Families

FILE - A child holds an iPhone at an Apple store on Sept. 25, 2015 in Chicago. Parents — and even some teens themselves — are growing increasingly concerned about the effects of social media use on young people. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)

Keeping your kids safe on social media: what parents should know

Monitoring and moderating your child’s online activity an increasingly difficult act

 

Medical tools are pictured in an exam room at a health clinic in Calgary, Friday, July 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Canada’s doctors urged to screen all adolescent patients for eating disorders

New pediatric guidance issued as cases have skyrocketed since the COVID-19 pandemic

 

FILE - A couple exchanges wedding bands at City Hall in Philadelphia on Oct. 11, 2018. Divorce registries are part of a trend toward breaking the stigma of broken marriages, along with divorce parties and formal divorce announcements akin to wedding and marriage news. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Friend getting divorced? Have you considered giving a gift?

Divorce registries are part of a trend toward breaking the stigma of broken marriages

 

Olivia Maurel, who was born through surrogacy and is against such practice shows a picture of her meeting with Pope Francis during an interview by the Associated Press in Rome, Thursday, April 4, 2024. Maurel met with Pope Francis and attended an International Conference of the Casablanca Declaration, an international campaign for the abolition of surrogacy calling for the adoption of an international treaty. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Vatican endorses bid to ban surrogacy as ‘commercialization of life’

Proponents of ban say practice violates rights of the child and surrogate mother

Olivia Maurel, who was born through surrogacy and is against such practice shows a picture of her meeting with Pope Francis during an interview by the Associated Press in Rome, Thursday, April 4, 2024. Maurel met with Pope Francis and attended an International Conference of the Casablanca Declaration, an international campaign for the abolition of surrogacy calling for the adoption of an international treaty. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, centre, apologizes to Richard Beauvais, right, and Edward Ambrose, left, in the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg, Manitoba on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Ambrose and Beauvais were switched at birth in hospital in 1955. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

‘I felt very, very good’: B.C. man switched at birth accepts apology

Edward Ambrose and Richard Beauvais received apology from Manitoba premier

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, centre, apologizes to Richard Beauvais, right, and Edward Ambrose, left, in the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg, Manitoba on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Ambrose and Beauvais were switched at birth in hospital in 1955. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
Edward Ambrose is photographed at his home in Winnipeg on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is set to apologize on behalf of the government to two men who were switched at birth in 1955 in a hospital north of Winnipeg. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

B.C. man switched at birth to get apology from Manitoba premier

Richard Beauvais was switched with Edward Ambrose in 1955 in a Manitoba hospital

Edward Ambrose is photographed at his home in Winnipeg on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is set to apologize on behalf of the government to two men who were switched at birth in 1955 in a hospital north of Winnipeg. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
Victoria father and son, Adonis Puentes and Jordan Puentes are featured in the first episode of the second season of How I Got Here a show that documents second generation children accompanying their parents back to their country of origin. The second season begins on Heart & Home on Mar. 4. (Courtesy FORTÉ Entertainment/Super Channel)

TV show helps B.C. father, son forge bond in Cuba after 11 years apart

Adonis was 21 when he left Cuba; Jordan was 21 when the pair returned

Victoria father and son, Adonis Puentes and Jordan Puentes are featured in the first episode of the second season of How I Got Here a show that documents second generation children accompanying their parents back to their country of origin. The second season begins on Heart & Home on Mar. 4. (Courtesy FORTÉ Entertainment/Super Channel)
An empty playground in a schoolyard is shown in Toronto on February 3, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Canadian doctors say a little risk can be good for kids

Canadian Paediatric Society encouraging unstructured outdoor play — and even “risky play”

An empty playground in a schoolyard is shown in Toronto on February 3, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
(Black Press file photo)

Pet welfare now considered in family separations under new B.C. law

Ability and willingness to care for an animal, relationships between it and a child now relevant

(Black Press file photo)
FILE - Pope Francis attends his weekly general audience in the Pope Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. Pope Francis called Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, for a universal ban on the “despicable” practice of surrogate motherhood, as he included the “commercialization” of pregnancy in an annual speech listing the threats to global peace and human dignity. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)

Pope calls surrogacy ‘despicable’ commercialization of pregnancy, calls for ban

Francis delivers list of the ills afflicting humanity, violations of peace and dignity

FILE - Pope Francis attends his weekly general audience in the Pope Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. Pope Francis called Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, for a universal ban on the “despicable” practice of surrogate motherhood, as he included the “commercialization” of pregnancy in an annual speech listing the threats to global peace and human dignity. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)
Debi Gare is hoping a family heirloom that was mistakenly given away will be returned. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

