Chaos Reigns When College Kids Come Home
Ana Veciana-Suarez

I believe in miracles, in sobering transformations and life-changing experiences. But maybe I've been reading too much fiction. Consider my latest encounter with reality: I sent my 18-year-old off to college. Now he has returned, for the holidays, a 19-year-old with 'college dorm' experience. Which is to say he has acquired some interesting habits

Make a Toast to Their Love, Then Zipper Your Mouth
Ana Veciana-Suarez

A marriage is more than the union of two people. It's often the forging of disparate family cultures and traditions. Making it work for the extended family on both sides demands finesse, adaptability and patience.

Beaches Resort - Turks and Caicos

Taking the Kids - Rare Caribbean Resort That Works for the Littlest Vacationers Parents and Grandparents
Eileen Ogintz

Welcome to Beaches Resort in Turks and Caicos -- the family resort of the Sandals brand -- where kids, tweens and teens rule. Plus it's a great resort for parents and grandparents as well.

 

Crucial information from family health history might well save your life
Katherine Hobson

Most people are aware of their immediate family recent medical history on some level. But if pressed to be more specific, they might not be able to give all the details -- and those can be important. So pick a relaxed time and start quizzing your relatives. Some tips ...

Taking the Kids To San Francisco's California Academy of Sciences
Eileen Ogintz

We're at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, which in the year since it has re-opened has emerged as the city's top cultural tourist attraction, drawing more visitors than Alcatraz

Sometimes Good Enough is Just Right
Ana Veciana-Suarez

I've often joked that children are the most stressful factor in a marriage, especially for those of us who juggle work and family. Rushed, conflicted and usually overwhelmed, mothers who toil outside the home feel there aren't enough hours in the day to keep up with parenting obligations, job duties and household chores. Life turns into a never-ending to-do list, a blaring alarm that's can't be quieted

Game On: Are Video Games Harmful
Harvard Health Letter

Getting Kids to Eat Their Vegetables
Lilian Presti

We've all heard of the kid who won't eat anything except chicken fingers and hot dogs -- and maybe you recognize this child well because he or she is yours. Although most children aren't this extreme, many are still not eating as much healthy foods as their parents would like

America's 10 Best Places to Grow Up
Luke Mullins

Low crime, strong schools, green spaces, and fun activities are key ingredients for a happy childhood. So we dug into our database of 2,000 different places all across the country and pinpointed the locales that met these criteria. We then examined these communities more closely to determine which places offered the best combination ...

What Parents Should Know About Swine Flu Shots
Nancy Shute

The questions I asked at my daughter's well-child doctor visit this week were not happy ones: They were all about what to do if the swine flu pandemic gets much worse this fall and she becomes sick. I left the pediatrician's office just as worried.

Why and How to Put Together a Family Medical History
Katherine Hobson

Most of us are aware of our family medical history on some level -- we're pretty familiar with our parents' recent ailments, for example, and probably could tell you what our grandparents died from. But if pressed to be more specific, we might not have all the details -- and those can be important. The information a detailed family medical history offers might change your own medical care or provide a needed incentive to make better lifestyle choices.

7 Ways Your Siblings May Have Shaped You
By Lindsay Lyon

Ah, siblings: both a blessing and a curse. Approximately 80 percent of Americans have at least one brother or sister; in fact, kids today are more likely to grow up with a sibling than a father, experts say. What's more, the sibling relationship is the longest relationship that most people will have in their lives.

Trick-or-Treat? Conquer Sugar by Offering Kids Sweeter Alternatives
Lilian Presti

In an age when close to one in five kids in the U.S. is overweight or obese, should we be rethinking our manner of celebrating Halloween, or simply carry on with what we've been doing? The answer appears to lie somewhere in the middle, according to childhood obesity experts ...

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Little Girls Really Don't Need to Walk in Our Shoes
Ana Veciana-Suarez

I'm a fan of sensible shoes -- the low-heeled, wide-toed variety that allows me to walk without limping or tripping. I save those shin-torturing, bunion-producing pumps for special occasions. So I don't understand the latest trend in little-girl fashion: kindergartners in high heels.

Making Baby Food: Easier & Healthier Than You Think
Lilian Presti

Many parents are beginning to make their own baby food in an effort to start their babies off on the right, and healthy, foot. Contrary to popular belief, making your own baby food can be easier than you think.

Chaos Reigns When College Kids Come Home
Ana Veciana-Suarez

I believe in miracles, in sobering transformations and life-changing experiences. But maybe I've been reading too much fiction. Consider my latest encounter with reality: I sent my 18-year-old off to college. Now he has returned, for the holidays, a 19-year-old with 'college dorm' experience. Which is to say he has acquired some interesting habits

It's Good, Clean Fun And It Rocks
Ana Veciana-Suarez

Oh, my, how those girls love their soaps! They sing to the bars, take them on outings and, when it's time to go night-night, tuck them in a necktie gift box I've labeled the soap dorm.

Parents Influence Kids' Relationship With Food
Lilian Presti

In today's world of fast and convenient food, many people have disordered eating. The evidence of obesity, anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and an obsession with dieting is proof we aren't healthy eaters. The problem is many of the people with unhealthy relationships to food are parents, and that makes them role models for their children.

Preparing Kids - And Yourself - For Their Hospital Visit: 11 Tips
Sarah Baldauf

Without thoughtful preparation, your kid's visit to the hospital has the potential to morph into a traumatic experience. Yet some upfront legwork on the part of Mom and Dad can ease a child's anxiety and also set the stage for his or her positive future dealings with the medical world. Here's 11 Helpful Tips ...

Beaches Resort - Turks and Caicos

Taking the Kids - Rare Caribbean Resort That Works for the Littlest Vacationers Parents and Grandparents
Eileen Ogintz

Welcome to Beaches Resort in Turks and Caicos -- the family resort of the Sandals brand -- where kids, tweens and teens rule. Plus it's a great resort for parents and grandparents as well.

 

Oasis of the Seas

Taking the Kids - Aboard the Biggest Cruise Ship Afloat
Eileen Ogintz

As family friendly as imaginable and ocean breezes too, as you cruise from Florida to the Caribbean and back on the world's largest cruise ship afloat -- Royal Caribbean's spanking new Oasis of the Seas

 

Parenting - Spanking Causes More Harm as Children Get Older
Nancy Shute

Spanking is a huge hot-button issue for parents. Many psychologists say that spanking or any other physical discipline harms children and their relationship with their parents. But quite a few parents disagree, and some experts do, too.

Seasonal Cold or Swine Flu? Moms Face Tough Calls
Deborah Kotz

I sent my 11-year-old son to school today with a stuffy nose and mild cough, as I've done countless times in the past. Now, though, I'm wondering whether I should have kept him home. How do I know it's really a garden-variety cold and not the swine flu?

Trick-or-Treat? Conquer Sugar by Offering Kids Sweeter Alternatives
Lilian Presti

In an age when close to one in five kids in the U.S. is overweight or obese, should we be rethinking our manner of celebrating Halloween, or simply carry on with what we've been doing? The answer appears to lie somewhere in the middle, according to childhood obesity experts ...

Bridging the Generation Gap Has Gone Too Far
Ana Veciana-Suarez

A Pew Research Center study earlier this summer found that while two-thirds of Americans 16 and older saw an age divide, respondents didn't believe it caused a lot of problems in their families or society. The generational squabble, the report states, "is a much more subdued affair than the one that raged in the 1960s."

Parenting - All Kids Need is Love And Attention
Lilian Presti

Many of us parents believe purchasing educational toys or providing them with the latest technology will help them to be smarter, more creative or at the very least help them to get a head start. But there are rumblings that these assumptions of what helps children learn and develop may well have been based more on effective marketing than on any real proof.

Newborn Screening Can Identify a Variety of Treatable Conditions
Dietrich Matern, M.D., and Piero Rinaldo, M.D., Ph.D.

The blood taken from your baby after she's born will be examined to find out if she has any of a variety of treatable conditions. This procedure, called newborn screening, is very important because these conditions can be most effectively treated when they are identified early, before symptoms appear.

What Parents Do not Know About How Their Kids Use Facebook & MySpace
Nancy Shute

Parents of teenagers know how important texting and social networking sites like MySpace, Bebo, and Facebook are to the over-13 set. But if we think we know what our kids say and do on the sites, we're kidding ourselves. My 13- and 14-year-old nephews kindly remind me more often than I'd like of my cluelessness, and a new survey confirms that I'm not the only parent who has no idea.

What Parents Should Know About Swine Flu Shots
Nancy Shute

The questions I asked at my daughter's well-child doctor visit this week were not happy ones: They were all about what to do if the swine flu pandemic gets much worse this fall and she becomes sick. I left the pediatrician's office just as worried.

Taking the Kids to Alaska and Meeting Some Bears
Eileen Ogintz - Taking the Kids

Welcome to 'bear camp,' an outpost of the Kenai Peninsula fishing lodge Great Alaska International Adventure Vacations, where families come to hike, fish, raft and, of course, check out the bears.

Taking the Kids and Myself to a Spa
Eileen Ogintz - Taking the Kids

Of course, my mom never took me to a spa -- I don't think she's ever been to one herself -- but I've taken my daughters to spas from the Caribbean to Colorado, from Arizona to Austria from the time they were young teens, and like others their age, they are perfectly at home getting facials and massages. It turns out they've got plenty of company

Taking the Kids To Mexico Where You'll Find Adventure, Culture, Beaches and Great Deals
Eileen Ogintz - Taking the Kids

We're just an hour or so from Cancun, a few miles from Playa del Carmen, five miles off the highway along a bumpy road in Rio Secreto, a unique cave just opened to the public last year, after the owner of the land, Don Cleo, inadvertently discovered it while chasing one of his animals

Why and How to Put Together a Family Medical History
Katherine Hobson

Most of us are aware of our family medical history on some level -- we're pretty familiar with our parents' recent ailments, for example, and probably could tell you what our grandparents died from. But if pressed to be more specific, we might not have all the details -- and those can be important. The information a detailed family medical history offers might change your own medical care or provide a needed incentive to make better lifestyle choices.

Teens Who Think They'll Die Young Take More Risks

Teenagers tend to wildly overestimate the odds of dying young, and teenagers who think they'll be dead before age 35 are far more likely to abuse drugs, attempt suicide, get arrested, or contract HIV. Scientists have known for quite a while that teenagers tend to think that an early death is much more likely than the infinitesimally small risk it really is.

7 Ways Your Siblings May Have Shaped You
By Lindsay Lyon

Ah, siblings: both a blessing and a curse. Approximately 80 percent of Americans have at least one brother or sister; in fact, kids today are more likely to grow up with a sibling than a father, experts say. What's more, the sibling relationship is the longest relationship that most people will have in their lives.

Mom Just Wants a Little Facebook Time
By Ana Veciana-Suarez

I have ruined Facebook for my children. Or so they say. See, any time parents sign up for something -- MySpace, Twitter, YouTube, texting -- the level of it-ness sinks like a deep sea diver in leaded boots. So as payback my kids have refused my numerous attempts to friend them

Latest Arrival Has the Family All A-Twitter
By Ana Veciana-Suarez

I can only think of the wonders my littlest darling will see, and seven hours in the waiting room offered a pretty good preview. The world, or at least the immediate family and circle of friends, was alerted to her impending arrival by dawn. From the hospital bed, in between contractions, the mother-to-be texted her four brothers, her cousins and friends.

High School Party Season: Dangerous Time for Kids
By Ana Veciana-Suarez

Alcohol -- beer usually, but straight shots, too -- is our high schoolers' drug of choice. Chugging until you stagger is especially commonplace as the academic year winds down and the freedom of summer beckons.

This is scary, and frustrating, and a painful reminder of parental impotency. Even if your child doesn't drink, he / she may be unlucky enough -- heck, foolish enough -- to be in the same car, the same room, the same road as someone else's drunk kid.

College Graduates Get Lesson in Hard Economic Times
By Ana Veciana-Suarez

A college diploma guaranteed a comfortable foothold in the American Dream. But this year's graduates find themselves in the worst economy their generation has known, and what should be a time of celebration has morphed into a bout of full-blown anxiety

5 Nutrition Facts About Milk & Healthy Kids
By Kerry Hannon

Here are five things you should know about your kids and milk.

Brain-building Strategies for Parents

Mental and physical exercises, as well as brain-enhancing nutrition, can aid parents in nurturing their children�s natural abilities. Parents should keep some important things in mind when choosing activities and foods to help build children�s brainpower.

Moms: Bond With Baby while Keeping Healthy in the Great Outdoors

Fresh air, open space and a natural atmosphere provide an ideal setting for moms to bond with their babies and also to stay active. After all, who knows how to multi-task better than moms?

Parents: Make Time for Healthy Choices

Between soccer practice, piano lessons and homework, more and more parents are discovering that it can be hard to balance a healthy life with a busy one.   Health care professionals, however, are discovering that nutrition- and activity-based habits, when developed early, can make a positive long-term impact.

Parenting: Turning the Page on Tradition?

Reading to your children more often can improve reading skills, math abilities and more.

Parenting: Relate to Your Child With These Easy Tips

If you're part of the working world and also have children, there's a good chance you aren't satisfied with the time that you get to spend with them. Your heart may be in the right place, but hectic schedules can leave little time to stop what you're doing in order to talk to your kids and truly connect with them.

Parenting: Keeping Kids Safe in a Web-Savvy World

In today's age of technology, keeping children safe on the Internet is a must.  If you came across an instant message conversation your child was having on your computer and discovered the acronym "PAW," would you know what to make of it?

Parenting: Stay Connected With Your Children. Show Them You Care in Three Easy Ways

When good communication is diminished, parents struggle to find ways to play a more significant role in their children's lives. The good news is that help isn't far away. Here are three ways to "stay connected" with your kids before they grow up too fast.

