The study followed 1,471 children, half male and half female, and measured their viewing of television or video at 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months of age. This was followed up with a measure of sensory processing at around 33 months, when caregivers filled out surveys about each toddler’s reaction to sensory inputs like lights, textures, and noises.

Babies who watched any television or videos at 12 months of age were twice as likely to experience challenges in processing sensory information appropriately, as compared with their peers. At 18 months, kids with higher levels of screen exposure were found to have both difficulties in processing sensory information as well as a higher motivation to avoid sensory exposure. By 24 months, the researchers saw higher screen time linked to sensation seeking, sensory sensitivity, and sensation-avoiding behaviors.

This comes on the heels of another recent study linking screen time to developmental delays in children. However, the causal relationship between screen time and these negative developmental and sensory outcomes can’t be proven at this time. “Further research is needed to understand the relationship between screen time and specific sensory-related developmental and behavioral outcomes, and whether minimizing early-life exposure can improve subsequent sensory-related outcomes,” says the JAMA Pediatrics study. It’s also important to gather more updated data, since this research started a decade ago when kids were more likely to be watching TV or DVDs rather than tablets or mom’s phone.

“Considering this link between high screen time and a growing list of developmental and behavioral problems, it may be beneficial for toddlers exhibiting these symptoms to undergo a period of screen time reduction, along with sensory processing practices delivered by occupational therapists,” lead author Dr. Karen Heffler, an associate professor of psychiatry in Drexel’s College of Medicine, said in a statement.

Now, we know what some of you may be thinking: Oh great, another study telling me I’m messing up and can’t rely on screen time? But even study researchers wouldn’t take that away from you. The bottom line is, if you think you’re relying on TV time a bit too heavily, try to dial it back. And make sure to mix in lots of family time playing with your baby face-to-face, showing them a wide range of emotions and expressions, reading to them, and engaging with toys. It’s all about balance.

The study looked at children between 17 and 30 months of age and had caregivers document how much time their children spent on video/TV, video games, video chat, and e-books. Caregivers also noted the reason why screentime was being used whether that was for calming/babysitting benefits, for educational purposes, or to engage with family members. These factors were then compared to the children’s vocabulary and length using two or more words together.

Results show that children between the ages of 17 and 30 months spend an average of nearly two hours per day watching videos. This is a 100 percent increase from prior estimates gathered before the COVID pandemic. “Children exposed to videos by caregivers for their calming or ‘babysitting’ benefits tended to use phrases and sentences with fewer words,” as explained on smu.edu. “However, the negative impact on language skills was mitigated when videos were used for educational purposes or to foster social connections—such as through video chats with family members.”

“In those first couple years of life, language is one of the core components of development that we know media can impact,” said Sarah Kucker, assistant professor of psychology in SMU’s Dedman College of Humanities & Sciences, to sciencedaily.com. “There’s less research focused on toddlers using digital media than older ages, which is why we’re trying to understand better how digital media affects this age group and what type of screen time is beneficial and what is not.”

Previous studies have shown that babies exposed to screens can have an increased risk of having sensory processing issues as toddlers. But let’s be real. Parents need to get things done and sometimes that means giving our kids some screen time.

In addition, once kids are well into their toddler years, there are television shows like Miss Rachel, Peppa Pig, and Daniel Tiger that actually aid in language development.

The takeaway: We all just need to do our best to limit these activities if we can, understanding that it is not always possible and some screen time is inevitable.

Mom Kelse, who goes by @Kelsewhatelse on Instagram, went viral with her painter’s tape hacks.

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A post shared by Kelsey Pomeroy (@kelsewhatelse)

“I never pack for a trip traveling with children without packing painter’s tape! And I have never been on a trip where I packed the painter’s tape where I haven’t used the painter’s tape!” she wrote in the caption. “It’s a miracle item that helps us sleep better, play better, and live safer while we’re on the go!”

In the video, she holds up a roll of tape and explains, “This is the miracle travel-with-kids item. Let me show you why.”

Kelse continues, “First, painter’s tape plus black trash bags? Reusable, cheap blackout curtains.”

For anyone who’s ever had littles wake up at the very crack of dawn due to practically transparent blinds in the Airbnb, this tip alone will be life-changing. But there’s more.

“Baby and plugs? Painter’s tape,” Kelse says, laying a strip of tape over an exposed outlet. “Sharp corners your toddler can’t see? Painter’s tape.” As she explains, she sticks a piece of bright blue tape on the sharp corner of a coffee table.

