Magazine Review:

Parenting magazine

Well-written, organized, and presented. Addressed a range of appropriate and interesting topics relevant to "parents" --noted direction toward "moms" realistic and reflective of most "parenting" experiences. With due respect to involved, active dads a large percentage of parenting is done by mothers--and the content is reflective of this reality.

Integration, balance of the role of parent and the parent themselves--health, relationships, style....underscores the value of maintaining identity as a person, outside of the role as caregiver. Parents often focus on the child's development and differentiation--to the neglect of their own lives--while some of this is inevitable--a healthy balance is possible and desirable for the benefit of parent and child--great info and suggestions here as noted. I love the positive approach and attitude presented--scanning covers of many popular magazines one might assume that all children hate to read, loathe their siblings, etc... dire outcomes seem to be the norm, not the exception. While these distressing and dramatics headlines certainly draw attention and inspire fear (not intentionally, of course!)

It is refreshing to hear, for example, that not only do some children learn to read--(one does begin to wonder, considering national headlines and test results) it is possible to help your child love to read! Educational research indicates:
Of all academic subjects, reading has been found to be the most sensitive to family influence. In 1994, the College Board established a correlation between reading and family support for their children's efforts. Reading achievement is felt to be more dependent on learning activities in the home than is either math or science. Moreover, success in reading appears to be the gateway to success in other academic areas as well.
(source: Family Involvement: A Key Ingredient in Children's Reading Success
Author: Laura J. Colker, Ed.D.
Source: RIF Exchange Show #403 - "Literacy a Family Matter"
http://www.rif.org/parents/articles/FamInvolvement.mspx

Accessible, relevant articles effectively combine standard educational concepts of children's developmental stages with informative examples--ie object permanence as displayed in games of peek-a-boo and the phenomenon of separation anxiety. For new parents, these concepts may be unfamiliar or difficult to recognize in the context of a child's behavior. (For that matter--though thoroughly familiar with the concepts--it was still nerve-wracking and guilt-inducing to have a screaming child peeled off of me at the door of the daycare--I for one would probably have cut out this particular article and taped it to my steering wheel!)

Excellent article on learning styles in children--an incredible opportunity to recognize a child's preferences and abilities, and create a learning environment and tasks designed to maximize the effectiveness of their educational experiences. Working with a child with "style" in mind enables parents, teachers, caretakers, and eventually children themselves to adapt and develop different educational experiences and opportunities to maximize learning, encourage creativity, and reduce unnecessary frustration.

This publication is appropriate for a wide range of parents, teachers, caregivers--inexperienced, experienced---providing accurate information in sufficient amounts to be useful, informative, encouraging,and empowering. Parenting successfully negotiates the difficult and delicate balance of providing sufficient information to inspire confidence and independence with approachable accessibility--to ask questions, seek further information, confirmation when necessary or desired. There is no such thing as perfection--but there are no really serious gaffs here--difficulties with some of the advertisements are noted, (and realistically to be expected in any publication--it is advertising, after all!) Interesting, informative--a nice balance of shorter articles to accommodate the frequently interruptive, often chaotic environment many parents experience on a regular basis!

Helpful, appropriate product and availability information--there are many creative and useful inventions on the market that are beneficial, educational, and fun! Health and beauty information was attractive, relevant, and useful--I was charmed not to read any articles emphasizing losing those "last stubborn baby pounds"-- :o)
Publishing a parenting (or Parenting, in this case!) magazine seems to parallel some challenges parents face--and this one does it well! Excellent! :o)