When a Cold or Flu Strikes a Family Member

THURSDAY, Sept. 21, 2017 -- When one child gets sick, you might brace yourself for everyone getting sick. But it's possible to keep healthy family members from falling ill, too.

When taking care of a sick child, handwashing is more important than ever. All healthy family members should wash frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub. Do this after every contact with the sick person, their room and bathroom, and any items he or she used.

State Laws Curb Kids' Injuries Tied to Off-Road Vehicles

MONDAY, Sept. 11, 2017 -- A strict new law on the use of off-road vehicles by children in Massachusetts is likely behind a drop in related ER visits by kids, a new study says.

One type of off-road vehicle, the all-terrain vehicle (ATV), has been involved in more than 3,000 child deaths in the United States over the past three decades, with 12- to 15-year-olds accounting for more than half of those deaths, researchers noted.

Many Parents Not Happy With Later School Start Times

TUESDAY, Aug. 29, 2017 -- Only about half of U.S. parents are in favor of later start times for high school students -- possibly because they underestimate teenagers' sleep needs, researchers are reporting.

The study, of 554 parents, found that 49 percent thought it was a bad idea for high schools to delay their start times to 8:30 a.m.

Back-to-School Tips … for Parents

SUNDAY, Aug. 20, 2017 -- A critical lesson for parents to master as their kids return to school: Cut them some slack.

"The first days and weeks are tough, so it's best for parents to provide as much patience, understanding and support as possible," said Spencer Clark, an assistant professor of education at Kansas State University.

Parents of Preemies End Up Just Fine: Study

FRIDAY, Aug. 11, 2017 -- The early life of a very premature baby can be a hectic and stressful time for parents. But once the child is grown, parents are as satisfied with life as those whose babies were born at full term, new European research finds.

"Parents of very premature or very low birth-weight children did not differ in quality of life 27 years later compared to parents who had children born healthy and at term," said the study's lead author, Dieter Wolke.

Surgeons Warn of Trampolines' Down Side

SATURDAY, July 29, 2017 -- A trampoline may have your kids jumping for joy, but the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reminds parents of potential dangers.

In 2015, more than 295,000 medically treated trampoline injuries occurred in the United States. These included almost 103,000 emergency department visits, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.