In a recent survey sponsored by the YMCA, 9 out of 10 parents rated themselves as good or excellent at providing a healthy home environment. But there’s something amiss: while 89% of parents think they are providing the right …
Parenting
Is It Murder If a Mom Withholds Cancer Treatment From Her Child?
(Updated) Imagine you are a single mother suffering from depression, overwhelmed with caring for an autistic, nonverbal and developmentally disabled son. If he were diagnosed with cancer, what would you do?
Milk Banks vs. Milk Swaps: Breast Milk’s Latest Controversy
Breast-feeding is a demanding undertaking. It takes time, and lots of it, and some mothers are barely able to produce enough milk. But others find themselves with milk to share, and these days, they’re being wooed by two very …
Why Having Kids Is Bad for Your Health
It’s unfortunate, but true: parenting may be hazardous to your health, at least according to new research that shows that mothers consume more calories and get less physical activity than women with no kids.
When Parents Favor One Kid Over the Other, Is It Okay to Admit It?
The Internet is a dangerous place for kids. Sickos hover in chat rooms, pornographic sites titillate, cyberbullies lurk. But last month, the enemy assumed an unexpected form: mom.
Babies With Flat Heads on the Rise: Is ‘Back to Sleep’ to Blame?
Nearly 20 years ago, the chief activity in a baby’s life — sleeping — got a radical makeover. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) launched its “Back to Sleep” campaign in 1992, urging parents and caregivers to put …
Did Homeopathic Medicine, Breast-Feeding and Veganism Kill a Baby?
Alternative medicine is far more commonplace today than it was in the past. Herbs and natural remedies can, in many cases, be effective at soothing colds and addressing muscle aches and plenty of other ailments. But a verdict
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Wisdom on Fatherhood From Tony Adolescent, Punk Rocker Turned Dad
He’s not just the lead singer of the Adolescents, the legendary Orange County punk rock band, he’s also a loving husband and father of three children: Mia, 14, Nico, 12, and Dario, 8. Now he’s featured alongside other …
Should a Disabled Mom Be Banned from Seeing Her Kids?
There are laws in this country about not discriminating against people with disabilities. So I find it completely confusing that Abbie Dorn, who was left brain-damaged after the birth of her triplets in 2006, has been …
‘Let’s Panic About Babies!’ A Q&A With the Anti-Parenting Guide Authors
As I learned at South by Southwest, one way that blogueros like me can turn their little passion project into something resembling an income stream is to write a book that builds on their blog.
Pediatricians Should Discuss ‘Facebook Depression’ with Kids
Don’t be surprised if the next time you head to the pediatrician, somewhere between listening to your child’s heart and lungs, the doctor slips in a question or two about Facebook.
Dealing with Cyberbullying: 5 Essential Parenting Tips
Cyberbullying is back in the news, most recently because of a so-called “smut list” published online that targeted 100 teenage girls, some as young as 14, for being promiscuous.
Children Sleep Right Through Fire Alarms, Study Shows
Recently, the super-sensitive smoke alarm near our kitchen started squalling in response to a charred bit of something overcooking in a saucepan. I cringed because my 6-year-old was asleep. A champion snoozer, she never flinched. …