Forbes reports that over 8.9 million mobile apps are available across all platforms. With all the available apps, it is a challenge for parents to know which apps are safe and which we should avoid.The research on how screens and device access affect our mental health is not new, but it is eye-opening. A National Center of Biotechnology Information study lists reduced attention, impaired emotional and social intelligence, adverse impact on cognitive development, isolation, and other harmful effects. But even if we maintain healthy boundaries for us and our kids with screens, how do we know wha ..read more

Our first baby had colic. Colic! Any couple who has enjoyed caring for a fussy newborn with tummy trouble understands exactly how that incessant crying invades your happy home. Let me back up. We were in the middle of remodeling a house. It was in the expensive San Francisco Bay Area, so renting an apartment while we disrupted the house was not an option. Yep. Right when the house was completely upside down, I got the baby bug. My husband, Steve, was less than excited about my timing. He reasoned with me, but I was convinced that adding a new baby would hardly imp ..read more

With the over-packed schedules we have today, it's more important than ever to make family time a priority. It's too easy after a long, tiring week to simply sit in front of a screen. However, family bonds that happen when families come together to play games leaves an indelible bond, but also leaves a legacy for the next generation. However, it is easy to get tired of the same old board games. Families need to think outside the box and create new games for the family to liven up their game night routine. While there's nothing wrong with playing board games, playing new games as a family will ..read more

As a child, I grew up with a controlling mother. She micro-managed everything I did, even into adulthood. It felt confining and, at times, suffocating. I felt as if I didn't get a chance to become an adult independent from my family. Although she did it to protect me, I had difficulty making family bonds through adulthood.Now that I'm a parent of two adult children, I have difficulty finding the tension between giving my support and my opinion. As their parent, I was the primary disciplinarian. I did my best to raise them into independent, well-adjusted kids. Now that they're adults, it is mor ..read more

When a child repeats phrases like, "I am brave," "I am kind," or "I am enough," it's not just wishful thinking – it's planting seeds of self-belief ..read more

Family night is a great way to bond together while doing activities that every person finds enjoyable. However, for families that participate in family night often, it is easy to get into a rut and not have many ideas for new and different activities. Depending on what you can spend in your budget, there are great, affordable activities. Instead of going to watch a movie where everyone stares at a screen, there are some unique bonding experiences that every person can do that are fun for the whole family. Here are some fun ideas for your next family night:Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Geber86 ..read more

The years of being a loving couple are rewarding, even if they sacrifice much of our time. Be sure to invest in your relationship in as many ways as possible while sacrificing time, money, and other resources. Spouses who emotionally invest in their relationship may find that as the kids grow up and move away, their relationship is stronger than ever ..read more

Encouraging kids to read can be a difficult task. To be completely honest, I didn't enjoy reading until I was in the seventh grade. For many of us, it takes trial and error until we finally find a book that makes us fall in love with reading.The same is true for your children. Your kids need to find a book that sparks their interests and makes them want to read. This book will be different for each child, but once you find this book, your child will be hooked on reading. If you are hoping to get your kids eager to read books, you are in the right place. Here are five books to encourage yo ..read more

Studies have shown that less than five percent of American men take paternity leave. Paternity leave is the equivalent of maternity leave for mothers; however, it is not as well known. Most of the time, when a couple has a baby, only the mother takes time off from work. This is a great misfortune because men can also benefit from paternity leave.By taking time to go home and spend time with their wife and new baby, new dads will be able to cultivate their relationship with their family. Even though the average time men take off for paternity leave is one week, new dads need to take more time o ..read more

Effective financial planning creates a stable foundation for your family, fostering an environment where love, support, and shared experiences flourish ..read more