Research by UNLV communications expert Natalie Pennington finds that texts, video calls burdened the mental health of working moms during pandemic.
Tag: Parenting
UB expert: How parents can help teens navigate social media
How can families help children and teens navigate the ever-changing landscape of social media — especially when many of today’s parents and caregivers did not grow up with these technologies as central to their daily lives?
“Experienced” Mouse Mothers Tutor Other Females to Parent, Helped by Hormone Oxytocin
The best way to become a good mother just might be learning from an experienced one, if new research on female mice is any indication, according to a Rutgers researcher who filmed thousands of hours of interaction between female mice and found that mouse mothers are outstanding tutors.
How to Play with Your Children in Age-appropriate and Creative Ways When Schools Are Still Closed and Everyone Is Still Stuck at Home
The COVID-19 situation may have restricted people’s space, but not their imagination. A Chula lecturer has given recommendations to parents who need to spend more time at home on select social activities to enhance children’s development in a safe and age-appropriate way.
Helping Adults Navigate the Decision to Move Back in With Parents
A recent study offers insight into how adults can navigate the often awkward experience of moving back in with their parents.
Expert available to comment on effective food allergy communication
May is Food Allergy Awareness Month, and IUPUI’s Jennifer Bute is available to comment on effective strategies for parents to communicate about their child’s food allergies.
Married same-sex couples more likely to raise kids over cohabiting ones, according to new BGSU research
When it comes to same-sex couples raising children, married couples are more likely to be raising children than cohabiting ones, according to new research by Bowling Green State University.
Liquor during lockdown: 1 in 6 parents allowed teens to drink during quarantine
The overwhelmed pandemic parent has become a ubiquitous symbol of the stress and despair many have felt since COVID-19 spread widely.

Some parents do not plan to vaccinate their children, according to preliminary results from an IU study
More than a quarter of all U.S. parents say they do not intend to vaccinate their children against COVID-19, according to preliminary results from a study by Indiana University researchers.

Twin Study Shows Why Physical Punishment Leads to Child Behavior Problems
Harsh parenting practices, not genetics, are linked to higher levels of behavior problems in children, according to a new study in the March 2021 volume of Psychological Science, which studied pairs of twins whose parents disciplined them differently.
Over half of Chicago parents struggle at home during pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges to parenting for Chicago moms and dads as entire families live, work and attend school together at home, according to a survey from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
Innovative Parenting Programs Address Inequality in Young Children’s Development
Parent education programs and interventions that begin shortly after the birth of a child have shown to significantly impact parenting behaviors that support social and academic engagement for children growing up in poverty.

Studies highlight ‘unprecedented and unique dangers’ for children during COVID-19
Two new studies investigating child maltreatment during the COVID-19 pandemic reveal “concerning results” that confirm warning signs seen early in the pandemic, according to researchers at UAB and the University of Michigan.
Wives bore the brunt of child care during the shutdown
Traditional gendered patterns of child care persisted during the COVID-19 shutdown, with more than a third of couples relying on women to provide most or all of it.
Study shows conflict between divorced parents can lead to mental health problems in children
A study from Arizona State University’s REACH Institute has found that when children are exposed to conflict between their divorced or separated parents, they experience fear of abandonment. This worry about being abandoned in response to interparental conflict was associated with future mental health problems in children, especially for children who had strong relationships with their fathers.

A Force of Influence: Children as YouTube Stars
Benjamin Burroughs, an assistant professor of journalism and media studies at UNLV, examines the emergent digital media landscape where children are cultivated as child “influencers” and explores the ethical considerations of child-created content on social media sites like YouTube.
Engaged Dads Can Reduce Adolescent Behavioral Problems, Improve Well-Being
In low-income families, fathers who are engaged in their children’s lives can help to improve their mental health and behavior, according to a Rutgers University-New Brunswick study published in the journal Social Service Review.
Families may struggle to find new normal after deployment
New research from the University of Georgia suggests the stress caused by this reintegration can be challenging for not only the service member but their children as well, particularly their mental health.
Experience and Instinct: Both Count When Recognizing Infant Cries
Caregivers learn to decipher differences in newborn cries through a combination of hard-wired instincts and on-the-job experience, a new study in rodents shows.
Strict parenting may cause adolescents to act out
The next time you’re yelling at your defiant teen, you might consider that you may be doing more harm than good, according to new research from the University of Georgia.

