Colleges are teaching students how to be influencers — but many parents aren’t happy with the career path

Colleges are teaching students how to be influencers — but many parents aren’t happy with the career path

Colleges are starting to offer degrees in social media influencing, but 33% of Americans would not support their child if they decided to major in it, says new research. A survey of 2,000 US adults by Talker Research explored Americans’ feelings about universities teaching students how to become online celebrities. While a third of those … Read more

‘Genius’ kids birthday party idea has some parents on edge: ‘Literally a nightmare of a situation’

‘Genius’ kids birthday party idea has some parents on edge: ‘Literally a nightmare of a situation’

A kids’ birthday party in Australia is making a splash among parents, some of whom say it may be the best idea they’ve ever seen. Scenes of the festivities, filmed by the birthday girl’s mom, have gone viral on social media, racking up more than one million views and praise from hundreds of parents. “My … Read more

Woman’s vacation request sparks fiery debate about workplace priority for parents

Woman’s vacation request sparks fiery debate about workplace priority for parents

A woman’s annual leave request has highlighted a fiery debate that has long created tension in workplaces: Should employees with young children have priority? The argument once again erupted online this week after a worker in the UK, Chloe, asked for time off over the Christmas holiday. Despite submitting her desired dates in mid-September, she … Read more

Dear Abby: I’m a frustrated teacher — parents need to put their phones down and pay attention to their kids

Dear Abby: I’m a frustrated teacher — parents need to put their phones down and pay attention to their kids

DEAR ABBY: You sometimes ask readers to share their pet peeves. I am a public school teacher, and here is mine: Parents wonder why their children misbehave, argue with them and act out with attention-getting behaviors. My advice to them: Put down those cellphones and pay attention to your kids! I just had a conference … Read more

‘Loud signal’: Men with this head shape seen as more capable parents, better fighters: Study

‘Loud signal’: Men with this head shape seen as more capable parents, better fighters: Study

It’s a broad generalization. Researchers have found that men with wider faces are viewed as more capable parents than their pinheaded counterparts, per a study in Evolutionary Psychological Science. “Perceivers may be inferring a certain configuration of formidability that is based on specific figure,” lead author Mitch Brown, a teaching assistant professor in the Department … Read more

Kids left crying at the airport as viral squishy toys are confiscated by TSA — here’s what frustrated parents can do

Kids left crying at the airport as viral squishy toys are confiscated by TSA — here’s what frustrated parents can do

The TSA squished their spirits. Squishies may be the latest viral toy craze — with top brands like Needoh, Polysquish and RMS Mystery Squishy Dumplings becoming sensory favorites for young fans —but they’re causing panic at airports nationwide. Because the kiddie obsessions are filled with well over 3.4 ounces of liquid (the very thing that … Read more

Exclusive | Slapping coaches, parents on the field: Unhinged adults’ sideline insanity is ruining youth sports

Exclusive | Slapping coaches, parents on the field: Unhinged adults’ sideline insanity is ruining youth sports

When Reshea Bristol pulled up to a youth basketball gym in Chandler, Arizona, to referee a game between first- and second-graders, she knew something was wrong as police cars swarmed the entrance. But before the Tiny Tikes could take the court, the former WNBA player, who spent more than a decade playing professionally overseas, was … Read more

Exclusive | Elite parents ditch trad classrooms for robot-powered homeschools: ‘Disrespectful of kids’ time’

Exclusive | Elite parents ditch trad classrooms for robot-powered homeschools: ‘Disrespectful of kids’ time’

School’s out forever for some California kids.  Elite techies in the San Francisco Bay Area are part of a nationwide rise in homeschooling that bucks the stereotypes of rural Bible thumpers or hardcore hippies — as they ditch traditional classrooms in favor of using AI to give kids home lessons. Kartik Sathappan and his wife at … Read more

Parents believe they need wider support system to raise kids than earlier generations did: survey

Parents believe they need wider support system to raise kids than earlier generations did: survey

Seven in 10 parents believe that raising children today requires a wider circle of trust than it did a generation ago, according to new research. In a nationwide poll of 2,000 parents of children ages 0 to 6, 71% feel they must place more trust and confidence in others to support their child’s well-being than … Read more