“Lost your luggage tag? Painter’s tape. Need to label something? Painter’s tape. Quick fix on a toy? Painter’s tape.”

Kelse even shows how tape can be an entertaining toy on a flight—she sticks a piece to the back of the seat in front of her and challenges her kids to pull it off using only certain fingers.

Is there anything this magical item can’t do? Apparently not.

Once Scotch got wind of her video, the company sent over a few more roles so she could work even more magic. And that’s where this follow-up comes in:

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A post shared by Kelsey Pomeroy (@kelsewhatelse)

From tying up strangulation cords on your rental’s blinds and covering the toilet’s sensor flush (that terrifies your toddler) to a makeshift lint roller and chip clip, the possibilities are truly endless.

We hope you’re officially inspired. Happy travels this summer—with your painter’s tape in hand!

I'm a developmental scientist who studies how children grow & learn across cultures. I'm also an American mom who feels the extreme pressure put on parents in the West. I'm here to offer you some parenting ANTI-advice — here are a few things you can worry less about: 1/

— Dorsa Amir (@DorsaAmir) January 16, 2023

Dorsa Amir has been studying children’s growth across cultures for more than a decade. The basic gist of her thread? You can stop worrying so much about teaching your kids because if there’s anything kids do naturally on their own, it’s learn. Here are the four things she suggests you stop stressing about right now.

1. Not everything has to be “educational.”

Nope, you don’t have to worry about your kid constantly learning new things, especially when you’re playing. “It’s truly completely okay (& indeed, good) for kids to play for the sake of play,” Amir explains. “They don’t have to be learning the alphabet or animal noises. They can just do whatever silly thing they want to do. They are ALWAYS learning!”

2. Parents don’t have to feel pressured to teach their kids.

“You don’t have to put pressure on yourself to constantly teach them things. In fact, active & direct instruction from an adult is the rarest form of teaching in human history. Kids know how to learn in other ways — like observation — & they’re extremely good at it,” she writes. “For instance, I went to a little indoor gym class with my toddler & the teacher held up a ball & moved it around so the kids could “learn how to track objects with their eyes”. I cannot stress enough how completely & utterly unnecessary that is. You do not need to teach that!”

3. Don’t worry about entertaining your kids all the time.

Kids should experience boredom, and we should let them, Amir explains. “You do not have to feel obligated to constantly entertain them or provide new activities for them. They should be allowed to generate their own activities & ideas.” If you’d like, you can just be your kid’s boring parent instead of their zany, cartoonish friend. In fact, she says the way Western parents pretend to be kids while playing with their kids is actually quite unusual, so don’t feel obligated to do it.

The same goes for the types of activities you choose to do.

Your life & schedule do not need to revolve 100% around your child’s preferences. Every family member is entitled to their own preferences & all should be considered. Your kids will almost certainly be content tagging along an adult-centered activity, like grocery shopping. 9/

— Dorsa Amir (@DorsaAmir) January 16, 2023

And, side note, that also applies to buying your kids tons of toys. You’re welcome, parents.

You don’t have to buy your children 600 toys. You shouldn’t feel guilty if you do, you shouldn’t feel guilty if you don’t. Kids can play with literally whatever. They have a particular fondness for adult-utilized objects, actually, those function as play objects just fine. 10/

— Dorsa Amir (@DorsaAmir) January 16, 2023

4. Your job isn’t to protect your kiddos from (developmentally appropriate) conflict.

“Kids should be allowed to experience social conflict,” she writes. “They can disagree or argue with their playmates; that’s completely fine & actually very good for them to practice. Let them resolve things if they can, you don’t have to get involved or prevent it from happening.” More generally, it’s not bad to experience negative emotions. It’s actually good for them to see what they feel like and learn to process them. “A childhood that’s entirely carefree & completely devoid of emotional challenges is NOT the goal. It’s good to experience all of life’s nuances.”

In other words, parents, you’re doing just fine. Let this message from Amir be the one you take with you: “One thing that makes humans extra special is high levels of what we call “plasticity” or, the ability to calibrate to a million different ecological, cultural, & social environments. What this means is that there are a million different ways to be human & they’re all valid.” So shed some of that worry and give your little ones the space to find their own way.

