a little kid anymore … I am almost a teenager."  Read more...

South suburban resource guide  Read more...

Another school year has begun, and with it comes budget woes for many Illinois school districts, which means cuts in programs and teaching positions at some schools. It's often hard to understand why schools are in such a crisis when homeowners are paying local districts more than ever in property taxes. To learn more, Chicago Parent turned to some local school-funding experts.  Read more...

Recall roundup
Mega Brands recently reached a $13.5 million settlement with 15 families in lawsuits stemming from injuries and one death from internal injuries after the children ingested magnets from Magnetix building sets. The company has announced improvements to the design and manufacturing process of the toy.  Read more...

Short stuff: Health Roundup
For the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends children 6 months old to 5 years old get a flu shot.  Read more...

2006 Toy Test
Gotta Have It
If they Insist
Don't bother  Read more...

2006 Toy Test
Life for little kids is playtime all the time, so 3- to 5-year-olds need toys that grab their attention and keep it. When the initial charm of all things battery-powered wore off, our toy testers were still captivated by the basics.

"The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus" at the Morton Arboretum
Morton Arboretum is holding its annual Holiday Traditions, an event featuring heated trolley rides, ice sculpting, professional choral groups and walks in the Children's Garden followed by a steamy cup of hot chocolate. Additionally, a charming holiday train exhibit is on display that includes a variety of passenger and freight trains making their way around the North Pole.  Read more...

'How was the dance last night?" I asked my 14-year-old daughter at the dinner table. "Oh, it was OK," she replied, "except everyone was juking."  Read more...

Michelle Olson isn't aware of it yet, but she's headed for a double dose of Sunday school.  Read more...

Not every family consists of a mom, dad and kids. Sometimes there's just a mom or a dad; sometimes there are two moms or two dads. Sometimes Grandma and Grandpa fill the role of Mom and Dad or Grandma and Mom work as a team to create a family.  Read more...

"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"
"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" is truly a winner, combining humor with real life lessons. The story revolves around a spelling bee in which tweens compete. The kids come from all different cultural backgrounds and family lives. Although funny, the story is also very heartwarming at times. The characters are all hilarious. They each have their own unique personalities.  Read more...

The holidays are over and the days of hard-core winter are here. If you are lucky enough to take a vacation on a beach somewhere, or will decamp to your ski chalet for fun on the slopes and hot chocolate après ski, good for you. But if you find yourself with kids underfoot and cabin fever, this month's video selections will keep peace in the family.  Read more...

Ten tips
It's every parent's nightmare: Your child suffers a severe injury or a sudden and serious illness. During these moments, your focus, of course, will be on the child. There's no time to ask questions about who will respond to your emergency call, what hospital your child will go to or who will pay for the ambulance.  Read more...

Even before my sons were able to speak, they demonstrated a huge interest in automobiles. One of their first words was "car.' While the children were in diapers, my husband and I took them to car shows just to watch their excited faces.  Read more...

Kid-tested travel - Banff National Park
Fall in Alberta's Canadian Rockies offers active families the same high-altitude adventure and gorgeous scenery that can be found in summer, but without the crowds. We hiked, fished, biked and rode horses, along with getting brainy workouts in specialty museums.  Read more...

Thanks for C-section article
An immigrant's perspective
The use of 'beautiful'
Language in movies
Improving a village
Unfair stereotypes
Affordable education?
The love you do see
Thanks for your honesty
 Read more...

As a child growing up on a farm, I rode to and from school with my mom every school day of my life. She was a librarian at the grade school I attended, so my commute was a breeze. The kids in town walked to school and the kids in the country took the bus. It was simple and uncomplicated in our little world.  Read more...

One of Tammy Ryan's worst fears was realized when her 2-year-old son, Drew, accidentally pushed her 4-month-old's car seat out of a shopping cart. Ryan, a resident of Plainfield and the mom of four boys, had put her infant's seat in the cart's seat and placed Drew in the basket.  Read more...

Videos make great holiday gifts for the entire family. As you make out that gift list for friends and family here are a few of my favorite productions from 2006. All receive A's from me, including "No More Diapers," which has been upgraded from my original review and you'll see why.  Read more...

It's been a real pleasure to recommend music for your child that falls outside of the general juvenile fare. I picked three of my favorites to re-run here. I believe there's plenty of adult music your kids will love, which represents the best of America and isn't sold by PBS or Nickelodeon. We spend a lot of time listening to music and it's been one of the best father-son activities, almost as great as teaching him to drive a car at age 7.  Read more...

Finding five or six books that fit into a monthly theme is not difficult. The trouble begins when I find a book I really like but it doesn't fit into any of the categories. I've solved the problem by saving them for my annual "best of" column. So here it is. The following books are among those that I consider my favorites for 2006. I hope they'll become your favorites, too.  Read more...

A visit to the dentist can be a frightening proposition for lots of kids (and plenty of adults). After 5-year-old Diamond Brownridge died recently in Chicago following a dental procedure in which she was sedated, parents are rightfully jittery about putting their own children in the same position. Armed with knowledge of what to expect, though, you can ease dentist office anxieties.  Read more...

Juggling flaming torches, walking on stilts and clowning around do not sound like typical afterschool activities for elementary school-aged kids. But at CircEsteem it's the usual drill.  Read more...

Writing has come a long way since the days when ancient Egyptian scribes used a stylus to draw on papyrus scrolls. These days, most correspondence seems to happen over e-mail. It's immediate, and you don't have to worry about digging up paper, pen and the ever-elusive postage stamp.  Read more...

Both sides needed
Costuming stereotypes
Tricks for treats
Denying community
Missing resources


 Read more...

When Chicago Public Schools dispatched the first round of special education staff cuts earlier this year, Blair Early Childhood Center was slated to lose six of its 28 special education aides. School leaders were incensed. The school serves about 100 preschoolers who have disabilities, most in wheelchairs and many with feeding devices.  Read more...

My family represents the trifecta of skiing ability: my husband, Bob, is advanced; our son, Will, 6, is a first-timer, and I'm a perpetual beginner, no matter how many lessons I take.  Read more...

I am the only mom I know who wanted to overachieve at being pregnant. When I learned that I was with child, I threw myself into reading every tome ever published on the subject. Month one found me learning about seemingly-harmless-but-secretly-toxic poisons like feta cheese and hot dogs; month five, about pudding pants (leukorrhea if you want to be technical about it); and month nine had me researching techniques on how to lure my baby out of the womb by using World War II-era smoke bombs or a particularly enticing cut of meat.  Read more...

How do I convince my son he isn’t ready for big boy pants?
Is a 7-year-old ready to get an allowance?  Read more...

Kid-tested travel
History is one of those things you either love or hate. At least that’s true in my family. I have one child who loves history, one who doesn’t. Not surprisingly, it was the one who loves history who volunteered to go with me to Colonial Williamsburg to check out the new series of mini dramas called "The Revolutionary City—From Subjects to Citizens."

"The Ant Bully"
My mom and I saw "The Ant Bully," directed and produced by John A. Davis and co-produced by actor Tom Hanks (Yes, Woody from "Toy Story.") It opens tomorrow in theaters.  Read more...

Kid-tested travel
There are three airport options for flying into Colonial Williamsburg: Norfolk, Newport News and Richmond, Va. Opt for Norfolk. It’s about an hour from Williamsburg, but there are direct flights from Chicago (unlike the nearest, Newport News, which requires a plane change—never a good option when traveling with kids) and you can stop in Hampton, Va., on your way to Williamsburg.  Read more...

One of the great perks of my job is the parenting books that come into our office. We get boxes of them. I can find a title for any problem, situation, stage or dilemma. You name it.  Read more...

There’s nothing like the magic of the last day of school. All these little people’s bodies are sitting in the classrooms but their brains are already on vacation. As the bell rings, they blast out of the doors for the last time, no longer kindergartners or fifth graders. Suddenly, they are a year more powerful in the playground hierarchy.  Read more...

Beware of food labels
Great money advice
All mixed up
‘Grand’ humor
This nanny is complex
TV channel for babies

Places and resources in your neighborhood  Read more...

When I first became a single dad of an energetic 2½-year-old boy, I knew it was not going to be a piece of cake. However, I didn’t think I would lose two jobs and get fired from another because of him. But I did.  Read more...

'Tis the season for shopping. And now that they are 14 and 12, Allison and Amanda want to give holiday gifts to, well, just about everyone. Each year their lists have grown longer-to the point that I am overwhelmed, both by the cost and the time consumed by all of this gift giving.  Read more...

Preeclampsia-an incurable condition occurring in nearly 10 percent of pregnancies-is among the most poorly understood medical disorders. But new research on dietary calcium offers hope for the prevention of this potentially life-threatening condition.  Read more...

Everyone, it seems, has an opinion about breastfeeding. "Mommy bloggers" wax eloquent about it. The topic is covered extensively in the media. And protests-from breastfeeding "nurse-ins" organized to support mothers asked to refrain from breastfeeding in public to "Ban the Bag" campaigns urging hospitals to stop handing out formula to new mothers-continually flare up.  Read more...

Kid's corner - September 2006
I had never been on a sailboat before. Suddenly I had an opportunity to not only ride on a sailboat, but to be a crew member for a Tall Ship. I had only seen Tall Ships in movies like "Pirates of the Caribbean."  Read more...

Six-year-old Meghna Shankar of Gurnee started learning Bharat Natyam, an ancient Indian classical dance, this year because she wanted to connect with her culture.  Read more...

Almost every child looks forward to a family vacation. My three daughters, ages 12, 9 and 7, were no exception when my husband and I told them about our plans to go to Florida. The trip was still four months away, but we all-parents included-were excited.  Read more...

It started out as an inexpensive baby blanket. The kind that arrives, not nestled in a tissue-lined gift box, but prepackaged in plastic, available in bulk.  Read more...

The way in which children interact with their peers plays a big role in forming the kind of person they will become. This month's video selections are not only fun and entertaining; they encourage children to get along and cooperate with others.  Read more...

School may have started once again, but that doesn't mean the fun is over. When you need a break from school work, reminisce about your summer adventures with these books. And if we're lucky and get some warm, Indian summer days, let these pages inspire you to make some last vacation-like memories before the chill of autumn sets in.  Read more...

Robots, robots and more robots. This is exactly what I saw when I walked into the Museum of Science and Industry’s "Robots Like Us" exhibit. It displays more than 200 robots from the Robert Lesser collection, and you are greeted by the 7-foot Robby the Robot, who starred in the movie "Forbidden Planet."  Read more...

Reader poll
This month we asked readers what happens when their kids lose a tooth. Here is what they said:  Read more...

Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny Alden knew about unfortunate events long before Lemony Snicket came along.  Read more...

Ben Justie, 7, of Arlington Heights brushes his teeth twice a day. He even flosses. But he doesn’t like it.  Read more...

Health roundup
A new study may make a common part of delivery—pushing during contractions—as obsolete as the phrase, "Boil some water, rip up some blankets."

I like February. It’s the month in which my son was born and I’m ever optimistic that spring is just around the corner. But right now, baby, it’s cold outside, so it’s time to heat up the heart of winter with this month’s video selections.  Read more...

February may be the shortest month on the calendar but it’s long on holidays.  Read more...

Many of the Hurricane Katrina survivors coming through Chicago’s Heartland Alliance have lost everything. But thanks to a little help from some friends, some of the children left with a book—and a smile.  Read more...

"A Night at the Museum"
"A Night at the Museum" was a movie my family had been looking forward to watching, and we weren't disappointed at all. This movie was funny and action-packed, while still throwing in bits and pieces of history without the kids realizing it.  Read more...

Dear Pragmatic Parent: My husband and I have two daughters, ages 6 and 4. They're both in ballet class, and my older daughter also takes piano and Irish step dancing classes; my younger daughter is in gymnastics. They take swimming lessons, too, and when I complain about running them around everywhere, my husband says it's my own fault for signing them up for everything. What do you think?  Read more...

Storytelling has been around for centuries. It's how we have taught history, values and important lessons from generation to generation. Classics such as Cinderella, The Ugly Duckling and Hansel and Gretel were passed on by word of mouth. The print versions came later.  Read more...

When I discovered I was pregnant, the last thing on my mind was my hair. I was too busy wondering what the baby's sex was, decorating the nursery and finding the perfect name. But when my highlights began to grow out, I was suddenly faced with a decision many pregnant women confront: Should I dye or not?
This is an updated version of a story that originally ran in Chicago Parent.

