Prior to parenthood, you have it all figured out: Folded onesies neatly line a drawer. A toy chest of adorable stuffed animals decorates a corner of the nursery. And, of course, you have the centerpiece of every newborn baby’s nursery: the crib. Then, the baby arrives and all those best-laid... more

If your child is shy or introverted, you know that finding an appropriate extracurricular activity can be a challenge. Popular team sports may send them running toward the hills, and after-school programs can cause more anxiety than anything else. “Our culture is biased toward extroversion, so it can be difficult... more

Caring for kids can be a rewarding and fun job, and — because you’re ambitious — you might naturally start to wonder: Where can I go with this? The good news is, with child care experience, there are several different career paths you could follow — and you get to... more

I found my first after-school child care position when I was taking morning classes for my degree and working odd lunchtime hours for another family. I knew I needed some extra income, but many jobs I considered couldn’t fit into my schedule. Fortunately, I found a family who needed an... more

Caring for an aging parent or relative isn’t always easy physically or emotionally. But with the average U.S. life expectancy up to age 79 in 2013 — compared to 68 in 1950 — it’s increasingly becoming the new normal for families to be raising kids and taking care of... more

It’s a cringe-worthy situation you’ve seen in many shampoo commercials: white flakes scattered on the shoulders of some unfortunate person. If you’re noticing similar flakes on your dog’s fur, you may be determined to figure out the cause and how to get the unsightly spots to go away for good... more

Your baby has been eyeing your food with interest for a while now and may have even tried to grab it. But when you finally get the blessing from your doctor to introduce solids and do so, they spit it out immediately. Perhaps you’ve tried several different foods now and... more

If you’re considering finding a gig as an after-school sitter, it’s important not to underestimate the amount of work a role like this requires. Not only are you picking kids up from school and getting them home safely, but you’re often the snack prepper, homework helper, activity chauffeur and playmate... more