Parenting: Technology Helps Families Make Time for Togetherness

With the help of technology, families can take control of their hectic schedules and free up more time for togetherness.

Parenting: Tips to Build Reading Success

Children have limitless imaginations. They may dream of time travel and seeing prehistoric creatures up close. Perhaps they want to become mysterious sorcerers who cast binding spells.   Parents can easily accommodate these whimsical wishes by encouraging their children to read.

Parenting: Make a Connection With Your Teen

Talking with teenagers about their health isn't always a parent's or a teen's favorite conversation. But parents have more influence on their teen's health than they think, according to researchers with the Prevention Research Centers (PRC) network.

Joan Lunden Encourages Families to Cook up Some Conversation at Dinner Time

A nationwide survey conducted confirms the family dinner is alive and well - in fact, 80 percent of families surveyed reported eating dinner together at least five times each week. However, for three out of four American families, the focus is likely to be on the television rather than on talking to each other.

 

Binge drinking spreads to Italy

Italy takes steps to stop binge drinking, which is growing among Italians thanks to the influx of hard-drinking tourists.

Who does the law favor in Jackson children custody case?

Parental rights count for much, but courts today are giving more credence to claims from a child's primary caregiver.

A few million US grandmas know what's ahead for Katherine Jackson

The mother of the King of Pop joins, at least for now, the ranks of grandparents raising grandchildren.

How the recession is reshaping the American family

The downturn is forcing the man of the house to spend more time at home, altering roles everywhere from the laundry room to the child-care center.

How the recession is reshaping the American family

The downturn is forcing the man of the house to spend more time at home, altering roles everywhere from the laundry room to the child-care center.

People making a difference: Sheema Kermani

In Pakistan, this women's rights activist stages plays that stir controversy – and thought.

'Monitor' cake a hit with several generations

For years, her family has made a chocolate cake recipe clipped from this newspaper.

Chefs in the making

Cooking schools help teens build culinary skills and confidence.

A natural foods junkie at McDonald's

He couldn't imagine anything good about fast-food places – until he took his son to one.

From homeless to actress

A theater class helps marginalized women reclaim their lives.

Barbecue, North Carolina style

Different regional flavors inspire lifelong devotees.

A household balancing act

Domestic roles shift when one spouse loses a job.

Sturdy beans for a leaner budget

Long the staple of frugal Yankees, Boston baked beans enjoy a revival.

The traveling rice cooker

The best meals we had in Italy came from my mother's suitcase.

The lure of the chicken stock

In the grocery store aisle, the cartons call my name as I dream up thick, fragrant soups.

Simple pleasures gain ground

In tough times, people are increasingly turning to activities such as board games and musical evenings with friends.

A tasty reminder of home

The kitchen filled with the scents of a faraway land.

Eat local – even in winter

Many farmers' markets no longer shut down in cold weather.

Food and films for thought

Berlin film festival sparks conversations about sustainability and food production over elegant cuisine.

Cookies worthy of a president

She couldn't help but send the presidential family her award-winning cookies through a friend.

Christian Science Monitor | Living

 

Buying a Printer Help and Tips

Buying a printer? Whether it is color, black and white, laser, inkjet, or bubblejet, these tips should help in your purchase decisions. One factor you may not have considered when buying a printer is the noise generated by the unit. Printers can be especially noisy when generating a large print job, limiting their potential use in some situations. Heed this warning, else you may find yourself returning to a computer or office supply store in a foul mood. Before you take your printer to the cash register, or before you click the "Buy" button if you are purchasing a printer online, ensure the printer comes with all cables needed to connect to your machine.
Before purchasing a printer, make sure it will fit on your desk, and don't make it so tight that your printer doesn't have a few inches around itself to ventilate (in heavy use, or if you keep your printer on all the time whether you are printing documents or not, your printer can get quite warm). When calculating the printer size requirements, make sure to get dimensions of not just the printer but also all paper trays, paper feeds, and the exit tray.

Read all eleven tips for great ideas and things to consider before you make a purchase on a printer.

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Garage Remodeling Ideas - extra space, more storage, & cool ideas

Many people find that a garage offers the perfect environment to house their home office, studio space, or workshop. As many garages are attached or near the home, they can often be easily fitted with the same comforts as a home: heating and cooling, phone wiring, even plumbing.

However, transforming your garage doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your storage area. Many garages today have become multifunctional, allowing for cars, general storage, and a home office or workshop all in the same space.

If you find you will be losing too much storage space in your garage, consider building a small storage shed in your yard to house tools, sporting equipment and seasonal items. A building separate from the house will expand your storage space, allowing you to use the garage in ways that you could not use a shed: electricity or heating, for example.

In addition to remodeling your current garage space, you could also consider an addition above the garage. Raising the roof and adding a room for work space above your existing garage can give you additional space, not to mention increase the value of a home, without changing the floor plan.

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Kite Flying Tips

When choosing a spot for kite flying you should take safety into consideration. Steer clear of power lines, roads, airports, buildings and trees. Hills can also cause trouble by making the wind bumpy, which makes flying a kite that much harder. A wide-open space like a park or beach is ideal. Even the center of a baseball field can provide enough space to fly. Kites have a way of getting tangled with other kites, so you shouldn't fly on top of other kites.
Learn many aspects of flying kites from kite selection, to when and where to best fly a kite.
Learn the best way to launch your kite. Hey go fly a kite.

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Pumpkin Carving and Pumpkin Carving Patterns for Halloween

Whether it's simply carving a pumpkin to sit on the door step for Halloween night or holding a pumpkin carving party with you're friends and family, this age old tradition is a main event for young and old alike. Pumpkin Carving 101 was first published in September of 1996 as part of the Halloween Online Magazine with the mission of providing quality information and entertainment to everyone interested in this wonderful tradition for celebrating Halloween.
Read all the great tips for decorating for halloween in this tim honored tradition of pumpkin carving and making jack-o-lanterns.

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RC Car Tips

Over 10,000,000 page views, 290+ pages of information and 423+ images about rc cars, also called remote control or radio controlled cars. Reviews, photos, comparisons, specs and buying recommendations to help you choose and buy for fun or racing. Articles, videos and tips from enthusiasts. Plus links to local and online hobby shops.
For truck lovers, a big section on remote controlled rc trucks, such as electric, nitro, monster and mini r/c trucks. Fast growing is the short course rc trucks... great for beginners and experts.
The fastest and most exciting category, gas powered rc cars can go as fast as 50 - 60+ miles per hour. The 1/8 gas cars go 70 - 80 mph in racing competitions. Cen CTR 5.0 is coming out with a 90+mph on road nitro rc car.

Also called nitro rc cars because the hobby fuel used contains nitro methane to increase speed and power. Popular are the 1/10 on-road nitro touring cars. Cen CTR5 (90mph), Nitro 4TEC (70mph), and more.
For beginners, electric rc cars are the best... easier to control, build, and maintain. New are HPI Sprint 2 Flux, Formula 10, Cup racer, Tamiya M05 and F104. Great reviews have been posted in rc car forums.

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Budget Home Decorating

Budget Styles is a magazine style website devoted to helping you with home decorating projects and ideas. Whether you'd like to get ideas and tips on how to decorate various parts of your home inexpensively, or you're looking for do it yourself home decorating projects and ideas, you'll find it all right here!
Area rugs are a fabulous yet inexpensive way to give a room an entirely new look. Rugs have come a long way since the time they were only bought for practical purposes and were only available in boring old styles and staid colors. Rugs today have undergone a complete transformation and are available in a wide assortment of shapes, sizes, colors and designs. Enter any rug store and you are sure to be bombarded by round, oval and rectangular rugs in vibrant colors and every size imaginable. Rugs can be hand made or machine made and the materials most popularly used include silk, wool, cotton and bamboo.
Find many tips tips for updating your home or just give a room a breath of fresh air.

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Basic Bathroom Remodeling Tips - Tips for Homeowners

Bathrooms are typically among the smallest rooms in the house, yet we use them for many daily routines. Often, several household members want to use the bathroom at about the same time. Everyone wants a fully functional bathroom that is pleasing to the eye and easy to keep clean. That's a lot to ask of a room that is only a bit bigger than a closet. For these reasons, good design has become increasingly important to a successful bathroom remodeling project.

Bathroom remodeling is one of the most popular home improvement projects. Whether adding a new bath or remodeling an old one, there are a number of things to keep in mind to make sure you get the most out of the project. Be sure you read this site and grasp the simple guiding suggestions for a successful remodel or updating to your bathroom.

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Christmas-Cookies.com - hundreds of Christmas cookie recipes

Recipes, cookie recipe forum, and baking tips! All you need for the most memorable Christmas cookies ever! Over 540 recipes and counting! Browse the collection of scrumptious Christmas cookie recipes both modern and traditional. Need baking and decorating tools? Check out the list of preferred online retailers of baking supplies.
Find the most delicious cookie recipes to tantalize your Holiday guests or for sharing at the office party.

Find the best tools and products for baking cookies here too. the best ingredients and more are even suggested as well as baking tips galore. Make some fantastic treats this year with great ideas and suggestions from this site.

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TravelSkoot - Peter Greenberg's Fall Travel Tips

TravelSkoot is a website that allows you to plan a single day's adventure, a historical tour, map out your favorite places, or a full week's vacation by simply plotting points on the map!

Be it a rigidly scheduled pub-crawl with friends one night, or a historical walking tour, TravelSkoot provides the tools for you to create your personalized activity.

You can go to a skoot for a city you've never been to by searching for skoots created by other users. Use those skoots as they are or go ahead and edit a previously created skoot from another user.

Have guests coming to town? Create a skoot for them with the best place for coffee in the morning, the way to shops, and a place for a little lunch so they can get around while you're at work.

What's more, skoots can be viewed on WAP enabled phones on your mobile browser for easy access when you're on the streets.

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Buying Digital Cameras - What To Look For Tips

Digital cameras come in many sizes, shapes, and price ranges. Since you will be living with your decision to purchase a particular make and model for many years, it is a good idea to carefully weigh the various options available before buying a camera. Break the decision down into a checklist of factors to help determine which camera is best for you. Consider image quality, performance, ergonomics, features, and price. Also consider whether you will just be taking family snap shots or something more elaborate.
First decide how much you are willing to pay for a digital camera. You may need to adjust this figure up if you want and need a lot of manual control and features. Decide on camera body size, and features that you may actually use. Then look for a camera in your price range.
Faced with so many choices from point and shoot to full blown pro cameras, this task can be very confusing. Sort out all your needs and read the great tips to set you straight and clear out the confusing jargon of buying a camera.

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Guide to Christmas Shopping Tips

You can save this holiday season and still get wonderful gifts as long as you set a Christmas shopping budget well in advance. Making a list of your gift recipients and knowing how much you will spend on each one will help you look out for bargains.
Read the many articles on shopping to save money and learn how to make gift shopping easier. The Holidays are right around the corner and in today's economy who wouldn't like to save money, time and energy from the hustle and bustle.

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Resume Writing - 10 Tips to Bullet Proof Your Resume

With employers receiving hundreds of resumes you must make sure that your resume hooks an employer's attention within a 5-second glance. A great way to do this is to use job titles and skill headings that relate to and match the jobs you want. Employers make snap judgments when glancing at your resume. If they see unrelated job titles or skills the likelihood is very high that they will make an immediate assumption that you are not qualified for the job you want. Adding to this problem is the fact that employers don't have the time to read through each of your job descriptions to determine if you have the skills they need. Read through this site to further refine and enhance your resume to help get that great job you have been trying to catch.

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Tire buying tips: what to consider when purchasing tires

Walking into a tire store can be, and often is to say the least confusing for those of us who don't buy tires that often. For the most part, as long as there are four tires on the car, most people are satisfied.

But when taking a stronger interest in the type of tires that are mounted on a car, the whole area of "tires" opens up, and we find there's more to this tire buying than just bringing the car in to a tire shop and having four new tires put on.

A tire is an important functional part of any vehicle. Outside of the engine and its various parts, without the tire, no car, no truck, or no bus will get from point A to point B or any other point for that matter.

Sometimes we can't always based our decision to buy a tire based on the name of the tire if it is a well known brand, or because the price is in a higher bracket than other selections of tires. A little homework will help us make a wiser decision when purchasing a tire.

First off the U.S. Government rates tires according to safety and mileage and by learning what these specifications are will help us decide what is best for our needs. Treadware traction, and heat resistance are some of the factors that should be seriously considered when making a purchase. Tire dealers can and should provide this information to the discerning consumer.

Treadware gives the expected mileage. This is shown by numbers, i.e. 300, 400, 500, etc. The higher the number, the more the expected mileage.

Traction grades provides a basis on how well tires will stop on a wet surface. "A" Grade of course being the better tire, thereby stopping in a shorter distance than Grade "B. We can see here that by purchasing the better grade, if we live in a climate where rain is a factor, we are better off paying a bit more by buying the higher-grade tire.

Read all about tires and the many aspects you should consider before buying tires.

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How To Buy A Used Car & Avoid Scams

When Hurricane Katrina struck Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and Hurricane Rita hit Florida, Louisiana and Texas, it was one of the worst natural disasters to hit the United States. Aside from death and destruction, few people know what happened to the hundreds of thousands of cars that were totaled, most of them flooded by Katrina's storm surge and the flooding of New Orleans. Many car dealer lots had hundreds of cars completely submerged under water. After insurance claims, these cars will have their titles branded as totaled or flooded, then they'll be shipped to other states so their titles can be laundered back to normal status, while latent water damage corrodes the electronics. It is more important than ever for you to run an Experian AutoCheck Vehicle History Report on every used car you look at, because you can't afford to be stuck with a previously flooded or totaled vehicle.

