.jpg)
Opinion: Are Helicopter Parents Coming in for a Landing?
It's crunch time in the world of high-school seniors, and I'm seeing some very jittery clients as those once distant college application deadlines are now just around the corner.
Loss of sleep, appetite and sanity are rampant, as essays get reworked and revamped and no extra-curricular activity is accidentally neglected.
I'm talking about the parents.
Much has been said about the merit of focusing on which college a child attends, and whether it does or doesn't affect their future success and happiness. While I have strong opinions about this, what interests me even more is the near-maniacal anxiety levels I see as parents come face-to-face with the harsh reality that their days of being able to control their child's destiny come to an end.
Some moms are still notoriously known to call their sons in the dorm to wake them up for class in the morning, or to micromanage their daughter's choices of classes during registration via text messages.
But help -- in the form of sanity -- is on the way.
Loss of sleep, appetite and sanity are rampant, as essays get reworked and revamped and no extra-curricular activity is accidentally neglected.
I'm talking about the parents.
Much has been said about the merit of focusing on which college a child attends, and whether it does or doesn't affect their future success and happiness. While I have strong opinions about this, what interests me even more is the near-maniacal anxiety levels I see as parents come face-to-face with the harsh reality that their days of being able to control their child's destiny come to an end.
Some moms are still notoriously known to call their sons in the dorm to wake them up for class in the morning, or to micromanage their daughter's choices of classes during registration via text messages.
But help -- in the form of sanity -- is on the way.
Gay Parents Do Not Warp Their Kids, Research Shows
Adoption, In The News, Amazing Parents
In her new book, "Lesbian and Gay Parents and Their Children," Abbie Goldberg argues that homosexual parents do not adversely affect their children. Credit: Amazon
Abbie Goldberg, an assistant professor of psychology at Clark University in Worcester, Mass., looked at gay parenting from the 1970s to the present in her book, "Lesbian and Gay Parents and Their Children: Research on the Family Life Cycle."
"The sexual orientation of a parent has really little to do with their parenting," Goldberg tells USA Today.
Celeb Clan Close-Up: Families Rock the American Music Awards
Rocker dads seemed to share their wardrobes with their fashion-forward sons. Diva moms sizzled while their children looked sweet and stylish. And Jermaine Jackson? Well, his family worked the red carpet in everything from a conservative suit to ripped rock star-worthy jeans.
The American Music Awards celebrate the year's best singers and songs, but they also give us a chance to spot fashion's high notes. Here are five families making beautiful music -- and style -- together.
The American Music Awards celebrate the year's best singers and songs, but they also give us a chance to spot fashion's high notes. Here are five families making beautiful music -- and style -- together.
King of the Hill
Orvis just made sledding even more fun. Credit: Orvis
You may be dreading the first flurries of the winter (i.e. shoveling and slush), but your kids can't wait to careen down the side of the neighborhood's highest hill. At least you can agree on one thing: Pull-On SnowShorts by Orvis, with built-in butt sled! No more lugging that aluminum saucer half a mile down the road, or trudging back uphill with toboggan in tow. Let it snow.
Available at amazon.com for $35.
Rubbing Elbows, or Other Body Parts, With Royalty
Bump Watch, Life & Style, Celeb Parenting, In The News, Funny Stuff
Going behind Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall's back could get you a royal owie. The bum of the second wife of Britain's Prince Charles had a recent run-in with a 3-year-old's head, as the boy tried to sneak around Camilla when she bent over to receive a kiss from another youngster. Here's how it all played out.
Kids Who Watch TV Are More Aggressive, Study Shows
Toddlers, Preschoolers, Fun & Activities, Health & Safety, Development, Media
Young children who watch television may become aggressive later on. Credit: Imbecillsallad, Flickr
Watching TV is not good for young children, according to a new study.
