Thinking About Kids

Parents, kids, and the way we live together.

by Nancy Darling

"I Could Do That!" Why Role Models Matter

When little Jacob touched the President's hair, he learned something important - someone like me can change the world. Before we act and before we aspire, we need to know both that something can be done and that it can be done by some like us. Read More

Psychopaths, Children, and Evil

Are callous, unemotional children who may grow up to be adult psychopaths born that way? Do they just need to be 'broken'? Or is there another way to think about it? Read More

My Phobia: Now You See It, Now You Don't

Specific fears can often be treated. Read More

Why the Real World Is Better for Kids Than an iPad

Will eReaders and iPads really do more for our babies than banging on pots and messing around in the mud? Insight from a middle schooler's roller coaster project. Read More

Can We Thank Hand Sanitizer for the Rise of Conservative Politics?

Reading Heidt's new book on the psychological underpinnings of the liberal/conservative divide, I was reminded of one of my most effective classroom exercises: "Spit into a cup. Now drink it." Read More

Old Age and Treachery

Does strategic use of pragmatics—treachery—allow older people to compensate for lower overall levels of functioning? Read More

Parenting, Guns, Shooters, and Suicide

Kids shouldn't have the responsibility for deciding whether their schoolmates' threats are serious. Read More

Are Today's 20-Somethings Slackers?

Media reports abound with portraits of young adults mooching off their overly protective parents. Is it true? Or is something else really going on? Read More

Keep Your Middle Schooler Organized

How to help your middle schooler stay organized so they do the homework assigned and turn in the homework they do. Read More

Frail and Aging Parents? 8 Habits to Help You Help Effectively

Sometimes its hard to help the people we love - especially elderly parents. Eight small habits we can build to help more effectively. Read More

Why Do Daydreamers Fail?

When our family talks about 'model railroader syndrome,' we're talking about someone who sees a completed project in their mind so clearly that they don't actually have to build it. Now there's a new study out that may tell us more about why this is such an easy trap to fall into. Read More

Sex Hormones Heal Injured Brains: Why Research Matters

Why do female rats—and humans—recover much faster from brain injury than males do? The answer is in our hormones. Read More

Does Music Make You Deaf? Music Part I

We often worry that listening to loud music - particularly with earphones - destroys hearing. But can it help you as well? Read More

Are Today's Kids Programmed for Boredom?

Boredom can be a sign that you've never learned what you like to do or how to make that happen. Or a sign of rebellion. Or a symptom of a childhood spent too well entertained. Which is it for your kids? Read More

The Stigma of Depression: Mea Culpa

The prejudice we hold again people with mental illnesses like depression comes out in subtle ways. Read More

Surviving Tough Times

When things are easy, gazelles win out. But you want a warthog in the mud. Hard times are like that. Read More

Pirates, Piaget, and the Null Hypothesis

Pirates, Piaget, and the Null Hypothesis. Can science tell us whether pirates wore eyepatches to help them see better in the dark? Read More

Is it Okay to Let Your Toddler Play with the iPad?

Babies and cats with iPads are just too cute. And it's SO tempting to let them play when we're busy. But is it okay? Read More

Hey Guys! Watch This! For Teens, Friends Make Risk More Fun

Why are movies funnier, roller coasters more exciting, and car crashes more common when teens are with friends? New fMRI studies provide some clues. Read More

Teens Respond to Pleasure, Not Pain: Parent Accordingly

Teens' risky behavior and dumb choices drive parents crazy. But teens respond better to advice if you talk to the reward part of their brain, rather to the punishment part. Here's how a scientific paper changed my parenting for the better. Read More

Facebook As Sexually Transmitted Disease: The Dark Side of Tags

Facebook is like a sexually transmitted disease, in that your risk is proportional to that of your highest risk 'friend'. And just like sexually transmitted diseases, there are things you can do to protect yourself. A 'How To' primer. Read More

The Gorilla In Times Square

Our expectations shape what we see in profound - and pretty funny - ways. What are you missing because you're not paying attention? Read More

Scaffolding Is Good, Hovering Is Bad: A Guide For Parents

Are you a supportive, concerned parent or a smothering, hovering helicopter one? Three telltale signs that signal the difference. Read More

Going to College? A Short List of Things Students Have to Know

Finances, housekeeping, and manners. Is your child ready for college? They're walking out the door. A short list of things they really have to know. Read More

Listening to Words that Aren't Said: Terry Pratchett and the Witches

Listening to your own inner voice can tell you it's time to look for the important words not said. Read More

It Takes 40 Weeks To Build a Baby: WAIT!

Is a few weeks' discomfort and a little inconvenience worth the health of your baby? Read More

Five Tips for a Happy Family Summer

Flexibility, structure, a bit of work and a lot of fun make lazy summer days 'just happen'. Read More

Is Your Teen Trustworthy? Can You Tell?

All kids lie sometimes, but some lie much more than others. Can you tell who is who? Read More

Old Fashioned Letters and Ponderosa Pines: Musings on Time and Communication

Letters disperse thoughts and emotions through time, as well as space. Read More

You Can't Win: Why Parents Feel Guilty

Does 'fabulous' parenting really land kids in therapy? Read More

Nancy Darling, Ph.D., is a Professor at Oberlin College.

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About Thinking About Kids

Thinking About Kids is a place to explore thoughts about families, kids, parenting, and the wonderful puzzle that is scientific psychology. Unlike my other professional writings, I use this blog to ponder about life in general and science in particular from my perspectives as developmental researcher, as a mother, as a wife, as a citizen, and as a statistics teacher. These are my own thoughts and do not reflect the positions of my department or institution.