Story Archives of 'Parenting'

You don't have to be a social scientist to see that the traditional American family is changing, and motherhood is changing right along with it. More and more women are choosing to have children without partners. The growth of groups like Single Mothers By Choice and the proliferation of books like Choosing Single Motherhood and Knock Yourself Up point to a generation of women who are choosing a new path. Technology, money and often the loud ticking of a biological clock is making single motherhood a good option for some women. Word of Mouth host Virginia Prescott talks about this trend with Jean Railla, who wrote about it in the parenting magazine Babble. Her article is called Fatherless Brooklyn: Why Today's Women are Choosing to have Babies Alone.

Obviously, not all single mothers choose to raise their kids on their own, and when very young women -- like teenagers still in high school -- get pregnant, they can face many challenges. An unexpected pregnancy can throw a girl's life into chaos, and these young mothers can usually use all the help they can get. That's where the Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers comes in. Along with the regular high school subjects of English, History and Math, the students at this school also attend parenting classes. Producer Sarah Elzas visited the school and produced this story. Sarah's story was produced with the help of the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies.

(Photo by waI.ti:)

Nicole from Madison had a two year old son who didn't speak or respond because of severe trauma. Children Unlimited guided the family through therapy and care, and now at age five, the boy is empathetic and happy.

Despite being demonized in fairy tales like Cinderella and Snow White, a local author says the relationship between stepmother and child usually works and often works well. We'll look the evolution of the image of stepmoms and their growing, changing role in the family dynamic. Laura's guest is Cynthia Copeland, Author of "The 312 Best Things about Being a Stepmom". She has written several other books, including "The Diaper Diaries" and "Fun on the Run".

They were raised by fathers who believed that bringing home a paycheck was the way to support their family, but many dads today have a different ideal- they want to bring home the bacon...and help cook it up too. We'll look at the new fatherhood and the challenges it presents. Laura's guests are Professor Brad Harrington, Executive Director of the Boston College Center for Work and Family and Armin Brott, Author of six bestselling books on fatherhood, host of Positive Parenting, a weekly radio show in San Francisco, and nationally known expert on fatherhood.

A half-century ago, before people could download music on computers, a mother in New Jersey bought her seven-year-old son his first guitar.

Writer Lois Shea offers this ode to mommies......and to rock and roll.