We’re unexpectedly staying with my parents until the New Year (we’ve been here since November 15th), which is the longest we’ve visited since we moved to the Philippines four years ago. So far we’ve been to the California Science Center, Griffith Observatory, horseback riding, Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. We have some more adventures planned, including staying at a cabin in the mountains this weekend for Charlie’s birthday, Palm Springs, and Legoland, but mostly we’re spending as much time as we can with family and friends!

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Here are some parenting links from around the web this week!

H E A L T H

The Ongoing Trauma of Prematurity via New York Times

Measles Cases Continue to Rise Around the World via New York Times

How Juul Hooked a Generation on Nicotine via New York Times

More than 80% of adolescents worldwide aren’t getting enough exercise via WE Forum

Black Mothers Get Less Treatment For Their Postpartum Depression via NPR

E D U C A T I O N

‘The Pressures On Kids — They’re Born Into It’ via WGBH

Teen Diary: Amelia Tells Us How Academic Stress Led Her To A Breakdown via CPR

‘It Just Isn’t Working’: PISA Test Scores Cast Doubt on U.S. Education Efforts via New York Times

Active Shooter Drills May Not Stop A School Shooting — But This Method Could via NPR

Why You Should Encourage Your Child’s Love of Graphic Novels via Parents

Why the books we read as children are the ones that shape our psyche via The Guardian

Dumping Kids with IEPs into General Education Classrooms is not Inclusion via Medium

What The U.S. Can Learn From Free College In Chile via NPR

‘Highlights’ Magazine Sticks To Winning Formula Of Mixing Fun With Learning via NPR

‘We Wanted Our Patrons Back’ — Public Libraries Scrap Late Fines To Alleviate Inequity via NPR

A Dreaded Part Of Teachers’ Jobs: Restraining And Secluding Students via NPR

P A R E N T I N G

The 5 Best Toys of All Time via Wired (an oldie but goodie)

Children Do Not Need Toys To Have A Playful Childhood via Teacher Tom’s Blog

This Food Writer Owes Parents an Apology via New York Times

How to Reuse and Recycle Your Amazon Boxes via Lifehacker

5 Tips for Raising Children With Active Imaginations via Brightly

Is It OK To Lie About Santa And The Tooth Fairy? via NPR

Here is the most magical way to explain Santa to kids without them feeling lied to via Good Things Guy (oldie but goodie)

Palettes Are What Every Teen Wants for the Holidays via New York Times

The Forgotten Origins of Paid Family Leave via New York Times

Why Kids Playing Outside Is Beneficial, According To Experts via Romper

Dread the Holidays? Feasting Together Might Actually Help via New York Times

Love Is Not a Tally Sheet:What single parenting taught me about accepting help. via New York Times