Comic Relief. Parents, October 2009

My 4-year-old son, Darren, is always giggling about something--last week I found him cracking up at the way a caterpillar walked. Some days, he's so silly that just mentioning that my socks have blue polka dots can have him in stitches. Although all this goofiness can be well, goofy, at times, it's smart to nurture your kid's sense of humor.

Can You Hear Me Now? Woman's Day, March 2009

It can be tough getting adolescents to open up, and while it's often just the natural order of things--after all, a need for privacy comes with the territory--sometimes it's parents who break down the lines of communication. Chances are, you've tripped up too. It's tricky navigating such communication minefields, but if you can figure out how to do it, you'll clear the way for meaningful conversations with your kids.

Decoding Baby's Funny Little Noises and Sounds. Parents, October 2009

Babies cry. A lot. After all, it's the best way they have to communicate with you. But between the wails, you've probably noticed your infant trying out other noises. In fact, your baby will actually make a range of sounds in her first year--from the delightful to downright strange. But what do her sounds mean? Our cheat sheet will help you decode her communication.

On the Home Front. American Academy of Pediatric's Healthy Children, Summer 2009

Deployment is heart wrenching for all military families, but especially for families with children. As mom or dad tries to take on both parenting roles and cope with not having a partner for a long stretch of time, the kids have their own stress issues. Although deployments will never be easy, there are things you can do to make it a little less stressful for your child.