http://www.mail.com/subjects/12082-parenting.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.20/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/subjects/12082-parenting.html http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1762098-data-child-abuse-drops-5th-straight-year.html NEW YORK (AP) — Reports of child abuse and neglect have dropped nationwide for the fifth consecutive year, and abuse-related child fatalities also are at a five-year low, according to new federal statistics. The latest annual report from the Department of Health and Human Services, released Wednesday, estimates that there were 681,000 cases of child abuse... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:56:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1762098-data-child-abuse-drops-5th-straight-year.html 2012-12-12T18:56:00Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/music/1761522-wiz-khalifa-readies-music-marriage-fatherhood.html ATLANTA (AP) — Rapper Wiz Khalifa says preparation for becoming a first-time father and husband has helped put him in a more mature musical state of mind. But that doesn't mean Khalifa will refrain from his weed-smoking, rock star-like ways. "I'm at a different point in my life," said Khalifa, whose sophomore album, "O.N.I.F.C.," debuted at No. 2 on Billb... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 16:23:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/music/1761522-wiz-khalifa-readies-music-marriage-fatherhood.html 2012-12-12T16:23:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/1758560-there-arose-clatter-pipe-free-santa.html NEW YORK (AP) — Santa has kicked the habit in time for Christmas. No, not the sugar plum habit, or his fur-wearing habit, or his penchant for romping recklessly around open flame. No, gentlepeople, this is the year the man in red gave up pipe tobacco, at least in a new book version of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" that has received attention from some... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 16:29:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/1758560-there-arose-clatter-pipe-free-santa.html 2012-12-11T16:29:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1755970-government-investigating-makers-cellphone-apps.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The government is investigating whether software companies that make cellphone apps violated the privacy rights of children by quietly collecting personal information from mobile devices and sharing it with advertisers and data brokers, the Federal Trade Commission said Monday. Such apps can capture a child's physical location, phone numbers of their friend... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 00:08:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1755970-government-investigating-makers-cellphone-apps.html 2012-12-11T00:08:00Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1751486-nj-teen-wants-easy-bake-oven-to-appeal-to-boys.html PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Four-year-old Gavyn Boscio loves to cook and asked for an Easy-Bake Oven for Christmas. But when his big sister went to buy one, she discovered to her disappointment that it comes only in girly pink and purple, with girls — and only girls — on the box and in the commercials. So the eighth-grader from Garfield, N.J., started an onli... Fri, 07 Dec 2012 21:01:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1751486-nj-teen-wants-easy-bake-oven-to-appeal-to-boys.html 2012-12-07T21:01:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1743876-amazon-launches-kindle-content-service-kids.html NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon is launching a subscription service for children's games, videos and books aimed at getting more kids to use its Kindle Fire tablet devices. Amazon.com Inc. announced Wednesday that the Kindle FreeTime Unlimited service will be available in the next few weeks as part of an automatic software update. Amazon said subscribers will have... Wed, 05 Dec 2012 20:44:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1743876-amazon-launches-kindle-content-service-kids.html 2012-12-05T20:44:00Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/celebrity/1732616-mayim-bialik-files-to-9-year-marriage-la.html LOS ANGELES (AP) — Court records show Mayim Bialik filed for divorce from her husband of nine years on the same day she announced the couple's split in a blog post. She cited irreconcilable differences with husband Michael Stone in the documents filed Nov. 21 in Los Angeles. Bialik currently stars on the CBS comedy "The Big Bang Theory" and rose to fame a... Thu, 29 Nov 2012 23:42:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/celebrity/1732616-mayim-bialik-files-to-9-year-marriage-la.html 2012-11-29T23:42:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1728832-awareness-enforcement-help-reduce-child-sex-abuse.html NEW YORK (AP) — Increased public awareness of how child predators operate, along with better law enforcement and policies to protect children, may be helping to reduce child sex abuse despite this year's headlines about cases connected to institutions like Penn State, the Boy Scouts and the BBC. A recent report from the University of New Hampshire's Crime... Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:32:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1728832-awareness-enforcement-help-reduce-child-sex-abuse.html 2012-11-28T16:32:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/1723320-bounce-houses-party-hit-kids-injuries-soar.html CHICAGO (AP) — They may be a big hit at kids' birthday parties, but inflatable bounce houses can be dangerous, with the number of injuries soaring in recent years, a nationwide study found. Kids often crowd into bounce houses, and jumping up and down can send other children flying into the air, too. The numbers suggest 30 U.S. children a day are treated i... Mon, 26 Nov 2012 15:32:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/1723320-bounce-houses-party-hit-kids-injuries-soar.html 2012-11-26T15:32:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/1723272-disabled-parents-face-bias-loss-kids-report.html Millions of Americans with disabilities have gained innumerable rights and opportunities since Congress passed landmark legislation on their behalf in 1990. And yet advocates say barriers and bias still abound when it comes to one basic human right: To be a parent. A Kansas City, Mo., couple had their daughter taken into