Parental Guidance

New Jersey parenting news and commentary

Some Kids have a blast designing and creating their own stuffed animals at "Build-A-Bear." Other kids, the kind that hate stuffed animals, might be more inclined to come to the new fun store - "Kill-Da-Bear" Full story »

PATERSON — A New Jersey man with apocalyptic visions is accused of years of terrorizing his family, sexually assaulting his five daughters and impregnating three, beating his children with wooden boards and even moving at one point to avoid child welfare investigators. The nightmarish picture of a family subjected to more than a decade of threats and violence and largely... Full story »

On a trip to the video store with my son, he's barraged with sexual, violent images on DVD covers. Why is there a disconnect between what we teach our children and the entertainment we consume? And should these images be displayed? Full story »

A review of tonight's "Parenthood" coming up just as soon as I forget my worry beads...  Full story »

Morris County youth rugby league declines 'Constitution Arms' sponsorship after fellow sponsors complain -- Watch video Full story »

According to a new survey, a large majority of American children realize we're in a recession. But they're still blowing their allowance money. Full story »

Invitation for sponsorship came from Morris Rugby's trustee, 'a card-carrying member of the NRA' Full story »

TRENTON -- The Senate Judiciary Committee today will consider the nominations of three cabinet choices by Gov. Chris Christie: Janet Rosenzweig as head of the Department of Children and Families, Gary Lanigan as state Corrections Commissioner, and Jennifer Velez as Human Services commissioner. Rosenzweig, who led the nonprofit agency Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey for 2001 and 2007, was... Full story »

Constitution Arms owner Matt Carmel's son plays on team Full story »

Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-LedgerView from above the New Jersey Senate Chamber at the Statehouse in Trenton in January. TRENTON -- Adopted adults would gain access to their original birth certificates and family medical history under a bill a Senate panel approved today. The bill in one form or another has been before the Legislature since the 1980-81 session. Religious leaders, anti-abortion... Full story »

BRICK -- Authorities said today that a toddler’s death in the care of a foster family in Brick Township was a "tragic accident," and nothing more. Police said no charges have been filed in the death of 17-month-old Calel Mayland Wheeler, who suffocated when, while sleeping, he fell between his toddler bed and the wall sometime Tuesday morning. "The autopsy... Full story »

In a Feb. 28 piece in the New York Times Sunday Magazine, contributor Walter Kirn calls for abolishing the senior year of high school. Kirn contends not much learning goes on, too much partying takes place and young people would be better served moving on to their next station in life. He describes senior year as "oafish goofing off,... Full story »

NEWARK, Del. — The 20-month-old toddler abandoned at a gas station in Delaware last month will remain in foster care, a judge ruled today, though authorities are hopeful the girl will soon be reunited with her maternal relatives in New Jersey. Hanna Jackson has been in foster care since Feb. 21, when she was discovered abandoned in the men’s... Full story »

Lady Gaga makes a brief appearance on an obscure children's audio book. References to leather-studded kisses and vertical sticks are conspicuously absent. Full story »

"Parenthood,'' which debuts tonight on NBC, is loosely based on the 1989 film starring Steve Martin as a perpetually worried dad. What's changed about parenthood (and "Parenthood"') since then? Full story »