Hello January!
There has been a lot of rightful alarm and discussion and research on the crisis in kids' and teens' mental health in recent years, but where are the parents in all of this? The late 2024 report Parents Under Pressure: The U.S. Surgeon General Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents shows that parents, too, are in crisis. Be sure to read our cover story this month as our Parenting Insights With PEP department explores the Surgeon General's findings on how parents are struggling, how that affects the health of their families, and what parents and caregivers can do. It also looks at what kind of support parents need and how they can get it.
With our sights set on snow (and kids' sights set on snow days) Washington Parent shares winter fun ideas from the book Winter Wisdom Outdoors, where families can explore together things like exquisite snowflake shapes, fascinating patterns in nature and an intriguing phenomenon among winter trees demonstrating their intelligence and intuitiveness.
It may be cold now, but we know you're in the thick of thinking about summer camp, so we've got articles on adventure camps – whether it's right for your child or teen and what the options are – and questions to ask camp directors to help you with your decision-making.
This month Washington Parent is introducing a new column, Brain Talk. As author Gabriele Nicolet explains, "Brain Talk isn't just a method; it's a mindset … By combining neuroscience, positive self-talk and practical strategies, Brain Talk transforms challenges into opportunities for growth. It equips children to approach their actions with curiosity and control, rather than frustration or defeat." Nicolet's insightful perspective and helpful strategies can be used both by parents of kids who are neurodivergent and of those who are neurotypical.
We're featuring two revealing education and STEM articles this month: the first on a very hot topic for both educators and parents – the use of AI in education, and the second on how parents can help their kids lay the foundation for success in math.
In this issue Washington Parent also continues our exploration begun with our The Doctor is In article on Girls and Earlier Puberty last September, with a new article, Supporting Physical Changes in Your Adolescent.
I asked our longtime book reviewer Mary Quattlebaum to share with our readers this month some good reads about cowboys and cowgirls, especially about the art of cowboy poetry. I had never heard about cowboy poetry till my son was very little and we were exploring beautiful Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Texas. This art form began with cowboys herding cattle back in the 1870s, storytelling around the campfire and in their bunkhouses, and it has survived and evolved, and the culture is still vibrant today. Check it out for an unexpected treat!
For our In Our Own Backyard department this month, we're highlighting the important work National Museum of Women in the Arts is doing in promoting equity in the arts, with a fun quiz "Can You Name 5 Women Artists." Read it with your kids and then go visit the museum on some dreary winter day for lots of colorful and kid-friendly discoveries.
Of course, we can't ignore the fact that we're launching a New Year, so we have an article on setting not just positive but achievable intentions to mark the passage. Don't try to be perfect; just stay true to who you are!
Karen
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