While our readers voted for their favorite stories with their virtual feet, our editors culled a selection of the 10 best Modern Parenthood stories of 2013 that offered practical advice for parents, thought-provoking topics for further discussion, and glimpses of our shared humanity, in chronological order.
Flying with kids: 4 tips for parents while flying with toddlers
Jetsetting journalist and Modern Parenthood founding blogger Stephanie Hanes offered parents of young children ideas for maintaining a modicum of sanity while traveling with tots gleaned from her own 36 flights with a toddler in tow.
Crime's fallout: At-risk kids play games inside on sunny days, blinds shut
Blogger Lisa Suhay learned just how far the effects of crime reach when she started volunteering at a local community center chess club and discovered that the at-risk kids were too afraid to play with open blinds.
Sibling bullying: How to make sure normal tangles are not actually damaging
While the media latched onto a study identifying the dangers of sibling bullying, blogger Noelle Swan offered tips for parents on how to identify problem behavior amid normal sibling tangles.
Robin Thicke: Unteaching misogyny: How to talk to boys about Robin Thicke
Miley Cyrus spurred a litany of online criticisms and guides for combating the not-so-subtle misogyny of her VMA performance with Robin Thicke this August, leaving youth pastor Eric Clapp to wonder why Mr. Thicke escaped such criticism.
A Labor Day prayer for brotherhood, in America the Beautiful
As families headed to church on Labor Day weekend, blogger Mary Beth McCauley held up a prayer to consider: Honor the common, indeed sacred, sense of humanity of each person as a fellow traveler.
Mother-in-law in training: What variety will you be?
As blogger Susan Bonifant prepared for her transition from mother-of-the-bride to mother-in-law, she wrestled with the choice between becoming a clueless but loving Aunt Clara or a critical and controlling Endora.
Teaching tolerance: 'My dad told me not to play with black kids'
When blogger Aya Khalil overheard a 6-year-old hesitate to share a ball with another child because his father had told him 'not to play with black kids,' she could not help but think back to her own brushes with racism as an Arab-American child. Rather than scolding the child, she saw the moment as an opportunity to teach tolerance.
Baby milestones: Time to share or simply enjoy?
Baby milestones are exciting events in the homes of new parents. Family and friends often pressure parents to document and share each and every baby milestone, but blogger James Norton wondered if capturing the perfect snapshot is worth missing out on experiencing the moment first hand.
Celebrating baby's first birthday: Who's the party for anyway?
First birthday parties are big business in the world of Pinterest, but chances are, the honoree just wants to smash up a cake, prompting blogger Lane Brown to wonder, "Who's the party for anyway?"
Newtown – The town I know
Blogger Estey Silva reflected on a time when Newtown rallied around her family and saw hope in the future as families braced for the first anniversary of Sandy Hook shooting tragedy.
Thank you for sharing a bit of your 2013 with us here at Modern Parenthood. We look forward to seeing you in 2014!
