P&K Timeline

Journey back in time from 1998 to today as P&K relives some highlights of parenting in the last decade. It's our way of celebrating our 10th anniversary.

1998

MetroWest Parent (original name of publication) hits stands. Tagline: “For those who have experienced a small miracle.”

 

Karen Nerney is editor

 
Number of single-parent families double in size

Divorced Dad Robert Carr fights state for stealing his role as a parent. Advocates for fathers' rights









1999

Massachusetts’ most popular names are Emily & Michael

 

Time mothers spend taking care of children increases 1.7 hours per day, fathers increase to 0.8 per day

 

Publication renamed Parent and Baby Journal

2000

Fight between two dads at a youth hockey game in Reading leads to the death of one. Comes to symbolize parents' overinvolvement in youth sports

Sixteen percent of Boston parents work more than one job

Average household consist of 2.62 members

Erica Houskeeper is editor

 

2001

Illustrations by local artist Jana Christy appear on cover

 

State childhood immunization higher than US rate

After 9/11, 2001 holiday season brings a boom in sales of toys with rescue themes

Publication renamed Parents and Kids magazine. Tagline: “A guide to smart parenting from newborn to preteen”

Massachusetts one of three states that has no laws to protect breastfeeding moms from being charged with lewd and lascivious behavior (still the case!)

2002

Number of working mothers with infants at 55 percent (down from a record 59 percent in 1998)

State court orders father to virtually visit with his three children after their mother wins custody and moves 500 miles away

 

Publication publishes “Father Figure: More Men are Raising Children on Their Own.”

 

P&K serves as media sponsor for the American Baby Faire (largest baby expo in the country)

2003

P&K columnist Meredith O’Brien wins 2nd place from New England Press Association for piece on lack of support for those who’ve suffered miscarriages & stillbirths

19% percent of Boston public school students receive special education services and 21% receive services for students with limited English proficiency

 

Publication publishes “Child’s Play: Understanding the Importance of Imagination”

 
2004

78 percent of children (under age 6) eat dinner every night with parents, 53 percent eat breakfast together

 

Red Sox wins World Series in historic fashion causing an explosion of Red Sox fandom. Prior to win, O’Brien writes column saying she lost faith in the Sox but her kids didn’t

 

Massachusetts pediatricians advise parents to stop smoking and to counsel on the harmful effects of smoking than in 1994

 

Estimated 12 million Americans have a food allergy. Deemed an epidemic by some pediatricians. Publication publishes “Understanding Nut Allergies”

2005

Heather Kempskie becomes editor

P&K named Best Parenting Newspaper by Suburban Newspapers of America.

”The Truth Behind the Mommy Wars: Who Decides What Makes a Good Mother?” is published

P&K editor begins first monthly appearance on NECN (New England Cable News)

2006

P&K awarded editorial excellence by Community Newspaper Company

 

Establishes first-ever editorial board. Appoints Dr. Gwenn O’Keefee as official medical advisor

 4.3 million births in the U.S.

Cesarean section delivery rate rose for the eighth straight year to an all-time high of 33.4 percent of all births in Massachusetts

 

P&K publishes first annual Grandparents issue. Features Mary Richardson of The Chronicle

 

Fluff war begins when State Sen. Jarrett T. Barrios moves to limit the amount of marshmallow spread that Massachusetts schools can serve at lunch

 

P&K sponsors Super Dads event in Boston to recognize fathers who make a difference

 

2007

P&K recognized by Parents' Choice Foundation

P&K publishes special “twins and more” issue. State has one of the highest rates of multiples in the nation. Former Mass. Gov. Jane Swift, who had twins in 2001, profiled

GateHouse Media purchases Community Newspaper including Parents and Kids magazine

International adoptions drop to 19,292 from peak of 22,884 in 2004

 

House measure to outlaw all forms of spanking dies

2008

Entire publication redesigned. Online counterpart WickedLocalParents.com is launched.

P&K wins silver award at annual Parenting Publications of America convention.

Significant rise in luxury travel among families- 56 percent were traveling with nannies

1,256 nationally accredited childcare centers in Massachusetts

 Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick signs a bill into law requiring all children – until they reach the age of 9 – to use booster seats

 
 P&K celebrates10th birthday

 

 

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Health & Services Study, iFeminists.com, Jstor.orgin, UMass Boston Center for Survey Research, The Boston Foundation, hktdc.com, BYU.edu, Jimbuie.blogs.com, Wku.edu, U.S. Census Bureau report, Mass.gov, Infoplease.com, American Express travel agents survey, NACCRRA.com, Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Food Networkm Dept of Education.