Parenting

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In honor of National Foster Care Month in May, we offer some reading recommendations. These books are a way to help children and other family members understand foster care and be aware of how it impacts everyone. ...

Abby Dosen, of Independence, knows firsthand how easy it is for mothers to lose themselves in the daily demands of raising children. Dosen’s book, “Realistic Self Care for Moms: A Guided Journal for Taking Care of You While Taking Care of Them,” grew out of a deeply personal realization: that the version of self-care many moms chase isn’t the one that actually sustains them. The idea that self-care should shift from an occasional indulgence to consistent, daily support is at the heart of her message. ...

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If it feels like siblings can go from laughing to arguing in seconds, often over something that seems insignificant, it’s not unusual. In fact, what looks like “annoying for no reason” is usually part of normal childhood development. ...

Between managing schedules, remembering school forms, coordinating meals and keeping track of everyone else’s needs, modern motherhood often comes with an invisible checklist that never really turns off. For a growing number of moms, self-care isn’t about occasional pampering — it’s about finding creative, sometimes unexpected ways to make daily life more sustainable. ...

Sponsored: You may think that getting on the water requires owning a boat or belonging to a private club. In reality, programs like those at The Foundry are designed to be accessible, beginner-friendly, and welcoming to kids of all backgrounds and skill levels. ...

Sponsored Content: Today, preparation looks different. Children need knowledge while also learning to problem solve, adapt to an ever-changing world, and engage meaningfully with their environment. ...

Jason Lea, dad columnist, shares that parents might not always like what their kids are into, but finds a way to meet in the middle. ...

Memories of a worm invasion have our editor, Angela Gartner, thinking about all the ways we can help our children embrace nature this season. ...