(NC)—Keeping the entire family happy on a road trip is no easy task. Whether you're taking a day trip, heading to the cottage for the weekend, or going away for a weeklong family vacation you will want to bring maximum enjoyment and minimum stress to you and your family. So, before you pack up the car, consider the following tips to keep the whole family happy on the journey and avoid the question – “are we there yet?”

(NC)—On the 40th anniversary of the Official Languages Act, host Stuart McLean of CBC Radio's Vinyl Café decided to pay public tribute to the federal legislators of 40 years ago. Remembering the controversy surrounding the Act, and other equally contentious pieces of legislation such as the adoption of a new Canadian flag or the abolition of the death penalty, McLean told his audience: “It was the courage of those Parliaments and the politicians who were in the House at that time that gave me my great respect for the idea of public service and for those who put themselves forward for public service.”

(NC)—The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages (OCOL) offers a variety of resources on its Web site. These resources could be useful for general interest or for teachers in subject areas such as English or French as a first or second language, social studies and history.

(NC)—Canadians can also take pride in knowing that other countries around the world have been inspired by this approach. For example, in the United States, the model is used to teach Spanish and French; in Estonia, Estonian is taught as a second language to Russian speakers; and in Germany, the model is used to teach English.

(NC)—With summer not long behind us, the fun continues for the all-terrain vehicle riders in Canada. The popularity of ATVs in Canada has been on the rise since they were first introduced in the 1970s, and most recently within the last 10 years. According to the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council, in 2009, ATV sales were $660 million retail, based on industry estimates.

(NC)—Paying for post-secondary education can mean sleepless nights for parents, especially when multiple children are attending college or university at the same time.

(NC)—It's that time of year when thousands of Canadian students pack their bags and head off to college or university. While the long-term benefits of a post-secondary degree are significant, so is the price tag.

(NC)—Saving enough money to pay for your child's post-secondary education can be tough, especially given that sending a child to school for a four-year undergraduate degree can cost as much as $80,000.

(NC)—Did you know that the average North American child spends from one to three hours per day with his or her eyes on a computer screen? The startling increase of nearsightedness (myopia) in children worldwide may be a direct consequence of this activity, pediatric eye doctors say.

(NC)—Parents should be aware that harsh sunlight remains outside, even as the summer turns into fall.

(NC)—The very first test of the school year should be the one to test the eyesight of your child, health professionals say.

(NC)—To mark its 60th birthday, Minute Maid is reminding Canadians how to celebrate the 'real goodness' in birthdays with a special celebration of its own. From August 20 until October 18, Canadians can play fun birthday games at www.minutemaid.ca. With every play, a special donation will be made to Breakfast Clubs of Canada, helping children in need by providing a healthy, nutritious breakfast at school each morning.

Back To Basic Birthdays:

(NC)—Venue – check. Catering – check. Gifts – check. Birthday party budgets can easily get out of hand. While we all want our children to feel extra special on their big day, it doesn't require a big spend on mom and dad's part. With 60 birthdays under its belt, Minute Maid offers some expert “dos and don'ts” to help birthday parties generate bang for less buck.

(NC)—Do you remember the simple pleasures of childhood birthday parties – the games, the clowns, the backyard barbecues, and of course – the presents? For many parents today, that classic birthday has become a distant memory – replaced with a need to spend more and make their child's birthday the most extravagant party of the year. In fact, a recent survey shows seven out of 10 Canadians agree birthday parties are more excessive today than they were when they were children. It now has many asking if it's time to turn their kids' birthday parties into a more charitable celebration. Here's what parenting expert, Sarah Morgenstern, co-founder of Savvymom.ca, Canada's top online parenting resource, recommends when asked how to introduce a charitable lesson at a child's birthday.

(NC)—It's just as important for parents to be prepared for the new school year as their children. Being in the right frame of mind when the school bells begin to ring will help parents make smart, supportive decisions that can help their children find success. However, even the most experienced parents can make mistakes.

(NC)—A new school year is fast approaching and for many families, homework will once again become a nightly activity. Making homework a positive and productive experience is something that every parent aims for. According to a recent survey conducted by Ipsos-Reid for Kumon Math and Reading Centres, if parents take the time to teach their child to proactively ask for homework support, it can help them improve academic performance and enjoy a more rewarding homework experience.

(NC)—Did you know…in the time it takes to prepare a meal for your family or enjoy your favourite re-run of Grey's Anatomy, you can positively impact your child's academic performance? According to findings from a survey on education conducted by Ipsos-Reid, children who are performing at an above average level in school are spending 12 minutes more per night on homework than their struggling counterparts. In short, the children who spend those extra minutes studying are reaping the benefits of a richer educational experience that translates to success in the classroom.

(NC)—A new school year is fast approaching and once again children have a brand new slate. If we take time now, say education professionals, to stir up some excitement for learning, the usual back-to-school anxiety will not only be reduced, it will be replaced with a growing confidence.

