1 in 4 Parents Say No to Play Date Invites

TUESDAY, Oct. 22, 2019 -- Many U.S. parents are selective about their children's play dates, with nearly one-quarter refusing invitations because they're not comfortable leaving their child in the other parent's care, a new survey finds.

Their main concerns about play dates include children being unwatched, hearing inappropriate language, getting into medications and harmful substances, and getting injured, according to the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health at the University of Michigan.

One-Third of U.S. Kids Too Sleepy to Succeed in School

FRIDAY, Oct. 25, 2019 -- Here's a finding that should prompt parents to crack down on their kids' screen time at night: New research shows that close to one-third of American children don't get sufficient sleep.

That lack of sleep makes it harder for kids to learn and to behave well when challenged.

How Young Is Too Young to Leave Kids Home Alone?

FRIDAY, Oct. 25, 2019 -- Children should be at least 12 years old before they're left home alone for four hours or more, a majority of U.S. social workers surveyed say.

Also, social workers are more likely to consider it neglect if a child is injured while home alone.

Kids + Gadgets = Less Sleep and More Risk for Unwanted Weight

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 9, 2019 -- If you're an adult managing sleep problems, you likely know that part of creating an environment conducive to sleep includes turning off all gadgets at least an hour before bed because of the effects of the light they emit. This same advice goes for kids, too.

Using smartphones, tablets and other gadgets has become more and more linked to sleep problems in children, such as not getting enough sleep or enough quality sleep.

Flu Season Is Coming: Here's How to Protect Yourself

SUNDAY, Oct. 6, 2019 -- If you don't want to be one of the 40 million Americans who get the flu each year, it's time to roll up your sleeve.

Everyone 6 months of age or older should have a flu shot by late October, before flu season begins, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends. Flu puts hundreds of thousands in the hospital each year and last year it claimed up to 61,000 lives, the CDC estimated.

Does Parents' Smoking Raise Future Heart Risks for Kids?

MONDAY, Sept. 23, 2019 -- When parents smoke, their kids may face a higher risk of a common heart rhythm problem decades later, a new study suggests.

Researchers found that adults who grew up with smokers were more likely to develop atrial fibrillation, versus those with nonsmoking parents.