“Free Range… Kids”? When I first read that headline, I thought maybe I was gonna see a good diet article on how my omnivore friends can eat a baby goat without the guilt. Alas, it was just another article on bad parents. Ones who let their kids run around town free “without the worry”. And by “without worry” they mean “without supervision”. I’m actually not sure where the “without the.. Read More
I’mma letchyu finish, but first lemme tell you how to raise your kid.
My brother sent me a video clip of my niece the other day. “Great, Ashley. You’ve successfully bored me with the first sentence. Well done.” -Someone in the audience “Aw, c’mon. Give her a chance!” -Someone I planted in audience fully expecting that’d be said A chunky ball of glee and fat yet, she’s maybe a year and some change. And – in the video – as she lost balance,.. Read More
People without kids have empty lives?
An opinion piece was posted (complete with counterargument) by a pal online today: “I Think People Without Kids Have Empty Lives And I’m Not Sorry About It.” Do I really have to read beyond something so closed-minded? I tried my hardest, but the comment thread was really far more interesting to me. Most of us seemed to agree that we disagreed with the original author – and all for various.. Read More
What do you tell your kids about terrorists – when they ask?
Never forget. Always remember. I had to start wearing my headphones in physical therapy recently, because they play non-stop “news” in there. Just hearing it is stressful. I can’t do anything to stop murders and kidnappings. I’m powerless over the painful stories but it still makes me anxious. And I’m not just talking 9/11, obviously. So I tune it and everyone around me out. Whatever it is you believe about.. Read More
Your Kid: Attention Deficit? Or Activity Devoid?
Sometimes, kids just need drugs. Yep. There are some disorders for which there are few workable alternatives and, as a last resort, medication is the only viable solution; but if your kid was diagnosed with ADHD, wouldn’t you want to at least try out potential “second options” for him or her before initiating Operation Pill Pop prematurely? Matthew Pontifex, a Michigan State University professor, seems to agree. In fact, he.. Read More