Home and Family
Navigating Conversations with Children About Obesity
Building healthy habits at home is a great way to teach children and teens behaviors that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Top 10 Scents to Make Your House Smell Good Naturally
Think about the signature scent you would like to create – or even a different one for each room.
Simmer Pot Recipes for a Fresh-Smelling Home
Simmer pot recipes are an easy, affordable and natural way to have your home smelling good. Check out our recipes.
Introducing Our New Look on A Healthier Michigan
Welcome to A Healthier Michigan! We’ve got a fresh new look and new design features that are ready to help everyone in Michigan get healthier – from the inside out.

5 Insider Tips on How to Shop Smarter and Healthier at the Grocery Store
Registered dietician Shanthi Appelö shares five tips for how to shop smarter and healthier in the grocery store.
6 Signs Your Child Needs Glasses
Children can react to vision problems with signs and symptoms like distractibility and hyperactivity that could be confused with those of ADHD.
5 Fun and Creative Ways to Get Your Kids Involved in Cooking
Want to sharpen your child’s cooking skills early? These easy, creative tips can make for a fun family experience in the kitchen.
How to Keep Kids Healthy During Summer Sports Practice
Summertime can be a busy season for kids and sports. Here’s a few tips to keep active kids healthy.
How to Show Your Dad Appreciation
There are 72 million fathers across the U.S. Here’s how to show appreciation on Father’s Day.
Caregiving Can Be Stressful. Here Is How to Ask for Help.
Often unpaid caregivers sacrifice their health and well-being to meet the needs of a loved one. Here are some tips from the experts on how to ask for help.
How to Spot Common Food Allergies in Children
Offices, classrooms and even restaurants often have signs that warn of food allergies. Here’s how parents can stay ahead of them.
Ideas for a Healthy and Happy Mother’s Day
It’s time to get those Mother’s Day plans in order. Here are some food and activity-based ideas that the whole family is sure to enjoy.
Mother’s Day 2023: Michigan Events to Celebrate with Mom This Year
From Detroit to Holland to Kalamazoo, there are Mother’s Day markets, outdoors events and live shows happening all over Michigan in 2023.
Support Groups for Parents of Children with Autism
Parents of children who have autism may feel the need for some extra support. Here’s how to find it.
Ways We All Can Help Prevent Childhood Obesity
One of the most common chronic illnesses in children is obesity – affecting more than 14.4 million children in the U.S. today.
Accessible and Inclusive Playgrounds Around the State
Accessible and Inclusive Playgrounds Around the State
Easy Ways to Eat Healthy During Pregnancy
Cravings come and go, but healthy eating during pregnancy is easy to accomplish.
Fun Family Activities Perfect for Spring
Warm weather is a great time to get outside with your kids. Give these age-group specific activities a try this spring!
Mindfulness-Based Techniques to Calm Kids’ Anxiety
About 7% of U.S. children between age 3 and 17 have diagnosed anxiety. Rates are rising, but mindfulness-based coping techniques can help.
Benefits of Family Meals
People are cooking more and eating in. Research shows there are many benefits associated with eating together as a family.
Plan a Healthy ‘Yes Day’ With Your Kids
There are plenty of ways to take the carefree “Yes Day” concept into summer for a healthy way to connect with your kids. Here are some suggestions.
Two Easy and Kid-friendly Healthy Breakfast Ideas
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for kids. Here are two healthy breakfast ideas for children.
Sensory Spaces for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
For people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, spaces that are too-bright or too-loud can be painfully overwhelming. Sensory-friendly activities can help.
Do I Need to See a Doctor if I Have a Cold?
Most bouts with a cold can be handled at home, but other times your body may send warning signs that professional medical help is needed.
How to Deal With the Loss of Your Pet
Losing a pet can be very difficult. They’re more than just animals. Often, they are beloved members of the family.
5 Easy Ways To Improve Your Speech at Home
Practice speaking clearly with these 5 easy speech techniques to help you feel more confident.
