ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com/media/feedlogo.gif ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Helping Kids With Credit, From Suze Ormanhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/28/helping-kids-with-credit-from-suze-orman/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/28/helping-kids-with-credit-from-suze-orman/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/28/helping-kids-with-credit-from-suze-orman/#commentsFiled under: ,

Personal finance expert Suze Orman explains one reliable method to ensure solid credit for your children.


Don't Miss from Marlo Thomas:

Smart Investing
Suze hammers on a few simple, reliable guidelines for navigating the complexity of investing.

Negotiating a Salary
Suze Orman responds to a question about salary negotiation in a surprising, shrewdly intelligent, and hugely motivating way.

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]]>marlo thomassuze ormanthe editors at MarloThomas.comThu, 28 Jul 2011 10:00:00 ESTGetting Over 'Can't', From Marlo Thomashttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/19/getting-over-cant-from-marlo-thomas/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/19/getting-over-cant-from-marlo-thomas/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/19/getting-over-cant-from-marlo-thomas/#commentsFiled under: ,

We all face those moments when we feel like we just can't do something. How can we learn to keep going? We all have our own ways of doing this, but I have a personal tool that's a little different.



Don't Miss from Marlo Thomas:

Personal Story: The Irone Crone
I love a challenge, so loved this story about a woman who took on a formidable physical challenge at - 58!

Your Turn: Taking Risks for Your Dreams
Sometimes you have to take a risk to accomplish your dreams. Have you ever gone out on a limb so you could get closer to reaching your goal?

Optimism as an Anti-Aging Strategy
Call me a cockeyed optimist, but I've always seen the glass as half full. Phil is just the opposite. He sees the clouds forming while I'm still sunbathing! I asked Dr. Dale Atkins if there's any advantage in being one way or the other. You'll be fascinated by what she said!

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]]>marlo thomasthe editors at MarloThomas.comTue, 19 Jul 2011 10:00:00 ESTTraining a Dog to Live With a Baby, From Cesar Millanhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/18/training-a-dog-to-live-with-a-baby-from-cesar-millan/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/18/training-a-dog-to-live-with-a-baby-from-cesar-millan/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/18/training-a-dog-to-live-with-a-baby-from-cesar-millan/#commentsFiled under:

Cesar Millan gives advice for approaching the sometimes difficult task of training your dog to live with your newborn.

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How To Crate Your Dog
Cesar Millan reveals the best way to crate your dog when traveling.

Tips For Traveling With Your Pet
Pet expert Cesar Millan shares his expert tips for traveling with your dog.

"Your Dog Is Not Misbehaving" - Cesar Millan
If you think your dog is misbehaving, it could just be that he's bored! Find our what Cesar suggests in order to keep him entertained.

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]]>cesar milandogsmarlo thomaspetspets and babiesthe editors at MarloThomas.comMon, 18 Jul 2011 12:00:00 ESTHealthy Snacks for Kids From Jillian Michaelshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/12/healthy-snacks-for-kids-from-jillian-michaels/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/12/healthy-snacks-for-kids-from-jillian-michaels/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/12/healthy-snacks-for-kids-from-jillian-michaels/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Leading health and wellness expert Jillian Michaels joined Marlo Thomas on Mondays with Marlo for a terrific chat about fitness, weight loss, self-improvement, and more! Here are ideas for some not-so-terrible "junk food" snacks.



Don't miss from Marlo Thomas:

Tips and Tricks for Vegetable Haters
Health and fitness expert Jillian Michaels helps vegetable haters get their daily dose of greens.

Modifying Your Dreams
Jillian Michaels shares her advice on achieving your dreams.

The Effect of Weight Training Before Cardio
Jillian Michaels explains the benefit of doing weight training before your cardio exercises.

