Parents

Credit: Moonbug Entertainment For most kids, the school year has begun. Kids and parents are adjusting to a whole new routine, which might take time, negotiation, and the occasional reward for good behavior. Yes, showing kids that good listening and following directions and house rules results in a treat isn’t bribery—it’s positive reinforcement.

Credit: Thanasis Zovoilis / Getty Images Uninvolved parenting can hurt a child’s emotional, social, and school development. Kids need attention, affection, guidance, and support to feel safe and cared for. Parents can learn healthier ways to connect with their kids and break harmful family patterns. Of all the parenting styles, uninvolved parenting—sometimes called neglectful parenting—is often considered the most harmful.

Credit: Parents Sensory toys have been steadily gaining popularity over the years, with squishies currently reigning supreme. These little trinkets are often made of slow-rising foam, gel-filled plastic, or silicone. And they’re everywhere, which is great since sensory play is so important for kids. Here’s everything you need to know about squishies, including our top picks and important safety info.

Credit: MoMo Productions / Getty Images Kindergarten is a time of great learning. Kids get to try new things and practice basic academic skills, including the fundamentals of math. Their kindergarten lesson plan will likely include counting, number recognition, writing numerals, simple math facts, and identifying shapes. To reinforce their understanding, you can complete simple at-home activities with your little one, such as these free kindergarten math worksheets.

Credit: Oscar Gutierrez Zozulia / Getty Images Parenting is full of bittersweet moments as kids grow, and it’s okay to feel both pride and grief at the same time. The small, everyday moments with your kids often become the most cherished memories later on. Staying present and savoring time with your kids now can help you feel more connected and fulfilled as they grow. It’s the first week of September. We have the same drill every year. Buy school supplies and plan the first-day outfit.

Credit: Felix Chacon/Stocksy • Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is common during pregnancy and can make it hard to sleep. • Iron deficiency and other factors like anxiety or high estrogen levels may cause RLS in pregnancy. • RLS usually goes away shortly after giving birth, but there are ways to manage it now. When you’re visibly pregnant, you’ll often hear that tongue-in-cheek reminder to “sleep while you can.” That can get a bit challenging if you can’t get your legs to settle down.

Credit: Visit Ventura Amusement parks might be the go-to vacation destination for families and they have their place, but there’s something special about connecting with nature and showing children just how vast, varied and wild our country really is. National parks are my bread and butter for family vacations, and I have a not-so-secret wish to visit all 63 official parks with my family of five before my three kids, ages 3, 8 and 13, are grown.

Credit: Hany Bahgat / Getty Images • Persian baby names are rich in history, often inspired by ancient literature, mythology, and cultural influences. • Many Persian names have beautiful meanings, like “noble,” “beloved,” or “defender of mankind,” making them meaningful choices for your child. • Persian names often have variations across cultures, offering flexibility and inclusivity for families of diverse backgrounds.

Credit: GettyImages/Eleganza All summer, my kids woke up when it was still dark outside, and immediately proceeded to stuff their faces with Funfetti mini muffins and Eggos. They had zero health issues as a result of this, or with all of the other junk food they inhaled throughout the rest of the day—from Cheetos to pizza—for 99% of lunches.

Credit: Verywell / Photo Illustration by Michela Buttignol / Getty Images Oh, the fun you can have with the letter “O!” From celebrity names like Oprah and Octavia to historical names such as Ophelia and Orson, there is no shortage of “O” names to choose from when picking a name for your little one. Here, we’ve rounded up the most popular names that begin with the letter “O,” all of which make unique options to help your baby boy or girl stand out from the crowd.