Parenting
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How to make your home the teen hangout
When teenagers are at your home, you know where they are, you know they are safe and what they are doing. Yet making a home teen-friendly can be a balancing act of supervision, things to do and sometimes just plain luck of where teens want to grav... Read more
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Brian Tietz
A little inspiration
As SW FL Parent & Child magazine celebrates it's 20th anniversary, Pamela Hayford looks back on nearly 15 years as editor. Read more
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Brian Tietz
Happy holidays
Gratitude makes the world better. When I’m stressed or otherwise in a bad mood, listing things to be grateful about turns my mood around. Read more
Brian Tietz
Spooky & sweet
Autumn is my favorite time of year. Even here in Southwest Florida. The leaves might not change colors, but this region has its own magic. Read more
Walt Disney Studios
Disney's bedtime hotline returns
The Disney Bedtime Hotline is back with your kids' favorite characters to lull them off into a deep slumber, including Anna, Elsa and Yoda. Read more
Amanda Inscore
The secret to life with kids and pets
Tips to help families navigate the spectrum of pet ownership, from choosing your new family member to preparing for the inevitable. Read more
Brian Tietz
Puppy love
We were walking in downtown Fort Myers during some event when I knew we would end up adopting our first dog as a family. Read more
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Is your child the bully or the bullied?
Middle school can be tough: switching classes, learning locker combinations, more challenging coursework. It’s also where the most bullying begins. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 49 percent of children in grad... Read more
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Are your children safe?
Some 70,000 children will ride school buses this year in Lee and Collier counties. The deaths of two students, in two separate incidents, have put the spotlight on bus stop safety. Read more
Courtesy of Child Care of Southw
Bullying prevention starts before kindergarten
Helping our youngest children learn to make connections with others and reinforcing positive behaviors helps prevent bullying later in a child’s life. Read more
Brian Tietz
First day of school! First day of school!
Sending your child off to their first day of school can be exciting, but it’s also a bit nerve-racking. Do they have all their supplies? How will they find their way through the school? Will they be safe? Read more
Courtesy of The Hollis Co.
RISE Weekend in Fort Myers: Rachel Hollis to be at Hertz Arena
Writer and motivational speaker Rachel Hollis plans to lead women through a three-day personal growth conference when her popular RISE Weekend comes to Southwest Florida. The conference visits Hertz Arena Jan. 9-11. Read more
Things to Do
Courtesy of The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club
Top 12 family-friendly resorts in Florida
Travel writer and mom Jennifer Thomas gives us her Top 12 family-friendly Florida resort picks. Read more
Andrew West
Explore the arts for free at Artis—Naples Community Day
The Artis—Naples campus opens for free to everyone twice a year, the perfect opportunity for families to explore the arts. Read more
Jon Austria
What's at the new Baker Park?
The long-awaited Baker Park in Naples features a playground, walking and biking paths, a grassy knoll and more. Read more
Key Marco Cat Exhibit
The Key Marco Cat and other rare 500- to 1,500-year-old Pre-Columbian Native American artifacts discovered on Marco Island in 1896 are showcased in an exhibit from January 2019 to April 2021. Read more
Jan 21, 2020
Squirrel Appreciation Day
Squirrels plant an estimated 1 billion oak trees. Celebrate with buy-one-get-one-free admission. Read more
Jan 21, 2020
Little Explorers
The Little Explorer Play Zone at the Conservancy is designed for ages 18 months to 5 years. Every other Tuesday and Thursday, the Little Explorer program holds a story time, activities and crafts. Read more
Jan 21, 2020
Emerging Inventors: Electricity and Energy
Children and parents learn, play and gain valuable social skills while exploring the homes, gardens and museum. The theme is Electricity and Energy. Learn about how electricity is conducting and the transfers and energy involved in generating elec... Read more
Jan 21, 2020
'Ding' Darling Tram Tour
Join an experienced naturalist for a tram ride through the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s Wildlife Drive. Learn about the refuge’s rich mangrove estuary ecosystem while looking for wildlife. Tram tours operate every day except Friday. Read more
Jan 21, 2020