toys that your baby/toddler loves and has?

linda d

what toys do you have for your toddler son?? what are his fave's? my son is 14 months old and he has a bunch but his favorites are the laugh and learn house, drop and roll dinosaur, playskools ball popper, lion king ride on toy, activity table, gooble and go hippo and he loves the basic stacking cups.

Answer
those are all really good toys
but with my kids,,,,they enjoy the boxes they had come in better than the toys themselves (go figure)

Has anyone flown with a toddler?

lupa03

Especially lately with the new rules? We are taking an 7-8 hour plane trip cross country with my son who will have just turned 2 for the trip and was wondering if anyone had any good suggestions or tips for the plane ride? Things to keep them occupied? Ways to get the car seat through the airport? Can we bring our own juice cup and snacks with the new regulations? Any advice and wisdom is greatly appreciated!

Answer
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly a lot of long haul alone with my three kids.

We always bring a car seat. They sell gizmos which attach to seats to take through airports but save your money and use a small, foldable, metal luggage cart and an extra bungee cord to secure it in place. One trick I used to do is NOT bring a stroller and my toddler could sit in this contraption if she got tired.

If there are two of you traveling, one can pull the car seat and the other push the stroller. JFYI, here are some of the gadgets sold to help with this situation.

http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_kids.html
http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Toddler-Attach-Rolling-Carry/dp/B000JHN3AS
http://www.onestepahead.com/product/osa/363756.html

You could also see if your stroller can transport the car seat. Try it at home and either wedge it into the seat or attach it to the back. Careful of tipping, especially with the latter.

Bravo for taking the car seat on board. You are smart to not check a car seat as luggage. The airlines lose and break them ALL THE TIME and it's too important a piece of safety equipment to leave it up to fate and baggage handlers. Bringing it on board means it gets to your destination with you, in good shape.

Instead of a diaper bag, use a backpack (or a backpack style diaper bag). This will free up your hands. You may want some sort of small bag for essentials. I don't take a purse when I fly.

For entertainment, get him a new toy, anything, and it doesn't have to be expensive. Keep it and give it to him once you're on the plane. I found that stickers, coloring stuff, simple plastic toys (like animals, cars, etc.) and books were better at occupying them at this age. No one will mind if you read to him.

Be sure to buy one or two new toys to give him at critical periods. One is when the plane is pushing back from the gate. Everyone has to be seated and this is tricky for toddlers. Hopefully the toy will keep him occupied, at least until you're in the air!

I actually don't recommend a portable DVD player *unless* he can watch it without sound. I doubt he'll wear the headphones at this age but you can try it at home. If you opt to bring it, make sure it either has a battery life of at least 5 hours or you have a second battery. Bring a recharger and an adapter in case of any delays.

Just some other small tips;
-Bring a change of clothes
-Bring way more diapers than you think you'll need
-Learn to change him standing up (don't try to fit him on one of those tiny baby changers and toddlers hate to lie down in strange places)
-Bring an empty sippy cup to fill during the services. This will prevent spills in the air.
-Get up and move around with him but keep an eye out. Those carts the F/A's use are the perfect height for hiding little ones
-Bring snacks. Don't fret security. I've never had anything taken away (yes, water but not snacks) and that's the only risk. If you have something not allowed, they simply remove the item. No scenes, no speeches, no arrests!
-Try to sit in a bulkhead seat so that there's no one in front of you
-Bring slippers for him, especially if you're not in the bulkhead!

Please shelve any potty training projects until you're on the ground again. Children understand this special situation and putting them back in diapers does not really upset the process. You can't always get a toddler to facilities when traveling and they don't give you a lot of notice. Don't risk an accident.

The 3oz. limit on liquids is not enforced for those flying with children and babies in most countries so bring what she needs. There are no specific food restrictions.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm

It's actually a myth that they have to drink on take-off and landing. If he falls asleep on take-off, please don't unnecessarily wake him up!

The BEST way to avoid ear issues is to take your little guy to the doctor a few days before flying. My son was good at getting symptomless ear infections. Make sure yours' doesn't have one of those! The doctor will look in his ears and make sure they're clear and infection-free. Healthy ears can handle pressurization changes.

For more information, I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with kids. It's totally non-commercial and other parents have contributed;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com

Have a good flight!

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What are todays hottest toys for little ones?

