Mom2MomSC

Being only 5 years old, Clay Bowden isn't aware of the drama surrounding the drug that keeps him alive.But he can watch the movie, released Friday.

In the years since their daughter Marla was killed by a Hamas suicide bomber in Jerusalem, Michael and Linda Bennett have had somewhat differing reactions.Linda Bennett has been back twice to Israel, to look at the memorials for her daughter and the other victims of the July 31, 2002, attack at Hebrew University and even to see the cafeteria where it took place. Not to go, she said, would be to surrender to terrorism.Michael Bennett cannot bring himself to visit Israel because he will sense Marla's presence everywhere and his pain will only increase.

Bank of America Corp. executives on Wednesday said massive loan losses that have mauled profits over the past two years appear to have peaked, but they remained cautious about the pace of the nation's economic recovery."While things are improving, the U.S. economy remains fragile," Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan said in his first earnings conference call since replacing Ken Lewis on Jan.

At first glance, the photo-copied documents simply looked like government forms and applications.But when Susanne Mori read more closely, she found the story of her grandfather's life as he made his way in America more than five decades ago.Those 23 pages of facts and dates revealed how a young man, Jinbei Mori, left Japan and arrived in San Francisco the month after the 1906 earthquake, how he spent decades working for the Union Pacific Railroad, how his home was searched by the FBI during World War II.Mori said seeing her grandfather's photographs and reading his words brought hi

We love "Supernanny" Jo Frost, and in a pinch we'll even watch "Nanny 911."But with kids who don't hang from the chandeliers, draw blood on a regular basis or throw two-hour tantrums, we sometimes feel a tad left out. From reality TV to Disney's "Mary Poppins," the focus always seems to be on families with big, bold problems, as opposed to those of us battling a host of petty annoyances that all come to a head at oh, say, 6 p.m.

Between jobs and errands and other commitments, you and your partner feel you don't see enough of the kids. But you also know "date nights" are important. What's a couple to do?Parent advice:We got a subscription to the symphony or opera or ballet every year. That forced us to take time for us, and the rest of our free time was for the kids. We had our date nights scheduled, and with the kids we could be more spontaneous.-Marie Grass AmentaWe definitely want to spend time alone but often feel guilty leaving our three kids.

My daughter fell in love with royalty. It happened at Disneyland last month, as we strolled past a storefront full of finery for princesses."Mama, it's Cinderella!" Elle exclaimed.So imagine her delight when we came upon a character meet-and-greet that included Cinderella in all of her blue-gowned glory. My 23-month-old grinned and giggled as Cinderella hugged her. Elle was enchanted.She has slept with a Cinderella doll every night since.

Dear Mr. Dad: I've always resented my mother and thought she was a lousy parent. I saw only her negative side and was extremely critical and judgmental. But now that I'm a new mom myself, I see her in a different light and realize that her intentions were good. How do I make up for all the grief I've caused?A: When it comes to admitting one's mistakes and trying to make amends, being late is always better than never.As children - and especially as teenagers and young adults - we tend to see our parents as too strict and old-fashioned.

In 2004, Masato Yamada was a midcareer bureaucrat who had never considered taking child care leave. He saw his job at the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry as "sacred" and it was not unusual for him to stay at work until 2 a.m.All this changed when his wife, also a government employee, became pregnant with their third child. Already struggling with the heavy burden of work and raising their twins, she told Yamada it would be almost impossible for her to have another child. At that instant, Yamada decided to take child care leave.

My Mom was a genius. She knew all about the 5-second rule well before it was documented by science.When I was little and dropped a slice of apple (or more likely a piece of half-chewed candy), I'd wail. My ever-practical mother would just pick up the apple (candy), dust it off and hand it back to be saying: "A little dirt won't hurt you."It's a phrase I've learned to live by.In fact, by the time I was a teen I was using that phrase on my mom.