March 2014 - Motherlode - The Network of Care

How the ‘Trophy for Just Showing Up’ Is Earned

The participation trophy may be considered a sorry relic of the self-esteem movement. But to me, it represents a season of struggle. Read More...

Published Sun, Mar 02 2014 5:57 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Soccer, Divorce, Separations and Annulments, Highlights, Contests and Prizes

Raising, and Understanding, the Class Clown

Making people laugh makes my son feel good, and feeling good is better than feeling uncomfortable when you don't know what to do or how to do it. I know, because I do the same thing. Read More...

Published Wed, Mar 05 2014 2:16 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Highlights, Comedy and Humor

The Cleft-Lip Smile I Never Knew I’d Miss

I love the face my son was born with, cleft lip and palate and all. I'm certain we did the right thing by correcting it, but I ache as I miss his triangular "before" smile. Read More...

Published Sun, Mar 09 2014 6:21 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Disabilities, Pregnancy and Childbirth, Babies and Infants, Highlights, Cleft Palate, Smile Train

A Sister’s Love, Not Tempered By Expectations

A mother and filmmaker captures her daughter's unreserved love for a brother born with cerebral palsy. Read More...

Published Tue, Mar 11 2014 7:54 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: Highlights

‘Dragon Mother’ Emily Rapp: A New Baby Doesn’t, and Shouldn’t, Replace What’s Lost

I can live with the joy of new motherhood without losing the memory of loving my son for his three short years or the daily painful reminder that I will never see or hold him again. Read More...

Published Thu, Mar 13 2014 11:00 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Grief (Emotion), Love (Emotion), Highlights, Tay-Sachs Disease

Shouldn’t the *** Pump Be as Elegant as an iPhone and as Quiet as a Prius by Now?

That noise? It's the motor, not the suction, and a half-ton hybrid vehicle is quieter. And what product designer actually thought women wanted to see their nipples getting sucked into small tubes over and over again? Read More...

Published Sun, Mar 16 2014 5:54 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Breastfeeding, Babies and Infants, Highlights

The White House Pastry Chef Is Moving to a New Kitchen

Bill Yosses took the White House from the bottomless cookie plate to a granola bar without nuts, chocolate or white sugar. How does your family balance healthy eating and foods that are fun? Read More...

Published Tue, Mar 18 2014 12:43 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: Highlights, Yosses, Bill

Reader Questions, Answered: Returning to Work After a Career Break

Times readers ask career development experts for guidance on returning to the workforce after a break to care for children or aging parents. Read More...

Published Fri, Mar 21 2014 12:30 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: Careers and Professions, Highlights

Rejected From a Preschool, a Toddler Is Fine. Her Mother Is Getting There.

I know the New York City preschool application process we're going through is preposterous. That doesn't mean it's meaningless, or that rejection—of my child—doesn't hurt. Read More...

Published Tue, Mar 25 2014 7:54 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Children and Childhood, Education (Pre-School), Highlights, Preschool Admissions Diary

The Elaborate Replacement Teddy Bear Hoax

After my toddler's bear toppled out of the stroller, I found a replacement and staged the great Rainbow Home for Christmas Spectacular. My daughter wasn't fooled for a minute. Read More...

Published Fri, Mar 28 2014 6:38 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Christmas, toys, Highlights

It’s Harder to Age in Hollywood. Where Is It Harder to Raise Kids?

Hollywood makes going to extremes to maintain even the false illusion of a youthful face seem natural. Do some parts of the country push us to similar extremes when it comes to raising families? Read More...

Published Tue, Mar 04 2014 2:02 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Children and Childhood, Highlights, Novak, Kim

Like the Common Core? Then You’ll Like the New SAT

Both the Common Core standards and the changes to the SAT exam are based on good intentions. They're also riddled with hidden motivations and paths to unintended consequences, and that makes them hard to see clearly. Read More...

Published Thu, Mar 06 2014 12:41 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Colleges and Universities, Tests and Examinations, Highlights, Khan Academy, ACT (Examination), Educational Testing Service, SAT (College Admission Test), College Board, ACT, Inc, Coleman, David

Choosing a Preschool: Order Amid Chaos, or Structure Above All?

My husband and I sometimes found ourselves on opposite sides of questions around structure and child-rearing, and our emotional legacies accompanied us on every preschool visit. Would our daughter thrive amid chaos, or order — or either? Read More...

Published Tue, Mar 11 2014 9:25 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Children and Childhood, Education (Pre-School), Highlights, Preschool Admissions Diary

Homework’s Emotional Toll on Students and Families

Homework dominates the evening for many families, even those with young children. All that time hitting the books (and arguing about hitting the books) takes an emotional toll on parents and students. Read More...

Published Wed, Mar 12 2014 5:24 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: Homework, parenting, Research, Children and Childhood, Education (K-12), Families and Family Life, Highlights

Open Thread

Welcome to the NYT Motherlode's first open thread. Got thoughts about news and family this week? A question to ask? A rant to share? This is your place. Go. Read More...

Published Fri, Mar 14 2014 1:07 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Highlights

March 2014 - Motherlode

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