On Parenting - News and events for the Washington parent.

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 06/01/2012

What to look for in a good baby sunscreen

By Rachel Saslow

A Chevy Chase dermatologist explains why checking the SPF level isn’t enough.

By Rachel Saslow | 07:00 AM ET, 06/01/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 05/31/2012

Teaching kids where food comes from

By Janice D'Arcy

Andrea Northup, founder of the D.C. Farm to School Network, discusses how parents can help children better understand the origins of food and why this topic is so important.

By Janice D'Arcy | 07:00 AM ET, 05/31/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Childhood Obesity, Nutrition

Posted at 12:17 PM ET, 05/30/2012

What does testing season truly test?

By Tracy Grant

Momspeak | The pressure put on kids to do well on standardized tests may reflect how different the world is from when we were their age. But that doesn’t mean it’s fair.

By Tracy Grant | 12:17 PM ET, 05/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Education

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 05/30/2012

‘Daughters for a Time’ follows D.C. author’s real-life fertility, adoption struggles

By Janice D'Arcy

The story chronicles the life of a D.C. power broker who deals with infertility and adoption.

By Janice D'Arcy | 07:00 AM ET, 05/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Books

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 05/29/2012

Teach your kids why protein is important

By Casey Seidenberg

Offer your children a variety of protein-rich foods and teach them why protein is an important nutrient for their bodies.

By Casey Seidenberg | 09:00 AM ET, 05/29/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Nutrition

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 05/29/2012

Prom becoming out of control: Report says parents plan to spend, on average, $1,078 each on the event

By Janice D'Arcy

The annual dance is now equated less with wholesomeness and more with the obscene.

By Janice D'Arcy | 07:00 AM ET, 05/29/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Teens

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 05/25/2012

Why it’s good to let boys cry

By Jennifer Kogan

A clinical social worker has a plea for parents: Let teenage boys express their feelings.

By Jennifer Kogan | 07:00 AM ET, 05/25/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Books, Mental Health

Posted at 03:22 PM ET, 05/24/2012

The constant state of parental anxiety: Reports of ‘creepy’ man at D.C. parks cause small panic

By Janice D'Arcy

The mini panic over reports of a “creepy” man hanging around local parks doesn’t say much about whether he is an actual threat. But it does say much about our relentless anxiety.

By Janice D'Arcy | 03:22 PM ET, 05/24/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Safety

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 05/24/2012

Why caffeine is bad for your kids

By Casey Seidenberg

It can interrupt nighttime sleep, make athletes dehydrated and make kids irritable. Here’s what else you can give them for an energy boost.

By Casey Seidenberg | 09:00 AM ET, 05/24/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Nutrition

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 05/24/2012

Has gay parenting ‘normalized’ the perception of gay relationships?

By Janice D'Arcy

“That parenting piece helps people understand that this is not about sex — God knows, you don’t have kids if you want to have sex. It’s about love,” says Catherine Tuerk, a longtime activist in D.C.’s gay advocacy community.

By Janice D'Arcy | 07:00 AM ET, 05/24/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Gay Parenting, Politics

Posted at 12:37 PM ET, 05/23/2012

Summer family travel: More turbulence ahead

By Janice D'Arcy

The Associated Press is reporting that base fares are expected to average $431 this summer. That doesn’t count the likelihood of extra fees that may be essential for families to pay.

By Janice D'Arcy | 12:37 PM ET, 05/23/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 05/23/2012

EpiPen laws spreading, but not fast enough

By Janice D'Arcy

Maryland joins at least seven other states that have some regulation regarding schools and EpiPens

By Janice D'Arcy | 07:00 AM ET, 05/23/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:17 PM ET, 05/22/2012

Transgender children: Learning to listen to their reality

By Janice D'Arcy

The mother of a transgender child explains why “gender does not lie between our legs, but between our ears.”

By Janice D'Arcy | 12:17 PM ET, 05/22/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Childhood Development

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 05/21/2012

Nearly a quarter of teens diabetic or prediabetic, report says

By Janice D'Arcy

That’s up from 9 percent a decade ago, according to a study in the June 2012 issue of Pediatrics.

By Janice D'Arcy | 07:00 AM ET, 05/21/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Health

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 05/18/2012

Airplane toys for infants

By Rachel Saslow

As the summer travel season approaches, here are suggestions for keeping your baby happy and entertained while flying.

