All Modern Parenthood
Jaden Smith Twitter rant: School-bashing sends kids dangerous messageA Jaden Smith Twitter rant condemns school as a 'tool to brainwash the youth': It transcends typical teen angst and left one youth mentor struggling to counter the celebrity role model's dangerous suggestion to drop out of school.
Cursive letters offer more than aesthetic, study saysCursive letters' disappearance from US schools could be shortsighted; a University of Montreal study shows that learning cursive improves syntax and spelling.
Mother-in-law in training: What variety will you be?Mother-in-law in training: The transition from mother of the bride to mother-in-law comes with an ongoing choice: become a clueless but loving Aunt Clara or a critical and controlling Endora.
Story time means more when adults read 'with,' not 'to' kidsStory time: Kids love to snuggle up with a grown-up and a good book. Adults who make room for discussion during story time can take the experience and the learning to a whole new level, says a new study from Kansas State University.
Location services, Foursquare promise danger, but also wonderLocation services and apps like Foursquare let kids 'check in' on social media in a fun way to create a digital diary, interact with friends, and learn about new places to visit. However, broadcasting kids' locations to the world comes with some inherent risks.
Super Hero Squad: Mom is recruiting her 9-month-old with Little PeopleThe Super Hero Squad may sound like the boy equivalent of the Disney Princess syndrome, but this mom doesn't buy that. She did buy Little People superheroes as beginner models of strength, courage, and sacrifice for the greater good.
New fall show MasterChef Junior unites boys, girls in kitchenNew fall show, MasterChef Junior, set to premier on FOX later this month, could begin to crack the rigid gender stereotypes that identify girls as cooks and boys as chefs.
Tough conversations: How to have "the talk" with teens about safetyWhile parents of generations past struggled to have the dreaded 'sex talk,' today's parents must broach a whole new set of challenging topics from protocol for school shootings to texting while driving. Honesty is key.
Modern family redefined: Say 'goodbye' to the typical American familyThe American modern family no longer resembles the old vision of a 'traditional family,' says a new study from Ohio State University; marriages are in decline, divorces on the rise, and adult kids are returning home bringing some big shifts in the makeup of US households.
Miley Cyrus 'Wrecking Ball': To join or not to join the angry (curious) mobMiley Cyrus and her new nude music video 'Wrecking Ball': Record numbers click on her newest shock. But perhaps viewers might consider whether expressing that shock in public forums isn’t contributing to someone’s wallet and another’s downfall.
Bashing of 'baby apps' misses the point; context is everythingKid apps purporting to be educational have come under fire from the Federal Trade Commission and the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, however as in so many childhood experiences, the inherent value of screen time depends heavily on parents' roles in providing context.
Virginia UFO sighting sparks a family's curiosity, imaginationLisa Suhay and her 9-year-old son caught a rare glimpse of fiery trails in the evening sky last night that unleashed the family's imaginations and sparked a sleuthing adventure.
Posting kid pics online: Parental bragging right or invasion of privacy?Facebook can be an easy way to share baby and kid photos with family and friends, but when should parents start asking their children for consent?
Kimberly Hall: Raise your sons well, don't chastise others' daughtersMom Kimberly Hall's open letter to teen girls – placing responsibility for her teen boys' sexual desires on provocative teen girls – is off the mark, but it does provide a good starting point for discussion about self-sexualization, body image, and our toxic culture.
Hike and Seek: This walk was brought to you by ...The National Wildlife Foundation's 11-city Hike and Seek turns the old-fashioned family hike into, well, a Disney marketing adventure -- at $25 a pop. Is good old-fashioned wholesome outdoor activity already an endangered species for family life?
Adopt a chicken: Hens fly the coop via private jet. Moms, here's a pet ideaAdopt a chicken: Yes, Mom, a new pet idea straight off the rescue jet from California. 1,000-plus white leghorn chickens rescued from gassing at a California battery cage egg farm are now in New York waiting for their forever families to adopt them through Animal Place, a sanctuary for rescued farm animals.
Drug 'Molly': What parents need to know about drug slangThe drug 'Molly,' also known as ecstasy or MDMA, has become a popular conversation topic for teens wanting to appear 'in the know.' But drug slang can have this effect: When you talk the talk, others may expect you to walk the walk.
Atlanta school cheating: When teachers cheat, what do you tell the kids?The Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal has three-dozen educators facing trial for cheating on standardized tests. But the message kids wind up with is determined by how adults around them explore virtue.
Family finds gold, moment of fame, lifetime of memoriesFamily finds gold: The Schmitt family finds gold treasure valued at $300,000 during their family vacation at sea, a bounty that has earned them a few moments in the national spotlight. The memories, however, will probably last a lifetime.
Shana Tova: Rosh Hashanah offers chance for families to reflectShana Tova, or Good New Year: Rosh Hashanah marks the start of a 10-day period of reflection and atonement for members of the Jewish faith, but non-Jews can find similar value in taking time out to assess the previous year.