Christina

Christmas is coming up and I have a 2.5 girl and 7 month old boy. I am trying to figure out what would be some good gifts to get them.

Answer
I agree,the busy ball popper is pretty cool.The only thing about it is that for toddlers,if they have toys they stick down in it it is VERY easy for them to get stuck.My cousin had one(but this was 6 years ago,they haven't changed much)but you always had to struggle to get blocks and other small toys out!

Toddlers coming in the house. What do I buy?

Considerab

Ok well we are fostering and we are soon getting two boys(ages two and three). PS-I am going to be their "sister". I'm 13. Anywho...what type of beds do we need to buy? What types of toys? What else do we need to purchase before these two children enter our home? Ex. high chair or booster seat? crib or "big boy beds"? ECT...
21 hours ago - 3 days left to answer.
Also:
What types of food do you recommend if they have no food allergies? Are you sure the two year old is ready for a "big boy bed" or is a crib ok? These children see their mom once a week and were dropped off by their grandfather. I don't know how mature they are for their age.
I noticed one of you said potty training. We haven't met them... we don't know if they are potty trained or not. We assume neither of them are because of their family situation.

Answer
I have two year old twins (they need speech therapy you just answered my question). They have toddler beds. My son has a super cool car bed and my daughter has a super cool princess canopy bed. They have had these beds since they were about 14 months old. At 2 and 3 those boys would be able to climb out of a crib and they would get hurt from the fall to the ground. So they NEED a toddler bed. Toddler beds are made for toddlers.

As for foods they should be able to eat anything that you eat. My kids are 2 and they eat anything I cook. Whatever I cook for my husband and I they get as well. My son's favorite food is green beans and my daughter's favorite food is chicken nuggets. But they can eat anything. Some things need to be cut up for them. But they can eat anything. Just make sure to give plenty of fruit and veggies. They need a balanced meal. And they are still growing and will need lots of milk. At that age doctors will suggest that you give them whole cow's milk unless they are overweight or they are allergic. The fat in the whole milk is very very important for brain development.

As for toys you will need several toys. They will need the ones that are electronic and make noise and sounds and are meant to teach the children something like the ABC's or colors. They will also need things like blocks so that they learn to be imaginative. And lots and lots of books. At that age they should also be able to color on paper so the large crayons that are made for toddler and lots of paper.

One thing I didn't notice you mention was a teaching potty. Chances are the 3 year old is potty trained but a 2 year old might not be. You may need a teaching potty.

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♂ What would you name 5 boy?

Vanill

You can use your own names, but 2 of the boys must be twins.

For a better chance at best answer, please describe each of the boys. You can tell me their birthdays, ages, personalities, appearances, hobbies, pretty much anything you want about them. Have fun, and star if you want a girl's version. =)

Answer
Christopher Brady "Chris" - born September 3rd, 2002 (10 years old) - He is tall with longish hair, he plays football and soccer, he loves to be outside and hangout with his friends. His favorite color is green and he is very shy. He keeps to himself and has a small close group of friends. Besides sports, he also loves to play the guitar and play video games. http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-17357931-boy-laughing.php?st=39a972d

Ryan Andrew - born January 8th, 2005 (7 years old) - He has light brown hair and green eyes. He is a fun loving kid with a ton of energy. He loves running around and playing soccer with his older brother. He is always laughing and making jokes and is extremely outgoing. He loves being around people. http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-22269569-cute-little-boy-flexing-muscles.php

Matthew Lucas "Matt" - born July 26th, 2008 (4 years old) - He has blonde hair and brown eyes. He is a very funny little boy and is always making silly faces. He has a very outgoing and wild personality. Matt loves playing with cars and trains and messing around with his older brothers. http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-21725699-toddler-enjoying-fruit-shake-smoothie.php?st=14a621e

James William "Jamie" & Jack Everett - born November 12th, 2011 (1 year old) - They are identical twins with brown hair and brown eyes. Jamie is very quiet, low maintenance, doesn't cry much and likes to just sleep and be held and play with his toys. Jack is the opposite, very loud and yelling and laughing all of the time and always throwing things around, but loves to cuddle. They love being in each others company. http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-15231645-adorable-identical-twin-boys.php?st=72e77dd

what should a13 year old boy get for christmas?

the sandma

im 5'9' i have an xbox 360 i would like to get smackdown vs raw 2011. i would like some toys like sokmething thats from nerf

Answer
Get a Nerf gun! I am 15 and at the moment I have a Recon, a Raider and a nitefinder. I will hopefully soon be getting a Longshot too. If you want to get one but don't want to spend too much I would recommend the Maverick but if you want to get something a bit bigger and better you should get a Longshot or the new Stampede both good and very cool blasters. You can check these and more out on the Nerf site here:
http://www.hasbro.com/nerf/en_US/shop/browse/Nerf/N-1rZgtZ71/_/N-1rZgtZ71/Ne-2l?Items=50

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Best ride-on pull/push toy for toddlers?