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]]>healthy snackshealthy snacks for kidsJillian michaelsmarlo thomasthe editors at MarloThomas.comTue, 12 Jul 2011 09:00:00 ESTJuly 4th Memories from Marlo Thomashttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/01/july-4th-marlo-thomas/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/01/july-4th-marlo-thomas/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/01/july-4th-marlo-thomas/#commentsFiled under: , ,

"When I was growing up you were allowed to have fireworks in your own backyard. And at my house we always had fireworks on the 4th of July."

Don't miss from Marlo Thomas:

Family First, from Kelly Ripa
Kelly Ripa talks about the most important part of her life - her family.

Stepmothers - Your Turn
When I realized I was going to have the title of "stepmother," I thought, "Oh, no, I don't want to be one of those!" In fairy tales and children's stories, stepmothers are usually villains. I had to figure out how to be a nice one, a good one. The first step was becoming a true and trusted friend; the rest followed.

Adoptive Grandparenting
A friend recently told me that her son and daughter-in-law were adopting a baby - and she confided that she was worried about how to be a good grandparent to a child that wasn't biologically related to her. I could see that she was really struggling with it, so I asked Dr. Dale Atkins, an expert in family relationships, what advice she had to give.

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]]>july 4thjuly 4th memoriesmarlo thomasthe editors at MarloThomas.comFri, 01 Jul 2011 09:00:00 ESTTeens Need Attention, Appreciation and Affection, From Deepak Choprahttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/21/teens-advice-deepak-chopra/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/21/teens-advice-deepak-chopra/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/21/teens-advice-deepak-chopra/#commentsFiled under: ,

Deepak Chopra explains why teens need attention, appreciation and affection the most.


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Don't Believe Your Prognosis, from Deepak Chopra
Deepak Chopra discusses why you shouldn't always trust your prognosis.

The Health Benefits of Regular Sex, from Deepak Chopra
Deepak Chopra reveals the health benefits of having sex regularly.

Marlo's Weekly Newsletter
Sign up to receive my email newsletter each week - It will keep you up-to-date on upcoming articles, Mondays with Marlo guests, videos, and more!

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]]>deepak chopramarlo thomasthe editors at MarloThomas.comTue, 21 Jun 2011 17:00:00 ESTHow Education is Viewed Differently by Generations from Marlo Thomashttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/21/how-education-is-viewed-differently-by-generations/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/21/how-education-is-viewed-differently-by-generations/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/21/how-education-is-viewed-differently-by-generations/#commentsFiled under: ,

Marlo Thomas and her niece Kate and talk about the topic of education, and how it is viewed differently by their respective generations.



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The Iron Chrone
I love a challenge, so loved this story about a woman who took on a formidable physical challenge at - 58!

Your Turn: Taking a Risk for Your Dream
Sometimes you have to take a risk to accomplish your dreams. Have you ever gone out on a limb so you could get closer to reaching your goal?

Optimism as an Anti-Aging Strategy
Call me a cockeyed optimist, but I've always seen the glass as half full. Phil is just the opposite. He sees the clouds forming while I'm still sunbathing! I asked Dr. Dale Atkins if there's any advantage in being one way or the other. You'll be fascinated by what she said!

My Weekly Newsletter
Sign up to receive my email newsletter each week - It will keep you up-to-date on upcoming articles, Mondays with Marlo guests, videos, and more!

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]]>educationmarlo thomasthe editors at MarloThomas.comTue, 21 Jun 2011 09:00:00 ESTHelp, My Daughter is Being Cyber-bullied, from Dr. Philhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/16/cyber-bully-dr-phil/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/16/cyber-bully-dr-phil/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/16/cyber-bully-dr-phil/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Dr. Phil reveals the best plan of action for dealing with cyber-bullies.

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My Kids Are Asking for Everything, from Dr. Phil
Dr. Phil offers his expert advice to overwhelmed parents.

How to Navigate the Online Dating World, from Dr. Phil
Dr. Phil offers tips for navigating the world of online dating.

Dr. Phil's Advice for Dealing with Bullies
Dr. Phil gives expert advice on how to deal with bullies.

