Best Of The Web: October 12-18

Contributors: Celene McDermott

Here’s a weekly roundup of parenting articles that piqued
our interest. Enjoy! —

Among the older middle-aged set, birth rates are booming. And it seems like everyone has an opinion on the matter. What do you think? Should we respect Mother Nature’s menopausal deadline, or follow where science and technology lead us? (New York Magazine)

Locker décor is being taken to a whole new level. Gone are
the days of a simple teen heartthrob mini poster or a few snapshots with
friends. Middle school girls across the country are putting their personal
touch on locker
interior design. (NY Times)

Public or private? Blogger Robert Niles on the benefits
of a public school education. What’s more, in his words education “ought to
be about lifting up, not weeding out.” (HuffPo)

A bedtime story for high-tech kiddies, Goodnight
iPad is a quirky parody that pokes fun at the age of technology. (Babble)

Surprise! You’re
pregnant…again. There’s just one problem, though. You’ve gotten rid of many of
your baby stuff. How about hand-me-downs from other moms? We love these tips
for how to throw an eco-friendly, second-hand baby shower. (Rookie Moms)

From the iPad to the
iPhone, one NYC mom and media producer/game designer reflects on the death of
Steve Jobs and apple’s influence on children. (GeekMom)

And while we’re
talking about the positive effects of apple products, check out a new study
that found that iPads may help kids with severe vision
impairments. (TechNewsDaily)

It’s National School Lunch Week! With childhood obesity on the rise, is it
time for a visit to the cafeteria at your child’s school? (NY Times)

Eden Kennedy breaks down Occupy
Wall Street for us, with a bit o’ humor, at The Stir. (Cafe Mom)

Ever poked around your kids things, just for fun? One
blogging mom uncovers what
she finds in her kid’s declared “home office.” Disclaimer: It’s all
hilarious and “fantastically weird.” (A
Little Pregnant)