brain development

This parenting stuff can get rough. Especially when magazines, mothers-in-law and mom group frenemies tell us everything we think we’re doing right is utterly wrong. It’s no wonder we feel less than confident in our parenting skills, panicked that any mistake we make now will scar our little ones for life. But cheer up, mom and dad! You’re doing a better job than you – or any of your friendly naysayers – may think. By simply playing with your child day after day, you’re stimulating his or her development, setting the foundation for a healthy and happy life now and for years to come.

In two weeks, a friend and I are planning a special lunch to celebrate our kids’ independence.  My youngest will have completed a week of kindergarten by then, and her only child will be entering his first week of college.

Despite the serious separation anxiety gripping our house right now, I have it easier. I don’t have to worry about the temptations of college life.

My brain is on a downhill slope. The reason? I turned 40 last month. Before you start rolling your eyes, take note: Back in September, scientists at the University of California-Los Angeles said that 39-year-olds are tops on standard tests of motor skills. After that, it truly is downhill.

In the mail the other day I received a letter asking if I’d be willing to sign my son up to be poked and prodded for the good of science. His clinic is participating in a study about asthma, and because he’s been treated for breathing problems a couple of times, they wanted to take a look at him.

He’ll get a free medical workup and I’ll have to answer a bunch of questions. But, because his clinic is in the control group, he won’t get any special treatment, drugs, or information. All we get (aside from a little stipend) is the feel-good knowledge that we have helped doctors learn a bit more about a medical problem that affects thousands of children around St. Louis.

If you have a baby younger than 6 months of age, you can do your own part for the good of science by signing up to be part of a control group in an autism study. Washington University is part of the Infant Sibling Study, a nation-wide look at babies who have an older sibling with an autism diagnosis as well as babies who have an older sibling who is typically developing.

The study’s local organizers are actively seeking children in that latter group, according to Beth Prusaczyk of the Washington University Medical Center.

New Year’s resolutions are all well and good, but I for one don’t really have the energy to start new lifestyle commitments right after the holidays. This first full week of fall is a different story – I’m inspired by the cooler nights, back-to-school routines and fresh-off-the-tree apples.

And I don’t think I’m the only one – during the past week my inbox has been full of great ideas for enriching our children’s lives. Here, in no particular order, are five ideas to get you started.