Taking the Hands Free Mama challenge

Things got crazy. So this mama’s going to work to be a Hands Free Mama.

Family Filmgoer reviews ‘Gimme Shelter’

Family Filmgoer reviews ‘Gimme Shelter’

Movie reviews with kids in mind. This week, a harrowing tale about a teenage mother.

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.

Taking the Hands Free Mama challenge

Taking the Hands Free Mama challenge

This year I am giving myself the gift of doing less, and not feeling bad about it.

Put down the phone: How to be a Hands Free Mama.

Put down the phone: How to be a Hands Free Mama.

Parenting blogger shares her top tips for putting down the phone and reconnecting with your kids.

Column

3-year-old seems physically weak. How to help?

This 3-year-old seems weak and not interested in physical activity. How can her parents help?

Column

Why patting the bunny is better than swiping the screen

When it comes to the littlest ones, they don’t need an app for that

Snow day! How do you decide who stays home?

Snow day! How do you decide who stays home?

Another snow day! Time to figure out who “gets” to go to work and who is on kid duty.

It’s summer camp time already. Help.

It’s summer camp time already. Help.

Sweating about summer camp? We are too. And yes, we know it’s only January.

Family Filmgoer reviews ‘The Nut Job’

Family Filmgoer reviews ‘The Nut Job’

Movie reviews with kids in mind. This week, an animated comedy about a squirrel’s plan to rob a nut store.

Discussion

Susan Comfort of Playworks on making the most of recess

Susan Comfort, the executive director of Playworks DC, takes questions about recess and why it benefits kids' physical, social and academic development.

Playworks coaches put fun back in recess at 14 D.C. schools

Playworks coaches put fun back in recess at 14 D.C. schools

For these D.C. public and charter schools, free play time is a priority. The effort is yielding results.

Funding formula shows potential to help disadvantaged

Prince George’s County wants more flexibility, but report shows how hard this is to accomplish

Pre-K or kindergarten for September’s child?

Pre-K or kindergarten for September’s child?

Nothing’s written in stone: Every child is different and every mother can change her mind if things go wrong.

Why baby talk is good for your baby

Why baby talk is good for your baby

Early language is spurred by the frequent use of exaggerated language, a study shows.

What a good Dad does

The person who makes the world less scary.

Family Filmgoer reviews ‘Lone Survivor’

Family Filmgoer reviews ‘Lone Survivor’

Movie reviews with kids in mind. This week, checking out “August: Osage County.”

Sick kid = working mom anxiety

Sick kid = working mom anxiety

She takes time off to be with a sick child. But her kid isn’t the only one who doesn’t feel well.

How is Disney’s revamped disability access program going?

How is Disney’s revamped disability access program going?

Author of ‘Love That Max’ goes to Disneyland and offers suggestions for navigating the new program.

Unruly teen, frustrated mom

Unruly teen, frustrated mom

She’s an unruly 14 year old. Her parents need to relax a little.

Column

2014: 18 years in the making, gone in the blink of an eye

When my sons were babies, college in 2014 seemed as implausible as a pocket-size computer.

Family Filmgoer reviews ‘47 Ronin’

Movie reviews with kids in mind. This week, an elegant samurai saga based on a Japanese legend

Why are so many millennials depressed?

Why are so many millennials depressed?

They’ve been over-parented and don’t know how to cope on their own, says a psychotherapist.

Stop heaping praise on your kid, scientists say

Stop heaping praise on your kid, scientists say

You may think it’s best to really praise the child with low self-esteem. In fact, that might backfire on you.

Five things to do to have an organized life

Five things to do to have an organized life

You don’t need a complete overhaul — these five tips will get you organized in no time

College-bound daughter won’t give up her room

She is leaving for college, but refuses to let her sister take her room. Maybe she’s right.

Video

New Year's Eve twins born a 'year' apart

New Year's Eve twins born a 'year' apart

Twin newborns in Texas came into the world a “year” apart at either side of midnight New Year’s Eve.

The one thing every kindergarten teacher wishes you knew

The one thing every kindergarten teacher wishes you knew

Either halfway through the school year or halfway to the start, here is one thing you must do for your child.

Column

How low-income high schools can hit high marks

The Broad Foundation has discovered four keys to advancing impoverished students

Six things every parent needs to stop doing in 2014

Six things every parent needs to stop doing in 2014

Think you should get your kids to “exercise?” Think again. Here are six thing every parents needs to stop.

Best family films of 2013

Best family films of 2013

Family Filmgoer names her favorite family films of the year, from ‘The Croods’ to ‘World War Z.’

What to do with kids on New Year’s Eve and beyond

What to do with kids on New Year’s Eve and beyond

You think you’ve run out of ideas of what to do with your kids? We have more to get you through with fun.

Family still in town, you’re running out of ideas.

Family still in town, you’re running out of ideas.

What to do with kids of all ages, especially during the holiday weeks.

Family Filmgoer reviews ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’

Movie reviews with kids in mind. This week, a comedy about a day-dreamer who embarks on a real ad­ven­ture.

A parent’s new year of reso-freshing

A parent’s new year of reso-freshing

Don’t call them resolutions. This parent plans to refresh. Reso-freshing: old ideas, new push for 2014.

How to manage titanic tempers in kids

Hint: Use direct commands and don’t forget about praise.

Parents of ‘naughty’ kids get a new playbook

Parents of ‘naughty’ kids get a new playbook

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy offers a kind of personal trainer to help parents manage wild kids.

Is Santa Real? How to answer that one.

Is Santa Real? How to answer that one.

You’ve been asked by your kid about Santa. What do you say?

Family Filmgoer reviews ‘Anchorman 2’

Family Filmgoer reviews ‘Anchorman 2’

Movie reviews with kids in mind. This week, Ron Burgundy returns to the big screen.

Fun things to do with kids this weekend

Fun things to do with kids this weekend

It may almost be Christmas, but take a moment away from the wrapping to have some family fun.

How to manage your child’s holiday gift expectations

How to manage your child’s holiday gift expectations

Sure, you want to give your kids everything for Christmas. But you probably shouldn’t.

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.

Make the right cloth diaper choice

Make the right cloth diaper choice

We asked Hannah Neas, owner of the Cloth Nook, an online and in-home store in Centreville that sells cloth diapers and other baby products, to recommend three options for parents.

Handy Guide: Choosing cloth diapers

Handy Guide: Choosing cloth diapers

Modern cloth diapers are softer and easier to use — here’s how to choose one that works for you and your baby

Why is this 4-year-old acting up?

Why is this 4-year-old acting up?

A 4-year-old is acting up. Could it be ADHD? Autism? Or perhaps the new baby?

Best toys of the year? Look here.

Best toys of the year? Look here.

The owner of a popular toy store makes recommendations for best toys of the year

Parenting and politics

Parenting and politics

Does parenting change your politics?