By Rachel Saslow | 07:00 AM ET, 05/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Books, Toys

Posted at 03:11 PM ET, 05/17/2012

Lessons for parents in the case of FBI fugitive Eric Toth

By Janice D'Arcy

The case is especially haunting for parents as many are poised to send children to summer camps with unfamiliar staffs.

By Janice D'Arcy | 03:11 PM ET, 05/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Safety

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 05/17/2012

What happened to Zoe Rosso, the toddler who got kicked out of school for too many accidents

By Janice D'Arcy

Zoe Rosso is now the subject of a book about what the authors say is a common but often undiagnosed medical problem that leads to potty accidents.

By Janice D'Arcy | 07:00 AM ET, 05/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Books, Health

Posted at 01:30 PM ET, 05/16/2012

Google doodle kids and other success stories

By Tracy Grant

There are lots of great kids out there, doing amazing things and bringing honor to themselves and their parents. Just ask the KidsPost editor.

By Tracy Grant | 01:30 PM ET, 05/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Education

Posted at 12:32 PM ET, 05/16/2012

International Spy Museum to host children’s writing program Sunday featuring former CIA operative

By Janice D'Arcy

Melissa Mahle, a former CIA operative who became a mother during her time in the agency, will be part of a children’s writing program at the International Spy Museum this Sunday.

By Janice D'Arcy | 12:32 PM ET, 05/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Ethics, Books

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 05/16/2012

Student loan debt, preventing a crushing family burden

By Janice D'Arcy

Sally Koslow, author of “Slouching Toward Adulthood: Observations from the Not-So-Empty Nest,” says possible debt and majors should be discussed

By Janice D'Arcy | 07:00 AM ET, 05/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Teens

Posted at 02:17 PM ET, 05/15/2012

Lose the Training Wheels bike camps help kids with special needs

By Mari-Jane Williams

Children with disabilities gain independence and confidence after learning how to ride a two-wheel bike at a special camp.

By Mari-Jane Williams | 02:17 PM ET, 05/15/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Special Needs

Posted at 12:42 PM ET, 05/15/2012

Texting-while-driving: Teens do because we do

By Janice D'Arcy

Many teens have some pretty terrible role models, as parents, too, are becoming increasingly distracted behind the wheel.

By Janice D'Arcy | 12:42 PM ET, 05/15/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Safety, Electronic Media, Teens

Posted at 03:57 PM ET, 05/14/2012

Sophia, Jacob and other popular baby names: What the choice says about you

By Janice D'Arcy

Apparently originality is not a motivator as much as familiarity, celebrity influence, age of parent and maybe even political affiliation when it comes to naming kids.

By Janice D'Arcy | 03:57 PM ET, 05/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Babies

Posted at 01:10 PM ET, 05/14/2012

Modifying attachment parenting to fit your family’s needs

By Janice D’Arcy

Despite the image of attachment parenting as radical, the philosophy can and has been incorporated into general mainstream parenting practices.

By Janice D’Arcy | 01:10 PM ET, 05/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Books, Breast-feeding

Posted at 10:38 AM ET, 05/14/2012

National Women’s Health Week: Gestational diabetes more dangerous than we assume

By Janice D'Arcy

During National Women’s Health Week, the National Diabetes Education Program is helping more women understand that the condition developed during pregnancy can lead to Type 2 diabetes.

By Janice D'Arcy | 10:38 AM ET, 05/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Heath

Posted at 12:01 PM ET, 05/11/2012

Thinking about work-life balance on Mother’s Day

By Amy Joyce

I just found out my grandma worked all the time. Her family has only happy memories. That gives me an idea about how I think and think and think about work-life balance.

By Amy Joyce | 12:01 PM ET, 05/11/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Work-life Balance

Posted at 05:14 PM ET, 05/10/2012

Time cover of breastfeeding mom issues a challenge to those who support nursing

By Janice D'Arcy

To illustrate a story on attachment parenting, Time magazine features a photo of an almost-4-year-old boy nursing from his mother. Can public breastfeeding go too far?

By Janice D'Arcy | 05:14 PM ET, 05/10/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Breast-feeding

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 05/10/2012

How to feel closer to your partner while raising a family

By Jennifer Kogan

Ever look at the person you married and ask, “What happened to us? We used to be so close.” A clinical social worker advises parents on how to revive their romance.

By Jennifer Kogan | 11:00 AM ET, 05/10/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 05/10/2012

Mother’s Day, by the numbers

By Janice D'Arcy

We mothers are a vast — and diverse — lot.