Whistles holler as a train chug-chug-chugs to a halt, wheels screeching. A pajama-clad child stares up wide-eyed as the doors slide open, flooding the platform with soft yellow light. His hair is tousled by a gust of wind that whooshes in behind the train. A tinge of magic glimmers in his eyes as he grips the handrail and hoists himself up giant-sized steps into the pulsing locomotive.  Read more...

The Greatest Show on Earth?
My two younger kids, Grandma and Grandpa and I went to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus last night at Allstate Arena. We were disappointed. We were expecting to see the circus, but what we saw was more like Disney not on ice.  Read more...

Sideways Stories from the Wayside School
Louis Sachar's silly Wayside School stories have long been among my family's favorites. So we were excited to see how the folks at Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences would recreate the whimsy and magic of the books onstage. Sadly, they couldn't.

Kathryn Karwowski's son Alex was healthy at birth. But before his first birthday, that changed.  Read more...

Twelve-year-old Kasper Sorfleet of Naperville is looking forward to an upcoming visit to Chicago-in the name of science. His destination? The first Chicago Science Expedition, which runs Sept. 22-Oct. 8. Coordinated by the Office of the Mayor and Chicago Public Schools, the event aims to increase interest in science through citywide activities and events.  Read more...

First-time authors will often mention the many times they submitted their work to a publisher, only to be rejected. Because of this, sometimes an author will find other ways to get their book into print using smaller, independent companies.  Read more...

Parents have always been interested in their children's eating habits. Worries about getting enough vegetables or protein are as universal as toys strewn everywhere. But nutrition was rarely discussed outside the home.  Read more...

Ten tips
When my daughter Emma started third grade, she got off the bus most days with tears in her eyes. Her two closest friends had recently moved away and she was not succeeding in her efforts to become friends with some of the other kids in her class. A fairly quiet and shy child, Emma found herself spending recess alone and her self-confidence plummeted as her few attempts at joining in games were rebuffed.  Read more...

The Chicago Bears are the pride of the midway, especially this season. Between touchdowns, interceptions, field goals and footballs, there has been much to cheer about, putting the players, including punter Brad Maynard and wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad, in the spotlight. While the world may see them as No. 4 and No. 87, their families will always see them as number one-dad that is.
Click here to view a slideshow of Brad Maynard and Muhsin Muhammad at home with their families.  Read more...

DeDe Molter's oldest son was considered skinny until he hit second grade. That is when he got hooked on video and computer games, giving him less time outdoors to run around with friends and more time indoors to raid the refrigerator. Now six years later, at 13, the Chicago boy stands 5'8' weighing 226 pounds.  Read more...

Hold the mayo-Sandwich Day, commemorating the birthday of John Montagu, inventor of the modern sandwich, will be observed by deli enthusiasts everywhere on Nov. 3. So whether you're pro- or anti-crusts, lettuce all partake in the breaking of bread and relish all things sandwiches, by the numbers:  Read more...

The first time I noticed my mind was deteriorating was early in my pregnancy. I was on my way to the grocery store when, halfway there, I realized I had forgotten my shopping list. No problem-I could remember what I needed. How naive I was, unaware of the changes occurring not only in my body but also in my mind. I got home, looked at my list and realized another trip to the grocery store was in order.  Read more...

Thanksgiving is a time for appreciating the things we have. Whether your family will eat a real or tofu turkey this year, we have 10 turkey-related activities to get you in the turkey spirit.  Read more...

I called my mom at 10 one night with a confession. "Mom, I forgot to mention something. I said we would do a story about our traditional, marathon cookie baking day for the December issue."  Read more...

Ten tips
Every Christmas Eve when I was young, once the presents were unwrapped and we were all stuffed with Christmas cookies and eggnog, we loaded leftovers, presents and kids into the car to head home. As soon as we were all packed in and sliding down the snowy, light-lined streets, my sister and I would start up our favorite car activity. "Mom, tell us a story about when you were little."  Read more...

Middle-aged adults are not sleeping enough, according to a recent study in the American Journal of Epidemiology. The findings raise questions about how well sleep-deprived adults function as parents.
* This is an updated version of a story that orginally ran in Chicago Parent.  Read more...

Everyone, it seems, has an opinion about breastfeeding. "Mommy bloggers" wax eloquent about it. The topic is covered extensively in the media. And protests-from breastfeeding "nurse-ins" organized to support mothers asked to refrain from breastfeeding in public to "Ban the Bag" campaigns urging hospitals to stop handing out formula to new mothers-continually flare up. Clearly, it's a hot-button issue. Yet, examined from a scientific perspective, it's hard to understand why.  Read more...

Short stuff: Spotlight
For many families around the Chicago area, The Nutcracker ballet is a holiday tradition. Little boys and girls watch sugarplum fairies dance across stage and their eyes widen with excitement as Clara's dream ballet unfolds. For many of those children it is the beginning of their own dream.  Read more...

There's no shame in a little therapy-but what about therapy for the littlest kids?  Read more...

Quick-what's the magic word?

If you're a parent, you've probably posed this question a time or two (or 10,000), and your kids know the answer by heart. The question we really want answered, though, is what is the magic behind teaching manners to kids?

Lost in the Woods
My kids fell in love with the book, Lost in the Woods, by husband-wife team, Carl R. Sims II and Jean Stoick, and their new companion board book, Find My Friends, which recently hit book shelves. So we were looking forward to watching the new movie based on the book.  Read more...

"Happy Feet" at IMAX Theatre at Navy Pier
The happiness you get from "Happy Feet" will last long after the credits. And it's not only the kids who leave smiling. Parents will love the music and the positive messages the movie delivers.

New research points to brain defect that causes infant deaths  Read more...

Q. With the holidays coming, we are again facing the question of how to get our boys ages 2, 4 and 6 to say appropriate thank you's for the presents they get from their relatives.  Read more...

My parents toiled for everything they had, sometimes just making it paycheck to paycheck, though they never let on.  Read more...

When it comes to fostering a love of reading and building early literacy skills, traditional books beat out electronic books by a wide margin, according to a new first-of-its-kind study.  Read more...

Most kids get in trouble for playing with their food. But when 8-year-old Aurora resident Miranda Johnson made a carillon and riverwalk scene out of chocolate, Jell-O and marshmallows, she was awarded a second place ribbon and a gift certificate to the movies.  Read more...

Hey tweens, you there?
Is homework helpful?
C-section not that bad  Read more...

The holidays have come and gone. It's time to get the house back in order. Take down the tree, box up the lights, clear the stack of holiday cards from the mantle and put them in the recycling bin … right?  Read more...

Reader essay
Each time I see the scar across the top of my daughter's head I am reminded of what I'm most grateful for. To me, her ear-to-ear scar symbolizes all of the lessons I painfully learned during the summer of 2004.  Read more...

It begins as early as kindergarten and extends through college. It strains the seams of backpacks. It steals sunshine and sleep. It can drive kids and parents to tears, deception and distraction. It's homework, and another long season is just getting started.  Read more...

How to eat fried worms
"How to Eat Fried Worms" is about an 11-year-old boy named Billy Forrester (Luke Benward) who moves and starts at a new school. The school bully, Joe (Adam Hicks), puts worms in Billy's thermos on Billy's first day of school, and Billy accidentally throws one of the worms onto Joe's face.  Read more...

I'm waiting for the hair dye to set. What a mess. I've got one vermilion ear, smudges on my cheek and neck and there's a raggedy blob on the bathroom wall. I must stop dying my hair such brilliant colors, or at least stop doing it in such a hurry. But I've been considering the connection between Halloween and romance, and it's making me twitchy.  Read more...

Catalyst corner - October 2006
You wouldn't necessarily call it a "love connection,' but something must have clicked between Erick Pruitt and O'Toole Elementary's local school council on a winter evening this past February.  Read more...

Ah, fall. Leaves change color. Sweaters come out of storage. And homework, music lessons, soccer practice, ballet class and Cub Scouts keep your family from taking the time to smell the pumpkin flowers.  Read more...

Preeclampsia, an incurable condition occurring in nearly 10 percent of pregnancies, is among the most poorly understood medical disorders. But new research on dietary calcium offers hope for the prevention of this potentially life-threatening condition.  Read more...

Most busy mothers swear by the convenience of plastic diapers.  Read more...

Health roundup - November 2006
Before rushing to fill a prescription for a child's ear infection, parents may consider just waiting a day or two to see if she really needs that antibiotic after all.  Read more...

Recall roundup - November 2006
Playskool, in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, voluntarily recalled 250,000 of its Team Talkin' Tool Benches after the choking deaths of two toddlers. The plastic toy nails sold with the tool bench toys became lodged in their throats.  Read more...

Ballerina bears, snowmen, rag dolls and poinsettias all come alive in the Rosemont Theater's new production of the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes." You may have seen this show when it was in town before, but now it's back and better than ever, a "must see" on your holiday list.   Read more...

The holidays are what we make of them-a mirror of our best and worst tendencies during a time of chaos and joy. A good video can be stress-free entertainment and a gift that gives lasting pleasure. This month's selections should be on your list for watching and giving.  Read more...

People use the glistening glow of candles as decorations and ambience all year long. But over the holiday season especially, parents need to be extra careful. According to a study by the National Fire Protection Association, 14 percent of all home candle fires every year occur in December, almost twice the monthly average.  Read more...

Oak Park mom Beth-Anne Jacob and her son, Elijah Evans, will be back in the United States before new U.S. passport rules take effect. But her father-in-law thought it would be better to have a passport and not need it, so he encouraged her to get one for Elijah before leaving on a December cruise to the Caribbean with her extended family.  Read more...

When Bob Mills dons his cherry red Santa suit, he says he can't help but smile. And after 10 years as the big jolly guy at Special Kids Day, he can't help but keep coming back.  Read more...

"The last part of the exhibit, the assembly room, was where all the kids flocked. In this room, robots assemble a toy made by Ball Enterprises, a spinning top dubbed 'the Gravitron.' "  Read more...

The first weekend of October, our entire extended family caravans to Oriole Springs Orchard in Twin Lakes, Wis., for apple picking. This is a tradition stretching back to my husband's childhood, and one we hope extends to our grandchildren.  Read more...

Summer might be over, but there is still plenty to celebrate as fall packs a one-two punch of Latino culture, history and tradition.  Read more...

It's that time again: the start of the school year. Which means, among other things, supply lists from kids' teachers and a dozen trips to the office supply store to find that spiral notebook with SpongeBob SquarePants on the cover. You know, the one your neighbor's kid has.  Read more...

Chicago Parent has just celebrated the departure of its third editor in the 17 years our company has owned this wonderful magazine. As you may have noticed on page six, Susy Schultz has accepted a new post in the world of foundations and women's advocacy.  Read more...

Pouring rain leaked into plastic ponchos and gym shoes squished and squelched across the pavement, but this construction crew wasn't about to throw in the towel. The team was just getting started building a dream playground for Grace Lutheran School in Little Village.  Read more...

The Chicago Grammar School children created self-portraits on paper, then later sculpted 3-D self-portraits from clay. Learning often needs to be hands-on for younger elementary students.  Read more...

Kathryn Karwowski's son, Alex, was healthy at birth. Before his first birthday, that changed. At 18 months old, Alex was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, an incurable, life-shortening genetic disease that occurs in one of every 3,500 U.S. births. Infants like Alex may be spared delays in diagnosis under a proposal by Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the Illinois Department of Public Health.
* This is an updated version of a story that orginally ran in Chicago Parent.

One spring day, my daughter ate a wild mushroom in our backyard. After an emergency room trip and an overnight hospital stay, she was fine. But we learned the hard way that backyards aren't benign. Before your baby ventures outside, take precautions.
* This is an updated version of a story that orginally ran in Chicago Parent.  Read more...

At 4 pounds, Shaayla Hill was a tiny newborn. The fact that she survived can be considered a medical wonder, but by the time she was 3 years old, her health still wasn't up to par. Shaayla is one of a growing number of babies born at less than 5 pounds, 5 ounces-officially dubbed "low birth weight" by the medical profession.  Read more...

When Stephanie and Craig Sellers brought their newborn daughter, Katie Jane, home from the hospital, their first "child"-an 80-pound Rottweiler named Hank-had an identity crisis that transformed their gentle giant into a Tasmanian devil.
* This is an updated version of a story that originally ran in Chicago Parent.   Read more...

For most kids, school has been in session for a good four to six weeks and they are pretty well settled into their new classrooms. Family life revolves around the school schedule and what the kids do in class. Let kids see how their school experiences stack up against others' by reading these books together.  Read more...

