Kids and Parenting

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.

A Michigan mom shares the story of her family’s journey with autism and how she wants more understanding for people like her son.

The primary dangers related to sleep for infants, and risk factors for sleep-related infant deaths, involve the positioning of the child while sleeping, the materials and environment the child sleeps in, temperature, respiratory inhibitors and choking hazards. There are a few basic standards or rules to go by when setting up a safe sleep environment for your baby.

We're used to celebrating our children's big milestone moments. But it can be valuable for both the parent and the child to celebrate the smaller triumphs, too.

These healthy pregnancy snacks incorporate many key nutrients and are also easy to prepare, transport and eat whether at home, work or on-the-go.

Feeding and eating disorders are considered mental health disorders and medical illnesses. Understanding the types, signs and symptoms is important, regardless of an individual’s age and gender. 

Limiting certain foods and teaching dental hygiene habits at a young age can lead to a lifetime of healthy behaviors while preventing cavities in the process. 

West Michigan mom Amanda Banic, 35, almost died from a rare, genetic disease that caused her heart to tear apart – and she credits her baby with saving her life.

In this healthier paczki recipe, banana slices are dipped in a fluffy batter, seared to golden perfection, then served on a platter with drizzles of raspberry preserves and a dusting of powdered sugar. Enjoy as breakfast or dessert.

If you love sledding, you’re in the right place. Here’s our list of favorite sledding hills across Michigan.

The thrill of whooshing down a sledding hill is fun for all ages. But sledding comes with risks, too.

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.

When your weeks feel cyclical and repetitive, try treating a weekend like a vacation. Here's how to unplug, unwind, and get into that vacation mindset.

Children make the holidays brighter. Make sure you set aside some special activities just for them, like the five ideas listed here.

Ready to make your own natural cleaners? We’ll show you how.

Do you love to let the holidays linger? When is the right time to take down your Christmas tree?

There's a lot to juggle when setting out to host a family gathering. Before you host yours, give these five tips a glance.

Step into a warm-water splash zone, join a museum mini camp, or skate away through a lighted forest trail. Winter Break activities are all about adventure. 

Cold weather means your furnace is kicking on, and drying out the air in your home.

Enjoying food-centered holidays can be a real challenge for people with diabetes but there are ways to make these traditional gatherings more diabetes-friendly.

The average kid is likely going to consume between 3,500 and 7,000 calories from candy on Halloween. This is the equivalent of up to three cups of sugar. -- and can be hard for kids to brush off of their teeth. Here are some tips to navigate the sugar rush of Halloween, and how to keep kids' teeth clean and healthy.

Knife-related hand injuries soar around Halloween for kids and teens. Here are some safety hacks for pumpkin carving.

The brain is a highly active organ that requires a healthy supply of energy and micronutrients to function at its best.

Pumpkin patches are a fall treat in Michigan. Find a good one, then stay for a wagon ride, eat a donut and do a little pumpkin bowling.

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.

Malnutrition doesn’t just mean undernutrition, when you’re not eating enough nutrient-rich food. It can also mean overnutrition.

Recognizing and addressing the red flags in a friendship can be crucial to your mental and physical well-being. Start an open dialogue with your friend if you encounter these five red flags.

Activities with children – whether playing in the backyard or exploring your community – are never complete without snack time. Here are some tasty, healthy snacks that will keep your little ones energized throughout the day.

Should our sun safety practices change as we get older? Here are sun protection tips by age.

Different food groups provide vital nutrients to fuel a child’s day. Here’s how to get at least three of the five groups into your child’s lunch.

Want to sharpen your child’s cooking skills early? These easy, creative tips can make for a fun family experience in the kitchen.

Is reaching for a granola bar a healthier choice than a couple cookies? Here’s how reading a label can help.

Summertime can be a busy season for kids and sports. Here’s a few tips to keep active kids healthy.

Offices, classrooms and even restaurants often have signs that warn of food allergies. Here’s how parents can stay ahead of them.

Learn how to spot the telltale signs of a new allergy’s development and where to go to receive qualified care and advice.

Need inspiration for balanced school lunches? These easy options have all the nutrients kids need and some take just a few minutes to make.

Practice speaking clearly with these 5 easy speech techniques to help you feel more confident.

Keeping your preschooler healthy can be difficult. Check out these simple reminders to help strengthen their immune system and teach healthy habits.

One-third of children are overweight or obese, leaving room for a host of other health complications. So what can be done to help?

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.

Taking care of a sick or elderly family members is an extremely noble act. But be careful not to abandon your own self care.

The typical American diet favors convenience foods over health. The “go, glow and grow foods” concept can help kids make healthier choices.

Cases of the measles have been down in the United States since 2019, but the infectious viral disease should still be taken seriously.

