Blog Posts by Charlene Prince Birkeland, Shine staff

Photo Credit: Getty ImagesI feel like I'm asking a question straight out of one of those nuvo parenting books, but everyone has a certain flair when it comes to their parenting.

I recently read a story by Tom McMahon over at KidTips.com where he breaks down the different types of parenting styles and the results of using those respective styles:

• Authoritarian. Think of this as "My way or the highway" parenting.

• Authoritative. "Nurturing, loving, responsive and demanding."

• Permissive-indulgent. The parents want to be best friends with their kids and set few boundaries or rules.
  

• Neglectful parenting. Mom and/or dad are minimally involved in parenting and the kids receive little nurturing.
  

Photo Credit: Getty ImagesAs we watch Marian Robinson, first lady Michelle Obama's mom, live in the White House to help manage the first family, some are wondering if the bar has been raised for grandparents and how they participate in their grandchildren's lives.

And in some instances, grandparents only want to visit with their grandkids. The New York Times published an article last week, "When Grandma Can't be Bothered." The story features blogger Catherine Connors from Her Bad Mother. She talks about how her mom "put her on notice" when Catherine had her first baby, letting the new mom know Grandma wasn't going to fit into a traditional role.

I grew up in a home where my maternal grandmother lived with us. She'd return to her home in El Salvador or travel with her son's family for about six weeks every year, but she was a full-time, hands-on grandma. And she played an important part of my life. My own mom and dad watched my first son once a week for nearly two years when I returned back to work, and the

photo credit: AP Photo/Ron EdmondSasha and Malia Obama may be having a blast on their new play structure (which sits on sand in plain view of the Oval Office - how cool is that?). But one thing is certain: Even if their fun lasts well into dusk, they'll still have to go to bed at a set time: 8 pm.

Over at The New York Times "Well" blog, Tara Parker Pope is leading a discussion about bedtime routines for kids. While most parents know that setting a regular sleep schedule for their kids is a good thing, how many moms and dads actually stick to those schedules?

Personally, we have set bedtime for our kids but it's definitely flexible if we've attended a special event. It's just something we started when the kids were babies and have stuck to the routine, but adjusted the time the lights must be out. The kids seem to dig it, so there's no reason to stray from it. We also can see the difference in our kids' behavior when they get less sleep on those days when they are in bed later than normal.

What about you? Do you

photo credit: sewliberated.typepad.comI've met many little kids who love practicing yoga with their parents (thought it's usually the mom). If you'd like to show your child a few basic poses, this kid-focused tutorial by Sew Liberated is a fantastic resource. It includes 25 yoga poses that you can print out and use to guide any workout with your mini Zen master.

Do you practice yoga with your kids?

Photo Credit: Getty ImagesA few months ago a study was published that indicated kids born to older dads face a higher chance of developing bipolar disorder.

Apparently children with older dads may have lower IQs, too.

In a study conducted by researchers in Australia, researchers looked at data from intelligence tests taken by 33,437 children born in the U.S. between 1959 and 1965. The tests were conducted at various points in time and measured their "ability to think and reason, including concentration, learning, memory, speaking and reading skills."

Based on this data, the researchers claim children with older dads had low test scores. According to Dr. John McGrath from the Queensland Brain Institute at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, and the study's lead researcher, more mutations occur in men's sperm as they age, and those mutations could impact brain development.

However, kids with older moms had higher test scores, perhaps because older moms offer a "more nurturing, attentive home

The two shirts before Betz White got crafty. If you have a younger child who "grows into" a sibling's clothes, you'll dig this little trick that can help you extend the life of your younger kid's favorite shirts.

Betz White posted a tutorial for turning a short-sleeved t-shirt into a mock-layered, long-sleeved shirt.

I'd classify myself as sewing novice and this project doesn't seem daunting to me. I love the fact that it allows you to save some dollars while recycling clothes that may be worn out (in this case, the Batman shirt).

After: A layered, long-sleeve shirt that went from a size 4T to a size 6.Plus, your littlest ones will be psyched at the prospect of wearing a favorite shirt for even longer, scoring you serious parenting points with them.

[via Craftzine, photos via Betz White: Felted Wool Artfully Stitched]

Parents often struggle with the challenge of making dinner while trying to keep their kids busy. Most kids are fascinated with what goes on in the kitchen. So why not put the kids to work?

I started having my kids help me cook when they were toddlers and could safely stand on a chair at the kitchen counter. They had easy tasks: tearing basil leaves, stirring a bowl of batter, and using a dull knife to slice zucchini. Years have passed and they still enjoy being in the kitchen and have even come up with their own recipes. I've also found that if they have a hand in cooking the food, they are more likely to eat it.

Not all kiddie cooks need their own television shows. Nor will they all turn into restaurant reviewers and mini foodies. But they can pretend and have fun in the process.

Check out the slide show for a few essentials to help foster a love of cooking and eating good food.

Photo Credit: Getty ImagesSure, babies may be mesmerized by Baby Einstein videos, but are they really learning from these infant-marketed flicks?

Mom or Dad may say yes.

But a new study conducted by Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital says that early television viewing has no impact on the cognitive development of kids under three years old.

The study states: "Contrary to parents' perceptions that TV viewing is beneficial to their children's brain development, we found no evidence of cognitive benefit from watching TV during the first 2 years of life."

Details of the Harvard study were published in the latest issue of Pediatrics. And I'm sure they will cause a heated debate amongst parents who question the validity of the results.

The study examined the viewing habits of 862 children over the course of two years. Mothers reported the number of hours their kids watched television at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years of age. They didn't monitor computer or video-game habits.

When the children