Why my boys will never play football

Why my boys will never play football

Incognito is just the latest step in realizing football will not be a part of my kids’ sports lives.

Family Filmgoer reviews ‘Thor: The Dark World’

Family Filmgoer reviews ‘Thor: The Dark World’

Movie reviews with kids in mind. This week, the continuing ad­ven­ture of the Norse-god superhero.

Read this, not that: “The Line” vs. Zuckerberg’s “Dot”

Read this, not that: “The Line” vs. Zuckerberg’s “Dot”

One book is clever and sparks a child’s imagination. The other does the opposite.

Boy with autism illustrates children’s book

Boy with autism illustrates children’s book

Karl Gabriel’s pictures featured in “Shine,” a book about letting your inner light come through.

Column

Parents, stop worrying about a 4.0 in second grade

Parents can forget that grades aren’t the point of education; learning is.

How to help angry post-divorce sister and her children

How to help angry post-divorce sister and her children

How to help a sister very angry after a divorce, and her children who are the focus of her anger.

Fun things to do with kids this weekend

Fun things to do with kids this weekend

Ice skating, museum hopping, animal saving: it’s all on the docket for kids and their parents this weekend.

She writes the blog on parenting while chronically ill

She writes the blog on parenting while chronically ill

This mom with a chronic disease works hard to be a parent, and to advocate for herself

Mathematical ability seems to be evident even in infancy

Mathematical ability seems to be evident even in infancy

Also, a new book relies on common experiences to explain scientific principles.

Family Filmgoer reviews ‘Free Birds’

Movie reviews with kids in mind. Also reviewed this week: ‘Ender’s Game’ and ‘Last Vegas.’

Five things to do with kids this weekend.

Five things to do with kids this weekend.

Toss your pumpkin, make crafts among artwork, see a play. Many happenings with kids this weekend.

Handy Guide: Choosing a bottle for your baby

Handy Guide: Choosing a bottle for your baby

With so many choices, it can be hard for new parents to know whether a basic model will suffice or they need all the bells and whistles of a higher-end bottle.

How to talk to teens about family finances

How to talk to teens about family finances

A single mom worries about telling teens about family finances.

Column

Take the sexy out of Halloween; return the holiday to kids

It’s time to speak up against how grown-ups have hijacked the holiday.

Gansler not responsible for others’ kids. Aren’t we all?

Gansler not responsible for others’ kids. Aren’t we all?

Doug Gansler argues he isn’t responsible for other people’s kids. Aren’t we all?

Half of all babies use a computer or smartphone before age 2. Here’s why that’s bad.

Half of all babies use a computer or smartphone before age 2. Here’s why that’s bad.

A major pediatric association released strict guidelines on kids and media ... the same day as a new report detailing how much time young children spend online.

Why is it still so hard to diagnose ADHD?

Why is it still so hard to diagnose ADHD?

School personnel play a big role in diagnosing the disorder, but they may not be best equipped for the job.

Leave the mobile tracking out of trick-or-treat

If parents are indeed keeping tabs on their kids on Halloween, we’ve reached a new low in helicopter era.

Family Filmgoer reviews ‘All Is Lost’ and more

Movie reviews with kids in mind. This week, Robert Redford is stranded at sea in an unusual, mesmerizing film.

Fun things to do with kids this weekend

Fun things to do with kids this weekend

There is endless fun waiting for you and your kids this weekend, from a horse show to a costume symphony

Discussion

Parenting advice: Help for raising children of all ages

Family Almanac columnist Marguerite Kelly discussed the ups and downs of parenting, and tips for helping children through challenging times.

Column

How to help an in­cred­ibly shy son

Her 20-year-old son has never had a close friend. Marguerite Kelly offers this mom some advice.

Warrior moms fight Down Syndrome stereotypes

Much to celebrate in Down Syndrome Awareness month, but moms find more work to be done

Video

Saucy tradition: Tomatoes bind family

Saucy tradition: Tomatoes bind family

MaryLynn Haase and her husband, Greg, of Arlington, Va. spend their late summers cooking 750 pounds of tomatoes into sauce. The Fold's Whitney Leaming spends "sauce day" with the family and their friends to find out how, and why.