By Janice D'Arcy | 07:00 AM ET, 05/10/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Holidays

Posted at 01:58 PM ET, 05/09/2012

The Evil Birthday Clown: Kids ‘love being scared senseless’

By Janice D'Arcy

Parents pay him an agreed upon fee and in return he stalks a child for a week. When the victim least expects it, the Evil Birthday Clown will smash a cake in the little kid’s face.

By Janice D'Arcy | 01:58 PM ET, 05/09/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Books

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 05/09/2012

Despite genetic tests and new technology, learning to embrace the unexpected

By Janice D'Arcy

Better technology means advanced options for prenatal testing. But will these tests give us a false sense that we control more than we actually can?

By Janice D'Arcy | 07:00 AM ET, 05/09/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Books, Special Needs

Posted at 01:38 PM ET, 05/08/2012

Maurice Sendak: A singular voice to and for children

By Janice D'Arcy

The beloved and controversial children’s author Maurice Sendak has died at 83. With him has gone his gorgeous and unrepentant assault on parental coddling.

By Janice D'Arcy | 01:38 PM ET, 05/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Books

Posted at 01:15 PM ET, 05/08/2012

Bike to School Day: How a few D.C. schools will celebrate

By Janice D'Arcy

Though it’s a one day push, organizers hope it will lead families to consider biking (or walking) to school every day.

By Janice D'Arcy | 01:15 PM ET, 05/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Childhood Obesity

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 05/08/2012

Understanding infant sleep guidelines and SIDS: Live Q&A at 11 a.m.

By On Parenting

Join a live chat Tuesday, May 8th, at 11 a.m. to discuss sudden infant death syndrome and how to decrease your child’s chance of suffering from it.

By On Parenting | 09:00 AM ET, 05/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 05/08/2012

Where is the best place to be a mother? Not the U.S.

By Janice D'Arcy

A new report compared factors such as maternal health, education and economic status, and childhood health and nutrition in 165 countries.

By Janice D'Arcy | 07:00 AM ET, 05/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Health

Posted at 12:16 PM ET, 05/07/2012

Mother’s Day: Time to honor the woman who does, and asks, for too much

By Janice D'Arcy

Who gets top billing among the several mothers in many of our extended and blended families? Who gets the card and the face time? And then there’s the eternal debate over what to ask for.

By Janice D'Arcy | 12:16 PM ET, 05/07/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Holidays

Posted at 12:10 PM ET, 05/07/2012

A birthday party nightmare: Balancing safety and freedom

By Janice D'Arcy

Michael Gardner was the former chairman of the Falls Church City Democratic Committee and is the husband of current councilwoman. He also molested at least two girls at his daughter’s birthday party. How can parents keep kids safe at events where they assume children won’t be in danger?

By Janice D'Arcy | 12:10 PM ET, 05/07/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Safety

Posted at 12:32 PM ET, 05/04/2012

Fighting the childhood obesity epidemic: Are ‘food rules’ the solution?

By Janice D'Arcy

On Parenting | Marlene Schwartz, a contributor to the film “The Weight of the Nation,” discusses which family choices can combat big forces at play in the obesity epidemic and our children’s less-than-healthy instincts.

By Janice D'Arcy | 12:32 PM ET, 05/04/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Childhood obesity

Posted at 11:07 AM ET, 05/04/2012

‘The Weight of The Nation’ contributor on a parent’s role in fighting childhood obesity

By Janice D'Arcy

Marlene Schwartz, one of the primary contributors of the new HBO documentery “The Weight of the Nation,” discusses what parents are up against when it comes to their child’s nutrition.

By Janice D'Arcy | 11:07 AM ET, 05/04/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Childhood Obesity

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 05/03/2012

Turn eating artichokes into a game for your kids

By Casey Seidenberg

On Parenting | Get your kids to love eating artichokes with a game of artichoke-leaf basketball.

By Casey Seidenberg | 07:00 AM ET, 05/03/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:22 PM ET, 05/02/2012

‘Listen to Your Mother’: 14 D.C. area women to perform essays on motherhood

By Janice D'Arcy

Fourteen women were chosen from auditions to recount their tales of motherhood at Synetic Theater in Arlington.

By Janice D'Arcy | 03:22 PM ET, 05/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Events, Motherhood

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 05/02/2012

Screen-Free Week no longer realistic — or desirable

By Janice D'Arcy

Forget the kids. I can’t imagine going without a screen during lunch, let alone a week. Even in an ideal world, though, I wouldn’t want to.

By Janice D'Arcy | 07:00 AM ET, 05/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Electronic Media

On Parenting: June, 2012