Books and Articles — Parenting Advice and Support

Early Intervention Key to Shaping College Drinking Habits, by Janice Wood. Psych Central, January 31, 2012.  “The first few weeks of college are a critical time in shaping students' drinking habits, according to researchers at Penn State, who say early intervention may help keep students from becoming heavy drinkers.”

School Absenteeism, Mental Health Problems Linked, by Janice Wood. Psych Central, December 25, 2011.  “Students who miss a lot of school often have symptoms of psychiatric disorders, according to a new study.”

Working May Help Mom's Mental Health, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, December 13, 2011.  “Getting out of the house and working appears to be a healthy tonic for mothers as researchers discover being a stay-at-home mom is associated with higher bouts of depression.”

A Father's Mere Presence Lowers Risky Behavior in Teen Boys, by Traci Pedersen. Psych Central, November 26, 2011.  “Teen boys are more likely to engage in risk-taking and deviant behavior if they do not have a father figure in their lives, according to a University of Melbourne study.”

Males Biologically Wired for Dad Role, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, September 14, 2011.  “Northwestern University researchers have found that men's testosterone levels fall off when they become fathers, presumably priming them for care-taking behaviors rather than competing for a mate.”

Dad's Involvement Improves Child Outcomes, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, August 31, 2011.  “A new study suggests active participation by the father in child-raising activities improves academic performance and behavior in the kids.”

Why Maternity Leave Is Important, by Meredith Melnick. Time Magazine, July 21, 2011.

Sports Can Help Kids Defuse Anger, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, July 07, 2011.  “A new study from Tel Aviv University suggests sports participation can improve a child's cognitive, emotional and behavioral well-being every bit as much as his or her physical fitness.”

How to Land Your Kid in Therapy, by Lori Gottlieb. The Atlantic, July 02, 2011.

Rethinking Shaken Baby Syndrome, by Joseph Shapiro. NPR, June 29, 2011.  “The dispute over shaken baby syndrome is a bitter civil war. On one side, doctors, lawyers and other experts say the diagnosis is key to winning convictions of people accused of the most horrible acts of child abuse. Opponents say the diagnosis is used too freely and that sometimes, innocent people go to prison.”

Children's Mental Health, by APA. American Psychological Assosciation, June 19, 2011.  “Contrary to popular belief, infants and toddlers can suffer serious mental health disorders. Yet, because of the pervasive but mistaken impression that this can't happen, many very young children with mental health disorders don't get the help they need.”

Mom's Happiness Influences Adolescent Happiness, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, April 04, 2011.  “A new UK study suggests a mother's happiness in her relationship with her partner is linked to how a child perceives their own life satisfaction.”

Time to focus on sad dads, by Tara Parker-Pope. New York Times, March 17, 2011.  “Much is known about postpartum depression in women, but now researchers are calling attention to the plight of depressed fathers.”

Emotional Power Broker of the Modern Family, by Benedict Carey. New York Times, March 14, 2011.  “The nature of individual human-pet relationships varies widely, and only now are scientists beginning to characterize those differences, and their impact on the family. Pets alter not only a family's routines, after all, but also its hierarchy, its social rhythm, its web of relationships. Several new lines of research help explain why this overall effect can be so comforting in some families, and a source of tension in others.”

Depression After Miscarriage Common, Even Years Later, by John Grohol. Psych Central, March 03, 2011.  “Depression after a miscarriage is not only common, according to new research, but it continues long after the miscarriage occurs. In some cases, a woman may remain depressed and anxious about their miscarriage for years, even after the birth of a healthy child.”

Frazzled Moms Push Back Against Volunteering, by Hilary Stout. New York Times, December 01, 2010.  “Around the country there are a number of altruistic, devoted and totally burned-out mothers just like Ms. Lentzner who are becoming emboldened to push back against the relentless requests from their children's schools for their time. What started out as an admirable civic gesture somehow snowballed into an inability to say no to any committee assignment or project request, and spiraled into night, weekend and after-school commitments, middle-of-the-night e-mail exchanges, as well as frozen dinners, takeout pizza and baby sitters at home.”

Sports Participation Good for Teen Health, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, September 23, 2010.  “A new study suggests playing sports helps teenagers physically, socially, and mentally.”

