Earlier this month, President Obama created a task force on childhood obesity to be headed by Michelle Obama, who has taken up the issue as her public-service cause under the banner “Let’s Move.” (more…)

Sneakers? Check. Morning TV show to pass 40 minutes on an elliptical machine? Check. Soft-core porn advertising for the commercial break? Check. (more…)

The billboards are everywhere. On one, a child’s tiny toes rest atop the big, burly feet of a man, suggesting a playful moment between a dad and his toddler. (more…)

Perhaps most curious of all the results of the recently released Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) study “Generation M2: Media in the Lives of 8- to 18-Year-Olds” are the headlines it has generated. (more…)

I’m not sure how to explain my reticence to speak up. (more…)

I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. First, when it comes to resolutions, I’m a pathetic cliche. I start out with determination and commitment and end, roughly a week later, in a pool of chocolate. (more…)

Here in the Midwest, we know a thing or two about climate change. Don’t like the weather? Wait five minutes. It’ll change. (more…)

Thanks to Oprah Winfrey’s interview of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, I’m heading out to buy her book, Going Rogue: An American Life. (more…)

Tuesday was one of those days when the news can confuse us. Just as millions of Americans tuned into the painfully moving memorial service at Fort Hood, Texas, honoring 13 Americans whose lives were extinguished by an Islamist soldier in their midst (more…)

It’s probably just a matter of time until burglary suspect Kane Kellett files a lawsuit claiming he was denied his right to free speech. (more…)

It has a long way to go to make its organization’s name a reality, but the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood claimed an important recent victory. (more…)

Back in 2005, I was asked to consider auditioning for the reality show “Wife Swap,” the premise being that I would visit the home of an uber-cool family that was unaccustomed to my authoritative parenting style, and a permissive and culturally savvy mom (more…)

Today’s observation: Is it any wonder our teenagers are confused? They’re surrounded by absurd mixed messages from adults that defy logic and fly in the face of common sense. (more…)

There had to be a dozen mismatched suitcases – big ones – all stuffed to capacity and secured with luggage straps, but the one I noticed first was a small, pink overnight bag with a teddy bear sticking out of the front pocket. (more…)

Through emotional outbursts in virtually every corner of our culture, from the halls of government to popular music to professional sports (more…)

The subject line on the e-mail in my inbox said, “Moms group question – song lyrics.” (more…)

Today’s update on America’s culture war comes from the village of Wintersville, OH, population 4, 067. (more…)

On the night before school starts, I announce that it’s time to take our walk. All six of us fan out throughout the house to find our flip flops, someone gets a leash for Scotty the Dog (more…)

“I know what I’ll say if anyone asks why I’m not wearing makeup,” my daughter says as we pull up to the curb in front of school. (more…)

It’s time to pull out the blood pressure cuff, and I’m not suggesting this as a do-it-yourself health care solution, though by the looks of things, it could come to that. Given the reforms suggested so far, “DIY” may be a viable alternative. (more…)