What to avoid when raising boys

The latest in parenting news, tips, and trends:

What does age have to do with it? A lot, actually. Especially when it comes to siblings. 

How one Muslim mom prepped her kid’s teacher for Ramadan. It’s all about communication.

Why 63,000 Jool Baby infant swings were recalled. So far no injuries have been reported (phew) — but really another one?

The six pieces of parenting advice you can stress less about. You’re welcome. 

How to avoid the “Andrew Tate effect” when raising boys. (You can probably skip the first paragraph. The stats are a lot to take in.)

PS: Bookmark this article to read one man’s discovery of his secret birth story. And listen to how adoption became more of a thing in the US. Warning: It’s pretty disturbing.

Last week, we asked you to vote on a question to answer. The winner was:

What are some activities my toddler can do independently?

FEATURED EXPERT:

Lizzie Assa, MSEd

Parenting Strategist, Play Expert, and Founder of The Workspace for Children

FEATURED EXPERT:

Dr. Monica Gilbert, PsyD, BCBA-D, LMHC

Founder of Crystal Minds New Beginning

Here are three activities that encourage independent play and support your child’s development:

1. Color Sorting Activity: This “is always a win because toddlers are developmentally driven to master sorting,” Assa says. Plus, you can use items you already have at home. 

The Details: Place a few mixing bowls in a large bin and pull out your child’s blocks. Drop one block of a different color in each bowl. Spread the rest of the blocks on the floor of the large bin. Then encourage your child to start sorting by color. Bonus: She says you don’t need to worry about a mess since it’s all contained in the bin. 

2. Simple crafts and coloring: Gilbert says you can “engage your child in easy craft projects like coloring a paper plate or decorating a paper bag.” Or you can “establish a dedicated coloring station.” 

The Details: You’ll want to be sure the station is “equipped with coloring books and crayons to nurture your child's artistic flair,” says Gilbert. But remember, don’t add any craft or coloring tools that could become a choking hazard. So avoid markers since small pieces (like the caps) can be a hazard.

3. Pretend play: Gilbert says you can “encourage your child to immerse themselves in imaginative play with a diverse array of toys, from dolls to cars and building blocks.” Assa adds that you can set the scene by laying out books, stuffed animals or dolls, and a doll bed. 

The Details: “Encourage your toddler to tuck their baby into bed, mimicking everyday routines they observe,” Assa says. This lets your toddler express themselves creatively and it “satisfies their longing for autonomy,” she adds. “This activity not only provides an opportunity for creative expression and role-playing but also reinforces routines, offers a sense of responsibility, and supports a wide range of developmental milestones,” Assa says.

Pro-tip: “Offer brief positive reinforcement: ‘I see you playing so well — great job,’ to reduce their need for constant attention,” Gilbert says.

Let us help you get your spot. We’re building a new tool to guide you through making major life decisions, like who should care for your kids. Check out our five-step guide with expert-backed info on how to pick a daycare that’s right for you. Then let us know how we could improve it. We want to make your life easier, one choice at a time.

When Spa Life Meets Couch Life

Your kid just went to sleep and you have about 10 minutes all to yourself. It’s time to feel human again. 

First, put your feet into this Aveeno foot mask ($3.69) — “your feet will feel like that life you lived before kids when you got regular pedicures,” says theSkimm Parenting’s Senior Editor Kamini Ramdeen-Chowdhury. The mask uses oat and shea butter to hydrate your skin. 

Then, move on to phase two with Naturium’s Phyto-Glow Lip Mask ($13). It’s nearly half the cost of Laneige’s lip mask but has similar benefits. “It’s a nice way to feel like I'm taking care of myself with almost zero effort. I smooth this over my dry lips and wake up in the morning feeling so much better," says theSkimm Editorial Director for Parenting Karell Roxas. 

Bonus: You can do both while catching up on your favorite show (or while starting a new one). 

Myth: Breastfeeding is free.

Truth: A recent study found that a year of breastfeeding can cost families more than $10,500. 

Breastfeeding might not come with a literal price tag, but in terms of a mom’s time and energy, there’s nothing free about it. Plus, there’s the cost of nursing bras, breast pads, vitamins, and so. much. more. Enter: The Lactation Network, an org dedicated to supporting breastfeeding parents — no matter where they are on their journey. From private prenatal consultations to breast pumps, they’ve got you covered. Learn more.

We have thoughts. This week, we ranked our thoughts on eating with kids from 0–10. No science, just snark.

Hard Pass

0/10 People complaining about kids eating at restaurants. Plus -100/10 for restaurants that add fees like these. You won't like our Yelp review.

2/10 Constantly worrying that the food we feed our kids is going to poison them. And the fact that climate change is ruining the one food they actually will eat.

Ehh

5/10 Cutting their food into IG-worthy shapes. On the one hand, cute. On the other, we’re tired of eating sandwich crust.

More of this

7/10 Hiding vegetables in smoothies and pasta sauce. Can’t lie, this is helping us eat more veggies too.  

9/10 Bananas, period. But especially in DIY ice cream or pancakes. 

10/10 “Toddler dinner,” think girl dinner but for your kids. You’re never too young for your first charcuterie board.