Avant Parenting Archives
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Avant! Welcome to my parenting blog archives
As you can see by the dates below, this blog is no longer being updated. However, there’s lots of good stuff here, much of it as true now as when it was written. Please feel free to browse, or follow these links: One last piece of parenting advice: Enjoy today even if it’s a rough…
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In defense of “natural”
Yesterday I ranted about the misuse of the word “natural,” so today I must, in the great Socratic tradition, take the other side. We just returned from a long trip to the East Coast. We went to visit family and to soak up culture that we are largely lacking on this coast. In both respects,…
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7 surprising things to consider about “natural” products
One thing that really gets my goat is how people who don’t understand chemistry and biology in the least like to make grand claims about “natural” ingredients. The latest is this article about sunscreen from Natural News, 7 surprising things you’re not supposed to know about sunscreen and sunlight exposure, which takes as its premise…
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Sugar fixation
We were standing in line on the Staten Island Ferry, New York City, land of great street food, and all my daughter wanted was a soda. How did this happen? My kids know the lecture: There are three reasons the American population has gotten so fat. One is screentime, which leads to lack of exercise.…
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Learning to play nice isn’t always easy!
A mom asked me this question: “What do I do when my passive preschooler’s aggressive friend hurts her? We love the friend, but I just don’t know what to do in this situation. I don’t want to discipline her, but I don’t want to make what she did seem right.” I am unusually well-situated to…
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Happy another-day-of-parenting day!
I was trying to schedule a visit with an old friend I haven’t seen in years. I said, how about this weekend? And she said, Well, it’s Father’s Day so I’ll be away all weekend. Oh, yeah, Father’s Day. I’m supposed to remember that, right? My husband and I try not to make too much…