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]]>bullyingCyberBullyingdr philmarlo thomasthe editors at MarloThomas.comThu, 16 Jun 2011 09:00:00 ESTA Soda Substitute for Teens, from Dr. Ozhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/14/soda-substitute-for-teens/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/14/soda-substitute-for-teens/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/14/soda-substitute-for-teens/#commentsFiled under: ,

Dr. Oz reveals a healthy soda substitute for teenagers.



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You Don't Need All That Water, from Dr. Oz
How much water should you really be drinking daily? Dr. Oz debunks the eight glasses a day myth!

Vitamin D Fights Cancer, from Dr. Oz
Dr. Oz shares why Vitamin D helps fight cancer - and how to get your daily dose!

Tips for More Sleep, from Dr. Oz
Not catching enough z's? Dr. Oz shares his tips for getting more sleep.

Multi-Vitamins are the Building Blocks of Health
Dr. Oz explains what you should be taking in addition to multi-vitamins.

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]]>Dr. Ozmarlo thomassodathe editors at MarloThomas.comTue, 14 Jun 2011 12:00:00 ESTDr. Oz's 25 Things Every Teen Should Do for a Happy, Healthy Lifehttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/13/dr-ozs-25-things-every-teen-should-do-for-a-happy-healthy-lif/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/13/dr-ozs-25-things-every-teen-should-do-for-a-happy-healthy-lif/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/13/dr-ozs-25-things-every-teen-should-do-for-a-happy-healthy-lif/#commentsFiled under:

dr. oz book

Credit: Amazon

Raising a teenager can be a lot of hard work (Phil had four teenaged boys when I married him!). Luckily, Dr. Oz has written an "owners manual" for parents of teens - YOU: The Owner's Manual for Teens: A Guide to a Healthy Body and Happy Life. Below is a list of 25 things every teen should do. Share this with the teenager in your life! And don't miss your chance to ask Dr. Oz anything you'd like to know here - tune in to our LIVE chat on Monday, June 13th, 2011 to see your question answered!

Dr. Oz's 25 Things Every Teen Should Do for a Happy, Healthy Life

1. Realize that you control what goes into your body.
2. Realize that it's never too late to start adopting healthy habits. You get a do‑over.
3. Walk ten thousand steps a day (about five miles).
4. Have one buddy who shares your ideals about living a healthy lifestyle and who you're comfortable talking with about healthy habits.
5. Avoid known toxins such as tobacco, bisphenol A (BPA) in plastics, and toxins found in dry cleaning and some cosmetic products. That means stay away from formaldehyde (found in some Brazilian Blowouts, "smoking water," and embalming fluid).
6. Regularly avoid the major categories of unhealthy foods: saturated fats, trans fats, added sugar, added syrup, non-100 percent whole grains.
7. Eat cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, watercress, and arugula three times a week.
8. Take a multivitamin every day and get your recommended daily amount of calcium through food or supplements as well as vitamin D and omega-3 fats.
9. Floss and brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day.
10. Have your waist size equal less than half your height (in inches).
11. Sleep eight and a half to nine hours a night (in greater than ninety-minute blocks).
12. Do some kind of exercise nearly every day, including some form of resistance exercise and cardiovascular exercise.
13. Do one small (or big) form of stress management every day. Have your vaccinations against major diseases up to date.
14. Commit to not texting and driving.
15. Have a passion. And do it as often as you can! Safely.
16. Protect your ears from noise louder than a lawn mower (including keeping your personal device on less than 70 percent of max when using earphones).
17. Keep your phone and other devices out of your hands (and away from your eyes) while driving (or walking, if you're in urban areas).
18. Find a mentor.
19. Practice smart internet safety, knowing that what you write or post can be saved forever, and be smart about who you communicate with.
20. Make sex a choice, not something that "just happens." And if you are considering becoming sexually active (whether you're a guy or a girl) remember to always carry a condom. And use a second method of contraception if you're having heterosexual sex.
21. Eliminate processed foods from your diet and substitute 100 percent whole wheat flour for white flour where you can.
22. Eat five servings of fruits and veggies per day.
23. Eat fruit but skip the juice unless you are specifically trying to gain weight.
24. Don't squeeze zits.
25. Wear a helmet when cycling, Rollerblading, skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, or rock climbing and wear a seat belt whenever you're in a car.

