Take Stock in Children
Make a Difference by Investing in Florida’s Future Shaunique Robbins is in her first year at the University of Florida studying to become a physical therapist on a full scholarship. The 19-year-old didn’t letter in a sport or finish her academic career at the top of her class at William R. Boone High School in Orlando. Rather, she was hand-selected in middle school by Take... Read More
Twitter moMENts: Family in Fall Edition
Serious newsie is a twitter with hilarious family moMENts As host of Orlando’s Morning News on 96.5 FM, Joe Kelley knows how to report serious headlines. But, when it comes to his wife and children, Joe prefers to chronicle the hilarity of family life with an “instant diary” ─ aka Twitter! Here are some of his recent tweets: Frustrated that everyone at the office spends... Read More
Violent Relationships: It Could Happen to Your Teen
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month Susan is a local high school sophomore. One night, her boyfriend of two months was furious that she hadn’t responded to one of his texts fast enough. When she tried to explain that she’d been busy, he became more agitated. Susan ended the relationship, but soon her ex sent a barrage of harassing text messages and began stalking her... Read More
FUN SPOT AMERICA THEME PARKS
If you’re looking to spend an exciting day with your kids without jeopardizing their college fund… Fun Spot America, at either of their two locations, will save the day by providing SAFE-CLEAN-AFFORDABE-FUN for the entire family. Both family theme parks locations are laid back, offer free parking, no long line waits, no expensive gate admissions and, for less than $50 a day,... Read More
Birthday Party Excesses
It seems like kids’ birthday parties are getting out of hand these days, with parents trying to top each other for some non-existent “Most Elaborate Party” award! It can be difficult – if not impossible – to keep up with the intricate, expensive, and often highly-structured parties that are thrown by the parents of your child’s friends and classmates. Whether your child... Read More
Apps that Connect Families with Nature
Do your children enjoy being outdoors? According to a recent study from the Nature Conservancy, 82% of American parents feel that spending time in nature is “very important” to a child’s development, second only to reading. Despite that sense of priority, 65% of parents in Brazil, China, France, and the U.S. regard lack of time outdoors as a serious problem. The Children... Read More
Halloween Costumes for Families
When kids play dress-up, their imaginations transform them into movie stars, real-life heroes, and silly characters. This Halloween, join in the fun with group costumes to encourage self-expression inspired by your family’s favorite food, movie, profession, and more. For Food Lovers Feed Halloween creativity with these delicious duds Breakfast: Bacon & Egg Ham it up with... Read More
Dance with Me: Playful Ways to Explore Dance with Your Child
Children are born to move. The process of achieving mobility drives them at first. Movement is further used to express thoughts and feelings, especially before words become plentiful. Primed to be in motion throughout their day, toddlers and preschoolers naturally learn by doing. The feeling of pure joy might be the only motivation needed for moving. This natural state of motion... Read More
A Gift For Music
Howard Middle School student Briana Vasquez’s Saturdays are filled with music. The 14-year-old eighth grader is one of 450 students in Orange County participating in A Gift For Music (AGFM), a subsidiary of the nonprofit organization A Gift For Teaching, which pairs string instruments with underserved children. “The idea is that once the kids can play proficiently, we can open... Read More
The Impact of Concussion on the Family
With three growing boys, Jeanne Gin’s household sees a lot of wrestling and tackling. But after her youngest son, Austin, suffered five concussions ─ four of them within two years and several from roughhousing with his older brothers ─ the boys learned to take more care in how they play. Furniture and obstacles are moved. Tackles are gentler. And a quick “are you... Read More
How Social Media Can Shape a Girl’s Body Image
Raising a daughter who’s happy in her own skin isn’t easy. For years, parents have worried about the unrealistic way women are depicted in media, advertising, pop culture, and even video games. Many try to counter this influence by pointing out to their daughters that commercial images are often manipulated by people hoping to make a profit. [Excellent information about the... Read More
For Success in Marriage, Treat It Like a Business
As an immigrant from India who feels blessed to be an American citizen, Sukhjiwan Singh remains puzzled by the divorce rate here, estimated by PolitiFact.com in 2012 to be 40 to 50 percent. “I come from a time and place in which arranged marriages were common practice – and there was no dating allowed. It seems to me that our society today should have more successful marriages... Read More
House of Hope Orlando
The mission for many began with one woman in 1985. Sara E. Trollinger gathered a group of her friends to pray for a way to help Central Florida’s troubled teens and their families. With the prayers of five people and just $200, she founded House of Hope Orlando. Thirty years later, the prayers continue, and House of Hope Orlando has grown considerably from its humble beginnings... Read More
The Big Bang Bazaar
Stressed out by all the back to school preparations? Need something fun to do on a hot Saturday that won’t break the bank and that everyone in the family can enjoy? May we suggest a visit to the Big Bang Bazaar: A combination of an arts & crafts festival, vintage entertainment, and old fashioned crazy fun! Started back in 2012 at the Maitland Civic Center and, based on past... Read More
College Test Prep 101: ACT & SAT Tips for Parents
Guiding your high school student through college entrance exams can be intimidating, especially for parents who are navigating the process for the first time. But there’s no reason to worry. While you may not be able to teach trigonometry, you can still provide the support and guidance that all students need as they move towards the next chapter of their lives. Here are some tips: Know... Read More
Don’t Dread Picture Day
10 Tips For Better School Photos This Year f you are anything like this mom, you are counting on your child’s school picture to feature your beloved one at his or her best. After all, school photos are usually hung on the walls, mailed to extended family members, sent electronically to friends, and shared on social media. Plus, wallet-sized photos will get tucked into holiday... Read More
Tech Tools You Should Know About
Car Seat Accessory Combats Hot Cars An average of 38 children tragically die each year after being left in hot cars. Five recent Rice University graduates, however, have designed Infant SOS, a new car seat accessory that can protect infants accidentally left in hot cars and notify caregivers and emergency personnel. The device, fitted into standard car seats, can issue auditory,... Read More
DISNEYNATURE’S MONKEY KINGDOM
Rated G | Release date TBA | Ok for Kids 5+ Reel Review: 3.5 of 5 Reels This sweet film throws a spotlight on a newborn monkey and its mother. Struggling to survive within the competitive social hierarchy of the Temple Troop, a dynamic group of monkeys who live in ancient ruins in the jungles of South Asia are joined by a rich cast of forest characters. Life is grand, food is plentiful,... Read More
Head Lice 101
The head louse is a small, wingless parasitic insect that lives among human hairs and feeds on tiny amounts of blood drawn from the scalp. Lice (the plural of louse) are a common problem among kids. They’re contagious, annoying, and sometimes tough to get rid of, but they aren’t dangerous, although lice bites can make a child’s scalp itchy and irritated, and scratching... Read More
A Day at Stanley Pond Adventure Farm
If you’re looking for an exciting outing that the whole family can enjoy and won’t break the bank, consider spending a day at Stanley Pond Adventure Farm. Located halfway between Lake Harris and Lake Apopka, near the small town of Astatula, the farm is less than an hour away from Orlando’s theme parks but feels light years away from the long lines, high prices, and crazy crowds. Bob... Read More
FREE WILLY
Not rated | On Blu-ray 8/4 | Ok for Kids 6+ Reel Review: 3.5 of 5 Reels Captured at sea and confined to a small tank at an aquatic park, Willy (Keiko the orca whale) is an unhappy and unpredictable attraction. No one understands Willy – except a scruffy street kid named Jesse (Jason James Richter) – who knows what it’s like to be without a family. Together these two form... Read More
