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| FLYING WITH CHILDREN - WETHER THEY'RE YOURS OR NOT! [Rachel Watkins] |
| 3/22/2010 |
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35953011/ns/travel-tips/
The author recommends that while banning children from flying might not be possible - banning parents who refuse to try to calm their children, allow them to be ill-mannered and rude or think their children are perfect despite behaving to the contrary - is a good idea.
I can commiserate. I have flown with infants several times with no real problems.
Though one time a row mate was surprised to discover I was, in fact, nursing. He sat down as I was nursing prior to take off. I was appropriately covered with a blanket as he put up his case, settled down and buckled up.
He was a bit taken aback as my little popped up their head and gave a big smile. He was both surprised and then gave that look of panic "oh, no a baby??!!!"
By the end of the flight we had all made friends - thank goodness!
I know it is hard - I know - but coming aboard a plane with no plan and no backup plan, Plan C and Plan Z when all else fails - is not considerate or charitable. And what you tolerate at home, may be not acceptable in a small space such as an aircraft. What you may not like at home (including comic books or markers) might be just the ticket to entertain a child for a long trip.
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| SOME STORIES FOR YOU TO CHECK OUT - [Rachel Watkins] |
| 3/22/2010 |
From my dear friend, Renee (hope the family is all well):
I may have commented on this first one - the woman who was the
'oldest mother' at 66 who recently died leaving behind twins (and no father):
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/5833618/Spanish-woman-who-gave-birth-at-66-dies-leaving-orphaned-twins.html
Another story:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/7474758/Baby-boys-who-have-a-nanny-turn-into-womanisers.html
This one leaves a bit more room for comment - does having a nanny make your boy more likely to see woman in a negative light?
Interesting study - I'll leave my commentary off - |
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| OVER ON YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC COLLEGE CAMPUS - [Rachel Watkins] |
| 3/22/2010 |
faith and tolerance are clashing (again!).
Apparently, if you are a Christian organization you must allow gays to join your group - even if you believe their lifestyle is a sin.
I'm not sure how to fight such an argument but the 9th Circuit is doing to try. The 9th Circuit - always a source of interesting decisions -
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2010/03/column-on-campus-tolerance-and-faith-collide.html |
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| HEALTH CARE CONCERNS [Rachel Watkins] |
| 3/23/2010 |
Okay, it is going to be a law, I guess.
My biggest worry is that if (when) it isn't working as they had planned or hoped will they ever be honest enough to un-do it? |
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| IT IS BAKING DAY HERE --- LARGE FAMILY KITCHEN CONFESSIONS [Rachel Watkins] |
| 3/23/2010 |
We're making a family favorite - pumpkin choc. chip muffins.
In truth, I love being in my kitchen. I don't mind the work and really enjoy serving up a good meal for the family BUT working with mostly kids who would prefer chicken nuggets (I make my own most of the time) over almost anything else makes it hard.
Getting kids to eat a variety of foods is laudable but in my house it is a struggle. I have decided it is not worth the fight. I have so much I want to do, that getting my kids to eat casseroles or exotic foods isn't not worth my time and effort.
It is not that they won't eat veggies - they just won't eat them cooked. Healthier, I know but I love a good casserole and don't mind my food touching so I have come up with a plan that works for us -
Most days, I will make their meal - basic, plain and boring - but then ramp it up for my taste by adding some cooked veggies, more spice or heat for Matt and myself after they have been served.
I have turned to this practice rather than asking them to eat as I do all the time which rarely worked out well. For example, I make plain spaghetti and meatballs for them but for myself I microwave a handful of frozen squash, mushrooms, onions, etc. and throw that in. Tada - a meal everyone likes.
And interesting, over time, some of my kids have asked to try what Mom is eating and sometimes they like it.
I have come to realize that my kids are kids (duh) and as such have kid palates. I think it is unrealistic to ask my kids to eat my favorite such as mushroom soup. I will always ask them to try but don't worry if they don't like it. They will stick w/ with their plain chicken breasts (lightly dusted with italian seasonings) and raw veggies and applesauce or yogurt on the side.
I think it is boring but they are healthy and happy and our dinner conversation is more about the book they're reading rather than a fight about the food they're not!
FYI - have you discovered www.allrecipes.com - my favorite place for finding something new for us (or just me). |
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| Wednesday, March 24, 2010 |
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| PHYSICIANS SAY CDC WRONG ON WARNING AGAINST BABY SLINGS [Pamela H. Pilch] |
| 3/24/2010 |
See the statement by the American Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine - the CDC has issued a warning about baby slings but the ABM says the warning goes too far, and also that the CPC's advice on proper positioning is misleading.
Inform yourself before using any sling but also before giving up sling wearing, which is very beneficial to babies.
