I am throwing down a challenge. In the next week, every time you see a child you don't know? Find a compliment that has nothing to do with what she's wearing or how he looks. Don't compliment curly hair, or sparkly shoes, or a cool shirt.

Why? Why am...

At your child's physical each year, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that I ask you how much screen time your child uses each day. Then, I should recommend that your child (over the age of 2) have no more than two hours of those activities in any...

One of the more recent additions to the themes at this time of year is "Giving Back." It's important to have an "Attitude of Gratitude" and remember the "Reason for the Season." This is all lovely, but you know what people really hear? "Here's more pressure" and "Put something else...

There are lots of posts out there about how old kids should be before they get a cell phone. Even more parents weigh in about smartphones and when those are "necessary" or even reasonable. But I would not have said "Wait until they're 18" until yesterday.

In this election season, a lot is made of entitlement programs. What an over-simplification of a complex social issue! Unfortunately, I can't fix that. "Dammit Jim, I'm a doctor, not a political analyst!"

You know what we can fix, though, with one...

In a very unscientific study of Amazon's book pages, there are at least 13 books being published just in the second half of this year telling me how to raise happy kids. I could make them as happy as French...

Dear BSA,

I want to thank you for your clear position on gay kids and adults.

You see, I have been feeling really guilty. My two eldest sons got involved in our local chapter last year, and they enjoyed the experience. From collecting soup cans to the camping...

I'm not talking about cyber safety here, people. I'm talking about parenting. There are three reasons that I genuinely wish there was no such thing as overnight camps posting pictures of kids online during the camp session.

1. They're fine (or not).
Paul Reiser (of Mad About...

We should.

It's a loaded word, I know. "Obey" conjures up everything from misogynistic wedding vows to corporal punishment at the hands of sadists masquerading as educators. When I say "obey," you might hear "subjugated" or "oppressed."

Let's check in with

Over the past couple of weeks, I've asked moms on Facebook what they wanted or expected for Mother's Day. Oy, the lukewarm responses I got! "Just a day to myself would be nice." "A day with the kids." "I don't know, my kids will probably do something... maybe."...

Here is the truth: A man opened fire at a bus stop for a Jewish school in France, and then went inside the school to keep killing.

I am a mom who answers questions with the truth. "Where do babies come from?" "Where will the...

As you've likely heard, Rush Limbaugh said some really offensive stuff last week about a woman wanting to appear before Congress to discuss the necessity of birth control. This is pretty typical behavior for Mr. Limbaugh, but he clearly went too far this time, causing at least seven...

We are, I think, only the second generation of parents who do not honor warriors.

For centuries children played at war, at fighting, at hunting. Boys mostly, but girls as well (ever read "Little House on the Prairie"?). Parents didn't...

Valentine's Day can teach kids beautiful messages about taking time to appreciate those we love. This is a day that can make them feel cherished. Kids can learn how good it feels to make someone else feel great -- we can reinforce...

Curse words, hearing loss, sleep deprivation, a lesson in burping the alphabet from Uncle Joey, sure. But, also, lessons in sportsmanship, perseverance and loyalty.

Some parents avoid professional sports so that their children will not get caught up in that...

Why do we as parents do so much for our kids? Because we can, I think. We are not, most of us, plowing or harvesting from sunup til sundown. There are magic boxes in our home that scrub the wash, wash...

Even though we are all excellent drivers, we know that everyone else on the road is a moron, and we want to protect our kids from danger....

My kids will tell you that my husband and I care more about our dogs than we do about our boys.

This is patently false. Their argument, however, is that we take the dogs to the doctor when they're sick, but the...

Ladies, ever been referred to as your husband's ball and chain? Hilarious! The whole group chuckles. It doesn't bug you, much. Inside, though, you're wishing that your husband would stand up, look at his beer-guzzling, living-in-his-parents-basement Neanderthal friend (or brother) and say...

I do not want to argue about the war in Iraq. Was it necessary, was it useful, was it just or ethical? I believe it was, but that is not what's important this week.

Do you support the...