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5 Outdoor Activities to Keep Your Daughter Active When the Weather Cools Down

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If you ask us, cool weather deserves at least as much love as warm weather. Literally the moment one leaf falls off a tree, everyone gets all jazzed for sweater weather, apple picking and all things pumpkin spice. However, the cold can also inspire fear in parents, maybe because it can also mean a house full of cabin fever — think the dreaded chorus of "Mooom, I'm booored" on a long weekend. 

But it doesn't have to be that way. With the right gear, your kids can stay active straight into winter with a host of chilly-day activities that'll keep them happy and healthy (and stave off the whining).

Whether your daughter's the next ice-skating champ, ready to hit the snowy hiking trails or just planning a bonfire in the snowless backyard, the activities and outfits ahead will make her actually excited to suit up and greet the season. Read on for five reasons to get excited about the cold.

Sledding

Sledding is a winter classic for a good reason — all you need is a sled, some snow, a hill and the determination to climb it over and over, and it's a winter tradition you can share with your daughter. Since this is an activity for 32 degrees and below, make sure to outfit her in a warm but lightweight down jacket that's wind- and water-resistant, so it’s perfect for those slides into a snowbank. Definitely bring along a mug of hot chocolate — this one keeps your drink piping hot for 12 hours.

Oversize Pom Pom Sweater Beanie, $34 at Athleta Girl; Reversible Down Jacket, $128 at Athleta Girl; Twist of Fate Crew, $44 at Athleta Girl; Stash Your Treasures Tight, $54 at Athleta Girl; Ugg Kids Butte II Boot, $87.97 at Zappos; S'well Summit Traveler, $35 at S'well

Winter bonfire

A family camping trip is the perfect winter outing. Whether you book a cabin for the weekend or rough it in tents in the backyard, it's a potentially screen-free way to bond with your family in a completely new way. Definitely not optional is the bonfire — it keeps you cozy, it inspires the kind of storytelling you’d never get with an iPad around and it roasts marshmallows, too. Since sitting around a bonfire is a stationary activity, make sure she’s layered up in a cozy tunic — bonus points for thumbholes that keep her sleeves in place — stretchy tights, wool-lined boots and the world’s cutest sherpa beanie.

Sherpa Beanie, $32 at Athleta Girl; Crazy Cozy Tunic, $68 at Athleta Girl; Chit Chat Tight, $49 at Athleta Girl; Reversible Upbeat Bra 2.0, $32 at Athleta Girl; Hip Knot-ic Top, $39 at Athleta GirlBearpaw Kids' Krista Wool-Lined Boot, $69.99 at Bearpaw

Ice skating

Whether your daughter is looking to land her first double axel or she's more of a wall-hugger, she’ll look the part of an ice princess in this gently shimmering wrap with a satin-lined hood and matching cozy tights with pockets. The tulle skirt is totally optional, but it definitely adds flair to those spins. Either way, you'll have a day together that she'll never forget.

That's a Wrap Hoodie, $44 at Athleta Girl; Shimmer Tracker; $49 at Athleta Girl; Dance Mind the Mat Tight, $54 at Athleta Girl; Ear Muffs, $32 at Athleta Girl; Lands' End Embellished Tulle Skirt, $20.97 at Lands' End; American Athletic Girls' American Softboot Figure Skate, $41.99 at Walmart

Hiking

Hiking is the ultimate bonding activity, providing you and your daughter quality one-on-one time. It is probably the most physically demanding activity on this list, so while the right gear is critical, you can afford to choose less bulky layers. A waterproof hiking boot and soft, stretchy leggings are musts, as is a pack stashed with water, trail mix and other snacks for refueling. And if the going gets tough, her “I am powerful” pullover will remind her she can do it.

Powerful Pullover, $59 at Athleta Girl; Earn Your Stripe Tights, $49 at Athleta Girl; Upbeat Bra 2.0, $26 at Athleta Girl; Striped Bigger Plans Top, $29.99 at Athleta Girl; Sorel Kids Madison Waterproof Hiker, $99.95 at Zappos; Deuter Kikki Girls' Backpack, $45 at Backcountry

Building a snow fort

The first blizzard of the year means you have to build a snow fort — it’s pretty much the law. They’re surprisingly cozy once they’re built, but it’s pretty chilly getting there. So, suit her up in a water-repellant down jacket and Polartec tight (the warmest ones they make), ski gloves and a fleece-lined rain boot to keep her cozy and dry. Just don't forget to go out there with her — that's something she won't forget anytime soon.

Always Down Jacket, $108 at Athleta Girl; Just for Funnel Neck, $49 at Athleta Girl; Polartec Tight, $54 at Athleta Girl; Sherpa Beanie, $32 at Athleta Girl; Joules Kids Welly Rain Boot, $44.95 at Zappos; L.L. Bean Kids' Mountain Classic Fleece Gloves, $16.95 at L.L. Bean

This post is sponsored by Athleta Girl.


7 Digital Etiquette Tips to Teach Your Kids

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As kids start to develop their online presence, it's important for parents to lay the ground rules for exploring the internet and becoming a responsible user. While it's easy (too easy, really) to say thoughtless things over chat, it's vital that we teach kids to think before doing anything onlineThis becomes especially relevant when they're young and will need quality guidance to navigate the online world as a good digital citizen. 

Digital etiquette is important to teach, as kids need to learn how to be good digital citizens as they participate in many online activities, such as messaging apps. Safety precautions are paramount, as is the practice of good social etiquette, which applies to online behavior as well as everything else. Here are some of the best tips for helping your kids properly navigate online communication apps from an early age.

This post is sponsored by Messenger Kids

Newly Minted Dame Emma Thompson Makes Prince William Blush Over Kissing Joke

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Leave it to Emma Thompson — or to give props to her new title, Dame Emma Thompson — to make Prince William blush. The award-winning actor couldn’t resist being just a bit naughty on Wednesday as the royal bestowed the new title upon her.

“I love Prince William, I’ve known him since he was little, and we just sniggered at each other,” Thompson told The Daily Mail while discussing her big day, adding intel on what happened while receiving her special honor from the prince: “I said, ‘I can’t kiss you, can I?’ And he said, ‘No, don’t!’”

While most people likely couldn’t get away with asking the Duke of Cambridge such a question, most people aren’t Thompson. The actor and writer has been friends with the royal family for quite some time.

“It’s really lovely because I’ve always loved the boys and I’ve always been a long-term correspondent,” Thompson explained.

The respect is apparently mutual, with William insisting the spotlight be given to Thompson while she received her damehood. “If you’re first up you have to be more formal on such an occasion, but he’s looking wonderful and doing so well,” Thompson said of teasing Prince William about a kiss. “He said, ‘This day isn’t about me, it’s about you.’”

Thompson received her damehood as part of the queen’s 2018 birthday honors list, which was originally announced in June. She was recognized for her service to drama and as the sole person to have snagged Academy Awards for both acting (for Howards End) and writing (for Sense and Sensibility), said the honors committee. And on a sweet note, Thompson had her own personal cheering section in place. Her husband of 15 years, English actor Greg Wise, along with their kids, Tindyebwa, 19, and Gaia, 18.

