Parenting Squad

BPA Now Lurking on a Receipt Near You!

Maggie Wells — Mon, 21 May 2012 09:00:02 +0000

BPA is back in the news. Not only was this endocrine-blocking chemical in our canned food and baby formula, but now it's been shown to even be on our receipts!

What is BPA?

The chemical Bisphenol-A has been used for over 40 years in the manufacturing of plastics — in particular hard plastic food and liquid containers and in the lining of tin cans (think baby formula).

Why was it used in the first place?

Like asbestos, DDT, and other chemical products that gained popularity in the '50s and '60s, the idea behind BPA was to make cheap sturdy products that lasted or served to keep food products fresh without thought to how these chemicals might effect our health.

Why is this a big deal for kids?

Essentially, we are feeding the kids plastic, as the non-edible BPAs seep into the food and liquids held inside the plastic containers meant to hold them in. Heating in the microwave can further exacerbate the problem of seepage.

Children's bodies are not fully developed and their bodies process chemicals differently. Any chemical messing with the endocrine system in the child's body can potentiall mess with development and growth.This could mean rapid growth, slowed thyroid (causing hypothyroid), and stunted growth. The science is still out on what exactly can happen and how large a role BPA plays in endocrine abnormalities in children.

What problems can it cause?

BPA causes an endocrine disruption — or rather, is an endocrine disruptor. Why is this important? Just take a look at our current problems with metabolism, obesity, and diabetes and you get a window into a world of woe. Do we know for certain that childhood obesity, thyroid issues, and diabetes are directly linked to BPA? We don't, but scientists already know that they cause problems in laboratory animals. Some have suggested there could be a cancer link as well, although there hasn't been a conclusive U.S. study to confirm this.

Why is it in receipts?

To get receipts to last longer, they are usually printed on thermal paper rolls which are — you guessed it — covered in a thin layer of BPA that helps keep them sturdy.

What precautions can we take as parents

Nowadays, it's pretty easy to find BPA-free baby bottles, and organic canned food comes BPA-free as well. Many companies market their products and label them BPA-free.

1. Read the labels on anything that's going to come in contact with kids. Unfortunately, BPA seeps into skin on contact.

2. Wash hands, and have children wash their hands. Most research encountered stressed how important it is to wash your hands after handling receipts. Remember, BPA seeps through the skin on contact.

3. Ask for the receipt and keep it in your checkbook, away from food products it could brush up against in a bag. Or put them in a business-sized envelope in your purse. Or better yet, forgo the receipt altogether.

The Role of the FDA

The Food and Drug Administration should, theoretically, be warning consumers and parents in particular about any drug or food or chemical that is not safe to consume. Unfortunately, food and chemical industry lobbyists have repeatedly weakened the agency. Even President Obama, while touting green credentials, has not veered differently from past administrations in appointing industry leaders to the FDA. His last pick to head the agency was none other than a Monsanto Chemical vice president.

The Department of Health and Human Services is conducting research on what exactly will happen or is happening to us via BPA being in our everyday environment. Other industrialized countries and their scientists have also done studies.

One good way to balance out information is to look and see what other G-8 countries have done on this and other health issues. BPA does not meet standards in the European Union, Canada, or Japan, for example. Their scientists have deemed it unsafe. Many of those countries do not allow the 'fox to guard the hen house' as we do here, and regulations that effect public health have been encouraged, not discouraged.

Get Grilling With Kids

Nancy Flanders — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:00:03 +0000

By Nancy Flanders

Summer is fast approaching, and with it comes family dinners on your deck or patio. This year, try something new, like including the kids in the grilling process. It's a great opportunity to spend time together and get your children excited about eating a healthy meal.

Shake It

One way children, even the younger ones, can help you prepare your feast is by taking charge of the seasoning. You can place meat in a large Ziploc bag with all of the spices you are using as well as a bit of olive oil and give it to your child. She can than shake and dance her way to a tasty dinner, tossing the ingredients together for you to place on the grill. This works great for grilled veggies too. You simply place the chopped veggies (squash and zucchini work well) in the large Ziploc bag, and let your child shake it up.

