Should high school start later than other grades to better accommodate teens' natural sleep patterns? Research has shown that most teens get 25-33 percent less sleep than they need and are likely to be chronically sleep deprived. Some say that during puberty, teens' circadian sleep rhythms change, which makes it difficult for them to fall asleep early. However, because of school schedules, they still have to wake up quite early, and thus fall into a vicious sleep cycle that often results in them sleeping away most of the day on weekends. Some high schools that have pushed back start times to respond to teens' sleep needs have seen dramatic improvements in SAT scores as a result. Maybe they're not just being lazy after all.
It seems like nobody wants to call a spade a spade anymore or a grandmother, Grandma. As more Baby Boomers become grandparents, they are increasingly rejecting traditional titles like Grandma and Grandpa, which carry images of blue-haired sweetness, in favor of names that convey their still youthful exuberance. They might qualify for Social Security but they don't want anyone to think of them as old. Goldie Hawn may be able to pull of Glam-ma, but most are opting for names like Nana or titles that give nod to their ethnic heritage. What do your kids call their grandparents?
Are kids' early childhood memories like tiny bubbles? No, not a cheesy Hawaiian lounge act, but bits and pieces of memories that float in and out of their young minds. New research suggests that early childhood memories come and go for kids until they reach the age of 10, when they are left with the fragmented memories adults have of their early years. At 10 years of age, memories tend to crystallize and people are likely to clearly recall things that happened from that point forward.
Pink and blue, so many just don't like you. Many parents aim to raise their children in a gender-neutral way, allowing kids to select the colors, toys and games that appeal to them as individuals, rather than trying to conform kids to society's expectations. Some are now even going so far as to not find out the sex of their baby before it's born to avoid the inevitable gender-based gifts they might otherwise receive at showers.
If you live in Illinois and your kids are chubby, you better start saving your pennies, because you might get taxed for those extra pounds your kids are carrying around. One state lawmaker recently made a comment suggesting that the parents of obese children be denied the tax deduction parents get for each child. The senator also added: "In poorer families, they actually get money for their kids. I'd take that money away." He now says he intended his remark as a joke, but not everyone's buying it.
Dana Macario is a TODAY Moms contributor and Seattle mom to two sleep-depriving toddlers. She is currently developing an alarm clock that will start an IV coffee drip 10 minutes prior to wake-up time. Once properly caffeinated, she also blogs at www.18years2life.com.