Ideas for Families and General Parenting News

A Town Meeting on Heroin called "Not My Child" has been scheduled in Anne Arundel County for parents of students from fifth grade through high school.

Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh is hosting the countywide meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 from 6-9 p.m. at the Pascal Center for Performing Arts at Anne Arundel Community College.

Make our Big Book for Families your first stop when looking for family resources in Maryland!

Find birthday party places, doctors, private schools and preschools, enrichment and after-school activities, summer camps and other resources for parents and families in the greater Annapolis, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. area, including Severna Park, Arnold, Crofton, Odenton, Glen Burnie, Bowie, Columbia, Easton, Stevensville and other Maryland cities.

Also check out some of our popular articles inside the Big Book for Families, including preparing for summer camp, best Maryland waterfall hikes, getting ready for preschool and what causes most children’s allergies in Maryland.

By Betsy Stein

Parents worried about their kids' self esteem and the amount of bullying these days, take heart. There's a new business celebrating a grand opening today in Annapolis that hopes to make a difference.

The JNP Project is opening its storefront today at 126 West Street in the Loews Hotel Building. The project — which stands for Jane Not Plain — was developed to help kids find their self-worth as they grow. It is launching a series of books geared toward kids ages 5 to 12 to help them find their "inner awesome," says Dona Rudderow Sturn, founder of the project.

Experts say whether given weekly, monthly or annually, an allowance is one of the best ways to teach children and teens overall financial responsibility, including how to save, spend and budget money.

Elaine Morgan and her husband, John, wanted their children to learn the value of money early on.

So when Katie and Ryan were in elementary school, the Ellicott City couple opened a savings account for each of them. Whenever the kids received money as birthday or holiday gifts, they had to put half of it in their savings accounts and give 10 percent to charity, Elaine Morgan says.

"They got in the habit of saving," she says. "And the importance of giving back."

But as the sister and brother neared their teenage years, and their understanding of money grew, the Morgans agreed it was time to give them more financial responsibility.

They began giving their children an annual allowance in the summer based on academic performance and not chores, Morgan says.