The 10 Most Talked-About Parenting Stories of 2015

When Kyesha Smith Wood found out that a woman reprimanded her three kids in a movie theater, she turned to Facebook with a passionate post. But, contrary to what many commenters expected, she didn’t reach out to the anonymous moviegoer in anger. Instead, she wanted to apologize on her daughters’ behalf for their rude, disruptive behavior. Garnering more than 200,000 “likes,” Wood was praised for taking action and setting the right example to moms everywhere.

Drowning can happen in the blink of an eye and even when people are within arm's reach of the victim. As much as we think we might notice someone struggling in the water, it is often a silent killer. In this real-life video taken at a public wave pool, a boy is spotted drowning within seconds by a resourceful lifeguard — likely well before anyone watching this footage, even knowing what to search for, could find him.

When a couple brought their 10-week-old baby girl into the emergency room in May, she was already dead. Turns out, she was being fed diluted breast milk as a form of "formula stretching" — an attempt to make breast milk or formula last for more feedings — which can lead to water intoxication, brain development issues, or, as in this case, something much more tragic.

Australian mom Annie Nolan, after hearing “are those twins?” one too many times, decided to set the record straight in a truly hilarious manner. She drafted two signs answering 12 of the most asked, most obnoxious questions she’s gotten about her 2-year-old twin girls and affixed them to her stroller. Needless to say, the photo was a global hit, and it seems people got her message.

YouTube stars Sam and Nia skyrocketed to fame after they posted a pregnancy announcement – during which Sam managed to surprise his wife with news that she was pregnant. And although that video racked up more than 10 million views in just two days, it was their followup that really made headlines. Days later, the vlogging couple shared devastating news that Nia had a miscarriage, a fact that led many to question whether it was all a lie in order to gain publicity.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, this one of a baby being squished in a tube needed a few extra in explanation. When it was first submitted on Reddit, users were befuddled. Choice comments included ”It looks like that baby is about to be sent through the tubes at the bank drive-thru” and "Augustus Gloop: The Early Years.” Turns out, it’s a very real contraption called a Pigg-O-Stat, and it’s an X-ray machine designed to position and hold infants still during a scan.

Childproofing has never seemed more important than after watching this disturbing family video, which captured a child’s near-death experience by chance. Nicky Walla was recording her toddlers when her 7-year-old son Gavin was hanging motionless in the background, with the window blind’s pull cord wrapped around his neck. The video is 10 years old, but they released it this Fall to ensure such dangerous accidents don’t happen in any other home.

When lifestyle blogger Rachel Hollis released a photo of herself in a bikini, she made a point to call attention to her stretch marks and belly that was “permanently flabby” from carrying three babies. Her confidence and honesty inspired thousands of women to share their own stories of body image post-childbirth.

It’s hard to wrap one’s head around this one, but in February, shocking news was released about a baby girl who was born “pregnant” with 8- to 10-week-old twin fetuses – each with four limbs, a spine, rib cage, and intestines. The condition, known as fetus in fetu, has only been documented in 200 other cases ever.

When Amby M. Johnson saw the flashing lights in her rearview mirror, she knew she was going to get a ticket – her license plates were expired. She had the new ones but, at 38 weeks pregnant, bending over to install them was impossible. Instead of issuing a citation, the police officer screwed them in himself. The mom-to-be took to Facebook to share the compassionate act and acknowledge that "you don’t hear about the officers who actually do good" these days.