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Playtime

This Two Person Tornado of Creativity Is Bringing Pinball to the Masses

Learn about The Cardboard Tek Instantute, bringing Pinball to the masses with a table-top system made of precision cut cardboard and customizable play boards.

Parenthood boy in pool oh his back holding a floatie

?7 Reasons I Hate Summer

Another summer, another year, another collection of days caught like fireflies in a jar and let go again. It’s nothing we planned. It’s everything we hope for. Light slanting, days shifting, circad...

Parenthood boy peaking holding a pillow looking at his plastic toys

Helping Your Child Develop Resiliency Through Healthy Social Interest

The healthiest human beings are those with the highest social interest. If we want to ensure that our children are emotionally healthy, we must raise them in a home where parents demonstrate social...

Parenthood mom with sone looking at a computer

Parents on Social Media: Pew Research Findings 

According to a new study by Pew Research Center, 75% of parents use social media and while mothers may be more engaged, both tend to lean on their online networks for parenting advice. Read t...

Parenthood baby boy putting his hand in a small water fountain

Motherhood: Another Country

I can’t think of any photos of just me since my son was born. I can’t think of any at all. I take pictures of Robin and I together, a duo framed. We look straight into the sun. We show our hands to...

Learning many people playing with their kids in white balls

5 links to share with your curious kids (week of 7/17/15)

Share awesome, fun links with your kids curated by Today Box. Today Box curates fun and educational facts, videos, photos and jokes for curious kids, parents and educators. View past Internet Field...

Wellbeing two people working on their computers with cell phones notebooks and a cat

8 Situations You Might Count as Dates

My husband I have 9 or ten dates per year—tops. Unless you count the following. Which I sometimes do—and so might you.

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Apps for Parents who are Hooked on Their Phones- The New York Times

"Given how quickly cellphones have taken over our lives, it’s easy to forget that they are still a relatively new technology. The first iPhone came out eight years ago, and today a little more tha...

Parenthood flower with clear ski in the background

5 New Affirmations for Parents

All parents need a little positive thinking and self-empowerment about the excruciating, uh, beautiful job of parenting. Here are some quotes that sum it up.

Wellbeing girl sitting on a rug looking at phone with earphone on

Understanding the Science About Kids and Screens

Some say that technology is destroying childhood. Others say it doesn't matter at all. Both sides cherry pick and misuse research to make their case.

Parenthood young girl holding a pink teddy bear

The easy guide to explaining truly scary geopolitical events to your kids without freaking them out

We have long debated how much our children should actually know about the world around them, including the unpleasant stuff—Islamic State, Charleston, and so on. It seems time for a broader set of...

Parenthood girl setting on white couch with looking at a tablet

Take This Quick Survey About Screen Time and Kids

We're asking real parents to share their family tech habits in this 60-second survey. We'll publish results on July 17.

Parenthood boy with hands folded on desk while adult is pointing at him

7 Habits of Highly Ineffective Parents

"Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" translated into less-than-steller parenting moments that we’re all guilty of.

Wellbeing silhouette of a young and older person looking at a screen all a cartoon

Alarmism is Taking a Toll on Dialogue About Screen Time and Kids

It's easy to feel alarmist about screen time and kids, especially with headlines feeding the alarm. But most of us agree more than disagree on this topic. Let's use our common ground to engage in c...

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Best links of the week

Heading to the beach this weekend? The ultimate list of sun, surf, and sand gear from The Wirecutter has some suggestions we're totally coveting. This cartoon of Frida Kahlo's Strange Like Me quote...

Parenthood black white brown hands touching each other go team with watercolors

See Your Children Leading Healthy Lives? Research Suggests Parents Should Look Harder. - The New York Times

As a parent, it's likely that your number one concern is your child's health. But recent studies suggest that perhaps we're seeing what we want to see when it comes to the lives they're actually l...

Inspiration woman on blanket  with toes in the sun

A Lazy Parent’s Guide to Summer

It’s summer: the days are long but I don’t want spend any of those extra hours chopping or washing stuff. So I have a whole different set of summer rules.

Playtime old boom box with cassette player

Do Not Call Them Oldies

I have vivid childhood memories of protesting road trip soundtracks from the back seat. Though my sister and I were usually just one "she's on my side!" away from purposefully getting carsick in th...

Wellbeing man woman children shadow on pavement

Why Childhood Memories Disappear - The Atlantic

“People used to think that the reason that we didn’t have early memories was because children didn’t have a memory system or they were unable to remember things, but it turns out that’s not the ca...

Why Can’t We Fall Asleep? - The New Yorker

"Our genes haven’t really changed in the past century. Genetic predisposition can’t explain why so many of us have started to have more trouble falling asleep. The vast majority of the story has t...

Parenthood the 9 circles of parenting hell cartoon

The 9 Circles of Parenting Hell, Illustrated

Limbo. Hoarding. Wrath. Scabies. Just a few of the nine circles of parenting hell, illustrated by Sarah Woodard.

Cool, Unique Ways Cities Are Encouraging Play | A new way to play | Toca Boca

It's simple. Kids need to play. And it's not all fun and games. The truth is, play allows kids to develop healthy lifestyles, both physically and emotionally. Despite the importance of play, it is...

Learning man and women looking at a computer on a desk

Can we rely on the internet to teach our children?

According to Rob Huntington, There are limits to what digital learning technology can do for our kids. "Students who receive individualized instruction typically perform two standard deviations bet...

Learning cartoon hippopotamus with a hat and a bird on its back

The (Unofficial) Children’s Book Animal Kingdom Power Rankings

Armadillos get no respect in children's books; they're at the bottom of the fictional food chain. Where do all the other animals rank? Glad you asked.