How to Get Your Kids Excited About Produce
Getting your kids excited about produce has a lot to do with how parents approach it, and how you add in the fun.
How to Teach Kids Easy Container Gardening in 4 Steps
Teaching kids container gardening can help them create a great relationship with fresh foods and healthy eating.
5 Simple Ways to Keep Your Preschooler Healthy
Keeping your preschooler healthy can be difficult. Check out these simple reminders to help strengthen their immune system and teach healthy habits.
Understanding Autism in Children
Autism affects the way a person communicates and interacts with others. It does not affect all people equally, rather there are varying degrees of severity.
Race to Recess: How Unstructured Play Helps Kids
One-third of children are overweight or obese, leaving room for a host of other health complications. So what can be done to help?
A Parent’s Guide to Dietary Discussions
Knowing how to talk to a child about their health is key to empowering them to make smart choices. Here are tips on how to start a dialogue.
Postpartum Depression: When to Seek Help
When it’s not the “baby blues,” certain symptoms following childbirth could be postpartum depression. Here’s how to tell the difference.
Caregiving During the Holidays: Tips to Navigate Gatherings
Contributor Julie Edgar of the AAA 1-B offers advice on how caregivers of older adults can navigate holiday family gatherings to make them fun and manageable.
Best Gifts for Kids & Babies This Year
Dr. Angela Seabright advises on the best toys for children and babies this holiday season to help them grow and learn.
Real vs. Artificial Trees: What’s Best for You?
It comes down to personal choice, but there’s a lot to consider when deciding between a real Christmas tree and an artificial one.
Preparing to Get Pregnant? 5 Things to Do
Preparation for a healthy pregnancy starts before conception. Here’s how to get your body ready.
Who’s Caring for the Caregivers?
Taking care of a sick or elderly family members is an extremely noble act. But be careful not to abandon your own self care.
New Safe Sleep Guidelines for Infants
Thousands of babies die in sleep-related circumstances annually. New sleep guidelines are meant to advise parents and caregivers on ways to keep infants safer.
Fight Childhood Obesity with Go, Glow and Grow Foods
The typical American diet favors convenience foods over health. The “go, glow and grow foods” concept can help kids make healthier choices.
What You Need to Know About Measles
Cases of the measles have been down in the United States since 2019, but the infectious viral disease should still be taken seriously.
Healthy Halloween Snacks to Make with Your Kids
Want to take some of your kids’ focus off of candy? Try these fun Halloween-themed snacks, all built around fruit.
Simple Tips for Getting Your Kids Reading Ready for School
If you feel like your kids were in the “summer slump” when it came to reading, here are tips to get them on track this school year.
Pregnancy Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Women can experience physical and emotional changes during pregnancy, but some warning signs should not be ignored.
How to Bond with Your Baby Without Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not the only way to connect and reinforce that bond with your baby. Learn about other ways to bond with your baby.
The Truth About Breastfeeding and Weight Loss
Breastfeeding does burn a lot of calories, but expecting weight loss can set unrealistic expectations and get in the way of your relationship with your baby.
Breastfeeding Basics for New Moms
There are numerous benefits to breastfeeding an infant for both mom and baby. Here's what new moms should know about breastfeeding basics.
Helping Children Get Acquainted with a New School
A new school can be a hard transition for children, tweens and teens to navigate. Read up on ways to help your child build confidence this school year.
Essentials for Pumping and Storing Breastmilk
Pumping and storing breastmilk does take additional supplies and planning – but can help provide infants with many of the same benefits of direct breastfeeding.
When is it Too Hot for Kids to Play Outside?
Children cannot regulate their body temperature the way adults can, so parents should be proactive this summer when kids play outside.
Table Talks: Discussing Dad Life
Fatherhood poses unique challenges for men. From raising children to keeping themselves healthy, parenting is unlike any other experience.