Top It

Kids already love to decorate and play with their food, so let them use their artistic talents to help you with dinner. Use store bought pizza dough formed into 8-inch round, ¼-inch thick crusts to grill individual pizzas. After you have grilled the crust for about three minutes, let your children pick and place their favorite sauce, cheese, and toppings for their own pizza. Then just grill for three minutes more.

You can do the same with burgers. Let the kids pick and decorate their own burgers with tomatoes, pickles, cheese, lettuce, avocado, salsa, and more. They can even pick the seasonings that go on their burger, including putting some cheese on the inside!

Kabob It

Most kids will jump at the chance to eat food off a stick, but you can make sure it's healthy by creating your own kabobs for dinner. With a bit of help from you (depending on your children's ages), they can create praise-worthy meals using their favorite veggies, meats, and fruits in bite-size pieces. Just remember that skewer sticks are sharp and raw meat is not something for young children to play with. Be sure to provide plenty of supervision.

Children who learn how to prepare healthy, fun meals will grow into healthy, cooking adults who avoid fast food and take-out in favor of making a meal at home. And who knows, maybe one of your children will become a future Food Network star.

Permalink | Comments | Nancy Flanders's blog | Channel: Tips, Home Life, Health

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How to Protect Your Family From Ticks

Nancy Flanders — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:00:03 +0000

By Nancy Flanders

Thanks to a particularly mild winter, our backyards and woods are now teeming with ticks, those tiny little buggers that carry Lyme disease among other illnesses. And while ticks are most prevalent from New England down to Washington D.C. and in Wisconsin and surrounding states, it's important for all of us to be aware of what a tick looks like and how to check for them, because from 1991 to 2007 cases of Lyme disease in the U.S. doubled. Learning that you or your child contracted Lyme disease while on vacation is not going to create a good memory.

Know Where They Live

Ticks like moist, humid environments. The woods and grassy areas are their ideal homes. Whenever you are outdoors you are a potential target for a hungry tick. According to the Centers for Disease Control, you should walk in the middle of trails, and wear long sleeves and pants tucked into socks. Make sure to use a bug spray with DEET on your skin or your clothing or put permethrin on your clothing. Always read labels, and use caution when applying these products on your children. Even if you aren't venturing into the woods, ticks can live in grass, so be aware. If you are outdoors in an area known for ticks, there are likely to be ticks around you.

Know How to Find Them

Daily tick checks are common here in New England. Every time my children play outside, my husband and I look them over for ticks. It's not fun but it is necessary. Ticks will hide in the warmer spots on the body. Search your entire body in front of a full-size mirror and carefully scan your children as well. You should be paying special attention to the hair, ears, armpits, belly button, between the legs, and behind the knees. Leave no spot unchecked.

Know How to Get Rid of Them

The CDC recommends showering within two hours of coming inside in order to wash ticks away and make them easier to spot. You can place your clothing in the dryer on high for an hour to kill any ticks that may be lingering. In addition, remember that ticks can get a free ride into your home on your back or your pet's. So be sure to check your pet as well as any outer gear you were wearing like hats or coats. If you do find a tick on your body, remove it and put it in a plastic bag in the freezer in case your doctor wants it. If the tick has already bitten you or your child, it is important to remove it immediately and properly to avoid pushing any infected fluid into your body. Use tweezers to grasp the tick by the head and pull straight out. Do not twist or turn the tick.

Know How to Protect Your Pets

Pets can get Lyme disease too, so be sure to talk to your vet about proper precautions to take to protect Fido and Fluffy. Check your pets daily even if they have wear a tick collar or have been treated with a spray or topical treatment, and ask your vet to do a tick check each time you bring your pet in for a checkup.

Extra Precautions

There are always additional actions you can take to protect your family from the diseases that ticks carry. You can create a tick-free zone in your yard with the use of pesticides, which are inexpensive, effective, and safe when applied correctly. In addition, you can take steps to make your yard unattractive to ticks — clearing any brush or tall grass from around your yard, creating a 3-foot wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between your lawn and wooded areas, mowing your lawn often, and building a fence to keep animals that carry ticks out of your yard.

