As long as she is not trying to climb out, you can leave her where she is. Most children remain in their crib until 2 or 2-and-a-half years old.

Definitely. I’m very concerned if you’re letting your daughter email people she hasn’t met. After all, you wouldn’t let her get in the car with someone you’ve never met before.

It’s true that kids this age need some privacy; for example, while getting dressed or while reading a book. But just as you wouldn’t let her spend time with people that you don’t know, you shouldn’t let her do this on the Internet, either. There are dangerous things she can see online and very dangerous people such as child predators.

Yes, this should concern you. Talk to the school and see what the teacher has to say.

If you find out it’s true, talk to your son. A 9-year-old should be able to understand the difference between right and wrong, so talk to him about why he is acting this way. Ask him how he would feel if a friend bullied him. It’s important to let him know that along with such actions come consequences. At this age, a consequence might be a withdrawal of privileges such as watching television, playing video games, playing with friends or other activities.

Many ear infections will improve on their own without antibiotics. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, not viral infections. You can’t always tell if the infection is viral or bacterial without sticking a needle in and taking fluid out. We don’t do this very often anymore, but years ago, it was done and that's how we discovered that most infections children get are viral. 

Many parents today do understand that using antibiotics when they’re not needed can cause further problems. Some parents tell me that they don't want an antibiotic it's absolutely necessary, while others request on for every little cough and cold. Have an open conversation with your pediatrician about your child's illness and whether or not treatment is indicated. 

There is some recent research that may connect cell phone use during the younger years with increased risk of brain cancer later on. We don’t have all the answers, but based on what we know, limiting your child’s exposure is important.

But the real question is: Why does an 8-year-old need a cell phone? It opens a lot of doors to potentially dangerous things. When I was growing up, there was a phone in the middle of the house, and if I was talking to a friend, I knew that my parents could hear even though I tried to talk really quietly.  Once you give your child a cell phone, he or she can text anyone or talk anytime when you're not around.  You have no way to control it who she communicates with, or who communicates with her. A child in second gradestill needs a parent to be involved in their life, place limits and keep them safe. An adult should drop him off at school and pick him up. I can’t really think of a situation where a child at this age would need a cell phone.

By breastfeeding, you’re already doing the very best thing you can do to prevent allergies. There’s evidence that breastfeeding for at least four months may prevent or delay eczema.

We used to think that holding off on feeding a baby certain foods would delay the onset of food allergies. Earlier this year, however, the American Academy of Pediatrics, after evaluation of all the research, released a statement that basically says that doing so may not decrease the chance of a child becoming allergic later on.