The latest edition of the Child Well-Being Index (CWI) is out, and it ranks what states are best for raising children, looking at categories such as Family Economic Well-Being, Educational Attainment, Social Relationships and more.  New Jersey came in at number one and New Mexico was at the bottom of the list. Do you want to see how your state stacked up? Check out the best states for raising kids.

Does your child need a role model? Experts say yes, and even if you don’t believe it, chances are your kids are going to find someone to look up to. If you’d rather them not decide they want to be just like a drug-pumping athlete, a foul-mouthed rapper, or attention-grabbing reality star, there are a few things you can do to help guide kids to the right role models.

Ear infections are very common in children, especially this time of year. They are one of the main reasons why many kids end up visiting their doctors. They can be painful for kids and a tough task for parents to conquer, so it’s always best to be prepared. Here’s what you need to know about children’s ear infections.

It’s the season of giving, and many people will be looking for a way to give back to their community and teach their children the importance of selflessness.  Need some ideas? Check out Baby Zone’s list of 10 great children’s charities. You can donate everything from time to old clothes to help local children in need.

When mom Nikki Allan had her daughter’s pictures taken, she was excited. But when she received the results, she was less than thrilled. The photographer had airbrushed her two year old daughter’s birthmark out of the photos. The photographer claims he was well-intentioned, that it was a mistake, and has offered an apology. What do you think? Was this an easy mistake or was the photographer trying to make the child look “perfect?”

You may not have headed out for Black Friday yesterday, but chances are you’ll be shopping soon. It’s the time of year when stores are busier than ever and everyone one in the world is out and about.  If you plan to bring your kids along for the ride, you might want to take a look at these child safety shopping tips. They might just help you this holiday season.

At some point in time, you’ll probably decide to give your child a cell phone. To you, this means a way to stay in touch with them no matter where they are and a way for them to get in touch with you if they need you. To them, this means a way to stay in touch with friends all day, every day and inevitably run up your phone bill with texts and tweets and emails. So, how can you make sure your child uses his or her cell phone responsibly? About.com suggest a cell phone contract for tweens and offers guidelines for what to add to the contract.

According to a recent survey, eight percent of parents regret the name they chose for their baby. Most of the regret had to do with the name becoming either too trendy or common. Do you regret your child’s name?

Whiny children, no matter what age, are no fun for anyone. Whining can cause parents to give in on various issues just to get them to stop. Often times, children know this, which is one of many reasons why they whine. So, how would you like a whine-free household? Check these three tips to stop the whining.

Is your house filled to the brim with toys? Do your children ignore half the toys they own? Are you looking for a way to declutter and get organized?  If you said “yes” to any of these questions, you might just want to check out the 7 Day Toy Cure for Business Parents. A task for every day of the week will help you organize your home in no time.

No matter how many kids you have, how old they are, if you’re a stay-at-home mom, or a mom who works outside of the home, one thing is certain: you need energy. Being a mom is one of the most stressful jobs in the world. There are several ways to get more energy, but snacks packed with protein are a good place to start. Check out these 7 Energy Snacks for Moms.

If you’re planning to adopt a child, you’re probably really excited about adding this new member to your family. But something that is often overlooked during the adoption process is health and medical care. New parents need to know as much as they can about the child’s current, past and future medical care and health issues. KidsHealth.org points out a list of things that every adoptive parents need to try to find out if the information is available.

Let’s face it: even the cleanest of households can become cluttered over time, especially when a child enters the family. Children seem to accumulate so much stuff that you might feel like they need a home of their own just to contain it all. Never fear, Real Simple has put together a list of tips and tricks to get your child’s stuff organized and turn that clutter into something beautiful.

You probably put a lot of thought into your child’s name, so why not show the world how proud of it you are?  Lil Sugar has a list of adorable products and ideas for displaying your child’s name for the world (and your child) to see. From nursery decor to school supplies, you’ll want to view this list.

When you’re at the store or visiting your child’s school, it’s easy to spot the spoiled children, right?  They are usually pretty demanding, treat their parents poorly, and throw fits over the silliest little things. However, it’s harder to recognize certain behaviors in our own children, because, well, most parents think their children are next to perfect. If this is the case for you, you may want to check this out: 10 Signs That Your Child is Spoiled. You might be a little surprised at what you find.