This is the news my 6-year-old has been waiting for: Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston have found that chewing gum in class makes kids smarter.
The study, which was conducted by the Wrigley Science Institute, a research arm of the Wm Wrigley Jr Co -- you know, the Wrigley's Gum people -- followed 108 students between the ages of 13 and 16. The students were in one of four math classes in a Houston area charter school with a population composed mostly of low-income Hispanic students. Half of the students were given Wrigley's sugar free gum to chew (both in class and while they did homework) while the other half got nothing.
At the end of the 14 week period, researchers reported that the students who chewed while they added exhibited a three percent change in their scores on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills achievement test. That's a small number, but it's statistically significant (you would know that if you had chewed gum in math class).
So what's the correlation between chewing gum and learning math? According to Gil Leveille, executive director of the Wrigley Science Institute, it's simple: Chewing reduces stress, which lowers levels of cortisol in the body. And kids who are less stressed learn better.
Will schools be jumping on the chew-while-you-learn bandwagon any time soon? That's doubtful, not because the science here is bad, but because kids are notorious for sticking their used gum under desks and chairs, which makes a disgusting mess. But if we're really serious about finding creative ways to help kids learn, it might be time to rethink the age-old no gum policy. Leveille has a solution: "We'll have to provide the janitors with scrapers." I think the idea that a mindless activity might help kids focus is a good one -- rememeber the studies that said listening to classical music helped with memorization? But this study seems to walk a fine line between giving kids an academic boost and encouraging junk food consumption. What do you think? Would you let your kid chew gum in school?
There's nothing funny about shaking a baby to make it stop crying, but that's the premise of a game that Apple temporarily approved for sale to iPhone users this week. The app, intended no doubt to be humorous, displayed a picture of a baby on the phone's screen and played a recording of a baby crying. The user then had to shake the iPhone vigorously until red X's appeared on the baby's eyes and the crying stopped.
The description of the now-unavailable app read, "On a plane, on the bus, in a theatre. Babies are everywhere you don't want them to be! They're always distracting you from preparing for that big presentation at work with their incessant crying. Before Baby Shaker there was nothing you could do about it."
And of course, the description included a disclaimer: "Never, never shake a baby."
As you might imagine, there was quite an uproar over this app, primarily from parents. Patrick Donohue, founder of the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation, an organization that helps parents and medical professionals deal with Pediatric Acquired Brain Injuries such those as caused by Shaken Baby Syndrome, wrote directly to Apple CEO Steve Jobs to express his dismay: "As the father of a 3-year-old who was shaken by her baby nurse when she was only 5 days old, breaking 3 ribs, both collarbones and causing a severe brain injury, words cannot describe my reaction." Marilyn Bar, the founder of the US Center for Shaken Baby Syndrome, goes even further: "Not only are they making fun of shaken baby syndrome, but they are actually encouraging it. This is absolutely terrible."
Does milk really do a body good? Are the hormones safe? Does yogurt help with weight loss, and does kefir promote better digestion? It can be maddening trying to muddle through all the conflicting information out there. We have the down low on which dairy products your family should be eating, drinking and slurping.
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Milk: It's one of the best sources of calcium, needed for building strong bones and teeth and safe weight loss, according to one recent study. Plus, milk is full of protein, fortified with vitamin D and protects against colon cancer. So what's the problem? Well, lactose intolerance for many, probable increased risk of prostate cancer and possible increased risk of ovarian cancer. That's the hormones, found in standard and organic milk (thanks to dairy cows being kept pregnant so that they'll lactate). And that weight-loss study? Funded by the National Dairy Council.
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Verdict: There's currently no good scientific evidence that says that drinking more than one glass of milk per day is necessary, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Given some of the risk factors associated with consuming too much dairy, best to look to non-dairy sources for your daily requirement of calcium (1,000 to 1,200 milligrams). Go for leafy greens, beans and whole grains -- all of which offer countless other health benefits, too.
Ray Kachatorian
Cheese: Cheese is the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of the dairy world. On the one hand, we can appreciate delicate shavings of parmesan enhancing the flavor of a salad, or a slice of Bucheron complementing a glass of wine. On the other, we see a slop of melted cheddar oozing over nachos, a roadside stop on the path to obesity or clogged arteries.
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Verdict: Think moderation. Most cheese is high in sodium and isn't exactly low-calorie. But the combination of fat and protein in cheese is very satisfying, and it can keep your appetite in check for hours after eating. The endless variety of cheeses can accommodate most tastes and diets: Feta is low in saturated fats, firm ricotta is low in sodium and Swiss offers a real protein punch. Plus, cheese happens to be great for your teeth -- in addition to providing calcium, it changes the pH in your mouth to discourage bacteria.