About the Authors

Michael F. Roizen, M.D., author of YOU: The Owner's Manual for Teens: A Guide to a Healthy Body and Happy Life (Copyright (C) 2011 by Michael F. Roizen, MD, and Oz Works, LLC), is a New York Times #1 bestselling author and cofounder and originator of the popular RealAge.com website. He is chief wellness officer and chair of the Wellness Institute of the Cleveland Clinic and health expert of The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., author of YOU: The Owner's Manual for Teens: A Guide to a Healthy Body and Happy Life (Copyright (C) 2006, 2009, 2011 by Michael F. Roizen, MD, and Oz Works LLC, f/s/o Mehmet C. Oz, MD), is also a New York Times #1 bestselling author and host of The Dr. Oz Show. He is professor and vice chairman of surgery at New York Presbyterian-Columbia University and the director of the Heart Institute.

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]]>books for teensDr. Ozthe editors at MarloThomas.comMon, 13 Jun 2011 12:00:00 ESTHeirlooms and Traditions from Marlo Thomashttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/08/heirlooms-and-traditions-from-marlo-thomas/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/08/heirlooms-and-traditions-from-marlo-thomas/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/08/heirlooms-and-traditions-from-marlo-thomas/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When I was growing up, my mother had this beautiful big silver punch bowl that she would use whenever there was a special event or holiday.


What about you? Has anything been past down in your family? Join the conversation and post a comment below. To contribute, sign in using your screen name from AOL, AIM, Yahoo, Facebook, or Google. If you don't have a screen name, create one now: it's fast, it's free, and it's safe!

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]]>Heirlooms and Traditionsthe editors at MarloThomas.comWed, 08 Jun 2011 09:00:00 ESTDr. Phil on Mondays with Marlohttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/07/mondays-with-marlo-dr-phil/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/07/mondays-with-marlo-dr-phil/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/07/mondays-with-marlo-dr-phil/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Psychologist and hit talk show host Dr. Phil stopped by to chat with Marlo Thomas about relationships, bullying, parenting, and more!

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]]>bullyingmarlo thomasrelationshipsthe editors at MarloThomas.comTue, 07 Jun 2011 10:00:00 ESTYou May As Well Laugh: A Conversation With Judith Viorsthttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/03/judith-viorst/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/03/judith-viorst/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/03/judith-viorst/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Judith Viorst's newest book is "Unexpectedly Eighty."

By Marlo Thomas

I've been a huge fan of Judith Viorst for ages. Her writings have continued to amuse, inform and delight audiences, especially her "decade" books. The latest is "Unexpectedly Eighty" - and the minute I heard it had been published I wanted to chat with my old friend about it.

Judith, your new book "Unexpectedly Eighty" continues a series you started with "When Did I Stop Being Twenty and Other Injustices." When you wrote that one, did you ever imagine you'd still be writing these so many years later?

I never actually planned to write decade books, but by the time I was writing about my 40s, I realized that I was, in fact, able to pinpoint certain experiences/challenges/qualities that seemed to characterize each decade for me -- and for other women of my generation, and even, to a surprising degree, for women of younger generations. In my 40s, however, it was still unimaginable that I'd ever be 80, still be writing at 80, and still finding things to laugh about at 80.

If you were to tell us a lesson you learned in each decade of your life, what would those be?

Wow! I can better describe the challenges of each decade.

