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.

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

To Read More, Click here…

Surviving the Family Road Trip (iVillage.com)

Are we there yet?

I gotta go, now!

Are we there yet?

Clearly, the person who said “getting there is half the fun” never braved holiday travel with kids. That is, unless she was hip to the two P’s: Patience and preparation. The first is up to you. But when it comes to preparation, we’ve totally got you covered. These 9 simple, think-ahead strategies will see the entire family door-to-door with your sanity—and sense of humor—still intact.

To read the entire article, click here…

iVillage: 15 Stress-Less Ways to Shop with Kids During the Holidays

Black Friday–the biggest shopping day of the year– is just days away.

Ideally, you can leave the kids with daddy or a babysitter and surf the sales solo. But, if you have to hit the stores with your offspring in tow, be sure to read the following article by Ylonda Caviness:

15 Stress-Less Ways to Shop with Kids During the Holidays

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