Best Of The Web: April 18-24

Contributors: Meghan
Gearino and Elizabeth Raymond

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

Sparked by Hilary Rosen’s recent comment that Ann Romney
knows nothing about women’s economic struggles because she has “never worked a
day in her life,” the “mommy wars” appear to continue. In America,
it seems a mother’s reason for working outside of the home still has
to be explained and defended, if it’s not out of financial necessity. (Mom-101)

Many think of autism as a childhood disorder, but what
happens when these kids grow up? Hear one man’s (a father of three autistic
boys) account
of meeting and helping an adult with autism. (CNN)

Mommy blogs are becoming increasingly popular. Dooce blogger
Heather Armstrong shares her DOs
and DON’Ts about the blogging world. (The
Today Show)

It’s never too early to get your baby started on the
classics…or is it? Check out these
classic book adaptations made just for babies. (lilsugar.com)

Searching for the American dream outside of America.
Read about these children
of immigrants returning to their families’ homelands in search of better,
and more exciting, job opportunities. (New
York Times)

Lenore Skenazy’s new show, “World’s
Worst Mom,” takes her inside the homes of families with overprotective
parents. See how she presents them with challenges to break their overbearing
ways. (Free-Range Kids)

Check out this
interview with Mariska Hargitay about the wonderful decision she made to
adopt not one, but two more children, and the long road it took to get there. (People Magazine)

Check out how much this amazing 6-year-old
raised through a lemonade stand to help his sick dad. Quite an ambitious
youngster! (The Huffington Post)

If it were up to them, how would your kids like to be spoken
to? Watch this awesome clip and find out—straight from the mouths of
babes. (YouTube)

Are the city’s most troubled kids falling between the cracks
as a result of the state’s education reform policies? Here’s one
opinion on the matter. (New York Times)

And just for fun, 10
bright and bold kicks for spring—for moms! (Babble)

Instituto Cervantes

Children and teenagers learn to understand and express themselves in Spanish, while improving their communication skills through a dynamic immersion program taught by NATIVE TEACHERS that combines CLASSES, ARTISTIC WORKSHOPS and FUN ACTIVITIES! All of our high-qualified teachers are native Spanish speakers who adapt the structure of the class to the needs and levels of each group while conducting the classes entirely in Spanish. We offer both Spanish Summer Camps and Regular Courses for children along the year to foster language learning and multicultural understanding.

The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center

The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center offers year-round, community-based dance and music programming in a fully inclusive and nurturing environment, located in the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District. The School&rsquo;s diverse and professional faculty provides progressive and non-competitive instruction with all of our classes accompanied by live music. Though we are a non-recital school, there are opportunities for students to perform and for parents to see their dancers in action.

Athletic Association of Yorkville Youths

Serving the families and children of NYC for over 50 years with high-quality recreational activities that foster life-lessons which empower young people to succeed beyond sports. Our programs encourage positive attitudes and growth through teamwork and sportsmanship, attendance, fair play, respect, hard work, integrity and fun. Your child can participate in clinics and leagues in such sports as baseball, basketball, flag-football, lacrosse, soccer, hockey, wrestling, track, and tennis. We also offer weekly dodgeball tournaments, drama and musical theater workshops, and after school programs.