Hanging on to the edge of a cliff

The latest in parenting news, tips, and trends:

Why this weekend millions of kids are set to fall off the 'childcare cliff,' and why its impact could be especially devastating for families of color. If your care is at risk, check here for resources.

How screens are increasing nearsightedness in kids, and how Apple's latest update plans to address that. Really living up to that whole 'apple a day' thing.

One mom's relatable experience of going from the favored parent to second place. We're happy you're growing up, but also slow down.

How to talk to another parent about guns in their household — before the meet-up. Plus, how to talk to your kids about guns, too.

Motherhood's impact on jobs, and how these moms took inspo from their new life role to invest in careers that better suited them. Be the change and all.

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

What's the most effective potty training method and schedule?

FEATURED EXPERT:

Allison Jandu

Owner and founder of Potty Training Consultant

“As with most approaches to parenting, there’s not necessarily a ‘best’ way to potty train. However, almost every child tends to succeed with a potty training process that involves some preparation, a definitive day to say goodbye to diapers, and ongoing consistency with the new expectations. 

“Having a period of time (generally a week or two) where you start introducing the concept of potty training (through things like modeling, books, and pretend play) without putting any pressure on them, can help remove some stress involved and set them up for success. 

“Focus on laying the foundation for good potty habits over the first two to three days. Keep them bottomless so accidents are more apparent, avoid taking them to the potty at set time intervals so they can learn what their body's urges feel like when they need to go and reward them for successes while putting [a] minimal focus on the accidents. 

“From that point on, the expectation is that all pee and poop [belong] in the potty, so it's important that you remain consistent and committed to the process. Progress won't always be linear, but if you continue to find the wins, it'll be a rewarding experience for everyone involved.”

For more potty training tips from Jandu, check out her course here.

Help Kids Foster a Positive Relationship With Their Body

“Having a positive body image is truly the foundation of having good self-esteem,” says Katherine Williamson, MD, a board-certified pediatrician in California and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. “As soon as kids can communicate and talk, you can start sharing with them about healthy choices and empowering them with body positivity.”

Some ways to do that: 

• Watch your words: Avoid talking about weight, and focus on positive language like feeling “strong” or “healthy.” You don’t have to be happy with your body 24/7, but “even when kids are very little, they‘re watching everything and learning what they should and shouldn't do,” says Williamson.

• Don’t villainize food: Food is a source of energy and nourishment. Avoid using “bad” and “good” to describe certain foods. Instead, try talking about the benefits of food by color groups. 

• Encourage movement: Talk about the importance of active play. “Playing on the playground, running around, and playing tag are good to make muscles strong and make us feel our best,” says Williamson. If you’re going to the gym, you can say, “It’s good for mommy to move her body, and when I do that, it makes me feel strong.” 

• Give yourself some grace: “Parenting really does come down to the 80/20 rule. If 80% of the time you feel like you're doing pretty well, then you're really doing a great job,” says Williamson.

A Toy That Allows Your Child’s Imagination to Thrive

The Wiwiurka’s XXL Rocker Balance Board is on the pricier side ($450), but it’s the perfect toy to inspire your child’s creativity. This arch-shaped balance board with wood panels can be a rocker, jungle gym, or imaginary cafe for your little one. It’s made for kids aged 2 to 9 years old, so you won’t have to search for something new as your kid grows. Best of all: It’s handmade from non-toxic materials and comes in a variety of colors to match any home’s vibe. 

However, one reviewer on the company’s homepage did point out one drawback. “It was a little hard to put together, but that’s because I didn’t have a power tool,” they write. “Took me 6 hours by hand. But it was fully worth it to see how excited my kids were to play with their new play set.”

While another shopper shared, “I personally love the rainbow color. Pikler offers an abundance of play opportunities especially when it comes to spatial awareness and problem solving.”