Health & Parenting News & Features
- Single Mom Garcelle Beauvais Puts Her Sons First
How the busy "Flight" actress balances work, mothering, and her twins.
- Fit Kids: Why Children Need Exercise
Physical activity can improve your children's grades, self-esteem, and sleep.
- Communicate Effectively With Your Teen
Adolescent acting up? Here's why -- plus how to keep your cool.
- Back to School? Back to Head Lice Season
Fall months are prime time for head lice. Here's how to spot them and get rid of them.
- Fit Kids: The Importance of Children's Friendships
Want to help your kids develop self-esteem? Buddies are key.
- Is Your Child Ready for a Cell Phone?
When is a child ready to have their own cell phone? WebMD talks to experts about cell phones and children.
- Family Dinners: Tips for Better Communication
Eating together as a family helps your kids in many ways. Here are ways to get the dinner table conversation started.
- Why Teens Insert Objects Under Their Skin
Some kids push objects under their skin. What's behind this disturbing behavior?
- Helping Your Child Reach a Healthy Weight
Think your kid is overweight? Focus on creating healthy habits for the entire family.
- Parenting: Dealing With the Bedtime Struggle
Do your kids resist going to bed? Put the nightly pushback to rest.
- Matthew McConaughey Tells Teens: Just Keep Livin'
Actor and dad Matthew McConaughey inspires at-risk youth to stay well by eating right, exercising hard, and being grateful. Plus, news about his new movie, 'Magic Mike.'
- Jill Biden's New Book Salutes Military Families
"Don't Forget Nana, God Bless Our Troops," written by the vice president's wife, captures the experiences of military families.
- Are Your Teens Sleep-Texting?
Adolescents send so many texts that some do it in their sleep. Our expert explains why it's dangerous and how to rein in teen tech use.
- Why Praising Kids With Food Doesn't Work
Rewarding children with sweet treats can send the wrong health message, our expert says.
- 7 Dangerous Games Parents Must Know About
The choking game and the cinnamon challenge are among the risky "games" that kids and teens may play -- and that parents need to know about, experts tell WebMD.
- Why It's OK to Have Just One Child
Studies show that only children are becoming more common – and they're are turning out fine.
- Fiber-Rich Sack Lunches to Help Ease Constipation
Fiber-rich, colorful bag lunch ideas for children.
- Toy Guns: Do They Lead to Real-Life Violence?
Surprisingly, studies show no link between playing with toy weapons in childhood and aggression in adulthood.
- Jewel's New Tune: Motherhood
Becoming a mom inspires the singer-songwriter to stay off the road, make an album for kids, and nurture her youngest fan, Kase.
- Bringing Your Adopted Child Home
Experts share advice for people planning to adopt children from the U.S. or overseas.
- When Teens Lie About Drugs: A Guide for Parents
This article explores the lies teens tell about drugs and what parents can do to get over their hurt and anger to keep their child safe.
- Disciplining Toddlers: Time In or Time Out?
We ask top child-raising experts about the pros and cons of using timeouts.
- Exercise, Lose Weight With 'Exergaming'
Exercise games can give you a serious workout while you play -- if you're willing to sweat for it.
- How to Raise Healthy Children: It's a Family Affair
How parents can play a key role in their children's health, starting with physical activity and nutrition.
- 3 Must-Try Recipes: Quinoa, Apples, and Carrots
Healthy eating is easy with these recipes from chef Megan McCarthy.
- The Truth About Household Chemicals
Which household chemicals are potentially hazardous, and how can you protect yourself from them? Facts you should know.
- How She Does It
Sarah Jessica Parker, the award-winning actor and producer, with multiple Golden Globe, Emmy, and Screen Actors Guild awards under her belt, is best-known for her leading role as Carrie Bradshaw on the HBO drama/comedy series Sex and the City and the SATC movies they’ve inspired, and has appeared in hit films, including Footloose, LA Story, Smart People. But when it comes to her family life, SJP keeps it simpler than you might expect.
- How to Talk to Your Teen About Weight
Is your teen’s weight worrying you? Here’s how to talk to them about it.
- Talking to Your Preschooler About Weight
It’s never too early to talk about healthy habits with your child. It’s all about how you do it. See what preschoolers understand and what to avoid.
- Teach Your Teen About Skincare
It's never too early to help your teen learn about the best way to clean, moisturize, and protect her skin.
- Smart (Healthy) Snacks for Kids
Our nutrition expert explains why healthy snacks don't have to be dull – and why cookies are still OK.
- Lunchbox Tips From a White House Chef
Ace back-to-school with healthy lunch ideas from a leader in the healthy food movement.
- How Sarah Jessica Parker Does It All
Sarah Jessica Parker is a mom on a mission, balancing a new movie, home life, a far-flung career, and her longtime UNICEF work for kids worldwide.
- Laila Ali's Most Important Role: Mom
The daughter of famed boxer Muhammad Ali shares her love of parenting, her goal of losing her pregnancy weight – and her need for "me" time.
- Manage Your Stress for Good Health
How stress can impact your health and what you can do about it.
- Get a Good Night's Sleep: Tips for You and Your Family
Sleep deprived again? Simple tips to help you and your family get enough sleep every night.
- What Counts as Water? Stay Hydrated and Healthy
Water doesn't get the same media attention as green tea, antioxidants, and the latest fad diets. Yet it plays a much more critical part in our daily lives and our bodies.
- Everyday Calorie Burners
Too tired to hit the gym? Simple tips on how to burn calories doing everyday activities.
- Eating on the Road: Healthy Strategies for Your Family
Tips on keeping your family healthy and active on your next road trip.
- How to Fuel Your Family for an Active Day
How do your kids fuel-up before the big game? Learn about children’s nutritional needs for active lifestyles.
- 5 Summer Activity Ideas for Active Families
Need fun ideas for your next family excursion? How to stay active on your family’s next outing.
- The Honest Way to Get Your Kids to Eat Veggies
Forget hiding vegetables in baked goods and sauces. If you prepare veggies right, your kids will love them.
- Bryce Dallas Howard on Acting, Mothering, and Staying Healthy
With two highly anticipated movies and baby No. 2 on the way, the young actress claims her place in the A-list spotlight.
- Eating Healthfully During Stressful Times
Do you crave junk food when you're having a bad day? Try these tips to avoid stress eating and stay on track with good nutrition.
- How to Dine Out Healthfully and Smart
Try these tips for satisfying and healthy foods when you're dining out.
- Got Tantrums? Try Talking Like a Toddler
Pediatrician and author Harvey Karp, MD, has a surprising way of intervening in a tantrum: talking "toddlerese."
- WebMD Expert Discussion: Do You Parent Like Your Mom and Dad?
In the WebMD Parenting Community, Tanya Altmann, MD, discusses how your style as a parent is influenced by the parenting practices of your parents.
- How Boys and Girls Learn Differently
Is your son's fidgeting and wriggling driving you to distraction? It's all perfectly normal.
- Teaching Children to Be Fair
Being fair may be more than good manners. It might be hardwired into our prefrontal cortex.
- 7 Mistakes Parents Make With Grade-Schoolers
Are you guilty of these 7 common parenting mistakes? WebMD explains how to correct things like overscheduling your kids, ignoring weight gain, and much more.