How do we learn to be parents? Unlike most professions, which often require tests, training and years of study, parenting is the kind of job that most of us learn by doing. There are no internships or opportunities for "student parenting." Although we might get…
When my children were babies, my husband and I "wore" them wherever we went. Babywearing -- also known as carrying one's child in a sling -- enables infants and toddlers to experience their surroundings. For parents, babywearing promotes bonding. It's also practical for busy moms…
My son was 9 months old the first time we took him on an airplane flight. He was teething at that time so the plane trip from Spokane to Seattle to Los Angeles and finally to Manzanillo, Mexico, along with all the layovers proved to…
My son was 9 months old the first time we took him on an airplane flight. He was teething at that time so the plane trip from Spokane to Seattle to Los Angeles and finally to Manzanillo, Mexico, along with all the layovers proved to…
Science can actually explain why once well-behaved children morph into moody teens who don't always make good choices. Blame it on their brains.According to a recent story on National Public Radio, teen brains simply aren't fully developed. Their brains' frontal lobes are not completely connected,…
Shortly after returning to work from maternity leave, my boss asked me to travel to Olympia for an assignment. It was just a day trip but I still was faced with a dilemma. At that time, I had to pump milk for my baby about…
Allison Stevens, a columnist based in Washington D.C., recently discussed why some new mothers become less politically active after having children. It's due to sheer exhaustion, explained Stevens, who has two young children."Not long ago I worked as a reporter for daily publications. I used…
As the oldest of three girls, I grew up in a household where we played with dolls, furry stuffed animals and a small kitchen set complete with dishes and pots and pans.So as a new mom, I didn't have a clue about boys.When my oldest…
We drive old cars. My children wear hand-me-downs. We don't have cable TV.It's hard to explain this to my kids, but I don't ever want us to be defined by our stuff. Our priority has always been to spend our money on experiences rather than…
Debrah-Lynn B. Hook is a journalist and mother of three. In a recent article, "Ethical Behavior continues to decline," she noted how pervasive lying and deceit have become among the latest generation of youth.Her conclusion is supported by studies from the Josephson Institute of Ethics,…
The president's daughters must get straight A's. That's my conclusion based on this quote from President Barack Obama: "Malia will tell you, my attitude was, if she came home with a B, that's not good enough because there's noreason why she can't get an A."The…
When Luann Kirkham's son was diagnosed with several learning disabilities at the age of 2, the Spokane mom decided to pursue every avenue possible to help him.Two and a half years ago, she discovered Lindamood Bell Learning Processes, a California-based educational institution founded almost 30…
Generation Y, also known as the 'Millenials," became known for their technology and multitasking skills -- their uncanny ability to walk, talk and text all at the same time. But now, a new generation is coming along and psychologists and other experts say they're becoming…
There's now a description for Octomom, the parents of Balloon Boy and others who use their kids to gain fame or notoriety. In "When Kids Become Tickets to Fame," a recent story from The Christian Science Monitor, staff writer Mark Guarino quotes a media analyst…
Kids who lack social skills and are unable to respond to nonverbal cues from their peers are more likely to get bullied, according to a recent story posted on LiveScience, a website devoted to "groundbreaking developments in science, space, technology, health, and the environment."Almost 30…
Almost every day after school, 7-year-old Abby Ward has something to share with her parents.Recently, she has been talking to her mom about the history of civil rights. Their conversations began last month after Abby's second grade class at Discovery School took part in the…
As a mom of a 3-year-old girl, I read every word of a recent Associated Press story, "Parents, doctors debate youngsters wearing heels."My little girl loves twirly skirts, flowy dresses, glittery tiaras and other shimmery accessories. And yes, she loves pretty shoes in pink and…
A Season for Nonviolence – a grassroots, 64-day campaign to demonstrate the power of nonviolence – begins this month on Jan. 30. The observance began in 1997 on the 50th and 30th memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Since then, people…
OK, not quite. But after writing "One decade later, triplets are still a joy," a story about Linda Donnelly and her children -- the first set of triplets born in Spokane in this millenium -- I received e-mails from a few others in the region…
I've been carefully inspecting all of my children's trinkets. Both my kids, especially my daughter, love to wear toy rings, necklaces and other jewelry so the news last week from the Consumer Product Safety Commission has kept me more vigilant than usual.CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum…
These were the lessons I ignored as a teen: cooking, cleaning the house, sewing a button.I'm still not a fan of household chores, but I wish I had paid more attention to my mom and grandma when they tried to teach me tips on how…
Kids in the United States spend an average of only four to seven minutes outside each day, according to a 2004 study conducted by the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research.That's one of the reasons why the National Wildlife Federation established the Be Out…
During my son's preschool years, I couldn't bear to throw away any of his artwork. I wanted to celebrate his creativity by taping them all over the house including the walls of the dining room, where we spend most of our time together as a…
Don't put your kids first. At least, not before your spouse. That's advice from David Code, Episcopal priest, family coach and author of a new book titled, "To Raise Happy Kids, Put Your Marriage First." In an e-mail interview with NorthJersey.com's Parent Paper, Code wrote…
If your kids ever complain that you're too strict, tell them they can move to Arkansas. Parents there are supposedly the toughest on teens.That's according to the results of a not-so-scientific survey conducted on the website for "The World's Strictest Parents," a reality show that…
This blog is intended to provide a forum for parents to share knowledge and resources. It's a place for parents young and old to combine their experiences raising families into a collective whole to help others.
