How do you feel about magazines airbrushing babies' photos?

children, parenting, models, supermodels, magazines, beauty, babies, moms, showfront

What do you think it takes to attain genuine family happiness?

Fri Nov 13, 2009 5:21 PM EST

By TODAYMoms

Leo Tolstoy wrote, "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." If happy families actually are alike, what is it that they're doing right? Have you personally found ways to achieve real family happiness and steer clear of chronic problems and n …

parenting, family, family-life, happiness, contentment

Should Michigan mom be prevented from baby-sitting kids?

Mon Sep 28, 2009 4:01 PM EDT

Lisa Snyder was ordered by the Michigan Department of Human Services to stop watching her friends' kids. Two of Snyder's friends would leave for work early, and had her watch their kids until the school bus came to pick them up.

parenting, parents, state, illegal, daycare, babysitting

687

Is choosing a home birth with a midwife worth the potential risk?

Fri Sep 11, 2009 11:34 AM EDT

A growing number of mothers are choosing to give birth at home, with no drugs and no doctors. Instead, they hire midwives. Home birth advocates say this method is actually healthier and safer because unnecessary drugs and C-sections are given to mothers in hospitals.

home-births, parenting, baby, drugs, doctors, hostpital, midwife

244

Should a 13-year-old girl be allowed to sail solo around world?

Tue Aug 25, 2009 4:44 PM EDT

By Laura Coffey

Laura Dekker, 13, wants to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world, and her parents think that's a great idea.

parenting, child-rearing, child, children, child-safety, sailing

Is the breast-feeding doll inappropriate?

Thu Aug 6, 2009 10:39 AM EDT

A Spanish company has created a new lifelike doll that that mimics breast-feeding. The doll, called Bebe Gloton, makes a sucking sound and comes with a bralike halter top with flowers to symbolize nipples.

doll, kids, breastfeeding, parenting, controversy

284

Is it fair for parents of obese kids to be accused of child neglect?

Thu Jul 23, 2009 4:56 PM EDT

Authorities said that a 555-pound South Carolina teen was at a "stage of critical health risk," and his mother has been accused of neglecting the 14-year-old's health. Do you think she's to blame for her son's obesity? Is this child neglect?

obesity, child, kid, neglect, parenting, health

Is it OK for kids to run around naked?

Thu Jul 23, 2009 4:08 PM EDT

For many parents, allowing a child to be at home without clothes on is perfectly natural. But for others, it's a source of discomfort. What do you think?

naked, kids, parenting, children, modesty

Is 'tobacco candy' dangerous?

Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:39 PM EDT

By Rina R

New on the market are dissolvable tobacco pellets that melt in your mouth like breath mints. Sold in shiny plastic cases, the products don't require users to chew or even spit.

health, parenting, children, smoking

Heard too many fart jokes? Share your kids' playground humor

Tue Jun 9, 2009 5:17 PM EDT

By Rina R

Whether it's sounds of flatulence or anything involving "butts," kids can get the giggles from the silliest things. So should parents see any real value in the pee-pee remark they've heard 18,000 times or the knock-knock joke that never ends? Some experts think they should.

parenting, children, health

What did you learn from your parents' marriage?

Wed May 20, 2009 5:29 PM EDT

By Rina R

Did your parents leave an impression on you that affected your future relationships? Are there lessons you gained from their marriage? Share your stories, tips and opinions.

marriage, divorce, behavior, health, relationships, parenting

Are moms under too much pressure to be perfect?

Wed May 20, 2009 9:41 AM EDT

In Ayelet Waldman's new book, "Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamaties and Occasional Moments of Grace," she looks at our cultural obsession with perfect parenting, the hysteria of competitive parenting, and more.

parenting, motherhood

Do you like having control in the home?

Tue May 5, 2009 8:24 AM EDT

USA TODAY's Sharon Jayson reports that there is a movement towards parity in households in America when it comes to sharing the workload.

parenting, workload, household

How has your mother influenced your body image?

Tue Apr 28, 2009 2:30 PM EDT

In her book, "You'd Be So Pretty If..." Dara Chadwick explains that the way girls formulate their body images growing up is due, in large part, to how their mothers felt about their own bodies.

parenting, body-image, mothers, girls, weight

Is it OK to discipline kids who aren't yours?

Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:01 PM EDT

A generation ago parents felt free to discipline other people's kids. Today? Not so much. Where do you stand?

discipline, parenting

If a mom can afford to stay home, should she?

Mon Apr 6, 2009 3:46 PM EDT

By Rina R

Is there a benefit to women staying at home? Are women sacrificing themselves for their husbands if they quit their jobs? Why aren't men asked to do the same? Would you or have you quit your job to support your husband? Tell us your thoughts!

motherhood, parenting, career, marriage, children

141

Is the optimal age for parenthood the same for men and women?

Fri Apr 3, 2009 5:33 PM EDT

A recent study has found that children born to older fathers may not be as smart as those born to younger dads. Could men someday feel the same urgency that women do to procreate? Do you think men have biological clocks?