Parenting an only child comes with plenty of perks. Just ask Hope Austin of Mountlake Terrace. She has plenty of time and energy to play with her 3-year-old daughter, Grace; she isn’t drowning in child care expenses; and she knows Grace will enjoy extras, like more money for college. But that doesn

    It used to be assumed that siblings were a must for a happy childhood. But these days, researchers are making a pretty convincing case as to why this isn't so -- with one expert noting that only-child families are actually becoming the traditional norm. This month, we also take a look at

Not long after Rachel Trindle’s twin son Daniel was born with cerebral palsy, she noticed the friendships she’d cultivated with other parents just “withered up and died away.” After all, her life as a mom had changed dramatically. No longer could she connect with parents of typical children as she

    This month, we take a deeper look at various kinds of special needs and disabilities that children are faced with today. What do these challenges mean for the families of children with special needs? How do typical children and families embrace their peers who may be different from them?

Molly and Justin Sousley of Ballard were caught off guard when their 6-year-old daughter, Jillian, suddenly displayed some unwelcome traits: cheating, fibbing and poor sportsmanship. During family game nights, Jillian would regularly alter the game’s rules to give herself an edge and throw a fit if

    Looking to take in a holiday show with your tots this season? Don't miss out on our 2011 holiday arts guide -- there's plenty of festive performances throughout the Puget Sound for all ages. And if you're still working your way down your Christmas list, be sure to get the scoop on this ye

If you’re like most parents, you place a pretty high value on “equality,” which, in the parenting universe, means treating all your children the same. That concept is reinforced by practically everyone: your friends, your parents and probably most of all, your own children. Who hasn’t heard the rall

This month, it's all about playing favorites -- the factors that cause parents to treat their kids differently, and most importantly, how parents can nurture their children's individual personalities and temperaments. And speaking of debated inequalities, what's up with these lingering stereotypes