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Parenthood

Why My Daughters Can Show Their Underwear If They Want To

My experience is the restrictions on girls’ lives don't arrive in the form of dramatic events, but in the accumulation of thousands of everyday interactions.

Parenthood young children wrapping presents

New Traditions Born After Spending Baby’s First Christmas in the Hospital

Something about being in kindred company at a children’s hospital on Christmas both humbled us and made us feel extremely grateful.

Parenthood small feet in big woman shoes

Finding My Shoes and Freeing Cinderella

Leafing through old albums, I am stirred by memories that evidence so many manifestations of myself: the student, musician, wife, writer, Mom.

Parenthood boy with son on a bike

In Defense of the Mapa Bear

Apparently, grizzlies are crap when it comes to the Daddy game. With a range of as much as 1,800 square miles, their biggest issue in this department appears to be absenteeism. Dad is always busy a...

Learning boy on top of car yelling

We Howl Like Wolves in Public, but It’s for a Good Cause

“Do you want breadsticks?” “What?” I said and leaned half my body over the counter. “Do you want breadsticks!” he yelled. I was in the mall, standing under the neon Sbarro sign at dinnertime rush h...

Wellbeing man and woman cheering a glass of wine

Why Date Nights Matter When You're Married

It's as if once you say "I do,” date nights instantly become “We don’t,” and occur with the frequency of a Big Foot sighting.

Learning los angeles baby show logo with a baby

LA Baby Show Round-up

At parent-child industry trade shows, everyone has their eyes open for brands can surprise, continue to innovate, or flat-out impress. Here are several brands from the LA Baby consumer show that ex...

Learning kid made logo with parent co.

Kid Made Recipe: Holiday Pie Crusts

Are you on pie duty this Thanksgiving? We have some pie crust hacks that will wow your crowd! Grab a few kid helpers, roll up your sleeves and get to work!

Parenthood close up of woman looking down

Thank You, I'm Not Sorry

This is a submission in our monthly contest. November’s theme is Gratitude.  If you're like me, you overuse the phrase “I’m sorry.” I apologize for everything, at least I used to. I apologized for ...

Wellbeing baby pointing with food on it

The Four-Letter Word That Can Save You From a Meltdown

When we become overwhelmed, however, we forget to check in with ourselves on even a basic level. However, this one word can save the day.

Inspiration woman closing her eyes

Stand on My Shoulders, Baby Girl

Dear Maria: Oh (wo)man, are you coming of age in an interesting time. Never have we as women been able to accomplish more. You and me together watched a woman run for president, and I saw on your f...

Inspiration Reflection of a lady washing dishes

Always Do the Dishes

My mom carefully molded these Thanksgiving memories for us, but we took her for granted. Her spoiled kids could never reciprocate that love until adulthood.

Learning kid looking at a wooden toy

Babies Can Grasp Predictable Outcomes Earlier Than You May Think

Being able to predicate what will happen in a situation is an important part of human life. And the skill is developed pretty early.

Learning kid boy hugging mom at kindergarden

Onsite Daycare: How One Nonprofit Is Making It Work

For working mothers employed by Kars4Kids, a nonprofit headquartered in Lakewood, New Jersey, onsite daycare is provided.

Parenthood kid looking at a wooden toy

Keeping Guilt in the Family: Why Parents Shouldn’t Toss out the Guilt

What is so good about guilt, and why I am the seemingly lone parent out there that thinks we shouldn’t banish guilt?

Inspiration young girl sticking out her tongue and pulling her ears

Empowering Your Daughter Includes Fostering Her Sense of Humor

Even if our girls haven’t encountered it yet, studies show there is still a gender bias when it comes to humor.

Notes From a Slacker Lunch Packer

Sometimes I scan the classroom at lunchtime to see if any other kid has a Ziploc baggie and I feel a pathetic sense of relief when I spot one.

Learning Screaming under the surface

Are Stereotyped Gender Roles Heaping On Extra Stress? Probably.

In a lot of modern families where both parents work, the main responsibility of caring for the children and the home still seems to fall on the mother.

Learning mother walking with her baby son in a beautiful nature as he sits on her shoulders

Resilience: Ordinary Magic For The Mind

The ability to bounce back from life’s challenges is called resilience. Resilience is the antidote to life’s big punches.

Inspiration Smiling little girl talking with brother at breakfast at home

The Simple Question That Brings Our Family Closer Every Single Night

Whether we find ourselves happy to be at that table, or barely able to look each other in the eye, at some point someone asks this question.

Parenthood young girl looking into the distance

How Playing Favorites Among Your Kids May Play Out

Do you ever play favorites with your kids? Maybe you spend more time with one child, are more affectionate to one over another, give additional privileges to certain children, or discipline your ch...

Parenthood girl sleeping under blanket

10 Reasons I am Grateful for My Teenagers

In honor of Thanksgiving and the season of gratitude, here are 10 reasons I am grateful to be the parent of a teenager.

Learning kids playing football

Boys Behaving Badly: Why We Need to Stand up to School-Age Misogyny

When we look at the big men who’ve assaulted women, we need to talk about the boys they were, and the people who ignored or indulged them.

Learning father cutting daughter's hair at home

Debunking 5 Head Scratching Lice Myths

The stigma of lice makes it hard to get to the truth of the matter. Many (untrue) myths remain.