The plan was set for our first dinner with a neighborhood family, the mom being one of my long-standing morning buddies who I regularly walk to the subway with after school drop-off. Her daughter is in third grade with my son, Adam. When I told him the plan his reaction was negative, but not kicking-and-screaming negative. "I don't really like her," he said, despite previous evidence to the contrary. His schoolmate, I heard, had a much stronger reaction. "Adam's coming to our house?" she echoed, aghast at the prospect. "Does he have to?"...[More Here]

 

*In our weekly roundup of the best parenting stories on the web, a recent New York Times Magazine article looks at the genetic differences between kids who thrive under pressure and those who wither. The authors will discuss their new book on the science of winning and losing on February 20 at Facebook's NY offices!

*What's that smell? We're loving the new Mo's Nose picture books that add aromatherapeutic technology to storytime. Little kids can sniff pink jasmine, fresh green grass, and even yummy gingerbread.

*While there may not be one big secret to being a good parent, our mom blogger thinks there's some universal advice to heed. Here are Angela Johnson's five pieces of wisdom for new and expecting moms.