Children

Revising the book on mental illness

After years of research, professional infighting and maneuvering from various interest groups, the nation's psychiatrists Tuesday unveiled proposed changes to the manual used to diagnose and treat mental disorders around the world. The draft document,...

Tags: Illnesses, Obesity, Lotteries, Tourism and Leisure, Mental Illness

Give it a break

Don't panic. Those strange white spots you see on your daily planner are not cause for alarm. They're called "free time," and you should do everything in your power — especially this time of year — to preserve them as such. With kids out of...

Tags: Human Interest, Physical Fitness and Exercise, Holidays, Family, The Happiest News!

Feed a cold — and maybe a fever too

Is it feed a cold, starve a fever? Or the other way around? With cold season upon us, parents are reviewing their folk wisdom and trading elaborate — if unscientific — protocols for reintroducing solid foods to tender tummies. Have you...

Tags: Vomiting, Health and Medical Professionals, Plastic Surgeons, Health, Hospitals and Clinics

City kids get lesson in bacon, bloodshed

My 7-year-old loves bacon. She loves it almost as much she loves pigs who are still alive. And so our recent farm visit to witness a slaughter was not easy. For years I've been talking to Miranda and her brother, Joe, about appreciating the sources...

Tags: Human Interest, Kankakee, Animals, Farms, Bacon

Five Tips to Protect New Dads' Health

McClatchy Tribune

Attention, expectant dads: Moms aren't the only ones who experience health risks before or after birth. Even though fathers-to-be don't go through the physical changes of carrying a child, some have insomnia, nausea, irritability or even labor pains, a...

Tags: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Diseases and Illnesses, Infants, Sleep Deprivation, Insomnia

Some Girls' Puberty Age Still Falling

Los Angeles Times

Doctors and parents were stunned when research published more than a decade ago found American girls were beginning puberty at much younger ages, some as early as 7. A new study released Sunday suggests the average age at which puberty begins may still be...

Tags: University of Michigan, Diseases and Illnesses, East Harlem, National or Ethnic Minorities, Breast

Tags: University of California, Infants, Obesity, Asthma, Hospitals and Clinics

West Hollywood hotel: Charlie Chaplin Tramp stayed here

Special to the Los Angeles Times

Entering the Charlie Chaplin cottage, I stooped to avoid hitting my head. At 5 feet 8, I'm about 3 inches taller than Chaplin. (It's said the Little Tramp had the door made small so his guests would have to bow as they entered.) I was at the Charlie,...

Tags: Restaurants, Hotel and Accommodation Industry, Los Angeles Times, Marlene Dietrich, Bette Davis

L.A.'s leaders in learning

Five families from across the San Fernando Valley set up camp for three nights by the front door of Wilbur Avenue Elementary School in 2009, intent on getting a spot for their children in one of the best-regarded schools in Los Angeles. Others hired...

Tags: Arne Duncan, Standardized Testing, Examinations, Hancock Park, San Fernando

100 shots fired? We all should want answers

Tags: Ivy League, Moving, Politics, Schools, Theft

Help for the unhappy camper

This summer, millions of families will make the first drive down Camp Road, bidding farewell to a child for perhaps the longest time they have ever spent apart. The minute the wheels start crunching down that gravel, the stomachs of both passenger and...

Tags: San Diego (San Diego, California), Yale University, Maine, San Diego County (California), Education

Turn a sore loser into a good sport

Your 7-year-old is a sore loser. How do you help her enjoy activities — win or lose? Parent advice Many of us feel we should let our child win every game or event. By doing this, we are teaching our children the inability to celebrate others'...

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