All Modern Parenthood
'Brave' princess breaks Disney stereotypes. Or does she?Does Disney-Pixar's 'Brave' – featuring the atypical Princess Merida – present an original storyline and overcomes stereotypes of animated female characters? One critic says yes, although others claim the opposite.
Rescue dog Albie arrives at his new home after a long journeyAfter the longest, slowest weekend in the Zheutlin household, their rescue dog Albie finally arrives. The 3-year-old Yellow Lab-Golden Retriever mix is as gentle and sweet as the family could have hoped.
China adoption diary: A document goes missing; stanch the panic!Part 10 – China adoption diary: After waking up with a dog pile of kids in her bed, Mom sets out to finalize paperwork and ... discovers something missing.
Teens waiting to get drivers' licenses, prefer public transportTeens are waiting longer to get their drivers' licenses, according to a new study. They prefer walkable cities and good public transportation to the hassle and cost of maintaining a car.
Queen Latifah a mom? Star says she may adopt a child.Queen Latifah told Barbara Walters on ABC's 'The View' that she was 'totally serious' about wanting to adopt a child. She would be in good company – both in the celebrity world, and among Americans overall.
China adoption diary: Matters of trust involve a headlock on DadPart 9 – China adoption diary: Bonding involves trust and Dad – after a headlock and tussle – soothes Madeleine's fear of shots, while Grace comes to grips with rule-bending.
Sexting: Parents need to understand social pressures and behaviorSexting – often thought of only in a legal context – needs to be considered from a youth perspective in order for parents to more fully protect them from its consequences.
Dogs, cats make for healthy babies, says study. Bring on the fur.A new study says that young babies living with dogs and cats tend to be healthier than those without four-legged friends. What a relief.
Piggy bank versus tzedakah box: Learning to save – and giveA tantrum over getting a desired toy turns into an opportunity to teach a 4-year-old about charity, helping him to decide whether to put his change in the piggy bank or the tzedakah box.
China adoption diary: Tears and a monsoon in today's forecastPart 8 – China adoption diary: First family fiasco – at the zoo in a monsoon of rain and tears as Mom and Dad set some unpopular limits.
Thomas Lubanga sentenced, but child soldiers still struggleThe International Criminal Court handed down its first sentence today, ordering warlord Thomas Lubanga to serve 14 years for the recruitment and use of child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo. But the children of eastern Congo still need our attention.
China adoption diary: A many-Kleenex visit to Grace’s orphanagePart 7 – China adoption diary: 90 emotional minutes at Grace's orphanage where the outlines of her past take some real shape.
Summer books: Skip the blockbusters, let kids’ imaginations growA summer book allows kids to explore their own imaginations and versions of time, place, and character. Skipping the summer blockbusters could save kids from a world of wasted imaginations.
Kourtney Kardashian has a baby girl. Let the gushing begin.Kourtney Kardashian has a baby girl, Claire Danes is pregnant, so is Reese Witherspoon, and the fans are gushing. What's the deal with the Kardashians – and all celebrity baby love?
China adoption diary: Maoming or bust – a return to Grace’s hometownPart 6 – China adoption diary: The sisters wrangle over pigtail pitch, Madeleine becomes a thoroughbred clothes horse, and Mom wonders, "What if Grace’s Chinese mother had any idea that her precious daughter was right here in Maoming for only one day?"
China adoption diary: "Officially ours," Madeleine Bao Yi becomes a BelsiePart 5 – China adoption diary: After questions from Chinese functionaries – such as "Why did you choose to adopt?" – the Belsie family officially becomes four, with new sister and daughter Madeleine Bao Yi.
China adoption diary: The gotcha day "zap." Love at first sight.Part 4 – China adoption diary: Pig-tailed and rhinestoned Madeleine Bao Yi meets the Belsie family – her family – on gotcha day. It's love at first sight.
China adoption diary: A cackling ride on the storkPart 3 – China adoption diary: Emotion dawns as the reality of a second daughter takes shape on the way to Guangzhou. The adoption agency guide arrives, Grace is delighted with the trove of hotel sample soaps and shampoos, Mom and Dad get ready for first meeting with Madeleine Bao Yi.
Katie Holmes-Tom Cruise divorce: dealing with religious splitsThe Katie Holmes-Tom Cruise divorce news makes this author wonder how the couple's daughter, Suri, will deal with the alleged split in her parents' religious views. The author was a year older than Suri when her own parents – a Jew and a Roman Catholic – divorced.
Bikini onesie: Really? Baby girl clothes that go too farBikini onesie? Parents say a bikini onesie for sale at Gordman's department store goes too far. But it's hardly the only example of baby girl clothes that leave parents shaking their heads.