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Low Back Pain: Tips on Pain Relief and Prevention

Many things can cause low back injuries--muscle strain or spasm, sprains of ligaments (which attach bone to bone), joint problems or a "slipped disk." The most common cause is using your back muscles in activities you're not used to, like lifting heavy furniture or doing yard work.

A slipped disk (also called a herniated disk) happens when a disk between the bones of the spine bulges and presses on nerves. This is often caused by twisting while lifting. But many people won't know what caused their slipped disk. In most cases, slipped disks and other back pain can be relieved by following a few simple methods.

Learn how to sit, lift, and stand to help relive your lower back pains, How long should you wait to before seeking treatmen? find out all these useful tips at this great relieveing site.

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Family First

 

Reader's Choice: Best Virtual World for Kids

The Best Virtual Worlds for Kids finalists are all unique, but they have one thing in common - enthusiastic fans! Reading through the nominations, we could see what strong communities these sites are building. Our five finalists for Best Virtual World for Kids are:

• The Travels of Wiglington and Wenks
• Webkinz World
• Chobots
• Club Penguin
• Webosaurs

Please take some time to visit each of the nominees. Once you've chosen a favorite, come back and vote. Voting runs through February 24th. Winners will be announced on March 1, 2010.

Read More

• Learn about the About.com Reader's Choice Awards
• See all of the nominations
• Vote for your favorite
• See all of the Reader's Choice Awards

Reader's Choice: Best Virtual World for Kids originally appeared on About.com Family Computing on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 22:11:43.

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Reader's Choice: Best Website for Kids

The Best Website for Kids category brought in some fantastic nominations. The 5 finalists are entertaining and educational. I hope you enjoy them!

• Knee Bouncers
• PBS Kids
• Dreambox
• Disney Digital Books
• Ziggity Zoom

 

Please take some time to visit each of the nominees. Once you've chosen a favorite, come back and vote. Voting runs through February 24th. Winners will be announced on March 1, 2010.

Read More

• Learn about the About.com Reader's Choice Awards
• See all of the nominations
• Vote for your favorite
• See all of the Reader's Choice Awards

Reader's Choice: Best Website for Kids originally appeared on About.com Family Computing on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 10:02:24.

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Reader's Choice: Favorite Parenting Blog

There were some wonderful nominees for Favorite Parenting Blog and it was challenging for the panel to choose just 5 to move on to the voting round. The finalists range from practical to irreverent, but they all represent the best of the best in the world of parenting blogs.

So, without further ado... the nominees for Favorite Parenting Blog are:

• Supersisters (PBS)
• Crunchy Domestic Goddess
• Aiming Low
• Black and Married With Kids
• Parent Hacks

Please take some time to visit each of the nominees. Once you've chosen a favorite, come back and vote. Voting runs through February 24th. Winners will be announced on March 1, 2010.

Read More

• Learn about the About.com Reader's Choice Awards
• See all of the nominations
• Vote for your favorite
• See all of the Reader's Choice Awards

Reader's Choice: Favorite Parenting Blog originally appeared on About.com Family Computing on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 22:51:30.

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Nickelodeon Promotes Violent & Sexual Games to Young Children

Nickelodeon can't seem to make up their mind. Are they educational and child friendly? Are they edgy and cool? My kids enjoy several Nick Jr shows and have spent time on the Nick Jr website. The games and crafts on the site are cute, focusing on such popular preschool characters as Dora and The Wonder Pets. But if you scroll to the bottom of the screen under the title "Nickeloden Kids and Family Websites" you'll find links to AddictingGames.com, a decided child-unfriendly website. Links to the site are even more prominent on Nickelodeon sites geared towards elementary-aged kids and tweens.

AddictingGames.com is a free game website where users can actually upload their own games, rate favorites and embed games on their social media pages. The games that are highlighted on the front page change regularly based on what's new and what's popular. Today I was greeted with such gems as ZOMGies ("Shoot Zombies in your Pajamas!"), Kitten Cannon ("Launch the kitten into a field filled with bombs!") and Bowman 2 ("Shoot an arrow through the heart of your opponent."). Clearly these are not games intended for children, so why are there prominent links to the site on all of the Nickelodeon properties?

The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) is asking the same thing. In fact, they've put together a letter campaign to request that Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group stop promoting the highly violent and sexualized website to young children. Concerned child advocates can quickly send a message just by adding their name and contact info to an online form.

In the meantime, I suggest that parents protect their children by being proactive. Installing a browser for kids will keep your child from visiting unapproved and/or unsafe websites. No matter how much you trust your children, it is just too easy to click on a link that looks like fun, but ends up being inappropriate.

Read More

• Install a Web Browser for Kids
• Voice Your Concern to Nickelodeon
• Visit the CCFC

Nickelodeon Promotes Violent & Sexual Games to Young Children originally appeared on About.com Family Computing on Thursday, January 28th, 2010 at 12:26:16.

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Ubisoft Requires Internet Access, But No CD/DVD

Video game designer Ubisoft has a strong fan base of PC gamers in a world that is leaning towards console and mobile gaming. That fan base is feeling pretty grumpy these days after the company announced an innovative digital rights management system that requires constant access to online Ubisoft servers.

The new system has some benefits: unlimited game installations, no CD/DVD required, and online game saves. The draw backs are unfortunately dramatic: the system requires a Ubisoft account (for server-side game saves and authentication) as well as consistent Internet access. The games can't be transferred to another user.

A FAQ issued from the company implies an expectation that all users have Internet access all the time. But I know that I like playing games on vacation, in the air and in other places where I am typically not online. In fact, playing PC games is one way I make up for a lack of Internet access. More importantly, many users contend with metered access, meaning that they'll be paying extra for the ability to play.

Video game piracy has been a long-time issue for the industry and we have seen more and more restrictions put in place to deal with it. Ubisoft is making a bold move with the new system and it's not, right out of the starting gate, garnering positive comments from gamers. Time will tell if they can keep a hold on long-time fans.

Ubisoft Requires Internet Access, But No CD/DVD originally appeared on About.com Family Computing on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 23:45:12.

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Headphonies for Haiti

Stargirl Headphonies Mobi Technologies, Inc.

One of my favorite products from CES were collectible speakers from Mobi Technologies called "Headphonies." These cute little guys plug into your favorite MP3 player, phone, etc., and provide some great sound, all while making you look incredibly cool. I'll be reviewing them in detail shortly, but I wanted to share details about a special fundraiser they are hosting.

From January 18th through February 28, Mobi Technologies will donate $1 for each Headphonies sold to the American Red Cross International Response Fund to help relief efforts in Haiti. The speakers are available at headphonies.com for $24.95.

Read More

• Visit Headphonies.com
• More info on the Haiti Earthquake and ways you can help

Headphonies for Haiti originally appeared on About.com Family Computing on Monday, January 18th, 2010 at 15:28:40.

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CES Day 3 Wrap-Up: LEGO Universe and The Print Shop 2.0

It's my last day at CES and my head is swimming from all of the products I've seen and people I have spoken with. I've focused most of my time on smaller companies and products that every day families can afford and enjoy. Sure, there are some amazing high-end products here. The TVs, sound systems, cell phone, laptops and other gadgets and gizmos are enough to make just about anyone drool. But there are also plenty of items that are affordable gifts and tools.

I have to say that I think I saved the best for last. I only booked two appointments here because I didn't want to be running from one end of the exhibit halls to another. I had a lot of other things going on. The first product I had an appointment to see today was The Print Shop 2.0. Now, you may remember The Print Shop from way back when. In fact, it has been around for an astounding 25 years. I remember making cards for my friends in high school on our Apple IIe. I have tried The Print Shop a few times since then, but lackluster clip art, frustrating controls and sub-par final products scared me away. As a result, I was a bit skeptical about my meeting with them today. That said, I was extremely surprised by their newest products. With plenty of classy clip art and stock images, high end editing tools (such as layers, eye-dropper color selection, etc.) and a polished template, the newest line of The Print Shop software should revitalize the brand. I'll have more to say once I get the product home and have a chance to play around, but I'm pretty excited about it.

My second appointment was a sneak-peek of the long-awaited LEGO Universe MMOG (massively multiplayer online game). Part virtual world, part LEGO action game and part-creativity software, LEGO Universe looks like it will be worth the wait. Fans of LEGO video games such as LEGO Indiana Jones will be delighted to see a similar game experience with an inability to "die," plenty of hidden treasures and a quirky LEGO sense of humor. The game is designed without levels so kids (and adults!) can explore at will, choosing which themed areas to enjoy. Real-time interaction with other players (all kid-friendly, of course), space to build your own virtual LEGO creations and lots of things to unlock are some of the highlights of the game. The beta version is expected to launch in March and the LEGO Universe team are keeping their lips sealed on many of the details. The game will launch on for PC platform and no one was willing to say whether other platforms would follow. Personally, I think the game would do very well on the consoles as it looked gorgeous (even in Alpha) on the big screen. I'll definitely be keeping you updated as we get closer to the full release in the second half of 2010.

CES Day 3 Wrap-Up: LEGO Universe and The Print Shop 2.0 originally appeared on About.com Family Computing on Saturday, January 9th, 2010 at 18:32:36.

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Day 1 CES Wrap-Up

I just finished a very full Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show. After press conferences with well-known companies such as Sony, Casio, Toshiba and Samsung, there are definitely some themes starting to emerge. They aren't surprising, but we've been hearing a lot about 3D TV, green practices/products and apps.

I've got a lot to share with you, but some of the unique product highlights for me today include:

• Greeting cards with a built-in LCD screen (like a mini LCD frame) from Pandigital
• yurbuds - ear buds that come in different sizes so you can get a custom fit
• Transformer mouse from Toshiba

Pictures to come!

Day 1 CES Wrap-Up originally appeared on About.com Family Computing on Thursday, January 7th, 2010 at 02:48:17.

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The Reader's Choice Awards Are Here!

Do you have a favorite parenting blog? Website for kids? Virtual World? Family-friendly video game? If so, we want to hear from you!

For the first time, About.com's Computing Channel will be running a coordinated Reader's Choice Award program. During January 2010, you'll be able to nominate your favorite sites, services and innovations in categories ranging from the best IM client and email service to best Web design and Web browser. Then, in February, check back to see if your favorite nominees made the cut, and cast your vote. Winners will be announced March 1. There's no prize -- just the bragging rights that come with getting recognized by the readers of one of the biggest tech networks on the Web.

The Family Computing site will be participating with awards for:

• Best Virtual Worlds for Kids
• Best Website for Kids (non-virtual world)
• Best Family Friendly Video Game
• Best Parenting Blog

The complete time line is:

January 1 - 24: Accept nominations
February 1 - 24: Voting
March 1 Winners Announced

Other computing sites that are participating include:

• Web Browsers
• Desktop Publishing
• Email
• Web Design
• Google
• IM
• JavaScript
• Macs
• Mobile Games
• Smart Phones
• Visual Basic
• VOIP
• Web Search
• PC Hardware and Reviews

The full list of awards is available here: 2010 Reader's Choice Award List.

The Reader's Choice Awards Are Here! originally appeared on About.com Family Computing on Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 at 14:07:02.

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Ten New Year's Resolutions for Computer Users of All Ages

As we near the end of 2009, many people are making New Year's Resolutions in order to better themselves and their lives. If you're still looking for the perfect resolution (or two), I've put together a list of options for anyone who uses a computer on a regular basis. Better yet, how about committing to all of them?

1. I will regularly check my computer for viruses.
2. I will open up my desktop computer and get rid of any dust.
3. I will not forward any chain mail email messages to my friends.
4. I will think twice before clicking on links.
5. I will not enter my friends' email addresses without permission when websites ask if I want to "invite friends."
6. I will not post pictures of other people, or their children, to public websites without asking first.
7. I will stop and reread email messages, forum posts, blog entries, Twitter tweets and other online texts before I send/post, asking myself 1) "Does this make sense?" and 2) "Is this how I want to be remembered?"
8. I will keep my Caps Lock off when corresponding in any manner online.
9. I will confirm rumors, viruses and other forwarded emails in either the Urban Legends site or Snopes.com before passing them along to others.
10. I will remember the adage, "If it's too good to be true, it probably is" when I receive an email saying I won the lottery or have a long-lost rich relative.

Forward this message to at least ten people you know or your computer will.... Ok, just kidding.

Happy New Year!

This post is part of the About.com Parenting Channel Blog Carnival on New Year's Resolutions. Read more about it.

Ten New Year's Resolutions for Computer Users of All Ages originally appeared on About.com Family Computing on Thursday, December 31st, 2009 at 10:42:30.

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About Family Computing
Family Computing

 

Psst – free child care
Thrifty parents are swapping babysitting or joining sitter co-ops to avoid the $10-an-hour cost of the local teenager's services

I got involved in my daughter's breakup
Now she's not talking to me. Help!

The ultimate Good Wife
In writing about her husband's affair, Elizabeth Edwards is actually dutifully protecting him. That's why we attack her

Father, some want more than a sermon
Popular Cuban-American priest and radio host Rev. Alberto Cutie considers leaving the church to marry the woman for whom he broke 22 years of celibacy

Fancy tweeting U in a place like this
Really, really short pickup lines: Is that 140 characters or RU just happy 2 see me?

Mom, Dad, I feel I never knew you
When adolescence ends, your child can see beyond the mask he's projected onto you. Six tips for making a smooth transition

Are pregnant women smug?
'You think you're so deep now. You give me the creeps now. Now that you're pregnant' - from Pregnant Women are Smug by Garfunkel and Oates

Family factotums
Shovelling snow and shining shoes isn't the half of it. Foreign workers hired as caregivers can find themselves painting the house and giving manicures

My friend's life is a train wreck - and all she does is complain
I really don't need the drama. What should I do?

