Let’s look at what authoritative parenting is, how it affects kids, and how you can adopt aspects of this style into your parenting. What You Need to Know Authoritative parenting is a parenting style that values connection but does not shy away from rules or authority. Authoritative parenting is defined as a parenting or caregiving style in which caregivers are nurturing, responsive, and supportive in their interactions with their children, while also balancing that warmth with firm (yet safe) and consistent limit setting,” says Ciera Schoonover, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the department of psychology at Middle Tennessee State University....

For some parents, it doesn’t take long to settle into a rhythm and begin to notice a change in how often their baby gets fussy. But for many, this crying stage seems to go on forever, and the persistent screams often hit at very specific times of the day. If your baby seems to cry all the time and you don’t feel like you can soothe them, you may be experiencing what experts call the Period of PURPLE Crying....

Consequently, identifying the differences between a close-knit group of friends and a clique is essential. Here is what you need to know about cliques including the risks and consequences as well as how to prevent them in your child’s life and cope with them should your child get involved in one. What Is a Clique? Friendships naturally form around things that people have in common. As a result, it is just as natural for football players to hang out together as it is for the mathletes....

Now, you should have your first contact with your practitioner—either by phone or an office visit—by three weeks after giving birth. That discussion will determine your care going forward. However, it’s still recommended that you have a comprehensive checkup no later than 12 weeks after delivery. That visit will cover your complete physical, social, and psychological well-being, including your: Physical recovery from birthSexuality, contraception, and birth spacingMood and emotional well-beingInfant care and feedingSleep and fatigueChronic disease managementOngoing preventive health maintenance...

But here’s the thing—being a perfectionist not only stresses you out to the max, but you might also be harming your child’s well-being. Fortunately, if you do engage in perfectionist parenting, there are some steps you can take to change your expectations of yourself and your child. Signs That You Might Be a Perfectionist Parent Some perfectionist parents are perfectionists in every aspect of their lives. They excel at everything they do—otherwise, they wouldn’t bother trying....

In about 85% of viable pregnancies, the mother’s hCG level typically doubles every 2 to 3 days. When your hCG level is doubling as expected, it’s a good sign that your pregnancy is developing normally. A Rise in HCG Levels During Early Pregnancy Your hCG level is likely to double at this rate (every 2–3 days) throughout the first 4 weeks or so of pregnancy. As your pregnancy progresses and your hCG level passes approximately 1,200 mIU/ml, it tends to take longer to double....

Why You Should Go to the ER Some, but not all, doctors advise women to the emergency room if they notice any bleeding in early pregnancy. The reason for this is unfortunately not because immediate care can make a difference in whether the pregnancy miscarries. In fact, by the time vaginal bleeding occurs because of a miscarriage, the developing baby has usually already passed away—often because of unpreventable issues such as chromosomal abnormalities....

By 6 to 9 Months: By the time a preemie reaches 9 months corrected age, he should respond to his name and turn toward a new sound. He should also have begun babbling, making sounds such as “bababababa” that combine consonants and vowels. By 10 to 12 Months: By 12 months corrected age, preemies should be able to call a parent by saying “mama” or “dada.” They should also be able to carry out simple requests (like waving)....

Clomid challenge tests are meant to predict whether your body will respond favorably to certain fertility drugs and ovarian stimulation. Since IVF is expensive—financially, emotionally, and physically—performing this test before you begin treatment can help you avoid disappointment and save time and money. The CCCT is only one of several ways to test ovarian reserves, however, and not all medical experts agree on whether it is the best option. Here’s why your doctor may or may not order a Clomid challenge test, how it’s done, and what the results mean....

While extreme secrecy can be a red flag, it is natural for teens to crave more privacy and space as they mature. Being more protective of information about themselves and their life outside of their family goes hand-in-hand with new independence. Raising a healthy, trustworthy, and independent teen requires honoring their growing need for privacy. Learn more about the relationship between privacy and trust and the natural development of autonomy....

Sometimes, the sound of a fetal heartbeat is not detected at this time. If you were expecting to hear your baby’s heartbeat and you can’t, you may be disappointed and even worried. While the silence could mean that you’re having a miscarriage, that’s not always the case. There are many common, non-emergency reasons a heartbeat cannot be detected in early pregnancy. It’s Too Early in Your Pregnancy If your due date was calculated based on the first day of your last period, it might be that you aren’t as far along as you thought—especially if your periods are irregular or you were not certain when you last had one....

Zara is also considered to be diminutive of the Bulgarian name Zaharina, which is a feminine form of the masculine name Zechariah, a Hebrew name meaning ‘God remembers.’ Zara is also the name of the well-known Spanish-owned clothing retailer, but that doesn’t take away from the charm of this beautiful and somewhat uncommon name. How Popular Is the Name Zara? The name Zara has grown slightly more popular in the U....

These 10 fitness-focused families on Instagram not only value exercise and staying in shape for their own livelihoods, but they also show their children how to have a positive approach to fitness, body image, healthy eating, and overall wellness. Brooke Murray The beautiful landscape of the Colorado mountains provides mom, Brooke Murray (known as @brooke.froelich) the perfect backdrop to teach her two children about the importance of living a fit life....

“The big theme this month is movement and exploring,” says Florencia Segura, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician with Einstein Pediatrics in the Washington DC area. “Most 10-month-olds are doing some type of crawl—those who are crawling may be using alternative movements. They also are pulling to stand near furniture, self-feeding quite well, and saying “mama” and “dada” with specific intent.” Clearly, this is an exciting time in you and your baby’s life where their skills and abilities seem to expand overnight....

Sleepover anxiety usually isn’t a cause for concern. In addition to being common, it’s an opportunity for kids to practice being brave so they can gain confidence and face their fears. For children who are struggling with sleepover anxiety, these strategies can help them get through the night at their friend’s house. Wait Until Your Child Is Ready There isn’t a “right” age where kids should be able to do sleepovers....

You may first feel as if you have no idea how to handle the situation, but with time, new preemie parents grow confident in their understanding of what is happening and what to expect. So even if you’re feeling lost now, give these 10 suggestions below a try. They’ll get you off to a good start. Instead, talk to your baby’s doctors and nurses and consult with other NICU parents you meet....

Here are 12 questions parents should ask about a child’s school bus ride, both before that first trip and throughout the school year. Ask the special education department the contact for bus scheduling and call that person ahead of time to make sure your child is on the list. Find out when you should expect your pick-up time notification as well. And if you don’t get a response, call again....

While the work of mothers can seem laborious and even overwhelming, it is also filled with joy, love, and fulfillment. Organizations and groups have come alongside Black moms, offering support and encouragement. Mothers of color look to several platforms to provide resources of knowledge, along with solidarity and strength. African American Homeschool Moms This group offers support to Black mothers who are homeschooling their children. Moms share resources, homeschooling ideas, and other educational opportunities via Facebook and their website....

Working mom guilt can stop you in your tracks and hijack your thoughts. But when you’re a working mom, you don’t have the time or the energy to let working mom guilt put you into a daze for long. Sometimes there is a really good reason for you to feel guilty, but other times there isn’t. We are here to help you get over the time-wasting working mom guilt moments....

Responsibility Bullying is a choice. It is not caused by something the victim said or did, and people who bully others need to learn to take ownership of these choices. They also need to recognize that what they did was wrong and how it made the victim feel. Stress that no one “made” them do it. Even in situations involving peer pressure, group bullying or bully-victim cycles, the bully is responsible for his choices....