Parents are riddled with tips on how to feed their kids. At the base of these suggestions is the specter of the obesity epidemic. It can be easy to believe that a diet of anything other than organically grown, trans-fat-free, gluten-extracted vegetables served with lactose-stripped, vitamin-enhanced-soy-whey will lead to 30-year-old offspring that bankrupt the healthcare system, while being too fat to leave our basements. So, when my 2 year-old screamed “McDonalds!” upon spying the golden arches during a recent car trip, I was understandably panicked.

What do you do when toys or DVDs don't entertain your baby, toddler or preschooler? You asked. We answered.

Let’s face it. We’re not all super parents. You know, the ones who can make a smiley face mask with a page from an old magazine and a piece of hair? Well, maybe they're not exactly like that, but there always seems to be that special parent who can entertain a child for hours without breaking a sweat (or their partner’s neck at the end of the day). I am not one of those parents. After playing with my son, Cole, for half an hour, I start to wonder, "What now?" 

My grandson Max woke up this morning and the first words out of his mouth were, “Are we going to Grandpa and Nana’s house today?” It’s those moments that reinforce why Thanksgiving is my very favorite holiday: It’s the one time of the year that my husband and I get to have all of our children and grandchildren together.

Kids of all ages love to get their hands dirty. Why not turn that into a fun and rewarding opportunity to teach them about science and the environment, responsibility and patience?

Before your ghosts and goblins suit up for a night of trick-or-treating, here are some ways to keep your little ones safe this Halloween:

Getting ready for kindergarten is a big deal for any young child, but for those on the autism spectrum it can be an incredibly daunting challenge.

Some say our society has collectively become too paranoid. Gone are the days when we send our kids out to play in the neighborhood, not knowing their exact whereabouts but relying on the comforting knowledge that they’ll return safely to us when the street lights came on.

Bicycling is a great way for children and their parents to get exercise, but it's important to follow a few safety rules. Both children and adults should wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet and ride a bike that is the right size, has functioning brakes, and fully inflated tires, according to National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration. The
NHTSA also recommends that children younger than 10 years old ride on
the side walk.
Parents riding with their children in the street should follow the rules of the road and use bright colored clothing or gear to make yourself more visible to drivers.

The boxes are unpacked and the paint is dry, which means The Storybook Shoppe is set to open its doors on Wednesday.

Not outgoing enough to playgroup pick-up? 
Don't worry. Lowcountry Child has you covered.

For local playgroups, click here.

Being a new mom is a daunting job. During those first couple of months, you’re preoccupied with how to feed and how to get this little baby to sleep while trying to fit in shut-eye for yourself. But after a while, when you settle into the role of motherhood, you begin to crave the company of other moms.
Before having my son, Cole, I went to work and interacted with 10 to 20 people every day. Once I became a mom, all of that changed. I suddenly found myself cooped up in the house, just me and this little thing that cried and spit up all the time (and I mean all the time). After a while, I was desperately seeking some social interaction. But where do you turn?