The Perils of the Potty

Potty training stands out as one of those parenting duties that comes with more questions than answers: When? How? What’s normal? When should I worry? What if it's just not happening?
 
Dr. John Gleeson, a pediatrician with Esse Health’s O’Fallon Pediatrics, talked with SmartParenting about the potty training process. We learned so much we've renamed Dr. Gleeson "The Potty Whisperer." See if you agree.
 

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Hearing Loss Hits Home for More Tweens and Teens

I repeat myself a million times a day. Or so it seems — like all kids, mine have selective hearing. They always hear “Candy” but never “Can you please …” However, in some cases, it may not be the child’s fault — one in 20 kids ages 6 to 12 has hearing loss in one ear, according to a 2010 study from the Washington University School of Medicine.

Often these hearing deficits go undetected — parents may be worried about a child’s ability to pay attention, for example, when in fact the child isn’t hearing directions well.

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Is There a Quick Fix for Shyness

Back in my advertising days, the company I worked for forced us to take the Myers-Briggs personality test.

When the results were tallied, we were instructed on how to use the information to communicate more efficiently with one another. The extroverts were basically taught how to handle us introverts with kid gloves. The introverts, on the other hand, were provided with zero instruction on how to deal with extroverts – which pretty much told us that as introspective folks we were weird freaks of nature that needed to be put in a cage and studied by our louder counterparts.

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Lois Lowry's The Giver Comes to the Stage

When I heard last fall that Metro Theater Company would be putting on a performance of The Giver, one of my favorite books growing up, I was thrilled. It had been several years since I had read the book, and I wasted no time in revisiting it (again). I was a bit surprised to find that my perspective had shifted a little bit, with a more muddled mixture of hope and despair carrying me through the book than I remembered. It is a quickly engrossing novel, and I am excited for the day when I can share it with my own kids.

Lois Lowry’s book The Giver, which won the Newberry Medal in 1994, is a science fiction novel for children ages 10 and up. Set in a futuristic (though familiar) world, it is the story of a boy named Jonas who lives in a safe and seemingly perfect Community. Everything in it is well-controlled, from the climate to the genetics of the individuals to the very language they use with one another. They value sameness above all else.

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WOW! Amazing Animal Show at the World Bird Sanctuary
Friday, May 23, 2025
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Sunday, May 25, 2025

Take your family to watch birds of prey fly right over your head, macaws speak the English language and much more at the WOW! Amazing Animal Show at the World Bird Sanctuary. Every program showcases different animals so each day is a new experience. 

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Sandcastle Beach at The Magic House
Friday, May 23, 2025
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Sunday, May 25, 2025

With the help of ten truckloads of sand, The Magic House's backyard has been transformed once again into a beachfront park for the popular Sandcastle Beach exhibit. 

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Wee Weekend at the Saint Louis Art Museum
Friday, May 23, 2025
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Friday, July 25, 2025

Preschoolers can learn, play, explore and grow at the Saint Louis Art Museum's Wee Weekend program for its youngest visitors. Join in on the adventure as your little one discovers new ways of interacting with art and each other. 

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Popular Stories

Why Summer Camp is Great for . . . Parents

Being able to focus on yourself, your partner, and other people in your life who mean a lot to you is no small matter. As parents, we’re used to being responsible providers and caregivers. However, there’s so much more to a person: we’re also partners and friends. These are important parts of our identities that we need to cultivate. Sending your kids to summer camp may bring out your more playful side that you haven’t shown for a while.

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Don't Miss These May Events Your Family Will Love

May is the perfect time for your family to get out and enjoy the (sometimes) perfect St. Louis weather. Have some fun as a family at these delightful outdoor events before the summer heat takes hold. 

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7 Signs Your Kids Are Ready For Their First Sleepaway Camp

It’s time to decide whether to send your kids to sleepaway camp, but how do you know that's the right thing to do? How can you tell whether your kids are ready for their first extended stay away from home? Here are 7 important signs that experts say should inform your decision.

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Greenway Quest 2025: A TOAD-ally Fun Adventure for Your Family

It's the time of year to get outside (finally!!) and have some fun, and Great Rivers Greenway's Greenway Quest is just the adventure your family needs. This year, they partnered with the Saint Louis Zoo for Greenway Quest, a TOAD-ally awesome greenway hunt throughout the month of April. Plus, enter now to win prizes!

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Want Your Kids to Learn? Teach Them It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

It’s normal for parents to want to protect their children from failure. It’s also normal to want them to achieve, win, and do their best. But here’s the truth: We don’t learn anything new without making mistakes. I’ll say it again. Making mistakes is a crucial step in learning. If we’re fearful of making mistakes, learning comes to a screeching halt.

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