Life'sABea

I want to get my one year old a toy she can ride-on while I pull/push her on walks around the neighborhood, but I can't figure out which one to get.

I'd decided on Step2's Easy Steer Sportster, until I saw their All Around Wagon. And then I ran across a similar wagon from Radio Flyer. There's too many choices!

Any opinions or suggestions?

Answer
Radio Flyer wagon is a classic.

How do you deal with sibling fighting in toddlers?

sar_uh

I nanny for two girls, ages 2 and 4. Just recently they have started fighting a lot more, because the younger one can actually communicate now. I think the older girl also sees the younger one as competition now. I want to know how to problem solve without choosing sides or making one child feel like I care more about the other. Also, what are some stratigies to keep them from fighting in the first place? I'm pretty much open to any ideas.

Answer
Two Arm Technique for Hitting, Biting, Pushing and Toy Snatching
One of the most common questions I get asked is how to respond when two toddlers or preschoolers are involved in an altercation. If your child has just been hit, had their toy snatched, pushed... just what should you do?

My answer is called the "Two Arm Technique" taught to me by Althea Poulos. Here is how it goes:

When you witness a situation when two young children are in a kerfuffle begin by ask yourself "who owns the problem"? In the case of a child having a toy snatched from their hands, it is the child who lost the toy. Our culture likes to label this child the "victim" and we have very strong personal ideas about helping an innocent victim! Our first impulse is to rush over and console the "poor upset victim" and to admonish the "bully" who overstepped his bounds. We pluck the toy from the "bully", yell at him for his mean behaviour and return it to the "victim" so we have set things right!

The trouble with this response is that it actually grooms a child to be more likely to be a victim, because they have learned by standing still and looking tearful and upset (under-resourced or being incapable), someone will come and handle their life problems. The successful outcome shows the child that their approach was a good strategy to solve a problem. This does not hold up well as a life lesson. We don't want to teach this.

The other faulty notion is to mistakenly believe that the child snatching the toy was in some way being mean and brutal. No, in fact, that child is also deficient in how to solve his life problems. He wants a toy and so he must solve how to get it. Much of what young children know has come from watching their parents deal with them, and they frequently learn from parent-child interactions, that "might is right".

The child takes the most simplistic model he is aware of in his young age and experience and goes about solving his situation with his peers the only way he knows. He has no feelings of meanness, he just wants to solve the problem of getting the toy! If we punish this boy he may potentially learn that "life is out to get me" and that he is a "bad boy" and he will begin to grow and develop in line with that expectation. Our responses will actually foster BOTH the "bully" and the "victim" idea we are fearful of and trying to avoid!

The parent or teacher's role in these scenarios is to train the children in ways to deal more effectively and co-operatively with this life challenge. It is a time to guide and teach (the real basis of discipline) not to punish. Neither is a victim or bully, they are just two children in need of skills development and in growing their "social interest" as we Adlerian call it (also known as social feeling - caring for others).

So try this instead:

Drop to your knees so you are at eye level to the children when talking ( this is so very important to creating a sense of equality and respect) Being towered over is very intimidating and distancing.

Collect both children up so they are facing one another - after all - this is their problem and their discussion. The teacher or adult should be physically in a position that is neutral (not holding one child or standing beside one child - this gives the feeling of "two against one" and we are NOT here to take sides, or act as police or judge). The name of this technique comes from the holding of each child, one in each of your arms, gently.

Hopefully in this position you will feel more like a mediator yourself.

Here is the script for the conversation that follows:

Parent to Crying Child: "Did you like that?"

Crying Child: (shakes head or keeps crying - often not verbal or pre-verbal)

Parent to Crying Child: "Looks like you are saying you didn't like, you need to speak up. Can you say "I don't like that"? Your friend needs to know. He is a good listener." (nice little bit of encouragement there eh?)