Spotlight - October 2006
Tyler Roney recently was mistaken for a superhero. The 15-month-old from Tinley Park was out shopping with his mom, Jennifer Roney and twin sister, Megan, when a little girl approached them and asked if Tyler was Spiderman. His unique headgear had attracted the girl's attention.  Read more...

'How to Eat Fried Worms" is about an 11-year-old boy named Billy Forrester (Luke Benward) who moves and starts at a new school. The school bully, Joe (Adam Hicks), puts worms in Billy's thermos on Billy's first day of school, and Billy accidentally throws one of the worms onto Joe's face.  Read more...

Every year, my family and I look forward to traditional fall outings. But this autumn, we are taking a trip back in time- to the Trail of History held at Glacial Park in Ringwood.  Read more...

You won't hear anyone say, "Don't touch the artwork" at the DuPage Children's Museum. In fact, their new exhibit "Animals in Artland: Wild Wings" encourages kids to touch, push, trace and rub all kinds of art.  Read more...

Healthy finances - October 2006
Teaching kids about coins is relatively easy. Two nickels make a dime. Four quarters make a dollar. Teaching them about currency isn't much harder. If something costs $5, you can pay with a five dollar bill or five singles. But once kids graduate to plastic, the terrain gets rougher-for the kids and for us parents.  Read more...

Reader essay
I'm the one who gets up in the middle of the night.  Read more...

Ten tips
You’re thinking, "Is she kidding? Where, amid a sea of toys, diapers and drippy February noses, am I going to find the energy to have a romantic Valentine’s Day?"  Read more...

Most of us—including me—have a fascination with dinosaurs. With the Field Museum’s new dinosaur exhibit, "Evolution Through Time," opening this month, I thought it would be a good time to suggest some great books about these amazing monsters.  Read more...

I didn’t have my 6-year-old with me for this review, but I’ll be taking him to see this movie as soon as I can. And I won’t mind seeing "Hoodwinked" for a second time.  Read more...

I spent many happy hours recently watching my 6-year-old son, Will, wrestle with his new guitar. With his freshly spiked hair and shirt collar turned up, he’d strike a pose on the footstool in front of a full-length mirror and belt ’em out while flogging his "Little Martin."  Read more...

This month we are spotlighting two recording artists whose music is designed for the early childhood set—children ages 3 to 6. Both are independent artists and both deserve a wider audience.  Read more...

For Valentine’s Day, try something different. Don’t just make the valentine, make the paper. Papermaking can be as easy or as complicated as you want it to be. Start out simple and then let your ideas take over. As the kids grow, so will the creativity.  Read more...

Kid-tested travel
It takes a determined traveler to take on Mexico City with kids— one of the most populated cities in the world. The good news is that Mexico City offers a rich lineup of activities for kids.

‘Just Joking’ is the funniest book you will ever read
Just Joking by Andy Griffith is the funniest book ever about a kid named Andy Griffith.  Read more...

Parents will be asked to get one more vaccine—this one against rotavirus—for their new babies if Illinois accepts recommendations made by a federal advisory committee.  Read more...

Bunnies and brunches and egg hunts, oh my! With Easter on April 16, it’s time to get hopping to the bevy of brunches with bunnies and eggs-citing egg hunts taking place throughout the city and suburbs. Find an event in the following roundup that suits your family’s schedule and have an eggs-ellent time.  Read more...

Cathy Spora of Downers Grove wasn’t sure what to think when a preschool teacher recommended she have her son, Vinny, tested for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder because he wouldn’t sit still at story time.  Read more...

Children are born givers. I will never forget the time Michael and I were fretting about paying the mortgage and my youngest, Amanda, piped up that she would pay the bill with the money she had in her piggy bank. In her mind, it was just that simple: We needed the money and she had the money. Never mind that it was about $10 in change. What she taught me in that generous moment was she would give us all she had to help solve our problem.  Read more...

It happens to all of us: The moment when we look at our children and realize that they are growing up. In fact, it happens many times, at milestone moments such as the first word, first step, first day of school and first time away at camp.

Q:My child is in the second year of playing the trumpet, but I worry I am pushing him too hard to practice and he is beginning to hate playing. Is it always a struggle to get kids to practice? How hard should I push him to practice? Is there a fun way to do it?  Read more...

Spotlight - April 2006
When she was in fifth grade, Vivian Rivera of Logan Square would run to her room and hide if her brothers brought friends over. Painfully shy, Vivian found meeting new people was more than she could bear.

It is lovely to be feted on Mother’s Day. How can you argue with being celebrated and pampered?  Read more...

There is a reason why lug is packed into the word luggage. It’s the part we hate most about travel, lugging bags from here to there. Add kids to the trip and bags line up like delayed flights on the runways at O’Hare International Airport.  Read more...

Linda Rinchiuso couldn’t help noticing how patiently her son, Jimmy, sat during his older brother Charlie’s baseball and basketball games. But because Jimmy was born with Down syndrome, Rinchiuso wasn’t sure her little boy would ever have the chance to compete like his brother.  Read more...

Mystery and history. Kings and queens. Intrigue and romance. Rune stones and rhinestones. Kidnapped, orphaned or tricked. Take your pick. This month we have it all. These page turners will keep you busy.  Read more...

Instead of selecting a "Best of 2006" list for this year's wrap-up of music, I thought I would share a short list spotlighting a few of what I consider to be outstanding CDs. Some are new, some are old but all deserve to be in your family's CD library.  Read more...

The month ahead will be full of busy days for everyone, regardless of what you celebrate in your home. What better way to end a busy day than curling up with a good holiday book?  Read more...

Healthy babies
Breastfeeding guidelines needed for travel
Positive feeding
Breastfeeding kudos
The third-grade brain
The air our children breathe
 Read more...

Ten tips
During the 1994 Olympics, my mom allowed me to stay up long past my bedtime night after night to watch the figure skating competitions. I would sit mesmerized for hours, fascinated by the feats of elegance and strength and caught up in the music, sparkle-laden costumes and whirlwind competition.  Read more...

‘I’m not scared," says the 4-year-old girl bravely to the visitors in her Chicago classroom. "Are you taking me now? I’m not scared."  Read more...

With each column, I find my recommendations are becoming somewhat more mainstream and possibly more eclectic at the same time. Actually, these are my son's picks. He's developing quite a range of music tastes.  Read more...

One of the trickiest parts of parenting is knowing when to take charge and when to let kids learn on their own. It gets even trickier during the summer, with more hours to fill and less structure. When children are small, it's easy to protect them from falling or eating dirt and even to know when to stay out of playground disagreements.  Read more...

Q:My son has been playing the trumpet since the fourth grade and seems to have a talent for it. But now he says he would really rather play the clarinet. I'm perfectly willing to have him switch but he won't do it because he doesn't want to start seventh grade with a new instrument and end back in the beginner band while his friends stay in the advanced band.  Read more...

Ah, summer.
I love the endless lazy days of summer. I love finding a comfy spot and sharing a book with a friend. My family and I just spent a long weekend with friends at our favorite Wisconsin cabin.  Read more...

Rita Krueger's move to approach her friend Cecilia O'Neill was an exception to the usual social rule that we should remain mute when it comes to judging the parental decisions of others. She is close enough friends with O'Neill that she felt comfortable discussing her unruly boys and less-than-effective parenting style. But, experts say, most of the time it's best to think long and hard-and then think long and hard again-before sharing our thoughts about a parent's parenting skills.

Since young children have limited communication skills, they may not be able to easily express strong emotions such as boredom, frustration or happiness. Combine this with a toddler's natural tendency to put everything in her mouth, and biting can easily result.  Read more...

The No Child Left Behind Act is the federal law that is controlling the focus of public schools across America. Advanced on the proposition that schools should "leave no child behind" the law is yet another example of great politics, compelling sound bites and focused finger-pointing but poor public policy.  Read more...

Part 1 in a 5-part series
When she teaches workshops to help teachers create brain-friendly classrooms, one of the first things trainer Bonnie Benesh points out is how futile some of the current teaching methods are, in light of what we know about how children's brains work.

The school registration packets may be sitting on our dining room tables, but we refuse to accept that summer is over. There's still plenty of time to have fun as a family. Keeping that in mind, along with rising gas prices and tight family budgets, Chicago Parent editors compiled this list of fun stuff to do this month. All for free.  Read more...

Where to go and what to do with your kids
South Suburban agencies offer a myriad of support  Read more...

Rannia Reddy of Barrington was desperate—there was only one week left until her 3-year-old son, Giovanni, was to start preschool and he still wasn’t potty trained. It was time for desperate measures: She signed Giovanni up for potty training boot camp.  Read more...

South suburban resource guide
Activities for families and kids
Support and education for parents  Read more...

There comes a point in every mother’s life when the flowers aren’t for her.  Read more...

Tutankhamen and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs

Make no mistake—this exhibit is a magical piece of theater.

 Read more...

Ice Age Mammals and Prehistoric Beasts
Terrific temporary exhibits are a big reason that Notebaert Nature Museum is a regular visit for my family. The new Ice Age Mammals and Prehistoric Beasts exhibit is no exception. Perfectly timed to coincide with the popular “Ice Age” movies, kids can now learn real facts and see these prehistoric creatures in action.  Read more...

“Cars”
My 14-year-old son and I are at that time in life where we don’t find a lot to agree on—but we both agreed on this as did the many, many children ages 5 and up that I talked to in the audience: This is a wonderful movie. 

It's that ARE-WE-THERE-YET? time of year again. Here are some ideas to put in that bag of tricks to keep kids busy while in a car, on a plane or during a rainy afternoon. Many fiction books are available on CD. You can also check www.activitiesforkids.com/travel/travel_games.htm for games such as looking for state license plates, alphabet search and "my grandfather owns a grocery store." So, pack paper, markers and colored pencils.  Read more...

Do you screen advertisers?
No balloons for babies
A Spanish Chicago Parent?
Careful with dosage
Great ADHD article
 Read more...

Activities for families and kids
Support for parents
 Read more...

'My wife is out all day at play groups, toddler gym, the park-anywhere but home. So when I come home from work, everything still needs to be done around the house!"  Read more...

2006 Toy Test
What better way to learn than by answering questions about life or cheering your classmates on in a game of Math Mat? Kids and teachers in Kristi Gedville's first-grade class at Prairie School in Buffalo Grove agreed: The best toys got kids playing together.  Read more...

2006 Toy Test
Sure, you've seen the commercials. You've flipped through the catalogues and paced the aisles of your local toy store. You've asked all the right questions. Will it last? Does it need batteries? Is it worth the money?

While out shopping I run into a vaguely familiar mother from my 6-year-old's class and introduce myself. "Oh, I've heard all about your son," she gushes. "He's the smartest boy in class!" I awkwardly smile and roll my eyes, unsure of what to say next.

"A Nutcracker Christmas"
Check your preconceived visions of what sugar plum fairies are all about at this theater's door. "A Nutcracker Christmas," a production by the Emerald City Theatre Company, isn't at all like the ballet you expect to see this time of year. This modern musical provides welcome twists on the usual themes, keeping both kids and parents amused. This is a fun, family-friendly outing, produced by a caring and talented cast.

South suburban resource guide
 Read more...

“Aquamarine”
When I went to my friend Maddie’s 11th birthday party sleepover, we went to see the movie “Aquamarine.” It turned out to be a perfect movie for a group of friends. My friends and I agree, this movie is an A.  Read more...

“Charlotte’s Web”
I am sure I read Charlotte’s Web when I was 10 years old, but I had forgotten it was essentially a sad story. So as I was sitting watching the play with two 5-year-olds, I was worried they would be bored by the tone or unnerved by the talk of turning a cute pig into bacon and the demise of a kind spider, who just laid eggs. What I had forgotten, and often don’t take into account, is that young children are very interested in serious subjects, such the death of a loved one. Plays, movies and books can offer ways to understand and deal with topics that can be complicated and confusing.  Read more...

“MacBeth”
"It has blood, sword fights, murder and war," I told my son. "See, theater can be entertaining for you." Yes, my 13-year-old boy is into gore and guts, and that is why I thought this production of Macbeth by the Chicago Shakespeare Theater would be perfect for him.  Read more...

Robots Like Us
Robots, robots and more robots. This is exactly what I saw when I walked into the Museum of Science and Industry's “Robots Like Us” exhibit. It displays more than 200 robots from the Robert Lesser collection, and you are greeted by the 7-foot Robby the Robot, who starred in the movie “Forbidden Planet.”  Read more...

Spotlight
Like so many moms, Marianne Pierce wants her 8-year-old son, Billy, to succeed. But it’s not been easy for Pierce to find helpful information at the library for her son, who has Down syndrome—especially when he was a youngster.  Read more...

