Posted by Richard Kuhlenschmidt
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 21:37:35 GMT
Women working more—and parenting more
From an article in the San Francisco Chronicle (via the NY TImes),
Despite the surge of women into the workforce, mothers are spending at least as much time with their children as they did 40 years ago, and the amount of child care and housework performed by fathers has sharply increased, researchers say in a new study.
With more mothers in paid jobs, many policymakers have assumed that parents must have less time to interact with their children. But the researchers say the conventional wisdom is not borne out by the data they collected from families asked to account for their time. The researchers found, to their surprise, that married and single parents spent more time teaching, playing with and caring for their children than parents did 40 years ago.
Read the entire article here.
Posted in Family Life | Tags fathers, mothers, parenting | no comments | no trackbacks
Posted by Richard Kuhlenschmidt
Tue, 10 Oct 2006 19:30:00 GMT
The Charlotte Observer has a article on how dad blogs (and mom blogs) are increasingly becoming a a place where parents can come together, share their experiences, and learn from each other.
After adopting his daughter in 2002, Doug Henderson of Mooresville had trouble finding online parenting tips for dads.
That’s why a year ago, Henderson says, he created DadBloggers.com, an online message board that gives fathers an outlet to share their parenting experiences from a man’s perspective.
There is also a good roundup of other parenting blogs. Here are the ones listed.
Sites for Dads
www.dadcentric.com
www.metrodad.typepad.com
www.theblogfathers.com
www.thezeroboss.com
www.rudecactus.com
www.sweetjuniper.blogspot.com
www.lundquistcompany.com/fatherhood.html
www.ricedaddies.blogspot.com
www.daddydetective.com
www.justusdads.blogspot.com
www.fatherdad.com
www.laidoffdad.typepad.com/about.html
www.becauseimyourfather.com
www.dadgonemad.com
www.childsplayx2.com
Sites for Moms
www.charlottemommies.com
www.clubmom.com
www.parentsconnect.com
www.busymom.net
www.citymama.typepad.com
www.halfpint.typepad.com
www.girlsgonechild.blogspot.com
www.lakenormanmommies.com
www.rockstarmommy.com
Read the article here.
Posted in Parenting, Family Life | Tags blogs | no comments | no trackbacks
Posted by Richard Kuhlenschmidt
Tue, 10 Oct 2006 17:40:00 GMT
Well, most of your kid’s time may be structured and over-scheduled, but at least one group is urging schools to rethink recess.
From an article in today’s Wall Street Journal:
A report released yesterday by the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that recess can foster creativity and social skills, arguing that when play is undirected, kids become resourceful in figuring out conflict resolution, negotiation and even leadership—which might not surface as naturally in an adult-structured atmosphere, when children are more likely to “acquiesce to adult rules and concerns.” The report cites academic research and includes advice for pediatricians on how to promote and recommend “free child-centered play.”
Read the article here.(subscription may be required, article is free today, October 10, 2006)
Posted in School, Family Life | no comments | no trackbacks
Posted by Richard Kuhlenschmidt
Fri, 06 Oct 2006 01:00:10 GMT
This one I’m really torn about. An article in the Grand Rapids Press discusses the phenonenom of over-parenting
Parents who load up their children’s schedules with too many after-school programs are producing frazzled kids who actually need more time with their moms and dads, a family therapist says.
The article goes on to quote William Doherty, who in his book “Take Back Your Kids: Confident Parenting in Turbulent Times” , says,
“Kids have too many activities. Parents are supervising homework every night, having childhood on the fast achievement track beyond what is necessary or important for children’s development.”
He goes on to say,
“We know from research, the single most important activity in children’s lives, in promoting their well-being and academic achievement, is having meals with their family,” Doherty said.
“For young children, there’s evidence it increases their vocabulary because kids at family dinner are exposed to higher levels of conservation than when they’re just one-on-one with parents.”
While I wholeheartedly agree with his sentiments, I wonder if I am selling my kids short by not doing everything I can to get my kids into the best schools, and presumedly, give them the opportunity for a better life.
Read the whole article here.
Posted in Parenting, Family Life | no comments | no trackbacks
Posted by Richard Kuhlenschmidt
Tue, 03 Oct 2006 22:05:46 GMT
The Washington Post has a nice article on Parenting Lite, or to be more accurate, life after the kids go off to college.
They are asking for personal stories of lessons learned. Here are the details:
If you’re a baby boomer, you’re at least 42 years old this year, and we’re seeking your firsthand report. We’re looking for life lessons, for things learned over a handful of decades and representing the widest range of personal backgrounds and identities. We’ll publish some reports in this space. Write no more than 200 words. Include your name, age, where you live and a phrase describing your submission. Include a photo if you like; digital preferred. By e-mail: boom@washpost.com. Put “Boom Box” in the subject line. By U.S. mail: The Washington Post Health Section, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071. Sorry, we can’t return photos.
Yes, it happens all to soon.
Posted in Parenting, Family Life | no comments | no trackbacks
Posted by Richard Kuhlenschmidt
Sun, 30 Jul 2006 22:48:45 GMT
Take it from me, if you’re planning to travel overseas with your kids this summer, don’t wait unil the last minute to get their passports!
A friend of my son was planning to travel to China with his parents this summer. He recounted the nightmare experience he had in getting his passport and it reminded me of a similar nightmare experience we had when we were preparing to take our kid’s to Paris last spring.
Most important thing! Do not take an abstract of your kid’s birth certificate, take an actual certified copy.
In both cases, with my son and his friend, we arrived at the local post office with abstract in hand. Of course, the post office only offers passports during the time when the kids are in school, so you have to take them out of school.
Anyway, we were turned away and had to request a certified copy of our son’s birth certificate.
When we finally got it, time was running short. We had to go to the Federal Building here in Los Angeles, to get the passport in time for our trip. After parking a mile away from the Federal Building, we got there with minutes left before they closed the doors. We walked in and the told us we couldn’t take our cell phones into the building.
So I ran back a mile to the car and left the cell phone there and a mile back to joins my family in line. When we finally got to the front of the line and they asked if we had an appointment. We said no. They said we needed an appointment and they gave us a number to call.
Great, except our phone were a mile away back in the car.
So I ran back to the car, called them, got an appointment, and – end of story -, we got our son’s passport.
Trust me, you don’t want to go through this stress. Plan early.
Posted in Family Life | no comments | no trackbacks
