Family Matters
What's in A Baby Name?
By Martha Miller
I’ve always had a fear that in a moment of elation and exhaustion (combined with a hefty dose of painkillers), I might name my baby something incredibly stupid. Meet my child, Eppie Dural Miller. (more)


Pick a Place
Mississippi Petrified Forest
By Jennifer Wigginton
Anything old is fascinating to me, so visiting the Mississippi Petrified Forest in Flora with my family recently was a real treat! Our kids were simply excited at the prospect of taking a walk down a winding path through the woods, whether or not they fully grasped the fact that we were walking past 36 million-year-old petrified tree logs. (more)


Parent Points
5 reasons to consider kindness, eating out on the cheap, Hold Your Nose When You Swallow a Goat, and more! (more)


What's Cooking
Spring Into Warm Weather With A Breakfast Picnic
By Julie Paul
It doesn’t seem to matter what, where, or when, sharing food outdoors lifts the spirits. (more)


5 Infant Health Warnings You Can't Afford To Ignore
By Victor H. Chou, M.D.
For any parent, there’s nothing scarier than when your child gets sick. Dozens of thoughts race through your head, especially if your child’s regular doctor isn’t immediately available. Is this a life-threatening illness? Could my baby suffer permanent injury? Can this wait until the morning? Do I need to go to the emergency room now? All of these questions become more urgent when the child is an infant. (more)


10 Steps to Avoid Mommy-Isolation
Why Stay-at-Home Moms Need A Break
By Carrie Bevell Partridge
I’ve heard many women describe the job of being a stay-at-home mom much like the Peace Corps--”the toughest job you’ll ever love.” The profession is definitely not a glamorous one and it is also not for the faint-hearted. The days are filled with diaper changes, meal preparations, soothing crying babies, trying to get those same babies to sleep, playing Patty Cake or singing silly songs, cleaning up all sorts of bodily fluids and a host of other tasks, including tackling an ever-present mountain of laundry! (more)


Baby Products
Discover the latest baby products like the Beco Baby Carrier, the Magic Sleepsuit, the BurpieBlocker, and more. (more)


Baby Steps To College Savings
By Martha Miller
Haven’t got a spare minute to think about baby’s college fund, much less a spare dime? Here’s an easy way to get started that won’t take away valuable sleep time or put a crimp in your style. (more)


Changing Ob-Gyns When Expecting
Communication Is Key
By Julie A. Chaffins
Ever since Katie could remember, Dr. Smith had been her doctor. He had made her first gynecological visit seem like a breeze with his warm bedside manner, and now that she was having her first baby, it seemed natural that he would be the one to deliver him. So when her husband came home with the news of his promotion and a proposed move to another state, her excitement for him was tinged with apprehension. Who was going to deliver her first-born? (more)


Easter Ideas
2 Fun, Budget-Friendly Springtime Crafts
By Tracie Grimes
Crafting is a great way for children to explore their creative side, develop skills and revel in the thrill of accomplishment. But why should kids have all the fun? (more)


How To Boil An Egg
And Decorating Tips From Petit Appetit: Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
As kids get older, parents get busier, and they all need simple, creative, healthy ideas and recipes for school lunches, snacks, drinks and the seemingly endless round of parties, playdates, and special occasions. Petit Appetit: Eat, Drink, and Be Merry has nutritious, organic, and easy-to-prepare snacks, drinks, and celebration foods that are the perfect alternative to processed store-bought items laden with high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, additives, and preservatives. (more)


2 More Creative Easter Crafts
By M. Scott Anderson
Learn how to make a paper bunny and a cross necklace. (more)


Kids Safety Bulletin
Spring Time Is Window Safety Time
By Don C. Keenan
Tragically, many children fall from windows every year, leading to injury and death. Although this type of accident is more prevalent in large cities with high-rise condos and apartments, a study by the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital found that the rate of window related accidents is on the rise in smaller cities and towns, too. (more)


Little Road Warriors
How To Teach Your Child To Ride A Bike
By Matt Swing
Congratulations. Your little one has outgrown his tricycle or is finally tall enough to advance to the two-wheel bike. No worries, you knew this day would come. Before he/she starts asking to borrow the car keys, help them get their first taste of the road on a kids’ bicycle. (more)


March For Babies Quick Facts
Learn more about the March of Dimes' "March for Babies" fundraising event, and how you can participate and support their efforts. (more)


Obesity in Mississippi
Here are some facts brought to you by YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day (April 18) (more)


Parenting Publications of America Recognizes Mississippi Quality
For the second time in as many years, Parents & Kids Magazine has been recognized nationally for its high quality editorial and informative design. (more)


Preparing For Birth
Boot Camp for New Dads Advises Parents of 19 Essential Items for the Hospital
When your baby’s birth is imminent and you are rushing to get to the hospital, it’s very likely that you’ll forget something. Being prepared beforehand is key, and one of the best ways to start preparing is by making a list. (more)


Parents & Kids Magazine Calendar
April 2009
Upcoming family-oriented events and activities in the Jackson Metro area for April 2009. (more)