December 2014 - Motherlode - The Network of Care

Why We Don’t Do the Naughty List

I understand why the naughty list helps some parents. But for my anxious daughter, it's the opposite of Christmas magic. Bless the mall Santa who understood that. Read More...

Published Fri, Dec 19 2014 9:03 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Christmas, Santa Claus, Highlights

Last-Minute Gifts: Monthly Box Subscriptions for Children and Teenagers

Maybe the perfect gift is one that arrives later, in the form of a monthly delivery of books, geek toys, craft supplies or more. Read More...

Published Mon, Dec 22 2014 11:06 AM by Motherlode

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

Blue-Haired Bingo in Footie Pajamas

There’s a common perception that with cancer in the house, the mood is all death and dying, gloom and doom. But there can be laughter and humor, too. Read More...

Published Thu, Dec 25 2014 2:27 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Cancer, Christmas, Death and Dying, Highlights

A Foster Teen’s Holiday and Uncertain Future

We have mentored a foster child through many "homes" and placements, and she has spent many holidays with us. This year, she's bonding (we hope) with a new family. Read More...

Published Sun, Dec 28 2014 5:39 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: foster care, Children and Childhood, Teenagers and Adolescence, Highlights, Los Angeles (Calif), Mentors

Charities That Inspire Kids: Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation

Their family needed Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation's help, but found that their work to find a donor for their son helped others as well, and inspires them still. Read More...

Published Tue, Dec 30 2014 8:41 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: Charities That Inspire Kids

Charities That Inspire Kids: The African Library Project

Two families describe the fun they've had working with the African Library Project, which works with donors to start school libraries in Africa. Read More...

Published Wed, Dec 31 2014 7:26 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Books and Literature, Philanthropy, Highlights, Libraries and Librarians, Volunteers and Community Service

Weekly Quandary: Would Santa Say ‘No’ to an iPad?

My 8-year-old boy/girl twins have decided they're only asking Santa for one item this year: an iPad. Each. I'm pretty sure Santa will say no. But should he? And how? Read More...

Published Mon, Dec 01 2014 7:56 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, advice, Christmas, iPad, Holidays and Special Occasions, Highlights, Tablet Computers

Giving Tuesday: Where Would Your Children Give?

We;re not much for planned dinner conversations, but tonight, each of our kids will present a charity they'd like to support for Giving Tuesday, and try to persuade the rest of the family to get on board. Read More...

Published Tue, Dec 02 2014 12:02 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Philanthropy, Lieber, Ron, Highlights

A Young Mother, Feeling Unwelcome on Campus

Just as ***-feeding is the best nutrition for my son, being a college-educated mom is one of the best things I can do for my son’s future. These facts go together in my mind, and in social science, yet they fail to come together on my campus. Read More...

Published Wed, Dec 03 2014 4:06 PM by Motherlode

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

Why I’m Glad We Chose the ‘Underprivileged’ Local School

Our school zone includes the best restaurants, coffee shops and brew pubs and some of the most jaw-dropping house prices in the city, and yet, for our pride in all things “local,” our little school has been neglected by the population it was meant to...

Published Thu, Dec 04 2014 1:58 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Children and Childhood, Education (K-12), Highlights

How Witnessing Violence Affects a Child, and How to Help

Sixty percent of children in the United States are exposed to violence, crime or abuse on an annual basis, according to a Department of Justice report. When I was attacked last year, my son became one of them. Read More...

Published Mon, Dec 08 2014 7:27 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Children and Childhood, Psychology and Psychologists, Highlights

‘Invest in Us,’ and Our Parents, Too

Helping low-income children is more politically appealing than helping their parents. But children rarely succeed unless their families have a chance too. Read More...

Published Wed, Dec 10 2014 12:00 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Children and Childhood, Education (Pre-School), Minimum Wage, Highlights, Head Start Program, Obama, Barack, Head Start

Racial Bias in Discipline: What If Your Child’s School Is Harder on Some Kids Than Others?

Black parents may want to believe that society has moved on from racial bias, but that belief can undermine their ability to advocate for their children. Read More...

Published Thu, Dec 11 2014 3:16 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Education (K-12), Race and Ethnicity, School Discipline (Students), Blacks, Highlights

Prenatal Testing: When a Result Is Not a Diagnosis

An investigative report found that doctors and patients are misinterpreting new prenatal tests and failing to understand how often a positive screen can be a false alarm. Read More...

Published Mon, Dec 15 2014 9:25 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Down syndrome, Pregnancy and Childbirth, Highlights, Tests (Medical), Greene, Michael, Amniocentesis, DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid), Center for Investigative Reporting

Pausing for Hanukkah While Everything Else Keeps Going

Celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas has made me aware of how much easier the outside world makes it to protect one tradition over the other. Read More...

Published Tue, Dec 16 2014 2:05 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Christmas, Hanukkah, Highlights

December 2014 - Motherlode

Syndication

Recent Posts

Tags

Archives