A man was shot and killed in broad daylight yesterday in East Oakland. The victim, identified as 24-year-old Tyrell Omar Smith was pushing his 1-year-old son in a toy car around 3:15 yesterday afternoon when he was shot by an unknown assailant who fled the scene in a car. more ›

Be on the look out on Thursday, drivers (well, more than you already should) — it's S.F.'s 4th Annual Bike to School Day, in which hundreds of kids and their families take to the streets and ride to school. The event is part of the San Francisco Safe Routes to School Program and is coordinated by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. Take a look at the event's website, which has quite a '90s vibe going for it. (CSS not tables, folks. Don't they follow the gospel of the SEO Rapper? [video]) more ›

For a long time, I was one of those parents who posted adorable pictures and videos of my precious offspring on Facebook. On almost a daily basis, in fact. Since my entire extended family lives out of state and out of the country, it was an easy way to keep everyone in the loop. These postings were always a hit, of course. Relatives and people outside my family were liking and commenting on a regular basis. (I'm not friends with many proud kid-haters.) But then, when I realized I was becoming obsessed with the validation and, at the same time, exposing my children to people who do not deserve to have access to them, I developed a serious case of Facebook Fatigue, and immediately deactivated my account. After 24 hours of withdrawal and worry that I could miss seeing the first baby pictures from girlfriends who were about to pop, I logged back in and changed all of the security settings on my pictures (not an easy feat, mind you). And now, I no longer post pictures of my kids on Facebook. more ›

Did you know the new Dolores Park playground is open? Aye. And you simply must drag your snot-covered little blessing(s) to the city's favorite park to check it out. It's got everything: slides, sand, rubber safety thingamajigs, poles, a bridge, swings, and... ok, not everything. But still, it's got all you and your kids will need for a smashing day at Dolores Park. Get it while it's fresh, new, and not desecrated with PBR and fornication. more ›

(By D. Hanousek) You may or may not have noticed that two weeks ago, I took the day off from writing Confessions. I wasn't going to talk about it because I'm inclined to keep most details about my personal life private. But this week's topic was inspired by a personal event: I took the day off from writing because my husband was in a very serious accident. During his recovery, I have become even more aware of how little credit dads receive, especially in San Francisco. (There's a reason why this column's title uses the word "Parent" and not "Mom.") Becoming more and more frustrated with gender parenting stereotypes, my confession is: I don't get why SF dads get the shaft. more ›

Maybe it's the nonstop rain or the traffic on 101. Maybe it's the news that one of my SFUSD-champion parent friends is pulling her kids out of public school and putting them in private school. Maybe it's that my very pregnant best friend just announced that her family is moving from Sausalito to San Rafael, farther north. Something's getting me down and making me feel like raising my own kids in San Francisco makes me a crazy person. The truth is, it's getting lonely out here. more ›

On Saturday Friday night, 39-year-old Ronald Monzon of Newman, CA was shot and killed in San Francisco's Mission District. SFPD responded to reports of gunfire near 23rd and Shotwell streets at 7:20 p.m. They found a man suffering from several bullet wounds inside a car. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. more ›

Some say yes. Many say no. According to an op-ed piece in Thursday's Chronicle, the good-intentioned plan, sparked by Supervisor David Campos, stands as "an appealing idea that City Hall is all but certain to adopt." While the plan would help kids get to school, ease parents' drop-off schedules, and possibly alleviate traffic congestion, it would also add another $4 million to $7.9 million dent "for the under-funded transit system facing a $23 million deficit." more ›

On the heels of last week's hot topic surrounding kids in restaurants which also brought up the typical debate in the comments over whether kids should be allowed on planes, we found ourselves experiencing a blissfully unremarkable flight with our toddler from SFO to San Diego yesterday. Granted, the flight was short, our kid's a well-behaved frequent flyer, and we came prepared with an arsenal of activities and snacks, including delicious roasted seaweed (aka, toddler crack), but we give much credit to this fabulous SFO Activity Book for setting the stage for us. more ›

(By D. Hanousek) The other night, while my husband and I were enjoying a long overdue romantic dinner at Delfina (to which my husband dutifully and accurately remarked that we could have done on Valentine's Day), our leisurely meal and conversation was interrupted by the cries and screams of a wee babe around 3 months or so at the next table. While other diners around us were rolling their eyes and tweeting their dismay, my husband and I would look at each other and simply laugh. I have a confession to make: babies in restaurants don't bug me. more ›

A few weekends ago when San Franciscans were enjoying unseasonable Dolores Park weather, my husband and I threw an impromptu deck party for our friends with kids. At one point in the day, my 3-year-old dropped a piece of cake onto the deck and exclaimed, "Oh shit." I turned red as I looked at the other parents’ faces to judge their reactions. My friend Jason chuckled and said, "At least he used it in the appropriate context." This made me realize that I have a confession to make: I don't mind when my kids curse. more ›

How cool is this? Midtown Terrace Park will hold an Easter egg hunt for children who are blind or visually impaired. Presented by the Blind Babies Foundation, plastic eggs contain beepers that emit high-pitched sounds the children can track. The eggs can then be exchanged for sweet treats. more ›

If my husband walked in the door after work carrying a dozen red roses and a box of chocolate, I would roll my eyes and, sure, maybe even throw up a little in my mouth. This morning, as I culled through dozens of FB friend posts pronouncing their love for their partners on this, St. Valentine's Day of 2012, I realized that I have a confession to make: Valentine’s Day is for School Children, not adults. more ›