Thompson wasn’t the only person being recognized, of course. The queen’s list, which is published twice a year, included more than 1,000 honorees. However, it is worth noting that Thompson received the highest honor on the list, the aforementioned damehood.

 

Don’t worry, though — it’s unlikely damehood will go to Thompson’s head or change her in any way really. She has every intention of remaining the strong female presence we’ve all come to know and love over her nearly 40-year career.

“I’m very outspoken, politically,” she said of receiving the queen's honor. “I’m a card-carrying feminist, human rights advocate, so good for them because the establishment needs more people who can speak up for those things.”

Well said, Thompson. Well said.

Here's What to Do if Your Partner Doesn't Last Long Enough

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Having difficulty lasting long enough to please a woman can be a common fear and neurosis for men everywhere, and ironically enough, the anxiety around such a problem can make it even worse. In my experience as a legal sex worker, there are a lot of potential causes for someone with a penis not lasting very long — some of which are psychological and some of which can be related to hypersensitivity — but the good news is that there are practical solutions. Here's what to do if your partner falls into that category.

Foreplay

Getting yourself properly ready for sex is always a good idea, but especially if your partner is having difficulty lasting long enough, so ask your partner to extend the foreplay. Increased vaginal lubrication means less friction, which can make lasting longer easier for them. The different stages of female arousal literally change the length and girth of the vaginal canal, making it a far less tight fit. 

Most women have difficulty achieving orgasm during vaginal intercourse alone, so foreplay is also an opportunity to make sure you get to climax before your penetrative sex starts. You're probably a lot less likely to mind a short encounter if you’ve already been pleasured before it’s even begun. 

Training

For many men having difficulty lasting long enough, a Fleshlight or similar male-masturbator is the answer. If this is something you want your partner to try, buy one, run it under hot water to heat it up to body temperature, and use a water-based lube (silicone will make the unit develop an odor). Your partner can spend lots of time practicing and developing a tolerance so his stamina improves. The unit provides the closest stimulation you can reasonably expect to the conditions inside an actual vagina, so it will give him ample opportunity to train his body to climax far less soon into your encounter.

But a word of warning: Many men have been damaging their penises and their nerve endings through aggressive masturbation, so using a Fleshlight or similar toy is recommended in general to have better orgasms, better sex and healthier self-pleasuring sessions that won’t cause porn-induced erectile dysfunction

Prepare for the encounter

As for your partner having an orgasm before an encounter, that strategy is fine, but you need to make sure it happens about six hours before you want to have sex, not six minutes. Doing so that far in advance will desensitize him without disrupting your arousal or enjoyment of the act. 

A common mistake is your partner trying to masturbate just before having sex or a date. This will usually extend the refractory period (that is, the amount of time before he can orgasm again) into your actual encounter and give him problems sustaining an erection or being able to finish with an orgasm that isn’t a letdown.

Change positions

The last thing you can do is focus on deep-penetration positions in which there is movement of your bodies against one another instead of vaginal friction. That will give you clitoral stimulation as well as allow your partner to save his energy for the finish. These kinds of positions will often provide circular movement against the clitoris rather than the in-and-out motions of penetrative sex that can make saving energy for the finish far more difficult.

You can also learn how to modify existing positions to better reach stimulation with positioning and reduce friction. For example, next time you're going to do missionary or have your legs up, put a pillow directly under your buttocks. This will tilt your pelvis up so your partner can be much deeper when he penetrates you, and it will let you hold his body against your clitoris while he moves up and down (instead of in and out) against you. Your partner gets deep penetration with less friction, so it will take him much longer to orgasm, and you get direct clitoral stimulation with a feeling of deep penetration, which, if you did proper foreplay, will likely drive you over the edge.

Work on trying to modify existing positions in a similar way, allowing for prolonged body-to-body contact for more surface friction and less vaginal friction. Your partner will last longer, and you are more likely to orgasm during penetrative sex, which will also probably make your partner climax as well. Mutual simultaneous climax during intercourse can be one of the best parts of sex.

Try a product

Multiple products exist that help desensitize the penis if a person has a persistent issue with premature ejaculation. These creams and lubes often use numbing agents to make physical sensations less overwhelming and should be tested outside the bedroom first to make sure your partner doesn't have an allergic reaction and that their effects are not too weak or too strong to be incorporated into sex.

I always recommend trying all the other solutions I’ve listed before turning to a product, as those solutions are long-term solutions that will improve the overall quality of your bedroom experience instead of something more ephemeral.

You can make it work

Premature ejaculation doesn’t have to be something you and your partner live in fear of. You should talk to your partner about the problem so you're both well-equipped to handle the situation. Being intimidated by this isn’t going to fix it, but communication is definitely the first step to increasing the quality of any bedroom experience.

Alice Little is a courtesan at the Moonlite Bunny Ranch in Nevada.

Women Who Do This Every Day Are Less Likely to Develop Breast Cancer

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Breast cancer is so common, chances are, you know multiple people who have been affected by the condition. In fact, according to the American Cancer Association, it is the most common type of cancer affecting American women, with 1 in 8 women developing the condition during their lifetime. But thanks to a new study, we now are aware of a small and simple change that could reduce our risk.

According to research conducted by National Cancer Research Institute and published in bioRxiv women who wake up early are less likely to get breast cancer. In fact, their risk is reduced by up to 48 percent.

For the study, researchers analyzed self-reported data from more than 180,000 women. What they found was that 1 out of every 100 women who considered themselves to be a "morning person" developed breast cancer, while those who considered themselves "evening people" developed breast cancer at double the rate (2 out of every 100).

Dr. Rebecca Richmond, a research fellow in the Cancer Research U.K. Integrative Cancer Epidemiology Programme and the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, explained the basis for the study in a statement: "Using genetic variants associated with people’s preference for morning or evening, sleep duration and insomnia, which had previously been identified by three recent UK Biobank genome-wide association studies, we investigated whether these sleep traits have a causal contribution to the risk of developing breast cancer.” 

And while Richmond noted that these findings have potential policy implications for influencing sleep habits of the general population that could in turn improve health and reduce risk of breast cancer among women, she and the rest of the team were quick to point out that many factors determine an individual's risk of developing breast cancer and that these numbers are not absolute.

"Sleep is likely to be an important risk factor for breast cancer, but it isn't as large as other well-established risk factors like BMI or alcohol," Richmond said.

As such, additional and more thorough research will be necessary, but this might be a good reason to stop pushing that snooze button and start your day early.

Chris Harrison Reveals He Tried to Help Kaitlyn Bristowe & Shawn Booth Presplit

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Chris Harrison has his hand in nearly everything that happens within Bachelor Nation, and the breakup of Kaitlyn Bristowe and Shawn Booth proved no different. According to the ABC host, he tried to help the once-happy couple prior to their split — to no avail, sadly.

On Tuesday, Harrison stopped by Extra to chat with Mario Lopez when, not surprisingly, the subject of Bristowe and Booth’s canceled engagement came up. Did it catch Harrison off guard, Lopez asked?

