Make 'Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America

"There are so many other things in life to worry about, to be afraid of, but when you're given this little gift and you hold her in your arms, all that goes away. You're literally handed the future. It's pretty awesome."

That’s Billy Crystal on his granddaughter, Ella, who turns nine this year. The 63-year-old comedian and his wife of four decades, Janice, have two kids and three grandchildren, and couldn’t be more thrilled with their family. He’s even written two children’s books dedicated to them, I Already Know I Love You and Grandpa’s Little One. “They are the love of our lives," he says.

The other love of his life? Making people laugh. Crystal kicked off his career in standup comedy before moving to television shows like Soap and Saturday Night Live. A favorite of film auteurs like Rob Reiner and Pixar, he’s also starred in modern classics like The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally… ,and Monsters, Inc. Crystal is set to host the Academy Awards for the ninth time this Sunday, and frankly, we’re happy to have him back. That’s why …

Billy Crystal is Grandparents.com’s Grandparent of the Week!

“Mama made chocolate oatmeal on cold winter mornings,” says reader Vicky H. of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, who submitted this simple and tasty recipe. “We felt extra-special having it for breakfast. Now that I'm a Grandmamá, I've upped the ante by adding peanut butter.” And while the dish is delicious as-is, feel free to customize it with almond butter, honey, or even Nutella. Grandkids will love it, guaranteed.

Go to the recipe »

Worried that the kids don’t get as much sleep as they should? According to a recent study that appeared in the Journal of Pediatric Medicine, they probably don't. Researchers examined 100 years of sleep guidelines and compared them to data on actual sleep time in corresponding periods. They discovered that, historically – or at least for the last 100 years – children have slept less than the experts of their day thought they should. Another constant? Lack of sleep is blamed on the technology of the day; today’s scapegoat may be text messages on mobile devices, while adults of the past wrung their hands when Dick and Jane read or chatted with friends in the glow of the parlor’s gaslight.

While the recommended amount of sleep dropped by less than a minute when averaged year by year, the cumulative drop is more sobering. According to The Wall Street Journal , kids today sleep an hour less than their counterparts of a century ago. And here’s a wake-up call: Sleep deficits have been linked to health problems including obesity, memory loss, inability to concentrate, depression, and anxiety disorders.

Take the quiz to see how much you know about children and sleep >>

Crammed with 500 recipes clocking in at under 500 calories each, every one of which uses five ingredients or less, Robin Takes 5 (Andrews McMeel, 2011) is the only cookbook you need for work week dinners. Created and compiled by nutritionist and host of Food Network’s Quick Fix Meals Robin Miller, the vast collection of globally-inspired dishes shows you don’t need much to create a fabulous meal – just fresh ingredients and a little bit of ingenuity. And while Miller concentrates on dinner recipes, she doesn’t ignore the extras that make mealtime worth sitting down to. Chapters on soups, breads, and desserts mean you don’t have to over-extend yourself, even for a multi-course meal, even on a busy Wednesday.

Miller recently shared four fast and tasty recipes with Grandparents.com. Alone ,they’re mix-and-match repasts you can fit into any meal. Combined, they’re practically a feast.

Go to the recipes now:

• Garlic-Parmesan Sticks
• Roasted Corn with Bacon and Onion
• Baja Chicken Wraps
• Maple Brown Rice Pudding

Your grandkids may not make it to New Orleans for Mardi Gras today, but that shouldn't stop them from decking themselves out for this festive event. With a strand of basic beads (available at any party store, if you don't have them lying around already) and a handful of colored bobby pins, you and your little designers can make this jazzy accessory, from Todd Oldham's Kid Made Modern (Ammo, 2009). Make one or two for everyone and let the good times roll!

For another stylish Kid Made Modern idea, check out this DIY fabric stamp »

Musical theatre fans will remember the lament sung by an overwrought father in Bye Bye Birdie: “Kids! What's the matter with these kids today? …. Why can’t they be like we were?/Perfect in every way!" But a recent study quoted in the New York Times suggests that today's teens may actually be a lot closer to perfect than their parents – or even their parents' parents – were. The data depicts a marked decline in all of the behaviors traditionally associated with misspent youth. Marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol consumption all have declined, as has sexual experimentation in young people between the ages of 15 and 17.

More things you should know about your teen grandkids »

If retelling that story about George Washington and the cherry tree is getting old, check out our Presidents Day activities page for new ways to help kids celebrate our founding fathers. From great books to coloring pages to sites where families can experience history firsthand, we've got all you need. Plus, if it's still chilly where you are, we've got great ideas for indoor and outdoor winter fun!

Go to our Presdents Day page now »

They’re the scourge of colleges, complaining, interfering, and bullying faculty and administration until they’re sure their children get exactly what they want. And now helicopter parents are attacking the workplace. In a recent survey of more than 700 potential employers by Michigan State University, about one-third said parents had turned in resumes for a child, occasionally without the child's knowledge. Another four percent had experienced overbearing moms and dads sitting in on job interviews. One theme park manager even claimed a parent called and told her "how talented her son was, and how he deserved much more [compensation], and that he could make much more money outside of this position."

While this behavior seems strange, if not outright offensive, some employers actually encourage parent participation in the job hunt. Marie Artim, vice president for talent acquisition at Enterprise Holdings, observes that parents are influential, and "if they feel more comfortable that it's a solid, stable, growing company with a lot of opportunities … they're going to feel better about encouraging their son or daughter to consider it." Still, most managers discourage parental interference. Human resources expert Margaret Fiester says, "It definitely does not show great leadership or decision-making skills."

Are you a helicopter grandparent? See what our expert has to say »

Every Friday in this space, we name a Grandparent of the Week – extraordinary adults whose accomplishments or dedication make them newsworthy. But this week, we were so taken with 12-year-old Noah Lamaide’s story, we had to make an exception. He’s our very first Grandchild of the Week, and for a really good reason.

When the Wisconsin boy discovered that his grandmother’s house was going to be auctioned off, he raised $10,500 through his website, Noah’s Dreamcatcher Network, to save it. Janice Sparhawk, 72, had missed payments on the home after being sidelined from work by a one-two punch of eye surgery and severe asthma. Sparhawk, who has fostered hundreds of Wisconsin kids, says of her grandson, "It means a lot to be here in my house. [Noah] is a special boy." Watch the family's amazing story, and you’ll know why …

Noah Lamaide is Grandparents.com’s Grandchild of the Week!

A grandchild is a friend forever. That's why we’re asking you to submit the best photos of your littlest pals to the Grandparents.com Best of Friends Photo Contest. We're looking for images of your grandkids just buddying around, either with you or with each other – and we know you’ve got them. The cutest, funniest, and all-around greatest pictures will appear here next month in a heart-warming slideshow.

Don’t want to enter? Don’t worry! Just drop by and spend a few minutes flipping through the entries, voting on your favorites, and checking to see who tops our reader poll.

Go to the Best of Friends Photo Contest now »