PARENTING

As concerns about social media’s harmful effects on teens continue to rise, platforms from Snapchat to TikTok to Instagram are bolting on new features designed to make their services safer and more age appropriate.

KSAT spoke with a mental health expert about ways to provide an emotionally sound environment at home.

Monday is the first day of school for South San ISD, Jourdanton ISD and Edgewood ISD and many other districts will soon then follow.

The government was able to supply breakfast and lunch to students during the pandemic, but that program no longer exists and that means many parents are going to have to go back to making sure their child leaves the house with lunch money.

From binge drinking, to smoking pot, to popping your parents pain meds, one in eight teenagers admitted to using drugs last year.

Leaders in the biggest school districts in the San Antonio area talk about their plans for keeping kids safe this school year.

The pandemic is being blamed for an increase in babies and toddlers missing their talking and reading milestones. It’s not because of the isolation or the masks that covered everyone’s face, it’s because their parents have been too busy working from home to devote enough time to them.

We took your questions to your district leaders and received answers.

As the country’s baby formula shortage persists, a local nonprofit has continued to get formula to the children who need it.

What questions do you have for school officials as kids prepare to go back to school? We’ll work to find the answers for you so you can start the new year feeling prepared and confident.

Many people are still trying to cope with the recent tragedy that occurred in Uvalde and some might be struggling with how to discuss that topic with their children or young family members.

Purposeful parenting involves setting long-term goals for your kids and then parenting intentionally to help them achieve those goals.

Those easy, quick, and cheap options are fueling an obesity epidemic in kids.

From color schemes to closet storage, there is a lot that goes into designing the perfect nursery.

Some local parents jumped at the opportunity to get their young ones some added protection against COVID-19.

Seventy percent of teens in the U.S. use TikTok, with more than a billion videos viewed per day. But not everything is fun and games, as some viral challenges can be dangerous, even deadly.

In the next installment of the i play! summer workout series, kids can refine their soccer skills with tips from a pro.

In this first installment of the i play! summer workout series, we offer some Alpha Warrior fitness videos that are sure to work some kid muscles.

One in eight couples has trouble getting pregnant. But is fertility always a woman’s issue?

It’s estimated that 13 to 20 percent of children living in the U.S. have experienced a mental disorder.

The academic, social, and emotional stress of college can take its toll. In fact, 30% of college freshman will drop out in their first year.

“This is Us” star Chrissy Metz is teaming with partner Bradley Collins on a children’s book about parenting and religious faith.

A new exhibit at the DoSeum is helping explore how we can innovate solutions for a more sustainable future.

The head of the Food and Drug Administration is facing congressional lawmakers for the first time over the national shortage of baby formula, the Associated Press reported Thursday.

Research is showing there are plenty of downsides when it comes to using your phone too much around your kids.

The ‘Fighting the Formula Shortage’ map lets parents indicate stores where formula is in stock

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, women’s participation in the labor market is the lowest it’s been in 30 years. Since the covid pandemic, working moms are particularly vulnerable to leaving their jobs.

It’s the prevailing American child-rearing model across class lines. But there’s a better way.

We should really be celebrating our moms all the time, but especially on Mother’s Day, it’s more important than ever.

With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, you might be scrambling for a gift idea: And we all know the usuals. Flowers, gift cards, maybe a cute purse or a trip to her local nail salon.

Whether your family just welcomed a baby, or your partner is about to give birth, it's safe to say that it's a really exciting time for everyone involved. Infants are snuggly and sweet, they have that classic new-baby scent and bringing home your first child is definitely a little surreal, in a good way!

When it comes to Mother’s Day, it makes sense that you might think about your own mom -- or the maternal figure in your life, whether that’s an aunt, grandma, or any special woman who has made a difference for you, personally.

Moms -- aren’t they just the best?

A trend that seems to be sweeping the internet the past few Easter seasons is naturally dyed eggs.

The April 14 episode of “Breakdown with #StephAndSteve” focused on how the pandemic has affected teenagers’ mental health and what parents can do to help their children.

Breakdown with #StephAndSteve explored mental health issues teenagers are facing and what steps parents can take to help.

While raising kids is never easy, avoiding some common mistakes can help you be your best.

Moderna says it will ask regulators to authorize its COVID-19 vaccine for children under 6 but several hurdles need to be cleared before the shots could become available.

Whether you’re just a road trip away from Chicago, you go there on business every so often, or you’d love to visit someday, it’s truly a fantastic city, with so much to offer.

Children six and under are the most likely to accidentally ingest something poisonous. The toxic items they can get into can be dangerous.

We'll bet you never thought the words "Disney" and "cheap" could go in the same sentence. Well, guess again.

On social media, in classrooms and at the playground, children who hear about Russia's invasion of Ukraine are wondering where the war could lead.

