Many people look at today’s young adults, and they notice some disturbing trends: they don’t know how to adult. Scratch that — WE don’t know how to adult. I have to say “we” because I am included; I am a millennial who is having a hard time with the adult thing.

While some of the adult troubles are economy based (hello stagnant wages and skyrocketing cost-of-living), there are many adult skills we were simply not taught and instilled with when we were growing up. Understanding money, taxes, insurance, car emergencies, and general accountability for different responsibilities are just some of the things that many young adults are struggling with to varying degrees.

As a parent, you are responsible for preparing your children for their futures. Teaching them to be able to navigate some of the more complex aspects of adulthood should be of utmost importance so they can be successful in their everyday adult lives. Read more

One of the biggest life milestones you can achieve is buying your own home. The accomplishment represents financial stability, maturity and moving towards a bigger picture of how you want to live—which can mean the world when you have a family to raise. Saving money for this big endeavor is not the easiest task, but the following tricks of the home-owning trade can get you well on your way to purchase. Read more

When your child was a newborn, you totally took for granted how easy it was for him to fall asleep anytime, anywhere and to sleep through nearly anything. My, how things have changed. Now bedtime is often filled with protest and struggle, fighting sleep at every turn.

Here are a few strategies to help bring back the peace to bedtime. Read more

When you see advertisements for home smart devices like Amazon Alexa or Google Home, you might wonder if they aren’t just a fad for techno-geeks. They look sleek, but do they have any practical home use beyond than playing your music or answering silly queries? Others may well worry that they will need a technician or one of the kids learn how to use it – or even that the device will misinterpret or capture sensitive personal information.

While certain concerns regarding “smart” home tech are prudent to consider (in the way one shouldn’t over-share online) much of today’s latest home technology is merely a foretaste of the tech that’s to come. Linking together your thermostat, your refrigerator, and your home security system may still sound like a science fiction movie that doesn’t end well, but it really can save you money while also making many aspects of family life more convenient. The best part is, most if it is controlled from your phone or tablet device, so you already carry this remote control wherever you go. Read more

Ah, summer. The time of late mornings, unscheduled play, and no frustrating homework sessions. But what if your child needs a little extra help to keep up with classmates next year? Summer tutoring isn’t necessary for every child, but it can be a wise decision for many families. Read more