Eye on Parenting Blog

Tilda Swinton: Parenting is "a bloody business"

Tilda Swinton attends the "We Need to Talk About Kevin" premiere during the 64th Cannes Film Festival on May 12, 2011, in France

/ Getty Images
(CBS) Actress Tilda Swinton recently said, "It's a bloody business, being a parent."

We at "Eye on Parenting" couldn't agree more.

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But Swinton, who was talking about her role in her new movie "We Have to Talk About Kevin," isn't just talking in the abstract. The actress not only plays a mom in her new movie - receiving rave reviews at Cannes - she also is one.

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Bad celeb parenting moments the world remembers

Alec Baldwin and his daughter, Ireland in 2005. Baldwin received widespread criticism for a voicemail he left in 2007 to his daughter, calling her a "thoughtless little pig."

/ GETTY IMAGES/Kevin Winter
(CBS) Every parent has a bad day every now and then. But what if the media sent word of your moments to everyone? That's the case for many celebrities who face the intense scrutiny of the paparazzi in every facet of their lives - and especially with their kids.

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In our "Bad moments in celeb parenting" photo gallery, "Eye on Parenting" highlights some of the scandals celebrities have found themselves facing after tidbits about their parenting go public.

Best U.S. cities for single moms to live

Photo illustration

/ iStockphoto
(CBS) They're magicians, the moms of the world. They make amazing things happen in spite of life's often difficult circumstances. In honor of Mother's Day this weekend, "Eye on Parenting" salutes all of you.

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But we'd like to take a special look at single moms this Mother's Day. There are 9.9 million single mothers in the U.S., according to the 2010 Census. These parents face challenges many other moms and dads don't. Between managing work and home, financial commitments and extracurricular activities, a single parent's work - alone - is never done. 

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Washington teen fakes pregnancy for school project

In an April 20, 2011 photo, Toppenish High School senior Gaby Rodriguez talks about rumors and stereotypes at a school assembly in Toppenish, Wash.

/ AP Photo/Yakima Herald-Republic, Gordon King

(AP) A high school student who faked a pregnancy for six months as a social experiment stunned a student assembly this week by taking off the belly bundle.

Special section: Eye on Parenting

Only a handful of people knew that 17-year-old Gaby Rodriguez wasn't really pregnant. They included her mother, boyfriend and the principal, according to the Yakima Herald-Republic.


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Kids' dress-up fun for the royal wedding

LittleLids.com

(CBS) Are you looking forward to the royal wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William on April 29? How about your kids?

Tiaras?

Puffy gowns?

If your kids are already planning their own "royal wedding" in your living room, you can help them imagine the fun with a new crown or dress -- or maybe even a fun tux! 

Pictures: Royal wedding gowns
Special section: The royal wedding

It's still not publicly known what Kate Middleton will wear on her wedding day, but you can have fun with your kids dreaming up a duplicate of her dress with some of the dress-to-impress outfits featured in our "Adorable royal wedding dress-up" gallery.

From elegant ball gowns to princess dresses, as well as debonair suits and tuxedos, "Eye on Parenting" found some elegant and tasteful designs your child will love -- and that you can afford.

Pictures: Dress-up for the royal wedding
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Ark. moms join full-contact football team

Football and Female symbol CBS/AP/iStockphoto

(CBS) Usually, moms are seen on the sidelines at football fields. They're cheering for their kids, watching tackles and touchdowns. But in Arkansas, there's a very different sight: some moms actually taking the field for their own games.

That's because these moms are members of Arkansas Lady Rampage, Northwest Arkansas' first women's football team.

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What everyone should know about child abuse

child abuse, generic, stock istockphoto

(CBS) From discussions about "tiger mom" Amy Chua's unorthodox parenting to the revelation that a mother regularly injects her daughter with Botox, debate about what exactly constitutes child abuse continues.

But what isn't up for debate is  the fact that many children are abused in the U.S.

According to  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' most recent  2009 numbers, 3.6 million children (pdf) were reported victims of child abuse. In the same year, 1,770 children are estimated to have died from abuse and neglect.

But these cases, experts say, can be prevented if people start to speak up. And there's no better time than now: April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

But we at "Eye on Parenting" wanted to know exactly what people should be aware of and what steps to take if abuse is suspected. So we turned to expert Dr. Mary L. Pulido, executive director of The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, for some advice that applies, not just to parents, but to everyone in society.

Check out Pulido's interview below with CBSNews.com's Amanda Cochran.
















Also, check out these helpful resources on child abuse and prevention:

National Child Abuse Prevention Month at U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

To help the NYSPCC during National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, text NYSPCC to 50555 to donate $10. All proceeds will benefit The NYSPCC and help fund its counseling, legal and educational programs to prevent abuse and help children and families heal.

Stylish rainy day looks for kids

Lotus flower rain boots from Kidorable.com.

/ Kidorable.com
(CBS) With spring comes rain. Make sure your little ones are decked out in proper rain gear with our "Spring rain gear your kids will love" gallery. From warm parkas to colorful boots and matching umbrellas, check out some of the sweetest designs "Eye on Parenting" found for your child at any price point.

