People have an innate need to feel needed. Kids are no different. According to Bob Murray, PhD, author of Raising an Optimistic Child: A Proven Plan for Depression-Proofing Young children, "Happiness depends largely on the feeling that what we do matters and is valued by others."

In the book Coming of Age in the Other America, researchers Stefanie DeLuca, Susan Clampet-Lundquist, and Kathryn Edin found that one of the reasons some kids pushed past challenging circumstances and managed to graduate high school and college was something called an identity project, a hobby or passion some are lucky enough to have found and get immersed in. So what can we do – or not do - as parents to help our kids discover their passions and nurture them?

These famous failures show us that achievement happens not in spite of, but because of failure.

Children are natural-born engineers. They love to build, take things apart, only to put it back together. When they play with Magna-Tiles, Lego or other building blocks, they are in fact taking what they know about math and science (that two triangles make a square, for instance) and using it to solve a problem. STEM activities for kids help them do this and encourage learning through play.

Grit, not intelligence, academic achievement, or talent is a better predictor of early success, well-being and happiness than IQ or talent.

"Mommy, I don’t like this bowl. I want my cereal in a blue bowl," protested Phoebe, my youngest child. It was a hectic morning so I decided against a fight with a stubborn 3-year-old. I transferred the cereal from the orange bowl to the blue bowl and placed it in front of her.

Kids are more prone to eat visually appealing foods. Try constructing this artful display with your child for an afternoon snack and craft all in one.

Potpies are great hiding places for vegetables. Try baking mini ones in a muffin pan with shape cut outs.

There are always exceptions, of course. But the perfectionist instinct in firstborns and only children are strong for two reasons, mom and dad.

Learn about Max and his invention and how the parental support for one child’s dyslexia helped launch a best-selling product and successful business!

Getting a child to read through her tears is hardly the path towards a lifelong love affair with books. Instead, try a more tacit approach that won’t require any nagging at all. Here are 4 tips to get your child to read, without forcing, nagging or telling them they have to!

A little planning goes a long way when hosting a playdate. This doesn’t mean you have to label water bottles or print out menu cards. But children tend to get territorial on their own home turf. Playing host is a great opportunity for your child to learn to be gracious and gain confidence.

There’s something decadent about eating off of a stick. Try putting a twist on holiday cookies this season with these cookie pops.

Rein in the holiday spending with these reindeer and Santa Claus hot cocoa cones. Kids love to give as much as they receive. So put them in the driver’s seat this holiday season and empower them to make their own gifts.

Preschool friendships may be formed at a young age, but are they real? The answer can be found when your kids move on to Kindergarten. We’ve discovered some tips and insights that have helped children cope and grow stronger from the experience. Here are 5 ideas for helping your children make the transition.

Road trips can be one of the easiest modes of travel, especially when you have small children in tow! But the key to a good road trip is planning ahead. So if you're thinking of squeezing in a few road trips this year, here are 10 tips to get you ready.

In this heartfelt article, author Deborah Song writes about her family's experience when Great-grandmother passed away. We hope this insight can support parents to help their children cope with loss. When your child loses a loved one, how do you explain this concept of death?

Tantrums are often cited as one of the most frustrating behaviors from parents. But how do you control the outcome, in a positive manner, without allowing your child to have their way and without losing your cool? Here are four empowering tips to help your child make the right choices.

According to child psychologist Dr. Randy Cale, parents make the biggest mistake by trying to make vacations perfect and going to great lengths to make their children happy. Here are three parenting mistakes you don’t want to make on your next family vacation.

Watching a plant grow is magical for kids. But you don’t need magic beans to grow a beanstalk (nor will it cost you a cow), especially when beans are one of the easiest and cheapest vegetables to grow. All they need are sunlight and water. Within 7 to 10 days of planting, your child will see he’s planted "magic" beans as well.