When you think about scouting, you probably think of Boy Scouts of America or Girls Scouts of the USA. As the best-known scouting organizations in the United States, they have a lot to offer children and are widely available in most communities. But there are more scouting options than you may realize. Following is an overview of the top six scouting organizations in the U.S. This list will help you determine which organization is the best option for your child....

It’s tempting to seek sole physical custody just because you believe you deserve it or, to put it more plainly, because you don’t deserve whatever your ex may have done to hurt your family. However, as you explore the types of custody and visitation available to you, remember that the most important consideration is what’s best for your kids. To fully understand the types of child custody and visitation available to you, you’ll need to become familiar with the terminology used by legal experts....

Unstructured play is often informally referred to as simply “letting kids be kids” or “just play.” At times, you may also hear it called “free play” or self-play." Child-Led Play Rather than have a purpose, the play and activities are child-led, often leading to play that is creative and improvised. Unstructured play doesn’t necessarily mean a child plays alone. Play partners in the form of peers, siblings, and even parents can definitely take part in unstructured play with a preschooler....

But, it can be hard to know what to do when your child doesn’t pick up his toys or doesn’t turn off his video game the first time you tell him. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to gain compliance and get your child to listen the first time you speak. How to Give an Effective Warning If…then warnings can teach your child that you mean business the first time you speak....

Example of Delay of Gratification Delay of gratification is a discipline strategy that refers to the ability to put off the receipt of a reward in order to gain a better reward later. For instance, say that a tween is supposed to be working on a final project for social studies class. His or her parents have said that if he or she earns all Bs and As in class, they’ll take their student out to dinner at a favorite restaurant for a family dinner together....

Those are some scary facts, but thankfully, there are many treatment options available for blood clots during pregnancy. One of the most popular treatments is a prescription blood thinner called Lovenox, also known as enoxaparin. Here’s what we know about Lovenox, along with some helpful insight from Dr. Kim Langdon, an obstetrician-gynecologist based in Ohio. What Is Lovenox? The ability of our blood to clot is important and necessary (for example, after you get a cut or injury, your blood clots so that you don’t continue bleeding profusely)....

A variety of factors affect what we dream about and how well we recall our dreams. While strange dreams can be confusing and even disturbing at times, know that they are quite common when you’re pregnant. Causes of Unusual Dreams in Pregnancy Emotions, hormonal changes, and sleep disturbances all contribute to the weird dreams that pregnant people—and their partners—often experience. Here’s a closer look at the common causes of unusual dreams....

Nowadays—and pretty much since always in the United States—we know pablum as any kind of infant cereal, or a baby’s first introduction to the world of solid foods. It’s made of processed grains, most commonly rice but also barley or oats. It’s hypoallergenic, easy to digest, and can be served as a solid food when mixed with breastmilk or formula. Since pablum can also be thinned out in a baby’s bottle (with a larger nipple) for drinking, many parents wonder when they can start giving it to their baby....

There are key indicators that your child is ready to use their own cell phone, tablet, or another device with fewer (or no) parental controls or restrictions. Here, we explore why parental technology limits matter, how to institute technology rules that kids will follow (and maybe even embrace), and when kids have the ability to manage their own technology use. Why Parental Monitoring Matters Excess time on devices can be concerning for many reasons....

While it’s natural to want to keep your child safe, the chance of injuries may actually be worth it in exchange for emotional and physical confidence. Thankfully, the great majority of injuries sustained during risky outdoor play are minor, requiring little or no medical treatment. Risk-Taking Promotes Physical Health Most childhood risk-taking involves at least some physical activity, whether it is walking to school or the park alone, climbing a tree, or trying new skateboard tricks....

But this is one fad that’s more than just fun; it can potentially boost some worthwhile skills in kids and impart some child development benefits. Aside from giving kids something pretty to wear and share with friends, making Rainbow Loom bracelets can teach kids important skills like focusing on a task and following directions. (Such skills are especially important for school-age kids, who are the most avid fans of these kits....

What Is Sensory Play? Sensory play includes any type of play that engages one or more of a child’s senses, primarily the sense of touch. The young child needs to handle and feel materials and objects to learn and develop. That’s why little kids always seem to want to touch everything and put everything in their mouths. Some examples of sensory play include manipulating playdoh or dried rice, but it also includes other senses like smelling jars or colored tablets....

A doula provides a woman and her family with support before, during, and after the birth in many different ways. An epidural is merely one of the many tools that are available to laboring women today. While an epidural can relieve pain, it doesn’t provide support in the way that a doula provides support. Here are some of the things that a doula can do for a mother who would like to use an epidural as a tool for pain relief in her labor....

Not only will your baby laugh and babble, but they also will likely be able to sit up without support and may show readiness for solid foods. Plus, they may even start sleeping longer stretches at night, which means you might finally get more shut-eye. “At 6 months, your baby should be expressing joy and displeasure, displaying curiosity, and passing things from one hand to another,” says Ben Levinson, MD, a primary care pediatrician with Nationwide Children’s Hospital....

And, did we mention that you’ll also be completely exhausted while doing this? Yep, that’s the reality of the fourth trimester. Of course, a bunch of that “downtime” will be spent burping your baby, trying to get them to latch on and eat, inhaling their baby scent, and admiring their itty-bitty fingers and toes. But let’s face it: those hours of holding and feeding can get a little monotonous, and you might be looking for some entertainment to pass the time....

Staying Active on Rainy Days Study after study has shown that kids do not get enough physical activity. A preschooler (a child between ages 3 and 5) needs to move around throughout the day to help develop growth, motor function, and cognitive skills. On a sunny day, it’s easy to head outside for some active fun, but what about when the weather isn’t so great? Fun Rainy Day Games and Outdoor Activities While you can certainly find plenty of games for inside play, if it’s just raining, consider putting on your rain boots and raincoat and heading outside anyway....

What’s more, your baby is becoming more and more alert, and really starting to feel like a little person. With that heightened alertness, though, comes more intense periods of fussiness, and some babies are even beginning to show signs of colic. Here’s what you need to know about parenting a 3-week-old baby, including what milestones to look forward to, some care and safety tips to keep in mind, and what to expect when it comes to feeding and sleep....

If you think baby names that start with “S” might fit the bill, there are plenty of unique names here, as well as plenty of popular names. There’s something to suit just about any family so your baby names can stay on theme and your family’s names can all stand out. Sadie Origin: English Meaning: Princess Famous Namesakes: Stranger Things star Sadie Sink is one of the most famous people with this name....

Breastfeeding After a C-Section Breastfeeding after a C-section is not only possible but medical experts recommend it as the healthiest option for feeding most newborns. However, learning to breastfeed after having major surgery presents issues that can make the process more difficult—but support is out there to help you navigate this skill. It’s also helpful to understand the breastfeeding challenges you may face after a C-section so you can prepare for them....