The famed Trader Joe’s 12 Days of Beauty was first spotted on Nov. 5, and it’s packed with plenty of must-have products. This coveted calendar tends to sell out before Thanksgiving, so act fast if you’re in the market for one.

Related: 2024’s Best Advent Calendars for Kids, Adults, Families & Pets

Reddit user u/aswewaltz shared the news via r/traderjoes, and TikTok user @paigesiegel unboxes the whole gorgeous, peacock-adorned advent calendar chock-full of some of the best beauty goodies Trader Joe’s has to offer. And yes, your car will definitely smell like TJ’s after having this baby in it. Not that we’re complaining.

(Spoilers ahead!) What will you find inside Trader Joe’s 12 Days of Beauty Advent calendar?

@paigesiegel

can’t decide if day 5 or day 7 was better @Trader Joe’s#traderjoes #traderjoesadventcalendar #adventcalendar #adventcalendaropening #beautyadventcalendar #adventcalendar2024 #beauty #skincare #12daysofbeauty

♬ original sound – paige siegel

Although TJ’s website notes that details may change, here’s what you can expect to find in the 2024 advent calendar (in no particular order):

• Rose Glow Facial Oil
• Hydrating Rice Facial Essence
• Orange Ginger Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Balm
• Cranberry Orage Moisturizing Lip Balm
• Forest Fig & Blackberry Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream
• Stonefruit Scented Body Butter
• Fireside Velvet Scented Body Butter
• Rosemary Mint Bath Fizzer
• Beverly Hills Hair Mask
• Cleansing Face Balm
• Candy Cane Shimmer Body Wash
• Illuminating Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40

Head straight to the closest Trader Joe’s to snag yours for $19.99. But don’t wait too long—this beauty sells out fast!

Related: Our Favorite Gifts Moms Will Love & Actually Use

While you’re strolling the Trader Joe’s aisles, don’t miss their other ultra-popular advent calendars:

Trader Joe’s Milk Chocolate Advent Calendars ($1.29/ea) have been a long-time fave since the 90s and include whimsically-shaped chocolates behind each of their 24 windows.

TJ’s pet advent calendars ($7.99/ea) keep your furry family members in the holiday spirit with 24 grain-free treats for dogs and cats.

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

An international vacation with kids in tow is a challenge on its own, and navigating U.S. customs after a long flight is the cherry on top of a long day of travel. Frequent travelers know that Global Entry gets you through customs without having to wait in the long screening line, but it requires a $100 fee, a background check, and an in-person appointment (which has been very difficult to schedule in the last year). Plus, kids can’t piggyback onto their parent’s Global Entry status like you can with TSA precheck; each traveler must have their own when using the Global Entry line.

Enter Mobile Passport Control. This program allows traveling families to submit their passports and customs entry information via a free, secure app upon arrival in the U.S. Then they can proceed to a much shorter line to complete the remainder of the customs process. Here’s everything you need to know:

What is Mobile Passport Control?

Mobile Passport Control is a program from U.S. Customs and Border Protection that expedites the process of passing through customs checkpoints at certain U.S. locations for U.S. citizens and Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors. It replaces the written paperwork and allows you access to a special line.

@k8loweth

#travelhacks #mobilepassportcontrol #globalentry #traveleditor #editor

♬ Forget – XXKATUSJINSUX

How does Mobile Passport Control work?

Before your journey, download the Mobile Passport Control app (available for iOS and Android). Then follow these steps:

1. Upload your traveler info by scanning passports. Only one submission is needed per household (up to 12 people) so you can include all family members traveling with you here. This step can be done without WiFi before your plane lands or in advance of your trip. Once you’ve uploaded your passport, the information stays securely stored in the app for your next trip.
2. When you arrive, select the airport and terminal of arrival. You will also have to take a photo of each member of your group in the app.
3. Answer the customs declaration questions. These are the questions you typically fill out in the paper form handed out by the flight attendants.
4. Submit your information through the app. You will be given a QR code to present to the customs official to complete your entry into the U.S.
5. Follow the Mobile Passport Control signs to enter the correct line.

What airports and seaports offer Mobile Passport Control?

MPC is currently available at 38 sites, including 31 U.S. international airports, 3 Canadian Preclearance locations, and 4 seaports of entry. This includes airports like BWI, ORD, JFK, EWR, DEN, HOU, SFO, and LAX. Check the full list here to see if your arrival airport or seaport is included.

How does Mobile Passport Control differ from Global Entry?