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Yogurt: Yogurt offers all the benefits of milk, and then some. It's more easily digested than milk and contains friendly bacteria that's good for your intestinal tract. Some studies even show it to boost immunity and fight cancerous tumors. Unfortunately, most of the yogurt you see on supermarket shelves is so highly sweetened that most of the calories in the product come from the sugar, not the yogurt itself.
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Verdict: Buy plain yogurt. It is more nutritious in every way and it's easily sweetened with fruit, maple syrup or agave nectar. Or, don't sweeten it and use it in place of sour cream, milk or mayonnaise when making pancakes, muffins or tuna salad. Also, avoid any yogurt at the store called "lite," as it likely contains artificial sweeteners and colors.
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Kefir: Kefir, which is just now more widely available, is a cultured, enzyme-rich food that contains even more beneficial bacteria than yogurt, as well as healthy yeasts. It also contains the essential amino acid tryptophan, which has a calming effect on the nerves.
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Verdict: Ta-da! Kefir is he healthiest of all the dairy products. But, as with yogurt, it's best to avoid the overly sweetened commercial varieties. Choose plain kefir, or, better yet, you can purchase a starter culture and easily make your own using whatever milk you normally buy.
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Apple has removed the program from their iPhone app store and the developer, Sikalosoft, no longer lists it on their website.
We've all experienced the frustration that comes with a baby that won't stop crying. I spent the first three months of my oldest son's life trudging up and down the stairs all night long because that was the only thing that would stop him from crying. And it can be even worse when it's someone else's baby disturbing your meal or interrupting your movie. But, of course, physical abuse is never an option for dealing with an unhappy or inconsolable child. And yet, the developer of this application seems to find this kind of behavior amusing.
I'm sure someone, somewhere, thought, at some point, that this was funny, but someone at Apple, which has been criticized for being too particular about the apps they do approve, certainly made a mistake in approving this one.
Mother's Day is just around the corner and we want to know what you think about the holiday that's all about you moms! Check out our poll below and weigh in on who you think is a great mom, who's parenting skill could use some serious improvement and how you plan to celebrate with your family this year.
Travel sports are a huge commitment, both for families and for kids. Can you see yourself as a travel team parent, or are rec leagues more your speed? -- On Parenting
Washing out a kid's mouth with soap ... do parents still do that? It's one way to end the inevitable potty talk stage, but is it a good one? -- MomLogic
It's just like a baby shower, only with the baby. Learn more about this fun new mom trend -- the sip and see. -- CafeMom
An important part of parenting is raising civilized children. Learn how to teach your little ones manners so they'll get invited back after that first playdate. -- Parenting
EntertainmentWise.com says that a stripper -- sorry, exotic dancer -- going by the name of "Sage" has blabbed to InTouch magazine that she "met [Nadya] at an amateur contest, and we wound up doing parties together." The alleged debauchery occurred between 1999 and 2000.
Sage's tale is backed up by Luis Ceballos, a limo driver who claims that Nadya "always said she wanted to be really famous." Gee, ya think? The driver also claims that Nadya was not shy about shaking her groove thing, and that she was "overly flirty with the guys" while performing. C'mon, dude. She's working for tips. Give her a break.
Mother of Octuplets Nadya Suleman told TODAY's Ann Curry in an exclusive interview that "a huge family" was a childhood dream growing up as an only child. Suleman, already of mother of six, also denied charges that she was irresponsible to have so many babies.
Paul Drinkwater, NBC/AP
The reported grandfather of the octuplets escorts two children to a bus outside the Suleman home in Whittier, CA. The mother, Nadya Suleman, has six other children.
Jason Redmond, AP
Araceli Castro, right, who identified herself as a nanny, talks to reporters as she arrives at the Whittier, CA, home of a woman who gave birth to octuplets this week.
Jason Redmond, AP
Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center nursing staff who delivered octuplets on January 27, 2009. The six boys and two girls -- weighing between 1 pound, 8 ounces, and 3 pounds, 4 ounces -- were born nine weeks premature by C-section and are all in stable condition.
Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center
Dr. Jalil Riazi, right, and Dr. Karen Maples at a news conference on the amazing octuplets born at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center in Bellflower, CA. Doctors say the octuplets are a feisty bunch that appear healthy after being born kicking and crying.