Parent to Crying Child: "Tell your friend, say "I'm not done yet"

Either the child will repeat the words you have just given them, and speak up for themselves saying "I am not done yet" OR they will say nothing and so you can say the words, but the message is coming from the crying child NOT from you!

Parent to the Toy Snatcher: "You friend is saying they don't like that, they are not done yet. "

Parent to the Toy Snatcher: "Did you want a turn with the toy?"

Toy Snatcher: (Nods, or says yes, or looks at you neutrally)

Parent to the Toy Snatcher: "Can you tell your friend that? Can you say "I'd like a turn please"?"

Again - see if the child will repeat your words, if not - you say them - but, don't fall into the trap of talking for yourself. There is a world of difference between "your friend is asking for a turn when you are done" (correct version - the message is from the child, delivered by the adult) versus "It's his turn next" (is the adult's instruction, and NOT a message from one child to another other).

Parent to Crying Child: "Your friend has asked you for a turn. Can you find him and give him the toy when you are done?"

Crying child will either be neutral (take that as a yes) or they will nod or say yes to affirm.

Parent to BOTH children: "GREAT - looks like you two worked it out!"

At this point I might use redirection to help the child left waiting for his turn by asking him what he would like to do while he is waiting.

Did you notice I did not make them hug or say sorry? I'll have to write another post on that too. But for now appreciate the idea of helping children learn language skills so they can handle these situations without an adult in the future.

If you visit an Adlerian classroom you will often hear children saying "I don't like" and teachers saying back "good speaking up!". If you train children to solve their problems they don't need to come to the teacher when discourse occurs. This is great preparation for the big world of school hallways and school yards at recess that are soon to come!

Two Arm Technique for Hitting

Parent to Crying Child: "Did you like that?"

Crying Child: (shakes head or keeps crying - often not verbal or preverbal)

Parent to Crying Child: "Looks like you are saying you didn't like that, you need to speak up. Can you say "I don't like that"? Your friend needs to know, he is a good listener."

Either the child will repeat the words you have just given them, and speak up for themselves saying "I don't like that" OR they will say nothing and so you can say the words, but the message is coming from the crying child NOT from you!

Parent to the Hitter/Pusher: "You friend is saying they don't like that"

Parent to the Hitter/Pusher: "We need to feel safe in (house / classroom/ play group). Your friend might like to play with you more if he knew he was safe. Can you tell your friend he will be safe? Can you say "I won't do that again"?" (Notice this is a plan or promise for future behaviour and not an apology for past behaviour)

Parent to the Hitter/Pusher: "Is there something you could do to make your friend feel better" (This is restitution and healing since someone was hurt.)

Hitter/Pusher probably will look blankly since they have never done this before.

Parent to Crying Child: "would you like a hug from him?" (It's okay for them to say no... but if they say yes...)

Parent to Hitter/Pusher: "Your friend is saying they'd like a hug - would you like to give one?" (It's okay for them to say no... but usually they do just hug)

Parent to BOTH children: "GREAT - looks like you two are ready to play together safely again!"

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What are the best cat toys for a 1 year old Siamese cat?

Scooter_Th

She seems to be bored with the normal kitty cat toys and prefers to play with my cabinets (opening and closing them at weird hours). Are there any cat toys out there that would simualate this without her getting into stuff she has no business being in (nothing dangerous, just dishes!) ?
All great ideas, but I am looking for a toy or something similar that would simulate the opening and closing of cabinets so that I can keep her out of my cabinets!

