All Family
37-pound cat finds home, becomes second fat pet in familyA 37-pound cat named Biscuit was adopted by a family with another fat cat. The new owners said the 37-pound cat will be a good companion to their other pet.
Duchess of Cambridge: Did pregnant Kate say 'daughter'? Princess mania ensuesDuchess of Cambridge almost says 'daughter.' Given Disney princess madness, and other pink fantasies, a pregnant Kate could deliver a princess to end all princesses.
Missing teen found alive: Mom talks to ski resort about what he did rightMissing teen found alive because he watched survival shows and did everything right but wear a hat, the ski resort tells an inquiring mom (who also loves survival shows).
Student suspended after disarming gunman: A week of heroes and bulliesA student suspended after disarming gunman gets a mom thinking about the cast of characters – heroes, bullies, and victims – in the justice vs. safety ethic schools must deal with.
'Keep out of reach of pets': Green cleaners not necessarily safe for petsBuying green, environment-friendly household cleaners may give a false sense of safety, say experts. Most are animal-safe, but many are not safe for your pet.
Bullied boy dies a day after turning 12In a suburban Philadelphia school district, a bullied boy dies after being taken off life support. The bullied boy had been in an induced coma for more than a month.
Baby gorilla at Cincinnati Zoo has many mothers, some with moustachesA baby gorilla born in Texas and brought too the Cincinnati Zoo is being cared for by a team of seven to 10 people who dress in all black, put on hairy vests, and make guttural sounds to impersonate the baby gorilla's mother after its real mother did not look after it.
The Bible miniseries: History Channel's take on the Bible not for kidsThe Bible miniseries produced by the History Channel is a disappointment for any family hoping for a new way to share the Bible's stories with their children. The Bible miniseries, not altogether surprising given the History Channel's relentless ratings focus, sensationalizes the Bible's stories. Angel ninjas? Really?
First black student in white school reflects on family, lifeWilliam Peck, one of three students who became the first blacks to attend a Cumberland, Md. white school following a court order in 1955, recalls following his mother's orders: Don't fight back, no matter what the opponents of integration did or said to him as he was going to school.
Westminster dog death: Owner sniffs foul playAt Westminster, dog deaths are unheard of. But this year a 3-year-old Samoyed died four days after the competition. The owner now says she thinks the Westminster dog death was a deliberate poisoning.
Workplace bullying legislation: Keep your chins up parentsWorkplace bullying legislation is making its way through multiple state houses. No more, hopefully, will parents have to convince their kids not to fear the school bully while struggling with a workplace bully.
Oregon fourth graders wax philosophical about nature of workStudents in a fourth grade classroom in Eugene, Ore. are tackling tough questions about the ethics and values of work in discussions led by University of Oregon philosophy students.
Daddy's money sneakers from Skechers are sketchyDaddy's Money sneakers, Skechers new line of girls sneakers, should sound the alarm for any parent with teenaged daughters. These Daddy's Money sneakers from Skechers are a big let down.
LEGO for girls: Move over BarbieLEGO introduced a line of toys for girls called Just Friends a little more than a year ago. The LEGO sets feature girl figurines, a big encouragement for girls and moms who are tired of Barbie gender-stereotypes to have some quality STEM time.
Marines T-shirt ban: Superintendent on student's side, not teacher'sA de facto Marines T-shirt ban by one Illinois teacher came under fire by school district administrators who say the shirt worn by a 14-year-old student is within the limits set by the dress code. Now the boy's father wants the dress code to be explicit so Marines T-shirts are not banned again.
Why did Anne Hathaway apologize? And is there a lesson for your kids here?Anne Hathaway apologized after she wore a different dress to the Academy Awards than the one she had planned on. But can you blame her? Our kids are told to say sorry so much they, like Anne Hathaway, apologize for things they shouldn't.
First lady's anti-obesity campaign ignites change in food industryFirst lady Michelle Obama's anti-obesity campaign, "Let's Move," has inspired some in the food industry to change. Wal-Mart, doing its part to incorporate the first lady's anti-obesity campaign into its stores, has started labeling foods. Others ignore her recommendations as government intrusion.
Philadelphia schools offer new family-style lunches to studentsAs part of a new "Eatiquette" program, several Philadelphia schools are serving family-style lunches to students. The Philadelphia schools involved hope the family-style lunches will reinforce good manners and communication skills.
Hot air balloon crash: Despite risk, adventure tourism on the upswingHot air balloon crash in Egypt leaves 19 dead. A woman on a hiking trip in Hawaii swept away and drowned. Adventure vacations have serious consequences, some like the balloon crash and hiking trip happened recently, but the industry is growing.
Making macaroni and cheese in Beijing: The homemade childhood that wasn'tA mom believes she made her children homemade macaroni and cheese growing up, but they only remember the Kraft stuff. Now she asks whether she seasoned their childhood like Jacques Pépin or Sandra Lee.