  

“Yes and no,” Harrison revealed. “I mean, I’m in very close contact with Kaitlyn. She’s a very good friend of mine. I usually stay in touch with those who are on the Bachelor [and] Bachelorette.”

Accordingly, Harrison did what any good friend would do — he listened to Bristowe and tried to help.

“I knew that they were struggling privately, and I knew they were really trying to work it out. So I was kind of like a counselor off-air, talking to her and trying to help them, because they were really fighting for it, really trying to make it work.”

Unfortunately, said Harrison, the two “eventually just had to come to the inevitable conclusion that it’s not going to work and go their separate ways.”

News broke on Friday that Bristowe and Booth, who’d been together for three years, had called it quits. In a joint statement, the pair insisted they intended to remain in each other’s lives as friends and support systems.

A source close to the couple reportedly gave People an update that essentially corroborates what Harrison said. 

“This was the last thing Kaitlyn wanted. She was willing to fight for the relationship, but there was nowhere for it to go,” the insider said, adding, “It’s only natural to think about the next steps when you’ve been together for three years. Kaitlyn wants to be married and have kids. But it didn’t seem like they were on the same page.”

On Saturday, Bristowe said that during this difficult time, she’s leaning on family — as well as music.

“I can’t tell you how much it meant to me to have my dad by my side while I recorded my song yesterday. His dad was a musician and I just felt like he was so proud of me,” Bristowe shared on Instagram.

She continued, “Can’t wait for you guys to hear it. Nothing like channeling emotions into music.”

Kristen Bell Is Confident She Chose the Right Husband in Dax Shepard

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Hollywood hasn’t exactly had a banner few years in the romance department, but there’s still one celebrity couple whose marriage gives us hope for love. Did you guess Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard? Because of course it’s these two — and arguably, even more so after Bell’s effusive interview with People this week. 

 

“When we first got together, I had a lot of trust and jealousy issues. Over the years, I have realized what a waste of time these emotions are because he has shown nothing but consistent love, and conducts himself in my absence exactly how he does in my presence,” Bell told the magazine, adding, “I also think he has gotten funnier over the years!” 

In the beginning, Bell admits, she was drawn to Shepard on more of a surface level (albeit still a sweet one). That love, she says, has evolved over time. “At first I was attracted to the way he made me feel, and now I’m attracted to the things I learn from him,” she said. 

Part of that appeal also lies in Shepard’s dual nature — he’s apparently a man who is masculine and tender in equal measure. 

“[I’m] decidedly confident I chose the right person,” Bell stated. “He does almost everything in a ‘manly’ way. He can put a ponytail on our 5-year-old’s hair as manly as he can change his break pads in the driveway.” 

In addition to the 5-year-old daughter, Lincoln, Bell alludes to, the couple also has a soon-to-be 4-year-old daughter named Delta. Bell and Shepard are fiercely protective of and private with both girls, but they do frequently share adorable parenting stories. 

For Bell, seeing Shepard with their children has only added to the love she has for her husband. 

While Idris Elba may have taken the title of People’s sexiest man alive this year, Bell is quick to note about Shepard, “nothing is sexier than him being a good human.” 

However, the refreshingly honest couple is also clear on one point — their relationship, while wonderful, isn’t a fairy tale. 

“We don’t believe in The One. We don’t believe in the fairytale,” Shepard told Us Weekly in December 2017. “We don’t believe that you can meet someone and you have perfectly matching personalities. We are opposites and it has taken a tremendous amount of work and therapy for us to coexist.” 

In August, Bell reiterated that sentiment to Us in a separate article. “It is not easy to work around another human being, but if you commit to it, you can pretty much permanently respect that person,” she said, adding the happy note, “But on a daily basis, [Dax] just makes me laugh all the time.” 

Is sexiest couple alive a thing? People, can you get on that? Because we’d like to cast our vote for Bell and Shepard ASAP.

The Mom’s Guide to Phoenix

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Temperatures have finally dropped here in Phoenix, so it's the perfect time to visit Arizona's capital with the whole family. Throw open those hotel (or Airbnb) windows, hit the parks, and really enjoy everything on offer here in the Valley of the Sun.

Here are your best bets for keeping kids of all ages entertained (and fed and rested and everything else) if you're traveling to Phoenix, Arizona — courtesy of a local Arizona mom in the know (hi!).

Where to go

Where to go: OdySea Aquarium

Near Phoenix is the much-talked-about OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale, which opened a few years back. One note of warning: It's expensive. A kids ticket will cost you $27.95 and adult tickets are another $10 on top of that. But it's definitely worth the cash — at least once. The wide variety of sea life on-site is remarkable. And it may sound strange, but make sure to take a trip to the bathroom while you’re there. Voted America’s best restroom (bet you didn’t know that was a thing) in 2017, the aquarium's bathroom boasts one entire wall of glass, allowing sharks and fish to swim up close while you’re washing your hands — or changing a diaper.

When the weather is this perfect, definitely find time for the Phoenix Zoo. Just a short stroll through the animal exhibits and a lunch on the lake is worth the drive to Tempe. And if you find yourself here in December, check out the unparalleled holiday ZooLights. Kids will go, um, wild for it.

Where to stay

Where to stay: Sanctuary on Camelback

The best Phoenix resort for parents looking for chic digs that are still kid-friendly is Sanctuary on Camelback. Elegant and serene, this is the perfect hotel to relax and recharge in. But don't worry; it welcomes kids, who will love the pool and wandering the Camelback Mountain-adjacent grounds looking for lizards. Plus, the food is fantastic, and the Asian-inspired spa treatments and Sunday brunch with executive chef Beau MacMillan are not to be missed. 

Where to eat

Phoenix is full of great restaurants the whole family will enjoy. One of our favorite places to eat is Fajitas; my husband is Latino, and his family once owned two Mexican restaurants. His standards for Mexican food are high, but Fajitas does it right. Located on I-17 between Dunlap and Peoria, this place is a family-owned go-to. The best thing on the menu are, of course, the fajitas. And after a long travel day with high-energy kids, what’s better than a margarita… or three? Every now and then, we switch up our Mexican food in Phoenix for Tee Pee, which reminds my husband so much of his family’s former restaurant in Colorado. 

Another favorite is a nearby Italian place, oddly enough called Times Square. You can’t go wrong with this menu for kids; from fresh seafood to the pasta dishes, each meal is better than the last. And definitely try the bread pudding. Times Square has four little hole-in-the-wall locations (the kind of places you know will have the best food).  

Looking for a super-classy place that won't kick your kids out? Head to Bar Pesce, formerly Crudo, for amazing seafood, pasta and a Gin It to Win It cocktail that never feels out-of-season.

Where to play

Where to play: Children’s Museum of Phoenix

Every year, we get annual passes to the Children’s Museum of Phoenix — three floors full of different rooms and exhibits for kids of all ages. There is a giant playground area right as you enter, an art studio with different art projects planned each day, a room set up like a grocery store for kids to pretend shop and cook and a noodle forest for the kids to run through. On the second floor, there is a restaurant where food prices are surprisingly affordable. No one checks bags at the entrance, though, so we always bring snacks in for the kids. Crowds are more manageable if you go right when it opens. It’s a great place to start the day.