Why are my friends ditching me?
One of the desperately difficult lessons in life is that some situations, despite your fine efforts, cannot be saved

The Globe and Mail - News
Canada’s best source for news continuously updated by The Globe and Mail

 

Would You Pay an Online Dating Service $2K to Tell You Who Smells Good?

According to a recent article in The New York Times, titled Better Loving Through Chemistry, a relatively new online dating company called ScientificMatch.com charges a one-time fee of $1,995.95 for a lifetime membership. The premise of their particular take on scientific, or chemistry-based, online dating is that we tend to be attracted to individuals who give off a scent different from the scent released by our own bodies' immune systems. Does that mean that participants are basically paying the company to help them identify individuals who smell good?

Personally, I'm a fairly smell-sensitive person, and that particular sense has only grown more keen since having children. (I once complained about the smell of apples sitting on my kitchen table, downstairs.) So I get that our sense of smell, and our preferences related to what we smell, naturally affect our sense of attraction.

But there's so much more to relationships than physical attraction! Read more...

Would You Pay an Online Dating Service $2K to Tell You Who Smells Good? originally appeared on About.com Single Parents on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 20:32:51.

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Highlights for Single Parents: 31st Edition

This week's highlights include blog posts about the divorces of two high-profile politicians, a call for child support reform, potential fall-out from international custody battles, and more.

On the Blogs:

John Edwards and Little Quinn - Wayne has some words for former presidential candidate, John Edwards, on becoming an active presence in his daughter's life.

Jenny Sanford: The Consequences of Ignoring Red Flags - Regarding another high-profile split, Cathy points out the red flags that might have prevented a lot of heartache.

Enough is Enough: A Call for Child Support Reform - Katie writes about the need for child support reform in Florida, but the issues certainly aren't limited to the Sunshine State.

In the News:

US Warns Japan Child Custody Laws Could Harm Ties - Due to the approximately 70 outstanding international child custody disputes between the U.S. and Japan, the U.S. is now urging Japan to revise their current child custody laws, which permit only one parent to have custody in divorce cases.

Vermont Guard Backs Bill on Child Custody - The Vermont National Guard supports a bill that would protect military parents' child custody rights.

The Best Way to Sort Out Child Maintenance - The UK-based Times Online explores the differences between entering into a private agreement, versus going through a child support agency and obtaining a consent order.

^{Photo © njgphoto of www.istockphoto.com.}

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Highlights for Single Parents: 31st Edition originally appeared on About.com Single Parents on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at 10:35:04.

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Thrifty Thursday: Advance Your Career With Free Online Courses

Do you want to stand out at work and increase your income potential this year? Consider taking a free online course to brush up on the skills you need most. From basic business skills to technical computing knowledge, there's a lot that you can learn from an online course. For example, About.com's Guide to Web Design has a Weekly Web Design Class, and the U.S. Small Business Administration has an online course called Need a Job? Consider Starting a Home-based Business. For more information, read Free Online Courses.

Read More Thrifty Thursday Blog Posts on the About.com Parenting Channel:

• Single Parents' Thrifty Thursday Blog Archive
• Save Energy,Save Money, Save Your Sanity
• Saving Money: Know What Is in Your Teen's Closet
• Help Military Families Save Money With Expired Coupons
• Rethink Resale
• Stock Up on Birthday Presents
• Save Money with Cloth Diapers

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Thrifty Thursday: Advance Your Career With Free Online Courses originally appeared on About.com Single Parents on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 05:00:38.

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When it Comes to Chores, Let Your Kids Pull Their Own Weight

Are there some things that you do for your children on a regular basis that they could actually be doing for themselves? I know I'm guilty of this common mistake when I do things like pack my kids' lunches each morning, put away their laundry, and do other household chores that they're perfectly capable of doing on their own. (Just this morning I ran back home from the bus stop to retrieve my daughter's library book for her!)

Of course, these are things that I do with the best of intentions, and sometimes because doing them myself is just easier, but the downside is that doing for my kids what they can do for themselves robs them of the opportunity to develop independence and self-reliance. Sometimes it even prevents them from having to endure some level of unease that might have taught them to remember that library book or that forgotten pair of gym shoes the next time around.

What do you think? What are some of the things that you could let go of doing for your kids, and how might that benefit them? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.

More:

• How Do You Get Your Kids to Do Chores?
• Use Chores to Teach Responsibility
• Common Parenting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
• Video: How to Allocate Chores for Kids
• Video: How to Allocate Chores for Tweens

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When it Comes to Chores, Let Your Kids Pull Their Own Weight originally appeared on About.com Single Parents on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 13:42:49.

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Poll: Do Your Kids Use Virtual Visitation to Communicate With the Other Parent?

Virtual visitation is on the rise, and it's not limited to the use of web cameras, either. As our contributing writer, Debrina Washington, points out in the article Virtual Visitation Options, instant messaging, texting, and emailing are also forms of virtual visitation.

If you've found virtual visitation strategies that have worked well for your family, share your ideas by either leaving a comment below or participating in the "Readers Respond" feature Virtual Visitation: How Does Your Family Make it Work?

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Poll: Do Your Kids Use Virtual Visitation to Communicate With the Other Parent? originally appeared on About.com Single Parents on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 14:46:48.

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Highlights for Single Parents: 30th Edition

This week's highlights include insight into single parent budgeting practices, an online dating scam to steal money from unsuspecting women, and more.

On the Blogs:

Job Shadow Day 2010 - Wayne reminds readers that February 2 is "Job Shadow Day."

Single Parents Aren't Poor Because of Bad Money Choices - Guest writer on the UK-based Touch Stone blog, Vicki Peacey, shares her research into single parent budgeting practices on behalf of the single parent charity organization, Gingerbread.

In the News:

DA: Greenburgh Scammer Stole $140K From Web-Service Dates - How one man scammed multiple women to "loan" him thousands of dollars, and what you need to know to avoid online dating scams.

Single Mom Finds Graduation Possible - The story of how one single mom got through school with the help of financial aid.

^{Photo © njgphoto of www.istockphoto.com.}

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Highlights for Single Parents: 30th Edition originally appeared on About.com Single Parents on Saturday, January 30th, 2010 at 14:42:46.

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Have You Reviewed Your Parenting Plan Recently?

A parenting plan is your family's version of an effective business plan. (You wouldn't think of running a successful business without having a plan, right?)

In the same way, you need to have a written plan for how you're going to collaborate with your co-parent on raising your kids. This is as true for divorced parents as it is for never-married moms and dads who wish to collaborate on raising their kids.

Whether you're working out a system for regular visits, or you already share physical custody, legal custody, or both, having a written plan in place will help each of you to best plan for and meet your parenting obligations.

And just like a business plan, it's important to review your parenting plan at least once a year and tweak it. Are there aspects of the plan that need to be changed? Take some time to read it over again, take notes on the areas you'd like to change, and talk with your co-parent about it.

In fact, if it's at all possible, I'd recommend that you plan an in-person or over-the-phone co-parenting meeting just for this purpose. That way, you can work some of the kinks out in advance, which will make working together that much easier in the coming year.

More:

• Consistent Co-parenting
• Building Trust With Your Co-parent
• How to Handle Joint Custody Disagreements

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Have You Reviewed Your Parenting Plan Recently? originally appeared on About.com Single Parents on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 22:10:41.

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Update Your Emergency Contact Information




Every time you update your cell phone number, or any other component of your emergency contact information, be sure to convey that change to your child's care providers and school, as well as your entire extended family, so that you can be reached in an emergency. In addition, get into the habit of giving your cell phone number to the parents of your kids' friends when they go on play dates, to birthday parties, or sleepovers.

More:

• Print an Emergency Contact Form
• Other Free Printable Forms for Single Parents

Update Your Emergency Contact Information originally appeared on About.com Single Parents on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 09:27:50.

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Highlights for Single Parents: 29th Edition




This week's highlights include the ongoing debate over whether constant conflict or divorce is better for the kids, the story of how one mom choose to forgive her ex, a twist on the average child support roundup, and more.

On the Blogs:

Parenting Advice: Staying Together For The Kids? - Christine asks which is the lesser of two evils: going through divorce or putting up with constant conflict.

This Single Mom Granted A Dying Man's Wish - Christina relays the story of another single mom who decided to forgive the wrongs done to her and put her son's needs ahead of her own.

Parenting Through Loss - In this timely re-post, Maureen provides tips for helping your children cope with grief and loss.

In the News:

Child Support Roundup: Deadbeat Parents Arrested - Offenders in this Louisiana roundup were not taken to jail this time. Instead, they were given the opportunity to enroll in a work release program called the Academy of Training Skills.

Family Finance: Job Loss Impacts Child Support - The economy continues to force more and more non-custodial parents to request child support modifications, with legitimate reasons. And yet those who were scheduled to receive that support struggle to get by, as well.

^{Photo © njgphoto of www.istockphoto.com.}

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Highlights for Single Parents: 29th Edition originally appeared on About.com Single Parents on Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 at 05:00:13.

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Thrifty Thursday: Would You Share Housing Costs With Another Single Parent Family?


The organization CoAbode is a "matching service" of sorts. They work to pair up single mothers who are looking to share rent, groceries, and utilities. (Imagine how much further you could stretch your dollar if you could cut those expenses by one-half, or even one-third.)

The benefits aren't limited to saving money, either. Many of the families who have been matched through CoAbode serve as true "family" for one another, sharing child care duties, discipline, and moral support.

For more information, read CoAbode Helps Single Mothers Find Roommates and Affordable Housing.

Read More Thrifty Thursday Blog Posts on the About.com Parenting Channel:


• Single Parents' Thrifty Thursday Blog Archive
• The Early Bird Gets the Summer Camp Discount
• 10 Ideas for Cheap Fitness Fun
• Save Money on Baby Naming Services
• Do You Shop at Warehouse Club Stores?

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Thrifty Thursday: Would You Share Housing Costs With Another Single Parent Family? originally appeared on About.com Single Parents on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 05:00:01.

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About Single Parents
Single Parents

 

A New Valentine's Day Tradition


You don’t need chocolates to make Valentine’s Day sweet for your child. No matter their age, kids love learning more about their family history, whether it’s by listening to stories Grandma tells about her childhood or tracking your tree back hundreds of years.

Along with exchanging cards and munching on candies, introduce a new tradition to your child this February, the most popular pastime in the United States: genealogy. There’s no better way to spark a love for history or strengthen relationships with relatives than to explore a more personal past. Give Child Parenting’s Family Love History Project a whirl. To get the conversation started, the Guide to Genealogy also offers an all-inclusive list of 50 questions for family interviews.

Who knows, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two, too!

A New Valentine's Day Tradition originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Parents on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 07:47:58.

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Embrace a Snow Day


Did you wake up to a winter wonderland? Don’t keep the kids inside for too long! They’ll be itching to explore a world transformed by snow and ice. Before you pack them into snowsuits and boots, though, read up on how to improve your kids’ snow play this year.

Aspiring architects and superb Lincoln Log and Lego builders will adore crafting a snow house or igloo. What’s more fun than a fully customizable Eskimo playhouse?

When it’s time to bring the kids inside, the Guide to Coffee and Tea offers a host of top hot chocolate recipes, including the one used at the White House.

And if you’re looking for something to serve alongside some post-play hot cocoa, try whipping up a batch of fresh, clean snow ice cream alongside About.com’s Guide to Family Crafts, Sherri

One last quick tip, you say? Family Fitness offers a list of snow play equipment essentials.

Embrace a Snow Day originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Parents on Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 at 07:00:34.

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Don't Waste Your Winter Break!


Too often it seems that the week between Christmas and New Year’s is a wasted one for school-age kids. They sleep late, nibble on the leftover cookies and candies from Christmas morning, and consider opening their school books, only to shove them aside until the last day of winter break. To liven up your kids’ winter break, mix crafts with cleaning to show them that fun and responsibility can go hand in hand.

Make a DIY Snow Globe with the Guide to Gifted Children, Carol Bainbridge, or let them play independently with homemade coffee can stilts from the Frugal Living Guide, Erin Huffstetler. Remember, you shouldn’t be the only one cleaning up after your guests go home. The Guide to Child Parenting discusses age-appropriate chores for kids. While you’re at it, begin thinking about how to dispose of your tree with “6 Ways to Recycle Your Christmas Tree” from About.com’s Guide to Trees and Shrubs.

Don't Waste Your Winter Break! originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Parents on Friday, December 25th, 2009 at 10:42:11.

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Survive Holiday Shopping


Shopping with the most patient of children can quickly spiral into a nightmare. Whether you’re shepherding shoppers-in-training or dragging squalling protesters through the mall, getting in and out as quickly as possibly can save you cranky mood on the drive home and preserve a pleasant shopping experience. With the chaos of Christmas shopping that begins on Black Friday, this is especially true during the holiday season. Learn how to survive shopping with young kids with the Guide to Kid’s Fashion, Michelle Kouzmine.




To keep holiday shopping fun and fancy free, check out these great resources:

• From Special Children, Before You Go to the Mall with Your Child
• From Family Internet, 7 Tips for Holiday Shopping Online
• From Frugal Living, Make the Most of After-Christmas Sales

Survive Holiday Shopping originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Parents on Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 07:47:02.

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Celebrate Family and Community this Thanksgiving
What do you look forward to the most when Thanksgiving rolls around? The parades? The football? The food? What about the family? Thanksgiving offers the perfect setting and days of free time to nurture your child’s relationship with her family members and her community. As the holidays draw near, take heed of this list of 10 ideas for outings with grandchildren and pass it on to your parents and in-laws. Allowing children to bond one-on-one with their grandparents is essential to forming close familial relationships that they’ll treasure later in life. If your parents are traveling, Nancy Parode, Senior Travel Guide, has some holiday travel tips that are great no matter the season. Keeping your child involved and engaged in the world around her is just as important. Jennifer Wolf, Guide to Single Parents, offers a few suggestions on ways to volunteer with kids that are perfect for this time of year. Not quite what you're looking for? The Guide to Kids’ Clubs, Heidi Coghlan, has several more ideas for you to consider, like pampering pets at a local shelter, sponsoring a family in need, and decorating your town for the season…with permission, of course!