U team offers daily tips for parenting, schooling and e-learning in a pandemic
The Behavior Response Support Team (BRST, pronounced “burst), a joint project of the University of Utah’s Department of Educational Psychology and the Granite School District, provides daily tips and teaches skills for managing kids’ behavior amid remote learning, in-person learning and general pandemic conditions. The animated videos, featuring avatars representing diverse children and families, are provided in seven languages and on five social media platforms.

People Who Experienced Parental Divorce as Children Have Lower ‘Love Hormone’ Levels than Those Who Did Not
People who were children when their parents were divorced showed lower levels of oxytocin — the so-called “love hormone” — when they were adults than those whose parents remained married, according to a study led by Baylor University. That lower level may play a role in having trouble forming attachments when they are grown.
Teens Who Think Their Parents Are Loving Are Less Likely to Be Cyberbullies
Adolescents who perceive their parents to be loving and supportive are less likely to engage in cyberbullying, according to a new study by researchers at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing.
Parents: Tips to reduce anxiety for kids returning to school
This fall presents a challenge for parents as their kids adjust to a school year unlike any other. Matthew McConn, chair of the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership at Binghamton University, State University of New York, has advice…
Children Notice Race Several Years Before Adults Want to Talk About It
Adults in the United States believe children should be almost 5 years old before talking with them about race, even though some infants are aware of race and preschoolers may have already developed racist beliefs, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs gives us a framework for parenting during a pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic turned our society on its head. One of the changes was a strange new reality where parents became school teachers overnight.

National Poll: Half of Parents Report Butting Heads with Child’s Grandparent Over Parenting
Nearly half of parents describe disagreements with one or more grandparent about parenting choices, with one in seven going so far as to limit the amount of time their child sees certain grandparents.
Expectant lesbian couples see benefits in lower prenatal testosterone levels
Among lesbian couples expecting their first child, low prenatal testosterone levels predict a higher quality of nurturing behavior, according to a new University of Michigan study.
How Can I Connect With My Kids? – McLean Hospital Webinar Series
Helping Parents Build Strong Relationships With Their Children Thursday, August 6 @ 11am EST Depending on age, relationship, and other circumstances, there may be times where you feel as if you’re light-years away from your kid. Despite trying to connect…
FREE McLean Hospital Webinar Series: Ask Me Anything About Teen & Child Mental Health
Dr. Lisa Coyne Answers Questions About Youth Mental Health June 25 @ 11am EST Mental health is an enormous component of overall health for both children and teens alike. The World Health Organization reports that across the globe, 10-20% of…
Role-play shows which expectant dads will thrive as new fathers
A five-minute role-play done with men before the birth of their first child predicted the quality of their parenting after the baby arrived, a new study showed.
Challenging yet positive parenting style benefits children’s development
When one talks about parenting, an image of the sensitive, caring mother—but not father—responding to a young child’s emotional needs often comes to mind.
Tips for discussing racism with your children
As protests pushing for police reform and racial justice spread across the U.S., parents may find themselves needing to discuss difficult topics with their children. Parents should think of it as an ongoing conversation, says Laura Bronstein, dean of the…

Pediatric sleep psychologist from @MottChildren on helping your kids overcome stress-related sleep disruption
Credentials: https://www.mottchildren.org/profile/1702/dawn-jeanette-dore-stites-phd Dr. Dore-Stites’ insight in this blog story: http://michmed.org/2GlmJ (text below) — While kids are watching their parents worry about the current pandemic and ongoing protests, many haven’t played outside with their friends yet even though school’s out, and they’re…
Study Pinpoints Top Sources of Empty Calories for Children and Teens
A new study of children and teens found that more than 25% of the calories they consume were considered empty.
APA Stress in America Report: High Stress Related to Coronavirus is the New Normal for Many Parents
Nearly half of parents of children under age 18 say their stress levels related to the coronavirus pandemic are high, with managing their kids’ online learning a significant source of stress for many, according to a new survey by the American Psychological Association.
Work-family balance upended by global pandemic
The striking parallels between Colonial America and Coronavirus America reveal the cyclical nature of work-family life, according to Professor Bahira Sherif Trask, who teaches courses on the history and diversity of American families at the University of Delaware.