Nick Ut, AP
Doctors at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center, expecting seven babies, said they were surprised by the birth of an eighth infant.
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The home of the Nadya Suleman, the Whitier, CA, woman who gave birth to octuplets with six children already at home.
Damian Dovarganes, AP
Television news vans outside the Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center in south Los Angeles. The public is following the story of the world's second live-born set of octuplets.
Damian Dovarganes, AP
First Octuplets: Nkem Chukwu, 29, right rear, her husband Iyke Louis Udobi, 41, center, and her mother Janet Chukwu, from Houston, pose with their eight children. Chukwu and Udobi are parents of the world's first octuplets born in 1998, but one child died a week after birth. Their little sister Favor, 6, third from right, joined the family in 2002.
Levi Johnston dropped by Larry King Live last night, to talk about his son and his ex and his life. Johnston told King that while he is able to see his son at the Palin's house, he is not allowed to take him anywhere. "You know, I want to be able to take him and do that kind of thing, go do the father thing with him and I can't." The last time he saw baby Tripp, who is four months old, was "a couple of weeks ago." He also says that he's not paying any child support right now, but adds, "I have everything my boy needs back home: diapers, toys, everything."
King asks if Johnston has hired a lawyer, and he says no. "We're not in a big fight with the Palins," he tells King. "I still like the family very much. I think we can work things out. I don't think either one of us want to go to lawyers and try to fight for custody and stuff like this." But then later in the interview, Johnston confesses that yes, he does have a lawyer, but adds, "I don't want to stir anything up." Hmm.
King tosses out some pretty direct questions about Levi and Bristol's sex life, including asking if the teens had sex in the Palin's house. Johnston doesn't rise to the bait. "You know, Larry, that I'm a gentleman. And I don't kiss and tell. So I don't think that really matters." He acknowledges that the couple never considered abortion or adoption, and says he fully intended to marry Bristol. He calls their breakup "a mutual thing." "What broke it up?" King asks. "I think a lot of it had to do with, uh, just, people bothering us," Johnston says. "I think it kind of just got to us."
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her husband Todd have five children with short, masculine and certainly unique names: Track, 19, Bristol, 18, (with Levi Johnston), Willow, 14, Piper, 7, and Trig, 8 months (not pictured). Read More
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"We both love each other," Levi Johnston, 18, told the AP in a rare interview about his relationship with 18-year-old Bristol Palin. "We both want to marry each other. And that's what we are going to do."
Paul Sancya, AP
Levi Johnston called himself a "redneck' on his MySpace page.
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Sarah Palin initially hid her pregnancy with Trig from the public, causing rumors that Trig was her grandson via Bristol.
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Gov. Sarah Palin, her husband Todd, and daughters Bristol,16, right, and Piper, 5, at the end of a 2006 inauguration ceremony in Fairbanks. Palin, 42, is the first female and youngest governor of Alaska.
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"Trig is beautiful and already adored by us," read a statement by the Palin when Trig was born on April 18. "We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives. We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed."
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"Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned," the Palins's statement said when they announced her pregnancy. "As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows that she has our unconditional love and support."
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Chuck Heath, 70, (pictured with wife Sally), Sarah Palin's father, said gift boxes for his newest grandson are piling up in the governor's mail room from all over the world. There's no way the family will ever be able to answer every letter, he said, although they are trying.
Charlie Neibergall, AP
Then-Republican U.S. vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, her daughters, Piper, Willow, and husband Todd walk out onto the ice to drop the ceremonial first puck before a St. Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings hockey game.
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Sherry Johnston, Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston's other grandma -- besides Sarah Palin -- pled not guilty for charges of selling OxyContin. "I was in pain, and I'm still in pain," she told People.com.
Al Grillo, AP
But despite his efforts to be fair and evenhanded, Johnston seems to feel like things "got to" Bristol more than to him. "Ever since the campaign, she's changed," Johnston says. "That wasn't the Bristol I knew before she got pregnant. She's totally different now ... in a big way." This is the point in the interview where I want to pat Levi Johnston on the back and tell him that it most likely wasn't the campaign that changed Bristol, but becoming a mother at 18. Although that's just a hunch on my part.
Johnston seems like a nice kid caught in a situation that not even he really understands. He tells King that "all teens, or most of them, are sexually active." When King asks if abstinence is unrealistic, Johnston replies tersely, "Yeah." It's clear that he's tired of talking about this.