Cheap or Free Summer Activities for Michigan Families
If you want to create family memories at every turn this summer without breaking the bank, here are 12 family-friendly activities you can enjoy on the cheap:
Strawberry Picking in Michigan: Why You Should Go & Tips For When You Do
Fresh Michigan strawberries are a wonderful summer treat, especially when you pick them yourself!
Add a Personal Touch to Mother’s Day with DIY Gift Ideas
Whether you’re someone helping a child prepare a gift or you’re in need of a DIY project for your own mom, we’ve got you covered with two ideas.
What is Alopecia?
For a lot of people, sudden hair loss can be traumatic. Here are the causes of alopecia, and how it can be treated.
Autism Awareness Month: Jonathan’s Story
A Michigan mom shares the story of her family’s journey with autism and how she wants more understanding for people like her son.
Five Danger Zones in Your House for Pets and Children
Are you aware of the danger zones in your home? Areas like the laundry room, medicine cabinet and garage can pose serious threats if not properly secured.
Baby Sleep Safety: What Parents Need to Know
It's important for parents and caregivers to take steps to keep their babies as safe as possible. Here are the do's and don'ts of baby sleep safety.
What Age and How Often Should Kids Get an Eye Exam?
Visiting the eye doctor may seem intimidating, especially to kids, but it could make all the difference when testing for visual development and abnormalities.
How Cold is too Cold for your Pet?
Your pet’s size, weight and ability to store body fat should be considered, along with temperature, when taking your fur baby out into the winter cold.
Ways to Teach Your Kids Sledding Safety
Before they step into a sled, hop into a saucer or snow tube, here are ways to teach your kids sledding safety.
How to Explain Diversity to Your Kids
From simple observations to weighty explanations, there are lots of ways to explain diversity to your kids.
Tips for Talking to Children after a Traumatic Event
Chatting with your child about traumatic events can be tricky. Discussing such a sensitive topic requires patience and an open line of communication.
Six Tips to Manage your Child’s Epilepsy
An open line of communication and plenty of encouragement are two of the many ways your family can help manage a child’s epilepsy condition.
Toy Safety 101: Kid-Friendly Checklist
Are your child's toys safe? Each year, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized due to toy-related injuries.
Holiday Travel Tips During the Pandemic
The U.S. has seen a boost in travel since COVID-19 vaccines rolled out. Here are some travel tips as we approach the holidays.
Getting Married? When to Switch to a Family Health Care Plan
Getting married means lots of decisions lie ahead. Health insurance is one of them. Here’s how to know when to switch to a family health care plan.
Spooky and Safe Ways to Celebrate Halloween
This Halloween, there are more health considerations to keep in mind beyond the usual sugar rush. Here are some safe, healthy alternative ways to celebrate.
What to Do if Your Prescription Costs Too Much
List prices of hundreds of medications have jumped in the past year. What should you do if your prescription costs too much?
How to Help Your Child Make Healthy Eating Choices at School
How can you help kids make healthy choices when they buy lunch? It’s important to educate children on nutrition and how to make healthy decisions on their own.
Back-to-School: Backpack Health
As kids bring more and more home in their backpacks, make sure their backs stay healthy and strong by following these guidelines.
How to Clean a Home If You Are Worried about Lead Paint, Dust or Chips
Lead-based paint and fixtures can be a danger to kids living in older homes. Here are some cleaning tips to help keep your family safe.
Breastfeeding Benefits Beyond Just Keeping Baby Fed
From bonding to healthier teens, there are lots of breastfeeding benefits beyond just keeping a baby fed.
Immunization 101: The vaccines your child needs to stay healthy
August is National Immunization Awareness Month and we’re reminding parents about the immunizations that their kids need to stay healthy.
Ways to Help Your Kids Transition Back to School for In-Person Learning
After virtual classes, video lessons and hybrid learning, here’s how to help kids transition to in-person learning.
Keep Ticks Away: New Apps to Keep Those Tiny Bugs at Bay
Hikers, campers and people working in their yards are reporting a tick explosion this summer. New apps can help keep these tiny bugs at bay.
