Growing Concerns 2008-05-01
(5/6/2008) My wife and I are at odds in determining the amount of candy to give our 4 year old. I am concerned that he will develop poor eating habits and she is concerned that if she does not supply him with a daily amount of candy he will over-indulge himself once he is on his own. Our society does not reinforce proper eating habits and I think fruits can satisfy most of those sweet cravings and still supply some vitamins and minerals. Your thoughts?

Growing Concerns 2008-04-24
(4/30/2008) We've recently purchased a new home in a nearby suburb and will move a few weeks before school begins in the fall. Our kids (ages 6, 8 and 10) seem very worried - and even angry - about moving. Are there any special steps we should take to make it easier for them?

When physics is a social science
(4/18/2008) A University-sponsored program helps families discover the joy of science together. Through PACES (Parents And Children Experiencing Science), parents model scientific curiosity for their kids.

Growing Concerns 2008-04-10
(4/18/2008) Since my kids were born I feel like I've lost myself. I've always been taught that parents need to sacrifice their needs for their kids, so I feel guilty if I do something just for me. But I'm afraid I'll burn out and make life worse for my kids in the long run.

Growing Concerns 2008-04-03
(4/18/2008) When I tell our kids to do anything like clean up their room, help with the dishes or stop playing and get ready for bed, they grumble and fuss - or outright refuse to do what I ask. I feel like I'm spending every evening in a battle trying to get the kids to cooperate. How can I break this cycle?

Growing Concerns 2008-03-27
(4/18/2008) We were visiting my cousin's family in another city over the weekend and when we got home we discovered that our five-year-old son had brought home a toy that belongs to their child. Their child has more toys than any kid I've ever seen, so he probably won't even miss it. But should we discipline our son anyway and, if so, how?

Make eating more appealing
(4/16/2008) Many people are trying to adopt a healthier approach to eating. Is it any wonder? Research shows that 6 out of every 10 Americans are overweight and nearly one in three is obese. University Extension has some tips on how to make eating more appealing.

Putting back the wild in the child
(4/4/2008) Too many children are losing their connection to nature, a situation that bodes ill for both. A University-sponsored conference aims to reset the balance.

Growing Concerns 2008-03-28
(4/1/2008) Our next-door neighbor's child behaves very badly and seems to be unsupervised much of the time. We worry about his safety and about the bad influence he might have on our children, but we're not sure what to do since it's not really our place to discipline someone else's child. Do you have any suggestions?

Growing Concerns 2008-03-06
(4/1/2008) Our second-grader is talking about having sleepovers, but we're not sure she's old enough. We're especially uneasy about the idea of slumber parties, and yet that seems to be a big thing with our friends' kids. At what age is it OK and what can parents do to make sleepovers manageable?

Growing Concerns 2008-02-28
(4/1/2008) My wife and I are going to begin a trial separation while we decide whether or not we can get past some serious difficulties in our marriage. We have two children, ages 6 and 8, and we're not sure what to tell them about why we're going to live apart. How much can they understand and what do they need to know?

Growing Concerns 2008-02-21
(4/1/2008) We recently moved to a small town where our 7-year-old son entered second grade. Initially he seemed excited about the new friends he made and even invited some boys over after school. However, now he refuses to have anyone over because he's embarrassed about his 4-year-old brother, who has Down syndrome. Apparently the other kids teased him about his brother after they came over, and now we're not sure if we should push the issue or just let it go.

Calming the storm
(3/5/2008) Three University of Minnesota top talents are launching a new era in epilepsy research and care: Aviva Abosch, Thomas Henry, and Steven Rothman. All are collaborating on translational research that ranges from enhancing the effectiveness of conventional drug therapies to venturing deep within the brain in novel ways.

Champions of breakfast
(3/4/2008) Teens who want to lose weight may be tempted to skip breakfast. It's a temptation they may do well to resist, though, says a new study.

Street wisdom
(2/20/2008) U alum Matthew Ayres conducted a survey on panhandlers in Minneapolis last year, and he found that the local panhandling ordinance doesn't effectively help the homeless population.

