(Photo Courtesy of Adam Yacenda) City of Newport Beach Lifeguard Department Battalion Chief Adam Yacenda answers important questions about beach safety in time for the summer season. Parenting OC: What are the top beach safety issues you see as a lifeguard? Adam Yacenda: The Newport Beach Lifeguard Department is celebrating...
(Photo Courtesy of iStock) Learn some insightful tips for keeping the mind in an optimal state. There are many approaches to mental health, and finding the one that fits you is a journey. By deliberately reappraising and recalibrating our thinking, we can change the way we feel and create an...
(Photo Courtesy of iStock) I’ve heard that parents with young children need estate planning. Is this true? Adults Estate planning has evolved in ways that genuinely benefit families with minor children. The focus is more on people, and less on things. (“Who do I want to protect if something happens...
(Photo courtesy of Laguna Beach Unified School District) Orange County educators offer their insights about the best questions for parents to ask at open house. Open house can be stressful for teachers and parents. Coming into your child’s classroom, you may not know what to expect or know much about...
(Photo Courtesy MacGillivray Freeman Films) IMAX filmmaker, activist and local Greg MacGillivray talks about his upcoming projects, the ocean and his optimism for the future. An ocean breeze gently blows through the window. Filmmaking memorabilia hang on the wall. A grandchild plays on the floor and a smile grows wide...
Feeling that brain fog and back pain signaling a long day’s work? Try out these tips from a local fitness expert. When it comes to fitness and nutrition, you might be your own worst enemy. It could be your work, your children or your elderly parents, but you always feel...
Standing Desk ConverterNowadays with work and home life blurring together, there couldn’t be a better addition to your office than a compact sit-stand desk converter. Make your work days more productive by periodically standing to help boost your energy and focus. No need to buy a whole new furniture set...
The key to learning is first learning how. When we talk about education — whether our own, our children’s or other people’s — we talk a lot about the importance of learning. We talk surprisingly little, though, about how to learn. We fail to address the reasons why learning is...
Parents of kids with autism may face added challenges around celebrations. The holiday season is my favorite time of year. The tasty, homemade food, warm embraces from visiting relatives and lots of laughter, expand my heart. But as much as I now look forward to this time of year, I...
A new clinical report stresses the importance of play for children. If your pediatrician is up on the latest prescriptions for children, you’ll be told about whatever vaccines might be needed at this age and counseled about the importance of nutritious instead of junk food. And then you’ll be asked:...
Whether you’re going by car, plane or train, traveling with children of any age isn’t always easy, but it is nearly always rewarding. 1. Plan Ahead, But Be Flexible There is no substitute for looking at your options before you go and making a plan. But, since children are involved,...
We all have grand ideas of all the things we will do differently this year, and that kick off to the new year makes such a convenient place to start. But unfortunately, most of us lose interest or give up on our too-challenging pledges before the groundhog does or does...
Basic Outfitters Create-a-Drawer This personalized drawer of essentials just brought the classic grandma socks-and-undies gift to the next level. Pick a set of stylish socks, underwear, undershirts and bonus wildcard item (we love the Christmas pug boxers and lumberjack longjohns) and refresh your wardrobe from the inside out. $60, www.basicoutfitters.com...
Goobi and Goobi Juniors Magnetic Construction Set These ingenious magnetic design tools let creators build 360 degrees of fun, and their little sibs get in on the fun without worries about choking/swallowing. The award-winning design even got a rare certification from Toy Safety Standards in the USA, for children one...
Adora Dolls This progressive OC-based company makes these wildly realistic and award-winning dolls with BPA Free and non-toxic materials so you can feel good as your little one snuggles up. We love their expressive features, different ethnicities, and wealth of boy dolls and gender neutral accessories for inclusive play. $119,...
Max Traxxx Tracer Racer Remote Control Twin Loop Set Light Trail Technology turns cars into blazing streaks of light on Skullduggery’s Glow-in-the-Dark track. Perfect for both beginning and advanced race fans as variable speed remote control cars and adjustable track heights allow racers to control course difficulty. (Includes glow-in-the-dark dual...
Oakley Line Miner PRIZM Goggle These Oakley’s offer the ultimate in peripheral vision thanks to a cylindrical style design which helps the goggle hug close to the face. Downward and side-to-side periphery is enhanced by new PRIZM Inferno lenses. $150, www.Oakley.com K2 Spyne 120 Heat If the thought of skiing...
Web Riderz Swing This 39” platform swing is safety-rated to carry up to 600 pounds, for outdoor fun with sibs or friends. Hang from two points for traditional back-and-forth or from a single point to spin merry-go-round style. M&M’s tire swing line is made from repurposed tires, making them not...
Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder Kids will certainly channel the force when they hop into this vehicle, modeled after the sand-pocked and sun-faded X-34 craft from Star Wars: A New Hope. With seats for 2 riders (up to 130lb), an interactive dashboard with lights and real movie sounds, and conservative 5mph driving...
Gel-a-Peel Studio Release your child’s inner fashion designer with these easy to use gel silk-screening stencils and accessories to create unique tees, clutches, book covers and more. The 15 design templates offer endless decorating options. $25, target.com Project Mc2 Perfume Maker Get your sweet, sweet science on with this perfume...
WÜSTHOF CLASSIC IKON 7 Piece Block For instant satisfaction while whipping up your signature dish or a fancy cheese tray for the fam, there is no replacement for a great knife. This classic block offers everything you need to filet, trim and chop up a feast. (Includes a 3 1/2”...
Beats by Dr. Dre Studio3 Wireless Traveling with a crying baby is rough, even if it happens to be your own. Tagteam with your partner to protect one parent’s sleep and sanity with these Over Ear headphones (or slip over a sibs’ ears to keep them in snoozeville). This new...
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As busy as our lives can be, a refresher course on the risk factors and symptoms is a good reminder to make sure we are taking care of ourselves as well as our family’s needs. Sadly, according to BreastCancer.org, twelve percent of women today...
October is here and that means one important night to a kid: Halloween. And with Halloween comes every parent’s worst nightmare: CANDY! Many parents groan as they think of the sugary loot our littles bring in from the festive fall night. How can you best celebrate this holiday and navigate...
Activity Kits Kiss Naturals Kits Kids learn about what goes into lip balms when they mix beeswax, Shea butter and safflower oil to get the perfect formulation into a jar, or a twist-up tube. This all natural kids’ cosmetics line pulls back the curtain on what goes into beauty products...