At a lot of high schools, classes begin around 7:30 in the morning. Your teen may complain that that’s too early, and that this schedule keeps them from getting enough sleep.

Guess what? Sleep experts agree.

Although teens need the same amount of sleep as the rest of us, at some point during adolescence the circadian rhythm changes. As a result, the ideal teen sleep cycle looks a bit different than that of younger children, or even of adults.

Editor’s Note: We know raising kids can be hard. That’s why we’re dedicated to making your life easier with the latest and greatest parenting advice and products. We wanted to let you know that if you chose to purchase one of the items featured in this post, we may receive a small commission for it.

We all know we should stay away from controversial topics at the dinner table, especially during the holidays. (Many of us learned that lesson during the election.) But, somehow they always work their way into the conversation. There’s always one family member who won’t stop talking about the latest White House memo, or trying to push his own political agenda.

Podcasts are perfect for so many parents. They are easily incorporated into various lifestyles from commutes, to late-night nursing sessions, to waiting in the pick-up line. These podcasts cover everything from pregnancy, to parenthood, to being the perfect partner. You can find these podcasts on Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes), Stitcher, Spotify, Pandora, Google Podcasts, or whatever your preferred platform may be.

When your leave ends

There are many things our parents did 30 years ago that would have them reported to the Department of Child and Family Services if they were to do it today. Sometimes I fondly think back to my childhood of freely riding my bicycle in the neighborhood for hours on end or being left home alone at a really young age. As a mom of two young children, I shudder at the thought of my own kids doing some of the things I myself did.

There is a buzz in the air as the anticipation of a new school year draws closer. A clean slate and the promise of new beginnings mingling with the excitement of gathering with friends and sharing stories of the summer. A great way to foster this excitement and get your children set up for success are with these 8 backpack essentials.

Backpack Essentials

Elementary Science for Homeschoolers

Isabel Shaw

Stress is a part of life—it has weaseled its way into your schedule before your pregnancy, and it will continue to accompany you throughout your pregnancy. Even when you're pregnant there will still be traffic jams that make you late, inconsiderate and pushy people who drive you nuts, deadlines to meet and arguments with friends and co-workers.

In these kinds of situations, stress will not harm your baby.

The second Sunday in May can only mean one thing. It’s Mother’s Day! This year, Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8, so be sure to mark your calendar!

Editor’s Note: We know raising kids can be hard. That’s why we’re dedicated to making your life easier with the latest and greatest parenting advice and products. We wanted to let you know that if you chose to purchase one of the items featured in this post, we may receive a small commission for it.

This is your ultimate guide to celebrating International Women’s Day with kids. We’ve got everything from themed food to activities, books, TV shows, movies, and online resources.

Nursing Your Older Baby and Weaning

For many women, weaning their breastfed infant represents the first among a host of developmental transitions that characterize childhood. The long journey involved in transforming a totally dependent newborn into a fully responsible, contributing adult is charted by a progressive series of transitional milestones, including weaning, becoming toilet-trained, starting kindergarten, entering puberty, or going off to college.

During the cold winter months, you might find yourself running out of ideas to keep your kids occupied and active. Many of your favorite past times, like soccer, baseball, or even taking a trip to the park, take a backseat in the winter. Beat cabin fever this winter by introducing your kids to some of these amazing winter sports.

Skiing or Snowboarding

J: What's the earliest age that a Disney family vacation is worth it?

K: We went when the kids were 2 and 4 and it was painful. Sweaty kids who miss their naps and are too little to ride the rides they want to ride on is like vacationing in a migraine.

Communicating with teens can be tough, but these three magic words --what's your plan -- may fix your relationship for good. Teenagers are old enough to know what they have to do and they may be together enough to have some idea of how to tackle it. And if they don't, well, asking them about their plan is a good reminder to formulate one!

There is often a taboo when parents talk to their kids about money and finances. Since these types of discussions do not happen often, many kids are uninformed about saving for their future through investing.

More: How to Teach Your Child Entrepreneurship According to a Real Momtrepreneur

Succeeding at Standardized Tests

Parents: Do Your Homework
Standardized testing -- two simple words that often strike fear for children, teachers, and parents alike. Many states use proficiency testing as a way to assess children and evaluate teachers. In some states, a low score on a proficiency exam is grounds for holding your child back. Whatever the policies are in your state, your job is to prepare your young learner for the testing challenge.

After giving birth, many new moms want to get back to working out as quickly as possible to lose the baby weight. But you don’t want to rush into exercise after pregnancy because you could end up doing more harm than good. You not only have a little one to take care of now, but you also want to give your body time to heal. Any postpartum workout for a new mother should be doctor approved since every woman is going to be different post-pregnancy.