Blog Posts by Parents.com

My son has no interest in playing baseball. He is 8 years old. My husband insists that if he doesn't play he won't develop and join in other activities. I am torn and I don't know what to do.

Dr. Heather Wittenberg: You're both right. Your son's preferences should be respected -- he shouldn't be forced to do something he really doesn't want to do, outside of the basics -- homework, chores, treating others nicely, and following safety rules. Some kids love sports, some kids love baseball, and other kids don't.

But your husband is right when he points out the importance of encouraging your son to join in activities and learn to contribute to a team effort. There are huge benefits associated with team activities.

Also, some kids just "hang back" more -- their personality is a bit shy, or they're overwhelmed with a lot of noise and activity. That's OK. You can help him select something that matches HIS personality.

So, how to balance both sides of the issue? Start with your son. Explain

Choosing your baby's name could turn into a big battle. Here, the pros tell you how to handle sticky situations gracefully.

By Lisa Milbrand

Sticky situation: You want to use the same name your friend used.
Solution: Tread carefully in these waters -- your friends may not be super keen to have another Emmaline or Henry in their inner circle. "We're all pushing to be distinctive, and today's parents choose names specifically to stand out," says Laura Wattenberg, author of The Baby Name Wizard and founder of NameCandy.com. "So people get very proprietary about their creative choices."

Your best bet? Broach the subject of sharing the name with the other parents, before you put it on your child's birth certificate. "If you phrase it right, the question can be flattering," Wattenberg says. "Try something like, 'Wow, you have great taste -- I love that name so much that I can't get it out of my head. Would you mind if we named our baby that, too?" If they blanch at the idea, you may need to

In our house we have our favorite Easter chocolates and treats, but I always try to go light on the candy and heavy on extra goodies that I know our kids will love and use. While these items may be a little bit more than your average spend on sweet treats to fill a basket, their longevity will outlast any sugar rush, making them well worth every penny.

By Leticia Barr

Crayola Color Studio HD App & Crayola iMarker ($29.99)
Turn your iPad into an interactive digital coloring book with the Crayola iMarker that features vivid colors from the 64 count crayon box. The iMarker can mimic the look of different materials including crayons, markers, paints, and colored pencils as young artists free draw, play games, and create their own coloring pages.

Belkin RockStar Multi-Headphone Splitter ($19.95)
Always plugged in tweens and teens who still delight in the treats left by the Easter Bunny will love this headphone splitter that allows up to 5 friends to plug in their own headphones to listen

What you need to know so that your budding athlete always feels like a winner.

By Cynthia Hanson

It didn't take long for my son to find his bliss. At 2, Eric loved taking swimming classes. By 3, when I gave him the choice of going to the pool or playing at the park the water always won. By his fourth birthday he could swim basic freestyle and rudimentary butterfly. Eric is 8 now and he's still at it -- the first one in the pool at the start of team practice and the last one out at the end. Not only does swimming bring him joy and keep him fit, but his teammates are also his best buds, and he's learned how to win (and lose) with dignity.

Like Eric, many children today are introduced to a variety of sports before they learn to read. A few years ago, he tried different sports (soccer, baseball, basketball) at day camp and in casual classes. Swimming simply rose to the top over the others, although he also enjoys tennis and golf when it's not swim season. He's right on schedule, say

Telling your toddler "no" is one of the easiest forms of discipline, but it isn't always the most effective. Here are 10 better ways to get your tot to listen.

By Mike Mitchell

There are better ways to deny, deter, or discipline your child than always saying "no." Aside from the obvious exhaustion -- for both parent and child -- some parenting experts believe that saying "no" too much can breed resentment or plant seeds for future rebellion. According to Audrey Ricker, Psy.D., co-author of Backtalk: 4 Steps in Ending Rude Behavior in Your Kids, using "no" too often can desensitize a child to its meaning, so save the word for life-threatening situations instead. Use short, clear and concise phrases to explain why your toddler shouldn't do something. Try these 10 short sentences to substitute for "no."

"I know you like ice cream, but eating too much is not good."
David Walsh, Ph.D., author of No: Why Kids -- Of All Ages -- Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It, suggests that

For April 1 -- or any day your crew is in need of a laugh -- check out this collection of pranks, props, and tricks. They're wacky enough to tickle an entire family of fools. We mean that in the nicest possible way, of course.

By Catherine Newman

1. A Micro Meal
To generate big belly laughs, present your kids with this Lilliputian lunch. Line a small empty matchbox with foil or parchment paper (so that the food can actually be eaten, if desired). With a glue stick, attach a 2- by 4-inch piece of decorative paper around the exterior. For the handle, squeeze a drop of tacky glue onto each end of a 1-inch length of pipe cleaner and adhere it to one side of the box as shown. Finally, pack it with a teensy lunch.

Sandwich: With a sharp knife, cut little triangles of bread, lunch meat, and lettuce, then stack them.

Doughnut: Frost the top of an O-shaped cereal piece and sprinkle it with nonpareils.

Carrot: Slice a bit of carrot into miniature carrot sticks.

Raisins: Chop a raisin into tiny

Do video games have an upside? Scott Steinberg, an author and technology analyst who's written for 400+ outlets from Parents and CNN to The New York Times and Rolling Stone, tells me that they do. Here he discusses 3 surprising things he believes parents should know about video games.

By Richard Rende

1. They're not evil, destructive, or going away. Besides being a perfectly normal and positive part of childhood, mounting research shows that gaming can have tremendous mental and physical benefits for children. But like any other part of a balanced media diet, you have to be careful what types of titles you consume, in what manner and to which extent. The one tip today's parent concerned with video games and their potential effects on children would do well to heed: Educate yourself about them, and don't be afraid to go hands-on with the controller. Games can be a powerful force for good, like any other medium -- but you also need to make informed decisions, teach kids positive play

Birthing your child without drugs isn't easy, but it is possible. Follow these guidelines to up your chances of having a successful natural birth.

By Berit Thorkelson

I was determined to have my first child naturally, and I almost made it. I reached my goal with the birth of my second child, when I delivered her completely drug-free. It wasn't easy, and I did a lot of work to prepare for it, but the experience was incredibly rewarding. If you and your healthcare provider decide that a natural birth is right for you, try these mom-tested tips for success.

DO find a supportive practitioner. You'll need a healthcare provider who's supportive of the many nuances of natural birthing, including avoiding induction and pain medication, and laboring beyond the bed. "Look for a midwife or doctor who is just as invested as you are in having your baby naturally," advises Maria Lorillo, Licensed Midwife (LM), Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) at wisewomanchildbirth.com, in San Francisco. "She