It’s not a sign that dads care more about their jobs than their kids. For the 50 percent of workers covered under these laws, most simply can’t afford to take that amount of unpaid time off from work. The other 50 percent of employees aren’t even covered under these laws, and therefore have no rights to paternal leave. Why Don’t More Men Take Paternity Leave? “The fact is, most men do take time off around the birth of a child,” says James Levine, director of The Fatherhood Project at the Families and Work Institute in New York....

Round or square plastic or strong cardboard lid Nails of different sizes String Scissors The idea is to mount the nails close together so that when the wind blows the chimes, they jangle against each other.

5 to 10 minutes Materials Pad of paperPen Directions When your child wants something at a store, take out the paper and write it down together. Knowing that you are listening can go a long way toward eliminating crying or tantrums. Extensions Use the list for rewards for especially good or loving behavior.Put the list where your child can see it and ask you to read it.Cross out each wish that is granted so your child can look back on all that they have....

Call the station and schedule an appointment in advance, so that staff can be on hand to spend special time with the children. Of course, plans could change if a fire call takes them away from the station. Be sure to explain when they should “stay low and go” and when it would be appropriate to “stop, drop and roll.” Children should be encouraged to cover their faces when rolling....

Mommy Week Ashley, the creator of Mommy Week, combines fun, vibrant pictures with entertaining and educational content. Whether you’re looking for recipes, DIY activities, family or healthy living information, you won’t be disappointed. She also writes a lot of blog posts about how to be realistic with technology and kids. With posts like, “How to Change the Narrative With Your Kids Surrounding Device Usage” and “5 Digital Tech Mantras We’re Adopting in 2020,” you’ll see how this mom is navigating screen time in a healthy way with her family....

Traditionally, Italian parents choose their children’s names based on the name of a grandparent, choosing names from the father’s side of the family first and then from the mother’s side. Some Italians have also followed the tradition of naming their child after a patron saint. By knowing the Italian equivalent of a name, you can keep this tradition alive even if one side of your family isn’t Italian. Or, you might choose a name with ancient Roman roots....

Play activities like rolling a ball back and forth with a sibling or putting on a costume help little ones learn to take turns, build fine motor skills and proprioception (awareness of the body in space), and practice getting along with others. Influential sociologist Mildred Parten was an early advocate for the benefits of play. Her work described six essential types of play that kids take part in, depending on their age, mood, and social setting, and what children learn from them....

How Teen Dating Has Changed But what exactly does teen dating even look like these days? The general idea may be the same as it’s always been, but the way teens date has changed quite a bit from just a decade or so ago. Truths About Teen Dating This quickly morphing social landscape makes it more challenging for parents to keep up, figure out how to talk with their teens about dating, and establish rules that will keep them safe....

Halloween is around the corner, and this year, families have an opportunity to be extra creative as they incorporate cloth masks into their costumes. It is a unique and unprecedented year as Halloween occurs in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the bright side, there are so many fun ways to make a COVID mask part of a Halloween costume. More: 4 Rules It’s Okay to Break During the Coronavirus Pandemic It is important to note that the CDC has shared the following recommendations:...

As the holidays approach finding the perfect gift for your babysitter or nanny can be tricky. Entrusting your children with a caregiver is one of the hardest things, having the peace of mind that they are well cared for is priceless. Here is a list of gifts for your babysitter or nanny to show how much you appreciate the care they provide your child. Something Homemade One of the best go-to gifts is something homemade....

What is also really fun about spring is that the months during the season are popular names in themselves! You could name your little one April, May, or June to celebrate when they were born. Even if your baby isn’t born in spring, you could celebrate the season if it has meaning for you. If you are looking for a spring baby name for your child on the way, keep reading for inspiration....

Star-Spangled Jar Candle This fun craft comes from Shaunna at Fantastic Fun and Learning and is sure to brighten up any Fourth of July party or barbecue. All you need is a glass jar, some white glue, a paintbrush, Fourth-themed sequins, and a battery-powered tea light. Any recycled glass jar will do — just scrub off the label before you get crafting. Next, use the paintbrush to cover the jar with glue....

From celebrity names like Uma and Usher to more unique options such as Ulla or Urbain, the 21st letter of the alphabet has a lot to offer your little boy or girl on the way. Uaine Origin: IrishMeaning: Green colorPeak Popularity: Pronounced oo-in-ya, Uaine is sure to help your child stand out since it’s never appeared on the top 1,000 baby names list. Udelia Origin: HebrewMeaning: Praise God; SongAlternative Spellings & Variations: DeliaFamous Namesakes: American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan released a song called “Delia” in 1993....

Conversely, when kids have solid self-esteem, are assertive, possess strong social skills, and have healthy friendships, they are not only less likely to be targeted by bullies but also are better equipped to deal with bullying if it does occur. What’s more, kids with these traits will overcome bullying incidents more quickly than those who do not have these protective factors. Here are some tips for instilling these four important qualities in your children....