Tag: reading

Dear Mr. Dad: My husband and I have a 1-month old. When’s the right time to start reading to her? And is there a "right" way to do it?

If there is one gift that every parent should give his or her child, it’s a love of reading and stories. At this age, you can read just about anything to your baby, from War and Peace to the installation guide to your dishwasher. The goal isn’t to educate, it’s to get her used to the sound of the language and to make a connection to a peaceful activity.

Reading. Something we do every day, in many ways. We read street signs, we read directions, we read texts and emails, we read instructions on everything from setting up a baby crib to how your manager wants you to approach a new project.

As an author, I read all the time. My own work ("that was awful" – delete!), other people’s work (endlessly), even my wine bottle. Ah yes, my new fav is a wine is labeled "Well-Read!" I kid you not, the label is a painting of a cozy nook with shelves of books—how could I resist?!

The bedroom is the place where you have your most intimate moments and also a place where you need to be your most comfortable and relaxed. Sometimes our personal habits can put us at odds with our spouse, interfering with sleep and relaxation, as well as intimacy.

These etiquette tips will help keep your shared space a retreat where you can relax and unwind together.

1. Compromise on the thermostat. You like the room so cool at night that you can see your breath; he spends night after night shivering.

Spring break is coming up fast, and busy parents around the country are trying to find answers to the age-old question:

How do I make the most of my child's break?

School breaks can be incredibly daunting for any parent. Plus, they get exponentially harder if the child has behavioral, social, or learning difficulties. And this leads to outbursts, tantrums, or full-on melt-downs. How do parents not only stop these tantrums from happening, but also keep their children productively engaged and occupied during the break?

Moms, are you enjoying the summer?  What plans have you made for your family?  I’d like to give you some ideas of how to make this the best summer ever for your family.

Here are my seven strategies for making the most of S.U.M.M.E.R.:

Send out invitations to arrange play dates for the children and social get-togethers. The summer provides terrific opportunities to catch up with long lost friends or family members.