So, if you're looking to fly south (or at least fly warmer) this winter, move over, California: Phoenix is where it's at. With so many kid-friendly festivals, outdoor options and delicious food (and cocktails), Arizona's capital is a prime vacation spot for travelers of all ages. Plus, you know, America's best restroom. Who wouldn't want to see that? 


Olivia Munn Reveals She Got Dating Advice From Jamie Foxx — & It's the Best

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Olivia Munn is one of Hollywood's hottest and most outspoken actors. The model and television personality made a name for herself on Attack of the Show and went on to star in blockbusters like X-Men Apocalypse and Office Christmas Party. While Munn may be known for her outgoing personality now, it turns out she hasn't always been this strong or confident.

In an interview with Busy Tonight, the actor revealed that when she first arrived in Hollywood, she was relatively shy. She was also distracted by a man, a fellow actor who she was dating. And that is when Munn got some brilliant but completely unexpected advice from none other than Jamie Foxx.

"[Foxx] saw me at a party and I was dating this guy, who was an actor that was famous... he was my crush, and no one knew that we were dating. We were dating for a couple months," Munn told host Busy Philipps. "We were still at this place where you hadn't said that you're official. I was official, but I was waiting for him to, you know, say it."

However, since the pair wasn't "official," Munn and her date "were keeping it cool" at the party.

"I'm on one side of this party and he's on the other side... talking to different girls and stuff and I'm feeling so depressed. And then I decided to leave early," Munn said. That's when "Jamie stop[ped] me and is like, 'Where are you going?'"

After a brief conversation, Foxx realized Munn had her eyes on someone across the room, who Munn eventually told Foxx was they guy she was dating.

"'Is he the reason why you're leaving?'" Foxx asked.

And while Munn said no — "I'm like, 'No, he didn't do anything wrong... I'm just going to go home'" — Foxx didn't buy it. He told Munn he was going to call her the following day.

"The next morning, I got a call from Jamie and he left a voicemail," Munn told Philipps. "[Foxx] said... 'Did you come out here to be somebody's girlfriend? No! Did you come out here to be somebody's wife? No! Did you come out here just to date this guy? No! Did you come out here to be an actress? Yes! Don't you ever, ever let me see you cry about some guy like that ever, ever again. Don't you ever let some other guy make you feel like that ever again.'" 

And Foxx is 100 percent right. No woman should ever allow a man to make her feel so small, no matter who they are or what they do.

As for Munn, she still holds Foxx's advice near and dear to her heart. "Every now and then it would pop into my head, of course I've kind of veered off sometimes, but I will think about that and it brings me back to center."

AAP Takes Strongest Stance Against Spanking in 20 Years — & It's About Time

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For the last 20 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics has discouraged parents from spanking their children, albeit indirectly. (A 1998 policy simply "encouraged" parents to use "methods other than spanking.") However, the AAP is now taking a tougher stance against the so-called disciplinary tool. 

According to new guidelines released on the AAP News & Journals Gateway earlier this week, "aversive disciplinary strategies, including all forms of corporal punishment and yelling at or shaming children, are minimally effective in the short-term and not effective in the long-term." What's more, new research actually "link[s] corporal punishment to an increased risk of negative behavioral, cognitive, psychosocial, and emotional outcomes for children.”

As such, "parents should never hit their child and never use verbal insults that would humiliate or shame the child," Dr. Robert Sege, lead author of the policy and pediatrician at the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, said in a statement.

The new guidelines are unsurprising. The "benefits" of spanking have been in question for many yearsHowever, that AAP hopes concrete data will cause parents to reconsider their approach and instead use "healthy forms of discipline," such as reasoning, positive reinforcement, setting limits and/or setting expectations.

“The good news," Sege said in the statement, "is fewer parents support the use of spanking than they did in the past. Yet corporal punishment remains legal in many states, despite evidence that it harms kids — not only physically and mentally, but in how they perform at school and how they interact with other children.”

That said, the AAP hopes pediatricians can provide parents with additional support and use their influence to help them identify age-appropriate disciplinary strategies and/or refer them to community resources. Because, as Sege said, "there's no benefit to spanking." At all. And we need to do better. "We can do better."

Unexpected Color Pairings We’re Stealing From the French

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Mark "color combinations" down as another thing the French have mastered. With the spring/summer 2019 fashion month now in our rearview mirror, it’s high time we reflect on everything we’ve seen — from trending materials to cool colors. And when it comes to unexpected palettes and combinations, it should come as no surprise that some of the most interesting ones came courtesy of the Paris shows.

Warm golden tones offset by icy blues, tonal terra-cotta neutrals that feel so appropriate for fall… our favorite color palettes from the ready-to-wear shows are equally about striking differences as they are about complementary hues. Suffice it to say, there is a lot we can’t wait to commandeer ASAP and repurpose for our interiors.

If you feel the same way, here are some of the chicest fashion-inspired color combos we saw in Paris. The ultimate French "it" girl palette awaits you.

Berry + burnt orange

Berry + Burnt Orange  

Paint colors: Chinaberry by Benjamin Moore, Japanese Koi by Behr

Two of autumn’s most quintessential hues paired together in quite the statement-making manner. For those not afraid to pack a bold punch with their home’s style, this palette is a maximalist’s dream. Coat your walls in the saturated hues — maybe a two-tone situation is in order — and bring in furnishings in similar colors to complete the look. Areaware’s popular sculptural candles in terra-cotta (totem candle, $12 and up at Areaware) make for the ideal accents to your curated bookshelf or living room end table. For a textural sofa companion, AYTM offers a gorgeous geographic-print throw blanket (Contra throw, $210 at Moda Operandi) in a deep berry hue. 

Tonal shades of brown

Tonal Shades of Brown  

Paint colors: Matchstick by Farrow & Ball, Jute Brown by Sherwin-Williams

On the other end of the color spectrum, you will find this warm combination of neutrals. This year, we’re all about making the simplest of hues feel interesting by implementing a tonal palette; gradient shades of cream, terra-cotta and coffee are ideal for crafting a calming oasis in any room of the house. Allow a clean off-white to set the base (nothing too starkly white, as that’ll feel sterile) and proceed to layer with colors, textures and accent pieces… the more the better.

Start with a honey-hued rug (Wyatt woven rug, $24 and up at Urban Outfitters) and keep going. Ferm Living’s corduroy cushion (corduroy cushion, $68 at Ferm Living) brings a ’70s kick while Minna’s woven cream throw blanket (Marta throw, $150 at Minna) will keep you cozy in the impending winter months.

Olive green + mint

Olive Green + Mint  

Paint colors: Edamame by PPG Paints, Breakfast Room Green by Benjamin Moore

We have a thing for monochromatic tonals. This time, it’s courtesy of Joseph’s beautiful presentation, which inspired us to try our hands at earthy greens. Particularly perfect for the bedroom, a mix of soft greens will Zen you right out. Switch up your bedding this season, surrendering your plain whites for a crisp, khaki green alternative (washed cotton duvet cover set, $29.99 at H&M). If your built-in overhead lighting isn’t working out for you, you can’t go wrong with a statement pendant. Good Thing’s conical lamp (clover pendant, $750 at Good Thing) is an investment worth the splurge.

