Parenting guides

Every guide is something you can try today, sorted by topic. Guides on sleep and chores live on their own sites, linked at the bottom.

Ages 3–6: preschool

PRESCHOOL · CHOOSING APPSChoosing apps for ages 3–6: a parent checklistWhere ads show up, in-app purchases, logins and data, parental gates, play for non-readers and offline use: a checklist for picking apps for 3 to 6 year olds.6 min read · Read the guide →PRESCHOOL · SCREEN TIMEPreschool screen time: making a plan your family can stick toHow much tablet time is okay for a 3 to 6 year old? What major health groups suggest, plus how to set times, end without meltdowns and choose content.6 min read · Read the guide →PRESCHOOL · PLAYING TOGETHERPlaying tablet games with your preschooler: turning screen time into talk timeTurn tablet time into talk time with your 3 to 6 year old: let them lead, name colors, animals and numbers, stop at natural breaks, and link it to real life.5 min read · Read the guide →PRESCHOOL · PLAY AT HOMEMatching, memory and sorting games at home for ages 3–6No special toys needed. Matching, memory, sorting, counting and pattern games with socks, cards and snacks, with simple steps for ages 3, 4 and 5–6.7 min read · Read the guide →

Family trips

FAMILY TRIPS · EATING OUTEating out abroad with kids: 7 things to sort out before you orderOn a trip abroad with kids, meals can be more tiring than the sightseeing: you can’t read the menu, the kids can’t wait, and you’re not sure what they can eat. Seven things to prepare before you leave and when you sit down, so the whole family eats a little easier.7 min read · Read the guide →FAMILY TRIPS · ALLERGIESTraveling abroad with a food allergy: how to prepare an allergy card for your childIf your child has a food allergy, eating out abroad takes extra preparation. What to ask your doctor before you go, what to put on an allergy card, how to pack medication, and the steps to follow when ordering at a restaurant.7 min read · Read the guide →FAMILY TRIPS · SPLITTING COSTSTraveling with another family: how to split trip costs without the awkwardnessWhen two or three families travel together, the worst part is settling up afterwards and straining the friendship. The splitting rules to agree on before you go, how to track spending on the road, how to count the kids, and the simplest way to settle up at the end.6 min read · Read the guide →

Ages 6–10: stories

THREE KINGDOMS · GETTING STARTEDThree Kingdoms stories for kids ages 6–10: start with these 6Want to tell your kids about the Three Kingdoms but don’t know where to start? Six stories kids can follow and that spark real conversations, each with questions you can talk about together.7 min read · Read the guide →THREE KINGDOMS · HISTORY VS. NOVELRecords of the Three Kingdoms vs. the novel: teaching kids that a story isn’t always the truthThe Oath of the Peach Garden, borrowing arrows with straw boats, Guan Yu slaying Hua Xiong before the wine went cold, the Empty Fort Strategy: the official history tells them differently. Five examples for talking with kids about history versus the novel, and practicing telling fact from story.7 min read · Read the guide →STORIES · BEDTIMEBedtime audio stories: how to choose, how long to listen, and what to talk about afterListening to an audio story at bedtime helps kids wind down more easily than watching a screen. How to choose the right stories, how long to listen, where to put the phone, and how to chat with your child afterwards.6 min read · Read the guide →

Guides for other ages

Ages 0–2 · Baby sleep

Ages 5–14 · Chores and habits