(NC)—Did you know…using gifts to motivate children to complete their homework does as much damage as it does good? While offering gifts may inspire a more enjoyable homework experience, according to a survey of more than 1,000 Canadian parents conducted by Ipsos-Reid, there are also some unexpected negative side-effects, such as children expecting a reward and rushing to complete their homework – side-effects that greatly diminish the quality and undermine the importance of education. What can parents do? Focus on praise and encouragement. This advice is courtesy of Kumon Math and Reading Centres, the world's largest after-school math and reading program (www.kumon.ca and www.facebook.com/kumon).

(NC)—Looking for ways to get your child ready for the new school year? Why not use the final few weeks of the summer holidays to review last year's homework. This exercise will sharpen thinking and problem-solving abilities, while reinforcing core concepts that the next school grade will build upon. Your child can start the year learning, instead of playing catch-up. This advice is courtesy of Kumon Math and Reading Centres, the world's largest after-school math and reading program (www.kumon.ca and www.facebook.com/kumon).

(NC)—Does your child love to rock out to music or enjoy a competitive game of kickball with the neighbourhood children? Getting and keeping children moving has more than just physical benefits, it also stimulates children's most vital organs … their brains.

(NC)—When September comes around, laundry turns into a daily chore. The start of school can mean the start of new stains as kids become exposed to many stain-prone environments in the classroom and on the playground - cafeteria food fights, muddy playgrounds, grassy fields and more. Though many Moms have been doing laundry for ages, some admit that they are unsure if they are washing their laundry properly. To fully prepare moms across Canada, Tide has put together a game plan that will keep your family's clothing looking great.

(NC)—Did you know that taking proper care of your clothing can help reduce the expense of frequently replacing items in your wardrobe? Not only can this be a relief for your wallet but for your clothing as well. Follow these simple wardrobe tips and your transition into your fall finest can be a cinch.

Size is everything Choose a backpack that is proportionate to body size and not larger than needed. The top of the backpack should not extend higher than the top of the shoulder, and the bottom should not fall below the top of the hipbone.

(NC)—As summer draws to a close, kids face the painful reality of heading back to school, and toting a heavy backpack can only add to their suffering. According to a 2010 study published in the journal Spine, which used a new standing MRI technique to analyze the effects of increasing backpack loads in the spines of children, increased loads of 4, 8 and 12 kg resulted in compressed discs in the lower back and increased curvature of the spine.

(NC)—According to the Childhood Obesity Foundation, over 26 per cent (or 1.6 million) of Canadian children and youth are considered overweight or obese.

(NC)—The back-to-school season can be both an exciting and anxious time. Parents can teach children a few lessons, and take a few precautions themselves to put their mind at ease when children leave home to go back to the classroom.

(NC)—The morning rush can leave any parent's head spinning - especially when you are battling over breakfast. But you can reduce the stress and get time on your side.

(NC)—A wholesome, nutritious breakfast provides fuel for children's bodies, kick starts the day and keeps it going until lunchtime. But between getting ready for work and packing the kids' lunch boxes, parents sometimes struggle to prepare a full breakfast every morning.

(NC)—Getting your kids ready in the morning can be a challenge. Teachers will tell you and studies support: Kids do their best when they are well-rested and start the day with enough energy to last until lunchtime. Toronto-based teacher, Benedicte Wiggett, offers her tips on how to start the day right and make every school day a great one.

(NC)—We all know breakfast is the “most important meal of the day”…or have we forgotten? Canadian families are facing a breakfast crisis. Whether it's because of early morning hockey practice, picky eating habits or body issues, a growing number of kids are heading off to school on an empty stomach.

(NC)—Celebrities make headlines daily for their philanthropic work urging others to get involved and do their part. The tween generation is a segment that is easily inspired by famous people. Tween role models such as Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus are no exception when it comes to helping their communities and giving back. Although busy with their careers, these young stars still make time to volunteer and support charities.

(NC)—As any published author will tell you, becoming a good writer takes practice. When it comes to tweens, some smart tactics can do a lot to encourage their storytelling skills.

(NC)—It's a common occurrence to want more things in life and easily forget to be grateful for all that we have. Even having a roof over our heads is sometimes taken for granted. Passing along this message to tweens aged 9-12 who don't realize this, can be discouraging. Instead of lecturing your tween about why they should be more appreciative, here are three tips that can help teach the importance of being thankful and expressing it in a meaningful way:

(NC)—Often we feel that we could make a difference in our local community if we only had more time. Future Possibilities for Kids and its carefully structured, award-winning Ready, Set, Goal! Program will show you that all it takes is 30 minutes each week to make the difference in a child's life and ultimately in his or her community.

• In response to the demand for its programs, Future Possibilities Canada has grown over 800% since its inception in 2001.