Ice blue + mustard yellow

Ice Blue + Mustard Yellow  

Paint colors: Abstracta by Benjamin Moore, Aviary Blue by Sherwin-Williams

Given that yellow and blue are near opposites on the color wheel, this pairing is all about the shock effect of having two viscerally different hues in one space. Play off the juxtaposition by corralling decorative details that drastically differ by style, all within the same space. For example, the stark minimalism of Hay’s blue-gray dining room chairs (Elementarie chairs, $125 at MoMA Design Store) plays well with a golden yellow antique rug (Peko rug, $656 at Revival) versus a similarly contemporary textile. It’s all about balance and contrast.

Citron + dusty pink

CITRON + DUSTY PINK  

Paint colors: Cranberry by PPG Paints, Lemon Twist by Sherwin-Williams

Two of the year’s trendiest hues paired in a way that still feels new. Dusty rose — an elevated take on the perennially popular millennial pink — is the ideal backdrop for pops of zingy citron. To keep your space from feeling too feminine, experiment with an ombré paint detail, which can be yours at the cost of a few hours of dedication and a sponge applicator.

If you’d rather contain your bursts of pink to something requiring less commitment than a new paint job, look to your dining room table. Once Milano’s linen tabletop textiles are all so great, and this rosy runner (crushed linen runner, $63 at MatchesFashion.com) feels both contemporary and classic. Add on this vibrant ceramic vase (Raawi strøm vase, $60 at MoMA Design Store) for a sculptural element that also establishes height. 

Ice cream pastels (again)

ICE CREAM PASTELS (again)  

Paint colors: Praying Mantis by Behr, Purple Cream by Benjamin Moore

Apparently, the ice cream pastels we loved so much earlier this year have a longer shelf-life than expected, which is great news if you missed the boat on the initial push for the trend and want to try your hand the second time around (thank you, Natalia Alaverdian, for keeping them alive in your A.W.A.K.E Parisian runway debut).

There are two ways you can approach this trend. The first: Give into it with abandon, painting old furniture and accent walls in your favorite shade of pastel. Try a two-tone wall or paint one of your doors a pale blush. The second option is a bit less risky (particularly for any renters) and entails infusing small hints of pastel wherever you can. A tiny mint vase (bud vase, $55 at Tiny Badger Ceramics) or some sky-blue linen pillows (simple linen pillow, $85 at Hawkins New York), for example.

Sunset gradient

SUNSET GRADIENT  

Paint colors: Quite Coral by Sherwin-Williams, Holland Tile by PPG Paints

Desert hues are an all-time fave here at team Domino, and we’re happy to see our Parisian counterparts jumping on the bandwagon too. Deep rusts, blush pinks and all other colors of the sunset are inspiring us right now — especially as we look to the impending gray weather and seek to counteract it with warm, cozy interiors.

You can’t go wrong with a subdued pink-tinted room, but bring on the gradient by picking up furniture in complementary shades. A mod sofa in plush velvet sprinkles a bit of opulence into any living room (Vera sofa, $2,598 at Anthropologie), as does a rustic-looking armchair in a deep raspberry (Henri deconstructed armchair, $1,118 at Dassie Artisan). Finish your space off with a pale-pink pillow (washed linen cushion cover, $12.99 at H&M) for the perfect tonal space.


Originally published on Domino.

These Brutally Honest Posts About Postpartum Depression Are Going Viral

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Postpartum depression is super-common. According to the American Psychological Association, 1 out of every 7 pregnant people will experience PPD. However, the condition remains highly stigmatized and misunderstood. But two viral Facebook posts are doing their part to change that.

Last month, mom Anneliese Lawton brought attention to the condition by sharing her postpartum depression story. Last week, mom Krysti Motter did the same. 

Lawton, a mom of two, began her post by explaining how her children's health became a priority after birth — but her own well-being? Well, no one really asked. In fact, Lawton felt like no one seemed to care.

"After my boys were born, there were appointments," Lawton wrote. "To check their latch. To check their weight. To check their hearing. To check the color of their skin for signs of jaundice. There were appointments. There were regular pokes and prods. Their well-being was front and center... they were well taken care of. Then there was me. A first-time mom without a clue. Engorged, bleeding, and stitched up. Sent home with some painkillers and stool softeners. Thrown into motherhood with the expectation my instincts would kick in."

"No one poked me," Lawton went on. "No one prodded. No one checked my stitches, my healing, or my sanity until eight weeks postpartum. And even then, it was a pat on the back and I was sent on my way."

And that, Lawton explained, is a huge problem. The lack of postpartum maternal care is dangerous, damaging and detrimental.

"Our world forgets about mothers. We slip through the cracks. We become background noise. And in that we learn our role… our place in our family unit… to always come last,” she wrote. But "mothers deserve attention... [w]e need to be seen. We need to be heard... [a]nd we need someone to make sure we’re ok, too.”

And Lawton's right. Mothers need care too because, without it, they could end up very sick or — as Motter explained in her post two weeks later — dead.

"I get it," Motter wrote. "I finally get it. You see moms committing suicide. And I couldn’t understand it. How do you leave your kids behind like that? [But] postpartum depression is what they call it. You don’t feel like the world would be better off without you, you feel like you’d be better off without this world."

Motter then explained more of what PPD feels like before echoing the same sentiments shared in Lawton's post, i.e., that new moms are ignored. That they are invisible.

"She told you," Motter wrote. "It seemed small to you, you didn’t get it. Behind on life, can’t get anything done. Everything is expected of her and she’s drowning. She lost herself taking care of others. She’s told you, 'I can’t today. I have too much to do... Stop saying you didn’t know. Because she told you." 

More:  We May Finally Have a Drug to Treat Postpartum Depression

Of course, both Lawton and Motter's posts force you to ask: How can you help? What can you do? And Motter offered a few suggestions. “Stop by and visit, let her take a shower, help her in some way so she feels like she’s not so behind. Like she’s not alone. Like she’s HUMAN.” According to Postpartum Progress, one of the greatest things you can do for her is to be there and listen. Just listen — so she can talk without shame, guilt, judgment or fear.

For more information about postpartum depression and/or other maternal mood disorders visit Postpartum Progress. You can also contact Postpartum Support International — 1-800-944-4773 — or text “START” to 741-741 to immediately speak to a trained counselor at Crisis Text Line.

Meghan Markle & Prince Harry Will Reportedly Ride the Subway With Their Kids

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Meghan Markle, now the Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry may be royals, but they don't plan to give their unborn child any royal treatment. According to royal contributor Omid Scobie, the parents-to-be won't be spoiling their baby. 

Scobie explained to Us Weekly that while the strategy is unconventional for a royal family, the Duchess and Duke of Sussex are committed to raising "children who know the values of normal things in life." If by "normal things," they mean traveling the globe in designer clothes and living in a 21-room apartment in Kensington Palace, then sure, yeah, their kids will have totally average lives. 

As ludicrous as their plan may sound to us mere commoners (you know, the people who actually have to scrub their own toilets and grocery shop), Scobie says the royal couple truly is committed to giving the normal life a try.  