Celebrate Family and Community this Thanksgiving originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Parents on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 08:00:04.

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Bring Kids into the Kitchen
As the weather turns colder, it’s time to turn up the heat in the kitchen. Why not bring the kids with you? Baking with children, whether they’re barely old enough to stir cookie dough or busy making cupcakes with only your supervision, is a surefire way to get them involved with family traditions. As you mix, measure, and stir, you can share memories of your own childhood and build treasure troves of good times for your kids to store away themselves. The kitchen is also a natural learning environment. Not only will you be teaching your kids a valuable skill, but you can also transform basic baking actions, like recipe reading, into educational activities. Cooking is a life skill they’ll need in the future; starting early will make them safe and comfortable in the kitchen as they grow older and begin to take care of themselves. As Beverly Hernandez, About.com’s Guide to Homeschooling, tells us, you can also use baking to teach kids mathematics principles. When you need to select a certain sized dish for baking a cake, teach your children about diameter and circumference. If you’re packing up treats for a holiday delivering, let them figure out how big the container needs to be. As you go through the baking process, you can also teach your kids about the science of baking. Let About.com’s Guide to Busy Cooks help you along with the hows and whys of baking. Plus: Read the Top 10 Reasons to Get Kids Cooking from Stephanie Gallagher, Guide to Cooking for Kids.

Bring Kids into the Kitchen originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Parents on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 08:00:01.

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Carve a Better Pumpkin
In the weeks before Halloween, it’s often the pumpkins that garner attention instead of the costumes. Before the kids pull out the newspaper, spoons, and knives, take a few minutes to brush up on the process of crafting a perfectly affordable and delightfully spooktacular jack-o-lantern. Watch a video that shows you how to carve a pumpkin from beginning to end. Then, instead of investing in a costly pumpkin-carving kit, check out the free patterns provided by About.com’s Guide to Crafts. Choose one or let your kids’ imaginations run wild as they design their own. You can even throw a pumpkin decorating party!

Carve a Better Pumpkin originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Parents on Saturday, October 10th, 2009 at 11:25:33.

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Too Sick for School?
Schools are germ breeding grounds, so it’s only a matter of time before sniffles and sore throats are passed from one grubby hand to the next. It’s time for the age-old question: should you send your tot packing with tissues and a pat on the head, or is he too sick for school? To get ready for cold and flu season, learn when you should take your child to the doctor, build a flu season tool kit, and find a flu shot with the help of About.com’s Cold and Flu Guide.

Too Sick for School? originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Parents on Thursday, October 1st, 2009 at 08:00:31.

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Have A Healthy After School Snack
When your kids get home from school, it may be second nature for them to drop their backpacks and hit the pantry. It’s easy to let them grab a box or a bag, but mindless munching on pre-packaged foods can take a major toll on their health. To satiate their mid-afternoon cravings, keep healthier options on hand, like grapes, already washed and ready to grab, in the fridge. Try cutting up strawberries and serving them with Reddi-wip to indulge a sweet tooth or slicing an apple and dishing up some caramel or peanut butter. Carrot sticks with ranch dressing provide crunchy satisfaction. When in doubt, look for pantry-friendly substitutes, like trail mix (homemade to cut the salt). Instead of chocolate chip cookies, try Teddy Grahams. Swap greasy potato chips for tortilla chips and a mild salsa. And always be sure to set out the proper portion sizes for your kids instead of letting them help themselves. Childhood obesity caused by overeating is a very real (and growing) threat.

Have A Healthy After School Snack originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Parents on Monday, September 14th, 2009 at 08:00:53.

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Problems Saying Goodbye?
It’s not uncommon for elementary school children to experience separation anxiety on the first day (or first few days) of school. New teachers, new settings, and new classmates can all come together to make your child uncomfortable when it comes to say goodbye. If your student expresses anxiety or sheds tears at your eminent departure from her side, About.com’s Parenting Channel Guides are here to help:

• From Working Moms: How to Ease Child Separation Anxiety
• From Childcare: Pre-School Prep Ideas to Keep Kids Happy
• From Pediatrics: How to Deal with School Refusal

Problems Saying Goodbye? originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Parents on Tuesday, September 1st, 2009 at 08:00:00.

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Study that Linked Autism to Vaccines Retracted by Medical Journal
A study published in the late '90s by the British medical journal, the Lancet, was possibly the starting point for much controversy surrounding the Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and autism. Still today, the debate rages on and concerned parents avoid or delay giving their children the vaccine in order to avoid possibly exposing their child to any risk of autism. Now, however, the Lancet has retracted the study as flawed after an independent council investigated and reported on several of the researchers involved. According to the Wall Street Journal, "The General Medical Council's report on three of the researchers, including Dr. Wakefield, found evidence that some of their actions were conducted for experimental purposes, not clinical care, and without ethics approval. The report also found that Dr. Wakefield drew blood for research purposes from children at his son's birthday party, paying each child £5 (about $8)."

Toddlers on track with the recommended schedule of immunizations can have the MMR between 12-15 months of age with a second dose around 4 years of age. Are you following this schedule with your child or has the scare of autism exposure altered your plans? And now, does this retraction change your mind or do you still feel there's a link?

Learn more about vaccines, autism and the study's retraction:

• Vote: Does the Lancet's Retraction of Wakefield's Study Change Your Mind?
• Medical Journal Retracts Paper Tying MMR Vaccine to Autism
• Does the MMR Vaccine Cause Autism?
• More Information on the MMR Vaccine
• Vaccine Preventable Illnesses

Study that Linked Autism to Vaccines Retracted by Medical Journal originally appeared on About.com Babies & Toddlers on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 15:29:53.

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Connecting Through Parenting Blogs


Our Everyday Things is one of my favorite parenting blogs Photo © Leonny

Every morning when I can steal a moment of quiet with my coffee or tea, I like to sit down and see what's going on in the lives of other parents. I remember my mom doing this with a telephone or by sitting down at the dining room table and writing letters. Though she's passed on, I still have boxes of her letters from friends and family members, most of them parents. When I read those, I realize that though the technology has changed, it's the same principle of sharing. Katie finally got her training wheels taken off. Thank God David finally finished potty training. I can't believe Elizabeth stayed out past her curfew again! The trials and joys of parenting look the same on paper as they do posted to Facebook or Twitter or shared on a blog. I shudder to think how much time my mom would spend on Facebook or blogging. It's just the type of thing she loved to do. She loved to feel connected. And even though her letters were more personal conversations with individual folks she knew, I know if she could have found a way to share her thoughts and experiences with a larger audience she would have done it in a minute.

If you like reading about other people's lives, you can check out some of my favorite parenting blogs here. If you have a favorite that you think is missing from that list, just drop me a line and I'll check it out. Even better, if you are a parenting blogger yourself, we'd all like to know more about it. I invite you to share the story of how you got started and what you love about blogging on family matters. You can even share a picture of your family or a screenshot and leave tips for other parents who might be thinking about starting a blog of their own.

Connecting Through Parenting Blogs originally appeared on About.com Babies & Toddlers on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 11:42:08.

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Wordless Wednesday: 14-Month-Old Una


Thanks to Sonja for sharing this picture of Una.

• How to Get Your Toddler Featured on Wordless Wednesday
• More Wordless Wednesday posts at About.com
• More Wordless Wednesday Posts from other bloggers

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Wordless Wednesday: 14-Month-Old Una originally appeared on About.com Babies & Toddlers on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 09:00:37.

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Cast Your Vote in the About.com Reader's Choice Awards


Cast Your Vote Photo © About.com

From now until Feb. 24, you can help choose winners for the 2010 About.com Reader's Choice Awards in the following categories:
• Web Browsers
• Desktop Publishing
• Email
• Family Computing
• Best of Google
• Instant Messaging
• Macs
• Desktops, Laptops & Computer Monitor Makers
• Smartphones
• Web Design
• Web Search

Cast Your Vote in the About.com Reader's Choice Awards originally appeared on About.com Babies & Toddlers on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 15:56:49.

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Wordless Wednesday: 21-Month-Old Isabella


Thanks to Lisa Claussen for sharing this picture of Isabella.

• How to Get Your Toddler Featured on Wordless Wednesday
• More Wordless Wednesday posts at About.com
• More Wordless Wednesday Posts from other bloggers

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Wordless Wednesday: 21-Month-Old Isabella originally appeared on About.com Babies & Toddlers on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 09:00:30.

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Happy Birthday to Nadya Suleman's Octuplets
Ah, it seems like only yesterday that those eight tiny little babies were born and they're already toddlers. Time just flies, doesn't it? Easy for me to say since I'm getting a full night of sleep and only have one child to look after. Suleman told People magazine that she's only getting two or three hours of sleep a night and that's with the help of three nannies!

Part of me says, "Hey, she brought this all on herself!" But the other part of me -- the part who remembers what it's like to be a sleep-deprived ball of stress -- really feels for her. And I have to give her props. She also told People that she makes it a point to go to the gym regularly and that her body has "bounced back" from her pregnancy. I respect that she's taking care of herself so she can take care of her 14 children and find it amazing that she's back to normal just a year after carrying 24 pounds of baby alone.

So, now that the shock has worn off, have people's opinions of the Octomom changed? How do you feel about how she's managed the first year?

More on Nadya Suleman and Her Family:

• Nadya Suleman: A Case Study in Reproductive Rights
• Why All the Controversy over Nadya Suleman?
• Meet the Suleman Octuplets
• Nadya Suleman's Situation Leads to Possible Legislation of IVF

Happy Birthday to Nadya Suleman's Octuplets originally appeared on About.com Babies & Toddlers on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 22:43:16.

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Parenting Bloggers: Join the February Blog Carnival on Love and Families
Calling all daddy and mommy bloggers (and anyone else who blogs on family issues): There's a new blog carnival slated to go live in February that will focus on the topic of Love and Families. Deadlines for submissions will be Feb. 3, so fire up the blog and get crackin'. Here are the rules for the carnival and you can learn more about how to send your submission to Tween Guide Jennifer O'Donnell here.

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Parenting Bloggers: Join the February Blog Carnival on Love and Families originally appeared on About.com Babies & Toddlers on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 11:19:31.

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Recent Recalls: Graco Strollers and Dorel Cribs


Graco Strollers Photo CPSC

About 1.5 million strollers from Graco (models "Passage," "Alano," and "Spree") are being recalled because the hinges in the canopy can cause fingertip amputations and lacerations during opening or closing. There have been seven reports of this happening with five of those resulting in amputations and two in lacerations. These strollers, which started selling in 2004 at major retailers like Walmart and Target, were made with two different types of hinges. Only those with the plastic hinges with indented positioning notches are affected by this recall. (Find model numbers and hinge images here). To get a free hinge cover repair kit, visit the company's Web site or call 800-345-4109.

Dorel Cribs Photo CPSC

Another recent recall are these cribs made by Dorel. More than 600,000 of these were sold at Sears, Kmart and Walmart starting back in 2005. Like other recent recalls, this recall involves drop-side hardware failures. One infant died after the drop-side hardware failed and his parents attempted to repair it on their own. There have been 31 similar failures reported.

This recall doesn't just involve the drop-side issue, however. There have also been 36 reports of crib slats breaking resulting in bruises, scratches and entrapment as well. Some of the cribs in this recall do not have a drop-side at all, so be sure to check if your crib is on the list. Repair kits can be obtained by calling 866-762-2304 or visiting Dorel's Web site.

Recent Recalls: Graco Strollers and Dorel Cribs originally appeared on About.com Babies & Toddlers on Sunday, January 24th, 2010 at 13:21:23.

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How Long Should My Toddler with a Rotavirus Infection Stay Home from Child Care?
Dale and Karen write:

"How long do you need to keep your child out of daycare if he/she has rotavirus?"

State regulatory agencies have differing standards, but as long as your child has symptoms, it's best not to return to care in a group setting. You can learn more about finding your state's specific standards here or find out more about rotavirus and other causes of acute gastroenteritis in toddlers.

How Long Should My Toddler with a Rotavirus Infection Stay Home from Child Care? originally appeared on About.com Babies & Toddlers on Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 at 20:11:10.

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Wordless Wednesday: 1-Year-Old Armand


Thanks to Jacqueline for sharing this picture of Armand.

• How to Get Your Toddler Featured on Wordless Wednesday
• More Wordless Wednesday posts at About.com
• More Wordless Wednesday Posts from other bloggers

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Wordless Wednesday: 1-Year-Old Armand originally appeared on About.com Babies & Toddlers on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 at 09:00:22.

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Ten for '10: Ten Celebrities with a Secret Twin


In 2010, I'll be posting weekly "Ten for '10" features, top 10 lists about twins and multiples. This week, you'll be introduced to ten celebrities with a "secret" twin. While there are many sets of famous twins, there are also celebrities who happen to be twins. Their not-so-famous counterparts remain out of the limelight. Learn more about the Top Ten Celebrity Twins and Their Twin Siblings

Previous Ten for '10 Features:
• 10 Things Twins Hate to Hear
• 10 Nursing Necessities for Breastfeeding Multiples
• 10 Tips for Keeping Your Family Healthy
• 10 Things NOT to Do When You're Pregnant with Twins
• 10 Double Jogger Strollers for Twins

Ten for '10: Ten Celebrities with a Secret Twin originally appeared on About.com Twins & Multiples on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 09:32:08.

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How Old Are Your Twins?


I always wonder about the readers that are visiting my site. Who is here? How old are their multiples? What are they looking for? What do they want to read about? Take a moment to answer this poll, to help me target the site to your needs.

