If you want to stay up-to-date on parenting issues, from imaginary friends to empty nest, from problems and questions that affect family size to costs of raising children and stereotypes linked to only children and much more, you’ll want to read Susan Newman’s Psychology Today blog. Below are a few examples of what you’ll find. There’s a new post every few weeks — sometimes more often. When visiting, sign up for the “Stay Updated” feed so you don’t miss any posts and be sure to express your opinions in the comment section after each article. Click on a title to read the post.
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- What States Have the Highest SAT Scores?
Before you read further, jot down the three states you believe have the highest average SAT scores. Most people's guesses are way off the mark.read more
- To Share or Not to Share? Depends…
Children as young as age three may know the “right way” to share yet they don’t always do so. New studies explain when and why they share…or don’t.read more
- Curbing Too-High Hopes for Children’s Success
Parents fantasize about their babies before they are born. As the fetus moves in the womb, parents make predictions. As your child ages, being proud is very different from living vicariously through your child. Are your hopes too high?read more
- 5 Steps to Prepare Your Toddler for College
A new study of college students pinpoints the negative effects of too much parental involvement in a child's life. Find the balance that will benefit your child from toddlerhood through the teen and college years and beyond.read more
- My Family Is Not a Second-Best Option
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, President Ronald Reagan, singer Marie Osmond, actor Hugh Jackman, basketball great Magic Johnson and Adam Pertman, author of Adoption Nation and this guest post, all have something in common: Their families are inferior. At least that is what John Eastman, chairman of the National Organization for Marriage, has sugge […]
- Boys to Men—What the Steubenville Trial Makes Clear
The two Steubenville, Ohio teenage football players tried for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old female during multiple end-of-summer parties are indicative of our male macho culture. We need a total re-education of boys who will become men.read more
- Why Some People Can't Stop Bragging
Science helps to explain why we brag so much. Or, is it just human nature to brag about ourselves or our children? read more
- How Close is Too Close in Mother-Daughter Relationships?
Most mothers want to be close to their daughters, but how close is too close? Is being a “Best Friend Forever” with a daughter a positive thing or a slippery slope that could compromise her development?read more
- Fueling Stereotypes — A Cautionary Tale
New information often compounds prevailing negative thinking and feeds stereotypes—unless you pay close attention. read more
- Born to Be Friends
How early friendships shape kids for years to come. read more
- No Romance, No Marriage, Just a Baby, Please
They hardly know each other, they may or may not end up living together, but he and she want a biological baby. These newly formed baby-making partnerships will be questioned, but there is logic to them.read more
- Sweethearts-in-Training: 15 Tips
Valentine’s Day is about much more than flowers and candy in heart-shaped boxes, especially if you have children. When you celebrate, factor in your sweethearts-in-training. Here’s how.read more
- Living with Parents: Stunted Development or Opportunity?
Are young adults living at home prolonging adolescence or building stronger bonds? Is this recession-driven trend here to stay?read more
- Being Practical about Having Babies
More women are stopping (by choice or circumstance) after one child. Does the steady drop in the birth rate, especially among immigrant women, mean we’re soon to be a one-child nation? And, will this trend toward one-child families continue after the recession? read more
- Hero Worship: Football’s Double-edged Sword
In leagues across the nation, football is quickly becoming the sport with a big question mark. On and off the field from Pee Wee to the pros: murder, suicide, rape, concussion, drug abuse and more…read more
- Should Young Women Freeze Their Young Eggs?
Young women question if they should plan for infertility and freeze their young eggs as a preventative measure. Should insurance cover the procedure? read more
- Can't Think of a Good Gift? Give a Bad One
If you're about to run out and pick up gift cards for those last hard-to-shop-for people on your list, you may want to consider trying to buy a bad gift instead. read more
- Introverts Are Not Failed Extroverts
Smashing the stigmas and stereotypes linked to introverts.read more
- Are You Unwittingly Spoiling Your Child?-Part II
American kids may be the most indulged in the world. Find out why you may be spoiling your child and what to do to reverse the “I have to have it” syndrome.read more
- Damage Control for the Spoiled Child—Part I
Two-thirds of parents believe their children are spoiled. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, you have opportunities to move a child from spoiled to appreciative and caring.read more
- 'Mommy, When Can We Get a Baby?'
Caught off-guard by your child’s wish for a sibling? Like most things in life whether you are a child or an adult, many of us want what we don’t or can’t have. How to have an honest, age-appropriate discussion.read more
- Why I Brainwashed My Son
Shortly after his sixth birthday, I told my son he could play any sport he wanted, but not football. Even the pros warn against allowing young boys to play the game.read more
- Should Young Men Freeze Their Young Sperm?
Men’s “guilt-free ride” in the reproductive department may be over. A new study finds that sperm age can have serious implications for baby.read more
- 5 Smart Solutions for the Mom-Career Tug of War
A Q&A with author Michelle Cove on what women can do to gain control of their lives and feel better about the juxtaposition of working and raising children.read more
- Why Women are Undercut in the Workplace
No matter how hard women try to forge equal footing with men in the workplace, ingrained cultural biases prevail even among scientists who are trained to be objective.read more
- Are 'Bath Salts' Just Hype?
“Bath Salts” you don’t sprinkle in the bathtub. Blue Silk, Bubbles, Red Dove, Zoom, Vanilla Sky, Bloom. Sound harmless, right? Wrong! read more
- Breastfeeding Is Not Free
Is breastfeeding truly best? A new study challenges the long-touted benefits of foregoing formula, claiming there are hidden costs to breastfeeding.read more
- The New Front in Baby-Making: Uterine Transplants
Two groundbreaking mother-to-daughter uterine transplants may open doors for women who can’t bear children. But, what does this mean for the future of motherhood?read more
- Childhood Obesity: Michelle Obama Doesn’t Finger-Point
Who is to blame for the epidemic of overweight children? Some point at working mothers; others at parents of only children. Thankfully, Michelle Obama isn’t finger-pointing at all. read more
- Why Have Kids?
Get ready to have your fantasies, beliefs, and perhaps your reality of motherhood challenged. Someone had to do it.read more