Parenting
Parenting practices around the world share three major goals: ensuring children’s health and safety, preparing children for life as productive adults and transmitting cultural values. A high-quality parent-child relationship is critical for healthy development.
Adapted from the Encyclopedia of Psychology
What You Can Do
- Changing diet and exercise for kids
Every child needs to learn the ABC’s of life. When it comes to establishing healthy habits, you can teach them how to “ABCDE” (Act Boldly to Change Diet and Exercise).
- Facing the school dropout dilemma
This article seeks to complement and supplement the APA resolution on school dropout prevention with data from more recent research on child development, early childhood education, and social and emotional learning that helps to define the school dropout dilemma.
- Fatherhood Balancing Act Takes a Toll on Men’s Health
Balancing work and family life can leave many men feeling as if they’re drowning in a sea of work, bills and the responsibilities of being a father.
- Confronting childhood obesity
Tips and resources for parents about helping their children make better decisions about what they eat to prevent childhood obesity.
- Communication tips for parents
Parenting is hard work, but there are things you can do to maintain a good connection with your children and keep the lines of communication open.
- Single parenting and today's family
Life in a single parent household - though common - can be quite stressful for the adult and the children.
- Parenting: The teen years
The teen years pose some of the most difficult challenges for families. Teenagers, dealing with hormone changes and an ever-complex world, may feel that no one can understand their feelings, especially parents. As a result, the teen may feel angry, alone and confused while facing complicated issues about identity, peers, sexual behavior, drinking and drugs.
- Parents and Caregivers Are Essential to Children’s Healthy Development
Parents and caregivers make sure children are healthy and safe, equip them with the skills and resources to succeed as adults, and transmit basic cultural values to them.
- Staying connected: A guide for parents on raising an adolescent daughter
Take a look at this informative brochure that covers topics including: puberty, peer groups, self-esteem, sexuality, mood swings, rebellion, and much more.
- Parenting
A collection of research studies with a real-world applications, designed to help parents foster high-quality relationships with their children.
Getting Help
News
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Stress may be causing your infertility
August 27, 2010, U.S. News & World Report
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Spotting and nurturing your child's innate talent
August 24, 2010, Kansas City Star
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Should you be friends with your kids?
August 18, 2010, CBS News
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The ongoing public restroom dilemma
August 12, 2010, Chicago Sun-Times
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Worried about how much your kid worries?
August 11, 2010, MSNBC
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The perils of too much parenting
August 10, 2010, CBS News
Monitor on Psychology Articles
- It's Father's day
April 2010
- Podcasting for parents
March 2010
- Priming for a new role
September 2008
- APA task force report decries culture's sexualization of girls
April 2007
Books
- Strengthening Couple Relationships for Optimal Child Development
October 2009
- Lesbian and Gay Parents and Their Children
September 2009
- Becoming a Calm Mom
October 2008
APA Offices and Programs
- Children, Youth, and Families
The Children, Youth and Families Office supports the work of the APA Committee on Children, Youth and Families and serves as liaison with other APA divisions, related organizations, state associations and federal agencies.