Best Of The Web: April 18-24

Contributors: Meghan
Gearino and Elizabeth Raymond

Here’s a weekly roundup of parenting articles that piqued
our interest. Enjoy! —

Sparked by Hilary Rosen’s recent comment that Ann Romney
knows nothing about women’s economic struggles because she has “never worked a
day in her life,” the “mommy wars” appear to continue. In America,
it seems a mother’s reason for working outside of the home still has
to be explained and defended
, if it’s not out of financial necessity. (Mom-101)

Many think of autism as a childhood disorder, but what
happens when these kids grow up? Hear one man’s (a father of three autistic
boys) account
of meeting and helping an adult with autism
. (CNN)

Mommy blogs are becoming increasingly popular. Dooce blogger
Heather Armstrong shares her DOs
and DON’Ts
about the blogging world. (The
Today Show
)

It’s never too early to get your baby started on the
classics…or is it? Check out these
classic book adaptations
made just for babies. (lilsugar.com)

Searching for the American dream outside of America.
Read about these children
of immigrants
returning to their families’ homelands in search of better,
and more exciting, job opportunities. (New
York Times
)

Lenore Skenazy’s new show, “World’s
Worst Mom,”
takes her inside the homes of families with overprotective
parents. See how she presents them with challenges to break their overbearing
ways. (Free-Range Kids)

Check out this
interview
with Mariska Hargitay about the wonderful decision she made to
adopt not one, but two more children, and the long road it took to get there. (People Magazine)

Check out how much this amazing 6-year-old
raised through a lemonade stand
to help his sick dad. Quite an ambitious
youngster! (The Huffington Post)

If it were up to them, how would your kids like to be spoken
to? Watch this awesome clip and find out—straight from the mouths of
babes
. (YouTube)

Are the city’s most troubled kids falling between the cracks
as a result of the state’s education reform policies? Here’s one
opinion on the matter
. (New York Times)

And just for fun, 10
bright and bold kicks for spring—for moms
! (Babble)

Relevant Directory Listings

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USC Gymnastics & Baseball Training Facility

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">We offer sports activities, after school programs, birthday parties & private lessons for kids ages 3–13 years! Our gymnastics classes are a great way to keep your child active and healthy. We strive to empower and challenge children through the sport of gymnastics.</span></p>

Brooklyn Robot Foundry - Virtual Classes

<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">Brooklyn Robot Foundry offers super fun online robot-building classes for children 2-13 years old!</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">  </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">Each week, students are introduced to new engineering concepts and components while building that day’s robot in their own “workshop”.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">  </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">All classes maintain a very low student-to-teacher ratio, allowing for plenty of individualized instruction and socializing. The supplies are shipped in advance and classes are led by amazing instructors, taking all the pressure off parents.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">  </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">The Foundry’s main focus however, is that kids have fun, get creative, and enjoy being part of this STEAM-loving community!</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> </span></p>

Polaris Productions Theater Camp

<p>Kids will learn, rehearse, and perform the wonderful Maurice Sendak and Carole King musical, Really Rosie. For 10 weekdays, campers will take part in physical and vocal warm-ups and learn choreography, staging, and vocal parts. They’ll develop skills in acting, singing, character development, and more. This camp will ignite your child’s imagination and passion for performing, build their self-esteem, and help them form lasting friendships. They’ll have fun! At camp’s end, the kids will perform Really Rosie for family members and friends. Kids of all levels of experience, ages 8 through 13, are welcome to join.</p>