All Modern Parenthood
Happy Halloween ... not! Gory, sexual costumes turn Mom offHappy Halloween? Can there be a Happy Halloween with the gory, sexual costumes peddled to kids? Not for this mom, who feels more glad than guilty not to be stuffing her 19-month-old into costumes, just yet.
Tamera Mowry: Her baby boy is due, and she talks like a normal momTamera Mowry is expecting her first baby – a boy – any day now. It's great to hear a celebrity mom talk like a normal mom on the street: She says she's very ready to have the pregnancy over, done, finished, and baby home.
Halloween in Beijing: Pumpkins, pirates, and ... a man in a dark suitYes, Virginia, there is Halloween in Beijing. No one dares to toss toilet paper over the gingko trees or egg the local Sichuan restaurant, but a group of American expatriates held a party and trick or treat – and most of the guests were Chinese, including a man in a dark suit.
Halloween costumes: More sexualized stereotyping for girlsHalloween costumes for kids, particularly girls, are increasingly sexualized, reinforcing the same unhealthy cultural messages about girls' bodies.
Hurricane Sandy: How to process the threat with your kidsHurricane Sandy has parents hitting the bottled water aisle at the supermarket and monitoring the growing threat on TV – and their children are listening in the background. Children can feel frightened but safe if parents process the drama of Hurriane Sandy realistically for them.
Autumn Pasquale and Jessica Ridgeway cases: The moms who turned in their sonsAutumn Pasquale and Jessica Ridgeway were both allegedly abducted by underage boys in separate attacks. The alleged killers of Autumn and Jessica were turned in by their own moms – an act of courageous parenting that deserves acknowledgment.
Parenting news roundup: Taylor Swift, Michelle Obama and bulliesThis week's roundup spotlights stories on Taylor Swift's breakup, bully mania sweeping the country, and Michelle Obama on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' chatting about teenagers and being a mom – That's right. The Modern Parenthood weekly news roundup is the new Friday family tradition.
Hurricane Sandy: Stay safe at home with the kids using these tipsHurricane Sandy is heading up the East Coast and could arrive in New York and New Jersey next week. Stay safe with these Red Cross tips on preparing for a hurricane.
Hey, Ann Coulter: Really? Again?Ann Coulter tweet calls President Obama retarded – for a second time. He's gonna be OK. But for most folks, while sticks and stones won't break your bones, words can really hurt you.
Teens and volunteering: Altruism or just peer pressure?Teens volunteering: It's on the increase, says a new study, but the motivation for it is not so clear. It could be as much newfound altruism as it is peer pressure.
Grandmothers: Their childcare was crucial to evolution, says new studyGrandmothers were crucial to human evolution – increasing life spans by offering childcare, a new study shows. We moms don't need a PhD to know that – do we?
Jobs, bayonets, 'apology tour': How to talk politics with your kidsJobs, bayonets, and the "apology tour" may make your family a presidential debate arena of its own – but how to talk politics with your kids is important to their development. While we may want our kids to share our values, we can help them understand why we hold these values and that even people who disagree are not evil.
Princess Sofia and Skinny Minnie: Disney characters suffer backlashPrincess Sofia, the new Latina Disney character, and Barneys' Skinny Minnie Mouse holiday advertising campaign have Disney characters under fire. Princess Sofia is touted as the first Latina Disney princess, but her light skin has proven controversial.
Lance Armstrong: Blow to kids' idol, brings new respect for DadLance Armstrong was stripped of his Tour de France medals today, and this household of cycling fans has equal parts disappointment with their former idol and respect for their dad who flirted with pro cycling and left because of the pressures of doping.
Obama and Jay-Z swap parenting advicePresident Obama and rapper Jay-Z are all about their little girls – the parenting advice swapping is making moms swoon over involved dads. No matter who you like for president – wouldn't it be cool to get some parenting tips from the Oval Office?
Orionid meteor shower: Wake the kids, make a memoryThe Orionid meteor shower peaks tonight, so wake the kids for a teachable moment of wonder – whether you can answer their questions or not, they’ll remember these fragments of Halley’s comet when they see that comet come around again in 2061.
Binders full of women: Inane office supply focus misses the pointBinders full of women: Of course politicians have them, along with binders full of any kind of potential appointees. Wouldn't we crucify Romney – or Obama, for that matter – if he didn't have lists of women? The important thing is what's done with the lists of women – let's focus on that.
Rescue Dog: Albie leads a “dog’s life” – in a good wayA "dog's life" lived well: Off-leash in fall’s filagree foliage, rescue dog Albie both gives and gets the gift of irrational exuberance.
Bully study hype? Do 80% in high school really see bullying weekly?The anti-bullying movement got an injection of new, shocking statistics to work with in a dosomething.org online survey that suggests 80 percent of high school students see bullying incidents each week. But considering the uncertainties of what bullying really is, this may not be a fair snapshot of the life of American teens.
Kids need sleep: Study shows the difference a half-hour makesThe noticeable difference in behavior after a half-hour of extra sleep confirms that kids need more sleep, shows a new study.
