Q. I know my kids are very sensitive to TV content and watch really “young” shows for their age. They seem to feel what they see on TV very deeply. For example, we have tried to watch Nemo and when the baby fish gets separated from the dad, it is not pleasant for them and they don’t want to watch it. Even intense music makes them want to turn it off. Forget about every watching a Disney movie like Aladdin or Snow White! There are too many scary parts for them.

Is there something wrong with my kids?
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We all underestimate the power of walking, and if you’re anything like us in California, we seem to do anything but walk, even if the destination is less than a mile away.

Yes, it’s pretty sad that we leave everything to the last minute and then are forced to get in the car to drive the kids to school when it could be walked in less than 10 minutes.

Can you imagine overall how many calories you would burn by aiming to walk up to 10,000 steps a day? Read the rest »

Whether you are spending time with your dog or out in public around others dogs, situations may arise when you or your child is threatened by an aggressive dog. Keeping calm and understanding what actions the dog interprets as threatening can make all the difference between a pat on the head and a bite on the arm. At home, there are things you can do to keep your dog from being aggressive towards others.

What signs determine an aggressive dog?

Dogs do not have to be vocal to be exhibiting signs of aggression. A stiff dog with his body arched is on the defense. Other signs include showing teeth, growling or barking, and maintaining a direct stare. If you notice any of these behaviors, then do not approach the dog. Read the rest »

Johnny Johnson’s thirteen your old daughter stayed up later than usual to finish her homework recently. She was working on a writing assignment that was due in the morning. Her middle school teacher had assigned it a week earlier, but like a lot of teens, the youngster saved her writing efforts until the last minute.

Mr. Johnson’s daughter, Sabrina, had talked about the assignment earlier in the week. Her job was to pick one of her heroes and tell why this particular person was a hero to her. Gentle reminders from her father about completing the assignment during the week fell on deaf ears. “I’ve got it under control,” Sabrina told him, “I have it already written in my head. This will be an easy one. I just have to take what I already know and put it on paper” Read the rest »

Six weeks ago on Sunday, the parents of now five year old Ella Newmiller of Raleigh, North Carolina received a major shock. Ella had not been feeling well, was glassy eyed and sleepy so her parents took her to an urgent care center. The following day at UNC hospitals, they faced the unfathomable news that their precious daughter has an inoperable brain tumor.

Ella’s family has a simple request of people who would like to help: please take a few minutes every day to pray for Ella, for the oncologists and physicians directing her care, for her parents, Renae and Mark, and for her brother Jack who is in second grade. Read the rest »

There are BIG kids and there are LITTLE kids. But boys never really stop being kids, do they? Even when boys become Dads, something temporarily dormant is set loose and Dad is once again free to be a kid himself. Here are 5 irrefutable comparisons between Dad and his kids that can leave no doubt that Dad is the biggest kid of all: Read the rest »

Dear Mr. Dad: I’m the mother of five kids under six and I’m on the verge of divorce. The problem is that I am taking care of the kids single-handedly and my husband hardly lifts a finger. When he does, I complement him, and I never criticize the way he does things. He’s a doctor and works long hours, but am I expecting too much for him to make a meal once in a while, do some laundry, or wash a few dishes? I know men see things differently than women but he seems to be a little extreme. How much help can I realistically expect? Read the rest »