Teens do better with limits

Full Story: USA TODAY

Here’s some good news for parents of tweens and teens: You rule.

Studies show parents who keep setting boundaries make a huge difference. In other words, “parenting works,” even for teens, says Alanna Levine, a pediatrician in Tappan, N.Y., and spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Other recent studies have found:

•Teens who had a bedtime of 10 p.m. or earlier, set by parents, got more sleep and were less likely to be depressed or consider suicide than those allowed to stay up past midnight. (The study was published in Sleep in January.)

•Teen drivers whose parents set and enforced rules were more likely to wear seat belts and less likely to speed, get in crashes, drink and drive, or use cellphones while driving. (That study was in Pediatrics in September.)

•Teens whose parents set rules also smoke less, delay sex and do better in school, research shows.

In the driving study, as in many other studies, the most effective parents were those researchers call “authoritative.” They set firm rules but explain and enforce them in a warm, supportive way. Parents who set no rules, fail to enforce them or rule with a “because I said so” iron grip are less effective.

Low Serotonin levels cause SIDS

At last! Researchers may have solved the mystery of what causes some babies die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Levels of serotonin, which regulate a baby’s sleep, heart rate and breathing, were 26 percent lower in the brainstems of babies who died of SIDS than in those of babies who died of other causes, the study says.

Serotonin normally helps babies respond to high carbon-dioxide levels during sleep by helping them wake up and shift their head position to get fresh air.

Currently, there is no test to determine which infants may be at risk for SIDS. To avoid the risk of SIDS, parents should make sure that babies can breathe uninhibited during sleep: Place babies on their backs to avoid their rolling over, don’t over-bundle the baby, and don’t leave loose bedding or stuffed toys in the crib.

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14 Biggest Parenting Trends of 2010 (iVillage.com)

“From Facebook pages for baby to Suri’s mini-heels and a return to date night (thanks, Obamas!), we talked to the experts to find out what’s next for how we’re raising our kids. Check out the biggest parenting trends for 2010.”
—Jessica Snyder Sachs and Jenny Isenman

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Getting In: Private School FAQs

“Although the Chattahoochee Valley boasts enviable public school systems, some families opt for private schooling for their children.”

Be sure to pick up a copy of the January issue of Valley Parent magazine to read Calista Sprague’s article, “Getting In: Private School FAQs.” In it, you’ll find the answers to the following questions about the admission process:

• Where do we start?
• Are there academic entrance requirements?
• Are there ways to defray some of the tuition costs?
• Does tuition cover everything for the year?
• Any tips for a successful interview?

Info: Georgia Private Schools, Alabama Private Schools, and Local Magnet & Charter Schools

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