"Meghan will take her kids on a subway. They'll have chores and jobs one day," Scobie said. "They won't be spoiled." 

It's a noble mission, for sure, but please forgive me for being a wee bit skeptical. After all, before Meghan even started dating Prince Harry, she told Hello! Magazine about her plans to pass down her coveted Cartier watch to her future child. Now that she's officially royalty, she can easily have a custom wrist piece made at the snap of a finger. 

Still, we have no doubts the Duke and Duchess will raise intelligent, compassionate young humans. Meghan has a long history of charitable work, including her role as a global ambassador for World Vision and her advocacy for the United Nations, that she will undoubtedly continue alongside Prince Harry and their children. 

"Normal" or not, the royal couple has an exciting future ahead of them, and we can't wait to see all they accomplish.

Sexiest Man Alive Idris Elba Is a Totally Embarrassing (& Adorable) Dad

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The votes are in: Idris Elba is officially People's sexiest man alive of 2018. It's easy to see why. (That voice! That face! That body!) But to his two kids — Isan, 16, and Winston, 4 — the title "most doting dad" might be more appropriate. 

The actor, who celebrated his new title by encouraging fans to vote, told People that while the rest of the world thinks he's Mr. Cool, his kids have told him he's embarrassing on multiple occasions. 

"I'm super doting as a dad," he said. "Big hugs, kisses, lots of 'love yous' and all of that. I'm sure my daughter's like, 'Alright, dad, chill out.' My son, he gets it. But he's still at that age where he loves a cuddle." Still, he added that he's "conscious of [his 16-year-old] daughter's space" and tries not to bug her too often. 

For the life of me, I can't imagine a single scenario in which Elba — the only man whose skill and bravado could make us love him as both a detective and a drug lord — could humiliate me. This is just more proof teens are mysterious and confounding creatures. 

Perhaps to his kids' chagrin, Elba also revealed they inherited many of his personality traits, especially when it comes to being overthinking introverts. "My children are extremely shy, and I'm quite shy, in reality... We just over-analyze everything," he admitted. 

Despite all the flak he gets from his kids, Elba says fatherhood is absolutely his most significant accomplishment, and he wouldn't change a thing.

"Being witness to the birth of my children, happy and healthy, is the biggest, biggest, most best thing ever," he gushed. 

The actor got engaged to former pageant-winner Sabrina Dhowre earlier this year, and so far, they haven't revealed any plans to expand their brood. But given how much he loves being a family man, we wouldn't be too surprised if a baby is in their future. 

Modern Family Season 10 Keeps the Twists Coming & Fans Have Opinions

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On Wednesday, just two weeks after Modern Family revealed a "significant character death" in its season 10 Halloween episode, the series revealed yet another major twist for the Dunphy family. When series cocreator Christopher Lloyd teased major life events in season 10, he really wasn't kidding around.

More: Modern Family Reveals Which "Significant Character" Dies, & Fans Have Mixed Reactions

Spoilers ahead for Modern Family season 10, episode seven, "Did the Chicken Cross the Road?"

During Wednesday's episode, Haley (Sarah Hyland) ended up in the emergency room after she got a tube of lipstick stuck up her nose when she was riding the bumper cars with Dylan (Reid Ewing), per Entertainment Tonight. In the ER, Haley learned from her nurse that she's pregnant, which was a massive shock — although Hyland seemed to tease the news on her Instagram ahead of the episode.

"Buckle up for tonight’s brand-new episode of @abcmodernfam guys," Hyland wrote on a set photo of herself riding a bumper car. "It’s gonna be a BUMPY ride!"

Obviously, the double meaning of "BUMPY" would have been lost on fans ahead of the episode — she's riding a bumper car, after all. But now that we know she'll also have a baby bump, the emphasis in her caption makes more sense.

Much like when Modern Family revealed that DeDe (recurring guest star Shelley Long) had died, fans had mixed reactions to the news of Haley's impending motherhood. Some seemed shocked by the news on Twitter, while others were less than impressed.

"Having Alex be the one that got pregnant would of been way more interesting," one fan wrote, with a GIF of Cameron Diaz captioned, "Just saying."

Another fan remarked that season 10 of Modern Family "is a little too much like #RealLife. A death (even though off-screen) during the #Halloween episode and now an unplanned pregnancy." They also noted that the show has a precedence for the latter: "But Claire & Phil have talked about they got married because Claire was pregnant with Haley."

Many fans were stoked about the reveal, though. "@Sarah_Hyland I'm gonna be honest I love the idea of haley being pregnant," wrote one viewer. "This will be a great storyline and can't wait to see what will happen."

As one fan noted, we haven't seen how Haley's family will react to the news — which could go any direction given how this show likes to lean into absurdity and heavy emotion with equal weight. 

The excitement is real, but fans also have questions about who the father is. As noted by ET, the pregnancy reveal happened just after Dylan and her other love interest, Arvin (Chris Geere), went head-to-head.

"@Sarah_Hyland but seriously I'm so happy the modern family writers decided to make Haley pregnant since she is getting older and it makes sense!! Now the question is, who is the father?" questioned one fan.

Another expressed disappointment over Haley's current love interests potentially becoming fathers: "I knew Haley was going to be pregnant when she was eating alot in the Halloween episode. Disappointed since I want her to be pregnant with Andy’s baby not Dylan or Arvin’s."

While this question will certainly be answered in a future episode of Modern Family, we can't help but wonder — what else will season 10 bring to the table?


5 Things You Can Do Today to Help Prevent Diabetes

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Diabetes is, unfortunately, a common problem in the U.S. While some types of diabetes, such as Type 1, are beyond our control, the most common type of diabetes (Type 2) can often be influenced by various lifestyle factors. Here's a look at ways you can make changes now that can decrease your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes down the road. 

What is Type 2 diabetes, anyway?

Diabetes is a common disorder that affects 30.3 million people in the United States, which is more than 9 percent of the population in the U.S. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.

In Type 2 diabetes, your body doesn't make — or use — insulin like it should. This means too much glucose (also known as blood sugar) stays in your bloodstream and doesn't reach the cells of your body, which can cause a whole range of symptoms. 

What causes diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is caused by a number of different factors. Being overweight or obese or not being physically active are two common causes, as is insulin resistance, which is when your liver, muscle and fat cells don't use insulin very well. As a result, insulin production increases, but after a while, your pancreas can't keep up and your blood sugar levels rise. Also, your genetic makeup can be a factor as well. 

How can you prevent diabetes?

Fortunately, there are lifestyle changes we can make to help decrease our chances of getting Type 2 diabetes. Here are a few.

Eat good carbs

Dr. Danine Fruge, medical director of the Pritikin Longevity Center, tell SheKnows you should definitely try to stick to high-quality carbs instead of foods that are chock-full of "bad" ones. 

"If you’re eating refined carbs like white bread and sugary desserts, blood sugar levels can shoot up," she explains. "But if the bulk of your diet is fiber-rich, unprocessed carbohydrates like vegetables, whole fruit, whole grains and beans, you may be able to normalize blood sugar levels and even reverse the diagnosis of prediabetes and diabetes, scientists are now discovering."