The CDC recently updated a checklist for developmental milestones for children. While it’s a step in being proactive to identify delays, some health professionals fear it could have the opposite effect.

If you’re on a budget, and wanting to eat healthy, you’re in luck. Here are some of the cheapest, healthiest foods you can eat, according to healthline.com.

When trying to trim your waist line, there’s a few foods that you will want to avoid, even though they are cheap and easy to come by.

In honor of what would have been Dr. Seuss' 115th birthday, we're sharing some of his best lines from his very best work.

The pandemic, mass shootings, natural disasters.

Experts warn there is a very fine line between trying to lose weight and developing a life-threatening eating disorder.

Screen time and kids is a hot topic. Studies show children under age eight spend an average of more than two hours a day using screen media.

School, work, games, meetings, work, dinner, chores… and so much more. If it feels like your work is never done, you’re probably right.

Our children and teens are facing a national mental health crisis. Depression and attempted suicide were already on the increase and the pandemic ratcheted up the pressures, anxieties and isolation on kids and their families.

There's no shortage of parenting styles these days. But according to parenting expert Amy McCready, "positive parenting" is one of the most effective. Here's why psychologists agree — and how it works.

By modeling, parents can give kids a framework to help set their little ones up healthy eating habits as they mature. But in trying to coerce kids into eating healthy foods such as whole grains or vegetables, parents could inadvertently make their children overeat. To try and kickstart healthy eating behaviors in their kids, many parents find themselves offering rewards or incentives to kids who keep eating, even if it's past the point of fullness. Incorporate healthy foods into things they already like: You can pair healthy foods with more delectable ones. Along with eating healthy foods, the AHA's dietary recommendations also suggest being physically active for at least 60 minutes per day.

CNN Before the pandemic, video games were a weekend-only activity in our house, allowed for one hour a day, Saturday and Sunday. The benefits of collaborative video gaming"In spite of the stereotype of the socially awkward pale gamer, games are a good way to socially connect," said Rachel Kowert, research psychologist and author of "A Parent's Guide to Video Games: The Essential Guide to Understanding How Video Games Impact Your Child's Physical, Social and Psychological Well-Being." Also, researchers have found that children who were socially engaged while playing video games were more likely to be civically engaged as adults. All video games aren't created equalWill every kid benefit from every video game? Researchers haven't been able to find a clear relationship between playful aggression in video games and aggression in real life.

Lower levels of picky eating in children were associated with parents imposing few restrictions on foods and a lack of pressure to eat. Researchers asked parents to respond to questionnaires describing their child's level of picky eating and how the parents were handling the issue. Picky eaters and weightThe good news about picky eating is that studies show it doesn't appear to cause weight gain. That was evident in this new study as well, where picky eating was associated with lower body mass (BMI) scores. More reassuring: Giving up the power struggle over food may actually cut your child's picky eating behavior.

CNN Wearing masks has become increasingly common during the coronavirus pandemic, but they should not be used by children under the age of two, according to the Japan Pediatric Association. "It is possible that masks make it difficult for infants to breathe and increase the risks of heat stroke," reads the leaflet. Infants have narrower airways and masks can make it more difficult to breathe, increasing the burden on their lungs, it continues. Infants are relatively low risk for coronavirus infections and the association concludes that masks are not necessary for infants under two years old. The ban list expanded by 11 countries this week and forbids foreign nationals who stayed in those countries from entering Japan.

SAN ANTONIO The Spurs Sports Academy is offering free virtual basketball clinics to children starting on June 1, a press release said. Young athletes will be able to improve their basketball skills while maintaining social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic during the two-week long clinics. Spurs Sports Academy, digital software company launch virtual basketball workoutsAccording to the press release, the clinics will provide instruction to players by helping them learn fundamentals. Spurs Sports Academy said the virtual clinics will feature guest appearances, including Spurs Assistant Coach Will Hardy and Spurs TV analysts and former players Matt Bonner and Sean Elliott, as well as sessions with Train the Mind, and live Q&As with Spurs camp coaches. 2020 Virtual Spurs Basketball ClinicsSession 1 June 1-4Boys & Girls | Ages 6-14Session 2 June 8-11Boys & Girls | Ages 6-14

Kids are sad because they're missing their friends, routines, structure and predictability, said Christopher Willard, a psychiatry lecturer at Harvard Medical School and author of "The Breathing Book," a breathing practice book for kids. With the advice of a psychiatrist and a psychologist who specialize in working with children, parents can pause and respond productively. "That's been hard for our kids," Willard said. "They're doing it because they're sad, they're lonely; maybe they're hungry or tired. Playtime is also a period for kids to relax with their parents, Alvord said, and they might share more then.