Sunday, September 21, 2008

Muppets Making a Comeback?

by Teresa

We have some DVDs of the old Muppet Show that, perhaps, many other parents remember like I do, from childhood.
There’s something really great about watching my kids laugh at the Muppets’ antics with guests like Steve Martin, Carol Burnett, and Gilda Radner.
Recently, after the death of Jim Henson, ownership of Kermit and Miss Piggy and Gonzo and all the rest changed hands several times, ending up in Disney’s possession.
Now, according to this New York Times article, Disney’s planning a big marketing push to lead up to a new bunch of specials and movies.
I’ll be honest; I’m not really encouraged by the fact that Disney plans to launch the comeback by having the Muppets appear with High School Musical stars and the Jonas Brothers.  But I’m still holding out hope they may be able to ressurect some of the goofy, old magic of the original shows.
I guess we’ll have to wait, and watch to see what happens!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Another Round Fired in the Autism/Vaccine Debate

by Teresa

A new editorial in the New York Times evaluates the newest evidence (or lack thereof) in an effort by scientists, to reproduce the results of a study that suggested a link between vaccines and autism.  Researchers can’t validate or replicate the findings of that study.  Quoting the editorial: “The new study adds weight to a growing body of epidemiological studies and reviews that have debunked the notion that childhood vaccines cause autism. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, the C.D.C. and the World Health Organization have found no evidence of a causal link between vaccines and autism.“  (I added the italics.)

I don’t have much to add, except this: parents who do NOT intend to vaccinate their kids should read this report from the Centers for Disease Control and give it some serious thought.  As I always say when I write about vaccines, the answer’s not the same for every kid; do talk to your own pediatrician.

But there’s no denying reality, here: In increasing numbers, kids are being hospitalized for measles—a fully preventable, possibly fatal disease.

Unvaccinated  kids. 

Right here.  Right now. 

In the United States.  In the year 2008.

And I’ll leave it at that.

A Storm of Fun?

by Kelly

I am awesome! I am truly, utterly and awesomely awesome! I am so awesome, in fact, that I must share my awesomeness with you. Last Saturday when Tropical Storm Hanna came through, I ruled the universe. At least to my kids.

You see, my young sons were less then enthusiastic about the prospect of losing power to the storm. My superhero husband and I tried to assure the boys that there wasn’t really anything to be nervous about. We explained the reality that we may indeed lose power but that they would be fine. It would just be dark, but we were going to survive a night in darkness. It went well and the fellas calmed down. We had a wonderful dinner. We played the Spiderman 3 version of Sorry! (why am I always assigned to be Sandman?). The kids’ favorite pajamas were fresh from the dryer. It was a truly great family night. The boys were feeling confident, secure and sleepy.

Then it happened.

The power blinked.

In an instant, our peaceful environment was shattered by screaming. It blinked! It didn’t go out! Blinked! But still they freaked out, big time. My husband scooped the boys into a bear hug and I struggled to find the solution to this issue, fast.

Transcript of my thoughts:

OK. OK. OK.

Think, Mommy.

Something batter-powered? Flashlights! Aha!

But we only have one! NO!!!!

Give flashlight to 5-year-old who is still screaming.

What else makes light?

Then it hit me - the stroke of genius that created an “Awesome Mommy Moment.“ You know, those moments of parental clarity that will solve the problem at hand, and be a fun memory-making experience for your kids? They’re rare (for me at least), but when they happen, there’s nothing like it. It’s like a runner’s high for parents.

The magic answer: glow sticks. GLOW STICKS!!!!! Beautiful in its simplicity isn’t it? ?

We stock up on these every May and replenish the supply in July. You see, we use them in the kids’ birthday party guest gift bags. With so many little guests, and some with allergies, glow sticks are perfect. We use them through the summer at night. We attach string to the loop and the kids swing them around for hours.

Glow sticks make the dark fun!

Glow sticks were the answer.

We strung them up and turned off almost every light. With the lights almost totally out, the absence of the rest would hardly be noticeable. The boys were over the moon with delight. The house looked so cool too! Like the first time you turn on the lights on the Christmas tree. It was beautiful.

Needless to say, this experience has taught me a couple of things, like I should actually pack an Emergency Supply Kit.

The most important thing I learned was that the boys need to see certain situations as an adventure of sorts, rather than a really scary, uncontrollable event. We can control how we, as parents, react to things. As long as we are out of physical harm’s way, it’s ok to make riding out the storm a fun event. And we did.

To quote my sons, “It was AWESOME!“

Oh! And we never lost power. Go figure.

Monday, September 08, 2008

New Trend in Parenting?

by Teresa

More single men, straight and gay, are choosing to become parents, according to this new article in the New York Times.

The men in the article say they sometimes get dubious reactions to their decisions, or face a lot of extra questions from friends, strangers, or family members.
I say, bravo to them for taking it all on.  Children need loving homes, whether the home has one parent or two, straight or gay, grandparents, moms or dads, or one of each. 

It’s all about the love.