In the end, I'm just left feelng really bad for Levi Johnston. He seems so uncomfortable on camera, so unprepared for the relentless questioning, and so sincere about his desire to see his son. It's impossible to tell what's going on behind the scenes, but I found myself at the end of this interview really hoping that the Palins would relent and let him take the baby home with him for a little while. Of course, I also found myself wishing that he would stop showing up on talk shows, but that's really neither here nor there.
Your Kids Can Hang Out With Sasha and Malia (Kind of) Just days after the inauguration, the makers of Beanie Babies introduced "Sweet Sasha" and "Marvelous Malia." Now they're valued at over $3,000 for the pair.
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Malia, Sasha and the Luckiest Friend Ever Return From Camp David The Obamas recently jaunted off to Camp David in Marine One, the president's swanky chopper. The girls and an unidentified friend are pictured here after landing on the South Lawn of the White House.
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Sasha and Dad Take in a Show President Obama took a night off from running the nation to hang out with the fam and watch the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater perform at the Kennedy Center.
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Sasha Obama Takes Her Ugly Doll to School The newest Obama trend, courtesy of Sasha, 7, is an Ugly Doll by the name of Babo's Bird. Photographed with the stuffed toy on her backpack, Sassy Sasha sure is trés-cool for school.
Callie Shell, HO/Change.gov
Malia and Sasha's Excellent Adventure Malia, 10 (right) and Sasha, 7, wave to the crowd at the 2008 election night rally in Chicago. Politics are child's play to these sweethearts, and we can't wait to see them come into their own.
Jae C. Hong, AP
Sasha and Malia, kissing her mother Michelle, get ready for the first day of school in Washington, DC, as President-elect looks on. The Obama family are staying at the Hay Adams Hotel prior to their move into the White House.
Gigi Levangie-Grazer Hollywood producer Brian Grazer has been paying his ex-wife Gigi, who penned "The Starter Wife," $75K monthly, but she wants nearly $1 million per month for child support for two kids. Come on, Gigi.
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Pamela Anderson: We applaud Pam for refusing to allow her kids to be filmed on her short-lived reality show Pam: Girl on the Loose, but Pam, your sons can still see you prancing around naked and your partying antics in Hollywood-as long as they have television and the Internet.
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Denise Richards: At first we gave Denise Richards the benefit of the doubt when her reality-show Denise Richards: It's Complicated premiered-maybe she wasn't as bad as she seemed. But shortly after the first episode, it was clear the show was nothing more than a public forum for her bitter divorce from actor Charlie Sheen. From screaming the C-word to perpetuating the feud between her and her ex, Denise was quoted as saying, "The gloves are off. When I keep my mouth shut, [Charlie] continues to fuel [the feud] anyway, so I'm not gonna sit back anymore." What about staying classy for your kids?
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Christie Brinkley: We admit we couldn't stop watching the very messy-and public-divorce between model Christie Brinkley and Peter Cook. But at the heart of the drama was a mom who seemingly had no qualms about humiliating her ex at the expense of her children. Do kids ages 13 and 10 really need to know about their dad's porn addiction and penchant for underage girls? Christie decided to keep their divorce a media circus and as a result, came off as an unfit mom.
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Courtney Love: We all know Courtney is an unconventional mom. But in 1992, Vanity Fair shocked the world by claiming the rock star took heroin while unknowingly carrying daughter Frances Bean, and as a result, she had to fight for custody. And in 2003, she was arrested for breaking and entering at her ex-boyfriend's home. She was hospitalized for a drug overdose and Frances Bean was placed with the Department of Children and Family Services for over a year. Never mind a month-long stint in rehab in 2004, followed by six months in lock-down rehab, then house arrest. After publicly claiming she was suicidal when late husband Kurt Cobain's ashes were stolen from her home, and a constant battle with yo-yo dieting, we have to wonder how her daughter feels. Courtney, will you ever pull it together?
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Dina Lohan: From late drinking and clubbing right alongside daughter Lindsay, it's a miracle Dina Lohan was voted a "Top Mom" by "Mingling Moms," a group for new mothers in Long Island, New York. Sure, Dina could have used Lindsay's mistakes to ensure younger sister Ali didn't follow suit, but this stage mama shocked fans during the premiere of Living Lohan when she enjoyed online porn-with Ali in the next room. When Ali walked in she asked, "Oh, is that Lindsay?"
