Blog Posts by Parents.com

The real secret to success is not getting frustrated when things seem tough. These ideas will inspire your child to try, try again.

By Leah Kaplan

"You can do it!" "Don't give up!" "Keep going!"

What parent hasn't shouted these time-tested words of encouragement as her child tries to take his first steps, learn to use the potty, or read on his own? Kids confront challenges, big and small, every day. And a growing body of research suggests that perseverance, the ability to stick with tough tasks, may even trump innate ability in predicting how successful kids will be in life. In a series of landmark studies involving elite performers across diverse fields such as music, sports, and medicine, K. Anders Ericsson, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Florida State University, in Tallahassee, found that individual achievement was more closely linked to drive, discipline, and dedication than to talent. But what if you happen to be raising a child who's easily frustrated -- like my 4-year-old

There are a lot of helpful apps for new moms and preggos -- and then there are these. Guess there truly is an app for everything!

Jessie Wohlgemuth

Pregnancy Test
No need to urinate, ladies. Just stick your thumbs on the screen and this app lets you know if you've got a bun in the oven. You can even get an ultrasound by rubbing your phone against your belly to see if you've got a girl, a boy, triplets, or an alien. Disclaimer: Results not accurate.
($0.99; iPhone, iPod touch, iPad)

Kick to Pick
Set the screen to a list of either male or female names (though don't be surprised if "Ann" pops up as a boy's name!), lie down, put your phone on your belly, and let your baby's kicks determine his or her name. Sounds like a fun idea -- like an updated version of flipping a coin. Caveats: You can't add names to the list, so if you want your baby to decide between Beyoncé and Shakira, you're out of luck. According to one reviewer, the app also works if you put it on a man's belly.
($0.99;

Was your child born on February 29? Since Leap Day only comes once every four years, make sure it's a memorable event for your little one.

By Linda DiProperzio

Let your child know how special this date is
Only one in 1,461 people are born on Leap Day (February 29), with about 200,000 across the country and 4 million worldwide. So the mere act of being born on this day is exceptional, and you want your child -- and possibly everyone else -- to know it. "A birthday lawn sign or an ad in the local paper honoring your child's unique day is a fun shout-it-out-to-the-world way to pay special attention," says event planner Leesa Zelken, CEO of Send in the Clowns in Los Angeles.

You can also put the spotlight on your Leap Day little one by making her a special button, T-shirt, or cap to wear on the day. This way, everywhere she goes people will be sure to stop to wish her a happy birthday!

Get inspired by "leap"!
Playing off the word "leap" to come up with your child's birthday party theme

We've been hearing a lot these days about a disorder called PANDAS. Maybe you've read about 15 teenagers in upstate New York who suddenly developed what was originally described as a tic disorder? It's now believed to be PANDAS.

PANDAS stands for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections. Essentially it means that for some children, being exposed to a bacterial infection such as strep can trigger severe symptoms of OCD. How? The infection triggers the immune system to produce antibodies intended to attack the infection. But the antibodies attack the brain instead-specifically, the basal ganglia, which is the part that controls emotions, behaviors, and physical movements.

It's turned out to be a very controversial diagnosis. Some doctors say there just isn't enough evidence to prove that strep or a similar infection can lead to OCD. Or that the studies proving its existence are flawed. They'll say that the children who are "suddenly" acting

The Internet is a treasure trove of information that can also present real risks for kids of all ages. Rather than going to the extremes of banning the use of digital devices (computers, tablets, phones, etc.) in the home, be practical and exercise good judgment. Take some simple steps in order to protect your family online.

By Leticia Barr

The following five suggestions serve as starting points for every family.

1. Establish guidelines for the use of digital devices. Guidelines will vary according to age but general ones for all ages include limiting screen time, standards for appropriate online behavior, being careful not to share too much information online, and being sure that other caregivers respect and uphold your family's rules for using devices when looking after your children.

2. Locate the computer in the hub of your home. Placing the family computer in a high traffic area allows you to keep an eye on what your child is doing. While teens may value their privacy, a computer

Demonstrate your love of country, or give your baby a lofty legacy, by naming him or her after a great American leader.

By Paula Kashtan

Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson, 1801-1809
Looking for a J name that's less popular than Jason or Jeffrey? Jefferson is the way to go. It comes with the simple nickname Jeff, and your baby's namesake would be the chief author of the Declaration of Independence!

Madison
James Madison, 1809-1917
Madison ranks in the top 10 on the charts, and it makes a lovely name for either a boy (Mad) or girl (Maddie). Fun fact: The name wasn't used until 1985, the year after Daryl Hannah's mermaid character in the movie Splash chose Madison for her name.

Quincy
John Quincy Adams, 1817-1825
It has the sound of a trendy name, but Quincy actually dates to the 1800s. It's traditionally a boy's name, but would sound just as cute on a girl. If you're planning a large family, Quincy is a great way to honor your fifth child, since "quin" means five.

Jackson
Andrew Jackson,

Get ready for a takeover -- of your mind and body -- by these 10 types.

By Kerry Lyons

I found out I was expecting for the first time on April 1. Because we'd only started trying that January, I thought it was a joke -- a classic April Fool's Day "Gotcha!" How I knew it was for real? A deep, driving hunger that only a bagel with butter could satisfy. Fast-forward two Aprils, and we had another baby on the way. This time I was excited -- and panicked -- over the thought of juggling two under 2. Ha! I can laugh now: A couple of years later, my husband and I were trying-but-not-really-trying when I found out I was pregnant again -- with identical triplets!

It dawned on me that you don't need to be pregnant with multiples to experience the multiple personalities of pregnancy (I remembered Hungry Hannah and Mood Swing Molly from my first go-rounds.). I'd like to introduce you to the gals I met over my preggo days. Perhaps you'll see your alter-ego on this list.

Hungry Hannah
Prides

Having our second child in December reminded me once again that right along with the joy that a new baby brings, comes a lot of new expenses. However, the excitement of new life doesn't have to be dampened with the worry that you'll go broke in the process! In fact, with our son and now our daughter, I realized that there are many ways that you can reduce the costs of having a baby. Here are a few of my favorite ways to save.

By Lydia Beiler

1. Borrow as much as possible from friends
We live in a smaller townhouse built in the 1800′s, and while it is full of character it really lacks storage space. So when our son was born 3 years ago, and again this time around with our daughter, we took advantage of borrowing items from our friends who offered their baby things. Some of the things we borrowed were a bouncer seat, a swing, a cradle, and even some clothing. Not only did this save us from having to buy these items, it also freed us up from having to store them in our little house!

2.