Does Formal Education Make You Smarter?
There's an innate assumption in our society that formal education makes us smarter. Some recent research raises questions about this assumption and thus raises questions about what education should look like.
Guest Post: The “Secret Sauce” for Peaceful Communities
We let kids stay up late, hang out with whomever they want, and do whatever they want, as long as they aren’t harming themselves or others. So why don’t they “push the limits,” and harm one another? I’ll explain.
Toddler “Sleep Problems”: Should We Be Worried?
Recent research suggests that "sleep problems" at 18 months carry a higher risk for later emotional and behavioural problems. What can we take from this research? Is it valid? Does it support things like extinction sleep training?
Being a “Good Samaritan”: Kids in Cars
Parents are being arrested for running into the store for 5 minutes and deciding to leave their child in the car. Is this really the society we've become? Instead of looking out for the child, we call 911 and have the parent arrested?
Research Highlights Long-Term “Benefits” of Breastfeeding and Internet Goes Crazy
New research is out touting the long-term "benefits" of breastfeeding so of course the Internet explodes with people complaining. I thought I'd tackle some of those comments and concerns in this particular bit of research.
Sleep Training IS A Feminist Issue (Just Not in the Way You Think)
A piece is making the rounds claiming that sleep training is a feminist issue. I think it is too, just not the way the original author believes.
Risky Parenting
We are Risk Averse. We don't even like to acknowledge that we may make choices that increase the risk to our kids. But we all do it. And we need to own it.
Review: The Discontented Little Baby Book
A new parenting book is out by doctor and researcher Pamela Douglas (out of Australia). Not only is it a book all parents should read, but all practitioners too.
“I’m an overly-educated stay-at-home mom”
I was disheartened because her statement about being “overly-educated” implies that somehow being educated and being a stay-at-home parent is incompatible. I don’t know how much she herself feels that, but I know it’s a common view in our society.
That Similac Ad (You Know the One)
The new Similac ad has people praising it's "message". I disagreed and my reasons for disagreeing proved the point I was trying to make. Well done Similac, the media mommy wars have been perpetuated.