Being a parent is one of the hardest jobs you'll ever have. While raising competent, responsible individuals capable of making sound decisions is every parents goal, creating a balance of nurture with freedom can be a difficult balance for a parent to achieve. In my opinion, being a good parent means providing a consistent framework of guidance and nurture while letting go of a little control so your child can confidently learn how to make good choices independently. Someone once told me, a good parent teaches independence and can let go. It's

Is anyone else frustrated by the power video games can have over your children? When my oldest was first born, I swore I’d wait until he was 2 before I’d let him watch TV much less play video games. We read lots of books, painted, cooked and played outside.

My just-turned 3 year-old was my little angel. He’s so cute and cuddly. A good listener, a helper…he even potty trained himself at 2 1/2 years old. I had few, if any complaints. Then he turned 3. Now it’s as if a switch went on and the craziness came out. He’s an instigator, a hitter, he tells little lies and ignores me when I talk to him. What a change! To think that I have more than 11 months of this. Oh and the whining, how could I forget that?

My friend and I were discussing at what age it’s ok to drop off your child at say, baseball, while you go and park the car. This would require that your child walk by himself to the game or practice or to the locker rooms. What do you feel is appropriate?