Family Time

Family Movie Night

The Tim Burton Collection, on Blu-Ray

Synopsis: This collection from Warner Bros. is great for a family looking to score a handful of good movies at a decent price (but note that the format is Blu-Ray only). The collection contains Tim Burton’s Warner Bros. films: “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure,” “Beetlejuice,” “Batman,” “Batman Returns,” “Mars Attacks!,” “Corpse Bride” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

It's second nature to plan an adorable nursery that's coordinated from the art on the walls to the crib to the changing table. But while there's an infinite supply of bedding sets that appeal to your taste in decorating, those sets might not be safe. In fact, the breathing hazards presented by soft, cushy bedding have caused organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics to recommend against using plush pillows, blankets and bumpers.

Creating a safe sleeping environment for your baby is easy, and you can rest easy - or as easily as new parents can - knowing that your baby is both comfortable and safe. Consider these tips to give your baby the best sleeping environment.

- Always place your baby on her back whenever you're laying her down to sleep. Since the National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched its "Back to Sleep" campaign in 1994, urging parents to put babies to sleep on their backs, deaths from SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) have been reduced by nearly half, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics in March 2012.

- Use a crib that meets current safety standards. While there might be sentimental value attached to a crib passed down through generations of family members, it's not likely to meet the most up-to-date ideas of safety. Even if you have a modern crib, it's important to pay attention to recalls - millions of drop-side cribs have been recalled in recent years. To see if your crib has been affected, check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website at www.cpsc.gov.

- In your crib, place a firm mattress that fits in place snugly. Try out the "two finger test" - if you can fit two or more fingers between the mattress and the side of the crib, the mattress is too small.

- Choose a bedding set that supports baby's safety. Quilt and bumper sets might be cute, but the importance of safe sleep for your baby should be paramount. A simple sheet is enough for your baby's crib, when combined with a comforting wearable blanket that keeps baby feeling secure.

- Don't dress baby too warmly for sleep, even if that's what you think is comfortable. Keeping baby's temperature at a safe level is important, so avoid overdressing and keep the room temperature at 68 to 72 degrees.

“B Is for Beer,” by Tom Robbins

Ages: 8 and up

Pages: 128

Synopsis: A children's book about beer? Yes, believe it or not — but “B Is for Beer” is also a book for adults, and bear in mind that it's the work of maverick bestselling novelist Tom Robbins, internationally known for his ability to both seriously illuminate and comically entertain. “B Is for Beer” involves readers, young and old, in a surprising, far-reaching investigation into the limits of reality, the transformative powers of children, and, of course, the ultimate meaning of a tall, cold brewski. - HarperCollins Publishers

“Chimpanzee,” now in theaters

Rated: G

Length: 78

Synopsis: A Disney documentary about a 3-year-old chimpanzee who is adopted by an adult male.

Violence/scary rating: 2

Sexual-content rating: 1

Profanity rating: 1

Drugs/alcohol rating: 1

Family Time rating: 1. A great film for the whole family.

(Ratings are judged on a five-point scale, with 5 being “bad for kids” and 1 being “fine for kids.”)

There's a common misconception among the American public that estate planning is only the domain of the elderly or the very wealthy. That's far from the truth.

If you haven't considered yourself as a candidate for estate planning, you might be underestimating the value of your assets. In fact, items like your home, your car and your life insurance are assets - and valuable ones at that. The unhappy result of failing to plan may be unnecessary fees, expenses and delays at a time when your loved ones are struggling to cope with loss.

The complex nature of planning your estate might put some people off, but in that situation, a professional accredited estate planner (AEP) can simplify the process. Working with a team of professionals ensures that your plans are streamlined, understandable and clear-cut, to avoid confusion down the road. The NAEPC makes it easy to find vetted professionals in your area with a search tool on its website www.naepc.org.

The most important thing to remember is that planning your estate well ahead of time - when you're feeling your best and when you're calling the shots - ensures that your goals will be accomplished. Visit www.estateplanninganswers.org for more information.

"Bliss," by Kathryn Littlewood

Ages: 8-12

Pages: 384

Synopsis: Rosemary Bliss’s family has a secret. It’s the Bliss Cookery Booke — an ancient, leather-bound volume of enchanted recipes like Stone Sleep Snickerdoodles and Singing Gingersnaps. Rose and her siblings are supposed to keep the Cookery Booke under lock and whisk-shaped key while their parents are out of town, but then a mysterious stranger shows up. “Aunt” Lily rides a motorcycle, wears purple sequins, and whips up exotic (but delicious) dishes for dinner. Soon boring, nonmagical recipes feel like life before Aunt Lily — a lot less fun. So Rose and her siblings experiment with just a couple of recipes from the forbidden Cookery Booke. A few Love Muffins and a few dozen Cookies of Truth couldn’t cause too much trouble, could they? Kathryn Littlewood’s culinary caper blends rich emotional flavor with truly magical wit, yielding one heaping portion of hilarious family adventure. - HarperCollins Publishers

“The Three Stooges,” in theaters

Rated: PG

Length: 1:35

Synopsis: The popular trio is resurrected by the Farrelly brothers in this new comedy.