After you answer the poll, leave a comment to share more details about your family, or stop by the message forum and introduce yourself.

How Old Are Your Twins? originally appeared on About.com Twins & Multiples on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 09:25:19.

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Twins and Friendship


Friendships can be complicated for twins. Should they have the same friends? Different friends? Some of each? As twins grow up, these questions may be resolved naturally as they develop relationships. But sometimes, prickly situations arise, such as when one twin isn't invited, or when both twins are excluded from playdates and outings because it is too troublesome to include multiple children. Some twins have difficulty establishing relationships with their peers, preferring the company of their co-twin as a built-in buddy.

It's sometimes treacherous territory for families, and parents of multiples need to help their twins navigate it. Here are some tips for helping your twins develop healthy friendships.

Twins and Friendship originally appeared on About.com Twins & Multiples on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 01:36:55.

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Twins of the Week




Photo reprinted with permission of May Cruz.

Reign Margaret & Rafael are the Twins of the Week! The fraternal twins were five weeks old when this picture was taken.
• Share your thoughts, opinions and advice in the comments section.
• More Worldless Wednesday Posts on About.com.
• Boy/Girl Twins Photo Gallery
• Index of All Photo Galleries
• Submit your photos!

Twins of the Week originally appeared on About.com Twins & Multiples on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 01:07:26.

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Ten for '10: Top Ten Double Jogger Strollers for Twins


In 2010, I'll be posting weekly "Ten for '10" features, top 10 lists about twins and multiples. This week, we focus on double jogger strollers. For active families who want to exercise or venture off the beaten path with their twins, double jogger-style strollers are the best option. While they're not always the most convenient option for running errands around town, or maneuvering in tight spaces, they are made with heavy-duty frames and pneumatic tires to provide a comfortable ride even on bumpy or uneven paths. Here are the Top 10 Double Jogger Strollers for Twins.

Previous Ten for '10 Features:
• 10 Things Twins Hate to Hear
• 10 Nursing Necessities for Breastfeeding Multiples
• 10 Tips for Keeping Your Family Healthy
• 10 Things NOT to Do When You're Pregnant with Twins

Ten for '10: Top Ten Double Jogger Strollers for Twins originally appeared on About.com Twins & Multiples on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 01:35:34.

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Working During Twin Pregnancy: Did You Have to Take Time Off?


"I worked full-time untill I was 39 weeks and 4 days pregnant, I still went in in the morning, and had the girls in the evening." -- Hadassahh

"I had lots of contractions since 20 weeks and at week 22 -reduced hours, at 26 I was out on disability." -- Kimrob777

How will a twin or multiple pregnancy affect your work schedule? Were you able to work right up until delivery? Did you have to take time off from work or reduce your schedule to part-time during your pregnancy? Moms of multiples are talking about work and pregnancy in the Message Forum.

What about you? Take the Parent's Poll. How did your twin/multiple pregnancy affect your work?


• It didn't. I worked right up until delivery.
• Minimally. I had to take a few days here and there, and rested up in my off time.
• I changed my work style to work from home.
• I reduced my hours or changed my schedule.
• I had to stop working in the third trimester.
• I had to stop working in the second trimester.
• I had to stop working in the first trimester.
• I wasn't working at the time of my pregnancy.


What'd they say? View Results

Twin Pregnancy FAQ: Will I Be Able to Work During My Twin Pregnancy? Get answers to this question and other Frequently Asked Questions in the Twin Pregnancy FAQ

Working During Twin Pregnancy: Did You Have to Take Time Off? originally appeared on About.com Twins & Multiples on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 01:58:50.

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Forum Friday: Really Uncomfortable Already


A reader writes: "I am 4 months, 1 week pregnant with twins and boy, this time around is so much different than with my four year old son. There are so many things about this pregnancy that I don't remember happening at all with my son. My hips have been hurting so bad so that sometimes walking is really uncomfortable. Also in the last few days, I feel like all of my insides are stretching and I can't breathe! ALREADY! I feel full when I know I'm not. It's so uncomfortable, I cant stand it. I haven't been sleeping well AT ALL for weeks, and I'm not even half way there. Anyone relate???? I just don't know how long I'm going to be able to stand it..... HELP"

Many moms of multiples can relate to this desperation, evoking some of the worst memories from their pregnancy experience. Carrying two or more babies can be downright miserable at times. Aches and pains, lack of sleep, heartburn and the sheer girth of your growing belly combine with anxiety, extra expense and additional doctor visits to generate some truly tough times for mom.

Take heart. The turmoil is temporary. Console yourself with the realization that multiple pregnancies generally don't last as long, and when it's all over with, you'll have two precious babies for the "price" of one. Of course, discuss your concerns with your doctor or midwife and keep them apprised of specific symptoms of pain and discomfort, especially those that resemble signs of preterm labor.

Stop by the message forum and share your thoughts with this expectant mom. Do you have advice to give? Or perhaps just sympathy and encouragement? Take time to let her know.

More Resources

• 7 Ways to Sleep Better During Pregnancy with Twins/Multiples
• Twin Pregnancy FAQ
• What's the Worst Thing About Being Pregnant with Twins?
• Respond in the message forum.

Forum Friday: Really Uncomfortable Already originally appeared on About.com Twins & Multiples on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 01:03:38.

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Handling Homework with Multiples


It's midterm time in my household. With two sets of classes, there is a double dose of studying underway, but also a great deal of procrastination and blowing off steam.


Getty Images / Digital Vision

Although they do not share the same teachers or classes, there is some overlap in their subjects and studying together can often be beneficial. I find that my twins make good study buddies when they set their minds to it, but they are also a huge distraction to each other.

Studies estimate that the average grade schooler spends more than 130 minutes doing homework each week -- and in homes with multiples, that figure only multiplies! All parents want their children to do well in school, and homework is an important component. With two or more children in the same grade, parents of multiples often have to concoct some clever strategies for handling homework. Try these tips for handling homework with twins and multiples.

Handling Homework with Multiples originally appeared on About.com Twins & Multiples on Thursday, January 28th, 2010 at 01:46:44.

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Twins of the Week




Photo reprinted with permission of Kate.

"She did it!" "Who me?" Twin sisters Charlotte and Hannah already appear to play the blame game in this picture captured when they were four months old.
• Share your thoughts, opinions and advice in the comments section.
• More Worldless Wednesday Posts on About.com.
• Bitty babes: Infant Twin Girls Photo Gallery
• Index of All Photo Galleries

Twins of the Week originally appeared on About.com Twins & Multiples on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 01:31:41.

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Ten for '10: 10 Things NOT To Do When You're Pregnant With Twins


In 2010, I'll be posting weekly "Ten for '10" features, top 10 lists about twins and multiples. This week, we focus on twin pregnancy. Having twins or more puts your pregnancy into a different category. With so many elements of the pregnancy out of your control, it's important to do everything that you can to ensure an optimal outcome for you and the babies. Here are some 10 things to avoid during your pregnancy with twins or multiples.

Previous Ten for '10 Features:
• Ten Things Twins Hate to Hear
• Ten Nursing Necessities for Breastfeeding Multiples

• 10 Tips for Keeping Your Family Healthy

Ten for '10: 10 Things NOT To Do When You're Pregnant With Twins originally appeared on About.com Twins & Multiples on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 01:04:15.

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Twins & Multiples

 

The 3 Key Factors for Preventing Child Obesity


There are three main routines that can help prevent weight gain in kids, says a new study from Ohio State University. Researchers examined data on 8,550 preschoolers and found that kids who were the least likely to be obese had three family routines: eating dinner together at least 5 nights a week, getting at least 10 ½ hours of sleep a night, and watching less than 2 hours of TV on weeknights.

The researchers note that no one particular routine had a bigger impact on kid obesity rates than the others. They also note that having just one of these routines did make a difference in lowering obesity rates, although having more did make a greater impact.

Aside from the association with childhood obesity, these routines are something to keep in mind for overall kid health. So if you're family is sliding toward too much TV or too little sleep, it may be time to readjust a few routines to get back on a healthy track.

The 3 Key Factors for Preventing Child Obesity originally appeared on About.com Parenting School Age Children on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 10:51:54.

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Why Trying to Create a Mozart or David Beckham Could Backfire


If you want your kids to be passionate about an activity rather than see it as something they need to do to get your approval, encourage, but don't pressure.

Kids are more likely to develop a true passion for something when they aren't pushed too hard by parents, says a new study from researchers at Université de Montréal, the Université du Québec à Montreal, and McGill University. Researchers examined nearly 600 musicians and athletes of all levels (beginner to expert) from ages 6 to 38 and found that kids and teens who are allowed to pursue an interest with support -- but without pressure -- were more likely to pursue that activity over time.

Kids who were pressured into an activity by controlling parents, on the other hand, were more likely to develop a skewed attitude about an activity, such as believing that acceptance can only come by excelling in that activity.

The tricky part for parents is knowing how much is too much encouragement. I tried to get my son into martial arts a couple of years ago because it's something I've loved since I was a child. I was disappointed when he said he didn't want to even try it. (And I was super-surprised when he declared he wanted to be a rock 'n roll drummer -- and very impressed when he started playing and playing really well, despite the fact that neither his dad nor I have a musical bone in our bodies.) Then suddenly, about a month ago, he asked me if he could try a Taekwondo class, just like that, out of the blue.

I absolutely did the right thing by being hands off with his interests. I do have to occasionally remind him to practice his drums. (As much as he loves playing music, he's an 8-year-old boy, and his Legos and the Wii are constantly calling their siren songs.) But I've also noticed that he sometimes needs to play music when he feels the muse, with or without my prompting. I'm ready for him to announce that he wants a break from martial arts or music, but in the meantime, I'm supporting, encouraging (without pushing!) and really enjoying the ride while my son follows his passions.

Why Trying to Create a Mozart or David Beckham Could Backfire originally appeared on About.com Parenting School Age Children on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 09:36:43.

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Cops Put a 12-Year-Old Girl in Handcuffs -- for Doodling on Her Desk


I'm not sure what is going on lately, but here is yet another headline about an incident at a New York City school in which common sense seemed to be in short supply. Apparently, a middle-schooler was removed from school and taken to a police station in handcuffs by the authorities for the crime of...wait for it...doodling on her desk with an erasable marker.

Now, I can think of at least a couple of other options the adults in charge could have gone with before reaching for the cuffs (and reportedly reducing a girl who had an excellent attendance record to tears and causing her to fear returning to school). Maybe the police didn't have to put the child in handcuffs. Or maybe the police didn't have to be involved at all and the young girl could have been sent to detention. Or here's a crazy idea -- perhaps the teacher could have simply asked the child to clean the desk and given her a stern warning.

Is it just me or does this story seem like yet another case of a good rule having gone awry? Of course kids shouldn't be doodling on desks. But was this really the right response? Maybe it's time for some teachers, administrators, and apparently some police officers to get a refresher course on what is appropriate punishment and what is going over the line. Way over.

Cops Put a 12-Year-Old Girl in Handcuffs -- for Doodling on Her Desk originally appeared on About.com Parenting School Age Children on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 19:53:45.

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Up in Arms Over a Tiny Toy Gun


A 9-year-old boy in Staten Island, NY, was nearly suspended Tuesday after he brought a 2-inch Lego toy gun to school. According to reports, the fourth grader was playing with a Lego police officer and the tiny gun in the school cafeteria when he was taken to the principal's office. The principal called the parents, and after meeting with them, decided not to suspend the child.

His parents say their son, a good student who loved school, was frightened and upset by the incident, and became reluctant to go back to school because he was afraid that the principal was angry with him. They are reportedly outraged over what they see as a lack of common sense.

As a mom of an 8-year-old boy who absolutely loves Legos, I can totally relate to the dismay that these parents feel. While I can see the merit of having rules banning toy guns -- or for that matter, any kind of toy weapons -- from school, I fail to see why a 2-inch Lego toy gun would warrant a consideration of suspension. Couldn't the principal have just asked the child to put it away and discuss the matter with his parents at a later time? (Apparently, the boy's friend also had a Lego guy, but his accessory was a teeny ax instead of a teeny gun; that child was not taken to the principal's office.)

This could easily have been my child, who stages nearly daily battles between good and evil with tiny Lego lightsabers and blasters and Jedi knights and stormtroopers. He doesn't bring toys of any kind to school (students are not allowed to do so), but if his school did allow toys, I cannot imagine that he would be threatened with suspension and made to cry over a 2-inch laser blaster.

What do you think? Was this a case of punishment meeting the crime or an overzealous administrator lacking common sense?

Up in Arms Over a Tiny Toy Gun originally appeared on About.com Parenting School Age Children on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 00:59:00.

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All for Love, and Love for All


I've been thinking a lot about love lately. Yes, Valentine's Day is right around the corner, so I'm sure that has something to do with it. But the love I've been thinking about is less the "flowers and chocolates" kind and more the kind of love that comes from the soul and reaches out to everything around us.

My son has to write a reading log every night. Last night, he wrote about a book we are reading called The Last Dragon, by Silvana De Mari. It is a lovely and lyrical book, and I found myself completely taken by one of the main characters, a sweet young elf who cherishes all living things and has the magical ability to spread a feeling of overwhelming love and goodness to those around him.

Before I had a child, Valentine's Day was always about the flowers, candy, and candelit dinners. But now that I am a mother, my immeasurable love for my child has expanded the way I see love to something beyond romantic love. Of course the love we feel for our partners and spouses is important, but there is also the larger love we feel for family, friends, and, in a sense, even perfect strangers.

I wish there really were magical beings who could spread love. But it occurs to me that we ordinary mortals can, in a very definite way, affect others around us with just a smile and good will. Of course it's not always that simple, but maybe a good place to start would be to expand the idea of Valentine's Day to include love for fellow human beings.

