NATIONAL PARENTS UNION

May 27 2026EDUCATION

Free Pre‑K in Michigan: What Parents Need to Know

Parents across Michigan are learning that “Pre‑K for All” is not as simple as it sounds. The state’s long‑running Great Start for Readiness Program (GSRP) has recently been rebranded and expanded, but families still face hurdles like wait‑lists and transportation. The program is now income‑neutral

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May 22 2026HEALTH

Parents’ Eye on Vision: What They Know, Feel and Do About Kids’ Blindness

Parents of children with inherited eye problems often have mixed feelings about what they understand and how they act. A recent survey of 459 caregivers in China found that most are only moderately informed about the condition, with an average score of just over eight out of a possible seventeen. Th

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May 19 2026LIFESTYLE

Tech helpers to make your toddler sleep better

Parents know all too well how tricky bedtime can be with a toddler. Some days feel like a never-ending battle to keep them asleep once the sun goes down. One solution that many families use is technology designed to make the bedroom more sleep-friendly. From automatic shades to smart monitors, these

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May 04 2026HEALTH

Helping Parents Talk About Drugs with Teens

Parents can start small, saying “Hey, what’s new? ” to open conversation. They should keep the topic coming back over time. A first chat might be about medicine for a cold, then later about vaping or alcohol. Listening is key. When teens speak, parents should not lecture but ask question

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Apr 30 2026HEALTH

Preterm Kids and Their Habits at Two Years

Parents of babies born before 28 weeks were asked about their children’s eating, activity, screen use and sleep when the kids turned two years old. The questions came from a tool called FLY‑Kids that checks if families meet age‑specific advice. The study looked at 176 children who survived the fi

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Apr 27 2026OPINION

Finding Child Care Is a Big Problem in North Carolina

Parents in Western North Carolina are struggling because child care spots keep disappearing. Since early 2023, many daycares have closed down due to low pay for workers and tight budgets. This leaves working families with fewer options, forcing some to quit their jobs or cut back on hours just to ma

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Apr 19 2026POLITICS

Should kids get tested on their bodies to play sports?

Parents sign their kids up for school sports so they learn teamwork, make friends, and stay healthy. But a new proposal in Colorado could change that – and not for the better. Initiative 109 says schools must split sports teams by the sex listed on a student's birth certificate. Supporters say it’s

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Apr 18 2026LIFESTYLE

Keeping Kids Off Screens: A Simple Plan

Parents often feel powerless when their children demand more screen time, but a new approach shows that limits are both doable and beneficial. Recent research points out that devices are built to hook us; the brain’s dopamine system, originally meant for survival needs, now pushes us toward endless

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Apr 06 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Playtime Upgrades: Toys That Actually Deliver the Fun

Parents hunting for toys that outshine the cardboard boxes they come in finally have some solid leads. Instead of the usual generic suggestions, this list actually checks out toys that hold attention longer than a screen does. First up, a spin-and-paint art set that doubles as a covert parent activi

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Apr 05 2026TECHNOLOGY

iPhone’s Secret White‑Noise Trick for Baby Sleep

Parents often worry when their little one won’t settle down. A quiet background hum can calm a fussing infant, and the American Academy of Pediatrics says this helps babies sleep better. You don’t have to buy a pricey white‑noise machine if you already own an iPhone. Apple added a hidden feature ca

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