The digital age leaves many parents feeling virtually wiped out. It's hard enough to figure out how this doohickey connects with that thingamajig, but understanding kids' online world-an increasingly complex orbit of gadgets and apps -with a rudimentary understanding of its nuances is another challenge entirely. Master one technology, another pops up. Buy one tool, and whoops, there's a dazzling new sequel. If your child is tethered to technology, don't panic-prepare. Parents play a powerful role in giving their kids the skills and knowledge they need to use technology in positive ways.

If you have young children, you're probably used to doing the daily grind with them attached to your hip. But as your family grows and your kids get older, it becomes more of a nuisance loading the whole family into the car just to grab a gallon of milk. When is the right time to start leaving your kids home alone? In California, there is no specific age that a child can legally be left by themselves. According to local police authorities, the decision is left to the discretion of the parents and whether they think their child is mature enough to handle the responsibility.

Our tropical paradise state of Hawaii is comprised of eight main islands; one of those islands is also named Hawaii, rather confusingly. Not to worry. Everyone just calls it "the Big Island" and aptly so. All the other islands combined are not as large. As the youngest island of this volcano-created archipelago (the world's longest), it's also an astounding isle of other superlatives. Consider these: Mauna Kea, at 32,000 feet when measured from its ocean floor base to the apex, claims to be the world's tallest mountain; Kilauea is currently the world' s most continuously active volcano; Mauna Loa, reportedly the world's most massive mountain, could fit over 100 Mt. Rainiers within its landmass. Guests can also hike/ride to the top of Mauna Kea and see the world's largest astronomical observatory, and can safely hike and explore Mauna Loa and Kilauea on specified trails.

Amy Hartt had her first child at the tender age of 19, and as a young mom, the transition to motherhood was not without its sacrifices. "I didn't have any friends who had kids and so I left a lot of my friendships. Having a child cuts too much [out of your schedule]. My friends wanted to go party in college and I couldn't do that," says Hartt. Being a stay at home mom, Hartt knew it was important to have a support system. She eventually learned about the MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) Club, a national organization with over 100,000 members in 2,100 chapters across the US, and more springing up internationally.

Finding help from a tutor starts in a familiar place - the classroom. Parents concerned that their children aren't making the grade - literally or figuratively - should start with their teachers, according to Stockton Unified School District Deputy Superintendant Gary Dei Rossi. Not only will the teacher have a good sense of your child's difficulties, he can also point you toward a tutor well suited to his personality and needs. There are three kinds of tutoring - school based, private, and tutoring centers. Each offers unique approaches and advantages for families.