  • 30s: Dealing with the shocks of married life as romantic illusion collides with messy reality.
  • 40s: Struggling to come to terms with the fact that there are limits - that I'll never be a ballerina or brain surgeon, and that I'm probably not going to be the first immortal.
  • 50s: Becoming pretty clear on who I am and what I am and am not good at, and feeling really comfortable in my own skin.
  • 60s: Except ... Just when I thought I finally had it all nailed down, I'm facing a whole new set of difficult truths, and preferring a good report on my next bone density test to a night of wild rapture with Denzel Washington.
  • 70s: So here I've been expecting the worst, but despite the losses and limits of the 70s, everyone I know is busy working on staying fit, and trying to make the world a better place, and finding plenty to please both body and soul.
  • 80s: Not the new 60s - no way. More and more of the people we care about succumb to awful illnesses; many of them die. But sharing Metamucil and grandchildren with the man I've loved for over 50 years is pretty damn sweet.
Has there been a favorite decade so far?

My favorite decade has been my 50s, when I felt at peace with my options, proud of my capabilities and no longer as self-absorbed, as self-pitying, as just plain dumb as I used to be. But what I didn't have in my 50s, and what is lighting up my life in the decades since, are Miranda, Brandeis, Olivia, Isaac, Toby, Nathaniel and Benjamin, my practically perfect - no, totally perfect - grandchildren.

These books are life stories, written in poetic verse. How did that concept of storytelling begin for you?

My first writings were poetry, which always felt to me like a quite natural way of expressing what was in my heart and my mind.

"Unexpectedly Eighty: And Other Adaptations"

But these decade books are just one part of a very full career. You've written fiction, non-fiction and a series of children's books. The "Alexander" series is based on your son Alexander and includes your other two sons, Anthony and Nick. How did that series come about?

My Alexander books began when I noticed that my real-life Alexander seemed to be having more than his share of bad days. So to cheer him up I wrote about another (sort of fictional) Alexander's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Though I never spell this out, of course, I see "bad day" as a helpful container concept-not limitless misery but a period of time that has a beginning and END. The book also makes the point (again, not explicitly) that all of us, not just my own Alexander, not just the unlucky hero of this book, are sometimes going to have some bad days.

How did your sons feel about being young boys that children around the world were reading about?

My kids were basically pleased to have their names mentioned in my books, but more interested in what I was making for dinner.

And, I imagine, your grandchildren grew up reading about their dad and their uncles! Did they know they were reading about their own family?

My grandchildren are not as impressed with reading about their dad and uncles in my books as I thought they'd be, though I do make yearly cameo appearances at each of their classes, and will do so until they grow old enough to ditch me and want their grandfather to come and talk about the Middle East.

Childhood issues don't really change, no matter what decade you're a child in, do they?

No, childhood issues don't change. Sibling rivalry, dreams of glory, envy, loneliness, needing someone to love, the longing for safety, the longing for independence, and on and on and on-all are part of our shared history.

You've also written some very important non-fiction books - "Necessary Losses," "Grown-up Marriage," "Imperfect Control," as well as "People and Other Aggravations." Before we talk about those, we have to discuss your decision to go back to school in your 40's, to study Freudian psychology. What prompted that move?

Judith Viorst books include several written for children.


I went back to school to study psychoanalytic theory for six years not to become a therapist (though I did work as a therapist for a couple of years as part of my training) but to enrich my writing. Everything I write -- for kids and adults, in poetry and prose, serious and funny -- is about our inner lives and our relationships with others. Though by no means a perfect tool for understanding who we are and why we do what we do, I found-and still find-psychoanalytic theory a wonderful resource, a wonderful well to dip into.

Some women feel that life is over after they've sent their kids off to college. Yet, obviously, you never saw it that way. You just began a new chapter! What would you like to say to women out there, that think it's too late to pursue their dreams?

I really don't know anyone who felt their lives were over when they sent their kids off to college. Everyone I know found something exciting to learn, some meaningful way to help the world, a whole new career to pursue. To any woman who thinks that it's too late to pursue a dream, all I can say, to not coin a phrase, is Yes, you can.

Your training in psychology, of course, led to the books I mentioned earlier, which deal with important life issues. "Necessary Losses" was on the New York Times bestseller list for two years. Let's talk about some of the losses we need to accept in life, so that we can move forward.