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Linda Hogan: Newly divorced Linda Hogan, 50, can certainly play the field, but she's dating a 19-year-old child-who's two years younger than her daughter Brooke. Despite the fact that Brooke has told the world her mom's actions are damaging their relationship ("I'm totally freaked out!"), and she's tired of the media attention, Linda seems oblivious to her daughter's pleas. Shouldn't she re-focus her priorities?
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Kate Moss: Being pregnant didn't stop supermodel Kate Moss from posing nude in a life-size photo spread called "Naked Portrait 2002" Later that year, Kate gave birth to daughter Lila Grace-but she also continued her partying ways. During New York City's 2005 Fashion Week, London's Daily Mirror printed a photo of then 31-year-old Moss, mother to then two-year-old Lila, cutting lines of cocaine on a CD jewel box.
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Kathy Hilton: The mother of heiress Paris Hilton says she's unfairly portrayed as a gold-digging stage mother, but where was mom when daughters Paris and Nicky, then 16 and 14, were hitting the New York club scene? In 2007 when a judge ordered 26-year-old Paris to serve 45 days in county jail for violating probation on a reckless driving case, Kathy laughed and said, "May I have your autograph?" And according to a Hilton biography, Kathy is proud of Paris's sex tape, painting her daughter a "victim." Maybe it's unfair to blame Paris's uncontrollable ways on her mom, but does the apple really fall far from the tree?
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Sharon Stone: When earlier this year actress Sharon Stone lost physical custody of her 8-year-old son Roan, we were shocked. And while Sharon is known for creating controversy (suggesting the 2008 earthquake in China was the result of "karma") and for her extreme parenting style (pushing Roan to have Botox injections in his feet to cure foot odor), we had no idea how out of control this mom really was.
The look that you can never deny. Thanks to koiree for a glimpse at this beautiful little one.
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Think your baby is the cutest of all? Our answer is a 2.0 style cutie-pie contest. Click on for a collection of the most adorable baby pictures we could find. Want to show off your own? Click here to send us your pictures.
Blushing Babe
Rosy-cheeked babies pull our heart strings every single time. Thanks to robax for such a great shot of this adorable wee one. -- 1/9/2009
robax, Flickr
Snoozin' Stripes
All of these colorful patterns sure don't seem to keep this cute baby awake. Thanks to DtotheV for this glimpse at their precious tyke! -- 1/7/2009
DtotheV, Flickr
Double Lean
We've all been there - trying to get our littlest tykes to sit upright for a photo. These cuties seem to be experiencing a domino effect! Thanks to Naasif and Kim for this adorable photo.
-- 1/6/2009
Naasif and Kim
Face Off
It's either you or me, Elmo. Only one of us gets the spotlight today. Looks like PAC 412's little one doesn't mess around! -- 1/5/2009
PAC 412, Flickr
Little Peanut
Apprehension, Anticipation, Glee. Looks like Greg Gladman accurately captured many expressions of the holiday season. --12/31/08
Santa Cutie
Hearts are aflutter over this little Santa! Thanks to Dhanny for this precious portrait. --12/30/08
Un-Merry Christmas
Don't worry little tot, the holidays are almost over. Thanks to ESnod for giving us a little sympathetic giggle this afternoon. --12/29/08
Christmas Reflections
Amidst ornaments and gifts, this little one is learning the art of a quick peek. Thanks to Shayne Marie Casto for this beautiful photo.
Shayne Marie Casto, Flickr
Baby in the Bubble
This tot artfully photographed by BethLo surely won't bust your bubble. -- 12/23/2008
My husband and I both feel there are a lot of shows aimed at our 8-year-old that are not necessarily appropriate. The boyfriend/girlfriend story lines on the popular tween shows make us cringe and we both dislike the bad behavior many of the characters exhibit in the name of comedy.
We monitor what she watches pretty closely and are in complete agreement that she should not be exposed to mature content until she herself is mature. At least I thought we were in complete agreement until he came home with the entire "Star Wars" DVD collection and suggested we all watch it together.
Needless to say, she was thrilled. I was horrified. The same child who couldn't sleep for two days after reading "Coraline" is going to be okay with watching "Star Wars"? I loudly protested but his assurances and her pleas eventually wore me down. If he thought it was okay, then perhaps I was overreacting. After all, I lost interest in "Star Wars" after seeing the first movie in 1977 -- maybe it wasn't that bad. With my finger ready on the stop button, we settled in for a marathon "Star Wars" adventure.
Hotel for Dogs What happens when you combine kindhearted siblings, and empty house, and a pack of stray dogs? Why, the Hotel for Dogs, of course! The perfect film for kids who love dogs (but be prepared for post-movies pleas for a puppy).