Law enforcement agencies warn parents of concerning ‘Cat in the Hat’ trend

Law enforcement agencies warn parents of concerning ‘Cat in the Hat’ trend

It gave them an unsettling “feline.” A sinister trend involving AI footage of Dr. Seuss’ most iconic character is sparking school safety concerns and even leading to arrests of students responsible for the prank’s proliferation. The trend involves AI-generated depictions of someone dressed as the Cat In The Hat, the dapper, hat-wearing feline agent of … Read more

Bronny James seemingly shaded by ex-girlfriend’s parents in cryptic birthday posts

Bronny James appears to be entering the Lakers’ season solo — and not just because his dad took his talents to Philadelphia. Bronny had been dating Parker Whitfield since at least October 2024. This is when the two went social media official with their relationship, but they could have been together for longer, as they … Read more

Parents refusing crucial shots for newborns as babies’ life-threatening bleeding risks increase

CHICAGO, Sept 1 — The percentage of parents and caregivers in the United States refusing a standard vitamin K shot for infants at ​birth has accelerated sharply this year, an exclusive data analysis for Reuters found, putting more newborns at risk of life-threatening bleeding episodes. The data confirms what a dozen pediatricians, neonatologists and pediatric … Read more

Exclusive | The parents spending upwards of $10K on back-to-school gear, despite them being homeschooled

For Vita Grytsak’s four homeschooled kids, back-to-school shopping looks a little different compared to other families. In fact, their high-priced, high-ticket fashionable looks put her brood in a class all by itself.  Designer duds from fashion houses such as Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Bonpoint, LoveShackFancy, Ugg, Nike, and Adidas await her children — Mila, a rising … Read more

Exclusive | Meet Long Island’s real George Costanza, hit on by 100+ women while unemployed and living with his parents at age 31

He’s living the summer of George. Long Islander Michael Nicosia has become the area’s most desirable bachelor — by enjoying his own personal version of George Costanza’s classic “Seinfeld” reverse-psychology pickup line: “I’m unemployed, and I live with my parents.” “I’m not joking when I say over 100 women wanted to go on a date … Read more

Exclusive | How legal surrogacy in NY has changed parents lives — and why the battle’s not over yet for some

Surrogacy was once viewed as an expensive, last-resort option for families desperate to have children but unable to, often glamourized by celebrities — Kim and Khloé Kardashian, Andy Cohen, Anderson Cooper, and Jimmy Fallon all used surrogates. It’s an emotionally and financially draining — and often complex — journey, as demonstrated with the recent headline-making … Read more

Parents rip Meta’s attempt to curb children from its social media sites after historic $18B settlement: ‘Not enough’

Tech giant Meta agreed to a historic $18B payout to 47 U.S. states on Wednesday — as part of an effort to settle claims that social media has harmed American children. Along with the cash — estimated to equal about a month’s revenue for the parent of Facebook and Instagram — the company also agreed … Read more

Dear Abby: My niece makes inappropriate posts about her parents

Dear Abby: I got permission from my estranged brother to invite his 17-year-old daughter, “Ella,” to spend a month with my family this summer. We live on the East Coast, and she lives on the West Coast.  Ella is about to graduate from high school and has had a difficult home life and relationship with … Read more

Most want kids under 16 banned from social media — but think parents should call the shots: poll

Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe children under the age of 16 should not be allowed on social media, according to new research. The survey of 2,000 Americans revealed that 62% of respondents agreed that kids 15 and under should be barred from creating social media accounts. With discussions ramping up around the topic, the research … Read more

Parents spend 432 hours a year feeding their picky kids: ‘Feels like a job in itself’

During a school year, parents spend a grand total of 432 hours on meal planning and preparation. That’s according to a recent survey of 2,000 parents with school-aged kids (5-17), in which respondents said they spend 12 hours on food prep and cooking each week. In the study, parents said they’ll devote three hours to … Read more

I’m a geriatrician — the 10-second test every adult should give their parents

Your parents’ health may hang in the balance. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for adults over 65, with about 14 million falling each year. For those caring for aging parents and worried about their risk of falling, knowing what signs to look for can make all the difference — and … Read more