This blog is part of About.com's February Parenting and Family Blog Carnival. If you want to read more blog posts about love, check it out!

All for Love, and Love for All originally appeared on About.com Parenting School Age Children on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 10:53:00.

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Could Girls be Affected When Women Teachers are Anxious about Math?


When women teachers are anxious about their own math skills, young girls in the classrooms may also develop math anxiety, says a new study from the University of Chicago.

Researchers looked at 52 boys and 65 girls in first and second grade in classes taught by 17 different female teachers. They found that there was no connection between students' math skills and teacher math anxiety in the beginning of the school year. However, by the end of the year, the researchers found that the more anxious a teacher was about math, the more likely the girls in the class were to believe that girls are not as good at math as boys. Interestingly, the boys were not affected by a female teacher's math anxiety.

This very intriguing study also found that the girls who believed boys are better at math than girls tended to score lower on math tests than either the boys or the girls who did not develop the belief that boys are better at math.

There's been a lot of controversy in recent years about the math and technology gap between men and women. Could part of the problem stem from teachers' anxieties about these subjects starting as early as elementary school? When you consider the fact that the overwhelming majority of teachers in elementary school are women, it could explain some of the discrepancy.

I'd also love to know how much a role parents' attitudes about math and science might affect boys and girls as well. If a mom is uncomfortable with math and science, isn't it likely that her children would pick up on that, too?

I feel very fortunate that my son has a teacher this year -- a female teacher -- who loves math and math games. And the science specialist in our school, the one who has been creating interesting, fun homework assignments and projects that my son has been excited about doing, is also a woman. If I had a daughter, I think I'd feel even more grateful that I had such great math- and science-confident women showing him that women and tech do mix, and mix very well.

Could Girls be Affected When Women Teachers are Anxious about Math? originally appeared on About.com Parenting School Age Children on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 12:44:37.

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Eat Chocolate to Ease Emotional Stress!


As a self-confessed chocoholic, I was very, very happy to read about a new study that shows what I've long suspected: Eating chocolate may help relieve emotional stress.

The study, which was conducted by researchers at the Nestle Research Center in Switzerland, found that eating approximately one and a half ounces of dark chocolate a day for two weeks helped reduce the levels of stress hormones and corrected other stress-related biochemical imbalances in people who reported feeling highly stressed.

This, plus previous studies showing that dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants, definitely makes me feel less guilty about indulging regularly on chocolate. I know that all this good news about chocolate doesn't give me a free pass to chow down on an entire jumbo-sized bar of chocolate (which I've done before!). But just the thought that a few bites of chocolate every day is not only okay, but may actually be good for my emotional and physical health, makes me feel happy just thinking about it!

Eat Chocolate to Ease Emotional Stress! originally appeared on About.com Parenting School Age Children on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 12:44:29.

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Warning: Nickelodeon’s Website Can Lead Kids to Questionable Web Games


My son is 8, and I haven't yet allowed him to go on the Internet without my close supervision (and by close supervision I mean I'm sitting right next to him so that I can give the go-ahead before he clicks on anything). I know other parents who allow their grade-schoolers to play online games without necessarily sitting right by their child's side. It's a handy way of making dinner, say, or finishing a phone conversation while keeping a child occupied. And if a child is on a site they approve of, parents can usually relax. Usually.

Nickelodeon's website features a link to site that is loaded with violent and sexual games that are inappropriate for kids, according to an eye-opening blog from About.com's Family Computing Guide, Christy Matte. Addictinggames.com, a free online games website with which a few of my son's friends -- particularly those with older siblings -- are quite familiar, feature lovely games such as one in which you launch a kitten into a field of bombs or another one in which you shoot an arrow through an opponent's heart.

This just goes to show you that when your young child is online, careful supervision is always crucial. (The Addictinggames.com site can easily be accessed from Nickelodeon as well as Nick Jr., which means a preschooler can go right from playing a game featuring Dora the Explorer to taking out an opponent with weapons. Nice.) Christy suggests installing a web browser for kids to protect your kids from inappropriate sites. But while we parents can do our part, ostensibly kid-friendly sites such as Nickelodeon should know better than to allow links to adult games from kid sites.

Warning: Nickelodeon’s Website Can Lead Kids to Questionable Web Games originally appeared on About.com Parenting School Age Children on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 00:19:18.

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Thrifty Thursdays: Saving Money at the Supermarket


Did you hear about the mom who planned food menus for a year (you read that right -- an entire year!) to save money on groceries?

I admire her incredible organizational skills, but honestly, I have to admit that it's all I can do to plan what we're having for dinner one or two nights in advance. True, we live in New York City where all I have to do is walk a couple of blocks to the grocery store to buy fresh fruit and veggies. Maybe if I had to drive to the store, I might not be so lackadaisical about planning our meals.

There is one thing I do that is similar to what this super-planner mom does and that's buy and freeze fish in bulk (we don't eat meat, so it's just fish for us). It's not only more economical, but it's a great time saver because I just have to reach into the freezer to thaw something for dinner.

More doable for most moms, I think, are tips such as the ones from Motley Fool's Dayana Yochim. Some of her suggestions on how to save on grocery bills include chopping your own veggies instead of buying packaged produce, opting for generic brands, and not overbuying.

Which brings me to that super-planner mom again. It's inspiring to think that a fellow mom could be that organized (even as I type this, I'm looking around at my very, very cluttered bedroom/office and am making a mental note to try to organize my life by starting with my room!). I may not be able to plan a year's worth of meals, but I'm determined to de-clutter my home, and maybe even buy a few more vegetables on sale at the grocery store next week.

More Thrifty Thursdays Blogs:

• Free Disney Tickets
• Save Money on Teen Party Decorations
• Save on Skiing
• Paper Crafts Are Cheap and Easy
• Calling Family and Friends After the Your Baby's Birth

Thrifty Thursdays: Saving Money at the Supermarket originally appeared on About.com Parenting School Age Children on Thursday, January 28th, 2010 at 05:00:51.

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Are Electronic Devices Taking Over Our Kids' Lives?


Kids are spending an average of more than 7 1/2 hours a day using electronic media, which includes TV, the Internet, video games, and mobile devices, according to a new report by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.

To put it another way, that means that kids are plugged into some kind of electronic device for more than 53 hours a week, which is more time than most grown-ups spend at work, say study researchers. Yikes. And when multitasking such as watching TV while surfing on the Internet is taken into account, the number jumps to 10 hours and 45 minutes. Double yikes.

The survey of 8 to 18-year-olds also found that kids who are heavy media users tend to have lower grades than kids who are light users. And fewer than half of the kids (46 percent) reported that they have rules about what TV shows they can watch. Only 30 percent of kids had parents who set rules about which video games they can play and only 26 percent had rules about what music they could listen to.

This is particularly a shame because when parents set any kind of media rules, kids were found to spend a lot less time on them. Kids whose parents set media rules spent almost three hours less on electronic devices than kids in homes with no media rules.

All this electronic use is bound to increase as grade-schoolers get older and start to hit their tween years. What can parents of young children do now to make sure we don't raise a generation of kids who are plugged in to devices and tuned out to people?

For starters, we can watch our own use of media. I know I've had to remind myself more than a few times to walk away from the computer or cell phone and talk to my child face to face, especially when it's "family time" -- the hours just before and after dinnertime when we are wrapping up homework and getting ready for dinner or for bed.

And we can turn off the TV when we're not watching a specific program, or turn off the radio for some quiet reading time. In our house, we stopped subscribing to cable years ago, and only use the TV for Wii games or to watch DVDs. I can't tell you how much it's made a difference not having commercials and "breaking news" constantly invade our space. (Instead, we get our news on the Internet, from newspapers and magazines, and get kids' news magazines such as "Time for Kids.")

What steps have you taken in your home to limit electronic media? How does your kids' media use compare to the Kaiser survey numbers?

Are Electronic Devices Taking Over Our Kids' Lives? originally appeared on About.com Parenting School Age Children on Monday, January 25th, 2010 at 12:06:39.

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Mother Kills Autistic Son, Attempts Suicide


On those terrible occasions when we read in the paper about parents killing their children with special needs, we may wonder, what could lead a parent to do that? Is the stress of raising a disabled child so terrible? Does the financial burden of medical procedures or therapies take a toll? Is it misplaced mercy, a caring parent's conviction that death is the best way to help an ailing child? Is it insanity, or insanity plus circumstances?

Money certainly wasn't a factor in the murder/attempted suicide that apparently took place this last week at New York's tony Peninsula Hotel. But, judging from an article on MomLogic, there surely were mental health problems that drove Gigi Jordan, a millionaire former pharmaceutical executive, to force-feed pills to her eight-year-old son with autism, killing him before unsuccessfully trying to kill herself.

Jordan had claimed in the past that a devil-worshiping cult had assaulted the boy, leaving him in "constant pain," but authorities could find no proof. According to a CBS news report, "Jordan told the detective her son would type on his computer to communicate the abuse to her since his autism affected his speech. [Detective Tom] Hood said the boy, six at the time, did not have the motor skills to type. When questioned, Jordan told Hood that she put her hands on top of her son's to help him type."

As MomLogic describes, Jordan left a note saying that "the only true happy moment in my life was when Jude was born" and "I hope Jude is in a better place." Sad that she felt the only way for him to get to that better place was to murder him, and that there was no one in their lives who could protect the child from his mother and the mother from herself.

_{Photo by Stockbyte/Getty Images}

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Mother Kills Autistic Son, Attempts Suicide originally appeared on About.com Parenting Special Needs on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 19:23:40.

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Temple Grandin Is Having a Pop-Culture Moment


Walking through a Barnes & Noble bookstore on Saturday, I was surprised and kind of tickled to see a table full of Temple Grandin's book Thinking in Pictures: My Life With Autism -- but in a new edition, one with a cover featuring Clare Danes as Grandin in the HBO movie that draws from the book. I'm not sure this is as effective a cover as the earlier version with a photo of the real Grandin surrounded by cattle. Yet it's very cool to see a serious book on autism get the glossy Hollywood treatment. If Dane's smiling mug gets more folks picking up the book, thinking about it, and realizing what it means to see things differently, that's spectacular.

Temple Grandin debuted on HBO this past Saturday, and will be re-run and re-run; you can see the schedule on the HBO Family site, and read more about the movie on its HBO page. I only managed to catch about a half an hour in the middle of the movie (the rest awaits on my DVR), and was impressed by Danes's portrayal. In an interview with NJ Star Ledger's Alan Sepinwall, Danes discusses the difficulty of portraying a living person, saying, "I was very aware of the dangers of disappointing Temple, and all the people who care so much for her." Grandin, in turn, marvels at how well the actress managed it. An interesting note from that interview: Danes was helped in her research on autism by her husband, Hugh Dancy, who played a character with autism in the theatrical film Adam.

Disability News has a round-up of reviews of Temple Grandin. If you saw it, what did you think? Share in the comments.

_{Cover images courtesy of PriceGrabber (compare prices for the new and old versions)}

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Temple Grandin Is Having a Pop-Culture Moment originally appeared on About.com Parenting Special Needs on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 13:00:21.

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Super Bowl Quarterback Brees Is Gluten-Free


Kids complaining about gluten-free waffles, or bacon without eggs? Tell them it's the breakfast of champions. A post on the blog Be Free for Me this morning alerted me to the fact that Drew Brees, quarterback for the Super Bowl-winning New Orleans Saints, is allergic to gluten, eggs, and dairy. Which means he's an unlikely choice for the front of a Wheaties box, but a great example for youngsters who may feel that food allergies and funny diets mean they'll never be popular or athletically awesome.

The Be Free for Me post links to a Sports Illustrated story from 2007 that gives some details of the football star's gluten-free, soy-full diet. A Wall Street Journal article from last September also talks briefly about Brees's allergies, adding that he's not above cheating, but feels the consequences (or his wife does, anyway).

Nice to have a morning-after sports story that's empowering for kids with special needs. What real-life heroes have your kids found? Share in the comments.

_{Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images}

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Super Bowl Quarterback Brees Is Gluten-Free originally appeared on About.com Parenting Special Needs on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 10:46:41.

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Weekly Round-Up: Week of February 1


Here's your weekend round-up of all the articles, blog posts, and site updates you may have missed from the past week in About Parenting Special Needs.

New Articles

• Readers Respond: Look What My Kid Can Do!
• Look What My Kid Can Do!: Success at the Social Studies Fair
• Look What My Kid Can Do!: Raising Money for Haiti
• Look What My Kid Can Do!: Giving Help
• Reader Blog: eSpecially Ben
• Reader Blog: A Wild Ride
• Reader Blog: Parenting a Special Needs Child
• Reader Blog: Different Dream for My Child
• Reader Blog: Small Portion of a Life's Journey
• Your Behavior Tools and Tricks: Red-Caped Crusader to the Rescue!
• Sites of the Day: February 2010

Blog Posts

• How Much Would Key-Jingling Bug You?
• In the Forum: Obsessions
• The White House and the "R-Word"
• Celebrating the Victories, Big and Small
• iPad: The Latest Cool Special-Needs Tool
• Oscar-Nominated Documentary Spotlights Disabled Singer
• Ranting in the Forum
• Wordless Wednesday: Valentines for Special Parents
• Not Feeling the Love? These Books Can Help
• App Makes Eye Contact Fun
• Rethinking the Life Left Behind
• This Week in Comments: Valentines and R-Words
• What We Wish For
• Johnson & Johnson Heiress Died From Diabetes
• Rahm Takes the Pledge, Rush Needs To

Updated Pages

• Today's News
• Weekly News
• Site of the Day

Weekly Round-Up: Week of February 1 originally appeared on About.com Parenting Special Needs on Sunday, February 7th, 2010 at 08:00:52.

