Best Of The Web: March 14-20

Contributors: Meghan
Gearino

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

Want to lean how to be a pirate? Go to MIT! Legend has it,
if you fulfill phys. ed. classes in pistol shooting, archery, sailing and
fencing, the institute will bestow upon you a pirate
certificate. We’re not kidding. Shiver me timbers. (The Mary Sue)

Could your teen already be addicted to caffeine? A new
survey shows that teenagers actually prefer caffeinated drinks. (The New York Times)

When one couple moved to NYC, everything changed. Roles
reversed and dependency took on new forms. Read why one former stay-at-home mom
loves
her current stay-at-home-husband—and the sacrifices they both must make. (Her Bad Mother)

Style gurus deconstruct time-tested, mom-approved fashion DOs and DON’Ts. Check out what this
panel of experts had to say about breaking the rules of yesterday and
today. (Real Simple)

Looking for a new, affordable house for your family? See how
you can get this Arizona
home for a penny! Hey, why can’t we find a Central Park West condo for a
cent? (ABC News)

How young is too young to model? Hailey Clauson is suing
retail giant Urban Outfitters for using her provocative image on clothing when
she was just 15 years old. (The
Huffington Post)

Are you smarter than a kindergartner? Meet Lori Anne
Madison, 6-year-old
spelling bee champ! (Fox News)

Did you know that 85% of college graduates return home to
live with Mom and Dad? Looking ahead, will you be ready to welcome Junior back
into your house? Actually, there are a surprising number of benefits to this boomerang
trend. (TIME)

Only after insulting dads did Huggies finally pull one of
its gender-conforming
ads. News flash: dad are not duds at parenting. (The Huffington Post)

A fascinating study indicates that caring mothers can
actually change
the brain structures of their children, leading to a child’s ability to
fend off brain illness, handle stress and remember life events. (CNN)

If you want to make your baby laugh, check out this video
for four
foolproof ways to induce mini giggles! (A Cup of Jo)