I think we can all agree that the expectations we have of kids today is tremendous, but just how dangerous is it to their psychological health? Seeking to answer that question is a new documentary called Race to Nowhere, which looks into the pressures on students to overachieve. Watch the trailer below. Via ParentsAsk.

Race to Nowhere is a new documentary about the dark side of America’s achievement culture. Watch the trailer here.

The administration of Sacred Heart, a Catholic pre-school in Boulder, CO, expelled a student for having gay parents, citing the Catholic churches stern views on homosexuality.

“To allow children in these circumstances to continue in our school would be a cause of confusion for the student in that what they are being taught in school conflicts with what they experience in the home,” said the Archdiocese of Denver, in a formal statement.

Growing up, I went to a private Episcopalian high school. I was not Episcopalian, and many other students were of different denominations and entirely different religions. While I understand that Boulder’s Sacred Heart is there to serve the Catholic community, I think by not accepting students of different backgrounds undoes much of what the Catholic church stands for.

Here’s the story from the Associated Press.

We had over 500 entries in our Best Family Vacation Ever giveaway. And who won? Reader Maria K, whose favorite vacation was at Disneyworld!

Hands best vacation in my life was my 1st visit disney @ age 8, I was still young enough to think everything was awesome and being with my parents was the best part, same trip 5 years later @ age 13 and I was total tool thinking everything was lame and my parents were crazy. lol

Congratulations, Maria! You win a $250 Amazon gift card as well as a year-long premium Life360 membership. Thanks to everyone who entered, and stay tuned to Life360 Now! for more giveaways.

Photo by rgtmum.

The age-old rite of passage, spring break, is right around the corner and college kids across the country are starting to plan trips that are usually filled with an abundance of sun, alcohol, and sex. For many young girls, this is their first trip away from Mom and Dad’s watchful eye and a chance to cut loose. While most will return from these trips with merely some great stories to tell their friends, the sad reality is that some will make some regrettable choices and even put themselves in dangerous situations.
Read More

You may or may not find this chart comparing the levels of caffeine in various drinks surprising, but it’s good to know that coffee lovers are the supreme caffeine addicts. (And maybe coffee lovers like knowing that brewed coffee has way more caffeine than an Americano?) Of course, the serving sizes for each beverage varies. The full breakdown at Wisebread.

Spring might mean the return of the sun and nice weather, but for those with allergies, it means a lot of coughing and sneezing. How do you and your kids get rid of allergies? Or at least stave them off? The Times suggests taking three steps: finding the right doctor, eliminating the source, and immunotherapy.

Mild allergies can be treated without much testing, and getting the right prescription and over-the-counter medication can make a world of difference. But for children with worse allergies, parents should take them to to an allergist, who can pinpoint exactly what your child is allergic to with a skin test. To find an allergist, check out the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology’s doctor locator.
Read More

Here’s a neat time-lapse video of the Milky Way, to make you feel small and insignificant in relation to the rest of the universe.

When parents push their kids to succeed — whether it’s academically or athletically — there’s a careful balance of nurturing a will to do his/her best and not forcing your kids to do something just because the parent is living vicariously through them. It’s tricky. In her column for the Los Angeles Times, Sandy Banks talks about how that tension can strengthen the bond between mother and daughter.

It took years on the soccer sidelines for me to learn to walk away, to honor my daughter’s wish that I please, please not embarrass her by becoming one of those parents who strides out onto the field to pick a fight with the referee.

I only recently realized that she was honoring my wish by strapping on those shin guards every week. She got tired of playing long before I let her quit.

I spent weekends with my daughter, traveling to games and tournaments. And if the love of soccer didn’t stick, well, the closeness between mother and daughter did.

The rest at the Los Angeles Times. Photo by brit.

The truth is I was surprised to find out that there was something scientific wrong with Eric. And I was shocked that it had a name.

I had secretly thought that his problems were my fault, and if only I had been making ABC photo books for Eric like I had for Paul, Eric would have been reading already. I had been so proud of myself for not comparing him to Paul. But I thought Paul was a genius, so Eric must just be average. And I was proud of myself for accepting that! But now I had to admit that Paul might be average and Eric was, perhaps, below average.

Had I lowered my expectations too much?
Read More

Is Tim Burton’s reimagining of Alice in Wonderland appropriate viewing material for kids? Burton is known for his dark, violent films like Sweeney Todd, but also bizarrely yet kid-friendly fare like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Over at Babble, Erika Milvy thinks that Alice falls in the latter category. And not only is it OK for children, she thinks it’s just a straight up good movie.

She writes, “This is a film you’ll want your daughter to see instead of Hannah Montana… Like Where the Wild Things Are this is a film about childhood as well as being a film that will enchant children. If your kid isn’t old enough, see it alone.”

Kids movies that aren’t just for kids! And I thought only Pixar could do it. Anyone seen Alice in Wonderland yet? Movie trailer is on YouTube, because embedding is disabled.