US birth rates are at record lows – even though the number of kids most Americans say they want has held steady

Childbearing goals have remained remarkably consistent over the decades. What has changed is when people start their families and how many kids they end up having.

Karen Benjamin Guzzo, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill • conversation
Jan. 12, 2023 • ~7 min

Work-from-home parents watched kids more in COVID’s first year

Parents, especially mothers, spent more time supervising their kids during the first year of the pandemic, researchers report.

Mike Cummings-Yale • futurity
Jan. 3, 2023 • ~8 min

Work-from-home parents watched kids more in COVID’s first year

Parents, especially mothers, spent more time supervising their kids during the first year of the pandemic, researchers report.

Mike Cummings-Yale • futurity
Jan. 3, 2023 • ~8 min

Better sleep for kids starts with better sleep for parents – especially after holiday disruptions to routines

Sound sleep, for long enough every night, with consistent bed and wake-up times are critical for kids’ health. A child development expert suggests some overarching tips to help get you there.

Erika Bocknek, Associate Professor of Educational Psychology, Wayne State University • conversation
Dec. 26, 2022 • ~8 min

Poll: What if your teen refuses holiday religious services?

In a poll, 44% of parents said that teens shouldn't get to choose whether or not to attend holiday religious services until they're 18.

Beata Mostafavi-Michigan • futurity
Dec. 19, 2022 • ~7 min

Screens are a risky fix for preschoolers’ big feelings

Using screens to calm upset preschoolers is linked with increased emotional dysregulation in kids, a new study finds.

Beata Mostafavi-Michigan • futurity
Dec. 13, 2022 • ~8 min

Fatherhood changes men's brains, according to before-and-after MRI scans

Neuroscientists know that pregnant mothers’ brains change in ways that appear to help with caring for a baby. Now researchers have identified changes in new fathers’ brains, too.

Magdalena Martínez García, Doctoral Student of Neuroimaging, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón IiSGM • conversation
Nov. 30, 2022 • ~9 min

There’s no ‘golden rule’ for when kids should get their first phone

The age your kids get their first cell phone has little bearing on their sleep patterns, depression symptoms, or grades, researchers find.

Erin Digitale-Stanford • futurity
Nov. 28, 2022 • ~11 min

Hey, new parents – go ahead and 'spoil' that baby!

A professor of child development explains why it’s OK – recommended, in fact – to respond to an infant’s every cry, sob and whimper.

Amy Root, Professor of Applied Human Sciences, West Virginia University • conversation
Nov. 15, 2022 • ~7 min

Termite kings and queens are awesome parents, and then retire

Queen and king termites are fantastic parents to upstart colonies. But only until their offspring can take over.

Lourdes Mederos-U. Florida • futurity
Nov. 9, 2022 • ~5 min

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