The losses I wrote about in "Necessary Losses" begin with the loss of leaving the safety of our mother's arms and trying to make our separate way in the world and include: the loss of the dream of exclusive, indivisible love (instead of having to share love with our brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers); the loss of freedom that comes with the acquisition of a conscience and sense of guilt; the loss of the unrealistic expectations we lay on our families, on friendship, on marriage and on parenthood; the loss of our younger selves as we grow older and then old; and, of course, the inevitable loss-of others, of our selves-through death. My book's argument is that all of these losses can lead-if we consciously work at them-to hard-won but valuable gains.

You have maintained a very long and happy marriage. You've also written a book ("Grown-Up Marriage") on the subject! What's the secret?

The secret of a happy marriage above all else is hanging in there and seeing the marriage as a THIRD THING, as a creation a husband and wife keep building together and are willing to make certain sacrifices for -- sacrifices not to him, not to her, but to this third thing that we both value. I have a very long list of other things in my book "Grown-up Marriage" that I think go into making a marriage good. But hanging in there and hard work really help.

So many of your books are filled with humor. I'm guessing that you believe, as I do, that laughter is the best medicine?

I can't imagine life without humor. There are so many moments, especially in the course of marriage and motherhood, when the only two options seem to be laughter or homicide. You might as well laugh.

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]]>booksinterviewjudith viorstJudithViorstmarlo thomasthe editors at MarloThomas.comFri, 03 Jun 2011 16:00:00 ESTComedian Wendy Liebman on How She Met Her Husbandhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/02/comedian-wendy-liebman-on-her-husband/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/02/comedian-wendy-liebman-on-her-husband/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/02/comedian-wendy-liebman-on-her-husband/#commentsFiled under: ,

Good comics don't only deliver laughs in their stand-up routines -- some of the smarter ones save their best material for their sit-down interviews. Take a look at the hilarious Wendy Liebman talking about how she met her husband.

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]]>marlo thomaswendy liebmanthe editors at MarloThomas.comThu, 02 Jun 2011 11:30:00 ESTYour Turn: Honoring Our Grandmothershttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/01/honoring-our-grandmothers/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/01/honoring-our-grandmothers/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/01/honoring-our-grandmothers/#commentsFiled under:

My grandmother was a wonderful source of inspiration. Her intrepid, fun-loving character -- and the support she always provided -- greatly encouraged me in the pursuit of my dreams.





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Your Turn: The Right Words at the Right Time
I received some very important advice when I was first starting my career. I don't know where I would be today without those words of wisdom. Has anyone ever told you the right words when you needed them?
Watch the video

Girls' Night Out: Relationships With Dad
The girls and I discuss our fathers.
Watch the video

Do's and Don'ts for Grandparentst
Some good advice from Adair Lara, Grandparents.com columnist, on the delicate art of grandparenting.
Read the article

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]]>grandmothersmarlo thomasthe editors at MarloThomas.comWed, 01 Jun 2011 17:30:00 ESTGloria Steinem: Can a Housewife Be a Feminist?http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/31/can-a-housewife-be-a-feminist-from-gloria-steinem/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/31/can-a-housewife-be-a-feminist-from-gloria-steinem/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/31/can-a-housewife-be-a-feminist-from-gloria-steinem/#commentsFiled under: ,

Writer and feminist activist Gloria Steinem addresses the question of whether a stay-at-home mom may still claim to be a feminist.



Don't miss on MarloThomas.com:

Little Moments That Made Up a Movement
Steinem describes the feminist movement as consisting of women's persistent recognition of the inequalities that exist, as well as the rights they deserve.
Watch the video

Today's Feminist Issues
Steinem singles out the key issues for present-day feminism.
Watch the video

Feminism Today
Steinem evaluates the current state of women's rights activism.
Watch the video

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]]>feminismfilmgloria steinemstay at home momsthe editors at MarloThomas.comTue, 31 May 2011 13:30:00 ESTFamily First, From Kelly Ripahttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/27/family-first-from-kelly-ripa/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/27/family-first-from-kelly-ripa/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/27/family-first-from-kelly-ripa/#commentsFiled under:

Talk show host and working mom Kelly Ripa joined Marlo Thomas on "Mondays with Marlo" to answer your questions about balancing work and home life.


