September 2014 - Motherlode - The Network of Care

Raising Teenagers: Protect When You Must, Permit When You Can

There’s not much we can do to rush neurological maturation along in our teens, but we can help kids practice their burgeoning skills of self-control as they emerge. Read More...

Published Thu, Sep 18 2014 11:02 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, brain, Teenagers and Adolescence, Parent-Teacher Conference, Steinberg, Laurence

Independence Referendum Is a Win for Scotland’s Children

With voter turnout expected to be around 80 percent and polls predicting a thin margin, a glaring message of the referendum has been that every vote counts. For children, that lesson is a victory in itself. Read More...

Published Wed, Sep 17 2014 9:36 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Children and Childhood, Great Britain, Highlights, Scotland, Referendums, European Union, Voting and Voters

A Surrogate and a Mother: Partners in Pregnancy Share Their Story

After cancer, Angela Salerni couldn’t bear a child — but she had frozen embryos. She needed a surrogate: Roshael Rose. It was a perfect match, but it still wasn’t easy. Read More...

Published Wed, Sep 17 2014 6:45 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Pregnancy and Childbirth, Babies and Infants, Surrogate Motherhood, Highlights

20 Years After ‘It’s Perfectly Normal,’ What’s Changed?

If you're looking to start a conversation about sexuality with your child, "It's Perfectly Normal," with its science-based, rigorously researched approach, makes for solid footing on which to begin. Read More...

Published Wed, Sep 17 2014 10:58 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: Sex, parenting, Pregnancy and Childbirth, Children and Childhood, Sex Crimes, Highlights, Homosexuality and Bisexuality, Harris, Robie H

To Aid Children’s Cancer Care, Mothers Go Bald

To raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer research, mothers shave their heads in solidarity with their cancer-affected children. Read More...

Published Tue, Sep 16 2014 2:03 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Cancer, Highlights, Smith, Ali

When the Honeymoon Is Over: Settling Into Real Life After a Move

After a few months of treating life in our new town like one big vacation, the reality of everyday life is catching up with us, and everyone — especially the kids — is a little testy. Read More...

Published Tue, Sep 16 2014 7:51 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Moving and Moving Industry, New In Town

Quandary Update: Yes to the Dog, Not Yet to the Baby

"Without some of the comments, I'm not sure we'd have Buddy now, and he's brought us so much happiness." Read More...

Published Mon, Sep 15 2014 8:19 AM by Motherlode

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

‘Just a Stepmother’ Sending a Son to College Without Tears

Being happy as my stepson leaves us for college isn’t a sign of a lack of connection or love. It's a sign of pride. Read More...

Published Sun, Sep 14 2014 5:36 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Divorce, Separations and Annulments, Families and Family Life, Highlights

The Mechanics of Homework

Right now, homework is feeling like an instrument of torture designed to destroy my relationship with my children. But we go through this every September. It will get better. Read More...

Published Fri, Sep 12 2014 6:52 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: Homework, parenting, Children and Childhood, Highlights

The End of a Week of Cooking, and a Weekend Plan

After a week of cooking, Friday is a night off before weekend meals and planning for next week. Read More...

Published Fri, Sep 12 2014 9:13 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Cooking and Cookbooks, Highlights, Recipes, Dinner: The Boot Camp, Rosenstrach, Jennifer Lee

When the Problem is Priorities, Don’t Blame Cooking

Family dinner isn't, and shouldn't be, something to get through. It's not a way station on the way to some goal. It is the goal, no matter what's on the table — and it ought to be within everyone's reach. Read More...

Published Thu, Sep 11 2014 9:27 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Families and Family Life, Working Hours, Cooking and Cookbooks, Highlights

Thursday Dinner, Faster Than Delivery

Salad Pizza: If you've got a ball of whole-wheat pizza dough, you can get dinner on the table faster than you could get it delivered. Read More...

Published Thu, Sep 11 2014 8:25 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Cooking and Cookbooks, Highlights, Dinner: The Boot Camp

A Slower-Paced, but Still Easy, Wednesday Meal

Last night's Sausage with Spinach and Bean Mash was easy and "therapeutic." Tonight, pouring sauce on chicken. Read More...

Published Wed, Sep 10 2014 9:28 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Cooking and Cookbooks, Dinner: The Boot Camp

Those ‘Mysterious Deadly Virus’ Headlines? Don’t Panic. Do Watch That Cold, and Wash Your Hands.

Strains of enterovirus circulate every year. This year, the number of children affected is high, but the symptoms themselves (fever and coughing) are consistent with the way this virus has behaved in the past. Read More...

Published Wed, Sep 10 2014 7:04 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Hygiene and Cleanliness, Highlights, Cleveland Clinic, Enterovirus 71, Colds

A Simple ‘Dump-It’ Meal for a Busy Tuesday

A dinner designed for a parent with more on his or her mind than “I wonder if rice wine vinegar or tarragon vinegar would be better here.” Read More...

Published Tue, Sep 09 2014 12:05 PM by Motherlode