Violence/scary rating: 3

Sexual-content rating: 2

Profanity rating: 2

Drugs/alcohol rating: 2

Family Time rating: 2.5. The cartoonish Stooges return to the screen in a decent family film.

(Ratings are judged on a five-point scale, with 5 being “bad for kids” and 1 being “fine for kids.”)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that somewhere between 50 million and 70 million adults in the United States have chronic sleep and wakefulness disorders.

According to the National Institutes of Health, sleep disorders account for approximately $16 billion in annual health care costs, and Cornell University psychologist and sleep expert James Maas estimates that sleep deprivation and sleep disorders cost the American economy at least $150 billion a year.

Sleep deprivation is not only costly, but dangerous too. After a review of national behavioral health data, the CDC found that one in 20 adults reported nodding off or falling asleep while driving at least once in 30 days. Short-term sleep loss can lead to slower reaction times, headaches, aches and pains, irritability, shorter attention span and hindered decision making.

Consider the following sleep tips:

- Think of a relaxing place: Go on a virtual trip in your mind by picturing a place from childhood. Trace the roads and paths of this region until you arrive at a certain place. Usually, you'll be sleeping before you arrive at your destination.

- Expose yourself to bright lights when you wake up: Exposure to bright light early in the morning, typically for 30 to 40 minutes, has been shown to promote healthy habits and a good night's sleep.

- Change your pillow: The ideal pillow is one that helps you maintain natural alignment between your neck, head and spine as you shift positions during the night. Because people tend to change sleeping positions at multiple times during the night, finding the right pillow is not always easy. A waterbase pillow is a good solution, because the water gently disperses and fills the region between your shoulder and jaw, to maintain proper cervical support - no matter what position you sleep in.

- Establish a routine: By keeping a regular bedtime, your body becomes trained to ritually wind down and speed up, thus bringing on sleep more consistently. Consider avoiding daytime naps, as they may alter your body's natural sleep cycle. Abstaining from naps helps to keep the body on schedule.

“The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict (Mysterious Benedict Society Series),” by Trenton Lee Stewart

Ages: 10-13

Pages: 470

Synopsis: Nine-year-old Nicholas Benedict has more problems than most children his age. Not only is he an orphan with an unfortunate nose, but he also has narcolepsy, a condition that gives him terrible nightmares and makes him fall asleep at the worst possible moments. Now he's being sent to a new orphanage, where he will encounter vicious bullies, selfish adults, strange circumstances — and a mystery that could change his life forever. Luckily, he has one important thing in his favor: He's a genius. On his quest to solve the mystery, Nicholas finds enemies around every corner, but also friends in unexpected places — and discovers along the way that the greatest puzzle of all is himself. - Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

The Three Stooges Collection, Vol. 1: 1934-1936, on DVD

Rated: Not rated

Length: 340 minutes

Synopsis: There’s a new “Three Stooges” movie, but if you want to check out the original comedy trio, start with this amazing collection. There are seven other DVD sets, but this is the very beginning.

Violence/scary rating: 3.5

Sexual-content rating: 1.5

Profanity rating: 1.5

Drugs/alcohol rating: 1.5

Family Time rating: 2.5: You know what to expect – cartoonish violence and madcap adventures.

(Ratings are judged on a five-point scale, with 5 being “bad for kids” and 1 being “fine for kids.”)

Most Americans are aware that identity theft is a significant problem, and that it's important to take measures to protect your identity. What people might not know is their children may also be targets of identity theft before they even become old enough to own a credit card. The Federal Trade Commission has identified child identity theft as a growing problem and encourages parents to do what they can to minimize the risks to their children. 

The most common way a criminal can steal or misuse the identity of a child is to get access to the child's Social Security number. The perpetrator then uses the Social Security number to open credit card accounts or loans, rent an apartment, sign up for utilities like cellphone service, or even apply for a job. Credit issuers often don't have a way to verify the age of the applicant, so if the criminal changes the age of the identity associated with your child, it's possible that the issuer may approve them for credit, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center.

Once an account has been established in your child's name, it's easier for criminals to establish subsequent accounts until this fraud is discovered. If your child's identity is stolen at an early age and the theft goes undiscovered until she reaches the age where she begins to establish her own credit, it can be very difficult to discover how the fraud first occurred.

