Parenting Tips & Trends - Chicago Tribune

Alcohol in breast milk could affect cognitive development in kids, study finds

A new study found evidence suggesting that a mother's alcohol consumption while breastfeeding could have negative impacts on her child's cognitive abilities.

July 30, 2018

Food delivery services aim to take school lunch pressure off parents

Some companies deliver to the schools, others to homes. As for teens calling in their own food deliveries, some schools allow it and others don't.

July 10, 2018

We were drowning in diapers and scheduling sex. But then we got our groove back.

We are aging right alongside our children, but there is a paradox at work. We are getting older, yes, but feeling younger.

June 09, 2018

Top U.S. baby names released, with influence from Melania Trump

Emma and Liam were the most frequently chosen baby names for 2017.

May 11, 2018

Amazon Alexa's 'magic word' update aims to make young users more polite

Should your kid be issuing orders to a virtual assistant? Introducing Amazon Alexa's "magic word" update to promote politeness among young users.

May 09, 2018

New research suggests postpartum depression can affect dads, too

According to one research study, hormonal changes could partly be the cause of postpartum depression in men.

April 16, 2018

The compelling case for being an 'intentionally lazy' parent

"Intentionally lazy" parenting gives children the independence to try, do, and maybe even fail a little, on their own.

April 10, 2018

Baby talk is good for youngsters, and mothers speak it all over the world

Parents may feel a bit silly using baby talk, but babies not only prefer listening to these exaggerated contours, they learn new words more easily from them.

March 26, 2018

Lions and tigers and Eames — Oh, my! Baby gifts inspired by art and design

Want to welcome a new baby in style? Check out our picks for shower gifts that keep creativity and aesthetics in mind.

March 07, 2018

7 real-life skills your teen needs before going away to college

A comprehensive list of things parents of older teenagers can discuss with their kids to help them get ready for higher education, and life in general.

February 12, 2018

The American Academy of Pediatrics' suggestions for discipline without spanking.

January 12, 2018

My shadow son: A stranger insisted he was my child for more than a decade

I have a shadow son — a shadow son I didn't give birth to, a shadow son who believed I was his biological mother for over a decade.

January 03, 2018

From a traveling circus in the parks and the UniverSoul Circus to corn mazes, challenge courses and pumpkin fests, here are 25 things to do with the kids this fall. — Web Behrens

September 09, 2017

Kids ride Metra for free on Take Our Children to Work Day

Young people will be able to ride for free on suburban Chicago's commuter rail service for this year's Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.

April 24, 2017

From egg hunts and musicals just in time for spring to celebrating National Robotics Week, here are 15 things to do with the kids April 10-16. — Web Behrens

April 10, 2017

From getting your dance on with the Chicago Human Rhythm Project to exploring the science behind lunar and solar eclipses and what's melting our glaciers, here are 15 things to do with the kids April 3-9. — Web Behrens

April 03, 2017

From sleepovers at the Field Museum and Adler Planetarium to spring plays such as "Aladdin," "Robin Hood" and plenty of kid-friendly concerts, here are 50 things to do with the kids during spring.

March 30, 2017