Answer
by the time a cat is a year old, they're natural hunters instincts are full blown
this sounds like the case here, she is checking out her environment, searching for food and defending her territory the same way she would if she were an feral cat
it doesn't matter how much food is in her bowl, her natural hunter's instincts are always going to drive her to look for food in her environment
and that's a good thing because it keeps her active
(my boy is 13 months and this is what i do for him)
set up a hunt for your cat: hide bits of kibble, treats, and toys around the house to get her hunting
what I usually do is fill a few plastic easter eggs with kibble or cat nip and then my cat has to figure out how to break them open to get to the food/treat inside
I also put a bit of kibble in a plastic cup and set it on the floor, so he has to knock over the cup and paw at the kibble to get it out
cats are curious by natural as well, so I suggest besides setting up a hunt for your cat you could also bring home a cardboard box every once in awhile for the cat to explore, and expand her territory
(I think having some boxes for her would stimulate the same response as the cabinets because if you set a cardboard box on it's side with the flaps only part way open then she'd have to paw at the flap in order to get it open and she could climb in and out of them as she would the cabinets.)
there are several ways of getting cats interested in old toys, one way is to simply take the toy away for a few days, maybe even a week, then give it back
another way is to hide some kibble under the toy
still another way is to sprinkle the toy with some catnip
the best toys for full grown cats with full grown hunter's instincts are the toys that resemble mice or birds
the toy should move like or sound like something the cat is naturally drawn to
hope this helps,
ps I've included a link to some videos on cats and playtime that I think you may benefit from watching:
http://petvideo.com/index.cgi?category=28
they are all very short (it'd take 20 minutes to watch all four in the series however I think you'd get some great ideas on how to keep your cat entertained for hours)

Ideas for outdoor toys/activities for 1 year old?

~*~ Evan's

My son will be 1 tomorrow (cant believe it) and I am trying to go ahead and think of some outdoor toys & activities for him for spring.He got a pool for his birthday & a sprinkler mat,but I just cant seem to think of anything right now..Any ideas?

Answer
Our daughter turned 1 last month, and she absolutely LOVES her slide. Hers also has a basketball hoop on the side of it, which she likes to play with also.

For Christmas, she got two different cars - one you push with your feet (she hasn't quite mastered that one yet), and the other has a long handle for us to push. The one with the handle is great - it has a cupholder for her drinks (that might be her favorite part), a working horn, and a hood that opens for storage (or to put random objects in, like our daughter does). We like to take ours to the park and on walks around the neighborhood instead of a stroller - she is MUCH more happy in it.

Another thing she likes to do is take push-toys outside and walk them around. We live on a cul-de-sac, so there is plenty of space for her to push a stroller around. They make pretend lawn mowers (I think some of them blow bubbles?) which might also be fun for your son.

EDIT: We also found a bunch of plastic balls that go in a ball pit at a discount store (they were sort of weird colors, which is probably why they were there!) - we filled her blow-up swimming pool with them, and she LOVES it. That can be indoor or outdoor, but it makes for good use of the pool when the weather isn't quite warm enough for swimming.

Happy birthday to him!

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What do you get when you have 20 nascar fans together?

Q. A full set of teeth!!! lol

Answer
Another uneducated question. Man you Nascar bashers must have nothing else to do with your poor little lifes. Nascar fans are not Rednecks, Hillbillies, or whatever you want to call us. We are a bunch of fans that know how to have an F'n good time, we can understand a sport that if you don't, we are loyal to our fave driver, and we can't stand bashers like you.

Get a life and grow up.

Can you give me some NEW questions about NASCAR?

LindaInNC

PLEASE stay in the guidelines of NASCAR, Driver Ability, Driver Stats, Teams, Team Owners, Make of Cars, Crew Chiefs, Tracks, Races, Driver Biography etc.
Maybe some TRIVIA.

PLEASE AVOID USING TOPICS REALATING TO:
1. Driver's sexual preference
2. Driver's sex appeal
3. Driver's appearance
4. Favorite Driver
5. ANYTHING RELATED TO BASHING

We've already answered these types of questions many time.
LET'S TALK RACING !!!!!


PUT YOUR THINKING CAPS ON AND HAVE FUN !!!!!


For those of you that answered a similar questin I posted earlier this week... please answer again. You came up with some really
INTERESTING and NEW questions.

My previous question was removed by the Yahoo Answers Team
for mentioning points in my questions.

So please submit your answers "questions" again.
Thank you.
After you give your answer "question" here.......why not post it and give everyone a chance to answer it.

We need some new ones.......Thanks!

Answer
Dixie I'll give it a shot.
1-Brian France is going to tweak the cup points system before the 2007 season what changes would you like to see NASCAR make to the points system.
2-Should NASCAR limit the number of Cup drivers who are allowed to race in the Busch series.What if any changes would you like to see.
3-Should NASCAR come up with a chase specific points system for the last ten races for the drivers who make the chase.Explain how it should be set up.
4-Did NASCAR go far enough when it limited the number of teams one owner could have to four teams.How many do you think the limit should be.
5-Do you think there are any NASCAR basher's with an IQ of at least 30.
6-Is ten the right number of slots available for the chase if not what would be a better number.
7-Does NASCAR put too much emphasis on projecting a squeaky clean image,explain your answer.
8-Should winning a race be worth more than 5 extra points.
9-Should points be awarded for winning a pole.
10 What effect will the "car of tomorrow " have overall on racing.
11-Is NASCAR shooting themselves in the foot by spreading the broadcasts over multiple networks.