Rates of uninsured Minnesotans stabilize
(2/20/2008) A survey from the U's School of Public Health and Minnesota Department of Health shows that after rising between 2001 and 2004, the percentage of Minnesotans without health insurance was stable between 2004 and 2007.

Summer fun for youth
(2/19/2008) The University of Minnesota offers and hosts one of the most comprehensive line-ups of summer camps for youth in Minnesota.

Growing Concerns 2008-02-14
(2/15/2008) My husband and I both grew up in homes where no one ever talked about sex. We want to do things differently with our children, but we need some guidance about when and how to take on this touchy subject.

Growing Concerns 2008-02-07
(2/15/2008) My wife and daughter always have been very close, but over the past few months our daughter (now 14) has become rude and irritable toward her mother. It seems like my wife can't say or do anything right. I don't want to interfere, but the bickering is driving me nuts. Should I intervene? And, if so, how?

Growing Concerns 2008-01-31
(2/15/2008) We might move in with my in-laws for about a year to save some money. They have a three-bedroom house which means that my kids (a 2-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl) would have to share a room -- and possibly a bed. Is there any reason why either sharing a room or sharing a bed would be detrimental to the kids?

Growing Concerns 2008-01-24
(2/15/2008) Our 7-year-old daughter comes home every week announcing that she's "in love" with some boy. Since when do 7-year-olds fall in love? And how should we parents respond so that she doesn't end up being too boy-crazy?

Respect for the voice of children
(2/6/2008) "Children know best what comforts them when they're sick," says Linda Lindeke. The University of Minnesota associate professor is capturing the child's voice for quality improvements at hospitals and clinics nationwide.

Destined to lie, cheat, or steal?
(2/6/2008) New research from the University of Minnesota finds that believing in free will can keep us honest.

Pastry chefs, born and bread
(2/1/2008) In their new book, Zoë François and U adjunct professor Jeff Hertzberg show us how to bring such things as boules, rye bread, brioche, bagels, and apricot pastries into our daily lives in less time than the average American spends taking a shower.

Take food allergies seriously
(1/23/2008) Eating is an enjoyable experience for most of us, but it can be frightening and even life threatening for people with food allergies. University of Minnesota Extension has some tips on how to avoid a harmful reaction for those with food allergies or food intolerance.

Autism up close
(1/15/2008) Scott Selleck is one of a group of researchers in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development working to unravel the cause of autism.

A sporting chance
(1/11/2008) How do young athletes want parents to behave? Jens Omli, a research associate at the U's Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport, posed that question to a group. A common reply: quiet attentiveness. In other words, don't coach from the sidelines or yell at the referee.

The sound of silence
(1/11/2008) For U professor Peggy Nelson, the sound of silence is the sound of children learning. Nelson has spent her career studying the effects of noise on classroom learning.

Bridging languages, bridging cultures
(1/9/2008) Pui-Fong Kan, a University of Minnesota Ph.D. candidate, is studying the relationship between language acquisition and culture, especially in bilingual children.

Family meals quell eating disorders in teenage girls
(1/9/2008) U researchers surveyed teenage girls and boys over a five-year span and found that regular family meals can decrease eating disorders among girls.

Growing Concerns 2008-01-03
(1/7/2008) Our daughter is clamoring to be allowed to go shopping at the mall with friends (without an adult along) when she turns 12 in a few weeks. We're hearing the familiar line, "All the other parents let their kids," but we're not sure she's old enough for that kind of independence. What do you think?

Growing Concerns 2007-12-20
(12/26/2007) Our 5-year-old son, who started kindergarten this year, is outgoing and confident during the day, but at night he still likes to take his old "blankie" to bed with him. My husband teases him about it, saying, "Look at the big baby!" Should we push him to give up the blanket? And, if not, how can I get my husband to quit the teasing?

Growing Concerns 2007-12-13
(12/26/2007) Last winter our teenage son died and now we're sadly facing the first Christmas without him. We have two other children and we're grappling with how to help them find some pleasure in this holiday season without denying the fact that it's going to be very hard. We welcome your suggestions of things we can do -- and things to look out for.

