Parents Ask

No matter how cookie cutter they seemed, even The Brady's dealt with sibling rivalry. Peter was jealous of Greg. Cindy was jealous of Peter. And everyone was jealous of Marcia. Marcia, Marcia, Marcia.

Today, Parents Ask experts Joanne Stern, Ph.D., Foster Cline, MD, and Betsy Brown Braun take a look and discuss this age old family problem. The question is, what is normal and how can you minimize it?

Even if your kids are still in diapers, it's never to early to teach them the value of contributing to the daily operations of the house-- that is--Chores! But as they get older, your child will probably not volunteer to help mommy or daddy out. In fact, they'll most likely expect some sort of compensation or an increase in their allowance. But as parents we need to know: should chores and allowance go hand in hand? Parents Ask experts Bonnie Zucker, Foster Cline, and Joanne Stern give us their opinions!

New York Times blogger Lisa Belkin (Motherlode), therapist Betsy Brown Braun (author of Just Tell Me What to Say: Sensible Tips and Scripts for Perplexed Parents), and Eli Davidson (author of Funky to Fabulous) discuss the problem of children having too many extracurricular activities and not having enough downtime to just play, day dream and just be a kid.

Giving birth is one of the most challenging physical events in a woman's life and it's never too early to start to get in shape. Join our Parents Ask fitness experts Robert Reames, Holly Perkins and Ron Matthews for information and great exercises to get you started now!

Betsy Brown Braun, Lisa Belkin, and Dr. Cara Natterson weigh on The Food Battle. Betsy has some insight on what works, while Lisa gives parents some tips on what doesn't work. Pediatrician Dr. Natterson gives some basic nutrition info for parents dealing with The Food Battle.

Psychiatrist Dr. Foster Cline (co-author of Parenting With Love & Logic), Dr. Ann Corwin (The Parenting Doctor and creator of DVD series The Child Connection: Simple Parenting Solutions), and Dr. Bonnie Zucker (author of Anxiety-Free Kids) discuss the reasons some new mothers who plan to go back to work when their maternity leave ends have doubts about resuming their jobs and whether kids with working moms suffer in the long run.

Jamie, mother of 13-month-old twins Charlotte and Olivia, is getting worried about Charlotte's sudden reluctance to fruits and vegetables, and to the high chair. Lynne Kenney, author of The Family Coach Method, offers some tips that might help Jamie, including suggesting that it might be time to graduate the girls to the "big girl" table.

Dr. Cara Natterson shares expert advice on how many sweets a child should be allowed and offers tips to effectively limit their sweets.

Elizabeth Pantley helps parents who have a clingy baby. Expert advice is given to help baby feel more comfortable out of mommy’s arms.

Dr. Foster Cline explains why young children should not be given money to do chores, and gives tips on how to set positive examples when it comes to young children helping out around the house.