Farm Living Could Arm Kids Against Asthma: Kids who grow up on traditional farms are 30% to 50% less likely than other children to develop asthma, a new study shows. But it’s not the fresh country air. It’s the germs. (USA Today)

BOB Strollers Recalled Over Strangulation Risk: More than 350,000 BOB strollers are being recalled across the U.S. and Canada over concerns a drawstring could strangle a child, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said. (Walletpop.com)

Should Children Run Marathons?: With temperatures warming and the snows of 2011 finally dissolving into oatmeal slush, many people are feeling an insistent urge to get outside and run, perhaps even to start training for a spring marathon or other distance race. But for some of us, particularly those with young families, this laudatory goal can pose a problem. Should we take our kids with us? Can and should children, at any age, be runners? (New York Times)

Kids Brains May Hold Clues to Future Criminals: Who is going to grow up to become a criminal or psychopath? Current research in genetics and neuroscience may point towards answers to this question, opening up a whole host of ethical questions about culpability, justice and treatment. (CNN.com)

Parents Drop Lavish Amounts on Over-the-Top Kids’ Birthday Bashes: “Twenty years ago a clown making balloon animals was a big deal, princess playing games with children was a huge attraction and drew a lot of oohs and ahhs from people,” Zelken said. “Over time that’s become run of the mill. Now people are trying to not only outdo one another but trying to outdo themselves.” (ABC News)