SFist's Daisy Barringer has stiff competition in the mourning game after little Johnny here shed tears of sorrow and confusion after the 49ers lost Sunday's NFC Championship game to New York. Is this a ploy by the kid's dad to get free tickets next season? We hope so. It's a wonderful plan and a perfect execution. (Except for the camera angle. Use horizontal when shooting video on your phone, folks!) more ›

(By D. Hanousek) Yesterday, a close friend pregnant with her first child posted a link on Facebook to an article about a mother who was arrested for allowing her 10-year-old to get a tattoo honoring his late brother. Said friend posed the question, "Would you let your 10-year-old son get a tattoo, for any reason? What if the tattoo is to honor the passing of his brother; is that acceptable?" I immediately felt my emotions heighten as I wrote the comment, "Er, circumcision is legal. So is piercing your infant's ears. Don't get me started..." This led me, of course, to the confession that when it comes to hot-topic children's issues, to me, ignorance is bliss. more ›

Police issued an Amber Alert this morning for a missing 11-year-old San Jose girl. Her name is Taylor Vo (Asian, 5'3") and she was taken at around 1:15 a.m. Friday. Police describe the suspect as Tri Le, 42 y/o, Asian male, 5'6". He has black hair and brown eyes and "was last seen wearing a black cap, black jacket and blue jeans. more ›

(By D. Hanousek) After changing park benches three times over the weekend, I realized that I have a confession to make. I don’t want to be your friend. Sure, we both have kids and we both live in the city. And, whaddya know, our kids like to play in playgrounds, too. But, check it out: any communication beyond a nod or a friendly smile "hello" is not necessary. In fact, if I may be candid, it's simply unwelcome. more ›

(By D. Hanousek) As my three-year-old son lays passed out on the couch after throwing up three times this morning, I realize that I have a confession to make. I don't care if my kid gets your kid sick. more ›

As Mercury News reports, shameful San Jose resident Sandra Lizbeth Contreras-Velazquez was arrested last week for allegedly befriending about half a dozen elementary school-aged girls in order to sneak away with their gold jewelry. more ›

We stuck this in Blotter, but it deserves your undivided attention. A 14-year-old boy sits in the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after being stabbed this morning in the Mission District. The incident occurred at 24th and Mission early this morning. "The victim was walking when a suspect approached and stabbed him twice in the shoulder and bicep," reports BCN (via SF Appeal). "The suspect then told the victim to run away before fleeing on foot." more ›

Keep your appendages inside the cable car at all times, kids, because a kid riding the Powell-Hyde cable car line was hurt Wednesday afternoon. According to SF Appeal, "a car drifted toward thee cable car and its side mirror struck an 11-year-old boy in the stomach who was on the cable car." The child was suffered non-life-threatening injuries. more ›

If dragging your child to a drug-fueled party in the desert is your bag, you're in luck. Parenting newsletter Red Tricycle recently published this jarring Insider’s Guide to Burning Man with Kids (which we spotted on 7x7) and it is nothing short of genius. Burners/parents Harley K. Dubois (Harley) and Cory Mervis (Lady Merv) shed some light on hanging out on the playa with kids. A few recommended tips: more ›

This Friday, 826 Valencia is hosting 8 hours and 26 minutes of non-stop writing as part of their 2nd Ever 8/26 Day Write-a-Thon to benefit the organization's free student programming. We can hear all those knuckles crackin' already! more ›

An 11-year-old girl was hit by a stray bullet in the Western Addition late Friday night during gunfire that resulted from an argument amongst some nearby teens, reports Bay City News. According to the Chronicle, the girl was at a sleepover at her cousin's house at Turk and Laguna when a bullet came threw a window, struck her in the heart, and passed through her body. She was taken to SF General Hospital with life-threatening injuries and has remained in life-threatening condition as of about Noon Sunday. more ›

Poor little fella. Or poor little spoiled brat. Depending on how you want to look at it. See, at last night's Giants-Dodgers game, this kid was left with zilch after failing to catch a foul ball. We've been there. It's devastating. Such hope. Such loss. The good news, though, is that the Giants creamed LA 5-3, and "stadium staff was shown handing the kid a foul ball of his own before the game ended." more ›

Census numbers show that San Francisco families are fleeing the city for other bays. Why? Well, for starters, larger houses, roomier backyards, and more affordability. As soon as wee ones leave the stroller stage, it seems, parents decide to ditch the city. And while the younger, more jaded San Franciscan might think that's just swell -- really, who wants to see a stroller at their favorite bar? -- this flight is not good for a thriving metropolis. more ›

The Bay Area is lucky to have a thriving "kindie" music scene, along with lots of other activities and programs for kids. Here are a few happening this weekend. more ›

Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band: Kindie music has been gaining momentum in recent years, much to countless urban parents' delight. This adorable LA-based band is bringing their touring "hip shaking, head bopping, music making" dance party to the Bay Area this weekend, as part of their national tour. They're at SF's Urban Recess this afternoon at 4:30 and Berkeley's Ashkenaz Music and Dance Cultural Center tomorrow. more ›

Be extra careful out there today, folks! It's the 3rd Annual Bike to School Day, in which approximately 3,000 students at more than 40 schools throughout town will be pedaling to school and back. Bay City News via SF Appeal reports that several San Francisco supervisors will be coming along for the ride, including Eric Mar, David Chiu, Jane Kim, Carmen Chu, John Avalos, and Scott Wiener. more ›