Over time, there has been a change in philosophy about how to raise children.  Many of the grandparents of today were, as children, raised in a very strict environment where “children should be seen but not heard.”  That philosophy gave way to an era of permissiveness, which often led to chaos in the household.  In recent years, there’s been an emphasis on building self-esteem.

But the reality is that we need a blend of all of these approaches to raise our children to be responsible,

At the May 15th SMART KIDS SMA, the SMArt Kids came together to learn about healthy grocery shopping. Here are some great, simple rules to follow as you and your family head out to the supermarket:

• Be Prepared (have a list and plan recipes for the week)
• Don’t go hungry (you’ll avoid being tempted by free samples, freshly baked muffins or treats in the check out aisle)
• Look at labels (remember,

It’s winter in New England, and even though the snow has been elusive, shorter days and more indoor time can put children at risk for vitamin D deficiency.

What is Vitamin D?  Vitamin D is one of the four fat-soluble vitamins (the other three are A, E, and K) available in our diet, which means they can be stored in our bodies and used over time. However, vitamin D is unique since it also behaves like a hormone in the body,

The SMArt Kids are working hard on their goals. It’s been challenging to stay focused given the winter weather and the recent holidays. Yet, the SMArt Kids have not wavered, and our team here continues to be impressed by their diligence and enthusiasm. They are working on such goals as:

• Eating more fruits and veggies
• Drinking only low fat milk and water
• Engaging in at least 1 hour of active play
• Reducing screen time
• Choosing healthy snacks and breakfast options

At this month’s SMA,