Q: My 7- and 8-year old sons participated in a holiday toy drive. It made a great impression and they want to do more. How can I nurture their desire to help others without it becoming a full-time job... more
Q: We live far from Connecticut, yet the horrible tragedy there freaked out my 6-year-old daughter. The TV reports upset her so much I kept her home from school. Her principal called and said it would... more
Q: I heard an interview with an author who says character is more important than IQ in school success. I have zero time to read, but I like his idea. Are there character-building tips that will work w... more
Q: When my nieces and nephews were little, I loved choosing books for Christmas gifts. Now that they're in third grade and up, it's harder. What series are popular for tweens and teens this season?... more
Q: Our boys, 8 and 9, love their dad's iPad, so we're getting them tablets for Christmas. Which tablet offers the best education and entertainment at the best price?... more
Q: Our 12-year-old daughter's friends say their parents let them lie about their age to get Facebook accounts. We don't think our daughter is mature enough for Facebook. Are there places online where ... more
Q: I'm looking for ways to reinforce math skills with our children. We do the obvious, like grocery store estimation. Are there fun math books, games and activities to enjoy with our kids?... more
Q: My family was swamped by Hurricane Sandy. We're back home and school is open, but my 8-year–old son isn't sleeping, and he fights going to school. Should I let him stay home for a while?... more
Q: My middle-schooler has a lot of YouTube videos as homework. He says it's because the school has "flipped instruction." Can you please explain what this is?... more
Q: My granddaughter, a National Merit finalist, has the high SAT scores and strong all-around record to get into a good school. We are hoping for scholarships. She has her heart set on Brown Universit... more
Q: Our PTO is trying to raise money for different school programs. We have energetic volunteers, but we'll be lucky if we raise $10,000. I read about schools that raise really huge sums. How do they d... more
Q: My daughter just entered a "cliquey" suburban high school, and she's having a hard time fitting in. She came from a small K-8 school where she was popular and everyone was "family." Do you have any... more
Q: My 5-year-old is doing work in kindergarten that my 8-year-old son did in first grade. At Parents' Night, the teacher explained that the school is implementing new Common Core State Standards. When... more
Q: My son is a third-grader in a new school and his teacher suggested we get him tested for attention issues. His second-grade teacher never mentioned them. While I can see what she means, I think he'... more
Q: My daughter, Karina, a second-grader, is a grump! Her kindergarten-age sister is Miss Sunshine, but Karina is increasingly disorganized or helpless, always finding something wrong, even though she ... more
Q: My son, Cameron, started middle school and his homework load is huge. He's floundering. I'm a working mom who can't spend all night urging him to "get it done." He's not organized. Help!... more
Q: I'm having a hard time with my children (ages 10, 14 and 16). They "chilled" all summer, and now that school's in session, they push back on everything. I have to nag to get them on the bus! It was... more
Q: Our kindergarten-age daughter has nightmares. When she wakes up from one, it's so disruptive that we let her stay in our bedroom. Her teacher reports that she dozes in class. (There are no naps.) W... more
Q: My 10- and 11-year-old boys enjoyed Summer Reading Camp, but now that it's over, I can't get them to pick up a book. I want them to keep reading until school starts. Any thoughts?... more
Q: I have the school supply lists for two of my three kids, and I am waiting for the third. Each year they get longer. One teacher wants five sticks of one brand of glue. When did teachers get so pick... more
Q: My son starts community college soon and is worried about failing. He isn't a star student, but I know he can do this. How can I reassure him?... more
Q: I've noticed that my son, Garth, a rising third-grader, doesn't have a vocabulary as large as some of the same-age kids he's playing with this summer. Should I get some flash cards?... more
Q: My daughter, Charisse, just competed in a girls' rodeo event. In addition to riding skills, contestants were given a citizenship quiz and she failed. She didn't even know the vice president! I was ... more
Q: My son's second-grade teacher said he should "read all summer," so he doesn't forget his new skills. How much time does she mean? Also, I read each day to my 1-year-old daughter, but she often won'... more
Q: My eighth-grader spends too much time on Facebook. She's obsessive about checking it 24/7 this summer. Taking the computer and phone away aren't practical solutions. How can we make her time online... more
Q: My son's teacher told me that his emotional maturity must improve before he enters first grade or, "Jacob will spend all his time with the principal." When he gets frustrated, he throws a tantrum. ... more
Q: We want to start something this summer to get our middle-school kids ready for the district's rigorous high school service learning program. Many local kids want to volunteer. We just need to help ... more
Q: We're traveling from Tennessee to Colorado for a reunion. My husband and I didn't go to college, but we want our two daughters to have this opportunity. We hope to visit colleges en route to inspir... more
Q: Our district needs good after-school activities. A group of us want to start two clubs that use volunteer knowledge, offer cross-age learning, don't require expensive equipment and get kids away fr... more
Q: I want my second-grade son to have a specific teacher next fall. The school has a "don't ask" policy, but I think she'll be good for my son. How should I make the request?... more