Parenting Advices

1. Unleash The Inner Fashionista. At stardoll.com, your kids create virtual dolls (customize skin color, face shape, hair, etc.) then choose from a wide variety of clothes and accessories.

2. Train A Pet. When your kids get Mushabelly Stuffed Toys they receive a special ID number that enrolls them (and the virtual version of their toy) in the online world of Mushabelly University. Here, their pet advances up different skill levels, as they participate in games that develop typing, math, and hand-eye coordination, earning points in the process. Best for kids 6 and up.

A similar online game is ActionJetz that also sells airplane toys in toy stores.

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When turning down your children is the better move.

1. When the place they are visiting is so far from civilization that there are no cell sites and signal or, at least, a clinic for emergencies, turning down your teenager is understandable, especially if the venue is notorious for accidents, kidnappings, and violence.

2. When she is the only girl in the group, especially when there is alcohol, peer pressure, and no supervision. If your child is one of the boys, firmly insist on an all boys’ out-of-town trip instead.

3. When the crowd is of “questionable character.” No matter how good your child is, if he’s in the company of troublemakers, he could either be tempted or get into trouble simply because he happened to be with them. If you know someone in the group is into drugs, addicted to drinking, has a violent nature, or has done some stealing in the past — or when you simply don’t trust anyone in the gang — saying no is okay.

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