Live Music Tutor
Interest in music consumption has never been higher, while opportunities to find quality instructors are dwindling. The declining number of K-12 schools offering music programs, the increasing cost of private music lessons, and the challenge of finding qualified local teachers have all become barriers to learning music. Live Music Tutor, the world’s first education eco-system... Read More
Easy Back-to-School Meals
Incorporate soy into your child’s diet for a change of pace Back to school time is a hectic transition for the entire family. Carpools, afterschool activities, and homework can make it difficult to incorporate wholesome meals into the day. However, it’s important to make sure your child is eating a nutritious diet to keep energy levels high and concentration focused in school.... Read More
Loves Me, Loves Me Not: Supporting Kids Though the Ups & Downs of Friendship
Driving home from parent pick-up, you ask your kids what happened at school today. Your son mumbles, “Nothing,” in his casual, I-dare-you-to-ask-for-more information kind of way. Before you can follow up, your daughter chimes in “I hate Maddie. She told Sarah she thinks my hair is ugly, and now Sarah won’t let me sit with them at lunch. They’re not my friends anymore.... Read More
Single Parent or Superhero? How to Ask for the Help You Need
Carpool (check). Work (check). Lunch break (nope). Pay bills (check). Pick up kids (check). Homework (check). Dinner (check). Worry about cyber-bulling, referee sibling squabbles, etc. (check). Now, collapse on the couch. Single parents ─ and all parents ─ have important (and seemingly endless) responsibilities. Unless you have super powers, the stress of doing it all yourself... Read More
Ice Cream in a Bag
It’s summertime and the weather is super hot. Your kids need a cool treat. Plus, you could use another activity to keep them busy, right? You can help them learn about the science behind ice cream! Here is a simple science experiment that will produce a tasty treat. Materials: 2 tablespoons sugar 1 cup half-and-half ½ teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup ice cream salt Ice cubes 1... Read More
Should You Give Education the ‘Old College Try’ a Second Time Around?
A few years back, my friend Amanda decided to finally go after her dream job. That meant, however, first going back to college to earn the appropriate degree. Now enrolled in medical courses, she complains that she’s the oldest student, but I know her maturity makes her that much more focused and driven to succeed. Consequently, Amanda often misses our girls’ dinner because... Read More
Actor Kevin Bacon Eats Ice Cream in Kissimmee for Children with Life-Threatening Illnesses
Actor Kevin Bacon recently visited Give Kids The World Village, a nonprofit resort for children with life-threatening illnesses, to launch the organization’s Ice Cream Challenge (#GKTWChallenge). Bacon squared off against one of the resort’s young guests, 7-year-old Ethan, to see who could eat the most ice cream in six seconds! The loser had to donate $6 to the organization. Bacon,... Read More
The Loss of My Independence on Independence Day
The term “babymoon” has morphed into a welcomed must-do agenda item for expectant parents. The trend of escaping for a final kid-free getaway presents couples with much needed alone time to embark upon celebratory-inspired romance and relaxation. Preoccupied with a plethora of baby preparations, my husband and I found ourselves planning our babymoon late in my pregnancy for... Read More
Crayola Experience is this Summer’s Brightest Destination!
