Recent studies show that kids living in homes with dogs get sick less often than those in pet-free homes and that babies who lived with cats or dogs had fewer allergies later in life. Living with a pet also can help curious little ones begin to develop empathy and kindness toward others. Here’s what to know to help kids and pets live together peacefully, from birth through the teen years. ...

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Angelic images of smiling siblings make crowd-pleasing Facebook fodder, but the reality of life with two or more children is decidedly less picture-perfect. Toddler-age siblings clash more than six times per hour; siblings age 7 and younger fight, on average, every 20 minutes. Also, fights that get physical can leave lasting physical and emotional scars. If sibling fighting is stealing the peace in your household, read on for relief. ...

From babes who fight bedtime to teens who skip sleep to surf the net, kids of all ages experience sleep troubles. And regardless of age, all kids need enough rest — sleep deprivation in children is linked to academic trouble, behavior problems and even weight gain. Learn age-specific advice for helping your growing child sleep well, starting tonight. ...

Trading summer’s relaxed sleep schedule for a school-year routine is an important part of back-to-school prep. While you can’t make your kids celebrate summer’s end, you can plan for brighter mornings and happier days with these tips. ...