Research For ‘Rents

using psychology studies to pump up your parenting skills

Do you know how to save a choking child?

January 18, 2017Research For 'Rentschoking, emergencies, food, memoriesThe Doctor and The Dad

People will tell you a lot of things you should do as a parent. Your dentist says you should bring your kids in for a checkup as soon as they sprout teeth, your sister says you should buy this particular brand of diaper rash cream, the nice old lady at the grocery store says you should spoil your kids because they’re only little once.

All of these shoulds are debatable. But here’s one that’s not:

You absolutely should know what to do if your child starts choking.

Continue reading Do you know how to save a choking child? →

Should you tell your kids the truth about Santa?

December 22, 2016Research For 'Rentsholidays, lying, magicThe Doctor and The Dad

Santa says Shhhh — WARNING: The following article is NSFK (Not Safe For Kids). Children, please stop reading this immediately, and go clean your rooms. Santa’s watching…

While scrolling through our Facebook feeds recently, an alarming headline from The Guardian caught our eye:

Belief in Santa could affect parent-child relationships, warns study

We responded the same way any thoughtful, concerned and loving parents (who have also been telling their kids to believe in Santa Claus their entire lives) would:

“Huh? No!”

“What have we done to our precious children?!”

“Our family is doomed! Doomed, I tell you!”

“AAAAAARRRRGGGHHHH!”

Continue reading Should you tell your kids the truth about Santa? →

D+D on PBS: Why You Should Experiment on Your Child!

November 9, 2016Research For 'Rentsexperiments, fun, guest blogs, toysThe Doctor and The Dad

As a parent, you want what’s best for your kids, right? That’s why you buckle them into their car seats, make them eat all their vegetables, and read plenty of parenting articles like this one. After all, if there’s something your babies need, by golly you’re going to give it to them!

There’s only one problem: it’s hard to always know what your children truly need…

Continue reading D+D on PBS: Why You Should Experiment on Your Child! →

Family Traditions Are Fantastic

October 13, 2016Research For 'Rentsfamily time, food, memories, vacationsThe Doctor and The Dad

Last weekend, the Doctor and the Dad packed up the car, buckled up the kids and headed up the coast for our absolute, no-doubt-about-it favorite event of the year: The California Avocado Festival.

For three days, our family consumed as much of the green stuff as possible, including fried avocado wedges, avocado ice cream, avocado whoopie pies, avocado beer (Mom and Dad only, of course), and chips with loads of delicious dip scooped straight out of the World’s Largest Vat of Guacamole.

Continue reading Family Traditions Are Fantastic →

An Open Letter to an Overly Competitive Mom

October 4, 2016Research For 'Rentscompetition, milestones, walkingThe Doctor and The Dad

Hey, you. Yes, you. The Overly Competitive Mom I saw at the children’s play place the other day.

Remember me? I’m That Other Mom who was there all by herself, watching her kids. Well, technically I wasn’t so much “watching” as I was “frantically chasing” my 12-month-old daughter, trying to make sure she didn’t fall flat on her face or stumble directly into the path of some other gleefully reckless child.

Continue reading An Open Letter to an Overly Competitive Mom →

Six Tools for Taming a Tantrum

September 8, 2016Research For 'Rentsemotions, music, shopping, tantrumsThe Doctor and The Dad

Picture your perfect grocery shopping experience:

You are gliding effortlessly from aisle to aisle, instantly finding each and every item you need. Everything’s on sale, your list is overflowing with deeply satisfying checkmarks, and your shopping cart wheels are completely squeak-free.

Oh, and they’re playing Adele over the store’s loudspeakers.

Yes, this day is a complete and utter dream…

…until your tantrum-throwing toddler turns it into a total nightmare!

Continue reading Six Tools for Taming a Tantrum →

You absolutely should know what to do if your child starts choking.

Belief in Santa could affect parent-child relationships, warns study

Is it better to give or receive?