Great Lakes Beach Safety: What to Know Before You Go
Michigan’s biggest lakes are fun, beautiful – and dangerous. Here’s what to know about Great Lakes beach safety before you enter the water.
Bug off: Protect your family from insect bites this summer
Whether camping in the woods or gardening in the backyard, there will likely be mosquitos or ticks. Learn the best way to protect your family from bug bites.
How to Give Your Kids a Safe and Healthy July 4 Celebration
Summer holidays are fun, but the risk of injuries rises on these days. Here are tips for giving your kids a safe, healthy July 4.
Father’s Day Gifts Kids Can Make for Their Dads
Father’s Day is fast approaching. Here are some creative gifts kids can make for their dads.
Tips and Tricks to Get the Most Out of Your Produce
There are many benefits to eating local, in-season produce. Topping the list are the healthy, economical and ecological advantages.
5 Ways to Get Healthy with Your Family
Getting in shape and eating right doesn’t have to be a solo effort. Here are some fun ways to get healthy with your family right alongside you.
Differences in Chronic Asthma and Exercise-Induced Asthma in Children
Does your child suffer from chronic asthma or exercise-induced asthma? Read more to find out how you can help manage their symptoms.
Modeling Healthy Stress Responses to Your Children
If you routinely feel stressed out, the way you react and respond to stressors can either help or hurt the way your children process their own emotions.
Tips for Discussing Mental Health with Children and Teens
While starting a conversation about mental health with children and teens might seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be.
How to Spot Warning Signs of Stress, Anxiety in Children
Kids are facing new challenges, just like the rest of us. So, it’s important to be aware of how they may be affected. Here are tips to spot the warning signs.
Four Ways to Make Your House Safer for Children and Pets
Small hands and paws can get into a lot of things that aren’t good for them. Here’s how to make your home a safer place for kids and pets.
When Kids Cut: Understanding Self-Harm
Why do kids harm themselves? In many cases, it's a way to assert control during stressful circumstances. Find out signs to watch for and how to get help.
Building Children’s Self-Esteem to Last a Lifetime
How to develop a healthy self-worth and self-esteem in children that will lead to better mental health as an adult.
Fit Like Fido: 5 Healthy Habits You Can Learn From Your Dog
Your dog might slobber and snore, but it also lives a pretty healthy life. Here’s how to find inspiration from your pup to live your healthiest life.
Set Family Goals for 2021
Does your family set goals you can work on together? Make 2021 the year you explore more, get healthier together and have new experiences!
The Joy of an Intimate, At-Home NYE Celebration
This New Year’s Eve will be different, but it doesn’t have to be any less fun. Here are some ideas for couples and families.
Activities for Holiday Fun with Your Kids
Children make the holidays brighter. Make sure you set aside some special activities just for them.
How to Check Your Gifts for Potential Dangers to Babies or Toddlers
Sometimes, holiday presents can unintentionally lead to dangerous situations and choking hazards for very young children. Here’s how to avoid this situation.
Is It Possible to Keep Holiday Traditions Alive This Year?
Big holiday gatherings are seen as high-risk in this COVID-19 era, so families are looking for new ways to keep traditions at the forefront.
Keep Kids Safe This Holiday: 6 Household Hazards to Avoid
If you’re celebrating this holiday season with babies, toddlers, or small children, you’ll want to take extra precautions to keep them safe.
How to Prepare Kids for a Different Kind of Holiday
Holidays will be different for many families this year. Helping children understand why and picking new ways to make them festive will make the difference.
Recognizing and Managing Learning Disabilities in Students
Hear from Dr. Amy McKenzie on how to recognize and cope with students who are struggling with a learning disability.
Talking About Your Family’s Mental Health History
Finding out which mental health disorders could be in your family tree might take a little detective work but can be valuable information for your own health.
Talking to Kids About the Dangers of Drinking and Drugged Driving
Many children learn about alcohol and drugs a lot earlier than parents anticipate so having conversations about drinking and drugged driving is important.