For Mother’s Day, the gift of compassion: UW psychology professor on celebrating parenthood during a pandemic
Mother’s Day is often associated with iconic (if idealistic) images: fancy restaurant buffets, breakfast in bed, hand-drawn cards and colorful bouquets. Not on this list, of course, is the social isolation of a pandemic, which can make Sunday’s annual celebration…
Breastfeeding moms’ exposure to nicotine linked to infant skull defect
Lactating mothers who use e-cigarettes or nicotine replacement therapies may be putting their breastfed babies at risk for skull defects, a new study in animals suggests.

Parenting during COVID-19? FSU psychology researchers offer their advice
By: Anna Prentiss | Published: April 20, 2020 | 10:59 am | SHARE: While there is currently no hard data accessible to fully understand the effects COVID-19 has on young children, researchers from the Florida State University Department of Psychology feel that children seem to be coping, on average, quite well during this time.
Michigan Medicine launches weekly video series to support parents, families during COVID-19 pandemic
Michigan Medicine C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital is supporting families during the pandemic through a weekly video series called “Thrive With Your Family” that will address parents’ top questions. Episodes will be broadcast on Tuesdays at noon EST starting April 14 on the Mott Facebook page (@MottChildren) and the Michigan Medicine YouTube channel.
Study: Government policies push schools to prioritize creating better test-takers over better people
Personal growth and job skills have taken a backseat to an increased focus on standardized test scores in schools across the nation, according to new University at Buffalo-led research.

Another Unintended Consequence of COVID-19: Cyberbullying Could Increase
School districts nationwide are now providing K-12 education online. Stuck at home all day, students will be using apps even more than they already do, which could cause an increase in cyberbullying among youth. Many cyberbullying targets will hesitate to get help from their parents and will suffer silently because they can’t readily stop by the guidance counselor’s office or chat with a teacher after class. A cyberbullying expert provides important tips and advice for teachers and parents.

Understanding How COVID-19 Affects Children Vital to Slowing Pandemic, Doctors Say
Though COVID-19 so far appears to be largely sparing children, researchers are cautioning that it is critical to understand how the virus affects kids to model the pandemic accurately, limit the disease’s spread and ensure the youngest patients get the care they need.
Parents shouldn’t feel they have to be teachers, too
In the wake of COVID-19, children across the country were sent home from school, many with suggested assignments and learning activities. The last thing parents should do is stress themselves about making their child complete all of these school assignments,
‘Breastfeeding Gap’ Exists Among Mexican-Origin Women Living in Texas
Mexican women born and educated in Mexico who now live in Texas breastfeed longer than those born and educated in the United States. That’s the finding from new research from the Texas Policy Evaluation Project (TxPEP) at The University of Texas at Austin, which points to a “breastfeeding gap” among some Mexican-origin women living in Texas.
Creating a new normal for kids during the uncertainties of COVID-19
The list of schools canceling classes indefinitely is growing, and day-to-day life has been disrupted like never before – all because of increased social distancing measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. This lack of routine, coupled with the fear of an unknown illness, can be overwhelming for children. A pediatric psychologist with the Children’s Learning Institute at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) explains what parents can do to maintain a sense of normalcy for their children during this time.

Psychologist available to discuss talking to kids about COVID-19
The coronavirus pandemic is disrupting the daily routines of people across the globe, and the changes can be especially hard on children. With many schools temporarily closed in an effort to reduce the risk of community spread, kids may have…
Rutgers Education Expert Available to Discuss Remote Learning
Rutgers Graduate School of Education Professor Alisa Belzer is available to discuss remote learning, in use by many K-12 schools, colleges and universities due to concerns about COVID-19. She teaches fully online courses to graduate students and studies learner experience. “When it…
Rutgers Scholar Available to Discuss Children’s Screen Time During COVID-19
Rutgers scholar Dafna Lemish, author of Children and Media: A Global Perspective, is available to discuss how families should handle children’s screen time during school closures related to COVID19. “With schools closing and moving to remote learning amidst COVID-19, children…