Health & Parenting Features
- When Kids Are Sick: How to Prevent Germs from Spreading
Want to prevent viruses from spreading in your home? These quick tips from the pros may help.
- Healthy Habits That Fight Cold and Flu Viruses
Can a preschooler really learn ways to protect herself from cold and flu viruses? Here’s what the experts had to say.
- Ask the School Nurse: Parents' Top 9 Questions for Back to School
A school nurse answers parents' top 9 health questions about back-to-school.
- Mean Girls: Why Girls Bully and How to Stop Them
Researchers are gaining more and more insights into what drives girl bullies -- and why they so desperately need help.
- Fear of the Dark
WebMD explains why some kids are afraid of the dark, how parents can help, and ways to conquer fear of the dark.
- Nighttime Routines That Can Lead to Dry Nights
Bedwetting, or nocturnal enuresis, doesn’t have to ruin your and your child’s evenings. Try these routines for you and your child to help control the problem.
- Could Stress or Anxiety Be Causing Your Child’s Bedwetting?
Stress and anxiety may not cause a child to start wetting the bed, but it can make bedwetting worse. Find out what you can do as a parent to help.
- Children, Cleanliness, and Chores: Myths vs. Facts
Children should do chores. But which chores are reasonable for young children? And how can you get the kids to do chores without a fight? See these tips from WebMD.
- 20-Minute Home ‘Clean-Ups’ for a Healthier Family
Don’t be daunted by the mountain of clean-up tasks in your home. Try these 20-minute cleanups that make the most of your time -- and tackle areas in your house where germs, dust, and allergens lurk.
- The 9 Worst Summer Snacks and Treats for Kids
Experts describe summer-time snacks and treats for kids that are unhealthy and should be avoided, plus nine healthy snack alternatives.
- Grocery Shopping Tips to Feed Your Family Right
The secret to improving your family meals starts in the grocery store. WebMD turned to nationally known nutritionists for their top 8 tips for healthy grocery shopping.
- 5 Adoption Dos
What Mary-Louise Parker did right when she adopted her daughter.
- Mary-Louise Parker on Momhood and Marijuana
Weeds Actress Mary Louise Parker Talks About Blended Families, Acting, and Legalizing Pot.
- Are Your Children Spoiled?
Do you spoil your children? For all ages and a myriad of behavior problems, WebMD helps parents regain control.
- Parenting by Your Toddler's Personality Type
Experts share tips for parents on how to handle the different personality types of toddlers.
- TV’s Nancy O’Dell: Mother, Author, Health Advocate
Nancy O’Dell talks about her new book, her baby, and the loss of her mother to Lou Gehrig’s disease.
- 7 Secrets of Toddler Discipline
They don't call them the "terrible twos" for nothing. Here are discipline tactics that help make life easier for you and your toddler.
- Tackling Toddler Sleep Problems
WebMD explains common toddler sleep problems, how much sleep toddlers really need, and how to conquer bedtime with your toddler.
- The Crazy Things That Toddlers Do
Unlock the mysteries of toddler behavior. Plus, tips for coping with your toddler's crazy antics.
- The ABCs of Toddler Playdates
Playdates between toddlers can be valuable learning experiences for your little ones. Here’s how to make the most of your child’s social calendar.
- Relax, You're Being a Good Mom
Trying to be Supermom? Sometimes it can be overwhelming work. WebMD shares what good moms do that makes them special and provides tips for silencing the critics.
- No-Nonsense Napping Guide for Toddlers
Experts explain why toddlers need naps and share tips for getting toddlers to sleep.
- What and How Much to Feed Your Toddler
Experts explain how to provide toddlers with the nutritious food they need for their growing bodies.
- Solutions for Toddler Feeding Problems
WebMD asked three top feeding experts to help you solve the most exasperating toddler feeding problems.
- Buying Shoes for Toddlers
Who knew that buying shoes for toddlers was more than a simple trip to the local mall? Get the ins and out of buying the best toddler shoes for your little one.
- You Can Help Salma Hayek Save Kids’ Lives
Actor Salma Hayek talks to WebMD about her campaign to prevent neonatal tetanus in developing countries.
- Salma Hayek: Mom on a Mission
How Salma Hayek juggles acting, mothering, and saving children in West Africa
- Prevent Sibling Rivalry When Bringing Home Baby
How to prevent sibling rivalry when bringing home a new baby
- The Top 5 Mistakes Divorced Parents Make
WebMD spoke with family and divorce expert M. Gary Neuman, who gives exes pointers on how to split up without emotionally destroying their kids.
- Sleepy Teen? Here’s Why – and What You Can Do
How to help your tired teen.
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus On Acting, Parenting, and Going Green
Julia Louis-Dreyfus balances working, mothering, and environmental activism
- When All Else Fails, Parent With Humor
Taking a lighter touch with parenting may get you the results you want, faster.
- Top Parenting Stories of 2008: Readers' Choice
Here are the top 10 most viewed parenting and children’s health stories of the year.
- Expert Q&A: Helping Your Child With Weight Loss
WebMD's expert provides tips for parents to encourage overweight children to exercise, eat healthy food, and achieve a healthy weight. Learn more from David S. Ludwig, MD, and WebMD.
- Jennie Garth’s Balancing Act
90210 Star Jennie Garth talks about acting, volunteerism, and parenting a child with JRA
- How Would You Help a Depressed Teen?
WebMD community members give advice to father worried about depressed teen.
- Dennis and Kimberly Quaid’s Mission
Reducing medical errors is the Quaids' focus after the accidental overdose their twins received.
- Teenagers: Why Do They Rebel?
Today pressures come earlier, when kids can't say no.
- Talking with Your Teen -- David Elkind, PhD
"What's the matter?" "Nothing." "Where are you going?" "Out." "Do you want to talk?" "No." Does this sound like typical communication between you and your teen? If so, explore these tips for starting an open and frank discussion about drugs, sex, self-esteem, and other vital issues. David Elkind, PhD, was our guest.
- Young and Stressed-Out
Health Information on need,to need,stress,start,starting process,understand,understanding,attention,improving,improves,hanging,hang down,blocks,block,blocks,block,guiding,guide,Study,studied,attacks,attack,childhood,stimulation,stimulating,process
- Dennis Quaid, Health Activist
Actor Dennis Quaid on medical errors – and life with twins.
- Potty Training: Seven Surprising Facts
As it turns out, there are no hard and fast rules about potty training.
- Potty Training the Clean Way
Make potty training easier -- and keep germs at bay -- with these quick toilet training tips for your tot.
- Bathroom Germs You Really Can Catch
What are the real bathroom germs lurking behind your sink -- and how can you combat them?
- Divide and Conquer Household Chores
WebMD asked experts and parents for tips on assigning household chores for children of all ages. Here are strategies you can use in your own home to make chores feel a little less like work.
- Top 10 Brain Foods for Children
Certain "brain foods" can boost a child's brain growth -- plus improve brain function, memory, and concentration.
- Why Kids Whine and How to Stop Them
Why Kids Whine and How to Stop Them
- Kelly Ripa’s Mom Survival Strategies
For the woman who once famously said, “I think children are like pancakes: You sort of ruin the first one, and you get better at it the second time around,” Kelly Ripa’s kid-smarts comes through first-hand experience, now that her third child, Joaquin, is 4, (Michael is 10 and Lola is 7.)
- Parents’ Potluck: Tips on Raising Healthy Kids
Wondering how to get your children to eat right, or behave on long trips? WebMD turned to our members to get their best tips on child nutrition and raising a healthy child.
- School Lunches, Healthy Choices
Packing up a healthy school lunch just got easier -- with these fast, tasty tips.