So here three children didn't even really mourn after the demise of the family cat and less than 10 hours later they're asking for a dog. Is P&K columnist Meredith O'Brien read to potty train another living being? I'll put money down that the Obama family won't be the only one with a new family pet this month!

As I was walking my son to his classroom a couple of months ago, we noticed something out of the ordinary: all of the teachers stood together in the school yard, then walked into the building as a group just a minute before the school day started. As it turned out, teachers in all Haverhill schools did the same on that morning, in an effort to “show solidarity,” according to a subsequent article in the local paper, which explained that the teachers were unhappy about their contracts. The demonstration and the article made me think: as a parent, to what extent should I be concerned?

Each month, we'll share some great finds that we've come across. Everyone knows that the best parenting advice, solution and tips come from parents themselves! This month we found a lice prevention product and a cheese that everyone can enjoy!

What does work is making small changes in our lives that carry a punch for a long-term health impact. Small change, Big Results is a philosophy I’ve been advocating for a while now. It works because it gives you a realistic place to start, builds a solid foundation to grow from, and helps build momentum. I’ve put together a list of the top twelve areas people tend to focus on when they think about getting more healthy and fit.

 Special for the holidays, Randi Sargent has designed a line of winter-themed cards for gift-giving or to send to your holiday card list– all of which promote awareness and acceptance of children with communication challenges. Sold under the name Symbolic Sentiments™, the owner-crafted note cards also carry a philanthropic benefit as up to 20% of all proceeds from the sale of Symbolic Sentiments cards are donated to the Federation for Children with Special Needs, a Boston-based organization. In light of recent statewide budget cuts, purchasing and sending holiday greeting cards from Giving Greetings benefits several Massachusetts charities—a nice incentive for those seeking a way to ‘give back’ this year.

This time of the year, many families begin to think about charitable contributions, donations, and service. Before you give your items, money, or time, however, you should make sure you vet the charity of your choice carefully and look into any financial and tax questions which may arise.

 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, food prices are increasing at the fastest rate since 1990. And, according to Rutgers Food Policy Institute, food prices increased 4.5 percent from March 2007 to March 2008, the largest one-year jump in nearly 20 years. Butter prices are up 31 percent, cheddar cheese prices are up 65 percent and nonfat dry milk prices are up 117 percent from a year ago. Rising energy cost surely have most of us worried but when we’re faced with an extra $20, $40, $60 per week at the grocery store, we feel the pinch on a more personal level.
 

Your greatest defense against a house fire is having a family plan. Talk with your children about fire safety, conduct a fire drill and check your smoke detectors regularly. Even though the reason behind a fire drill is a serious one, you can still make the activity a fun and engaging one. Here’s how:

Sibling Love
Welcoming a second baby into the home often means preparing a young, firstborn child who has become accustomed to having Mom and Dad’s full attention. While there’s no right way to handle the transition, many parents say they rely on other parents, Web sites and community resources.