We have a strict 8 p.m. bedtime.
Sort of. Over the past two years it’s morphed to a strict “be physically in the bed by 8 but stay awake and read for a while if you …

Six months into this work at home gig, I have to confess a renewed appreciation for my sweats.
Not that I haven’t always been infatuated, but before it was a love affair consummated only on weekends. …

Lewis Smith, you flick your Bic for all of us fed up with basketball hoops on sidewalks and weed whackers blaring at 7 on a Saturday morning.
You’re carrying the torch for millions annoyed by gas-powered …

Last weekend was one of those overload specials: Magic show at the library Saturday morning, birthday party Saturday night. Stop at the house to sleep briefly before a fun run Sunday morning – at least …

Sometimes it’s hard to decide who to root for in a hissing match between giants such as the one that’s been going on since December between Warner Music Group and YouTube/Google.
Unable to reach a new …

In general, there is no reason good enough to get up at 6 a.m. on a Sunday. Especially not on a drizzly overcast Sunday that begs you to ignore the alarm and snuggle back into …

Note to self: Set parental controls to block access to all articles mentioning “Obama” and “garden.”
Nah. Too vague. That also would filter anything happening in the Rose Garden. OK, then let’s try “Michelle Obama” and …

From the second he started  kindergarten, Big Guy gravitated toward Best Buddy.
By the end of the first day, they already knew each other’s names – an accomplishment when you’re not quite 5 and faced with …

Once in a great while an idea comes along that’s so deliciously foolish that you’re eager to see it put to a vote of the people. With all the serious issues on the ballot, a …

I love to cook. I do not love making six meals a day.
I don’t mind at all spending money on quality ingredients for dishes. I hate like heck throwing away food.
For years, the guys have …

Scholastic Inc.’s effort to push toys and trinkets on kids in the name of reading: Bad
Chuck E. Cheese’s generous offer to give schools 15 percent of the take from fund-raisers held at its restaurants: Tempting, …

Since we’re into adding warning labels to children’s media this days, “The Foot Book” needs to be next on the list.
Innocent introduction to literature suitable even for young babes? Yeah, I fell for that, too, …

Talk about good evidence but the wrong assumption.
New test results presented this week at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology’s annual meeting showed that 2 percent of foods without any type of allergy …

At what the point does “it’s just a phase” morph into “it’s a personality trait that’s not going to change”?
When, six months down the road and after untold lectures, scoldings and timeouts, a 3-year-old still …

Go ahead, tell us we just don’t understand.
Patiently explain why the $165 million in bonuses American International Group is paying 400 people are necessary to keep “some of these brainiacs in their seats.” Tell us …

I am the biggest dolt since all those folks who bought Pet Rocks back in the 70s, though as the guys clamor for a puppy I’m beginning to realize the value of a pet that …

Next to “bop brother over the head” and baseball, “pretend I’m not allergic” is Big Guy’s favorite game.
Boots will sit with their toy cash register as his brother orders at McDonald’s. “I’ll have chicken nuggets, …

Allergy-wise, it’s been a disastrous weekend.
We showed up at a birthday party to see bowls of peanuts among the snacks. It freaked Big Guy out, but I’ve been trying to teach him to avoid rather …

Food and Drug Administration left hand, meet the Food and Drug Administration right hand. You two need to talk.
Right hand says we’ll look at banning children’s cold medicine because some parents misuse it. The reason: …

I’d like to claim I’d planned it, but like most of my instances of parenting genius the new grocery-store game was pure accident.
It started as I rummaged through the garbage can that my car has …

You’ve just embarrassed yourself with months of childish stubbornness and inability to agree on how to solve a $42 billion budget problem. Only 18 percent of the state thinks you’re doing a good job.
What are …

Six and a half months into kindergarten, it turns out that I’ve had Big Guy on the wrong approach to homework the whole time.
That’s what Best Buddy says, and if Best Buddy says it must …

Funny how a study that tells us what we largely already know – sitting around can hurt your health – can trigger such skepticism.
That’s how some have reacted to a British Medical Association journal article …

There is one and only one reason to have children, and it has nothing to do with ensure that the human race continues, leaving a legacy or any of that other warm fuzzy stuff.
It’s instead …

It’s too bad that most of the buzz about President Barack Obama’s education policy speech today before the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has to do with charter schools and merit pay.
Both are tired subjects that …

She takes care of Boots, fights off Swiper, loves her abuela and can fend for herself quite nicely, thank you very much.
Ay, but just as dragons live forever but not so little boys, it seems …

When a well-connected party-goer mentions that she’s wearing a 10-year-old dress to a charity gala, it’s easy to dismiss everything else that comes out of her mouth as “oops, I did it again.”
And in fairness …

If at first you don’t succeed, try chocolate again.
Frustrated after two failed attempts at a lemon layer cake – the second formulation still fell, but at least the oven didn’t catch fire – I grabbed …