Report card time is coming up, so we’re all gearing ourselves up to put on a good show for our kids, telling them how proud we are of them. A 92 in social studies? Yes, very nice. A 95 in language? Bravo, huzzah! The “chef of the future” award in home economics? My son/daughter, the genius!
But what’s this? A 99 in – ALGEBRA!? Finally, a real academic achievement! Now the celebration can really begin! Not to take anything away from the other no-doubt essential subjects our children will undoubtedly draw …

Hard as it is to believe, the kids are home – again! Of course, this time around they’re only around for two weeks, not two months. But still – the fiscal damage could still be significant, especially now during the holidays, and during school vacations. As parents know – all it takes is one trip to the mall!
But here’s a way you can protect yourself; teach your kids about “working for a paycheck,” a basic concept that it wouldn’t hurt kids of any age to learn about! Bottom line – …

Kids say the darndest things. To us, that is. But you should hear how they talk to each other when there are no adults around. It’s downright scary! But we don’t mind a little ribaldry from our kids, bless them; it’s part of growing up. We know our kids’ friends, and their parents are pretty much like us – raising their kids as best as they can. Sure, our kids’ friends may have occasional lapses in judgment, dragging our children into trouble with them, but it’s usually nothing …