Imagine heading to the hospital because you think you have a really bad stomachache, only to find out you're actually in labor. It sounds like something out of a movie, but it can happen. In rare cases, a pregnancy can… read more
Cole Purvis
Free Educational Adventures for Kids in Gainesville
The fall welcomes new opportunities to learn and explore beyond the classroom, and not all of them come with a price tag. From museums and nature centers to libraries and hands-on workshops, Alachua County is home to plenty of free… read more
When Should You Open a Teen Bank Account? A Parent’s Guide
There comes a point in almost every child's life when the “piggy bank” starts to feel a little limiting. Maybe they're earning money from chores, receiving birthday cash or getting their first paycheck from a summer job. Suddenly, parents are… read more
How Much Screen Time Is Too Much for Teens?
When school ends, structure often goes with it. Late mornings, looser routines and more free time can quickly turn screens into the default summer activity for tweens and teens. Whether it’s gaming, TikTok, streaming or nonstop group chats, summer often… read more
How to Talk to Kids About Strangers
Summer often brings more freedom for kids — vacations, camps, sleepovers, neighborhood bike rides and family outings to busy parks or airports. It’s a season filled with adventure, but it can also bring more moments when children may interact with… read more
Understanding 529 Plans: What Parents Need to Know About Saving for College
For many parents, the thought of paying for college can feel overwhelming long before their child ever fills out an application. With tuition costs continuing to rise, it’s no surprise families often start looking for smart ways to save early.… read more
The Hidden Dangers of Kratom
There’s growing alarm among parents and health experts: Minors are increasingly using kratom, an over-the-counter herbal substance that carries serious risks, including addiction, poisoning and long-term harm. What Is Kratom? Kratom comes from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical… read more
Kids and Phones: Shaping the New Age of Phone Users
In an era dominated by technology, the age at which children receive their first phone has steadily decreased. In fact, a 2021 report by Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that provides entertainment and technology recommendations for families, revealed that a… read more
Hitting the Brakes: Why Less Teens are Getting Their Licenses
There are few moments that ignite a sense of freedom and excitement quite like your first time driving alone as a teen with your license. That initial journey from your childhood driveway marked a commencement into the (somewhat) liberated world… read more
Maternity & Paternity Leave: What Parents Need to Know
Welcoming a baby should be about bonding, healing and adjusting to a new rhythm, not scrambling to decode workplace policies. But in the United States, parental leave can feel complicated. Between federal protections, short-term disability, paid time off and employer-specific… read more