OK #5 is a joke sorta kinda,well maybe not.
that's all I can think of right now I'm still in an Ambien haze and my mind is having trouble getting out of neutral.

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6 month old baby boy.........?

Kayli

What should my 6month old be doing?

How was your 6month old for sleeping through the night? how many naps did your baby have during the day??

What toys are best for my 6month old???

Answer
well he should be rolling over. my son rolls to one side. but it's because he hates belly time so much still. he sits up great supported, but not on his own yet. he should be reaching for everything, trying to put everything in his mouth. he knows his name, says mama. he is trying to wave bye bye now. he doesn't like strangers. well he is all smiles at them but doesn't really let anyone but a few people hold him.

my son is 6 months. he gets a bath & bottle before bed. he goes to bed around 830-9pm. a lot of times he will fall right asleep. some nights i will have to go in his room 4 or 5 times to keep giving him pacifier back. within 20 min. tops he's out for the night. then he wakes up for a feeding around 6-7am. on weekdays when i work i get up him up at 630. he will go back to bed for a couple hours usually at my mother's house. or on the weekends when i am off work, he will play in his baby bed 30 min. to an hour, then fall back asleep. (of course right now he is sick with an ear infection & a cold and has been very restless & waking up once)

during the day my baby usually takes two 30 min. naps. (and it's like an alarm with 30 minutes) that is on most days. however some days he will take an hour and half or two hour nap. but not every day. 2 naps a day either way.

my son loves those books (that sounds like paper crumbling) and he loves his play keys. he loves to hold something soft when he takes a nap. (preferably a blankie toy) he has this ball he likes that moves & plays music, lights up. he likes his play piano. and i have one of them baby einstein fish aquariums hanging on his baby bed he loves. he will cry if he's not asleep yet at bedtime and it goes off. however when he plays in his bed, he has figured out how to turn sideways and turn it off & on a bunch of times lol. he also has a jumper he likes sometimes, and he loves to take naps in his swing while watching TV.

What is must have toys for 6 - 12 month old boys?

Ms Clever

Answer
Babies really don't need a whole lot of toys. One of my sons favorite things to play with are empty packs of baby wipes, and he crawls around trying to get people's shoes too (obviously we put them away once we see them) maybe some teething rings, and books they can chew on, a rubber duck for bath time.

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Buy Educational Toys For Kids?

rockethead

Answer
Yes, I always try to buy educational, but fun, toys for kids. Toys can be both fun and educational.

Dont kids play with toys any more?

trekkie_fr

I see kids ages like 9-12 (Sorry kiddies but that is children) doing everything except play with toys lately.

I see them on cell phones,or 10 yr old girls dressing like hookers wearing way too much make up. I have even seen kids that age walking down the street smoking like its no big deal. They even talk about sex like they really know first hand what its like. ( Kinda scary I think)

Is it just my area here or are kids now a days trying to grow up too fast?

whose to blame for this?

When I was that age I was playing with cars,He-mans, Gi Joes and that sort of thing.
cancan: you gave me an idea for another question.

Answer
Kids toys are different these days - cell phones are the new "walkie-talkies". They play video games of cars, he-man, and GI Joe.

As for the "grow up too fast" argument, there are a few things going on that really don't go well together.

Twelve year olds have more knowledge (as you pointed out) about sex and other adult topics than newlyweds did a few generations back.

At the same time, the children aren't responsible for their actions as they are still children. Unfortunately, parents are limited in their right to discipline their children and many lack discipline themselves.

So, children remain children despite their abundant adult knowledge until long after they should've become adults. The nation is full of 20 year old children, and 12 year old girls dressed like hookers.

What's the solution? Turn off the fking TV and talk to your kids. Teach them responsibility. Be open with them about them becoming adults. Don't close your eyes and mumble abstinence - it isn't reasonable and it doesn't work. Instead, validate their emotions and facilitate their decision making.

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