Domestic Diversions

CNN/Parenting.com highlight 8 ways to focus on the positive and become a happier mom. Robert Barnett writes (excerpt): “Happiness is more than just that smiley feeling,” says Karen Reivich, Ph.D., a research associate in the Positive Psychology Center at the…

The New York Times shows us the “Three Ages of Woman: first Mary-Kate, then Britney, then Courtney.” Lawrence Downes writes (excerpt): What surprised me, though, was how completely parents of even younger girls seem to have gotten in step with…

It used to be that kids were seen, but not heard.  Now it seems that they are seen, heard, and sometimes in control.  Sure there are still “old school” parents and teachers wielding their power over the children like a…

The BBC reveals Tony Blair’s plan to bring in “Super-nannies” to try to improve parenting in high anti-social areas of England. The BBC notes (excerpt): [Child psychologists] will advise new parents – of children of all ages – and intervene…

Written on October 5, 2006 by Randy Flood Newsweek recently published (September 25, 2006) an article titled “Fighting over the Kids”.  This was an article describing the phenomenon of battered women loosing custody of their children due to batterers using…

Cox News Service explains how spoiled children need loving limits and consequences, not therapy. Gregory Ramey lists the signs of a spoiled child (excerpt): — Rarely shows appreciation or says “thank you.” — Doesn’t seem satisfied with whatever she gets.…

Ben Stein’s column in the New York Times notes the impact of the smallest gestures of love (excerpt): Now, I thought, the distance from Earth to the nearest of those stars is trillions of miles. Having been put on her…

I recently viewed a brilliant movie on racism. Crash presented the many faces of racism through the lens of a kaleidoscope exposing the nuances and variegations. It highlighted the “To Kill A Mockingbird�? type of racism. In one scene a…

The ABA Family Law Section newsletter features a portion of “Parenting After Divorce” (Impact Publishers, 2000), by Philip M. Stahl, Ph.D (excerpt): There are many things that parents argue about that aren’t so important. Some of this is related to…

The BBC shows how things have changed, according to a survey by Country Life magazine (excerpt): Editor Clive Aslet said: “The only point of parents’ races, in those days, was to embarrass the parents. “Nowadays, some parents have a highly…

USA Today interviews mom-celebrities and celebrity-moms about that delicate balance. Donna Freydkin writes (excerpt): Jenny McCarthy *** “He is my No. 1 priority. I turn down everything that will take me away from him for too long. I have turned…

The New York Times reports on the problem of moving our kids from teens to adults and the need to do something by 7th grade, but not too much. Eric Nagourney writes (excerpt): Children with the most distant [parent] relationships…

The Detroit News spotlights Oakland County’s efforts to help parents help their children cope with divorce. Jennifer Chambers’ article includes a sidebar with these tips from the SMILE Program (Start Making It Livable for Everyone): Parents should tell children about…

The New York Times tells us what a teenager really learned on the long drives to therapy. Michael Parker writes (excerpt): I don’t remember a thing about my psychiatrist except that he asked me questions, and as usual, my answers…

When I am out walking or running in my neighborhood, I marvel at the rare sightings of 11-15 year old children playing outside in some fashion. Playing games such as pick up basketball, hide-n-seek, or eeny-inny-over. Before you call me…

The New York Times sees children helping and asks when should volunteering and community service begin. David M. Herszenhorn writes (excerpt): Marvin W. Berkowitz, a developmental psychologist and professor of character education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, recommends that…

In any given school population, 25% of students are involved in bullying behavior either as a perpetrator or victim. Social scientists have determined that most school shooters were victims of bullying. 63% of students surveyed indicate that they would learn…

Recently, the ABA Family Law listserve generated a discussion of divorce resources for clients, couples and families. The books referenced included: Divorce is Not the End of the World: Zoe’s and Evan’s Coping Guide for Kids, by Zoe and Evan…

the father-daughter story of Karl Malone and Cheryl Ford