Well, color me happy… The Crayola Experience is now open at The Florida Mall. Orlando’s newest family destination is two stories ─ totaling 70,000 square feet ─ of colorful fun, featuring 25 exciting, hands-on attractions. At the grand opening on July 1, 2015, Orlando Family Magazine was on-site for the official ribbon cutting ceremony alongside a packed crowd of cheerful... Read More
Happy Birthday, America! 5 Fun & Educational Ways to Celebrate With Your Kids This Year
School’s out and summer is heating up. With July 4th right around the corner, families are gearing up for backyard barbecues, pool parties, fireworks, and lots of cool activities for the kids. While we’re all excited for the festive holiday, it’s important for parents to maintain the ongoing cycle of both fun and learning during the next few months. Don’t want your kids... Read More
The Fox 35 Anchors Report on their Toughest Story: Parenthood
Father knows best? When it comes to parenthood, heartfelt words of wisdom are often the root of a blossoming family tree. Before the Fox 35 news crew hits the barbeque grill for Father’s Day, Orlando Family Magazine grilled them for some insight into fatherhood. John Brown, Co-Host of Good Day Orlando Father to Lauren (12) & Sophia (8) How has parenthood shaped you? “Parenthood... Read More
New Kids on the Block Encourage Fans to #GoCommando at Orlando Concert
I admit (and without embarrassment): I’m still a BIG fan of New Kids on the Block (NKOTB). Listening to their pop songs, like 1988’s “Hangin’ Tough” and 1990’s “Step By Step,” bring me back to my boy-crazy adolescent days. Since the band began touring again after their 15 year hiatus, my gal pals and I have attended every Orlando show (four and counting).... Read More
Make Father’s Day Colorful
According to History.com, in 1910 the governor of Washington proclaimed the nation’s first Father’s Day. However, it was not until 1972, 58 years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day official, that Father’s Day became a nationwide holiday as declared by President Richard Nixon. In the 1920s & 1930s, some advocated in favor of scrapping both Mother’s Day... Read More
Hope for Individuals with Learning Disabilities
Is Your Child Struggling in School? This Unique Brain Development Program Could Be the Answer. “I know my son is smart–he can do better; but he just can’t seem to get a grip on school.” “My daughter is so frustrated in class; she’s becoming bored and withdrawn.” “It’s just not clicking for him and now he’s starting to... Read More
My Life as a Foster & Adoptive Parent to Teenage Boys
In 2006, I was watching television and an ABC News with Diane Sawyer special, titled Crisis in America’s Foster-Care System, caught my attention. The show concluded with this question: “Do you have room in your home (to help children in need)?” Those words stuck with me. Until that point, I hadn’t really set out to become a foster parent. As a single man, I was leading a... Read More
Moods & Hormones
Emotional Health and Well-Being throughout the Lifecycle of a Woman Just mention those three little letters ─ PMS ─ and you’re bound to get a reaction! Women nod in sympathy; men cringe at the thought. Admit it… your moods have experienced a “Jekyll and Hyde” type of transformation during that time of the month. But the emphasis on PMS and its effects on a woman’s... Read More
Going Tech-Free at Camp: Kids Unplug and Make Lifelong Connections
In our world of constant connectivity, some might argue that kids shouldn’t be expected to “unplug” for weeks on end. Yet most overnight camps are tech-free zones. Why? Recent studies reveal there are good reasons for taking a tech break and seasoned camp directors are privy to a little known fact: kids actually enjoy tech-free activities! Erec Hillis, director at Camp Champions... Read More
Smart Ways to Keep Kids Off the “Summer Slide”
Sure, both educators and students love the downtime that comes along with summer break. Yet annually, at the start of the new school year, most teachers are shocked when they see the first round of disappointing test scores. The initial reaction is generally, “What in the world did they do last year?” In reality, the issue is less about what they did during the previous school... Read More
3 Reasons You Should Eat More Like Your Kids
When parents prepare their kids’ meals, good-for-you foods like veggies, whole grains and milk are usually on the menu. And while parents encourage healthy eating for their kids at mealtime, they don’t always eat the same foods themselves. In fact, a recent report from the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) suggests kids may actually have healthier eating habits... Read More
Separation Anxiety in Children and Parents
Separation Anxiety is a condition experienced by some individuals when separated from those to whom they have a strong emotional attachment, and is a natural part of the developmental process for children and frequently for parents as well. It most commonly affects children ages 6 months to 3 years and adults of any age. We generally think about separation anxiety when we talk about... Read More
TODAY’s Savannah Guthrie Gives Baby Advice to OFM Editor; Plus TODAY Show Class Superlatives!
Orlando Family Magazine spent some time with our friends at the Today Show catching up on family life and more while filming at Universal Orlando Resort (5/29/15). It was a star-studded morning for OFM with interviews with Today’s Al Roker & Savannah Guthrie, performances by Pitbull (as part of the Summer Concert Series), and a quick hello to the hunky Mario Lopez of Extra! Al... Read More
