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Family Living
Tips and advice to tackle parenthood's messes and stresses
(BPT) - Life with kids is fast-paced, challenging and can be stressful. So, it’s always good to stay up on helpful parenting tips and advice – whether you’re a first-time mom, an experienced dad, or a seasoned grandmother. Actor and comedian David Koechner - who appears in Anchorman and “The Office” – is the father of ...
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Snow-fighters keep roads clear and save lives
(BPT) - Snow and ice affect more than 70 percent of the U.S. population, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Each winter the average driver in these areas will see more than five inches of snow on the roads. And when the snow is falling there are few things more comforting than the sight of snow plows and s...
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How to get a discount on expensive health care prescriptions
(BPT) - After Carol Vanderploeg’s family experienced a double-job loss last spring; she worried about affording the $1,300 average monthly cost of her husband’s epilepsy prescriptions. The couple only had enough pills to last a few months when they moved to Augusta, Ga., in search of new jobs. Even after finding anothe...
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'Til death do us part, but how do you handle 'in sickness and in health'?
(BPT) - Apparently “in sickness and in health” can mean different things to men and women. As the population ages and the need for extended health care increases, a recent nationwide omnibus survey of 1,005 American adults shows that men and women approach the issue of long-term care planning and insurance from differen...
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How to give your child a head start in math, science and beyond
(BPT) - Throughout the busy school year, many high school students across the country are already taking steps to explore college and other post-graduation opportunities. In fact, in today’s challenging economic climate and competitive job market, it has become increasingly important to begin planning for future career ...
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Boomerang kids: When your empty nest fills up again
(BPT) - With a slowly growing economy and a still sluggish job market, there has been a continued increase in children moving back home after having lived independently on their own. These so called “boomerang kids” are popping up more frequently and when this situation is managed improperly, it can cause serious tensio...
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Pamper yourself with a winter wonderland vacation
(BPT) - The holiday season is magical, with colorful lights sparkling in the snow and festivities abounding. But once the holidays are over, don’t let the lingering winter force you inside. Instead, use the winter months as the perfect opportunity to take a winter wonderland vacation . When the snow arrives, the outdo...
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New year, new school? Online learning can ease transitions
(BPT) - A new trend in American public education finds many K-12 students transferring schools mid-year - even when the family doesn’t move. Many families are looking to give their child a fresh start for a variety of reasons, both academic and social. A 2012 Parent Satisfaction Survey conducted by virtual education pr...
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Four ways you're not using your iPad - but should
(BPT) - With about 100 million iPads sold since the ground-breaking tablet launched in April 2010, chances are you either have one or at least know someone who does. If you’re the proud owner of an iPad, are you using it to its full potential? Possibly not, if the results of a 2012 Business Insider survey are any indi...
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Tips for traveling safely with your food-allergic child
(BPT) - Traffic delays, long wait times and hungry little tummies – for all the rewards of spending time with your children, traveling with kids can be a challenge. But when the child has food allergies, those challenges can start to look like insurmountable - and even life-threatening - obstacles. “It is possible to t...
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Creating a dog-friendly meal experience
(BPT) - Mealtime is going...well, to the dogs - literally. Dumping kibble into a bowl and walking away has become less and less the norm. Feeding the family dog has evolved into new territory. For example, have you ever warmed your dog’s food in the microwave before serving it to him? You wouldn’t be alone if you have. ...
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Use a fresh start to get organized with these tips
(BPT) - Whether you’re celebrating a new job, new house or new member of your family, fresh starts and major life events herald a time to rejoice. While you’re feeling good about a positive change in your life, it’s also a great time to get organized so you can focus on what’s to come instead of worrying about where to ...
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By Marice Richter GRAPEVINE, Texas (Reuters) - The Boy Scouts of America voted on Thursday to lift a century-old ban on openly gay scouts in a major victory for gay rights activists, but the decision means a sea of change for an organization that depends heavily on faith-based groups. More than 60 percent of the group's National Council, comprised of some 1,400 delegates, voted in favor of ending the ban, effective January 1, 2014, the group said in a statement. A prohibition on openly gay adult leaders remains in place. ...
By Jonathan Kaminsky OLYMPIA, Washington (Reuters) - Part of a four-lane freeway bridge over a river in rural Washington state collapsed on Thursday, sending vehicles and drivers tumbling into the frigid water, authorities said. Two of the three people rescued from the river were hospitalized with hypothermia, said Given Kutz, a spokesman for Skagit County in the northern part of the state. There were apparently no fatalities. "They (rescuers) don't expect anyone else (remains) in the water," he said. ...