Moms & wine | Profanity | Raising girls | Shopping list | Kids closets | Divorce | Self-esteem | Make-ahead meals

Closet capers
Does your child really need a new room, or is there a treasure trove of space hidden in the closet?

The New Homemaker suggests clearing out a child's closet as the quickest way to re-do his room and put wasted space to good use while storing clothes, games, art supplies. Closet kits let you quickly design storage that makes perfect sense for your child. For younger children, let upper shelves hold art supplies that little ones shouldn't use by themselves.

Learn to think vertically when arranging bedroom furniture. There's plenty of wall space above beds and dressers where you can install hooks and shelves for coats and hats, stuffed animals, lightweight totes and book bags.

Divorce and loss
Years after counseling a couple who divorced, Judith Wallerstein gets a visit from their grown and troubled daughter. Prompted to look back through files she'd kept for years, Wallerstein is reminded of the stess that bereavement places on a marriage.

Whenever people are shaken by a serious loss in their lives -- be it the termination of a job, death of a parent, serious illness in a child, or any grievous event that can evoke powerful and primitive passions -- the bereaved person will turn to her spouse for comfort. If the partner responds with understanding and tenderness, the marriage can be forever enriched.

But, in this case, the husband did not respond as his grieving wife.

Show 'em you care
Every toddler delights in a hug and kiss, but your school-age child may find motherly love downright embarrassing. Still, it's more important than ever to let your child know that she's loved.

As one child expert tells GeoParent, "It only takes twenty seconds to make someone's day." Make sure you praise your child for displaying honesty, courage, insight or creativity. Acknowledging positive traits is just one of 10 ways to make your child feel special.