Trichotillomania. Unless you’re a linguist, it’s a word that’s likely to send you to the dictionary in search of a definition and pronunciation (trick-oh-till-oh-mania).  Read more...

Sarah Rountree wasn’t sure what to expect with her first delivery. "I was a nervous mom," she says recalling the birth of her son, Brody.  Read more...

Isabel, my daughter, was born with a head of dark hair, a button nose, short strong legs and a vagina. It is only her last attribute that we considered when we chose her name and the color of her receiving blanket. When it comes to our children, from the first moment, sex matters.  Read more...

If your kid’s ceiling is plastered with glow-in-the-dark stars or you’re constantly fielding questions about aliens and spaceships, consider going to Astronomy Nights at the Hinsdale Public Library, 20 E. Maple St., Hinsdale.  Read more...

When winter grips Chicago, many of us are looking for ways to keep our kids active. Animal tracking is one solution. It gets kids out of the house. And it also helps children to understand that even in an urban setting, there is wildlife.  Read more...

Chicago Children’s Theatre makes a big splash with its inaugural production, "A Year with Frog and Toad." The award-winning musical adaptation of Arnold Lobel’s charming books is a treat for all ages. Fast-paced and funny, the show illustrates the ups and downs of friendships with great music, talented actors and engaging special effects.  Read more...

Parties with Pizzazz: A Complete Resource for Holiday Classroom Parties
The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two
The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers: Gentle Ways to Stop Bedtime Battles and Improve Your Child’s Sleep  Read more...

Q: I read recently about a trend toward potty training babies. My baby is 9 months old and I would love to do away with the diapers. But I also know that in the past, some children’s problems have been attributed to being potty trained too early.  Read more...

Without drastic improvement in their financial skills, of every six kids in this country today:

It is with great sadness we tell you that Evanston mom Elizabeth Birt died in a car accident late last year while vacationing in Colorado.  Read more...

Thank you Ms. Leithold
Therapy dogs help many
Public school coverage?  Read more...

Reader Essay
Because it’s my own, comfortable house, I let one rip. From deep within I issued a rich and satisfying belch. It echoed off walls and, I think, chimed our crystal. And made my two granddaughters, Lisa, 4, and Leia, 3, giggle.  Read more...

Click here for the contents page of the February 2006 issue...  Read more...

“Rikki-Tikki-Tavi And Other ‘Just So’ Kipling Stories”
Families familiar with Rudyard Kipling’s jungle stories will enjoy Lifeline Theatre’s adaptation, “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi and Other ‘Just So’ Kipling Stories.” The talented four-person ensemble faithfully recreates more than a dozen creatures using dialects, body movement and fantastically intricate wire masks to symbolize various animals. And there’s plenty of audience interaction to keep the kids engaged.  Read more...

Chicago Parent wants to congratulate our Kid Culture columnist Fred Koch, who is one of 30 Chicago-area finalists for the Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching.

Click here to win tickets to Six Flags or Kiddieland...

Curious George
I am always suspicious when a movie studio decides to adapt classic fiction, but in the case of Curious George, they’ve done a remarkable job. Curious George is one of those rare family-friendly movies that actually appeals to young kids and parents alike. Instead of trying to stuff the movie with hidden jokes which go over kids’ heads, the writers stuck to the classic stories. They did have to create a plot-line to sustain 97 minutes, but it’s in the spirit of H.A. Rey’s lovely and funny monkey tales. So what makes this film appealing is not shtick-it’s the movie’s heart.  Read more...

March is our annual peek at this year’s Grammy Award finalists in the Best Musical Album For Children category. For the past couple of years, the Grammy Awards, the mother of all music awards, has been recognizing true children’s music artists rather than projects geared toward children that are produced by major motion picture and television companies.  Read more...

This month’s video selections offer a chance to take a march down memory lane while we await the arrival of spring. Turn on the fun with "The Best of The Electric Company," "A Shirley Temple Collection" and the story of a local landmark that has entertained five generations of Chicago families.  Read more...

How thrilling would it be to swim like a fish? How wonderful would it be to fall in love with a beautiful rock star? How scared would you be if you thought you had a horrible disease? How awesome would it be to cause your stepmother to wake up with a face full of zits? How cool would it be if your pet could turn into a kid your age and be your best friend? Just imagine.  Read more...

Spotlight - March 2006
Michael spent a week under the tutelage of music industry professionals. He learned how to play with a band, to develop original material, to set-up and tear-down equipment and, at the culminating concert, to perform live for an audience.  Read more...

After her first day of school, Leah, a kindergartner at William Beye Elementary School in Oak Park, returned home upset. Leah had missed recess. Something she had eagerly been waiting for since forever ago when her brother, a second-grader, explained it all to her.  Read more...

When our son Will was almost 3, my husband and I committed to "WWW Weekends"—Weekends Without William. We started with an overnight in downtown Chicago and have since ventured out of state alone to reconnect as a couple. Last year, it became a Week Without William when we spent 10 days alone in Paris.  Read more...

On March 17th, the Chicago River will be greener than it normally is, Leprechauns will look dashing in their pressed suits, more freckled red-heads will pepper the streets than ever before, shamrocks will be facepainted on many o’cheek, men in kilts will be jamming out on their bagpipes and Irish dancers will be tapping circles around everyone, because alas it is St. Patrick’s Day and it is time to paint the town green.  Read more...

Activities for families and kids  Read more...

Roca. Alex Roca.

Recall roundup - March 2006
In the past few years, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled millions of children’s trinkets and jewelry sold at Claire’s, Target, Toys "R" Us and other stores because they contain lead, a known neurotoxin.  Read more...

If your vision of cheerleading includes perky, popular girls in cute outfits waving pom-poms, wake up to the new millennium. In recent years, cheerleading has become a sport in its own right—one that may be dangerous.  Read more...

Families familiar with Rudyard Kipling’s jungle stories will enjoy Lifeline Theatre’s adaptation, "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi and Other ‘Just So’ Kipling Stories." The talented four-person ensemble faithfully recreates more than a dozen creatures using dialects, body movement and fantastically intricate wire masks to symbolize various animals. The Lampopo River setting is also aided by the audience members in this interactive adventure.  Read more...

Most parents don’t need scientific studies to tell them what they already know instinctively about television: It promotes violence, contributes to obesity, interferes with school work and can cause some nasty family fights.  Read more...

As the mother of 4-month-old twins, Colleen Steward of Vernon Hills didn’t have a lot of time to work out unless she hired a babysitter for Ed and Ian—until she found her stroller exercise class.  Read more...

Ask a city kid where her food comes from and she’s likely to reply, "the grocery store." Hoping to change that, and teach kids that food comes from farms and farmers, FamilyFarmed.org is hosting an organic food and farm expo in the heart of the Loop on March 10-11, with most family events slated for Saturday.  Read more...

David Mamet is known for many things.

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright? Check.

Acclaimed screenwriter and filmmaker? Yes.

Chicago area native? You bet.

Q: I understand and agree with your approach to toddlers—to babyproof the environment so they can explore without interference. But whenever my 14-month-old daughter gets tired or cranky and I pick her up, she pulls my ears, yanks my hair, hits me in the face and even bites.  Read more...

My dear friend’s world collapsed recently when her mother died. Roberta Richards was a loving and caring mother.  Read more...

Some retailers have voluntarily removed the popular Magnetix toys from their shelves while the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission investigates the report of a death in Washington state.  Read more...

By the numbers
Chocolate. Tastes good. Good for you, too (in moderation; read on). February, with Valentine’s Day, is the month for it. There is even a local chocolate festival. Chocolate by the numbers:  Read more...

Kid-tested travel
It’s been three months since Hurricane Wilma arrived in Cancun for a three-day visit that nearly blew away this resort community. Despite the hearty Mexican workers, who started to rebuild as soon as the flood waters subsided, many of the hotels and tourist attractions still sport plywood where the windows used to be.  Read more...

When my first boy was ready for kindergarten, I was worried.  Read more...

When Sharon Theoharous’ mother-in-law visits from South Carolina, the Hinsdale mom knows she will arrive bearing lots of gifts for her two young granddaughters.  Read more...

Ten tips
Cassie Jensen, 9, of Darien, likes to read, especially with her mom.  Read more...

I hear a lot of complaining about mandated tests. Many teachers, staff, administrators, parents and kids complain that too much emphasis is placed on mandated tests. Personally, I think testing can be a valuable tool in determining student progress as well as the effectiveness of teachers and schools. However, I have serious issues with mandated tests and the No Child Left Behind act as it applies to children with special needs.  Read more...

Nickelodeon is a big part of my life. "SpongeBob," "Jimmy Neutron" and "Danny Phantom" are at the center of my 7-year-old’s world. Consequently, I’ve become a regular viewer. Goodbye "Sopranos," hello "Fairly Odd Parents."  Read more...

When parents ask for a list of books for their children to read, my first suggestion is books awarded the Caldecott Medal, first given in 1938, or books awarded the Newbery Medal, first given in 1922. Caldecott medals go to the artist of the winning books, and Newbery medals go to the author. I also recommend the many honor books recognized for either medal over the years.  Read more...

‘I’m asking you to embrace a broader vision—a vision that all children ought to have access to health care and all children ought to have access to preschool." Those words were the centerpiece of Gov. Blagojevich’s February budget address.  Read more...

March 2006
Outside art funding OK
Let legislators do their job
Get real, Dr. Pont
Bambi II review is wrong
Bambi II a remake waste  Read more...

Click here for the contents page of the March 2006 issue...

“Pink Panther” PG
Inspector Clouseau is back and once again chasing down criminals in this remake of the original "Pink Panther" series. A famous French soccer coach has been murdered, and his prized pink diamond ring, The Pink Panther, has been stolen.

Chicago Rush
Combine the thrill of high school football with the spectacle of a circus and you’ve got arena football. This indoor brand of football is perfect for two groups of football fans-those of us who can’t quite cope with the end of the National Football League season and those of us who can’t quite afford a family outing to Soldier Field for a big league game.  Read more...

A new study may make a common part of delivery—pushing during contractions—as obsolete as the phrase, "Boil some water, rip up some blankets."

Product Test
For most mothers who have breastfed, Lansinoh Brand Lanolin ($9.99) has been a lifesaver for sore or cracked nipples. I love the product—you need only a tiny amount and it doesn’t need to be washed off before feeding.  Read more...

If you’re pregnant—or planning to be—folic acid should be part of your health regimen, experts say.
* This is an updated version of a story that originally ran in Chicago Parent.  Read more...

As the mother of 4-month-old twins, Colleen Steward of Vernon Hills didn’t have a lot of time to work out unless she hired a babysitter for Ed and Ian—until she found her stroller exercise class.
* This is an updated version of a story that originally ran in Chicago Parent.  Read more...

Parents may be asked to get one more vaccine—this one against rotavirus—for their babies if Illinois accepts recommendations recently made by a federal advisory committee.  Read more...

Courtney Doyle was three months pregnant when she took her first prenatal exercise class. She wasn’t sure her flat tummy fit in.
* This is an updated version of a story that originally ran in Chicago Parent.  Read more...

You’ve picked a crib. And a stroller. And a car seat. How about … a preschool?!?  Read more...

Once you have a baby, you have to budget for all kinds of new things: onesies, diapers, baby wipes, baby food and, perhaps, childcare.
* This is an updated version of a story that originally ran in Chicago Parent.    Read more...

There is a reason why "lug" is packed into the word luggage. It’s the part we hate most about travel, lugging bags from here to there. Add a baby to the itinerary and bags line up like delayed flights on O’Hare runways.  Read more...

Babies develop so much between 6 and 12 months, it can be hard for parents to keep up. Six-month-olds can seem like turtles stuck on their backs, but before the year is out they may grab your leg, point to a passing puppy and blurt "Doggie!"
* This is an updated version of a story that originally ran in Chicago Parent.    Read more...

Sarah Rountree wasn’t sure what to expect with her first delivery. "I was a nervous mom," she says, recalling the birth of her son, Brody.  Read more...

When Daisy Pardo of Chicago was pregnant with her son Josiah last year, she had some specific desires for her childbirth experience. To make sure her health care team was on the same page, Pardo created a birth plan outlining the labor and delivery she envisioned.
* This is an updated version of a story that originally ran in Chicago Parent.    Read more...

“Evolving Planet”
Have you ever wondered how to cram four billion years of history into an hour? The Field Museum’s awesome new exhibit, “Evolving Planet,” does it. State-of-the-art technology and the latest research on evolution combine to give visitors a taste of exactly what’s been going on with our planet before and after dinosaurs.  Read more...