custody by the state two days afte... Mon, 26 Nov 2012 05:37:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/1723272-disabled-parents-face-bias-loss-kids-report.html 2012-11-26T05:37:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1718650-to-parents-youth-sports-athletic-arms-race.html Shawn Worthy admits he's a competitive guy — and a competitive parent, sometimes. Yet even he was floored when a couple of moms he met at a pro junior golf tournament told him that their teen daughters would be entered in 30 such events this past summer. "Why are these young ladies out on the golf course playing competitively four or five days a week?" Wo... Thu, 22 Nov 2012 15:03:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1718650-to-parents-youth-sports-athletic-arms-race.html 2012-11-22T15:03:00Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/celebrity/1717582-blossom-star-bialik-divorcing-husband-9-years.html LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mayim Bialik is splitting from her husband of nine years. The 36-year-old actress says in a statement posted online Wednesday that she and husband Michael Stone have decided to divorce. The couple has two young sons. Bialik recently released a book about attachment parenting, but says the philosophy that encourages forming close bonds w... Wed, 21 Nov 2012 22:09:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/celebrity/1717582-blossom-star-bialik-divorcing-husband-9-years.html 2012-11-21T22:09:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1714310-book-explores-space-disability-identity.html NEW YORK (AP) — Gay, dyslexic and the survivor of near-death depression, writer Andrew Solomon has been acutely aware of his differences for most of his 49 years. Palpable discomfort from his wealthy, Upper East Side parents over his sexuality, relentless bullying on the bus of his fancy private school — he never realized exactly how his differences conne... Tue, 20 Nov 2012 17:16:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1714310-book-explores-space-disability-identity.html 2012-11-20T17:16:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1708084-anti-gay-marriage-marchers-take-to-french-streets.html PARIS (AP) — Groups opposed to President Francois Hollande's plans to legalize gay marriage and gay adoptions took to the streets Saturday across France. Hollande said he would enact his "marriage for everyone" plan within a year of coming to power in May, but vocal opposition from religious leaders, some politicians and parts of rural France has divided ... Sat, 17 Nov 2012 18:41:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1708084-anti-gay-marriage-marchers-take-to-french-streets.html 2012-11-17T18:41:00Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1701868-star-wars-figures-dominoes-toy-hall-fame.html ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia outmuscled little green army men for a spot in the National Toy Hall of Fame. "Star Wars" action figures join centuries-old dominoes in the class of 2012, which was announced by the Rochester hall Thursday. A national selection committee chose them from among 12 finalists, plucking the most ancient a... Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:50:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1701868-star-wars-figures-dominoes-toy-hall-fame.html 2012-11-15T18:50:00Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/celebrity/1700152-questions-elmo-young-fans-wont.html NEW YORK (AP) — First, Big Bird became an unwitting player in a presidential debate that argued for clipping his wings. Then came word that the actor who plays Elmo would take a leave of absence amid an allegation that he had had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old boy — an accusation that was withdrawn the next day. The happy ban... Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:09:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/celebrity/1700152-questions-elmo-young-fans-wont.html 2012-11-14T17:09:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1699358-survey-families-odds-financial-planning.html BOSTON (AP) — Thanksgiving could be an opportune time to talk turkey about family finances, rather than merely eat the bird and prepare for the next big holiday. A detailed discussion could prove to be worthwhile, given the strong likelihood that older parents and their adult children have conflicting expectations about issues such as elder care, retirement security and inhe... Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:23:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1699358-survey-families-odds-financial-planning.html 2012-11-14T11:23:00Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1697908-good-housekeeping-picks-top-toys-holidays.html NEW YORK (AP) — Not all the testers for Good Housekeeping's annual Best Toys list wear lab coats. Some are barely out of diapers. For its 2012 list, engineers reviewed hundreds of toys for safety and educational merits. But the true test comes from 140 kids, ages 3 to 13, who play with the top 135 new toys at the magazine's product-testing laboratory in N... Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:52:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1697908-good-housekeeping-picks-top-toys-holidays.html 2012-11-13T18:52:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/1687598-breastfeeding-baby-doll-creepy-groundbreaking.html NEW YORK (AP) — We've got dolls that wet, crawl and talk. We've got dolls with perfect hourglass figures. We've got dolls with swagger. And we've got plenty that come with itty bitty baby bottles. But it's a breastfeeding doll whose suckling sounds are prompted by sensors sewn into a halter top at the nipples of little girls that caught some flak after hi... Fri, 09 Nov 2012 03:12:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/1687598-breastfeeding-baby-doll-creepy-groundbreaking.html 2012-11-09T03:12:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1679312-questions-answers-gay-marriage-adoption.html France's government is introducing a bill this week that would let homosexual couples marry and adopt children. Such a law would make France the 12th country to legalize gay marriage, and the biggest country — both in population and economy — to do so. Q: WHAT COUNTRIES HAVE LEGALIZED GAY MARRIAGE? A: The Netherlands (2001); Belgium (2003); Spain and Cana... Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:39:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1679312-questions-answers-gay-marriage-adoption.html 2012-11-05T15:39:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1678476-i-do-opposition-dogs-french-gay-marriage-plans.html PARIS (AP) — A plan to legalize same-sex marriage and allow gay couples to adopt was a liberal cornerstone of Francois Hollande's election manifesto earlier this year. It looked like a shoo-in for the French President, supported by a majority of the country, and an easy way to break with his conservative predecessor. But that was then. Now, as the Sociali... Mon, 05 Nov 2012 14:33:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1678476-i-do-opposition-dogs-french-gay-marriage-plans.html 2012-11-05T14:33:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1673130-s-korean-candidate-late-dictator-dads-shadow.html SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Carrying a bouquet of flowers, South Korean presidential candidate Park Geun-hye stepped forward to honor one of the martyrs in her country's long struggle for democracy. A protester threw himself at her feet. "How dare you come here?" the man shouted, sitting between Park and a statue of activist Chun Tae-il. Chun's 1970 labor p... Fri, 02 Nov 2012 07:40:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1673130-s-korean-candidate-late-dictator-dads-shadow.html 2012-11-02T07:40:00Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/celebrity/1656118-tv-series-open-adoption-sides.html NEW YORK (AP) — Pregnant at 18, a high school dropout, Genavieve Diggs knew she wasn't equipped to raise a child, but after surrendering her newborn for adoption, she nearly changed her mind. Under state law in Connecticut, where she lives, Diggs had 30 days to make sure the adoption was what she wanted. Such post-birth waiting periods are common in the p... Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:46:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/celebrity/1656118-tv-series-open-adoption-sides.html 2012-10-25T15:46:00Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1653054-tiny-zombies-halloweens-goriest-extra-small.html Prepare yourself this Halloween for a procession of pint-sized trick-or-treaters like none you've encountered before. If the companies that gamble on offering the right mix of costumes are correct, visitors to your doorstep will include a grisly array of waist-high killer clowns brandishing blood-soaked machetes, deranged convicts and zombie ninjas armed with knives. ... Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:51:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1653054-tiny-zombies-halloweens-goriest-extra-small.html 2012-10-24T14:51:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1640406-3-notre-dame-backs-share-ball-brothers.html SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Notre Dame's running back situation has all the ingredients for a rancorous relationship — even an occasional face slap. There are three talented players: Cierre Wood, whose 1,102 yards rushing last season was the 10th best in Irish history; Theo Riddick, a receiver the past two seasons who returned to his natural running back posi... Thu, 18 Oct 2012 19:25:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1640406-3-notre-dame-backs-share-ball-brothers.html 2012-10-18T19:25:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1638844-belfast-judge-gay-unmarried-couples-adopt.html BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — Unmarried and same-sex couples in Northern Ireland should be allowed to adopt children, a Belfast judge ruled Thursday, rejecting a 1987 adoption law that discriminates against both groups. Gay rights activists praised the ruling in favor of a lawsuit pursued by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. But Health Mini... Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:11:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1638844-belfast-judge-gay-unmarried-couples-adopt.html 2012-10-18T15:11:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1634160-halloween-risks-cars-sports-not-tainted-candy.html NEW YORK (AP) — Hey mom and dad: Halloween's not really all that scary — except when it comes to traffic safety. Despite warnings about tainted candy, candle fires and even child abductions, real Halloween headlines are rarely about any of those things. Instead, tragedies related to the holiday typically involve trick-or-treaters hit by cars. Fortunately ... Tue, 16 Oct 2012 20:23:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1634160-halloween-risks-cars-sports-not-tainted-candy.html 2012-10-16T20:23:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1599660-yahoo-ceo-adds-motherhood-to-list-challenges.html SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer gave birth to a boy late Sunday, adding motherhood to her challenges as she tries to steer the struggling Internet company in a new direction. The birth came a week ahead of the Oct. 7 due date that Mayer shared with the public in July. She announced her pregnancy on her social networking accounts just a few ho... Mon, 01 Oct 2012 22:35:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1599660-yahoo-ceo-adds-motherhood-to-list-challenges.html 2012-10-01T22:35:00Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1599774-book-battles-tiger-mom-syndrome-with-laughs.html NEW YORK (AP) — One mom lured her daughter to bed — at age 8 — with a trail of chocolate chips up her townhouse stairs. Another found herself on the floor of a plane screaming "Save the Jelly Bellys!" They spilled as she fed them to her preschooler to fend off in-flight earache meltdowns. A third mom who avoids sweets and high fructose corn syrup like the... Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:12:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1599774-book-battles-tiger-mom-syndrome-with-laughs.html 2012-10-01T14:12:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1594944-colleges-try-fixes-to-recurring-remedial-rut.html WEST PLAINS, Mo. (AP) — After leaving high school as a teen mother, Ashley McCullough is back on track to receive a two-year degree and work as a respiratory therapist. But she first had to conquer a remedial math class and its core lessons on addition, subtraction, multiplication and division — the same basic skills her now 6-year-old daughter will soon start to learn in el... Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:39:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1594944-colleges-try-fixes-to-recurring-remedial-rut.html 2012-09-28T17:39:00Z