Kids & Smart Phones – What’s the Right Age?

From the time they can grasp an object in their hands, children reach for electronic gadgets of all kinds, particularly our phones. While this wasn’t much of a problem back in the day, when all we had to do was unplug a landline and let kids play freely with the...

Sleepless in Sarasota?

Is your child misbehaving or simply missing sleep? I talk with parents every day about baffling behavioral challenges in their children. More often than not, the conversation quickly turns to sleep. Too little sleep, to be precise. It’s estimated that seven out of 10...

Make New Year’s Resolutions a Family Affair

For many of us, the New Year is the perfect time to take stock of our lives, celebrate new beginnings and make a commitment for positive change. Whether it’s improving our diet, starting a new exercise routine or spending more quality time with our children,...

A Gift That Lasts a Lifetime



When we were kids, my siblings and I got birthday presents and holiday presents. There were no name days, half-birthdays, end-of-school/start-of-school celebrations or other random holiday gift giving throughout the year. It was a simpler time, with simpler things and...

Kids and Chores: Why Bother?

Don’t you just wish your kids would help around the house with smiles on their faces and a spring in their steps?  But for many of us, getting  our children to participate in household jobs is often a battle, and one that we may give up because it’s just easier to do...