Parents can take a number of steps to help prevent their children from becoming identity theft victims:

- Store your children's Social Security cards in a safe place, such as a safety deposit box. Only give out your children's Social Security number when it's absolutely necessary, and provide alternate verification whenever possible.

- Teach your children to never reveal personal information to anyone, no matter how trustworthy that person may seem. People close to the family are often found to be perpetrators in child identity theft cases.

- If your child receives pre-approved credit card offers in the mail, you may want to check in with a credit reporting agency or Social Security. If you've been contacted by a collection agency regarding an account in your child's name, there's a possibility your child's identity was stolen.

- Consider signing up your family members for a credit monitoring and identity protection solution.

“The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?,” by Mo Willems

Ages: 2-6

Pages: 40

Synopsis: The Duckling asks for a cookie -- and gets one! Do you think the Pigeon is happy about that? - Disney Press

“War Horse,” now on DVD

Rated: PG-13

Length: 146 minutes

Synopsis: Young Albert enlists to serve in World War I after his beloved horse Joey is sold to the cavalry. Albert's journey takes him across Europe as the war rages on.

Violence/scary rating: 4.5

Sexual-content rating: 1.5

Profanity rating: 2

Drugs/alcohol rating: 3

Family Time rating: 3. This is a great family movie, but because of the war violence, only for older kids.

(Ratings are judged on a five-point scale, with 5 being “bad for kids” and 1 being “fine for kids.”)

You see a parent with a toddler at the store. The toddler misbehaves and, suddenly, the parent flies into a rage and screams at the child. The reaction only causes the child to cry louder, which leads to even more yelling by the parent. What can you do? Without knowing any of the family's history or its struggles, is it OK to step in?

There is an effective way to intervene to help a child who may be in trouble, says Dr. Darlene Silvernail, a professor of psychology at South University's West Palm Beach, Fla. campus.

"Approaching someone who is having troubles can feel daunting, and caution is advised," says Silvernail. "But there are ways to help save a child from mistreatment through brief intervention techniques."

How do you approach the parent of a child you think may be verbally or physically at risk? Silvernail offers these suggestions:

1. Start a conversation with the parent. "Let them know that you understand that little ones test our nerves, and while this is part of normal childhood development, it can be very stressful," says Silvernail.

2. Avoid negative remarks or looks. These reactions are likely to increase the parent's anger or embarrassment and make matters worse.

3. Offer the parent assistance or resources. Silvernail suggests saying something such as "Children sure can be frustrating, can't they? Can I do anything to help?" Another approach might be to offer resources: "Are you aware that we have wonderful resources in our area?" Even if you are not an expert in local assistance organizations, you can always refer a parent to the Administration for Children and Families' (ACF) parent hotline at 855-4APARENT (855-427-2736). The ACF is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In some situations, you may not be able to offer assistance, or your offer may be dismissed by the parent. If you suspect abuse or neglect, you should report it to the Child Abuse Hotline at 800-96-ABUSE (800-962-2873).

“Artemis Fowl,” by Eoin Colfer

Ages: 9-12

Pages: 304

Synopsis: When a 12-year-old evil genius tries to restore his family fortune by capturing a fairy and demanding a ransom in gold, the fairies fight back with magic, technology, and a particularly nasty troll. - Hyperion Books for Children

“The Hunger Games”

Rated: PG-13

Length: 142 minutes

Synopsis: Set in a post-apocalyptic future, kids are selected to fight to the death for the entertainment of the Capitol. The movie is based on – and closely follows – the novel by Suzanne Collins.

Violence/scary rating: 4

Sexual-content rating: 2

Profanity rating: 2

Drugs/alcohol rating: 2

Family Time rating: 3.5. The violence in this film isn’t explicit, but it’s obviously there, so make sure your kids can handle it.

(Ratings are judged on a five-point scale, with 5 being “bad for kids” and 1 being “fine for kids.”)

You know the old saying that the journey is just as important as reaching your destination? It can also be applied to your family vacation. Some even believe that the journey is half the fun of getting there. While you may already have a getaway destination in mind, traveling as a family presents its share of challenges for the journey ahead.

That's why it's so important to plan ahead to make sure your trip is a memorable voyage, rather than an endless undertaking. Preparing for vacation travel is all about using your resources, staying organized and snacking smartly.

Whether you're traveling by car, plane or train, here are a few travel survival tips to ensure a smooth journey during your next vacation:

- Keep a snack stash. Hunger is the happy traveler's kryptonite, as moods can go south quickly when you're in need of a snack. The type of snacks you choose is also important, as snacks overloaded with sugar might not help you feel satisfied for long - and sugary snacks can also leave your kids with lots of energy and nowhere to burn it off. Try stocking up on healthier snacks that are convenient for on-the-go situations.

