Grandparents Share Brutally Honest Opinions About Modern Parenting

The practices and norms around raising kids shift over time, with each generation of parents redefining an age-old role. Sometimes, this shifts are based on new research, technologies or cultural trends; other times, they’re a response to how the previous generation did thing, BuzzFeed reported (via Yahoo! News). Millennials and younger Gen-Xers with kids today are generally parenting in a more conscious way than their own parents did. For better or worse, they have a lot more information, advice, and opinions at their fingertips than the parents who came before them. Because each generation has their own perspective on the … Continue reading →

Study: Parents Can Significantly Influence Child’s Mental Health

Parenting styles that included physical discipline and overcontrolling behavior, referred to as “hostile” parenting, were found to nearly double the risk for their children to develop mental health symptoms, according to a new study, ABC News reported. The study was published in the medical journal Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, followed over 7,500 children in Ireland from 9 months old until they were up to 9 years old. Children who were exposed to hostile parenting at age 3 were 1 1/2 times more likely to have high-risk mental health symptoms and 1.6 times more likely to have mild-risk mental health symptoms … Continue reading →

Survey Tracked Time Spent on Childcare

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics posted an Economic News Release titled: “American Time Use Survey Summary.” Part of the summary includes statistics on the amount of time parents spent on childcare between May 2019 and December 2020. On average, among adults living with children under 18, time spent providing primary childcare on a given day was about the same in 2019 and 2020 (1.2 hours and 1.3 hours per day, respectively). Primary childcare is childcare that is done as a main activity, such as providing physical care or reading to children. Fifty-three percent of adults living in households … Continue reading →

Study: Women Consider Leaving Workplace Due to COVID-19

A study was released by McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.Org that showed that in corporate America, 1 in 4 women are now considering leaving the workforce or downshifting their careers due to COVID-19. The report is based on data and insights from 317 companies employing more than 12 million people, along with survey responses from more than 40,000 individual employees. It urges companies to act immediately to avert this potential crisis and includes recommendations for addressing the feelings of burnout and being “always on” for work that many employees are grappling with right now. According to the study, working mothers … Continue reading →

Research Confirms the “Parenting Happiness Gap”

There has been debate over which group of people are happier: parents, or people who do not have children. In general, this argument relies on individual people’s perceptions based on their own experiences. Research has confirmed that the “parenting happiness gap” exists. The correlating factors that make parents less happy than non-parents has a lot to do with where the parents live. The “parenting happiness gap” is a phrase that sums up a reality that may surprise some people. No matter what country you live in, or what stage of life you may be at, people who do not have … Continue reading →

Where Companies Stand on Parental Leave

Mark Zuckerberg took some time off work when his daughter was born. Every time a CEO from a well known company takes parental leave, it brings that topic back into the news cycle. There is a growing interest in allowing parents to spend time with their newborns. Where do different companies stand on that topic? Mark Zuckerberg, as you probably are aware, is the CEO of Facebook. He announced on his Facebook page that he would be taking 2 months of paternity leave when his daughter arrives. Part of his post included the following: Studies show that when working parents … Continue reading →

Kids of Same-Sex Parents Benefit From Supreme Court Ruling

On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States revealed their decision on the same-sex marriage case that had reached their court. The case was called Obergefell v Hodges. In short, the Justices of the Supreme Court ruled that marriage equality is the law of the land. Kids of same-sex parents benefit from this decision in so many important ways. The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 vote, ruled that the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to license marriage between two people of the same sex. They also ruled the the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to recognize a same sex … Continue reading →

Why Kids and Smartphones Don’t Mix

No one said using a smartphone is a sure-fire way to avoid making stupid mistakes. I’ve covered the not-so wonderful side of technology in previous posts. However, this latest gem goes beyond falling down manholes or setting expensive texting records. If you are a parent, you now have another reason to safeguard your smartphone when your kids are around. Paul Stoute is living proof that protecting your cellphone from little fingers is one of the smartest parenting moves you can make. The Oregon dad is the new owner of a vintage car, thanks to his toddler daughter’s cellphone skills. Or, … Continue reading →

Is Your Child’s Idol a Loser?

She loved one of her songs, but thankfully, my daughter is not in love with pop sensation Miley Cyrus. I consider myself one of the lucky ones. The former “Hannah Montana” star has legions of young fans, though much to their parents’ chagrin. According to a new poll, 68% of parents say they can’t stand the 19-year-old and wish their children would idolize someone else. Moms and dads claim their displeasure with Cyrus stems from her public transformation from squeaky-clean Disney star to risqué, half-naked punk performer. Joining Cyrus on the list of most unpopular teen role models is another disgraced … Continue reading →

The Great Changing Debate

I will be the first to admit that my child has relieved herself in some very unconventional places. Many of these incidents took place prior to her procuring a paralyzing fear of automatic-flushing toilets. In fact, much earlier. As in diaper early. While I am quite thankful for the convenience afforded by disposable diapers, changing a soiled Pamper in public is not always easy. Accidents happen, emergencies need to be dealt with. As a parent, you likely know this very well and take measures to cope accordingly. Unfortunately, you can’t always predict when uncomfortable situations may occur. Just ask the … Continue reading →