“She’s the Man”
This movie is being billed as a modern version of Shakespeare’s wonderful comedy “The Twelfth Night.” That must be because the twin characters are named Viola and Sebastian. Beyond the names, there is no resemblance to Shakespeare.  Read more...

Reader poll - April 2006
It’s spring and time for Easter and Passover celebrations, those great dress-up holidays that kids loathe and we love. This month, we asked readers to share their secrets for getting kids into the starched shirts and frilly dresses. Here’s what you said.  Read more...

When Christa Garcia gave birth to her first child two years ago, she and her husband were overwhelmed when the baby would cry. "We’d drop everything and run over immediately," says Garcia.  Read more...

Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko finishes a question-and-answer session with about 200 loyal White Sox fans.  Read more...

Combine the thrill of a high school football game with the spectacle of a circus and you’ve got arena football. This indoor brand of football is perfect for two groups of football fans: those of us who can’t quite cope with the end of the National Football League season and those of us who can’t quite afford to take the whole family to Soldier Field for a big league game.  Read more...

When Michelle Gittler was growing up, the Passover Seder dinner was not a welcome experience. "We used to read through the whole Maxwell House book. It was terribly boring," says Gittler, who lives in Chicago.  Read more...

When children suddenly spike a fever in the middle of the night, many parents automatically reach for an over-the-counter medication to help their child. But sometimes even the most cautious parents may inadvertently give the wrong dose, which can have serious, even fatal, results.  Read more...

Think it’s too cold to garden? Think again. You and the kids can fast forward to summer by initiating your garden inside the house, and then transferring plants outside when the weather warms.  Read more...

By The Numbers - April 2006
The first baby boomers turn 60 this year—which means we are heading into a grandparent boom. This is good news. According to any survey, grandchildren tend to agree that grandparents are among the most wonderful people around.  Read more...

I’d just read an article about how nature-deprived this generation of children is before I left for the Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in Galena. Three hours later, when I maneuvered my minivan down a steep path to park near our weekend house in the woods, I realized we were about to make up for lost time.  Read more...

Q:I am concerned about my granddaughter. She is 5 years old and sometimes when she can’t have what she wants, she bites. My daughter responds by yelling and threatening to bite her back. Sometimes, she actually does sort of bite her. I’m upset with both of them. I believe my granddaughter also is biting other children occasionally. Can you tell me what causes children to bite and how to respond?  Read more...

In last month’s column, I talked about how important it is for parents to model the kind of money management behavior we want our children to practice. As experienced parents, we already know that as far as our kids are concerned, our talk is cheap. Our kids watch us and get their education from us by observing our behavior. What we do, they will do. OK, not everything right away, but most things eventually.  Read more...

"Hey my dear boy, are you still in your room on the computer? I think we should go for a walk. It’s beautiful outside. Come on. ... Honey? Hellooooo, are you there? This is Mom. I’m here in front of you. Can you hear me? Son? Are you OK? LET’S GO FOR A WALK ... "  Read more...

We’re gold, again. For the second consecutive year, Chicago Parent was named the nation’s top regional parenting magazine.  Read more...

You’re wrong on South Loop
Missing the preschool point
Thanks for speaking out
It’s time to change testing
A touching tribute
Thanks E-News Update
Stronger school food rules
Not in our gym  Read more...

As history’s first parents, Adam and Eve were either the luckiest couple ever, or the unluckiest. On one hand, they had no parents of their own to share the joy at the birth of the first grandchild, no grandpa to beam as he passed out cigars, no grandma to give helpful advice on colic or teething. On the other hand, no one was looking over their shoulders, criticizing their potty-training methods or their choice in baby formula.  Read more...

Product Test
We tested the "Taggie" on our 3½-month-old daughter. The Taggie is a printed fleece blanket with colorful, textured tags and loops surrounding the edge.  Read more...

What do you call that point in life when all your career aspirations and fierce independence dissolve into a desire to move within a mile of your parents? Oh yes. New parenthood.
* This is an updated version of a story that originally ran in Chicago Parent.    Read more...

Click here for the contents page of the April 2006 issue...

 Read more...

Fun with potatoes
After reading the children’s book “Brave Potatoes,” by Toby Speed and Barry Root, I didn’t have high expectations for the play at Lifeline Theatre in Rogers Park. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the way James Grote adapted the story to the stage, and how the four actors transformed the book into performances that were very well done. Lifeline Theater is known for taking original story text and transforming it into a play.  Read more...

Opera in Focus
If you want to introduce your children to opera, but aren’t sure if they’re ready for The Lyric, consider trying Opera in Focus in Rolling Meadows. This one-hour show features ornate puppets singing songs from operas such as “Turandot” and “La Forza del Destino,” in 10-minute segments, with short breaks in between.  Read more...

“The Revenge of the Space Pandas or Binky Rudich and the Two-Speed Clock”
We had high hopes for this show when we walked into The Goodman Theatre, but “The Revenge of the Space Pandas or Binky Rudich and the Two-Speed Clock”  just didn’t live up to our expectations and never quite grabbed the interest of any of my children, ages 7, 10 and 12. And judging by how fidgety and distracted many of the children in the audience were, I don’t think we were the only ones who were disappointed.  Read more...

“Lizards and the Komodo King”
The lizards visiting the Shedd Aquarium are so cool—and that’s before you meet Faust, the crocodile-sized Komodo dragon that is the climax of the new, temporary exhibit that opens Saturday.

Next year’s fundraisers aren’t a concern for Leslie Peterson. But she might be the only PTA president in Illinois who isn’t worried. In the wake of the recent junk food ban by the Illinois State Board of Education, sports teams, school clubs and PTAs that have counted on candy and food sales will be scrambling for new fundraising ideas for the upcoming school year.  Read more...

It wasn’t long after Cindy Michelotti’s son started eating solids that she realized she had to lead by example. "We eat everything we expect him to eat," says Michelotti of Oak Park, parent of a 2-year-old. "By about a year old, if he had a bowl of cereal and I had a different kind, he would look over and want mine."  Read more...

Travel—whether you actually pack up and go someplace or travel vicariously via video—opens the door to new experiences and other cultures. Language, too, opens doors to other cultures. This month’s video selections take you on journeys to Toad Hall, the Caribbean and China. Enjoy the trip!  Read more...

Today, instead of wandering down a nature trail, many children spend their free time surfing the Internet or playing video games.  Read more...

Short stuff: Reader poll
When that first baby is born, there are a host of proud adults admiring the new little person. At the front of the line are the proud grandmas and grandpas, ready to help. So we asked readers to tell us how they handle unsolicited advice. Here’s what you had to say.  Read more...

Golf is a family affair for the DeThornes of LaGrange. In fact, golf has become a bonding experience for the four members of the DeThorne family ever since daughter Lindsay started the sport last year.  Read more...

There’s a new team in town and it looks nothing like any other professional Chicago sports team. For one thing, its members are all women. For another, it includes two moms.  Read more...

Michelle Ballasiotes looks like an average, healthy 8-year-old. "If you didn’t know what you were looking for, you wouldn’t notice anything wrong with her," says her mother, Mary Kay Ballasiotes of Bolingbrook.  Read more...

By the Numbers - May 2006
The part left out of talk about April showers and May flowers is the insects that arrive as well. You have already started swatting and slapping and getting out the repellent for the summer. Then again, butterflies can be lovely. Insects: They're all around you. All around you? You have no idea:  Read more...

As the mother of three boys, I have become knowledgeable about all things reptilian. If it slinks, is green or has claws, my sons want to know about it.  Read more...

A vacation isn’t a vacation until you hear Grandma screaming her way down a Wisconsin water slide, with her grandchildren sliding along behind.  Read more...

Literary Mama: Reading for the Maternally InclinedWhy Animals Sleep So Close to the Road (and Other Lies I Tell My Children),
How to Talk to Children About Art  Read more...

I’m having a baby.
Not that you would know it to look at me. My stomach, while not exactly flat, lacks that telltale baby bulge. But I am having a baby. I just don’t know when.  Read more...

When you are the mother of triplets, you are a magnet for all sorts of well-meaning, strange and personal questions. "Do multiples run in your family?" "Are they natural?" The most common question from the curious is the perennial: "What did you do when you found out you were pregnant with triplets?"  Read more...

Last year for her third birthday, my daughter Tessa received a 60-stick box of sidewalk chalk. I smiled and thanked my brother’s family, but secretly I was thinking, "What are we going to do with all of this chalk?" I even considered re-gifting it.  Read more...

The Midwest is in the midst of the largest mumps outbreak in the United States since 1988. In fact, when Chicago Parent went to press, Illinois health officials were reporting nearly 80 confirmed and probable cases of the virus this year and expecting the number to climb. Normally, there are about a dozen cases reported annually in Illinois.  Read more...

The much anticipated family movie, "HOOT," based on the Carl Hiaasen book of the same name, is worth a look for families with older kids. But leave the little ones with a sitter—there isn’t much here to keep them engaged.  Read more...

The average college freshman receives eight credit card offers in his or her first week of college; 55 percent acquire a credit card within the first year.  Read more...

The idea behind "Baby Loves Disco" is compelling: convert an otherwise vacant dance club into a destination for families to boogie the afternoon away. The concept is solid, but the details are not. For $10 per ticket, clubbers receive some snacks, a dance floor and a DJ. Any entertainment beyond that is up to parents to provide.  Read more...

"Still Life with Iris"
Vittum Theater offers a terrific 90 minutes of enchantment for you and your children (age 7 and up) with "Still Life with Iris". Set in the land of Nocturno, where industrious citizens work all night, every night, to produce all the elements required by Nature for another day on Earth. The play features an array of impressive magic tricks and sleights-of-hand. Nocturnians’ coats are magical, too, containing all the memories of their past lives. Great care must be taken with these coats, for a careless tear or a button gone missing will result in a lost memory or a gap in the past.  Read more...

Health roundup
Research shows that one in four pregnant women has genital herpes, and many don’t know it because the symptoms are not always visible and the virus does not always show up in lab tests.
* This is an updated version of a story that originally ran in Chicago Parent.  Read more...

When Christa Garcia gave birth to her first child two years ago, she and her husband were overwhelmed when the baby would cry. "We’d drop everything and run over immediately," says Garcia.
* This is an updated version of a story that originally ran in Chicago Parent.    Read more...

Recall roundup - April 2006
Concerns about privacy and identity theft have increased the number of paper shredders being used in homes—along with the likelihood a young child will injure a hand in the shredder.  Read more...

When Amber Gilmore was a young girl attending grade school in Mexico, she looked forward to April 30 because it was the most fun-filled day of the school year.  Read more...

Have you ever wondered how to cram 4 billion years of history into about an hour? Now you can with the Field Museum’s awesome new exhibit, "Evolving Planet." State-of-the-art technology and the latest research on evolution combine to give visitors a taste of exactly what’s been going on with our planet before and after dinosaurs.  Read more...

The reward for parents who are patient with their children’s pranks on April Fools’ Day is the look of innocent joy in their eye as they skip off to school with a can of Dinty Moore Beef Stew, 20 feet of dental floss and a funnel.  Read more...

It is a cloudy, dark day with a fine mist in the air. My son, Jonah and I meet up with our friends Jane and Mary and their children at Lamb’s Farm.  Read more...

As adults, credit and debit cards are a convenience we've all learned to rely on daily. But what are your children learning when you pull out your credit card?  Read more...

“The Jungle Book”
The whole audience becomes part of the Seeonee wolf pack at Emerald City Theatre’s “The Jungle Book,” and the wolf pups I took to see the show gave the performance a howl of approval.  Read more...

The Maze Garden at the Morton Arboretum
The Morton Arboretum’s Web site calls The Maze Garden a “one-acre, living puzzle of hedges and other plants” and reports that it contains “a half-mile of twists and turns.”  From a ground-level perspective, it looks less like a green roller coaster and more like rows of shrubs, with brown gravel pathways in between. Still, my daughters, ages 6 and 8, were excited about the idea of winding their way through.  Read more...

I am often asked if I have a favorite author or illustrator. The truth is I have had many over the years. Here are a few.  Read more...

First, I must apologize for one of my recommendations in April. I heard from several of you that the Dr. John CD I raved about ("Live by Hisself") contains lyrics that are less than "kid friendly." You’re right.  Read more...

This is one of those times when I feel like I have the best job in the world. I get to indulge my weakness for movies with monkeys in them and watch a world-class nature film. Add to that a cartoon classic and a costume production, and it’s a very good time indeed.  Read more...