Global Entry has a much more rigorous pre-approval process that includes an interview and background check, but it also comes with the added benefit of TSA Precheck. This program is for travelers who frequently fly overseas. All family members traveling together must have their own Global Entry certification, including infants. Global Entry travelers have their own line at customs where they take a photo of themselves and scan their passports via kiosks before completing the customs process.

As mentioned above, there’s no pre-approval process for Mobile Passport Control. This is best to use when traveling with family members who do not have Global Entry. Also, there’s nothing stopping a Global Entry user from utilizing the Mobile Passport Control service as sometimes the MPC line is even shorter than the Global Entry line!

All parents stress over how much time kids spend in front of screens. As our dependence on them grows, it becomes harder to set limits with our kids. That’s why it’s good to know which shows may actually be serving our kids more than others. You may be surprised by the results.

To try and figure out which children’s TV shows had the widest vocabulary, Business Name Generator looked at some of the most popular series meant for an under-14 audience since the ’90s. They analyzed the words in each show to calculate how many “unique” words appeared per 1000 used. In this case, “unique” meant those “that only appeared once in the entire sample of words for that show.”

SpongeBob SquarePants topped the list, with 21% of the words being unique. Four of the top 10 shows were from the ’90s and 50% of them were animated.

SpongeBob had 213 unique words per 1000 words used. Kinda wish they would have analyzed more shows from this decade, because not sure whose kid is watching 7th Heaven. Regardless, it’s interesting to see how rich the vocabulary of a show is because we know the importance of exposing kids to a wide variety of words from a very young age. Research has shown kids who are read to before bedtime have a million-word advantage over kids who are not by the time they get to kindergarten—the idea being “kids who hear more vocabulary words are going to be better prepared to see those words in print when they enter school.”

And SpongeBob himself is a dynamic character to get behind—no wonder kids love him. His favorite color is beige, his favorite flavor is vanilla, and he’s afraid of the dark. Some research conducted in 2015 said 25% of his viewers are adults with no children. That’s not weird!

One important thing to note is that for very young children, no amount of screen time is considered a positive. The AAP still calls for “no screen time at all for children until 18 to 24 months, except for video chatting, and says kids ages 2 to 5 should get an hour or less of screen time per day.”

Speaking with Romper, licensed acupuncturist Ashley Flores revealed the secret spot that can help your baby go to sleep. Flores explained that the sweet spot is right between the eyebrows. “Just a really gentle stroking on that point is really calming for babies,” says Flores, “I recommend using a very light pressure. Just a little stroke with the fingertip going down toward the nose.”

The REAL magic? Just 30 seconds (or so) should do the trick to help lull your baby to sleep.

Related: 5 Sleep Expert Tips to Get Your Baby’s Sleep Habits Back on Track

That trick isn’t the only one you can use to help relax your baby. As the Mayo Clinic explains, baby massage can be a useful tool in helping your baby relax and sleep and reduce crying. It’s also a great way to bond with your baby. The Mayo Clinic suggests waiting 45 minutes after a feeding to massage your baby, use very gentle touch to slowly stroke and knead each part of your baby’s body for about a minute each, including your baby’s head, neck, shoulders, upper back, waist, thighs, feet and hands.

Not sure if it’s for you? Check with your pediatrician; otherwise, check out the Mayo Clinic’s tips to get started.

Crikey! The long-awaited next batch of Bluey season three episodes are making their way to Disney+! What feels like forever ago, BBC Studios and Disney first announced that the show would be returning for a third season set to premiere on Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney+ in all territories outside of Australia, New Zealand, and China. But parents and kids immediately noticed that there were fewer episodes compared to seasons past.

According to The Independent, it was always the plan to release season three in two batches. The first half was dropped in the form of 25 episodes on August 10th, 2022, followed by a surprise drop in July 2023. But now… there’s more! The newest set of episodes is set to debut on Disney+ on January 12, 2024, and will continue to feature beloved pint-sized heroine Bluey, an energetic six-year-old Heeler who lives with her dad, mum, and four-year-old little sister, Bingo.

