Positive Reinforcement: OK, so I've aimed slings and arrows at Parenting for ignoring and mocking fathers. Some have questioned -- in comments and in private -- whether any parent-oriented magazine can make any sort of effort toward men. The answer is yes.

Parents this month (October) makes a stab at at least making fathers feel included. In addition to their traditional dads page, they've run a piece on "Smart Daddy Tricks," culling child-care tidbits from fathers. And ... in their tiny "overheard on our boards" segment about the website's message board they ran an e-mail from a dad lamenting the lack of changing tables in men's bathrooms. Finally, they ran a mom-focused martial advice story ("Are You Mad at Your Husband") that is a) written by a ... guy and b) has actual advice. Now, I won't say any of the above make for gripping or enlightening reading, but someone at that pub obviously is interested in taking dads seriously. (Full disclosure: I have worked for Parents in the past on a freelance basis and may again in the future. But I don't think that colors my analysis.)

Parenting is positioned as the slick, hip player in this media space, with sassier writing ... and a total avoidance of serious dad issues. Parents is proving that it doesn't have to be that way.