Spotlight - June 2006
It’s about families. It’s about barbecue, more food than you can eat and wearing your Sunday best. It’s also about education, self-improvement and reflection because the Juneteenth holiday is about freedom.  Read more...

"Over the Hedge" sent my whole family over the edge with laughter.  Read more...

Recall roundup - June 2006
Nearly every month, the list of recalls includes at least one product that contains high amounts of lead, a known neurotoxin. On this month's list of recalls from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are the metal charms included with Twentieth Century Fox's Shirley Temple DVDs, due to lead.  Read more...

As if opening a new $18 million facility last fall were not enough, Kohl Children’s Museum of Greater Chicago now has opened a beautiful new outdoor exhibit, "Habitat Park."  Read more...

Akeelah arouses many emotions that will evoke conversations between parents and children on hope, dreaming, succeeding against the odds and daring to be different.  Read more...

From the silly to the serious, we’ve got you covered in our Summer 2006 issue of Chicago Parent Going Places, the ultimate guide to family fun.  Read more...

As the weather warms, nature lovers will head to the trails in Cook County’s forest preserves.

But beware: Ticks carrying a bacteria for Lyme disease may have gotten there first.

Twice a week, Shannon Mason Wolfe takes her kids, Olivia, 3, and Benjamin, 3 months, to the Highland Park Public Library. She’ll be going more often after June 11, when a new early literacy activity center opens, she says.  Read more...

Hundreds of children risk injury and drowning every summer in swimming pools—and what many people don’t realize is those small, plastic backyard pools pose the greatest danger.  Read more...

Eric Bacys isn’t the kind of guy you’d expect to be running a marathon.

"I’m a big guy. Not super big, but still, I haven’t really exercised regularly since college," he laughs. Still, on June 4, the 35-year-old Lockport resident will run 26.2 miles with about 20,000 others in the San Diego Marathon.

By the numbers - June 2006
Summer camps. Sports camps, arts camps, computer camps, special-needs camps, camp camps. A thousand adventures amid a million mosquitoes. And there are other numbers, as well:  Read more...

When Kelly O’Brien coaches her girls’ running team in Chicago, she spends as much time teaching the girls about healthy living and self-respect as she does about running. A practice session might include running laps and talking about how to handle gossip.  Read more...

I had always viewed diaper bags as manacles of newly minted moms. So as I shopped for my new accessory branding me a survivor of toddlerhood, I swooned over tiny Kate Spade bags and the even tinier Coach wrist wallets but knew in the pit of my purse those days were as far behind me as my sagging rear end. No, not for me. I had officially graduated to the sisterhood of shotheks.

A Frogs: A Chorus of Colors
Frogs are fun. That’s the bottom line at the Museum of Science and Industry’s new exhibit, “Frogs: A Chorus of Colors,” which my family previewed the day before its official opening. Since we don’t normally see live animals at MSI, we weren’t sure what to expect and we ended up very pleasantly surprised.  Read more...

Spotlight 
Baby Owen is always on the go. From an hour of stroller strides with his mom, Kimberly Peterson, every morning to playgroups and field trips in the afternoon, the 1-year-old is on the move.  Read more...

This month’s theme is art and artists. I found all the selections below fascinating, and I hope you will too. The first three books are about artist Leonardo da Vinci. But he wasn’t just an artist—he was a scientist and inventor as well.  Read more...

The kid’s Lemonade Party conquers Congress
Have you ever heard of a kid who ran for president? Well Judson Moon does in The Kid Who Ran for President by Dan Gutman.  Read more...

One after another, the Vail, Colo., travel marketing people got up to deliver their remarks and started by saying: "People come for the winter, but they stay for the summer."  Read more...

Q: My 8-year-old is having a tough time with school. He hates homework and puts it off as long as possible. Once he has done it, he doesn’t want anything to do with reading or being read to, which he used to enjoy.  Read more...

You don’t realize just how grown up you really are until you have a kid.  Read more...

Summer—for my family anyway—means drifting in a boat (powered by paddle or motor) while dangling a line in hopes of catching a fish; these outings translate into lovely, lazy periods of enjoying each other’s company and nature.  Read more...

One factor regularly cited as contributing to record high Caesarean section rates are moms who are "too posh to push." But this phrase drastically distorts the story.  Read more...

It is a stressful pregnancy. There is a CVS (chorionic villus sampling) and multiple fetal echo exams. And while everything looks fine along the way, Debbie and I can never quite relax. When Noah is born he seems healthy, though, and we are relieved. But then the pediatrician doing rounds spots a small dimple in the cleft of his buttocks and tells us to follow up on it at his one-week checkup.  Read more...

Summer fun
So we’re thinking about summer, right? And we’re trying to come up with a list of fun stuff to do with our kids—things you might even want to do with your kids, too.  Read more...

Recall roundup - July 2006
Many products have been recalled this month because of disturbing but not fatal injuries, especially from falls and lead hazards.  Read more...

Jane Fraleigh always thought her daughter, Kerry, was shy. But as Kerry began her second year of preschool at 4 years old, her mother noticed she was silent in class. Even talking to a classmate or waving goodbye to a teacher was impossible for Kerry.  Read more...

You’re a new parent. You want childcare that’s (a) nurturing, (b) stimulating and (c) doesn’t require taking out a second mortgage. Where, and when, to begin your search?  Read more...

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in America and doctors say one antidote is less television and more exercise. But how do you get kids off the couch?  Read more...

Going to a Major League Soccer game at Soldier Field in Chicago was always exciting, especially for kids who play soccer. And going to a Major League Soccer game at Toyota Park in Bridgeview is just as exciting, but a whole lot easier.  Read more...

Click here for the contents page of the June 2006 issue...  Read more...

At 5, Brenann Stacker watched girls doing Cirque du Soleil-like moves with balls and ribbons during a rhythmic gymnastics show. At 19, the Lincolnshire resident is the No. 3-ranked rhythmic gymnast in the United States.  Read more...

Health roundup
There’s been a lot of talk about thimerosal in flu vaccines lately. So before you take your kids to the doctor, here are some questions to consider before you get that shot.  Read more...

It’s one thing to learn about Egypt by seeing artifacts owned by an Egyptian ruler on display at a museum, but it’s quite another to learn about Egypt by becoming an Egyptian. And being an Egyptian is the whole point of a summer program at Chicago Public Libraries.

To highlight the healing power of art, Hope Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn invited area schools to submit students' work for a competition. The winning entries will be displayed at the hospital and later photographed for a book, which will be sold to benefit the hospital.  Read more...

Add the word "manifesto" to just about any title and suddenly it sounds so, well, Communist. But then, the ideas espoused in The Motherhood Manifesto are more than a little bit lefty, at least by our American standards.  Read more...

The Rodriguez family plans to hike all 50 states. They’re almost half way there.  Read more...

By The Numbers -  July 2006
It started with the ancient Romans. It continues with the folks in Sangamon County, Ill., among other places. State fairs. County fairs. Places to show wares, judge livestock, have contests, climb on rides-a summer place for a family to see a tractor pull one moment and an orchestra concert the next, with plenty of corn dogs to go around. (Schedules for Illinois are at www.agr.state.il.us/fair/countyfairssched.html.)  Read more...

The Taste of Chicago is one of the big, beautiful joys you get from living in or near such a big, beautiful city. Or so I thought until I had kids and became overwhelmed with the thought of dragging children through the teeming masses.  Read more...

Frogs are fun. That’s the bottom line at the Museum of Science and Industry’s new exhibit, "Frogs: A Chorus of Colors," which my family I previewed and loved. The exhibit makes frogs interesting in all the right ways: through sights, sounds and touch.  Read more...

Kid-tested travel
Head to Orlando and chances are a visit to the Magic Kingdom is on your agenda. It should be. The centerpiece of Disney World’s Orlando theme park mecca, the Magic Kingdom is the park most of us think of when we think Disney.

Short stuff: Health roundup
If a child is depressed, anxious or disruptive, the best way for a mother to help may be to get help for her own depression.  Read more...

Do you miss it?
Send us your kids' pictures
Got an opinion?
School law is working
Follow that law  Read more...

From the editor - June 2006
I pulled up to the stop light the other night. It was a crisp summer night. I rubbed the side of my head. My finger rested in a small dent and my mind went back to a night many years ago.  Read more...

OK, we get it-the only constant in life is change. But we would deeply appreciate it if change would not come beating down our door in large Poseidon-like waves.  Read more...

Standing in a quiet corridor of Water Tower Place, letting my 3-year-old son burn off a little energy on a busy night, I suddenly got the chills. Scanning the crowds in the center of the mall as Jeremy ran the length of a carpet runner and back, I said to my husband, "My God, what if he got lost? We’ve never told him what to do."  Read more...

The news isn’t good. A simple trip to the dentist has turned into a discussion on braces, and my mind is reeling as I try to do the math of entering the world of orthodontics with no dental insurance.  Read more...

The creators of "Sesame Street" recently joined a growing group of manufacturers by releasing a line of DVDs designed for children ages 6 months to 2 years—to the outrage of doctors and child
development experts who recommend children of that age should watch no television.  Read more...

Kid-tested travel
The thing about Disney is the company knows how to do fun. We spent four days on a Disney cruise followed by three days at Disney World and there wasn’t a moment when things weren’t going great. It was, my well-traveled children declared, one of the best trips ever.  Read more...

Q: I am the hardworking father of a 7-month-old girl. My job takes me on the road Monday through Friday. I don’t have much energy left for playing with the baby, but I get a lot of satisfaction from being a good provider for my family.  Read more...

Motherless Mothers: How Mother Loss Shapes the Parents We Become
The Travel Mom’s Ultimate Book of Family Travel: Planning, Surviving and Enjoying Your Vacation Together
You’re Wearing THAT? Understanding Mothers and Daughters in Conversation  Read more...

First, let me tell you what this month's column is NOT about. It is not the "be all end all" of investing tutorials for you and your child. It is not a list of stock tips or mutual funds to buy. But it is an introduction for your child to the ideas of long-term goal-setting and investing.  Read more...

Click here for the contents page of the July 2006 issue...  Read more...

Green Family Fun at Garfield Park Conservatory
Very Hairy Caterpillars. Herbal Bath Toys. Cracker Jack Gardens. These may not seem like standard fare for a conservatory, but they are all part of Green Family Fun this summer at the awesome Garfield Park Conservatory. My preschool boys and I dropped in two weekends ago for some great discovery time and a fun craft in the Children’s Garden Discovery Area. It was a terrific place to spend a couple hours.

Taste of Chicago 
"This year Taste of Chicago will be more family friendly than ever," Mayor Daley said during his welcome speech at the preview party for Taste, which opens Friday and runs through July 9 at Grant Park. My family and I have been going for years and we wouldn’t miss it.  Read more...

Getting behind the scenes at Wrigley Field
Chicago’s Wrigley Field Stadium Tour brought to life the rich history of one of America’s most famous (and oldest) Major League Baseball parks.  Read more...

"MacHomer"
Shakespeare by any other name would still be Shakespeare, right?

Not really. In the case of “MacHomer,” it’s much more Simpsons than Shakespeare. And that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Click here to find out how you can get tickets for half price ...  Read more...

Cirque du Soleil's "Corteo"
There's a big blue and yellow tent in parking lot K behind the United Center. And that means there's a little magic in the air because after three years Cirque du Soleil is back in Chicago.  Read more...

Fred Kalmin knows all too well that driveways and children can be a deadly combination.  Read more...

Kids' corner
These three essays were written for a Girl Scouts of Chicago breakfast this summer. Each girl was assigned to talk about one part of the Girl Scouts' mission-courage, confidence and character. They wrote about what the words meant to them and delivered the speech before a crowd of more than 400 adult Girl Scouts supporters, a feat of bravery in itself.

Health
When Chicago mom Terry Baldwin saw a large bug bite on her 13-year-old son's arm, she did what any mom would do. She rubbed a little hydrocortisone cream on the bite. Her son, Frank, didn't show her the small scrape behind his knee. But the bite didn't heal after a few days, and the scrape behind Frank's knee had gotten so large and infected, he was limping. He also had a fever.  Read more...

Health roundup
The new HPV vaccine, available to women 9 to 26 years old, promises to reduce cervical cancer by as much as 70 percent. But there are a lot of unknowns. Is it worth the risk?  Read more...

When it comes to talking to teens and tackling important life issues, Eddie Bland, 14, thinks most adults miss the mark. "The majority of [adults] are failing kids," says the Chicago teen. "They need to improve."  Read more...

Recall roundup - August 2006
All Triaminic® Vapor Patches, sold as a topical cough suppressant for children ages 2 and up, are being recalled after multiple reports of children choking or suffering from seizures when they swallow the patches.  Read more...