• An Ontario-based charitable organization for youth from underserved communities.

(NC)—Vithushan entertained terminally ill patients at a local hospital.

(NC)—As another school year begins, the routine of busy mornings, packing lunches and after-school snacking returns. Breakfast for Learning offers these helpful hints for ensuring students get the nutrition they need to stay healthy and engaged in school:

(NC)—September is Breakfast for Learning Month and as children head back to the classroom, it is a great time to teach them about healthy eating and highlight the important link between nutrition and learning.

(NC)—With a new school year approaching, extracurricular activities, homework and play dates, making a healthy lunch or dinner can seem like a big challenge. However, Rose Reisman, a health and wellness consultant and national spokesperson for Breakfast for Learning, shares this grilled cheese recipe that is quick, easy and nutritious.

(NC)—As September falls upon us, getting the kids back into the school routine, car pooling and being on time can put enormous pressure on our lives and leave little time for thinking about nutrition.

(NC)—Dr. Stuart Carr answers questions from concerned patients:

(NC)—Cancer statistics are never pretty. But the good news is research shows that 30 to 35 percent of all cancers can be prevented by eating well, being active and not being overweight. Along with physical activity and not smoking, healthy eating is one of the cornerstones of cancer prevention.

(NC)—Did you know that some laundry detergents don't remove body oils and sweat from clothes and bedding, even after washing? To get rid of the unseen 'yuck' from laundry look for new Sunlight Deep Clean laundry detergent that's specially formulated to help remove lingering body oils and sweat as well as everyday dirt and stains.

(NC)—Did you know one person can produce up to several litres of sweat in a day? Even after washing, clothes and sheets can still trap lingering body oils and sweat. New Sunlight Deep Clean laundry detergent is specially formulated to safely penetrate between the fibres of clothing to help remove trapped body oils and sweat that other detergents can leave behind.

(NC)—According to a national state-of-the-laundry survey for Sunlight Deep Clean laundry detergent 14% of Canadian women admit to wearing the same socks for several days in a row and 3% admit to turning underpants inside out instead of washing them. Canadians might want to reconsider their habits in light of Sunlight research that shows sweat and body oils, not visible to the naked eye, can linger in clothes even after being washed with some other detergents.

(NC)—In a national state-of-the-laundry survey for Sunlight Deep Clean laundry detergent more than a third (36%) of Canadian women admitted to having gone more than a month without changing the bed sheets and 12% admitted to not changing the sheets on a guest bed between guests. This isn't very restful news, especially when research shows body oils and sweat can linger deep inside fabrics, even after they have been washed by some other detergents.

(NC)—If you're like most Canadians, it's happened to you: a shrunken sweater, bleach streaks on your best bed sheets, perhaps a beloved MP3 player run through the wash.

(NC)—Are your 'clean' clothes truly clean? In a recent national state-of-the-laundry survey for Sunlight Deep Clean laundry detergent, conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion, more than 95% of Canadian women said they were confident that their laundry was free of sweat and body oils after washing.

(NC)—Many Canadian parents diligently ensure their children are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases, but what about themselves? The importance of immunization doesn't stop when you leave the classroom – adults need their vaccinations updated too.

Ask The Expert:

(NC)—Immunization is arguably the single most important advancement in public health over the last century. It's a driving force behind the near-eradication of some major infectious diseases. Here in Canada, thanks to our well-developed universal mass vaccination programs, we tend to take immunization for granted, but it's an important step to protect the health of all Canadians – one that begins in childhood and needs to be maintained throughout adulthood.

(NC)—Becoming a new parent can be a scary process. Luckily, there are easy ways that you can prepare yourself – and your home – to give you peace of mind and be able to enjoy the time with your new baby.

(NC)—As the summer begins to wind down and parents get ready to send their kids back to school, it's a good time to start setting new routines and habits. “Getting children involved in making dinner and school lunches helps get them excited about eating nutritious foods and is a great way to spend quality time together,” says Korey Kealey, food specialist and mom of three. “Now is the perfect time to get the kids involved in these daily tasks.”

(NC)—In addition to getting good grades and making new friends, there are lots of things kids can do to have a productive and meaningful school year. Here are a few ideas:

(NC)—With homework, activities, lessons, and sports, school-aged kids are busier and hungrier than ever. Unless you have an especially early dinner, most kids will need an after school snack to help them stay focused on homework and other after school activities.

• DON'T sling your backpack on one side. This can cause the spine to lean, putting stress on the joints and muscles in the mid and lower back.

(NC)—Backpacks can be fun, fashionable, functional and when used correctly, incredibly handy. But carrying a heavy load unevenly or improperly can result in poor posture and even distort the spinal column, causing muscle strain, headaches, back, neck and arm pain, and even nerve damage. So what do you need to know to ensure your child's pack doesn't become a pain in the back—literally?