Mother’s laws of nature
Am I losing my mind or do the following Laws of Familial Physics occur universally in families around the globe?

Tips for getting your newborn to sleep
How to get your baby to sleep so the whole family can enjoy a full night of rest.

Plunged into puberty
Brenda Benjamin doesn’t know who was more scared the day her 8-year-old daughter started her period.

I love Mamma
A few years ago, on what now seems like a different planet, I was a newspaper reporter writing about child and family issues.

Moms in motion

Aches and pains you didn't expect

Everyone is doing it

Last December, my then 5-year-old daughter begged me to get her ears pierced. After a lot of thought, I agreed.

Styling moms
It’s this season’s ultimate feel-good fashion tip: You don’t need an $800 handbag to be stylish.

Give yourself a break
I just discovered I taped over the video of the first year of my son’s life.

Letters
Kids need dads
Safety of the children
Growing up green
Make a visit to the library

Room for two?
My suburban town swings with minivans. At grocery stores and playgrounds they unload, three, four, five or more youngsters

Rocking out with our redheads
When Jack, our first child, was born with red hair we were pleasantly surprised.

Out and about
When Patricia Harris set out to fill a book with quotes by and about mothers, she worried she wouldn’t find enough.

Money ‘notes’ for every family
I have been following my own money advice for many years now.

Helmets a must for child’s safety
After one of our coldest and snowiest winters in recent memory, kids are finally back on their bikes, scooters,

Just a little off the top

The surest tip-off that times-are-a-changin’ was this simple statement: "Mom, I need a new comb,"

FAB mama
If you are looking for a few fun cards to send to your girlfriends for Mother’s Day,

Eating for yourself once again
Becoming a mother changes everything: our sleep, bodies, work schedule and relationship with our spouse.

A gift from the heart
Kids and dads out there, are you ready for Mother’s Day this year?

The importance of the past
Clarissa Minge never had a box of photos, a stack of report cards or even a family tree.

May flowers
Flowers bloom in May and remind us that Chicago isn’t the worst place to live after all.

Collecting pennies for peace
When an injured American mountaineer, being nursed back to health by villagers in Pakistan’s northern frontier providence,

Follow the herd
When Beth and Danny Tischler pack up their kids to visit their family-owned business, they leave their suburban Darien

Not just for night owls
An event that takes place overnight in downtown Chicago doesn’t sound all that family-friendly.

Bake sales battle childhood hunger
Shipping up a batch of brownies in your kitchen can be a first step in fighting childhood hunger around the country.

Get the scoop
Guy Stehley, president of Summit Fresh Ice Cream and Gelato in Libertyville, could tell you a thing or two about ice cream

Help for common disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, better known by its acronym GERD, is common and underdiagnosed in children

Helping kids beat muscle pain
If your young athlete struggles with muscle pains or weakness, there is a solution you might not know about.

Playing cards takes the angst out of math
Multiplication drills, flash cards, worksheets. No wonder kids learn to hate math.

A teacher to know
Jean Baldikoski is a retired English and journalism teacher and an educational consultant for grades 2 through 12

Reebok pays $1 million civil penalty
Reebok has agreed to pay a record $1 million fine for violating the Federal Hazardous Substances Act,

Celebrate mom’s special day
The six poems talk to us about events in the life of a growing-up baby. It begins with "Baby Face."

An unexpected treat
It was about 6:20 in the evening when I sat down to read the daily newspaper after a long, exhausting day of meetings

Travel from the early 20th century to present day
Violet’s big sister Chloe is gone and their parents refuse to even speak her name.

May 1, 2008
Get out there and play. If your little ones love monkeying around the house pretending they’re circus performers give them a little inspiration at CircEsteem and the Chicago Youth Circus’ 7th Annual Spring Circus. The circus, at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday, is performed by a troupe of kids 8-18 who will showcase their talents at Alternatives, 4730 Sheridan Road, Chicago.

May 8, 2008
Get out there and play. Pack a picnic for your family and head over to the Cultural Center of Indian Boundary Park, 2500 W. Lunt Ave., Chicago, for Sunday in the Park with Civic at 3 p.m. The interactive percussion concert will be performed by the Civic Orchestra Chamber Youth Ensemble. During the concert, families are encouraged to dance and sway with the music. The concert will give families the opportunity to listen to and learn about classical music.

May 15, 2008
Get out there and play. This weekend get to know your city and unveil its secrets during Great Chicago Places and Spaces. The annual event offers more than 200 free tours. From movable bridges and movie landmarks to chocolates and LEGOs, the tours will fill your family with plenty of history and in many cases, lots of exercise.

May 22, 2008
Get out there and play. This weekend, take time to celebrate our country’s service men and women and the freedom they fight for. The Memorial Day holiday, originally known as Decoration Day, was started to recognize Union soldiers who perished during the Civil War. According to Wikipedia.org, the holiday was altered after World War I to include service men and women who died during any war or military action. Celebrate our fallen soldiers by going to a parade to salute our troops or attend an event that will give your family insight into the holiday.

May 29, 2008
Get out there and play. Set your eyes on the skies this weekend when you head out to the Army Wings & Wheels Air Show at the Poplar Grove Airport, 11619 Route 76, Poplar Grove. During the two-day air-show-meets-road-rally event, your family can watch vintage World War II aircraft and military vehicles during demonstrations, take-off and landing competitions, displays and talks with former military pilots, including a Tuskegee airman. Plenty of World War II re-enactors will also be on hand.