Growing Concerns 2007-12-06
(12/26/2007) This holiday season is a wonderful time of giving -- to family, friends, and hopefully even to others in need. Certainly it is in the holiday spirit to focus on the needs and desires of others and to give with love, joy and enthusiasm. But the spirit of the season is also reflected in the way we receive gifts.

Growing Concerns 2007-11-29
(12/26/2007) I've recently started doing child care in my home for several young children and I've observed some sexual curiosity that I'm not quite sure what to make of. Can you provide some guidelines about what is normal for young children and any problem signs that I ought to be aware of?

Growing Concerns 2007-11-15
(12/26/2007) Perhaps more than any other holiday, Thanksgiving gets me thinking about the value of family rituals. There's nothing like the smell of turkey, a nice fluffy mound of mashed potatoes, and a big slab of pumpkin pie to bring a family together. And each time those familiar Thanksgiving routines are repeated, the sights and sounds and smells conjure up images of all of the holidays that went before.

Growing Concerns 2007-11-08
(12/26/2007) My mother-in-law is very upset that my four-month-old uses a pacifier. She worries that we're making a sissy out of him and she says that it will give him crooked teeth. Should we be concerned?

Growing Concerns 2007-11-01
(12/26/2007) Our son always has done very well in school. However, this year (in fifth grade) he has quite a bit of homework, including some long-term projects, and he's losing points in class because his assignments are incomplete or he loses his papers. I want to help him, but my husband says it's important for our son to take responsibility.

Dealing with loss during the holidays
(12/19/2007) Holidays can be difficult and stressful times, especially following the death of a loved one or a major life-changing event. University psychologist Martha Erickson has some tips to help you find some pleasure in this holiday season without denying that it might be very hard.

Materialism linked to self esteem
(12/19/2007) University of Minnesota researcher Deborah Roedder John has found that materialism in children and adolescents is directly connected to their self esteem.

See how they run
(12/6/2007) Men and women tend to run family businesses differently, and understanding the differences can be vital to business success, according to U researcher Sharon Danes.

Beyond blue eyes
(11/21/2007) With few children available for domestic adoption in Scandinavia, couples are turning to Asia or Central and South America. U professor Monika Zagar's research focuses on the new generation of Nordic citizens--a group that doesn't look anything like its predecessors.

U offers unique chance
(11/1/2007) Using bone marrow and cord blood transplants, U physicians are the first to try a new procedure to save the life of a child with a fatal skin disease.

Growing Concerns 2007-10-25
(10/29/2007) For you parents who have lost trust in your teen daughters, here are some tips for how to handle this challenging, but not uncommon, situation.

Growing Concerns (2007-10-18)
(10/29/2007) My wife and I are expecting our first child in four months. Although we get along pretty well together, I'm worried that will change when the baby comes. My wife's parents were very permissive and spoiled their kids by giving them everything. My parents were much stricter and always made us toe the line and earn the things we wanted. How can we present a united front as parents when our backgrounds are so different?

Growing Concerns (2007-10-11)
(10/29/2007) My four-year-old son recently lost his maternal grandfather. It was his first experience with death and I think he's having a difficult time. He says things like, "I don't love Grandpa anymore. He died." Or, "Old and sick people die. Is grandma going to die (or mom, or dad, or me)?" Do you have any suggestions for how I can help him deal with this?

Growing Concerns (2007-10-04)
(10/29/2007) My husband and I recently divorced and now, after four years of staying home with my son, in a few weeks I have to go back to work full-time and he will enter a childcare center. I am concerned that this transition will be really hard for my son, especially since his dad is no longer going to be living with us. What can I do to help my son get through this difficult time?

U.S. high school dropout rate higher than thought
(10/10/2007) U researchers have found that the U.S. high school dropout rate is considerably higher than most people think--with one in four students not graduating--and their findings point to discrepancies in the two major data sources.

Landmark study of child health
(10/5/2007) The U is the local lead in a first-time study of children's health beginning from before birth to age 21.

Growing Concerns (2007-09-27)
(10/1/2007) My 9-year-old son (a third grader) was always a sweet, easy-going, happy child. But in the last few weeks he's become increasingly belligerent with his sisters and sullen with us. I keep hearing that kids go into adolescent rebellion earlier than ever, but could this possibly be what's up with a 9-year-old?