The flu vaccine is effective, does not cause the flu, and affects children and adults differently. Here are some other facts to know in order to stay protected.

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.

These common sun safety misconceptions and facts can reduce your family’s risk of skin damage and other sun-related health hazards.

Fatherhood poses unique challenges for men. From raising children to keeping themselves healthy, parenting is unlike any other experience.

Fresh Michigan strawberries are a wonderful summer treat, especially when you pick them yourself!

Visiting the eye doctor may seem intimidating, especially to kids, but it could make all the difference when testing for visual development and abnormalities.

Are your child's toys safe? Each year, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized due to toy-related injuries.

As kids bring more and more home in their backpacks, make sure their backs stay healthy and strong by following these guidelines.

Kids are bombarded with advertisements for unhealthy food. Here’s how to teach them to love healthy fats.

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.

Does your child suffer from chronic asthma or exercise-induced asthma? Read more to find out how you can help manage their symptoms.

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.

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.

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.

If you’re celebrating this holiday season with babies, toddlers, or small children, you’ll want to take extra precautions to keep them safe.

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.

Hear from Dr. Amy McKenzie on how to recognize and cope with students who are struggling with a learning disability.

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.

Many children learn about alcohol and drugs a lot earlier than parents anticipate so having conversations about drinking and drugged driving is important.

COVID-19 is putting a twist in holiday plans this year. But a little prep work ahead of time will make this year’s celebrations smoother.

From virtual chats decked out in your holiday best, to recipe swaps of your family’s favorites, there are ways to celebrate together while apart this season.

November is Child Safety and Protection Month. It was created to raise awareness about the potential dangers that children face each and every day.

You can encourage your children to do STEM/STEAM projects with things already in your kitchen, pantry and bathroom cupboards.

A sweet or savory treat can be healthy with the right recipe. Check out a few of our favorite lighter-but-still-delicious treats.

Connections to friends are important for children’s development and mental health.

Health officials recommend we don’t trick-or-treat in the traditional way, but there are some safer alternatives.

While Halloween can still hold plenty of spooky fun for all, a few safety modifications will ensure everyone stays healthy and safe.

Many children may be feeling disappointed with their current experience. There are ways to help guide children through their emotions.

Clowns, zombies and ghosts can have physical and psychological effects on your health. See what the “boos” are doing to you!

A recent survey showed that most teens have struggled with mental health issues during the pandemic. A Michigan-based organization is helping them connect.

Here are some important signs to see if your child is the victim of bullying.

Teach your child proper portion sizes with these fun tips and recipes!

Get children in the kitchen with this easy recipe. Young kids ages four to six can make this on their own for a quick bite to eat.

While your kids can create healthy habits at any age, it’s easiest to teach and instill habits if you get them started down the right path when they’re young.

Do you think your child could be a victim of cyberbullying? Here’s what you can do.

By encouraging independence at a young age, you’ll shape your child’s personality and confidence. These 5 tips can help your child become more independent.

Like everything else, school lunches might look different this year. Check out these tips to keep your child full and energized for optimal learning.

Packing your kid’s lunch for school is a way to save money and keep lunch healthy. These safety tips will make sure the food stays good until lunchtime.

Prepare for the start of school by checking in on your child’s eye health. Here are signs their vision isn’t 20/20 and what to do about it.

Kids heading back to school for face-to-face learning? Empower them to take steps to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Back-to-school shopping will look and feel different this year. Here are a few items to add to your list for in-person and distance learning.

Standard cleaning practices may not be enough during the pandemic. Follow this checklist to properly disinfect your home.

If you have a nursing mom in your life, you can help her adjust to her new normal with a few helpful tools for her breastfeeding journey.

Follow these tips to keep kids active in the age of technology.

If it’s been awhile since you’ve said thanks to your parents, there’s no time like the present. Here are some simple ways to show appreciation.

Make summer schooling fun with these tips to help your child continue their education on vacation.

Fireworks are fun but proper safety precautions need to be taken to protect yourself from unnecessary injuries.

Trying to raise boys fully able to express their emotions in healthy ways? These tips can help.

A salute to all the dads and father figures raising strong, confident girls.

Follow these four simple tips to keep your little ones safe this bike riding season.

Struggling to keep kids engaged while at home? Here's how to turn household activities into school-approved lessons.

A blast from the past that includes old school games that we all use to play outside during the summer and at recess.

The struggle is real. Author Brianna Neace shares her take on parenting through a pandemic - the good, the messy and a healthy dose of grace and understanding.

You can create a hunt that is kid-friendly or opt for a more difficult set of clues for adults. It really is whatever you decide.

You can still have plenty of fun and enjoy the company of your loved ones by throwing a virtual party.

Earth Day, which happens April 22, is the perfect time to educate your little ones about respecting nature and keeping our environment healthy.