Product Test
This messenger-style diaper bag was created with fathers in mind. This simply designed bag looks like it's more suitable for work or a laptop computer than for carrying diapers.  Read more...

Fewer Illinois teenagers are having children and more are staying in school, which is great news. But the bad news is that many children are still living in poverty-more than one-third are in families where no parent has a full-time job, according to a recent study released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.  Read more...

This year, Tall Ships Chicago returns to the Windy City. From Aug. 3-9 more than 20 tall ships will sail into Chicago for sailing races, parades, festivals and fishing, emulating the lakefront's past.  Read more...

After 10 years of delighting kids, Blue is getting a little brother. That sweet puppy Blue is 10. Doesn't it just seem like yesterday when an animated, not-yet talking Blue was putting together clues with Steve (played by Steve Burns)?  Read more...

By the numbers - August 2006
If you are old enough, you remember it as nursery school. But it is called preschool now. And we have learned it is much more than a handy place to stash our children. Preschools prepare our children for kindergarten, which prepares them for elementary school, which prepares them for … anyway, it works out well, by the numbers.  Read more...

There are three things you can count on at the Illinois State Fair: You'll get dirty, you'll walk a lot and you'll wow your city slicker kids.  Read more...

A 6-year-old falls to his death from a Ferris wheel in California. A 12-year-old boy dies on a roller coaster in Florida. So you're heading to the neighborhood festival wondering: Are amusement park rides safe for my kids?  Read more...

Kids and dogs are meant for one another. Just add water, the Chicago skyline and it doesn't get much better.  Read more...

Summertime is always a great time for kids to earn money. Lemonade stands are as prevalent as sunburn and babysitting calls hit all-time highs. So, as you watch your mini-capitalist count that currency over and over, try suggesting that he or she think about turning that nest egg into something a lot bigger than an iPod mini.  Read more...

Kid-tested travel
The terrain from Chicago to Fort Worth isn't especially hilly, but it was an up-and-down trip for our family on Amtrak's Texas Eagle.  Read more...

Hey tweens, you there?
Immigration story slanted
Tough issues tackled well
Why blame the police?
It's not safe
Poor performances
"Spymate" is a bad choice
Why dispense more guilt?
C-sections vs. natural birth
Not always a magical place

It's not a good idea to have weird hair on the first day of school. On the first day, everybody has to get used to you again and you don't want to stand out to anybody at first. You want to blend in. At least at first.  Read more...

As children grow from toddlers to youngsters, the opportunities to get separated from their parents, teachers or other adults seem to multiply. Splitting off from classmates on a field trip, boarding the wrong bus home from school, wandering away from parents at the museum-there are plenty of chances. Simply put, it's dangerous out there. But just where is the danger coming from? And what can parents do to teach their children how to be safe-especially if they get lost?

Jill Browning and husband Tom are the parents of Susannah, Eric and Will, who were born on the same day: May 25, 2000. The following entries highlight their joys, frustrations, complications, hilarity, tears and exhaustion over the last six years, and how triumphing with triplets means taking it all one day at a time.  Read more...

Q: What should I do when my 10-year-old gets homesick and wants to come home from overnight camp?  Read more...

If you visited this space last month, you may be among the many who thinking Chicago Parent is engaged in its own special episode of "Lost." It is true, we have lost several really wonderful people. But it is also true that we are hiring great people, some of whom you may already know.  Read more...

Last month, I wrote about a rough experience I had-an attempted carjacking. I received a number of calls and letters from readers who wanted to tell me what they thought.  Read more...

From the Chicago River to the Nippersink Creek, the rivers, creeks and lakes flowing through Chicago are perfect for a paddle.  Read more...

In the 41 years since the program's launch, millions of American families have been affected by Head Start. Even the program's harshest critics concede Head Start has benefitted children. Still, the federal Head Start budget was cut by 1 percent last year as a result of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2006. While it doesn't sound like much, it means $57.3 million less this fiscal year than last.

Baylie Owen is the busiest 7-year-old we've ever met. At an age when we were busy playing hopscotch, Baylie is already famous.  Read more...

Dear readers,
I am leaving Chicago Parent. My last edition will be the upcoming September magazine. I'm sorry that some of you had to find out first on our Web site rather than through me. But it happened fast and frankly, it surprised me.

"Seussical the Musical"
Out to Navy Pier we headed, our expectations were but few. We wondered: Will we love this show, or is it something we'll eschew?  Read more...

Click here to view the distribution list...  Read more...

"The Barnyard"
What could be more relaxing on a hot summer day than a bag of buttery popcorn, a cold soda, and a fun movie?  As long as you are seeing "The Barnyard," the answer is nothing. Kevin James voices Otis the Cow in this animated movie about how a single animal can make a difference in many lives.

Kim Edwards is excited about her students' futures. Although they are only in kindergarten, they are achieving more at 5 years old than their parents did.  Read more...

Volo Auto Museum
Even before my sons were able to speak, they demonstrated a huge interest in automobiles. One of their first words was "car." While the children were in diapers, my husband and I took them to car shows just to watch their excited faces.   Read more...

With his dad the vice chairman of Organization Us, the group that created Kwanzaa, Anthony Daniels-Halisi grew up in a home steeped in Kwanzaa celebrations. He knows the traditions and principals by heart and waxes poetic when he describes what the holiday means to him and his family.  Read more...

No season screams SPEND MONEY like the holiday season.  Read more...

As the parent of a 3-year-old, I live in a world that exists somewhere between reality and fantasy.  Read more...

I gave birth to four children. But on any given day, I have anywhere from six to eight hanging about. One day recently there were enough kids to form two full-sized baseball teams.  Read more...

Stop, drop and roll-this year, National Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 8-14. And given Chicago's history with blazes, we could use a primer. Here are all things incendiary, by the numbers:  Read more...

Debbie Rivera remembers watching her son Isaiah Roman, 5, imitate Power Rangers characters when he was young. "He'd try to do high kicks and use toy swords to pretend fight," she says.  Read more...

I remember spending most of third grade at my desk. While I don't recall exactly what I learned, I do have memories of being captivated by the motes of dust that floated around me, visible in the sunlight. Researchers would say that I wasn't making enough connections-a mistake that many teachers today, armed with knowledge of brain research, are not willing to make.  Read more...

Short stuff: Health
One day last spring, as her 8-year-old son Timothy raced around the playground during her older son's baseball game, an acquaintance said something to Ellen Wagner that made her pause.  Read more...

Carrying the world on your shoulders? Because our shoulders often end up carrying a majority of our tensions, here's a simple yoga stretch that can be done anywhere and anytime:  Read more...

South suburban focus
Dorothy Foreman of Calumet Park enrolled her 14-year-old son, William, in Big Brother Big Sister of Metropolitan Chicago hoping to find someone to fill the void William's father left.  Read more...

Give yourself a hand-washing, that is. National Handwashing Awareness Week is Dec. 3-9, and advocate Henry the Hand (www.henrythehand.com) wants you to spread the word, not germs. Soaped and rinsed for your sanitation, it's handwashing for the holiday season, by the numbers:  Read more...

Sometimes, life can be a pain. But when pain happens to our children, it can be excruciating for parents.  Read more...

Short stuff: Craft
Remember those new crayons you bought when your kids started school in August? A rainbow of sleek, smooth wax sticks nestled perfectly in a bright yellow box. By now, all that remains are stubby nubs barely big enough to grasp, let alone use to color.  Read more...

Every family has their holiday traditions, whether it is searching for pickle ornaments hidden in the Christmas tree, spinning dreidels during Hanukkah or drinking from the unity cup during Kwanzaa.  Read more...

His friends have started calling him Penny Boy.

But that's OK with 11-year-old Adam Smith. Smith made headlines last month when he donated a rare 1909 wheat penny worth about $3,000 to his school's penny drive raising funds for the new Children's Museum in Oak Lawn.

Middle school is NOT just about the hormones.

Terri Thorkildsen, education and psychology professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, wants parents and teachers to be clear on that. She says recent research about brain growth has shown middle school students have new parts of the brain trying to figure out how to talk to each other.

2006 Toy Test
When it comes to kids on the verge of teen-hood, the only things as cool as electronic gadgets are things that blow up, fly or otherwise give them a rush.  Read more...

Short stuff: Recall roundup
Mattel, along with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, voluntarily recalled 4.4 million Polly Pocket playsets due to small magnets that can fall out and be ingested. When more than one is swallowed, they can attract, causing intestinal blockage and perforation, infection and potentially fatal injuries. There have been 170 reports of magnets coming out of the Polly Pocket toys and three serious injuries.  Read more...

So long, Madison. Hello Ava and Aidan and all of his rhyming brothers, Caden, Braden and Jaden.  Read more...

Studies have shown that school buses are a safe mode of transportation for children-but the exhaust they release isn't. Buses in one school district, though, are starting to cut down on exhaust by using more environmentally friendly fuel.  Read more...

This might come as a shock to your kids, but before we started logging off with "G2G" and "CU L8R," people used actual words to close correspondence. With Universal Letter-Writing Week approaching Jan. 8-14, now's your chance to tear your tweens away from the computer and teach them the old-fashioned practice of putting pencil to paper. To inspire creativity-and help your kids do some good-here's letter writing, by the numbers...  Read more...

"The Velveteen Rabbit"
Put "The Velveteen Rabbit" on your to-do list during your kids' winter break from school. You'll get to revisit a favorite childhood story and invite your children to fall in love with Margery Williams' classic tale, which has just been beautifully adapted for the stage at Chicago's Lifeline Theatre by ensemble member Elise Kauzlaric. Now in its 24th season, this quaint theatre, which seats 95, features exposed brick walls that envelope theater goers in intimate quarters. 

Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library
Bolingbrook Park District
Chicago Ridge Public Library
And more...
 

Good cooking doesn't always run in the family, but in the Gerasole household in Evanston, it's so good it's become a business. Isabella, 11, and Olivia, 8, who have been cooking for three years, have filmed 38 shows for their Web-based cooking show, www.spatulatta.com. They have also appeared on "The Tonight Show" and won the James Beard Foundation/Viking Range Broadcast Media Award in the Web cast category.  Read more...

Amanda Elliott told her mom she'd "rather die than be fat." But as her life spun into anorexia nervosa and later into bulimia, Elliott remembers looking in the mirror and seeing something no one else saw.  Read more...

Another school year, another round of school shootings. And another difficult time for parents, who struggle to explain such violence to their children while wondering how to stop it.  Read more...

Miles Tisserand bounces into his Kindermusik class with his dad in tow, digging in his purple music bag to extract a homemade instrument before his jacket even comes off. The 5-year-old holds up his butter tub-turned-shaker and beams.  Read more...

Q: I have a 7-year-old who is fairly new to music, having taken one group session of piano lessons and now private half-hour piano lessons. She wants to take violin at school this fall because a good friend is taking it, but she is really enjoying piano and her teacher says she is doing very well. Would it be OK to have her learn to play both instruments as long as she has time to practice, or should she just stick with one?  Read more...

Health roundup - September 2006
Ever wonder what the best snack foods are for kids? Or how much juice they should drink? Pediatric dietician Patty Morse of Loyola University Medical Center sheds some light on children's nutrition.  Read more...

Ughhh, not that again!
Your teacher just said those two dreaded words. You know the ones-those two words that make the whole class go "ughhh." The words are included in a sentence something like this one: "This month I want you to pick historical fiction for your book report."

It's hard to believe, but it's true. A new school year is upon us. It is always a bit bittersweet to say goodbye to summer: We reflect on days at the beach or in the garden, but we also have regrets about the things we did not find time to do.  Read more...

Recall roundup - September 2006
Official recent recalls include:
Quicksilver Hide and Seek Girl's Hooded Sweatshirts could strangle a child because they do not meet safety guidelines. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, children's outerwear and sweatshirts should not have drawstrings on the hood. These $40 sweatshirts were sold at department stores across the country.

You're a new parent. You want childcare that's (a) nurturing, (b) stimulating and (c) doesn't require taking out a second mortgage. Where, and when, to begin your search?
* This is an updated version of a story that orginally ran in Chicago Parent.  Read more...

Ten Tips
'You know, you don't need to go around the world for a great adventure," said Ted, the Man with the Yellow Hat, in response to a reporter's question about his next adventure with Curious George.  Read more...

I remember the moment with perfect clarity. I had just been chatting on the phone with a college friend and was folding the laundry. The phone rang again. "Mrs. Mann, I'm afraid it was cancer."  Read more...