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A post shared by Bluey (@officialblueytv)

Per Bluey.tv, viewers will tag along on a relaxing family trip to the beach, a quest to find a dragon, and a friendly neighborhood game of cricket. There are also hints about a backyard workout session and a new waterslide (what could go wrong?!) One thing’s for sure: There will be plenty of meaningful messages woven throughout all the silly hijinks. Take a look at the newest season three episodes in the following trailer:

“The relatable, heartfelt, and humorous storytelling in Bluey continues to captivate our young audiences and their families. We can’t wait to bring a third season of the show to our viewers across the globe,” says Jane Gould, Executive Vice President, Content Research, Insights & Scheduling, Disney General Entertainment.

As if the new batch wasn’t exciting enough, there’s also a special 28-minute episode, entitled ‘The Sign’, dropping sometime in 2024. It will air globally on the ABC in Australia and Disney+ around the world, but we’ll have to keep a watchful eye for an exact arrival date.

Related: 15 ‘Bluey’ Episodes That Absolutely Nail What Parenthood Is Like

In the meantime, you have several weeks ahead to catch up on seasons one, two, and three of Bluey’s shenanigans.

Whether you’re a new mom or you’ve got a few years under your belt, there’s no question that life can be overwhelming. Between work, caring for the kids, cleaning up messes, doing a million loads of laundry, making weeknight dinners, and getting everyone where they need to be on time, finding even five minutes for yourself is considered a total win. So what does that say about moms in general? That. We. Need. Help. Even if we don’t feel like we can (or should) ask for it.

That’s why, when we discovered mom-of-two Jen Hamilton’s TikTok video about how her non-profit, Hot Mess Express, came into existence, all we could do was stand up and cheer. Leave it to a mom to know exactly what to do!

Hamilton tells the story in her now-viral video. “So a couple years ago, there was a post on Facebook in a local moms group. It was written anonymously, and it was by a girl who was a couple months postpartum with her second baby. She was asking for recommendations for a cleaning company to come in and help her clean her house because she was so overwhelmed.

“She said, ‘I don’t even have the money to do this but I can’t keep living like this.’ So people commented and were like, ‘Oh, reach out to this person or this company.’ But I was like, ‘We are missing something big here.’”

@_jen_hamilton_

All aboard! Find our FB group if you’re local! Addresses are only shared with those who have signed up to come.

♬ original sound – Jen Hamilton

Hamilton took it upon herself to gather other local moms who could help, and they showed up in a big way.

“There were like eight or ten of us there. We had taken up a collection and we sent her and her family out for a fun day, and we spent the whole day cleaning, organizing, doing laundry. We went to Walmart and got things that they needed. We made sure that there was food in the house. We made crock-pot meals. We went all out. And that was the first ever Hot Mess Express mission,” explained Hamilton.

Since that first day, the non-profit has taken on a life of its own. It now has a nationwide reach with over 50 chapters, and there’s plenty of room for more. Hamilton no longer sits at the helm of Hot Mess Express, but her friend and fellow member, Girl, Same podcaster Brittnie Tran, was ready to take the lead.

@girlsamethepodcast

I can not believe the amount of women interested in joining HME since @Jen Hamilton’s video! It is so beautiful to see and we are so excited to have you hotmessexpress.co @brittiniechristine @kay.la.dee @Easy Breezy Runner @tina1325 #volunteer #nonprofit #womensupportingwomen

♬ Better in Stereo – Tori

Brittnie Tran recently explained her vision to Scary Mommy: “I would love to see enough Hot Mess Express chapters that we are accessible to as many women as possible. There are so many women who don’t know our group exists, suffering in silence thinking they are alone. That’s why we work so hard to normalize the struggles of motherhood and normalize asking for help.”

The struggle is, in fact, very real. A recent Pew study found that although women are earning more than ever and that there are more dual-income households than in the past, women in opposite-sex relationships are still contributing more to household duties than their partners. In these ‘egalitarian marriages’—meaning both partners contribute equally to the yearly income—women still spend an average of 4.6 hours a week on the same tasks to which their husbands contribute only 1.9 hours a week.

This is where Hot Mess Express comes in. Their mission states: “Hot Mess Express is a group of moms and caregivers who come together to rescue moms in need by doing the housework that can seem impossible. Whether these moms are dealing with postpartum depression, medical problems, social issues, or life burdens, Hot Mom Express is here to alleviate as much stress as possible by doing dishes, laundry, sweeping, mopping, and organization. Our goal is to leave these ladies with a more peaceful existence and give them a fresh start.”

You can check their official website to see if there’s a chapter near you, and if not, the website provides the tools you need to start your own. There’s also a private Facebook group for the non-profit with over 19K members that provides even more support for members.