Getting Ahead of Trouble, by Emily Anthes. Boston Globe, September 06, 2010.  “It's tricky to identify the warning signs of mental health problems - there's no blood test, for instance, that can signal coming distress. But experts are increasingly watchful for children and teens who are displaying subtle signs that their brains might be in trouble.”

Child Safety: Is there an app for that?, by Caroline Hughes. Cape Cod Times, September 05, 2010.  “With the recent surge in media reports of cyberbullying, cyberstalking and other online dangers, many parents are urging their kids to use caution when it comes to revealing personal details online.”

Child's Ordeal Shows Risks of Psychosis Drugs for Young, by Duff Wilson. New York Times, September 01, 2010.  “More than 500,000 children and adolescents in America are now taking antipsychotic drugs, according to a September 2009 report by the Food and Drug Administration. Their use is growing not only among older teenagers, when schizophrenia is believed to emerge, but also among tens of thousands of preschoolers.”

New mothers get enough sleep, just not good sleep, by Amy Norton. Reuters, August 30, 2010.  “Researchers from West Virginia University in followed a group of new mothers and found, on average, the women got just over 7 hours of sleep a night during their babies' first four months. But the study found that sleep is also frequently disrupted with the women typically being awake for a total of two hours a night which was worrying as sleep problems and exhaustion may contribute to postpartum depression and impact work performance.”

Can Preschoolers Be Depressed?, by Pamela Paul. New York Times, August 25, 2010.  “After talks with the director of Kiran's preschool, who was similarly troubled by his behavior, and a round of medical Googling, Kiran's parents took him to see a child psychiatrist. In the winter of 2009, when Kiran was 5, his parents were told that he had preschool depression, sometimes referred to as early-onset depression. He was entered into a research study at the Early Emotional Development Program at Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, which tracks the diagnosis of preschool depression and the treatment of children like Kiran.”

Mom's hugs create less stressed offspring, by CTV Toronto. July 29, 2010.  “Can you spoil a baby with too many hugs? No way, new research says.”

Defining a Successful Parent, by Lisa Belkin. New York Times, July 19, 2010.  “Cultivating and informing and monitoring are what parents are supposed to do, no?”

Worried About a Moody Teen?, by Elizabeth Bernstein. Wall St. Journal, June 29, 2010.  “Everyone warns parents about the drama of the teen years—the self-righteous tears, slamming doors, inexplicable fashion choices, appalling romances. But what happens when typical teen angst starts to look like something much darker and more troubling? How can parents tell if a moody teenager is simply normal—or is spinning out of control? This may be one of the most difficult dilemmas parents will ever face.”

Study: Children of Lesbians May Do Better then Peers, by Alice Park. Time Magazine, June 07, 2010.  “Data on homosexual families are sparse, but they are important for establishing whether a child's environment in a home with same-sex parents would be any more or less nurturing than one with a heterosexual couple.”

Teenagers Face Stigma of Mental Illness, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, May 27, 2010.  “A new study paints a disturbing portrait for youth diagnosed and taking medications for mood disorders.”

Having a Baby: Depression Affects New Fathers, Too, by Roni Rabin. The New York Times, May 24, 2010.  “One in 10 new fathers experience prenatal or postpartum depression, a condition long thought to affect only mothers, according to a new analysis of dozens of earlier studies.”

Depression in Young Children, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, May 20, 2010.  “While childhood depression is a well established diagnosis, research looking at depression in children younger than 6 years old is a relatively new field of study.”

Newborn infants learn while asleep; study may lead to later disability tests, by Cathy Keen. University of Florida News, May 17, 2010.  “Sleeping newborns are better learners than thought, says a University of Florida researcher about a study that is the first of its type. The study could lead to identifying those at risk for developmental disorders such as autism and dyslexia.”

Postpartum Depression: When Moms Feel Out of Control, by Elizabeth Landau. CNN, May 14, 2010.  “It's normal for new mothers to feel overwhelmed and tired, but sometimes those feelings can develop into something more serious. "Baby blues," which do not require medical attention, can include mood swings, sleep problems, irritability, crying, anxiety and sadness in the first couple of weeks after birth. Postpartum depression is more intense and intrusive: Women may lose interest in life, withdraw from family and friends, or think about harming themselves or their children.”

