Today's Parenting Pulse
Lance Bass cherishes the hour before his twins' bedtime
Former *NSYNC singer Lance Bass says the hour before his 4‑year‑old twins go to sleep is his favorite part of the day. He and husband Michael Turchin fill the time with games, multiple books and a brief gratitude journal, followed by teeth‑brushing and pajamas to wind the children down and reinforce positive habits.
A Parent’s Mental Health Is Linked to Their Teenager’s Screen Time and Exercise Habits
Researchers analyzing over 5,800 Finnish parent‑adolescent pairs found that higher parental mental well‑being is associated with greater physical activity and reduced digital media use among 11‑year‑olds, with effects persisting at age 14. The study measured parental depression, sense of coherence, and health‑related quality of life, linking depressive symptoms to lower child activity and stronger sense of coherence to less screen time. Despite these behavioral links, parental mental health showed no correlation with children’s body‑mass index. The findings suggest that supporting parental mental health could be a lever for improving youth lifestyle habits.
This Mom Of Grown Kids Says "Most Of The Important Work Is Done In Repair"
TikTok creator Niya Esperanza, with over a million followers, shared a candid video of her mother’s core parenting advice: “most of the important work is done in repair.” The elder stressed apologizing for mistakes, leading with love, and avoiding punishment...
Illegal Lead Levels Found in Kids Fast Fashion
New research presented at the American Chemical Society’s Spring 2026 meeting reveals that several children’s shirts sold by fast‑fashion and discount retailers contain lead concentrations far above U.S. federal limits. The study indicates that even brief chewing of these fabrics,...
Parenting ADHD: Misreading Behaviors Fuels Unnecessary Discipline
As a dad without ADHD parenting someone *with* ADHD, I cannot stress enough how frustrating and downright shameful it is when I discipline my son for what I *think* is non-ADHD behavior, only to then read an article or see...
Missouri Doula Program Shows Early Success as Lawmakers Look to Expansion
Missouri’s Medicaid program now offers free doula services to pregnant and postpartum mothers, reaching about 625 participants in its first 15 months. The initiative, championed by bipartisan lawmakers, aims to curb the state’s high maternal mortality rate—70 deaths annually, 80%...
Researchers Find Major Flaws in the Historical Clinical Trials Used to Justify Spanking
Researchers at Toronto Metropolitan University re‑examined four clinical trials from the 1980s that are frequently cited as proof that spanking improves child compliance. Using modern bias‑assessment tools and an updated meta‑analysis of 68 mother‑child pairs, they found the original studies...
Black Fathers Are Blocked, Not Missing: What Fulton County Teaches America About Father Engagement
A new qualitative study of non‑residential Black fathers in Fulton County, Georgia, reveals that fathers are present and committed, but face systemic obstacles that block engagement. The research identifies strained co‑parenting relationships, mother‑centric service designs, and confusing legal processes as...
Gaza Parents Face New Wave of Conflict, Struggle to Shield Children
Gaza parents are confronting a fresh escalation of hostilities, with shortages, displacement and psychological trauma threatening their children's wellbeing. The surge in regional arms trade and looming threats heighten fears that the next phase of conflict will deepen the crisis...
Disneyland Unveils 'Bluey’s Best Day Ever!' Live Experience for Families
Disneyland has opened 'Bluey’s Best Day Ever!' at Fantasyland Theatre, featuring two rotating live shows, interactive games, themed food and merchandise. The attraction translates the hit Australian preschool series into an immersive playground, prompting parents to weigh screen‑time against real‑world...
Healing Artfully: Creative Ways for Dads to Connect with Their Daughters
In this episode of the Dad and Daughter Connection, host Dr. Christopher Lewis talks with Cheryl Rosenberg, creator of the Healing Artfully program, about using creative expression to help fathers connect with their daughters during emotional or behavioral challenges. Rosenberg...
Psychologist’s Quick Reset Trick for ADHD Kids During Routine Changes
A child psychologist trick: how to reset an ADHD child when routines shift suddenly (like this time of year)
Brenda Song Calls Out Alaska Airlines for Splitting Family on Flight
Actress Brenda Song publicly condemned Alaska Airlines after the airline separated her family during a recent flight, saying the move jeopardized safety and added stress for parents. The incident has ignited a broader debate about airline policies for families with...
Newborns Lock Onto Mom's Face During Feeding
Your newborn stares at you because your face is one of the only things they can actually see clearly. Newborns can only focus on objects 8 to 12 inches away, which is almost exactly the distance from your breast to...
Know Your Child’s Biology, End Bedtime Battles
This isn't about shame. It's about understanding your child's biology so bedtime stops feeling like a battlefield. If even ONE of these hit home, your child's nervous system is begging you to understand their biology. 👉 Comment KIDREST for my Pediatric Sleep...
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What Is Parentification? 10 Signs to Watch for in Kids
Parentification describes children taking on adult responsibilities when parents cannot support them. It appears as emotional caregiving or instrumental tasks such as cooking, cleaning, or managing finances. Approximately 1.4 million U.S. children are affected, leading to anxiety, depression, and unhealthy relationship...