‘I thought it was junk’: B.C. woman looking to retrieve family heirloom

When Vernon’s Louise “Thup” Sammartino died, her daughter gave away a special brooch

Debi Gare is hoping a family heirloom that was mistakenly given away will be returned. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Longtime Florida social worker Connie Going looks at a computer screen with an image of her adopted son Davion in her adoptions office June 12, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Going said the Family-Match tool gives false hope to waiting parents by failing to deliver successful matches, and ultimately makes her job harder. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

AI tool for adoption matchmaking falls short for vulnerable US foster kids

Virginia and Georgia dropped algorithm after trial runs, noting its inability to produce adoptions

Longtime Florida social worker Connie Going looks at a computer screen with an image of her adopted son Davion in her adoptions office June 12, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Going said the Family-Match tool gives false hope to waiting parents by failing to deliver successful matches, and ultimately makes her job harder. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
“Cherished” artwork given to the Coopers by one of their daughters, who has been in foster care with them. <tcxspan tcxhref="tel:20232210" title="Call 2023-22-10 with 3CX Click to Call"> </tcxspan>(Artwork/Supplied)

VIDEO: B.C. family says fostering not about fixing, it’s about love

Victoria’s Cooper family has been fostering for 15 years

“Cherished” artwork given to the Coopers by one of their daughters, who has been in foster care with them. <tcxspan tcxhref="tel:20232210" title="Call 2023-22-10 with 3CX Click to Call"> </tcxspan>(Artwork/Supplied)
This cover image released by Rodale Books shows "This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained" by Cara Natterson MD and Vanessa Kroll Bennett. (Rodale Books via AP)

Book ‘this is so awkward’ tackles the new world of puberty and parenting

Doctor/educator duo attempt to cut through the noise surrounding kids becoming adults

This cover image released by Rodale Books shows "This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained" by Cara Natterson MD and Vanessa Kroll Bennett. (Rodale Books via AP)
A new StatCan report links cyberbullying to mental health issues in adolescents. THE NEWS/files

Cyberbullying hurting 1 in 4 Canadian youths: StatCan

Study says youth who have been victimized online have a greater risk of mental health issues

A new StatCan report links cyberbullying to mental health issues in adolescents. THE NEWS/files
CBC’s Gary the Unicorn is photographed with the “Tickle Trunk” on the red carpet for the feature documentary film “Mr: Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe” during the Toronto International Film Festival, Saturday, September 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Mr. Dressup film opens tickle trunk for Canadian kids of all ages

‘Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe’ coming to Prime Video in October

CBC’s Gary the Unicorn is photographed with the “Tickle Trunk” on the red carpet for the feature documentary film “Mr: Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe” during the Toronto International Film Festival, Saturday, September 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Kelowna International Airport sign. (Black Press file photo)

Couple disheartened after helping newcomers to Okanagan

‘We’ve had an unfortunate experience’

Kelowna International Airport sign. (Black Press file photo)
Dr. Keith Yeates, a neuropsychologist at the University of Calgary, poses in this undated handout photo. Yeates has a study published in the online medical journal Pediatrics that says kids who suffer concussions don’t suffer a drop in IQ. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - University of Calgary, Riley Brandt

Canadian study says concussions don’t affect kids’ intelligence

University of Calgary-led research finds there doesn’t appear to be an alteration in a kid’s IQ

Dr. Keith Yeates, a neuropsychologist at the University of Calgary, poses in this undated handout photo. Yeates has a study published in the online medical journal Pediatrics that says kids who suffer concussions don’t suffer a drop in IQ. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - University of Calgary, Riley Brandt
Step2’s Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table is easily a top contender for best water table of 2023. Photo: Amazon

7 cool toys for a hot summer

Looking for the perfect birthday gift or simply trying to prepare for…

  • Jun 30, 2023
Step2’s Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table is easily a top contender for best water table of 2023. Photo: Amazon
File - A teenager holds her phone as she sits for a portrait near her home in Illinois, on Friday, March 24, 2023. The U.S. Surgeon General is warning there is not enough evidence to show that social media is safe for young people — and is calling on tech companies, parents and caregivers to take "immediate action to protect kids now." (AP Photo Erin Hooley, File)

Car seats and baby formula are regulated. Is social media next?

The U.S. surgeon general is warning there is not enough evidence to…

File - A teenager holds her phone as she sits for a portrait near her home in Illinois, on Friday, March 24, 2023. The U.S. Surgeon General is warning there is not enough evidence to show that social media is safe for young people — and is calling on tech companies, parents and caregivers to take "immediate action to protect kids now." (AP Photo Erin Hooley, File)