School shocked by a suicide drafts tough policy on bullies, by Peter Schworm. Boston Globe, April 28, 2010.  “South Hadley schools have drafted a new antibullying policy that requires all staff members to report “any bullying they see or learn about’’ and pledges to “promptly and reasonably’’ investigate any allegation of harassment.”

Little kids, big problems, by Linda Wertheimer. Boston Globe, April 25, 2010.  ““Just take a deep breath” was the advice one mother got from the pediatrician when she went in for help with her 3-year-old’s extreme tantrums.”

New College Addiction? Social Media, Facebooks, or Friends, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, April 23, 2010.  “A new study suggests American college students are "addicted" to the instant connections and information afforded by social media.”

Are Kids Overprescribed Medications?, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, April 21, 2010.  “A sure-to-be controversial new study suggests psychotropic medications are overused in children.”

Study: Spanking Kids Leads to More Aggressive Behavior, by Alice Park. Time, April 12, 2010.  “Researchers at Tulane University provide the strongest evidence yet against the use of spanking: of the nearly 2,500 youngsters in the study, those who were spanked more frequently at age 3 were more likely to be aggressive by age 5.”

Mental Health Experts Applaud Focus on Parity, by Sarah Kershaw. New York Times, March 30, 2010.  “The law makes it possible for millions to get the same coverage for illnesses like major depression or schizophrenia as they would for diabetes or cancer.”

Hello! Your Psychiatrist Will Skype You Now, by Julie Weingarden Dubin. Time, March 22, 2010.

What We Get When We Give, by Christine L. Carter. Psychology Today, February 18, 2010.

Mount Sinai finds prenatal exposure to certain chemicals affects childhood neurodevelopment, by Stephanie Engel and Amir Miodovnik, et al. EScience News, January 28, 2010.  “A new study led by Mount Sinai researchers in collaboration with scientists from Cornell University and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has found higher prenatal exposure to phthalates -- manmade chemicals that interfere with hormonal messaging -- to be connected with disruptive and problem behaviors in children between the ages of 4 and 9 years.”

Play, Then Eat: Shift May Bring Gains at School, by Tara Parker-Pope. New York Times, January 25, 2010.  “A simple scheduling switch — moving recess before lunch — may improve children’s eating habits and behavior in school.”

More Than Academics at Morton Alternative, by Giovanna Brue. New York Times, January 23, 2010.  “A program combining intensive psychotherapy with conventional studies to help troubled teens finish school has reported promising results.”

If Your Kids Are Awake, They're Probably Online, by Tamar Lewin. New York Times, January 20, 2010.  “Researchers once thought the use of electronic devices could not go up. They were wrong.”

To Treat Bed-Wetting, Healthy Doses of Patience, by Perri Klass. New York Times, January 11, 2010.  “The causes for bed-wetting in children can be genetic, developmental and physiological, but the problem itself is quite treatable.”

Studying Young Minds, and How to Teach Them, by Benedict Carey. New York Times, December 20, 2009.  “New research on when young brains are best able to grasp fundamental concepts could reshape early education.”

Infant Sleep Position: Back to Sleep, by Megan A. Moreno. December 14, 2009.  “Sleep position is an important safety issue for infants younger than 1 year. This is because sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is associated with infants sleeping on their tummies. Sudden infant death syndrome is the leading cause of death for infants younger than 1 year. It most commonly occurs in babies between the ages of 2 and 4 months. Despite more than 15 years of the "back to sleep" educational campaign, some parents still are not provided with appropriate education about the safest sleep position for babies.”

Postpartum Depression Strikes Fathers, Too, by Richard Friedman, M.D. New York Times, December 08, 2009.  “The effects of postpartum depression in men can be every bit as disruptive as occurs with women.”

Developmental Psychologist Says Teenagers Are Different, by Claudia Dreifus. New York Times, November 30, 2009.  “A Temple University professor and leading expert in the United States on adolescents says they are different from adults, like in being responsible for criminal behavior.”

The Growing Backlash Against Overparenting, by Nancy Gibbs. Time Magazine, November 20, 2009.

Breeding Babies, by Randi Hutter Epstein. Psychology Today, November 06, 2009.