A new report suggests that tuning into television puts 3-year-olds at a greater risk of aggressive behavior, which can cause problems as they mature. The study used data from 3,128 mothers of children born from 1998 to 2000 in 20 large American cities.
"Early childhood aggression can be problematic for parents, teachers and childhood peers and sometimes is predictive of more serious behavior problems to come, such as juvenile delinquency, adulthood violence and criminal behavior," according to background information in the report that was included in an article published by PsychCentral.com.
The latest study builds on previous findings of other studies that draw connections between aggressive behavior and TV, child psychologist Douglas Tynan says in an interview with ParentDish.
Court Rules West Virginia Mom Must Vaccinate Her Child
Some parents worry about vaccinating their children. Credit: jupiterimages
Opponents of vaccines lost a court battle this month, as a federal judge ruled that a West Virginia mom must immunize her child.
Jennifer Workman of Mingo County, W.Va., refused to allow her daughter to be immunized before starting school, as required by state law. According to The Associated Press, Workman's lawsuit expressed concern "that her daughter could develop autism" if she received standard vaccines, and also that immunizations were against her religion, which is Christian Bapticostal, according to the Charleston Gazette.
Vaccines have been a hot topic with parents for some time now, and the issue is once again getting headlines because of swine flu. Jenny McCarthy led a march to "Green Our Vaccines" in 2008, and later claimed that her son had been "cured" of his autism through diet, something that pediatricians say is impossible.
Teen Calls 911 After Parents Take Away Xbox
Teens & tweens, In The News, Weird But True, Extreme Childhood
An Illinois teen decided that his punishment was a crime. Credit: Iwan Gabovitch, Flickr
The Daily Herald reports that an unnamed Buffalo Grove, Ill. 15-year-old called 911 last week after his mother and father took away his Xbox as a punishment for an undisclosed transgression. Buffalo Grove police Cmdr. Steve Husak says that the caper started out as a hang-up call to the emergency service.
Husak tells ParentDish that all abandoned 911 calls in the area are traced and that officers follow up with a visit to the address from which the call originated.
"When officers responded, they saw it was a domestic situation," says Husak. "The center of the argument was that his parents were punishing him and he wanted clarification of whether or not they could do that. Officers advised him that yes, that was in fact a punishment."
Husak adds that officers went on to explain that the boy's parents were well within their rights and that he should try to follow the rules of the house.
To his credit, the boy finally agreed.
Hot Viral Video: Taylor Swift, Another Stolen Moment
She wears high heels, I wear sneakers.
Truer words have never been spoken.
Poor Taylor Swift. Everyone wants to steal her spotlight. Now, an adorable 2-year-old is getting the attention, with this rendition Swift's New York City subway version of You Belong With Me. Granted, it starts out a little slow, but at :40 seconds, the toddler belts it out, ripping off her chapeau and coat, showing off some pretty awesome princess attire.
Hang on 'til the end, when the blondie gives a Swift-like shout out to the Big Apple.
Hey Kanye, give this little mama an award.
My Kids Want a Dog
Kids 5-7, Kids 8-11, Teens & tweens, Chores, Pets
Dear AdviceMama:
My kids (6 and 8 years old) are begging me for a new puppy but I don't think they're going to keep their promises once the newness wears off. They have even written a contract saying they will walk and feed the dog every day for the next 10 years, but I don't see how they're going to follow through when I have to nag them to brush their teeth or do their homework. Still, I think a dog would be a sweet addition to our family. I just don't want to be stuck doing all the work. What do you suggest?
Signed,
Canine Confusion
My kids (6 and 8 years old) are begging me for a new puppy but I don't think they're going to keep their promises once the newness wears off. They have even written a contract saying they will walk and feed the dog every day for the next 10 years, but I don't see how they're going to follow through when I have to nag them to brush their teeth or do their homework. Still, I think a dog would be a sweet addition to our family. I just don't want to be stuck doing all the work. What do you suggest?
Signed,
Canine Confusion