Nickelodeon
Inkheart Meggie's father has a magical power: when he reads aloud, stories come to life. Now Meggie must rescue him from a fictional villain come to life. Brendan Fraser stars as the supercool bibliophile dad in a film guaranteed to get kids interested in reading.
New Line Cinema
Coraline Newbery Award winner Neil Gaiman's magic realist novella comes to the big screen in a mesmerizing, scary adaptation. Coraline's new flat has a secret door in it; on the other side is a world just like hers but seemingly so much better -- until she discovers it's frightening secrets. This is definitely a big kids movie.
Focus Features
Pink Panther Deux While most parents will roll their eyes at the thought of another Pink Panther Movie, kids will love Steve Martin's slapstick humor and funny mispronunciations. Take the kids and try to remember what it was like to watch the original Pink Panther movies -- you might find yourself laughing at the pratfalls, too.
Sony Pictures
Under the Sea The first in the year's crop of 3D movies for kids, Under the Sea is a documentary about the costal regions of Southern Australia, New Guinea and the Indo-Pacific. Narrated by Jim Carrey, this is a movie that will thrill and educate the kids.
IMAX
Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience Not willing to take your tween to a Jonas Brothers concert? How about the next best thing -- the 3D concert movie! Earplugs recommended if you're over 16.
Walt Disney Pictures
Race to Witch Mountain Remember back when kids movies were smart and funny and exciting, like Escape to Witch Mountain? Here's hoping that the sequel will be all of that. But really, any story about a UFO expert and two kids with paranormal powers is the perfect Saturday afternoon matinee, for kids and parents.
Walt Disney Pictures
Monsters Vs. Aliens From the quirky minds of DreamWorks animation (the people who brought us Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda) comes Monsters Vs. Aliens, about, well, monsters who battle aliens. Guaranteed to make kids and parents howl with laughter (but not necessarily at the same jokes).
We are planning our childrens' combined birthday party right now. Since their birthday is in about five minutes, we thought this was a good time to start. Our kids are not twins, but their birthdays are two weeks apart, so we have a party for both of them on the weekend in between.
I was talking to a friend about this and he asked me what our other friends do for birthdays. In our community, it's a range from backyard to bigger "event" type parties. We do the backyard or playground version, in part because of our aforementioned total lack of birthday-planning skills.
"How bad is it if you don't like going to these parties?" my friend asked, "Like if you skip other kids parties and don't care?" Hm, I asked, "Well do you RSVP? Because that seems mean to the mom otherwise." Yes, he RSVPs, it's just that he doesn't really see the big point in going to the parties, or in throwing a big party for his little one.
I know lots of parents (us included, some years) who have "gotten away with" just taking the kids out for ice cream on their birthdays. Is there a base-level of celebration that must occur to qualify as a good parent on your child's birthday? Is it bad to downsize the birthday to a family-only affair? To find out, I called friend and counselor Rosanne Tobey, L.P.C., Director of Calm and Sense Therapy.
Dave Grohl's a daddy ... again! The rocker and his wife Jordyn welcomed daughter Harper Willow Grohl last Friday. She joins sister Violet May, 3. -- Celebrity Baby Blog
Ever wonder what life is like in the NICU? Flotsam's Alexa Stevenson shares her experience with Alpha Mom, complete with tips for parents, friends and family members.
Parenting isn't always fashionable, as Risa Green recently realized. There comes a point in time when you have to choose: Enjoy your kids or worry about what everyone else thinks. When did that moment come for you? -- Mommy Track'd
Dr. Laura is at it again, this time trying to fan the flame of the Mommy Wars. But we're not biting. Here's some wisdom from Work It, Mom's Traci Feit Love: No mom can be all things, so why not be proud of what we can provide ... no matter what shape that takes?
Can't get enough of real housewife Alex McCord? Check out LilSugar's latest interview.
Author Michael Gurian has a solution to your teen's video game addiction: Make him get a job. "Boys are playing hours of video games. They're not working; they're not doing their homework. They're just listless. Boys keep asking every day, what's the purpose of boys? Our culture seems to be saying, I'm not sure." -- U.S. News | On Parenting
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My husband and I both feel there are a lot of shows aimed at our 8-year-old that are not necessarily appropriate. 
We are planning our childrens' combined birthday party right now. Since their birthday is in about five minutes, we thought this was a good time to start. Our kids are not twins, but their birthdays are two weeks apart, so we have a party for both of them on the weekend in between. 
We all know