What’s happening right now that may affect your children and family:

• Parents are toning down children’s birthday parties, due to the recession. Instead of hosting lavish events, more parents are letting their kids choose a special outing or meal.   (msnbc.com)
• Children are more likely to get bullied when they struggle with nonverbal communication, reading nonverbal cues, and coming up with options for resolving social conflict, researchers say.  (livescience.com)