Don't miss on MarloThomas.com:

Who Makes Kelly Ripa Laugh
Talk show host and working mom Kelly Ripa reveals the key to sustaining her marriage.

Getting In Shape One Step At A Time, from Kelly Ripa
Kelly Ripa shares her advice on how to start getting fit.

Must Have Beauty Products: Olive and Argan Oil
Talk show host and working mother Kelly Ripa sings the praises of two natural skin care solutions.

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]]>kelly ripamarlo thomasthe editors at MarloThomas.comFri, 27 May 2011 09:00:00 ESTMy Parents Won't Stop Interfering, From Grandparenting Expert Adair Larahttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/26/interfering-grandparents/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/26/interfering-grandparents/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/26/interfering-grandparents/#commentsFiled under:

Grandparenting expert Adair Lara offers suggestions to a mother of two whose own parents are intrusive and controlling.





Don't miss on MarloThomas.com:

I Want to See My Grandson More!
Adair gives advice to a man who, in the face of unfavorable circumstances, still wants to spend more time with his beloved grandson.
Watch the video

Grandparent Rivalries
Adair talks about ways to avoid having "grandparent rivalries."
Watch the video

Improving My Grandchildren's Eating Habits
Adair responds to a woman with concerns about her grandchildren's poor eating habits.
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]]>adair laragrandparentsmarlo thomasthe editors at MarloThomas.comThu, 26 May 2011 13:00:00 ESTFree to Be ... Not Anymorehttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/25/free-to-be-not-anymore/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/25/free-to-be-not-anymore/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/25/free-to-be-not-anymore/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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According to current statistics, one out of every four teenagers across America is bullied in their neighborhoods and schools. Credit: Getty Images

Just how many dead teenagers, driven to end their own lives, is it going to take for adults to stand up and say, What the hell is going on? There was a time when the words "Free to Be" embodied a hope that whatever a kid was, was good enough. But "freedom" doesn't describe the world of this generation. Or of their parents. One of those parents wrote to me on my Facebook page.

"Hi, Marlo," wrote Kevin Jacobsen of New York. "Our son Kameron was bullied relentlessly and committed suicide on January 18th. He was 14. In lieu of flowers, we asked for donations to go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, my mom's favorite for decades. I know you're busy, but just wondering if you could take a look at our son. We have nothing else to lose."

He then posted the link to a website he'd built to honor his son, called KindnessAboveMalice.org. I logged on, but could barely look at the child's face. He was beautiful.

Thirty-seven years -- and two generations of children -- after the creation of Free to Be... You and Me, I can't help but remember the beautiful words lyricist Bruce Hart wrote that anchored the opening anthem:

"Every boy in this land grows to be his own man, In this land, every girl grows to be her own woman."

Kameron will never grow to be his own man.

For all the walls we thought we'd broken down with Free to Be -- and all the stereotypes we thought we'd shattered -- children today are not free to be anything they want to be, nor anything they are, and they are dying for it. And no beautiful lyric can fix that.

According to current statistics, one out of every four teenagers across America is bullied in their neighborhoods and schools; 160,000 students stay home from school every day because of their fear of being bullied; and each month, nearly 300,000 students are physically attacked inside their secondary schools.

Online, things are even worse: 43 percent of kids are cyber-bullied, while 53 percent admit to having said something mean and hurtful to another kid online.

Then came that tragic September -- 2010 -- when over a period of just three weeks, nine gay or questioning youths -- all male, average age 15 -- were "bullied to death," committing suicide, no longer able to endure the never-ending harassment from their peers.

