All Modern Parenthood
Harvard obesity study: Low-income kids more at-riskA new Harvard University study published this week reports that the obesity rate is rising among low-income kids, and cites lack of spaces for exercise as one contributing factor. One community serves as an exception, thanks to a neighborhood matriarch's example and a task force of caring parents.
Girl Scouts and fans embrace tech to make cookie season sweeterGirl Scouts began cookie sales around the US this past week. Scouts are using apps to track their sales, while customers can pick up smart phones to locate cookie sellers in their area, or whet their appetites for Thin Mints by following the Girl Scouts on multiple social networks.
Teen pregnancy: For better or worse, reality TV skews real lifeTwo separate teen pregnancy studies have been linked to MTV's 'Teen Mom' and '16 and Pregnant' reality shows. One reports lower teen pregnancy rates due to the shows, the other reports glamorized perceptions of teen motherhood.
Monster drinks and fighting for healthy teens at homeMonster drinks investigation: The San Francisco city attorney and the New York state attorney general have partnered up to investigate if the maker of Monster drinks is directly marketing to kids. True or not, the frontline of the battle against bad foods for kids begins at home.
Mom rage, fighting against the new normal?The talk of mom rage is bubbling up online again, bringing with it questions of how well moms in particular re-set expectations around raising kids. Does heading off meltdowns mean sacrificing the old "normal" for the new?
Science fair season, a lesson in hands-off parentingThe winter season often includes school science fairs for many elementary school students. The annual science fair offers a perfect chance for parents to experiment with how hands-off they can be when it comes to letting kids prepare projects on their own.
Bilingual benefits: Raising a child with two languagesRaised with parents only speaking Arabic at home, one mother learns the benefits of raising her own bilingual daughter and shares tips for raising a child proficient in two languages.
What to do if Westboro Baptist Church shows up on your doorstepWestboro Baptist Church showed up at church services in California this weekend. How would you respond if they strained religious conversations in your own home?
Chewbacca's 'Star Wars' tweets mirror family memories for fansChewbacca's 'Star Wars': Peter Mayhew, the actor who played Chewbacca in the original 'Star Wars' trilogy, has tweeted behind-the-scenes photos of the cast. Fans of the legendary sci-fi film series see the tweets as a reflection of their own family memories.
Doyin Richards dad duty photo should be the normBlogger Doyin Richards was surprised that an image of him styling his daughter's hair went viral online and received a lot of attention, both positive and negative. One mom wonders how we move past the wow factor to treat moms and dads as equals.
Cursing toddler video: Why are we so intrigued by cursing kids?Search online for the cursing toddler video posted by friends of a teen mom in Omaha, and find lots more just like it. Why are we so interested in cursing kids and why are we shooting video of them in the first place?
Team sports versus team building debate splits householdTeam sports can bring out the best and sometimes the worst in athletes and fans alike. When parents debate team sports for their kids, there may need to be a referee involved.
The unsung joys of being a carpool parentBeing the designated carpool parent has its drawbacks, but this mom finds that the time in the car with her kids and their friends offers her a window into their lives that she wouldn't trade for anything.
Baby talk study: One-on-one builds language skills quicklyA new study soon to be published in the journal Developmental Science finds that baby talk in a one-on-one setting, as well as how vowel sounds in words are exaggerated, are linked with better language development skills. One mom realizes that jokes are a big part of her baby talk repertoire.
Candace Cameron Bure: Submissive role doesn’t equal weaknessCandace Cameron Bure has released a book in which she advocates for a "submissive" role as a wife to her husband. One riled mom reacts, then realizes there's more than one way to lead a household, especially after her son surprises her with the news that she is second in charge to dad.
Old Spice 'Mom Song' hits close to homeThe new Old Spice ad featuring moms having a hard time watching their boys acting like grown men, and smelling like them too, hits close to home for a mom of four boys currently engaged in a war of scents.
'Tiger Mom' needs a bear hug'Tiger Mom' Amy Chua is back to tell parents how to get the job done by making their kids more fiercely competitive. Meanwhile, one 'Kung Fu Panda Mom' bear hugs her kids, knowing control is an illusion.
Handwritten notes: Lifelines of loveHandwritten notes are an expression of love. Even a simple smiley face or the words 'I love you' in ballpoint pen are more than enough.
Anne Lamott offers parents a way forward, one stitch at a timeWhile keeping the big picture in focus can help keep families on a positive trajectory, this blogger lauds Anne Lamott's reminder, 'If you fixate on the big picture, the whole shebang, the overview, you miss the stitching.'
New Year's un-resolutionsA new New Year's resolution: Create some un-resolutions to cut down on the parenting to-do list.