After two years of trying to conceive a second child, my husband, Tim, and I made a decision. We wanted another child, but neither of us wanted to start down the in vitro fertilization path.  Read more...

One Caesarean birth was enough for Wilmette mom Julie Lambert. She wanted to try natural birth the second-and third-time around.  Read more...

It's Sunday morning. It's freezing and windy outside. You've already been to the museums this winter, and the glow has already worn off the new toys your kids got for the holidays. You could just let them veg out in front of the TV, but you know you're going to have to come up with something educational, entertaining and inexpensive.  Read more...

Celebrity mom
It's a busy day in the studio for Kathy Hart. Actor Tim Robbins calls in for a chat, musician James Blunt walks into the studio for a performance that steals her breath away and work pals Eric and Melissa are trying to find her a new best friend.  Read more...

After seeing a bagpipe performance two years ago at the Chicago Celtic Festival, 15-year-old Brian Ostrega of Beverly decided to take up the instrument.  Read more...

As the mother of three animal-loving boys, I feel extremely grateful to live near two world-class zoos. Rarely a week goes by without a trip to either the Brookfield or Lincoln Park zoos. (In the interest of full disclosure, we're members at Brookfield, so we visit there more often.) Both are fantastic places for my boys to run around, as well as learn new things every time. Best of all, both are open every day.  Read more...

Mom-to-be tested travel
When I embarked on my first pregnancy last March, I think I heard something about couples taking luxury "babymoon" vacations to celebrate their last days of child-free capriciousness, but I was probably too busy throwing up to pay much attention.  Read more...

Who knew those delicious little yellow kernels were so versatile? Kids may not know it, but maize-better known as corn-can be a vegetable, starch, sweet or buttery treat.  Read more...

Kid-tested travel
What's come to be known as dinosaur heaven is a 90-minute drive northeast of Calgary in the old coal mining town of Drumheller. The rocky, lunar-like landscape is home to the renowned Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology and Dinosaur Provincial Park, one of the globe's richest dinosaur fossil graveyards.  Read more...

One mom's poignant memoir of postpartum depression
Asian-American achievers share their parents' secrets
An expert's tender, humorous guide to multiple pregnancy  Read more...

Now that my children are all close to being teens (the youngest is 12), it has come to my attention that numerous enjoyable activities are no longer possible. What follows is a partial list of things that don't work any more.  Read more...

Q. My husband and I are at our wits' ends. We both work and hardly see each other during the day. Our 5-year-old son used to go to bed about 8 p.m., and then my husband and I could spend some time together.  Read more...

Summer is over and the living is no longer so easy. School has started and we will be running until winter break. None of us needs another thing to think about right now.  Read more...

As my daughter edges closer to her third birthday, back-to-school takes on a new meaning for me. Too soon, I will be among the ranks of mothers filled with wonder and worry-like a coach on the sidelines-about my child's academic journey. Preschool is just the beginning.  Read more...

I am leaving Chicago Parent.
This edition is my last. I am starting a great new job as director of advocacy and communications at the Chicago Foundation for Women.  Read more...

Everyone should strive for it in their life
It's rare. We need more of it and less hate
It means you are comfortable with you
It's something everyone should have
It's when everyone tries to get along
Everyone deserves the absence of war  Read more...

Anyone who has ever stepped onto a school bus-or even walked past one-knows the smell of diesel exhaust. Kids are exposed to the fumes every day at school and, according to a new report, we could be doing more to reduce their exposure.  Read more...

Barney & Friends: Let's Make Music
I do not understand the fascination Barney holds for my sons, but each in turn has loved watching the big purple dinosaur. The interest seems to come on around 18 months and disappear by age 3. My 20-month-old is the one currently under Barney's spell, so he was excited to see me open the DVD containing a preview of the new season's shows. I have to admit that he loved what he saw.  Read more...

Classics like Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and What to Expect When You're Expecting are invaluable resources for any pregnant woman. But sometimes you don't want to stress out about your birth plan; you just want to know what type of fruit your baby is comparable to in size this week.  Read more...

Reader Essay
Childbirth has always seemed to me a personal act. So early in our pregnancy I decided not to allow anyone in the delivery room except my husband, midwife, and, if necessary, a doctor. The idea of an audience seeing me so vulnerable-exposed skin, loud, guttural moans-sent my blood pressure soaring.  Read more...

At 37 weeks of pregnancy, your nerves have probably kicked into high gear. Everyone is buoyed by your excitement. But during one of those routine obstetrician visits, your doctor gives you some news you weren't expecting to hear: your baby is in a breech postion.  Read more...

Aryan Madhu, 3, couldn't wait to be a big brother. So when he found out his mom, Anu, was pregnant, he was thrilled. But for many older siblings, adjusting to a new baby is tough. The key, experts say, is to involve big brothers and sisters in the planning, prepare them for the arrival and be sensitive to their feelings.
* This is an updated version of a story that originally ran in Chicago Parent.  Read more...

Fall 2006
Although my husband and I are still newlyweds, the baby talk has already started. When I really start thinking about having a baby, all that comes to mind are the questions I have and decisions that will have to be made.  Read more...

Click here to see other PPA members  Read more...

"Handy Manny"
My 3-year-old nephew Mikey can hardly wait for Sept. 16, when Disney premieres its new series "Handy Manny." And his parents can't wait either, because ever since Mikey received the preview DVD of this show, he has watched it over and over and over again.  Read more...

"Annie"
We laughed, she cried, it was a wonderful night at the theater.  Read more...

One Caesarean birth was enough for Wilmette mom Julie Lambert. She wanted to try natural birth the second and third time around. Moms considering a vaginal birth after Caesarean, or VBAC, now have more information available.
* This is an updated version of a story that orginally ran in Chicago Parent.

My son Will is old enough now to understand that there are many versions of the same songs. His almost-8-year-old ears are starting to differentiate between great, good, bad and horrific versions of the same tunes. I've spent some of this past year playing various artists' versions of the same songs for him with the intention of encouraging him to choose favorites.  Read more...

We are back in the groove. School, homework, reading assignments, soccer practice, gymnastics, piano lessons, go to bed early, get up early-we've only been in school one month and it feels like summer was a million years ago. And I'm the mom; I'm not even the one going to school.  Read more...

Lucy, who was not yet 2, was sitting in the bathtub playing with big foam letters. She would pick up a letter, name it, look to make sure we were watching and stick the letter to the side of the tub.  Read more...

Reader poll - March 2006
Spring break is just around the corner. For many families, that means getting out of town. So this month we asked readers to share their tips on traveling with the kids. Here is what you said:  Read more...

In last month’s column, I talked about the choices kids have for money—save, spend, donate and invest. Now it’s time to take a look at how to help kids set realistic goals for each of those four choices.  Read more...

Product test
My son’s car sickness wouldn’t be a huge problem if he didn’t live with us. That’s because our family is always embarking on some long journey—driving to Florida for spring break or heading to Peoria for a short visit. Even Grandma and Grandpa live more than an hour away.  Read more...

Reader Essay
I need a haircut. My 5-year-old son has recently learned how to maneuver his arms so that his hands dive in the direction of his interest. And his fingers, those miraculous little appendages, flex and close with a grip so tight that he rivals a grown man trying to open a pickle jar.  Read more...

For two weeks every two years, an opportunity to learn, play and have fun with your kids comes along—the Olympic Games. Next up: the Winter Olympics, Feb. 10-26 in Torino, Italy.  Read more...

After a cold Midwest winter, there is nothing more wonderful than spring. And even more wonderful is getting the chance to get up and get out of the house after being cooped up with the kids inside.  Read more...

By the numbers - March 2006
Easter is a religious observance celebrated on April 16—April 23 if you are orthodox. But even this early, we are already flooded with bunnies, baskets, eggs, hunts and the need to buy our Easter finery. Early Easter by the numbers:  Read more...

Spring 2006
Katina held my hand. Kevin timed the contractions as my husband barrelled our car down Lake Shore Drive to Northwestern Memorial Hospital—just hours before my first boy came barrelling into the world.  Read more...

Q: My child started the clarinet in fourth grade as part of a school program. Now, a year later, she wants to switch instruments. Should I be firm and have her stick with the clarinet or be flexible and let her explore?  Read more...

Meg Ormiston’s 10-year-old son Patrick is lucky. His school doesn’t participate in the National School Lunch program. That means his mom can keep signing him up for the Cozi Corner hot dog lunches and Dippin’ Dots Days at his District 63 school in Darien. The program rewards kids with ice cream for four weeks of hard work.  Read more...

ReaderEssay
We 21st century families are impressive travelers. Chatting with parents on the school playground after winter break is a vicarious trip around the globe. Perhaps it is our multicultural surroundings. Ours is also a magnet school that focuses on foreign languages. Either way, we hunger to discover other cultures.  Read more...

ReaderEssay
What do you call that point in life when all your career aspirations and fierce independence dissolve into a desire to move within a mile of your parents? Oh yes. New parenthood.  Read more...

Here’s a parenting pop quiz for you: What’s the ISAT? IMAGE? PSAE? NCLB? AYP?

Eyes glazing over? Don’t worry; it’s just standardized testing time again. And this year, No Child Left Behind (that would be NCLB) kicks into full gear—which means these assessments are required in more grades than ever before.

Recall roundup
As Chicago Parent reported in February, a Washington state toddler died last November after ingesting magnets from a Magnetix construction set. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recently recalled all Magnetix sets, citing this death, four serious injuries involving surgery and intensive care and 34 other reports of problems with the products.  Read more...

Can we talk? There is something we need to get straight.  Read more...

Moms deserve a break on Mother’s Day, but for moms who want something more than breakfast in bed, check out this list of brunches on May 14.  Read more...

It has been said that whoever coined the phrase "the terrible 2s" obviously never had a 3-year-old. Since my twins, Charlie and Sophie, spent the first half of their 3s perfecting the art of fighting, I’ve come to believe the truth of that phrase.  Read more...

The Brookfield Zoo of my childhood was green and gray, its wide lawns dotted with concrete animal houses and grottos, nothing like today’s colorful zoo. Decorated with bright animal signs and fun sculptures, the zoo is filled with colorful places for kids to play, including fountains, streams, playground equipment and a brand new carousel.  Read more...

The Surprising Power of Family Meals: How Eating Together Makes Us Smarter, Stronger, Healthier, and Happier
Confessions of a Naughty Mommy: How I Found My Lost Libido
Father and Son Read-Aloud Stories, retold by Robert Gould  Read more...

My husband and I got married when I was 42. Because of my age and my mom’s history of multiple miscarriages, I thought having a child would be impossible. So when I became pregnant two months after we were married and then miscarried three months later, I was surprised by the sense of grief I felt. I really did want a child.

I just received my credit card statement today, and good news! I earned enough miles from my charges this month to fly around the world for free—twice. The bad news is that none of the items on the statement still reside in my house. They were all birthday presents for my son’s friends.  Read more...

"I got two sparrows!" declared Jack Benish, 5, doing his best to give his mom highlights from his successful bowling game. (Sparrows…spares…it’s all the same when you’re 5.)  Read more...

Preparing family meals can be tricky. Catering to the fickle food preferences of my children is always a challenge. It was the summer I became obsessed with food-borne illness, however, when things got especially dicey around our table.  Read more...

It's Saturday in the Nordstrom shoe department. Hordes of people are here, making it difficult to maneuver through the labyrinth of footwear. The din of shopper's voices rises above the murmur of smooth jazz and makes it difficult to concentrate on the task at hand.  Read more...

When I discovered I was pregnant, the last thing on my mind was my hair. I was too busy wondering what the baby's sex was (girl), decorating the nursery (moon and stars) and finding the perfect name (Tessa). But when my highlights began to grow out, I was suddenly faced with a decision many pregnant women confront: Should I dye or not?  Read more...

I was one of the lucky kids. I could read in the car for hours without feeling so much as a twinge of nausea. Not so for my husband. From the day we found out I was pregnant, he regaled me with revolting stories of the car sickness he battled in his youth.  Read more...

The summer is over. School has started. Soon the leaves will start to change and the evenings will get cooler. But that doesn't mean the kids won't have anything fun to do.  Read more...

Follow in the footsteps of this parent and laugh
Guide helps parents analyze the many childcare options
Book examines the role moms play in kids' sports  Read more...

We put up baby gates, enforce early bedtimes and help with homework. Parents are a multi-talented bunch when it comes to anticipating kids' needs, so why is it that we're like deer caught in the headlights when it comes to figuring out how to pay for college?  Read more...

Ahhhh, sleep. The cool feeling of the sheets against your skin. The soft spot on your pillow when you flip it over.  Read more...