Get moving

Dr. Kelly Wood, an endocrinologist at Piedmont Fayette Hospital, tells SheKnows that getting some exercise can help delay or even prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes. "The recommended amount of exercise was 150 minutes per week," she notes. "This is 30 minutes, five days per week, but you can start at 10 to 15 minutes a day and slowly increase."

Eat your greens

Greens are a powerful tool in your culinary cookbook that can make your future a little brighter, Dr. Garth Graham, a cardiologist at St. Luke's Cardiovascular Consultants in Kansas City, tells SheKnows. 

"Greens like spinach, kale or chard are all considered superfoods," he notes. "Supergreens can help put your body on track and have been linked to better overall health outcomes. These greens have antioxidants, are energy boosting, and they keep your body in ideal alkaline pH state, which are all preventative measures for diabetes."

Get regular checkups

While you may think checkups are just for kids, they are definitely not. Wood says regular checkups will help you keep up a line of communication open with your doctor. 

There's another easy benefit too. "Have a regular check up with your doctor and request that you be screened for diabetes, especially if you are over the age of 45 or have a family history of diabetes," she suggests. "Your doctor can do a simple blood test to see if you have diabetes or prediabetes."

Limit animal proteins

"Eating too much protein, especially animal protein, may contribute to excessive fat buildup in the body, including the muscle, liver and pancreatic cells, where it will promote insulin resistance and lead, eventually, to diabetes," says Fruge. She suggests looking toward lean protein or plant-based proteins instead. 

What warning signs can you look for?

While the goal is to prevent diabetes, there are some symptoms you should always watch out for. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, diabetes symptoms can include:

  • Excessive thirst

  • Increased urination

  • Fatigue

  • Blurred vision

  • Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands

  • Sores that don't heal

  • Unexplained weight loss

While these symptoms are unpleasant, untreated and uncontrolled diabetes can have serious health repercussions, including heart attacks or strokes, nerve damage, kidney disease, foot problems, eye disease and gum problems.

With that in mind, it's always a good idea to think about ways you can prevent Type 2 diabetes. Not next month or next year, but now. If there are parts of your life that can use improvement, make those changes, and make sure you notify your doctor if things start to go awry, especially those symptoms that are outlined above. Identifying and treating diabetes can help you avoid complications, but preventing it in the first place is an even better idea. 

All the Times Mark Wahlberg Was the Ultimate Dorky Dad

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Back when Mark Wahlberg was hanging out with guys who called themselves the Funky Bunch, nobody would ever have guessed he’d end up one of the most admired and adored dads in Hollywood. But the superstar eventually reached back to those family roots that ran deep for him as the youngest of nine kids.

Now, the actor is starring in a movie that’s all about family, specifically adoptive families. Instant Family stars Wahlberg and Rose Byrne alongside Isabela Moner, Gustavo Quiroz and Julianna Gamiz as their adopted children. Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro round out the cast. Some of Wahlberg's funniest roles, like Daddy’s Home, are ones that pair him up with kids, but it's not just his on-screen persona that has endeared fans over the years. Fatherhood is a role Wahlberg has a lot of experience with. The actor has four children with his wife Rhea Durham and has become somewhat of a poster dad in the public eye when it comes to dealing with relatable fatherly situations.

Here are all the best real-life moments when Wahlberg played his dad role to hilarious, sweet and even embarrassing effect.


When his family mocked him on video

Wahlberg has been known to post a lot of workout videos, many of them shirtless. But after filming for Instant Family, Wahlberg jumped right into training for The Six Billion Dollar Man, and his own family'd had just about enough of his social media behavior. When he gave a pitch for the protein water he likes to drink while flexing his bicep, his wife could be heard judging him from across the room. “Baby, stop doing videos with your shirt off,” she said. His little girl, also in the gym, giggled and added, “Yeah, dad.” Burn.

When he & Will Ferrell went up against a whiz kid

Ellen DeGeneres has the kind of sense of humor that brings celebs down to earth. When Will Ferrell and Wahlberg joined her during promotion for Daddy’s Home 2, she brought an 11-year-old whiz kid on to do a little quiz against the superstars. Wahlberg went out aggressive, getting in the face of little Zachary Rifkin to warn him: “We’re watching you… don’t play no games. But the wunderkind wasn’t having it. “You guys think you’re funny,” he said before schooling them on everything from planets to spelling.

When he left the Super Bowl because of his son

Hailing from Boston, nobody is as big a New England Patriots fan as Wahlberg. Even though he scored tickets to the 2017 game in which the Patriots took on the Atlanta Falcons, Wahlberg wasn’t there to see the final score live. He had to leave early to take his sick son home. But as he said in his post, family first!

When he showed off his fatherly pride

Parents tend to post on Facebook when they're super-proud of their children. But nobody really expects celebrities to follow that trend. So it’s all the more delightful when they do, and we get the feeling we aren’t seeing something that’s been micromanaged by a publicist. Here is one of several posts Wahlberg has made about his daughter, Grace, and her equestrian hobby. #DaddysGirl

When he failed miserably at the birds & the bees

From the moment he put a child in his place, it was easy to tell this was going to be a standard Wahlberg moment. Orchestrated by Ellen DeGeneres, Wahlberg was invited into what looks like a classroom to talk about the birds and the bees. Please tell us these children were volunteered by their parents, because by the end of the clip, the actor had recruited two for his crew and explained conjugal visits so… yeah. At least he's teaching manners? “Ladies first, man.”

When his idea of kid-friendly entertainment got shut down

In the run up to Ted, Wahlberg went on Conan to discuss what made him interested in the movie. He explained that after he read the script, he was told to watch Seth MacFarlane’s Family Guy, and thinking it was a cartoon, watched it with his kids... which didn't go over too well with his wife. “I’ve been on punishment more than my kids,” he said, referring to their ongoing hijinks. 

Despite all that, it seems pretty clear Wahlberg's a loving and devoted dad. Look for him costarring in Instant Family, which hits theaters on Nov. 16. 

Prince Harry & Prince William May Split Their Joint 'Court' at Kensington Palace

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Kensington Palace may soon be split into two separate offices. With many changes on the horizon for Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan (née Markle) of Sussex as well as Prince William and his growing family with Duchess Catherine of Cambridge (aka Kate Middleton) and the fact William will eventually take on even more responsibility when he inherits his father's title as Prince of Wales, this is a natural time for Harry and Meghan to begin forging their own path.

 

According to a Wednesday report by People, the U.K. paper The Sunday Times first reported Prince Harry and Prince William may split their joint "court" after Meghan gives birth in the spring. Though the palace has not released a statement on the news, insiders believe this is the best time to make such a move.

“The arrival of Meghan has changed the dynamic of the relationship in a fairly significant way,” said royals author Sally Bedell Smith. “It is inevitable and practical because it gives Harry and Meghan some freedom to build up their own collection of interests and charities. Meghan has very strong views on what she is interested in and that may be what Harry shares, but not what William and Kate share.”

Smith notes that the Royal Fab Four — as Harry, Meghan, William and Kate have colloquially come to be known — will likely maintain the Royal Foundation together. The foursome organize charitable endeavors under the banner, including their groundbreaking mental health campaign, Heads Together.

