Parent Life

Recent articles

DC Thrifty Mom Nicole Luke and her Family, North Petworth, Washington, DC

THE LUKE FAMILY AT DC’S TAKOMA PARK RECREATION CENTER By Dawn Van Osdell Just a few short years ago, Nicole Luke was working for the Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s now defunct

Kid-Lit Author Linda Urban on the Joys of Reading

By Lela Nargi Having just released her latest book, an action-packed mystery for kids age 7-10 called Milo Speck, Accidental Agent, kid novelist Linda Urban took time out of her busy

Clean-Water Activist Andrea Neal on Raising Eco-Conscious Kids

By Dawn Van Osdell It started with an unexpected life-changing moment at a Jack Johnson concert—a performance often celebrated for its conservation message as much as for its music. In

Profiles of Childhood: Jessica Asfar, Fashion Student and Sitter, New York, NY

Our childhoods shape us and prepare us, not only for our own lives, but for the joys and values we’ll pass on to others. As told to Lela Nargi My

Profiles of Childhood: Nicole Miles, Doula and Sitter, Chicago, IL

As told to Lela Nargi I grew up on the Southwest side of Chicago and I’m the oldest of three girls. My parents were high school sweethearts and have been

Julie G. is the Pied Piper of Tiny Urban Scientists

By Lela Nargi For the past several years, kids have been STEMed up the wazoo as the national conversation about education—and more particularly, what’s wrong with it—has centered on a

Don’t Stress The Homework: We Bust 3 Myths to Show You How

By Barbara Dianis Homework is an integral part of the journey to be educated for students everywhere. But it can cause tremendous arguments when three misunderstandings and misconceptions are prevalent

Courtney Brockmeyer Pays it Forward with Backpacks and School Supplies

By Dawn Van Osdell Parental guilt can be a powerful motivator. In 2013, Courtney Brockmeyer, like many working moms, felt enslaved by the long, stressful hours that often come with

News You Can Use: Lighten Up! Humor Helps Kids Learn

By Dawn Van Osdell A team of French scientists has reported in the journal Cognition and Emotion that laughter doesn’t just make us feel good. It also helps us learn. The researchers,

Making Sense of Screen Time: Is It Really So Bad for Our Kids?

By Dawn Van Osdell There’s a lot of contradictory and downright erroneous parenting info floating around out there. We’re not afraid to tackle it head-on! It’s been drilled into our