The week's best parenting advice: September 1, 2020
When to get kids tested for COVID, how to go on a "listening walk," and more
1. Cold or COVID?
As autumn approaches, so does cold and flu season. But the pandemic has made things even more stressful for parents: What if that runny nose is actually coronavirus? The tricky thing about COVID-19 is that its symptoms vary, and many overlap with other — more minor — illnesses. "If your child's symptoms seem out of the ordinary, it's best to talk to your child's pediatrician," writes Christina Caron at NYT Parenting. Definitely keep kids with fevers and other symptoms home from school, because “sometimes mild symptoms are all we have to go on and kids are really good at shedding the virus, even if they don't have symptoms," Adam Ratner, M.D., tells Caron. Testing asymptomatic kids isn't necessary, doctors say, but if you know your kid was exposed, the best time frame within which to have them tested is about five days after exposure, "because the virus may still be incubating in the body," says Meg Fisher, M.D.
2. Do you hear that?
How can we teach our children to be good listeners? Terry Ward at CNN recently tried something called a "listening walk" with her preschooler — an evening stroll through an area with "as little human-made noise as possible." During such a walk, parents let kids follow their curiosity, naming the natural noises they hear along the way. "Parents have adapted to a noise-polluted world by learning not to listen because noise is useless information," Gordon Hempton, co-founder of Quiet Parks International, tells Ward. "So we actually teach our children, by example, not to listen." Not only can these walks foster listening skills, they encourage a connection to the natural world. "If you don't develop that sense of literacy and attachment and connection to the Earth early on, it's really, really difficult later on," says Mark Bailey, a professor in the college of education at Pacific University.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
3. Earlier is better
Many parents are waiting too long to talk to their young children about race, a new study suggests. The research, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, surveyed more than 600 adults in America and found that many — regardless of their own race — believe 5 years old is the earliest age at which to have a conversation with children about race. However, the researchers note that kids become aware of race as infants, and begin to form racist beliefs at age 3, so the sooner the conversation happens, the better. "Even if it's a difficult topic, it's important to talk with children about race, because it can be difficult to undo racial bias once it takes root," says study co-author Leigh Wilton, PhD, an assistant professor of psychology at Skidmore College. "Toddlers can't do calculus, but that doesn't mean we don't teach them to count. You can have a conversation with a toddler about race that is meaningful to them on their level."
The American Psychological Association Journal of Experimental Psychology: General
4. You're not supermom
As the school year starts, many parents could do with a gentle reminder to practice some self-compassion. That may sound cheesy, but the circumstances are ripe for feelings of failure, especially for parents who are homeschooling and working at the same time. "In that setting, parents are often forced to compromise by allowing more screen time than they would normally or loosening their usual rules about food choices," child psychologist Cynthia Rogers tells Danielle Campoamor at Good Housekeeping. Campoamor says she worries the pandemic has turned her into a bad mom, but Rogers encouragers her, and other parents, to give themselves some grace. "Ultimately, the quality of the parent-child interaction, even if the quantity is a bit less than normal during these times, is the most important thing," Rogers says. "Children need to feel loved and supported but they don't need things to be perfect to thrive. I think sometimes as moms we forget that."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
5. Helicopter kids are here
"If your kids have gotten more clingy during quarantine, you are not alone," writes Mita Mallick at Mothermag.com. She recently coined the term "helicopter kids" to describe her increasingly needy children "born out of the 2020 pandemic." She notes that kids who have helicopter parents — or parents who micromanage — often have trouble managing stress and self control as adults, and ruefully speculates that helicopter kids are inflicting long-term effects on their own parents' attention spans, tempers, and impulses. "The hovering and 'zooming in and out' of my helicopter children will no doubt have lasting psychological effects on me when I physically return back to my office. ... I never thought I would say this. I think I would welcome back that work bathroom stall where the door never fully locked any way in exchange for a few moments of peace and quiet."
Jessica Hullinger is a writer and former deputy editor of The Week Digital. Originally from the American Midwest, she completed a degree in journalism at Indiana University Bloomington before relocating to New York City, where she pursued a career in media. After joining The Week as an intern in 2010, she served as the title’s audience development manager, senior editor and deputy editor, as well as a regular guest on “The Week Unwrapped” podcast. Her writing has featured in other publications including Popular Science, Fast Company, Fortune, and Self magazine, and she loves covering science and climate-related issues.
-
Climate change is threatening Florida's Key deer
The Explainer Questions remain as to how much effort should be put into saving the animals
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Daniel Lurie: San Francisco's moderate next mayor
In the Spotlight Lurie beat a fellow Democrat, incumbent Mayor London Breed, for the job
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
TV to watch in November, from 'Dune: Prophecy' and 'A Man on the Inside'
The Week Recommends A new comedy from 'The Good Place' creator, a prequel to 'Dune' and the conclusion of one of America's most popular shows
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published