Pictures: Spring rain gear your kids will love
Special section: Eye on Parenting

Mom documents her "alcoholic housewife" life

Brenda Wilhelmson

Brenda Wilhelmson

/ Gretchen Clemens
(CBS) Suburban Chicago mom Brenda Wilhelmson is like many mothers with their kids headed off to college.

She's worried.

Her 18-year-old, Max, whom she calls a "straight arrow," is headed to Northern Michigan University next year.

"It's a whole other ball game," Wilhelmson says of her son's college life.

But she's perhaps more concerned than other parents about one thing: alcohol abuse.

Wilhelmson says she's talked with Max and her 10-year-old son, Van, about alcohol and substance abuse many times as they've grown up.

But will it be enough? Will Max decide to drink? Will he do drugs?

Wilhelmson says she's tried to teach him and talk to him. But perhaps her life's example is the best warning - and hope - for her son:

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Obnoxious moms annoy on Facebook: study

istockphoto.com
(CBS) Do you know an annoyingly proud mother on Facebook? Are you that mother?

Well, it looks like those very vocal parents on Facebook are annoying many of their friends on the social networking site.

Special section: Eye on Parenting

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Bullied teen, Alye Pollack, quietly fights back

(CBS) Without saying a word, 13-year-old Alye Pollack is making a big statement. Recently, the 8th grader posted a haunting YouTube video urging bullies to think about the impact of hurtful words.

Special section: Eye on Parenting
Pictures: Victims of bullying

In the video, Pollack - who holds up signs telling her story as music plays - says she's been bullied for years and says thinking before speaking can save lives.

Her mother Audra Pollack recently spoke to the Connecticut newspaper WestportNow, saying, "I'm very proud of her. Some of it was for dramatic effect, but it was valid."

According to the paper, the video has received notice as far away as Texas, Italy and Australia. The video currently has more than 12,000 views and nearly 400 comments.

Among those comments, one parent wrote, "Alye, I know it's hard, hang in there. I'm happy you spoke out. I work in a high school and yes bullying is a real problem. My son also gets bullied. I know your video will help a lot of others to speak up about this. In the morning, I will be showing it to him. He is in high school."

As for Alye, her mother says they're trying to figure out what to do next.

Her school has been notified of the bullying. The Bedford Middle School principal has said the 8th graders have recently met with school officials and been reminded of internet safety and the consequences of cyber-bullying. The school urges parents to have discussions with their kids about cyber-bullying.

Since the video was posted, Audra said her daughter has been cyber-bullied. Audra told the local paper Alye's school can only do so much, particularly because a lot of the bullying happens after school - particularly online.

Audra said, "The same parents who keep saying. 'It's not my kid,' should watch what's being posted."

What do you think of Ayle's video? Let us know in the comments below.

Mom arrested for reportedly encouraging son's fight (Video)

A photo taken from the YouTube video of the fight.

/ YouTube

(CBS/AP) Police in California have arrested a woman who was seen and heard on a YouTube video apparently egging on her son to batter another boy.

Special section: Eye on Parenting

After receiving an anonymous tip about the video, Ceres police arrested 33-year-old Jennifer Zuniga on Tuesday on suspicion of child endangerment and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The video shows Zuniga yelling profanities and encouraging the boys, who appear to be teenagers, to wrestle on the ground in her front yard and exchange punches.

At least four other teens watching the fight are also visible on the video .

Several minutes into the fight, a man is heard on the video approaching the group and challenging Zuniga's actions.

He says, "What's wrong with you, man?"

Zuniga answers for him, saying, "This boy has a problem with my son and I'm letting him handle it."

The bystander answers, "Is that right? Is that the way you do it?"

Zuniga says, "That's the way I do it because I'm tired of this b*******."

Later in the video the bystander says, "What kind of example are you, lady?"

She replies, "Hey, I don't care."

Police say the bystander stopped the fight.

No one was injured.

Warning: The video contains offensive language.

Parents want 1st grader with peanut allergy gone

iStockPhoto

(CBS) Controversy has sprung up around a first-grade girl from Edgewater, Fla., with an extreme, life-threatening peanut allergy. Instead of dealing with extra rules to protect her health, parents of her classmates want her removed from the class and home-schooled, a school official said.

Special Section: Eye on Parenting

However, as Nancy Wait, spokeswoman for the Volusia County School District, pointed out, the public school there is required to provide accommodation for the girl because her allergy is considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"That was one of the suggestions that kept coming forward from parents, to have her home schooled," she said. "... That's just not even an option for us."

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Moms make parenting an inspiration for business

Agatha Achindu and her son.

/ YummySpoonfuls.com
From diapers to baby food to kids' activities, some moms have come up with their own solutions to the challenges of child rearing -- and marketed them. They're now known as "mompreneurs."

Pictures: "Mompreneurs" make their mark

Who are these women?

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Could site make child products safer?

CBS/iStockphoto
(CBS/AP) From drop-side cribs to baby toys with parts that pose a choking hazard, it seems as if recalls of products for kids never end.

However, a new public database may let consumers know a product is faulty before it's even purchased.

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