Survival Guide

The art of parenting revolves around one main concept - discipline. But it's not just any discipline that will work when trying to raise respectable children. With the many forms of discipline out there, you might be wondering which one is best for you and your kids in different situations. Unfortunately, it's not that easy.

The joys of owning a pet can truly be innumerable, and over time "Porter" the dog or "Boots" the cat can become a cherished part of the family. Eventually, though, the death of that pet can rock the emotions throughout your household.

When you have toddlers in your home, a clean house is not a destination-it's an ongoing journey. Your house probably won't be really clean until the kids move out, but in the meantime, you can get your young children to help out.

There's probably only one thing that makes a father more uncomfortable than buying feminine hygiene products for his daughter. If you're a single father, the task of helping your daughter buy her first bra will fall upon your shoulders. And even though you may have had a lot of experience with bras during your teenage and adult years, nothing can prepare you for that day when your young daughter needs to get one.

Raising and teaching a child is essentially an 18-year endurance race. You push through the curves, fight the uphill slopes and leap the hurdles, but no matter how hard you run, your little tyke is always right on your heels. And the moment you slow down, that kid is going to run you over and leave you in the dust.

Taking it upon yourself to homeschool your children is a big decision--it has its virtues and drawbacks. By doing so you're taking it upon yourself to educate your child, leaving no possibility that your child may pick up information you don't want him or her to have. However, it's a full-time job and it requires lots of dedication.

If your kids are like most, they're probably really, really good at three things: getting into stuff they're not supposed to be in; completely destroying every valuable item you own; and absolutely ignoring everything you say.