Archive for January, 2010

by Mia Geiger

As the youngest of two siblings I became “the baby” of the family the second my parents brought me home from the hospital. But my sister got the grand prize: She instantly became the “big sister.”

I don’t know what my parents told my sister, then a toddler, just before they brought me home. I’m guessing they were probably so tired from taking care of a two-year-old that they just silently prayed things would go smoothly.

We got along well, without resentment at having to share toys or attention, although one time my mom found my sister upstairs trying to give me a haircut with a sharp object. Other than that, my sister has made my life richer in so many ways.

You never know what kids are thinking, though. A child might seem perfectly content at the prospect of a new little bundle, but inside they might be scared. They might wonder: Will my parents love me as much? Will I still get attention? Why do they need another baby?

Here are books to share with siblings and soon-to-be-siblings to make the transition to a bigger family a little more smoothly. (more…)

What’s with the Weight Creep?

by Kathy Sena

Young women with a weight problem often say the weight started creeping up when they had their first child and they found they had less time to exercise. However, when researchers added up all factors, they found that the fact that a woman is married and has a baby has more influence on weight gain than whether she is being physically active. (more…)

by Leah Ingram

We started thinking about our summer plans this week–probably because camp brochures started showing up in our mailbox. At the same time I started querying magazine editors with my ideas on how to plan a frugal vacation, beyond the typical “check with AAA for discounts” tips. Here are seven of the money-savers I think everyone would want to know about when planning a vacation on a budget: (more…)

by Christina Frank

Back when R & I were following the American Dream instruction manual–that is, mom, dad and the kids all living under the same roof–it was pretty clear which two of us were the parents and which two were the kids. When that manual was taken in the night and replaced by the Mid-Life Crisis Manifesto–which instructed R to move out asap–the family dynamics changed. (more…)

by Jane Louise Boursaw

Reel Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Reels
MPAA Rating: PG for mild language, some rude humor and sports action.
Released in Theaters: Jan. 22, 2010
Genre: Family, Comedy
Runtime: 101 minutes
Directed by:Michael Lembeck
Cast:Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Ashley Judd, Stephen Merchant, Seth MacFarlane, Julie Andrews, Chase Ellison, Destiny Grace Whitlock, Billy Crystal
Official Site: http://www.toothfairy-movie.com

SYNOPSIS: A mean minor-league hockey player (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) is best known for knocking the teeth out of his opponents (thus the nickname) and crushing kids’ dreams. Imagine his surprise when he’s sentenced to serve two weeks as a real tooth fairy. (more…)

That’s One More Reason to Take Folic Acid

By Kathy Sena

If you’re a woman of child-bearing age, you’ve no doubt heard all the reminders about getting enough folic acid in your diet. Doctors advise women to make sure they get enough of this nutrient before they even become pregnant, as this can reduce the risk of spina bifida and related birth defects in the baby.

Now here’s another reason to be vigilant about getting enough folic acid: a lower risk of serious heart defects in babies. Using government databases, researchers from Victoria Hospital in Montreal tracked serious heart defects among babies born in Quebec, Canada in the nine years before folic acid was added to grain products and in the seven years after.

They didn’t find much variation in the annual rates of serious heart problems before folic acid was added, with around 1.64 babies in every 1,000 having these defects. In the years following, however, serious heart defects decreased, affecting around 1.47 babies in every 1,000.

Just one more reason to make sure you’re getting enough of this important nutrient.

Kathy Sena is an award-winning health and parenting writer and the mother of a 14-year-old son. Visit her website at KathySena.com and check out her blog, Parent Talk Today.

GUEST POST

by Kristen Chase

Sex after having kids can be more challenging than trying to get your wee one to eat a green vegetable. So here’s a thought – why reinvent the wheel? Put your super duper veggie feeding skills to good work in the bedroom. (more…)

by Melanie Davis, MEd, CSE

ABC News recently ran a story about a pedophile who had a frightening way to reach children: he posed as a zoo photographer. The man, who is currently on trial, posed as a photographer taking pictures of kids at the zoo. He would then offer the photos to parents, requesting their home address so he could mail the photos. Some parents complied, and police are seeking others who may have fallen for the trick. (more…)

by Jane Louise Boursaw

Reel Rating: 2.5 out of 5 Reels
MPAA Rating: PG for sensuality and language
Released in Theaters: Jan. 8, 2010
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Runtime: 97 minutes
Directed by: Anand Tucker
Cast: Amy Adams, Matthew Goode, Adam Scott
Official Site: http://www.leapyearfilm.net/

SYNOPSIS: A woman thinks she has her life all figured out, and thus flies to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend in the Irish tradition that allows women to propose on February 29. (more…)

GUEST POST:

by Karen Bannan

At the Long Island Children’s Museum over the holidays, my friend and I ran into an old friend of hers who has a nine-month-old and a three-year-old.  The friend of a friend asked me how my big girl liked becoming a big sister. She wanted to know, she said pointing to her own big girl, because, “she’s just terrible.” (more…)