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Winter Activities, Penguin Protection, and More Fun Things to Do


Stop by here every Saturday for a family activity, a site for the kids, a shopping site, a site offering humor or inspiration about parenting children with special needs, and a site that's just silly or fun, all designed to get you through your weekend with kids amused and spirits intact. Today's list:

1. Activity: Winter Activities for Teens
2. Kids' Site: Radiology Center
3. Shopping: EasyStand
4. Humor: And Yet More Special Needs Mommy Confessions
5. Just for Fun: No Kicking Penguins

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Winter Activities, Penguin Protection, and More Fun Things to Do originally appeared on About.com Parenting Special Needs on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at 08:00:15.

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Rahm Takes the Pledge, Rush Needs To


One controversy resolved: After meeting with advocates for people with intellectual disabilities, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel -- whose comment about a plan being "f---ing retarded" was quoted in the Wall Street Journal -- issued apologies both private and public and took Special Olympics head Timothy Shriver up on his invitation to take the R-Word pledge.

And one controversy started: Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, going to town on Emanuel's use of the word and apologies for it, managed to use the R-word many times in many much more offensive ways (read a transcript here). Press coverage of Limbaugh's tirade has mostly focused on the awkward position it creates for Sarah Palin, who called for Emanuel's resignation but has responded to the use of the word by fellow conservative Limbaugh with a more tepid statement that "crude and demeaning name calling at the expense of others is disrespectful," according to a CBS report headlined "Is Sarah Palin at War With Rush Limbaugh?"

Timothy Shriver has written a letter to Limbaugh as he did with Emanuel, beginning with "I incredulously listened to the segment in your show in which you repeatedly and offensively used the term 'retard' in reference to our meeting with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel" and ending by urging him to "[end] your use of this term and ... further [use] your great influence and position to help others do the same."

Limbaugh has claimed he was just being satirical, an explanation that wasn't any more satisfying when it was used to defend Tropic Thunder a while back. It'd be nice to see him take the pledge, too, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

Continue to follow news on this story in the today's news, weekly news, and intellectual-disabilities news folders.

Rahm Takes the Pledge, Rush Needs To originally appeared on About.com Parenting Special Needs on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at 02:27:18.

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Johnson & Johnson Heiress Died From Diabetes


How will our children with chronic illnesses manage for themselves as adults? That's a question that haunts parents as their young people shrug off the supervision of Mom and Dad and take over responsibility for their own health. If your kids need confirmation that even the rich and fabulous and tabloid-covered need to bother with the details of chronic illness, Casey Johnson might make a good cautionary tale.

According to a CNN report, a coroner has confirmed that the 30-year-old Johnson & Johnson heiress died not from drugs or alcohol or other trappings of a glamourous lifestyle, but from diabetic ketoacidosis -- a condition marked by a shortage of insulin and dangerously high blood sugar that the Mayo Clinic is quoted as calling "a serious complication of untreated diabetes."

Or as TV Guide quotes the coroner as saying, "She wasn't taking her insulin. She wasn't taking good care of herself."

Johnson's father, Robert Wood Johnson IV, is chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and a fund has been set up in her name to raise money toward finding a cure for the disease. Until then, as the fund's page points out, "people with type 1 diabetes need to measure their blood sugar multiple times throughout the day ... and inject themselves with insulin multiple times daily to keep blood sugar within a healthy range. That daily routine continues for life, because insulin does not cure diabetes."

It's tragic that Casey Johnson apparently wandered away from that routine, but maybe her story will help more young people realize that, for now, they just can't.

_{Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images}

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Johnson & Johnson Heiress Died From Diabetes originally appeared on About.com Parenting Special Needs on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 16:43:19.

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What We Wish For


Flowers and candy are nice enough, but parents of children with special needs may have different ideas of what makes a perfect gift, for Valentine's Day or any occasion. I asked what was at the top of your wish list, and reader Mysti wrote:

"I wish my sister whom I have always been very close with would try to get to know my 6-year-old daughter with AS. She lets my older daughter stay overnight, but barely knows my daughter with AS. I have never been on a weekend alone with my fiance, or even spent one whole day together. It would be nice to have my sister take both of my girls as I had done for her when her kids were young."

What's at the top of your parenting wish list? Read my suggestions and your fellow readers' contributions, then add your own.

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What We Wish For originally appeared on About.com Parenting Special Needs on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 11:09:39.

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This Week in Comments: Valentines and R-Words


Here's a list of posts that have received one or more comments this week:

• Valentines, Little Hearts, and More Fun Things to Do
• While We're Getting Rid of the R-Word, Can We Lose the M-Word Too?
• Setting Up an iTunes Account Without a Credit Card
• Peanut-Butter Bans Stir Up Strong Opinions
• The White House and the "R-Word"
• Wordless Wednesday: Valentines for Special Parents

What's on your mind today? Speak out in the comments below, or add your opinion to the posts above.

_{Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images}

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This Week in Comments: Valentines and R-Words originally appeared on About.com Parenting Special Needs on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 08:00:31.

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Rethinking the Life Left Behind


Any Lost fans here? Has your brain stopped spinning yet from Tuesday night's season premiere? One thing that struck me about this latest chapter -- at least, after I'd read lots of theories and figured out what it was I watched -- is the notion of undoing a seemingly bad thing that happened and seeing where your path might have led. (Spoiler alert for those who plan to see the episode but haven't; eye-roll alert for those who never watch the show.)

At the end of last season, a group whose lives had been plunged into confusion and tragedy in the aftermath of a plane crash put into action a plan that they hoped would reset the timeline and prevent the crash from ever happening. It both does and doesn't work -- for the moment, there are two timelines, one continuing the show's previous plotline and one starting over -- and the season will apparently be playing with notions of fate, responsibility, identity, and whether, as Jack says to Locke after a safe landing at LAX, "Nothing is irreversible."

The interesting thing about the new timeline is that, though it was assumed that the opposite of plane-crash hell would be normal-life heaven, really, for most of these characters, the old life wasn't so hot. A couple who rediscovered love on the island are still in a strained marriage. A druggie who kicked the habit is back to his heroin. A man who could walk on the island is in a wheelchair again. A fugitive is back in handcuffs. The new reality lacks smoke monsters and flaming arrows and all the surrealistic terror of island life, but it's not all sunshine and rainbows, either. And the characters lack the awareness and depth and relationships they gained during their ordeal.

Which makes me think about our own journeys as parents of children with special needs. So often, it's assumed that having a child with a disability is a deviation from the dream life of normalcy and true happiness ... but in fact, things can and do go wrong for parents and children and families with no special needs, and often parenting exceptional children makes those of us given that experience more exceptional ourselves. If you could somehow go back and make that plane land in Italy instead of Holland, who's to say that Italy would be all it's cracked up to be?

Do you ever wonder what your alternate timeline would look like? Do you wish you could take a little flash-sideways into it? Have you ever felt like maybe that smoke monster works for your school district? Join me in overanalyzing popular culture for special-needs content in the comments.

_{Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images}

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Rethinking the Life Left Behind originally appeared on About.com Parenting Special Needs on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 17:38:45.

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Successful Weight Loss in Teens
Participating in moderate to vigorous physical activity and limiting time in front of the television are some of the keys to successful weight loss in teens, reported HULIQ.com. So basically good nutrition and an active lifestyle will keep teens from gaining weight and it's good reason to limit your teen's television time. Obesity is becoming a problem for today's kid, we parents really need to step up and help our teens realize that a healthy lifestyle is important. What do you think?

Successful Weight Loss in Teens originally appeared on About.com Parenting of Adolescents on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 09:30:26.

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Winter Activities for Teens - Week Twelve
These winter activities for teens can be done individually, with friends or with the whole family. Each week has four different types of teen winter activities: Make This (Recipe), Craft This, Learn How and Get Out and Go! Each activity idea is fun for your teen.

Winter Activities for Teens - Week Twelve originally appeared on About.com Parenting of Adolescents on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 08:45:58.

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Should Parents Put Up With Their Teens Being Harassed By Teachers?
A mom on our forum seeks advice:My 13y/o daughter in the 8th grade. She has participated in most sports activities as a top player in each sport and is a straight A student in the gifted program.

On a Monday, my daughter was in P.E. class, her last class of the day, when she and 2 other boys were disciplined for talking during classroom time. They were made to leave their seats and walk in circles in full view of the class. As my daughter was headed to begin the circles, a classmate whispered something along the lines of, "Busted!". My daughter smiled and the teacher became angry and told her she was to sit out the next soccer game. She said nothing about it but she did not play on the soccer team this year. Read more...

Should Parents Put Up With Their Teens Being Harassed By Teachers? originally appeared on About.com Parenting of Adolescents on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 07:54:02.

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Does Your Teen Sing in Chorus or Their Glee Club? Check Out This Contest!
Everyone knows the unfortunate effects of the flu. And if you're a teen, it could mean a missed opportunity to shine - whether at a sporting event, on a date or just plain doing well in class. But if you're an American Idol contender who is striving for that coveted top spot (and smack in the middle of flu season), the flu could wipe out your prospects of winning.

That's why Danny Gokey, third-place finalist from last year's American Idol who watched his cast mates contend with the flu, is teaming up with The Clorox Company and author of Germ Proof Your Kids, Dr. Harley Rotbart to launch I Don't Want to Miss..., a contest to help educate teens about the importance of flu prevention so they don't miss those important, and sometimes defining, moments in their young lives. Read more...

Does Your Teen Sing in Chorus or Their Glee Club? Check Out This Contest! originally appeared on About.com Parenting of Adolescents on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 08:10:24.

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Saving Money: Know What Is in Your Teen's Closet
You need to have a list of what your teen has in their closet if you are ever going to be able to budget their clothing funds. I know that this might seem to be an impossible task, but it will save you money. When your teen turns to you and says: "I need a new pair of jeans." You can check your list and say: "What happened to the other six pairs of jeans you have?" At that point you decide whether they need the jeans, because they have grown out of the other six, or not. This will keep you from buying things that your teen does not truly need. I don't know about you, but just about the time I find out that my daughters didn't need what I just bought them, I find something they do need that I have to purchase on top of that. It's very frustrating! The list keeps this from happening.

An added organizational bonus comes when you ask your teen to take the jeans that don't fit out of their closet before you hand over the funds to buy the new jeans.

More: Save Money: Hang That Back Up | Hand-Me-Downs for Teens Are Trendy

Follow the About.com Parenting & Family's Thrifty Thursday:

• Save Energy,Save Money, Save Your Sanity
• Help Military Families Save Money With Expired Coupons
• Rethink Resale
• Advance Your Career With Free Online Courses
• Stock Up on Birthday Presents
• Save Money with Cloth Diapers
• Cheap Baby Clothes

Saving Money: Know What Is in Your Teen's Closet originally appeared on About.com Parenting of Adolescents on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 05:00:01.

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Did you remember to say "I love you" to your teen today?
Back when I was a teen, my parents had a bumper sticker that asked: Have you hugged your kid today? After hearing the Florida girl, Somer Thompson's mom speak, I thought about my kids, I was thankful our last words that and every morning are: "I love you. Have a good day." It's a good habit we got into as soon as my kids started going to school. It's one my husband and I have also. I like to think this good habit reminds my children that they have a firm unconditional loving foundation to stand on when they may be facing difficult teachers, bullying or any problem at school.

Asking our community: Is saying 'I love you' part of your morning or nighttime routine with your teenager? Share your experiences and advice in the comments area.

This post is part of the About.com Parenting and Family Blog Carnival - Join us!

Did you remember to say "I love you" to your teen today? originally appeared on About.com Parenting of Adolescents on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 20:45:27.

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How Much Are Graduation Announcements?
High schools around the country are taking orders for graduation announcements this week. Have you gotten your packets? Have you fainted from the prices? They are really pricey. If you are looking to save some money, you can order the smallest package - so your teen has an official school one for their memory books - and then print your own as you need them. Or, if you are a card maker, you can make your own.

More: Graduation Announcement Etiquette | Free Printable Graduation Party Invitations

How Much Are Graduation Announcements? originally appeared on About.com Parenting of Adolescents on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 08:36:57.

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Winter Activities for Teens - Week Eleven
These winter activities for teens can be done individually, with friends or with the whole family. Each week has four different types of teen winter activities: Make This (Recipe), Craft This, Learn How and Get Out and Go! Each activity idea is fun for your teen.

Winter Activities for Teens - Week Eleven originally appeared on About.com Parenting of Adolescents on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 08:45:51.

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Teens and Money Quiz: Is Your Teen Money Smart?
Teens today are in control of more money than ever. Therefore, it is important for parents to teach their teens how to use their money wisely and to be smart about where their money goes. I see this as a wonderful opportunity to help our teens learn the importance of financial planning long before they are out on their own where a mistake could lead them into money troubles or bankruptcy. Start by taking our teens and money quiz, then continue with our teens and money resources.

Teens and Money Quiz: Is Your Teen Money Smart? originally appeared on About.com Parenting of Adolescents on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 07:30:16.

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Save Money on Teen Party Decorations
To save money when purchasing decorations for your teen's party, consider generic colored balloons, plastic table coverings and streamers. Then spruce up the theme with homemade confetti and printable banners - your teen can makes these. Also, use themed food including the cake and favors to theme the table. The party will look great and you will not have wasted a lot of money on throw away decorations.

More: Snacks for Teens, Waste Not, Want Not | Family Board Game Night, Entertain the Whole Family for Under $5.00

Follow the About.com Parenting & Family's Thrifty Thursday:

• Free Disney Tickets
• Save on Skiing
• Paper Crafts Are Cheap and Easy
• Calling Family and Friends After the Your Baby's Birth
• Saving Money at the Supermarket

Save Money on Teen Party Decorations originally appeared on About.com Parenting of Adolescents on Thursday, January 28th, 2010 at 05:00:27.

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