Parenting

By GalTime's Entertainment Diva Andrea Krivelow

Photo by PR Photos

The 19-year-old was very open about her battle with depression, drug-use and bulimia, and experts believe her experience could prove to have a positive influence on her generation.

Clinical psychologist Vivian Diller, Ph.D., told Celebuzz:

''Demi has been outspoken and inspiring to others about how you pick yourself up after you've been down. She may be very good, because she cares a lot. Let's hope that she uses that to be a fair and empathic judge. She could potentially be a good role model for others.''

Simon Cowell even admitted he chose Demi for the coveted role because he believes young viewers will be able to relate to her:

''Demi's had an amazing career in music, TV and film for someone her age. She's young, confident, and enthusiastic. I t

Check out which popular names for baby girls and boys topped the Social Security charts in 2011.

The Top Baby Names of 2011

10 boy and girl names from Social Security is the ultimate authority on baby naming, because it shows what parents are actually naming their kids. So which names topped the charts in 2011?

For boys, Jacob still reigns supreme-and has since 1999, when it hit the number one spot. Sure, the Twilight craze may have contributed to its enduring popularity, but it's also a strong, easy name for boys, with Jake as a cute nickname option. Stay tuned for 2012, though: the name Mason may usurp Jacob next year for the top spot, probably thanks to Kourtney Kardashian, who chose it for her son. Mason, which ranked 12 th in 2010, zoomed onto the top 10 list in 2011, and is currently the second most popular boy name.

Another boy name on the upswing: the slightly formal but c

Another Mother's Day has passed, and as the brunches, flowers, handmade signs and cheerful photos of moms and families fade from my Facebook feed, I'm reflecting on how different my Single Mother's Day looked from my friends', and for the first time since divorcing almost 3 years ago, I'm okay with it.

When I first separated, holidays were unbearable. Any holiday without my son practically broke my heart, and seeing intact families celebrating Valentine's Day, Halloween, even President's Day seemed weighted and sad, even though I knew my son was having a blast with his dad. I felt like a part of my body was missing. Cue the melodrama.

Cut to now--my first Mother's Day without my son. It was his dad's weekend, and we try to be respectful of our set times with our son. He's let me have K on past Mother's Days but I'm taking K on vacation soon and using some of his dad's days, so it all works out. After divorce, holidays become more arbitrary, simply because they have to. I try

My elder toddler, who will be four years old in October, still uses a sippy cup. I am aware of the reasons suggested as to why older toddlers should not use sippy cups, and it's not that he does not know how or will not use a regular cup. In my parenting experience, it is just easier. However, if you make the same choice I did you may meet with some critical responses. Here's a little ammo for your response.

It doesn't have to be all or nothing.

Both of my toddlers do use a regular cup at times. I often give them lid free cups at meals where they are already sitting at a table and being closely supervised being that we eat as a family. However, when they are running around playing I prefer the sippy cup because they aren't sitting still. They are doing what toddlers do-playing-and play can lead to spills. They also get a sippy cup with water by their bedside at night, that way when they wake thirsty I don't get woke up and they don't get water all over their front.

It do

How important is technology in your home? Do you realize the impact technology has on your family as a whole? There is a growing trend of people communicating with each other more with technology than in a real life situation. Technology may allow families to share more information than ever before, but how much is too much? Learn to see the signs that your child needs to unplug.

Make one room technology free. You can use this as a test, or do it on a regular basis. If you're going to use it as a test, simply observe how much your family avoids that room as compared to how often they visited it before you made the no technology rule. If that's the case and you want to make it a permanent rule, be sure to use a room that can't be avoided, like the room that you take your meals in or frequently spend family time in.

Limit the amount of time spent using communication devices. As a child, I wasn't even allowed to answer the phone. Today, I see children who won't even look at the