ParentMap, May 2010 Issue

Just the best! We asked, and our savvy, smart and fun-loving readers were only too happy to share: This year's 'Best of' survey drew the biggest response ever! What's the best place for a playdate? A birthday party? Parents' night out? This month's feature shines with great ideas for penny-wise family fun. Also this month, rock-star teen doc Laura Kastner dishes on her top 10 life skills for teens. Start 'em now and watch your kid shine! Remember life before diapers? Your girlfriend is living it — so what do you have in common? Can your friendship survive? Our story can help it happen! Happy Mother's Day! Read the entire issue online, or scroll down for links and cool online only content.

About this issue

Good call!

This issue packs a few gifts for Rain City parents this bloomin’ beautiful May and Mother’s Day! First, our long-awaited "Best of" issue, finally named for what it is! “This year’s ‘Best of’ survey reflects what we love best about you local moms and dads: You bring the thrifty — without scrimping on the fun!” says witty and wise managing editor Kristen Russell Dobson. She loved your input — and got a record response from readers — then beefed up the best with cool picks known by few beyond our sleuthy editorial team.

And aren’t we truly blessed to be raising children in a progressive time, place and culture, where amazing and enlightening scientific knowledge continues to flow — straight from the ivory tower to us info-hungry Northwest parents? It becomes so clear when reading this month’s Ages & Stages section (“Can preschoolers be bullies?”) that early social and emotional learning (SEL) continues to have greater impacts on children, parents, families, teachers, schools and communities. “Ten tips for banishing a bad mood” references a book I highly recommend: Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents. While reading this inspiring book, you make friends with author Christine Carter, Ph.D., the executive director of the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California–Berkeley. Why? Because she is really with you every step of the way, sharing her own mistakes and transformation, scientific data balanced with clear humor to help us all.

If you have a tween, you’ll love your monthly dose of calming wisdom from Dr. Laura Kastner, whose newest book, Getting to Calm: Cool-headed Strategies for Raising Tweens and Teens, has already helped hundreds of parents forge closer bonds with kids during those challenging years. Wrap your mind around her “Ten life skills” — and then join us for a mind-bending evening with celebrated author Dr. Carol Dweck, whose groundbreaking book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success is required reading for teachers at several local schools.

Wishing you the wonderful Mother’s Day we all so richly deserve!

— Alayne Sulkin, Publisher/Editor