Like many people, much of what I know about bullying is what I read in the headlines: 15-year-old Irish migrant Phoebe Prince of Massachusetts, hangs herself in the stairwell of her family apartment, after yet another day of relentless bullying. The harassment continued on her Facebook memorial page. Or just this month, 14-year-old Ambriel Bowen of York, Pennsylvania, commits suicide at home when the daily terrorizing by bullies -- which included two black eyes and a broken nose -- becomes too overwhelming to bear.

Reading the horrid accounts of bullied kids is devastating. But hearing the voice of a bereaved father brings tears to your eyes

I called Kevin Jacobsen after I read his Facebook post and my heart broke as he recounted his son's tragic story.

"Bullying is not the same old issue it used to be," Kevin said, softly. "With cell phones and social networking, it's turned into an around-the-clock problem that our kids cannot escape from. And the other thing that's different is that the bullies can be anonymous. And without that face-to-face encounter, it's impossible to stop them."

When I hung up with Kevin, I re-read his post, and seeing his mention of St. Jude made me think about how different the children are there. I've seen compassion, not cruelty, for each other. I've seen four- and five-year-old girls and boys offering hugs and giving comfort to two- and three-year-olds, telling them that they understand the pain they're going through, and that they will be alright.

So the idea that healthy children should die, not from an errant cancer cell, but because of the abject malice of another child, is something we need to take on. And stop.

Kevin Jennings, the assistant deputy secretary at the Department of Education, told me that most parents of bullied children have no idea about the anguish their sons and daughters are enduring, because the kids aren't talking. They're ashamed to admit it, because they think it's a sign of weakness, and they want to handle it themselves.

But if more parents would get into the game, Jennings said, we might be able to turn things around. He told me that the majority of parents haven't been trained to look for signs of bullying in their child's life. But they need to. And they can start by asking themselves a few questions:

  • Does your child not want to ride the school bus any more?
  • Does your child often wake in the morning complaining about stomach aches and asking to stay home from school?
  • Are your child's friends not coming around so much any more?
  • Has your child stopped receiving invitations to parties?

Most important, said Jennings, is if you suspect your child is being bullied, you must become proactive, and try to get that child to talk.

And I think we all have to start to talk.

If there's one thing I've learned over the years about tackling problems, it's that the first thing you need to do is spark the conversation. So let's start talking about bullying. With our neighbors. With our friends and family. With fellow parents at PTA meetings. And with each other -- right here. Let me hear what you think. It's time to take bullying down.

In the meantime, if you're worried that a child in your life might be a victim -- or is, in fact, the bully -- there are some helpful thoughts at such websites as stopbullying.gov. I'm sure there are countless other sites, and I'd like to know about those, as well. We don't have the time -- or any more kids' lives -- to waste.

It's been nearly four decades since the debut of the Free to Be message. But I 'm hopeful that, together, we can realize that place that Bruce Hart imagined where:

"Every boy in this land grows to be his own man,
In this land, every girl grows to be her own woman."

A land where the children are free... from bullying.

How to Prevent Bullying

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]]>bullyingfree to bemarlo thomas on bullyingthe editors at MarloThomas.comWed, 25 May 2011 07:00:00 ESTWhy Is My Teenage Son Overeating? From Dr. Drewhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/20/why-is-my-teenage-son-overeating-from-dr-drew/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/20/why-is-my-teenage-son-overeating-from-dr-drew/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/20/why-is-my-teenage-son-overeating-from-dr-drew/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Sex and addiction expert Dr. Drew responds to a concerned mother's question about her teenage son's unhealthy eating habits.



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A lot of my friends wonder about whether you can be addicted to shopping. Dr. Drew says yes.
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Planning an Intervention
Dr. Drew offers specific guidelines on how to plan an intervention for a friend or family member suffering from chemical dependence.
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]]>childdr drewmarlo thomasovereatingthe editors at MarloThomas.comFri, 20 May 2011 09:00:00 EST