Should babies have breast milk at any cost?

Should babies have breast milk at any cost?

Women are obtaining milk over the Internet. Are we pushing mothers too hard to feed babies breast milk?

Can physical activity help kids do better in school?

Can physical activity help kids do better in school?

Yes, studies say, they will test better. But whether being active helps them learn better is still unresolved.

Moms have favorites, and the preference lasts into old age

Moms have favorites, and the preference lasts into old age

A study suggests doctors and others should recognize this continuing favoritism as mothers grow older.

D.C. on best places to trick-or-treat list.

D.C. on best places to trick-or-treat list.

A new survey ranks Washington D.C. eighth best city to trick or treat. What are your traditions?

Column

Carolyn Hax: Handling a divide over discipline

Carolyn Hax: Handling a divide over discipline

A husband who believes in spanking and a wife who doesn’t: It’s time for a conversation and mutual respect.

Winning ideas for Halloween costumes

Winning ideas for Halloween costumes

Queen Elizabeth I, a Rubik’s Cube and two funny optical illusions were among winners in this year’s contest.

Furlough also meant family time.

Furlough also meant family time.

There were some positives to getting furloughed. Among them? Family time.

Let them eat candy

Let them eat candy

Parents shouldn’t fear the Halloween haul.

Family Filmgoer reviews ‘Romeo & Juliet’ and more

Movie reviews with kids in mind. This week, a cinematic version of Shakespeare’s iconic love story.

Free tickets to new family movie “The Stream”

Free tickets to new family movie “The Stream”

The film follows five young friends on a journey to the mall to replace a Wiffle ball bat that a bully destroyed.

Column

What’s the harm in Halloween candy?

Letting your kids have a treat or two won’t kill them — or make you a bad parent.

How to stop a toddler’s TV tantrums

How to stop a toddler’s TV tantrums

Marguerite Kelly explores how to stop a toddler’s end-of-tv-tantrums.

How to get the most from parent-teacher conferences

How to get the most from parent-teacher conferences

What should you get out of a parent-teacher conference? Follow these tips and learn.

Furloughed federal workers feel pushed to the brink

Furloughed federal workers feel pushed to the brink

Some single mothers see cherished independence crumbling because of government shutdown.

No kids allowed at this restaurant, and it’s working.

No kids allowed at this restaurant, and it’s working.

Sushi Bar in Del Ray is a no-kids establishment, and it’s working.

Irregular bedtimes for kids can cause bad behavior

Irregular bedtimes for kids can cause bad behavior

Study finds that children who do not adhere to a regular bedtime act out more.

Looking for a good pumpkin? Try one of these 11 patches.

Looking for a good pumpkin? Try one of these 11 patches.

We give you 11 good pumpkin patches to try this season, now that the sun is out again.

Video

Small study ties BPA to miscarriage risk

Small study ties BPA to miscarriage risk

A small study found a possible link between BPA and miscarriage risk in women prone to fertility problems.

Guide to D.C. private schools helps parents choose right fit

Guide to D.C. private schools helps parents choose right fit

Ann Dolin’s book tells parents what to look for in a school, provides information about D.C. area options

Family Filmgoer reviews ‘Captain Phillips’ and more

Movie reviews with kids in mind. This week, an intense drama about the hijacking of a container ship.

Moms are exhausted, but would we want it any other way?

A new study shows moms are more tired than dads. Would we change it if we could?

Column

When a 3-year-old hits mom, what is she supposed to do?

When a 3-year-old hits mom, what is she supposed to do?

A mother asks Maguerite Kelly what to do about her young son who hits and kicks her.

Family grocery shopping during the government shutdown

Family grocery shopping during the government shutdown

Melissa d’Arabian shares her best ideas for pinching pennies on the family grocery budget.

Mothers more fatigued than fathers, but often happier

Report finds that fragmented time and long, mental checklists add to fatigue, but that moms find work meaningful.

How can we help new mothers? Screen for postpartum depression.

Miriam Carey may have had postpartum depression. So do at least 14 percent of new moms. We need to help.

Shutdown-proof activities for families

Shutdown-proof activities for families

Soccer is back on for kids whose field is shuttered. Plus, other options to get through a shutdown weekend