March Sleep Shifts Amplify ADHD Emotional Swings
March is when ADHD kids seem “more emotional than usual” - here’s what’s actually happening 1. Sleep gets slightly off
Publicly Sharing Autism Turns Private Stigma Into Dialogue
"Why I always announce my son’s autism" - Whitney Ellenby, mother of a disruptive and profoundly autistic young man, answers this question by invoking common knowledge and When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows... Commonly known denial + private knowledge ("open...
When Two Worlds Collide
The author, a veteran early‑childhood educator, recounts a recent clash with young adults who responded to a simple request with policy jargon instead of clear answers, leaving the author feeling unheard. The encounter highlighted how ageism can surface subtly when...
Stand By Me’s Hidden Melancholy Signals Lost Free‑range Childhood
I wrote on "Stand by Me," too. @SarahAWildman's piece is better: "The End of the Free-Range, Device-Free ‘Stand By Me’ Childhood" "I thought I remembered the film well--the quest, the camaraderie. But [recently] I realized I had missed the melancholy." https://t.co/mmoVLaYg35
The Hidden Faithful
The essay recounts a six‑year‑old’s Sunday shoe‑polishing ritual with his father, revealing how a simple act became a lifelong lesson in consistency and showing up. The father never missed the ritual, even as his knees ached and the family changed,...
Babies Learn a Lot in Their First Year. But Their Behavior Doesn't Always Tell the Full Story
Researchers observed that infants as young as four months can learn abstract speech sound patterns, linking them to visual cues. When tested again at seven and ten months, the infants’ overt responses changed: a clear familiarity preference at four months...
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9 Signs You May Be a 'Tiger Parent' Without Realizing It
Tiger parenting blends strict expectations with protective warmth, aiming to prepare children for future challenges. While rooted in Confucian values and popularized by Amy Chua, the style appears across cultures and differs from authoritarian parenting by adding affection. Research shows...
Parental Acceptance and Trauma Resilience Are Linked to Faster Brain Development in 9-13-Year-Olds
An analysis of ABCD MRI data from 8,059 children aged 9‑11, with follow‑up scans at 11‑13, found that higher parental acceptance and trauma resilience are linked to accelerated cortical thinning, a marker of faster brain maturation. Conversely, exposure to household...
Fathers' Brains Adapt to Babies Like Mothers'
I swear I can hear my newborn cry even when I'm in the shower with the water running and he is in a completely different room. It sounds impossible but it happens every time. Pregnancy hormones rewire your brain to be...
Norway Lets Kids Play, Not Compete, for Success
The key to Norway's sporting success?� "It takes everything we do in the US and does the opposite. We treat child athletes like budding professionals, prodigies train like the pros they look up to. In Norway, they let kids be...
Slate Advice Column Urges Action After Father Calls 9‑Year‑Old Son a Slur
A mother wrote to Slate’s Care and Feeding column describing how her husband Brad called their 9‑year‑old son Wade a “pussy” and a “disappointment.” The columnist responded that such language signals danger to the child and recommended therapy and possible...
Babies Calm only with Mother Due to Prenatal Bonding
My family couldn't understand why my first baby would stop crying the second I held him but wouldn't do that for anyone else. They thought I was spoiling him. But your baby knows you. They spent nine months listening to your...
Teen Resistance Signals Trust in Your Relationship
Resistance can be a sign your teen still trusts the relationship. They feel safe enough to push back. I talk a lot about this in my book, Love The Teen You Have. Get your copy.
My Twins Had Never Spent More than a Night Apart. When One Went to Europe for 6 Weeks, They Barely...
Identical 19‑year‑old twins Charlie and Thomas had lived side‑by‑side for 19 years before Thomas embarked on a six‑week European trip. During the entire journey the brothers exchanged virtually no communication—only a single brief text and a rejected betting request. Despite...
My Youngest Son Is 28. I'm Still Paying His Phone Bill.
A mother of five still includes her 28‑year‑old son on her cellphone plan, explaining that the gesture preserves her role as a caregiver rather than addressing any financial need. The article details how birth‑order dynamics and a large age gap...
Homemade Oreo Videos Spark Parenting Backlash Over Nutrition and Safety
Southern California mother Gretchen Adler posted TikTok videos showing how to bake homemade Oreos, racking up more than 9.6 million views. The clips have provoked a heated discussion among parents about ultra‑processed foods, nutrition, and the practicality of making snacks from...
A True Story That Moved Us to Create This Toolkit
True story that inspired our toolkit. I still tear up every time I think about this.
Calmly Defuse ADHD Arguments with One Simple Trick
A child psychologist trick: The fastest way to reduce ADHD arguments without raising your voice
My Kids Didn't Get the Same Version of Me, and That's Okay
The author reflects on a reader’s question about guilt over giving different experiences to each child, acknowledging that siblings inevitably receive varied versions of parenting. Citing Gabor Mate, she explains that no two children have identical parents because each child perceives...
