Parenting is a largely self-regulated undertaking. With nary an instruction manual, we’re handed a squalling bundle and expected to make mostly good decisions about how that bundle is raised. Word of advice: don’t inject your …
Parenting
Should a Mother Lose Custody of Her Kids Because She Has Cancer?
Alaina Giordano was already engaged in a battle royale, fighting Stage 4 breast cancer, when her struggle intensified recently: a judge ruled that the N.C. woman must give up custody of her two children to her husband, who lives in Chicago, in part because “children who have a parent with cancer need more contact with the non-ill parent.”
Are Mom and Dad’s Problems Keeping Baby Up at Night?
Kids may be blamed for wreaking havoc on parents’ quality of life, but what goes around comes around: new research shows that parents who aren’t getting along can affect their children’s sleep quality.
Insecure Toddlers are More Likely to Become Obese
By any measure, mother-child bonding is an ideal worth striving for, but new research underscores its importance, finding that toddlers who aren’t securely attached may have a greater risk of being obese before they even start …
In Defense of Motherhood: Why We Keep Having Kids When They’re So Clearly Bad for Us
Here at Healthland, we devote a considerable amount of virtual ink to reporting on research that disses parenthood. I’ve written several stories in this vein, and I find them both wryly amusing and often uncomfortably accurate. But at least in my experience parenting three young kids, they’re not the whole truth.
Depression and the Mommy Wars: Who’s Worst Off?
Are working moms more prone to depression than those who stay at home? One faces long hours away from her family, a lot of juggling and exhaustion. The other faces long hours with needy little humans, a lot of isolation and …
Bin Laden’s Young Daughter Watched Him Die. Does She Share His Beliefs?
(Updated) It’s a definite downside of being America’s most-wanted terrorist: your days are numbered. Yet if Osama bin Laden could have chosen who would witness his death, one would figure his young daughter would almost …
A Celebration of Death: Parents Parse the bin Laden Fall-Out
A complex mix of revenge and satisfaction at vanquishing evil has combined to make this country a very happy place this week. Generally, it’s bad form to gloat over another’s misfortune, but parents are relearning social …
Facebook and Breast-Feeders Face Off Again Over Nursing Photos
There’s no doubt that breasts are sexualized in our society, even when they’re doing what they’re designed for — feeding babies. And that’s not sitting well with breast-feeding advocates who are angry that Facebook has …
Who Is bin Laden? Kids Born After 9/11 Want to Know
President Obama certainly wasn’t taking the sensibilities of West Coast children into consideration when he made his stunner of a speech Sunday night: Osama bin Laden is dead. It took parents by surprise. We weren’t ready, …
Does Drinking With Parents Help Teens Drink More Responsibly? Not Really
When I was in high school, my parents laid down a few ground rules about exactly how “liberating” my teenage emancipation was going to be. No driving without an adult in the car past dark, no staying out past 11 p.m., and no, …
School Band Instruments are Teeming with Bacteria and Fungi
Playing a musical instrument is great for kids’ developing brains — think it’s sheer coincidence that Tiger Mom placed so much emphasis on piano practice? — but a new study shows it could be bad for their health.
Ditch the Piggybank. Teach Kids Financial Literacy Instead
“Is money important?” my 3-year-old asked this week. I answered truthfully with a hearty “Yes.” I explained it to her simply, telling her that we need money to pay for our house and our food and her ballet class.