Parental Leave for the Teen Years

Here's a Yahoo article about taking parental leave when your kids are teenagers. This piece highlights a study showing the positive impact engaged time both parents had with their kids during adolescence, but I think there's something to be said for engaged time with kids of all ages. Engaged time is what it sounds like, time when parents are directly engaged with their children. 

Far too often, I find myself pulled in various directions. There is a benefit to accessible time where you are present, but doing something else. However, I'm letting this serve as a reminder to set aside work, household chores, even phones/tech toys (put them in another room!) to get on my child's level and play more often than ever. If we reinforce these connections while they're young, it might make it easier to navigate the tween/teen years ahead. I hope. 

I'm filing this one away, so I can reference it again when needed. You may find it interesting too. 

https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/the-case-for-taking-parental-leave-when-your-kids-115682208970.html?soc_src=mags&soc_trk=copy

Michigan Disaster Plans for Schools, Daycare Centers Lacking - In the News - September 2013

Michigan Disaster Plans for Schools, Daycare Centers Lacking - In the News - September 2013

Back to School Survival Guide

Here is a link to the Ann Arbor Family Back to School Guide. Whether you want to stock up on school supplies, or help inspire your child to learn, the guide has tips and advice for back-to-school success.

Understanding infantile amnesia

Here's a recent article I wrote for Metro Parent. It makes a lot of sense now and I see the benefit of forgetting those early childhood memories. So, here's the link, area parents should also be able to get it on stands through the end of the month. The byline is correct in print, I think they're fixing it online, too. 

Parenting info. and articles

I figured it was time to share some info and articles for moms, dads, kids, and more. 

Family Fun Guide, Metro Parent 

High fashion photo shoots for kids, Ann Arbor Family (discount offered when you mention the article) 

Paying it forward, Ann Arbor Family