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The Gerber Life Parenting Blog

What parents want to know

With work, family and finances, modern parenting can sometimes feel like a juggling act. The Gerber Life parenting blog gives parents advice and tips to help you take on today-and plan for tomorrow. Our parenting blog offers articles on saving money, college planning, family insurance, parenting tips and health and safety. Although we may not be able to manage your retirement account, drive your all-star athlete to practice, or cook your family's favorite three-cheese lasagna, our parenting blog can provide you with ideas, advice and tips so that you can focus on what matters most: raising healthy, happy kids. We invite you to join the conversation and enjoy our parenting blog.

The Gerber Life parenting blog gives parents advice and tips to help you take on today-and plan for tomorrow. Our parenting blog offers articles on saving money, college planning, family insurance, parenting tips and health and safety.

  1. Learning from Struggle: Tips for Encouraging Your Child

    March 18, 2015

    Female Basketball Player Shooting HoopsYour child comes home and you can immediately sense that something is wrong. He or she missed an important shot in a basketball game, performed poorly on a test, or struggled to learn a new song in band practice. As a result, he or she may be reluctant to talk about what’s happened. As a parent, you can easily picture this scene, because you’ve lived it. If you’re a parent who hasn’t experienced it first-hand yet, you will.

    When something like this occurs, it’s important to pick your child up when he or she gets down. Although this seems like an easy thing to do, encouraging your child can actually be a bit more complicated than it seems. How honest should you be? Should you ignore talking about the event entirely? Would it be OK to help your child with the problem or should you let him or her figure it out alone?

    These are difficult questions to answer, especially when you’re dealing with a crestfallen child. If you have had trouble answering these questions in the past or think you might have them in the future, consider these tips:

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  2. Think Beyond Spring Cleaning: Creative Ways to Stay Organized Throughout the Year

    March 17, 2015

    Organized Children’s RoomWinter takes its toll on your home. Since it’s so dark and cold all the time, you rarely feel like cleaning and things inevitably get dirty. It happens to the best of us.

    By the time spring rolls around though, you’re tired of the mess and ready to scour everything in sight. But cleaning the entire house in a weekend (or in a series of weekends) can be daunting. Your children’s toys are everywhere, clothes need to be donated, drawers need to be organized … and that’s just in your bedroom. With such a big mess, where do you even start?

    Instead of having to go through this ordeal every spring, it might be helpful to keep things in order throughout the year. This way, when spring cleaning time rolls around, the job seems more manageable.

    That’s a great idea, you might be thinking, but how do I keep things arranged in a more orderly way?

    We’re glad you asked! Here are some excellent home organization ideas that should help:

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  3. Overcoming Child Bullying

    March 16, 2015

    Child Being Teased At SchoolWhether it starts with a sibling at home or another child at school, teasing is, unfortunately, something nearly every adolescent child experiences at some point. But when teasing escalates to bullying, it can often lead to long-term self-esteem issues that remain after the insults stop. While your child might not tell you that he or she is being bullied, there are certain indicators that you can look for as a parent, as well as actions you can take to help them dissolve the conflict – and build back up their self-esteem.

    Signs of Bullying

    There are three main types of bullying: Verbal bullying (insults or name-calling), psychological bullying (spreading rumors about a child to other children or purposefully leaving them out of group activities), or physical bullying (hitting or pushing). Here are some warning signs that your child may be being bullied:

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  4. How to Inspire Healthy Competition in Your Child

    March 13, 2015

    Parents Smile at Soccer Player Holding TrophyYour child races up the stairs. You’ve never seen him or her so excited about brushing teeth before. But the act of brushing teeth isn’t what has your child so excited. “I’m going to beat you!” he or she shouts. That’s when it hits you. Your child has discovered competition.

    Although it’s completely normal for 5- and 6-year-olds to embrace competition, it can be a challenging time for parents. To make matters even more complicated, there isn’t a consensus among child experts about whether or not competition is beneficial for children.

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  5. Self-Reflection: Help Your Child Find Confidence From Within

    March 12, 2015

    Confident ChildWhen it comes to self-esteem it is essential to receive external encouragement and inspiration, but feelings of pride and success also need to radiate from within. There are lots of creative ways you can help your child find inner confidence. Following are some activities you can do together to create a positive self-image. Depending on how old your child is, you can simply direct these crafts, or you can talk through what she wants to write and be a scribe.

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