- Take a cleanup kit. Hand sanitizer, napkins and hand wipes can help keep everyone - and the inside of your car - clean during your trip. If you have younger children, keeping a bag with a change of clothes easily accessible can help you weather any bad spills or accidents.

- Don't forget the fun. Car games can make the time fly by for children. If you're driving, games like car bingo and the license plate game are fun ways to help your child discover the scenery. To combine food and fun, use pretzel bits as bingo pieces or a tasty game of tic-tac-toe. Bringing pads for doodling is never a bad idea either, and washable markers are always a good option since they won't easily break like crayons or colored pencils might.

- Make it easy to get some shut-eye. If you have a longer trip planned, bringing smaller travel pillows and blankets to help your passengers rest when they get sleepy can help keep everyone happy. You may also want to consider sun-blocking screens that still allow the driver to see out the window - although a comfortable pair of sunglasses for the little ones can also help.

- Keep travel-friendly technology handy. Smartphones and tablets make great travel companions for adults, giving you access to helpful maps, restaurant reviews and tourism sites. You can also scan the Web for travel-related games for the kids. Follow Snyder's of Hanover on Facebook and Twitter for road trip snacking tips, and look for game ideas and travel tips on the brand's Pinterest board.

“Pinch Hit,” by Tim Green

Ages: 8-12

Pages: 320

Synopsis: Trevor and Sam look alike. But their lives couldn't be more different. Trevor is a movie star, living the Hollywood life in a huge mansion with his own limo, pool, and bowling alley. There's nothing he doesn't have except the one thing he wants most: to play baseball for real. Sam is a regular kid who seems to have what it takes to make it to baseball's Major Leagues. He's determined to get the scouts at the big USC tournament to recognize his talent. And he really wants to see his dad, a struggling screenwriter, realize his own dream. When Sam signs up at Casting Central to make some extra money, he and Trevor come together on a movie set and see the chance to trade places—to pinch hit for each other and make everyone's dreams come true. At first, it's all good. . . . But what happens when the boys take their game too far? - HarperCollins Publishers

“The Muppets," now on DVD

Rated: PG

Length: 103 minutes

Synopsis: With the help of three fans, The Muppets must reunite to save their old theater from a greedy oil tycoon.

Violence/scary rating: 2

Sexual-content rating: 1

Profanity rating: 1

Drugs/alcohol rating: 1

Family Time rating: 2. This is a fantastic family film in line with previous Muppets movies, and it was critically acclaimed as well.

(Ratings are judged on a five-point scale, with 5 being “bad for kids” and 1 being “fine for kids.”)

This is the perfect time to start looking for signs of spring with kids. These signs return every year, so teach children to experience Mother Nature using the five senses: touch, taste, sight, smell and sounds.

- Touch: For a "hands-on" experience, gather spring garden elements. Soil, water, seeds and light all work together to help plants grow - the basics of photosynthesis. Even if it is still too cold for an outdoor garden, get kids gardening indoors by planting a small tabletop garden.

- Taste: Spring greens are some of the first tastes from the garden. Pot a "grown-up" tabletop container garden or visit the first local farmers market selling home-grown ingredients for salads this spring. Maple syrup is another great taste of spring. The first maple tree sap flows right before the leaves appear, sometime between late February and early April. This is when maple sugar and maple syrup production is at its best. Celebrate by learning how to tap a tree or visit a sugar house. Kids will love seeing how much work goes into making the syrup they put on their pancakes, and might even get to sample maple candy or maple sugar for a delicious treat.

- Sight: In spring, flowers bloom, leaves bud, birds build nests and the backyard fills with life. One of the most obvious signs of spring's arrival is the appearance of flowers. Even before the snow has melted, tiny crocuses can often be seen peeking out, making the statement that spring is, indeed, approaching. Make a scrapbook or photographic diary of which flowers are spotted first in your area.

- Smell: Spring brings soothing scents like lilacs, apple blossoms, hyacinth and daffodils. Sweet aromas turn a stroll through the garden into a delicacy for the nose. The smell of fresh, cool air wafting into an open window or the scent of laundry that's been hung out to dry in the sun are some of the greatest moments of spring. And, of course, the pleasant smell of freshly cut grass after that first mowing of the year is a reminder of all the summer fun just around the corner.

- Sounds: In the spring, birds returning from long migrations are busy building nests, looking for food and laying eggs. Their singing and twittering are a welcomed signal that spring has truly arrived. Set up a bird feeder in the backyard or patio and take turns documenting which feathered friends visit most frequently. In addition to the birds, frogs are also making their spring appearance in many parts of the country, filling the night air with song. Listen for their high-pitched calls in the evenings, especially around wet areas like lakes and ponds.