Texting, Surfing, Studying?, by Perri Klass. New York Times, November 02, 2009.  “In an age of multimedia and multitasking, we have a lot to learn.”

Alcohol Promotion on Facebook, by Sara Mart and Jacob Mergendoller, et al. Journal of Global Drug Policy and Practice, November 01, 2009.  “This article explores the prevalence of alcohol-related content found in popular aspects of Facebook profiles. and offers recommendations for both Facebook and the alcohol industry to remove paid ads and other types of content promoting alcohol products and dangerous drinking behaviors in order to protect youth and young adults from the harmful effects of alcohol advertising.”

Parenting: Raising Happy Children, by Jim Taylor, Ph.D. Psychology Today, October 30, 2009.  “What does it take to raise happy children?”

For Some Parents, Shouting Is the New Spanking, by Hilary Stout. New York Times, October 21, 2009.  “Many in today’s generation of parents would never spank their children. But, incongruously and with regularity, this is a generation that yells.”

Depression Is a Dilemma for Women in Pregnancy, by Roni Caryn Rabin. New York Times, October 05, 2009.  “A study looked for harmful effects in the use of antidepressants by pregnant women.”

From Birth, Engage Your Child With Talk, by Jane Brody. New York Times, September 29, 2009.  “All too often, mothers and nannies are tuned in to their cellphones, BlackBerrys and iPods, not their young children.”

The Importance of Family Dinners V, by CASAColumbia. National Center on Additiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia, September 23, 2009.  “CASA report finds teens who have infrequent family dinners likelier to drink, smoke, use marijuana.”

The Truth About Teen Girls, by Belinda Luscombe. Time Magazine, September 11, 2009.

Back-to-School Transitions: Tips for Parents, by Ted Feinberg and Katherine C. Cowan. September 08, 2009.  “The transition from August to September can be difficult for both children and parents. Even children who are eager to return to class must adjust to the greater levels of activity, structure, and, for some, pressures associated with school life. ... Here are a few suggestions to help ease the transition and promote a successful school experience.”

Therapy in Preschools: Can It Have Lasting Benefits?, by Sue Shellenbarger. The Wall St. Journal, September 08, 2009.  “The idea of assigning mental-health workers to child-care centers and preschools is jarring. However, research is showing that the programs are benefiting entire classrooms of children.”

Parenting and Food: Eat Your Peas. Or Don’t. Whatever., by Frank Bruni. New York Times, August 29, 2009.  “How can parents coach children away from unhealthy eating without provoking insecurity and obsession?”

Ask the Needham Youth Commission: Cough medicine abuse and how to protect your teens, by Needham Youth Commission. Needham Times, June 30, 2009.

Staying Sane May Be Easier Than You Think, by John Cloud. Time Magazine, June 22, 2009.

The Daddy Brain, by Jeremy Adam Smith. Greater Good Magazine, June 15, 2009.

Do parents favor natural children over adopted ones?, by Nigel Barber. Psychology Today, June 01, 2009.

Texting May Be Taking a Toll, by Katie Hafner. New York Times, May 25, 2009.  “Nearly 80 messages a day, on average, take their toll in a range of ways.”

Mothers in Crisis Turn to Temporary 'Parents', by Erik Eckholm. New York Times, May 06, 2009.  “More states are seeking to avoid the stark choice between breaking up families and leaving children at risk.”

Managing Your Anxiety about H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu), by Katherine O'Neill and Ester Cole, et al. American Psychological Assosciation, April 28, 2009.

Delivering advice to parents on teen sex, by Bella English. Boston Globe, April 19, 2009.

For Mother and Child at Risk, Care That Includes a Psychologist, by Laurie Tarkan. The New York Times, February 15, 2009.  “A new effort by the Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center seeks to protect young children from psychological damage that can be common in poor families.”

Kids Aren't Getting Enough Vitamin D, by Kathleen Kingsbury. Time Magazine, October 13, 2008.

Accidents don't have to happen, by Michael Jellinek, M.D. The Newton Tab, October 07, 2008.

When Children Have a Mental Illness, by Anne Belden. Parenthood.com, 2010.  “An estimated one in 10 children and adolescents in the United States suffers from a mental illness severe enough to significantly interfere with daily life.”

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