Parenting

After scouring the US Social Security registry of names that stretches back to 1880, naming expert Pamela Redmond Satran unearthed some of the best names used for 25 or fewer babies each year. Outside of rarity of usage, Satran looked for names that “have genuine provenance,” were attractive and felt contemporary. The result is a comprehensive list of 50 girls’ names and 50 boys’ names that are both unique and dynamic. The selection includes Amabel and Vita for girls and North and Thornton for boys. You can read Satran’s list here and for even more choices, check out the naming website nameberry.com.

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The myth of the “freshman fifteen” hovers in the minds of many teenagers before they head off to their first year of college. Being on their own for the first time with the temptations of junk food and the stress of university can mean the fear of weight gain becomes a reality. Students generally only gain an average of five pounds, but the idea that such gain is inevitable can make the myth a self fulfilling prophesy.

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In the increasingly competitive world of kids’ sports, elite teams such as travel or club teams can place extreme demands on both a family’s time and money. With extensive travel for tournaments and competitions and an expected year-round commitment, these teams can leave little time for other sports, relaxation or family. On top of the stress on the family’s time together, an elite sports team can cost into four figures annually. Faced with this choice, more and more parents are reacting against the pressure put on their kids and deciding that other things come first.

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Similar to nervous teenagers awaiting the smallest glimpse of a loved pop star, Chinese parents show up at the crack of dawn and wait in huddled anticipation at the chance to acquire a place for their child at a public kindergarten. With few spaces and greater numbers of children vying for spots after the baby boom of the 2007 year of the pig and 2008 Olympics, the competition for coveted spots is fierce. However, despite the increasing number of children in need of schooling, the number of public kindergartens has dropped over the last decade from 3,000 in 2001 to 1,200 this year. Increasing demand and even fewer schools means that even expensive private kindergartens require a deposit a year in advance to assure a place for your child.

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After a series of crib recalls over the past three years by the US Consumer Products Safety Commission, parents should think seriously about their crib purchases. In the latest wave, 2.2 million cribs from a total of 7 manufacturers were recalled last month in America. Mostly the unsafe cribs that are being taken off the shelves have “drop sides,” which allow for the convenience of varying the height of the side of the crib, but in flawed designs can create a gap for a baby to fall out or become stuck. In the past three years, at least 36 deaths were caused by flawed “drop sides” as well as other manufacturing flaws.

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Warning: Contains spoilers for Toy Story 3.

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There is a fine line between being honest about youthful indiscretions and actively encouraging illicit behavior, but the difficulty of finding the boundary for parents represents a moral dilemma for many who value their openness as authority figures. Because brain development continues into the mid-20s, early exposure to alcohol and drugs can permanently affect the way the brain functions. The increased risk for addiction creates the terrifying potential that an excessively honest parent may foster a substance abuse problem in their own child.

This anxiety is also compounded by a fear of losing the moral high ground in future arguments, with teenagers feeling vindicated by your actions. However, “the most important message a parent can give is not about the mistakes that can derail a child, but about the joys of finding your way.” Focusing on your child and the positives in the situation can help you navigate complicated questions.

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Remember when you were a teenager? I do, and it wasn't pretty, both literally and metaphorically speaking. You look back on all the crazy things you did and marvel that you did them -- and that you occasionally got away with them!

In a blast from the past (and for those of you with teenage kids, a reminder of our present), I found these three interviews with UK teens on The Guardian online. I've included some choice quotes for you for you below, but if you'd like to read more click here.

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When a family has to change locations, at the top of the list for concerns for most parents is their children’s ability to make new friends and adjust to a new environment. They hold tight to the perceived benefits such as character building or even experiencing new cultures, but in the end it seems they can do more harm than good. A recent New York Times article reports that relocation during childhood can cause psychological damage that continues into adulthood.

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A new study has found that gaming for extended periods of time can cause children to have trouble concentrating in school. Although researchers have yet to pinpoint the reason why this is the case, the findings could raise a red flag for parents. 

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