A new study finds that toddlers who watch TV are more likely to be violent! This study controlled for MANY other factors, such as mom’s depression, spanking, and living in an unsafe neighborhood. As a parent it is critical that you be aware that the TV and other media (movies, internet, video games) are not benign influences on your child–especially at young ages.

Limit exposure, and most of all pay attention to ratings. However, even during otherwise appropriate shows, the commercials may not be wholesome enough for younger viewers. For example, on Nick, during the most wholeome ‘Full House’, tantalizing ads for the super-racy ‘Degrassi’ are being shown to young kids who shouldn’t yet know about sex, sexting, drugs and other teen topics, let alone be having them role-modeled on TV. They’re already being primed to watch these shows as young as they can nag you into letting them, so be ready!

Dr. Bartell tells the Wall Street Journal’s website filife what to do when you’ve lost your job: be honest, stick with those who are supportive and those who aren’t…leave them in the dust!

Dr. Bartell gives her opinion to the the N.Y. Post about when it’s okay to prank your office mates and when it’s not. Mostly it’s not…unless everyone’s laughing, save the prank for another time.

The internet can be used for many things, including snooping on your partner if you think they may be cheating on you. But what if they find out you’re snooping and they’re not cheating?

This article in The NY Daily News, gives you the pros and cons to snooping (check out my viewpoint in the article on this timely topic!)

The truth is, that if you are questioning the trust in your relationship, talking to your partner is much healthier than snooping. But if you think that snooping is the only way to pry honesty out of them (and you really, really want to know the truth!), then brace yourself and start snooping. Just read the article and be forewarned of the possible consequences!

Research is now showing that companies that utilize wellness programs can save anywhere fromf $3 to $15 for every $1 they spend on wellness! In addition, aside from savings and productivity, great wellness programs will attract better employees and increase morale. Important factors in a great program include targeting: smoking cessation, stress reduction, nutrition, early detection/weight management, workplace safety and disease management.

Dr. Bartell gives quick tips to “Parenting” magazine for moments of nag,  nag, nag!

the transition of going back to school can cause anxiety and be a bit scary for kids…and parents. Parents and kids can have less stress for back to school success by following the tips in this article: http://bit.ly/POPTg. Have a great start to the school year!

This study reports the unsurprising fact that U.S. students lag behind in their knowldege of the Arts. While this is upsetting, it doesn’t worry me nearly as much as the the fact that our schools continue to be sub-par in even the most basic areas of producing students who can read and do math. And, in fact that ‘No Child Left Behind’ has done nothing except force mediocrity upon those students who has even the slightest hope of exelling, because they are now forced to spend all their time studying for monotonous, mundane and  unsatisfying state tests.

Teachers have lost any ability to be creative, school districts have become corrupt in order to satisfy the need to meet state standards.

Real reform would not only bring back the arts, it would over haul the entire system including making school administrators and teachers perform to higher standards than the trappings of tenure require of them. Then maybe our students would be competing with the rest of the world.

When you’re taking kids or teens to the movies this summer, pay attention to the ratings. Sexual and violent content, as well as messages about people smoking, drinking and using drugs can impact negatively on a child for years to come. Read more about the importance of picking movies carefully, in my nationally syndicated column this month, A Teachable Moment.

It’s important to give your time, advice and support to those out of work, but many people are being asked for help several times a week or even a day. You need to find a way to help supportively, but without hurting yourself.

This NY Times piece gives solid advice for how to help without compromising yourself, including my suggestions for how to make sure you don’t let yourself become emotionally drained, but still do your best to help as many people as possible

On the other side, if you’re the networker, looking for a job, there’s a way to do it so that you get what you need without alienating those who are helping. You’ll find advice in this piece for how to do that too!