The Power of Teaching Kids How Their Brains Work
Teaching children how their brains work is emerging as a practical strategy to strengthen mental health and self‑esteem. By learning the roles of the amygdala, brainstem and pre‑frontal cortex, kids can label emotions, externalize stress and activate simple tools like...
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Signs Your Child May Have a Toxic Friend—And What to Do About It
A toxic friendship is defined by consistent behaviors that drain, manipulate, or harm a child emotionally, socially, or physically. Experts highlight patterns such as constant negativity, control, drama, one‑sidedness, and peer pressure. Parents are advised to watch for mood shifts,...
‘I Struggled as a Kid’: Ms. Rachel on Food Insecurity and Talking to Children About Hunger
Ms. Rachel, a popular children’s educator and PBS host, draws on her own childhood experience of food insecurity to advocate for SNAP benefits and healthier nutrition for kids. She notes that 1 in 5 American children rely on SNAP, a...
Having An "Open Door" For Your Kids, Even During Your Alone Time, Is Crucial, Says One Dad
Instagram fitness coach Mitchell Davis shares a simple parenting lesson: keep the door open while taking personal time. In a viral reel, his son wanders into his garage workout, illustrating that presence, not the activity, matters to children. Davis argues...
Should Teens Have Locks On Their Bedroom Doors? One Mom On Reddit Asks If It's "Normal"
A Reddit mom asks if teen bedroom door locks are normal after installing them in her new home. The post sparked debate, with many parents viewing locks as a privacy privilege that can be revoked for misbehavior, while others argue...
Finland Tops Happiness Rankings, Prompting U.S. Parents to Look North for Guidance
Finland was crowned the world’s happiest nation in the 2026 World Happiness Report, leading parenting expert Jessica Joelle Alexander to spotlight Denmark’s PARENT framework as a blueprint for U.S. families. She argues that play, authenticity, and respect can boost American...
Alex Spitz on the Care Gap, the Power of Community, and Finding Joy in New Motherhood
Alex Spitz, founder and CEO of New Mom School, turned her own postpartum struggle into a nationwide franchise that offers research‑backed, in‑person support for new mothers. Launched in 2012 in Orange County, the program now spans 37 locations across the...
Obedience May Mask Fear, Not Confidence
YOUR “WELL-BEHAVED” CHILD MIGHT BE AFRAID — NOT JUST DISCIPLINED. • Silence can signal fear. • Obedience isn’t always confidence. • Fear-based compliance weakens voice. • Discipline should build courage. Save this for reflection. #ConsciousParenting #GentleParenting #ParentingTruths #EmotionalSafety #ModernParenting
Free Play Fuels Learning: Kids Thrive Without Formal Teaching
Proud to be on this podcast with the man who made me understand the incredible value of free play -- and how much kids are learning even when not being "taught." That is, the inspirational Peter Gray: https://t.co/PzIhPVqRxR
The Meeting Every Parent Fears — But Every Child Needs
A recent parent‑teacher conference highlighted how meetings that feel intimidating can actually become pivotal moments for a child’s development. The article stresses that parents and educators must view concerns as collaborative opportunities rather than criticism, emphasizing early intervention and shared...
Mister Rogers Reminds Parents: Imperfection Is Okay
Mister Rogers would have been 98 today. His assuring antidote to the anxieties about imperfection in parenting https://t.co/WvMvSyxbuL
I Spent A Year Talking To ADHD Experts. Here’s What I’ve Learned As A Mom.
A year-long podcast series interviewing top ADHD specialists gave a mom practical, low‑stress tools for raising a neurodivergent child. Experts emphasized tracking daily patterns, making tiny dietary tweaks, and ensuring regular movement to stabilize mood and focus. They also recommended...
Congress Advances Bill to Mandate Parental Controls on Video Games
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie introduced legislation that would force video‑game publishers to embed parental‑control features, block in‑game chat for minors and limit financial transactions. The proposal arrives amid a long‑standing industry self‑regulation model led by the...
States Are Increasingly Using Child Care Waitlists, Leaving Parents in Limbo
States across the U.S. are increasingly placing families on child‑care subsidy waitlists, leaving parents like Virginia resident Taylor Moyer in prolonged uncertainty. Fourteen states have recently introduced or expanded these lists, while only about a quarter of the 8 million eligible...
Milwaukee Mom Gets 18 Months Probation After Locking Six Children in Storage Unit
Azyia C. Zielinski was sentenced to 18 months of probation, rather than prison, after pleading guilty to misdemeanor child neglect for locking her six children in a Milwaukee storage unit overnight. The ruling, handed down by Circuit Court Judge Ana...
A Psychologist's #1 Tip To Nix Tantrums, From Screaming Toddlers To Brooding Teens
Clinical psychologist Shefali Tsabary advises parents to stop "dealing" with tantrums and instead take a parental timeout. By removing themselves physically or mentally, parents create space that calms both toddlers and teens. The approach hinges on the child mirroring parental...