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| BLOOD DONATION [Pamela H. Pilch] |
| 3/24/2010 |
Rachel - thank you so much for bringing up blood donation. It's now been nearly two years since my youngest son, Jonathan, was hospitalized during his leukemia treatment for extremely low platelets. He was uable to receive all the platelets he needed due to a summer blood shortage, right here in the U.S.!
There is such a need for blood donors, as there are many restrictions to prevent the spread of HIV - many people are ineligible to donate. So we need folks with safe blood to GIVE, GIVE, GIVE.
Thank you!!
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| ARE A YOU A BLOOD DONOR? [Rachel Watkins] |
| 3/24/2010 |
While my dh, Matt, is not as this story tells a man w/ a golden arm (and might I add heart), his blood is also needed and he donates regularly - consider doing the same.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1259627/Man-golden-arm-James-Harrison-saves-2million-babies-half-century-donating-rare-blood.html?printingPage=true |
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| INFANTINO BABY SLINGS RECALLED [Rachel Watkins] |
| 3/24/2010 |
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36007916/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/
I blogged about the sling concerns a few weeks ago and now this update - 1 million Infantino slings have been recalled -
Please check out the story and see if you (or a friend's) might be of concern. |
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| TOO MUCH STUFF?? [Rachel Watkins] |
| 3/24/2010 |
Have you seen "Hoarders" on AE TV? My friend Vivian has and told me about it. I have now seen several episodes on-line (www.aetv.com). It is my little secret (not anymore). I am not sure why I watch (usually when folding laundry). Honestly, I am seeing a bit of some friends and family in some of these souls. I also see my own tendencies to keep/get more stuff than I need.
It is easy as a large family mom to see the potential in all things, the need to have more and more clothes as someone will surely wear it, more and more books (we all love reading!), and more and more and more.
I remember a conversation w/ one of my kids who noticed a new storage facility being constructed in my small-ish town. "Why do we do that?", he asked. His question got all of us talking about why people store stuff and if it is a good thing.
We got pretty punchy as the conversation continued as Matt talked about the real need some people in our rural area might need storage for their second 'porch' couch. Yes, we have a good number of people who use old couches on their porches, in their side yards and back patios. You see them on the side of the road w/ the FREE sign stuck in the cushions.
Matt put on his best redneck accent and said, "While everyone needs one porch couch, you mite jest see another good one on the road and heck, if you put it out on the porch yer neighbors will think yer uppity so ya put in storage til the other one rots!"
We all had a good laugh and it got worse when he went on and on about the second car on blocks!
Oh, well. It was pick on the relatives day (as I have these same people in my family!).
Having too much stuff is a real problem here in America. Blessed John Paul II spoke it during his visit to Baltimore - the sin of materialism.
Many folks take a moment during Lent to fill a bag a day w/ stuff they don't need and donate it to charity.
Watching Hoarders once in a while has helped me realize that God has given us all we need and I don't need to take more than I can happily care for. I do not want my stuff owning me.
Give it some thought - http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2010/03/why-are-we-so-obsessed-with-stuff-and-more-stuff/1?loc=interstitialskip |
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| RELIGIOUS ORDER FOR WOMEN W/ DOWNS [Rachel Watkins] |
| 3/24/2010 |
Check out Danielle Bean's column on it over at the Register:
http://www.ncregister.com/blog/religious_order_for_women_with_down_syndrome/
How wonderful is our Church.
In a related (sort of) story, there has been a good deal of interest in older adults w/ Downs. Their experiences, specifically physically, in growing older are benefitting all of us.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-03-22-down22_CV_N.htm
To bad so many people chose to kill these gentle souls instead of allowing them to reach their fullness in our world. |
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| ANOTHER OF MY TV HEROES DIES... [Rachel Watkins] |
| 3/25/2010 |
RIP - Robert Culp.
Famous for I Spy w/ Bill Cosby. It is historic for its pairing of a white man w/ a black man in a drama rather than a comedy which was the norm up till then.
Loved the clothes of that time - narrow ties, close cut suits and the shoes!!
Bill Cosby brought him onto his own successful Cosby Show more than once - it was always neat to seem them banter off each other.
May he rest in peace!
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| BREAST CANCER MORE AVOIDABLE THAN PEOPLE IMAGINE [Rachel Watkins] |
| 3/25/2010 |
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36032749/ns/health-cancer/
I can understand as the article mentions that you don't want to blame the patient however does it do anyone any good not to mention that one's lifestyle is causing all their problems??
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| WHAT'S IN YOUR WATER?? [Rachel Watkins] |
| 3/25/2010 |
More than you know -
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36020350/ns/health-skin_and_beauty/
No mention of oral contraceptives though they do say estrogen! Not surprising as the Pill is perfect yet they still wonder why infertility is on the rise!!
And there is no mention what to do to rid your water of even these trace amounts. Will a Brita work? Bottle water any better??
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