“I think it really is just a shift in priorities and interests,” Smith told People. “William is a husband and father of three and his focus is primarily on them, and Harry will soon be a father. Each of them will continue [to be a]... very strong representative of the Queen in carrying out tasks and assignments that she, and probably their father, wants them to do. They are going to be sharing in this diffusion of activities on behalf of the Queen.”

As noted by People, Meghan and Harry proved their effectiveness as a twosome during their recent royal trip to New Zealand. Meghan made an unprecedented three speeches during the trip, including one celebrating 125 years of women's suffrage in the country. It'll be interesting to see where she and Prince Harry go from here — and how life continues to shift for William and Kate as well as their children.

What to Do if Your Teen Is Cutting Class

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Algebra = not fun. Nipping out to McDonald's = fun.

AP history = so not fun. Hiding in the woods with friends during third block = extra fun.

Chemistry = torture. Sleeping through the snooze button in a soft, warm bed = absolute bliss.

Your average high schooler might use these equations to explain why they ditch class. Don’t believe them. I mean, of course. Even Urkel would take snooze over chem class. But kids don’t cut class, risking poor grades and punishment, because it’s fun. The motive lies deeper than that.

In my role as a teen life coach, I’m always working with kids on the reasons they cut class. But even in my previous career as a high school teacher, my class was never the one kids cut. Students reported to my class for the same reason they’re willing to work with me in coaching, on cutting other teachers’ classes: because I get why they do it. And because rather than chastising them, I help them work out the problem behind the behavior. Got a teen who’s cutting class? Read on for an understanding of why they’re doing it and how to help them change that habit.

Their reasons for avoiding class may not be what you think

Here's the most important thing to know: Kids have a legit reason for avoiding class. It might not be what we'd call "good,” but they have a reason. And if we’re willing to put ourselves in their shoes, we can understand and help them work through the issue.

The reasons vary depending on the kid, but the root cause 95 percent of the time is social. They’re either avoiding class due to social rejection (aka bullying), or they’re rolling with the cool kids to gain acceptance.

As adults, we’re so far beyond the cloistered desperation of high school we’ve forgotten how it feels to need our peers’ approval. So we can say, “Who cares what anyone thinks. Just ignore them! Go to class! Earn your future!” and think we’re dispensing wisdom. We’re not. Instead, we’re making clear how far removed we are from teen reality.

To get closer to teen reality, remember this: For adolescents, peer acceptance is oxygen. If there’s a pack of kids publicly ostracizing or cutting on a kid and that kid doesn’t have a single friend in the room to make it clear somebody likes them, walking into class feels like walking into a guillotine. And if a kid feels guillotined, no firing squad of adults is going to force them to go.

On the flip side, if a kid has been ostracized in the past and suddenly has an opportunity to chill with the social tastemakers (in the woods, during math class), they’re going to snag that opp. Because this is their chance to shake off the “loser” label. Nothing — not failing grades nor parental punishment, nor any other threat — will trump this chance.

With this new empathetic state of mind, your approach to discussing the topic of cutting class will be much better received by your teen. So let’s move onto the strategies and conversation starters.

Strategies for getting kids back in the classroom

The first thing kids need is to puke out all their perceptions; to just clear it all out of their brains. That alone can give a kid a fresh slate and a burst of optimism. To open the conversation, tell them they can be super-honest, that you don't have an intention to "cheer them up" or "change their mind” — and mean it! If we imply they should see the situation differently than they do — if we even think it — teens will Spidey-sense our intention is not to listen to them but to change them, and they’ll shut right down.

Once you’ve established that you’re there to listen and understand, hit the kid with open, curious questions like, "It was hard for me to find true friends when I was in high school. What's it like for you?" or "What's the social dynamic like at this school? Where do you feel like you fit into it?"

If they share that kids are mean to them, make "listening noises" as they hash that mess out. Use phrases that encourage more hashing, like, “Really?” “Tell me more,” and “That must suck.”

In the details they share, you might be able to capture breadcrumbs you can build a trail with — but the trail should be made of questions. Remember, your job is to help the kid uncover what they would like to do to solve the problem, not to find and propose your own solutions. (I know. It’s hard! But it works.)

For example, if they say, "Last year, I had one friend, but we had a fight and then she joined the mean kids’ friend group,” you can ask questions like, "Where did you meet that friend? What did you like about each other?"

Those can be followed by questions like, "So it sounds like, in the past, you found a friend in activity X. I wonder if there are other cool kids doing other activities at your school?"

If the response seems open to that possibility, you could ask, "Are there activities you'd actually be interested in?" And then, "Do you ever feel like trying any of them?" (Note: questions. All questions.)

If you spot a glimmer there, ask them to describe which activities sound good and why. What has held them back from exploring that activity in the past? What would it take to move past that barrier, to go ahead and try it?

This ask-questions-listen-to-the-answers process uncovers happy options for the kid to find new connections at school and sparks confidence for taking the steps to follow through. That's the key. A kid won’t cut when they’re excited about going to school. But for most teens, excitement doesn’t come from the academics; it comes from the social connections. For the vast majority of kids, once the happy, confident connecting starts, the class-ditching stops.

This Type of Coffee May Reduce Your Risk of Alzheimer's & Parkinson's

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Coffee is one of America's most popular beverages. According to the National Coffee Association, 64 percent of adults drink at least one cup of the caffeinated beverage each day. And now, that cup may come with added perks. A new study conducted by Canadian researchers from the Krembil Brain Institute and published in Frontiers in Neuroscience found that drinking coffee may actually protect your brain.

In fact, it may reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's and/or Parkinson's disease.

Dr. Donald Weaver, codirector of the Krembil Brain Institute and one of the study’s authors, said in a statement that this is not new news. “Coffee consumption does seem to have some correlation to a decreased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease." However, the purpose of this study was to learn more.

“We wanted to investigate why that is," Weaver explained, "which compounds are involved and how they may impact age-related cognitive decline.”

So researchers tested three different types of coffee: Starbucks VIA light roast, dark roast and decaffeinated dark roast. And while all varieties showed promise, they quickly learned the "blend" mattered. Dark roast and decaffeinated dark roast offered greater protection than light roast.

“The caffeinated and de-caffeinated dark roast both had identical potencies in our initial experimental tests,” Dr. Ross Mancini, a research fellow in medicinal chemistry and coauthor, said in a statement. “So we observed early on that its protective effect could not be due to caffeine.”

But if caffeine didn't make the difference, what did? 

According to the study, it all came down to a group of compounds known as phenylindanes, which emerge as a result of the roasting process, as these compounds prevent (or inhibit) the clumping of both beta amyloid and tau, two protein fragments common in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

This is the first study to investigate how phenylindanes interact with the proteins responsible for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, Mancini said. And while these results show promise, “the next step would be to investigate how beneficial these compounds are, and whether they have the ability to enter the bloodstream or cross the blood-brain barrier,” he added.

In the meantime, continue enjoying your coffee whenever and however you like, because the bitter brew still offers innumerable health benefits.

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