It can be an added annoyance to an already hectic schedule, but preventing ticks from entering your yard or home and checking for them daily will help ensure no one in your family ever suffers from a tick-related disease.

Permalink | 1 comment | Nancy Flanders's blog | Channel: Tips, Health, Diseases & Disorders

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Attachment Parenting & Breastfeeding: Join Our Tweetchat Today, Thursday, 05/17 For a Chance to Win an Amazon Gift Card

Rhonda Franz — Thu, 17 May 2012 09:00:03 +0000

By Rhonda Franz

Ah, that Time Magazine cover. Attachment parenting and breastfeeding babies (and toddlers and preschoolers) is hot in the news again.

Did you read the article? Or were you turned off by the cover? Do you think it helps or hurts perceptions of Attachment Parenting? Is it really anyone else's business how you raise your children? Why is breastfeeding such a heated topic among parents?

And, most important: What are the best ways to support moms who have trouble breastfeeding? Or special challenges raising young children?

Check out our articles on these subjects, and come chat with us!

Chat with us for a chance to win our weekly giveaway prize! One random winner will receive a $10 gift certificate to spend at Amazon.

Our #pschat starts at 11:00 PST / 1:00 CST / 2:00 EST. (Make sure you're following us: @parentingsquad.)

Permalink | Comments | Rhonda Franz's blog | Channel: News & Commentary, Tips, Home Life, Health, Pregnancy, Birth, Social Skills, New Parents, Breastfeeding, Culture, Nutrition

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What Is Attachment Parenting?

Alyssa Chirco — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:00:02 +0000

By Alyssa Chirco

If the latest issue of Time Magazine is any indication, attachment parenting is a hot topic right now. And while it may be the breastfeeding toddler on the magazine's cover attracting the most attention at the moment, it is the definition of attachment parenting itself that most Americans don't quite seem to understand.

What Attachment Parenting Is NOT

There are many misconceptions surrounding the concept of attachment parenting. As a culture, we seem to operate under the misguided notion that attachment-style parenting is one in which parents — and particularly mothers — sacrifice their lives entirely for the good of their children, and compete over who can breastfeed the longest and make the most nutritious baby food.

But no matter what you hear at the playground — or read in an influential national magazine — attachment parenting isn't about competing with the mother next to you, nor is it about trying to live up to ridiculously unrealistic expectations that don't work for your family.

What IS Attachment Parenting?

Pediatrician Dr. Bill Sears first introduced the idea of attachment parenting in The Baby Book nearly 20 years ago. According to Dr. Sears, there are "7 Baby B's" — including bonding, breastfeeding, babywearing, and bedding with baby — which can help parents to form a more secure attachment with their infant.

But while Dr. Sears based these ideas on both personal and professional experience, he never meant for them to be interpreted as strict guidelines that parents must follow.

"AP is an approach," reads the Ask Dr. Sears website, "rather than a strict set of rules. It's actually the style that most parents use instinctively. Parenting is too individual and baby too complex for there to be only one way."

The Eight Principles of Attachment Parenting

When Attachment Parenting International (also known as API) was founded in 1994, the non-profit organization created their own set of attachment parenting guidelines, now considered to be the foundation of attachment parenting as we know it today.

API's "Eight Principles of Parenting"

Prepare for Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenting.

Feed with Love and Respect.

Respond with Sensitivity.

Use Nurturing Touch.

Ensure Safe Sleep, Physically and Emotionally.

Provide Consistent and Loving Care.

Practice Positive Discipline.

Strive for Balance in Personal and Family Life.

At its most basic, attachment parenting is about making our children feel safe and loved, and about realizing that they have a fundamental need for our attention, our presence, and our respect. The fast pace of modern life makes it easy to place our children — and their myriad needs — near the bottom of our list of priorities, but attachment parenting reminds us that they belong at the top.

And ultimately, that's a reminder that most parents need. We all want to raise happy, well-adjusted children who grow into confident and independent adults. Attachment parenting is one tool, among many, that can help us to do so.

What do you think of attachment parenting? Do these principles work for you?

Permalink | 1 comment | Alyssa Chirco's blog | Channel: News & Commentary, Planning, Tips, Family Planning, Health, Pregnancy, Birth, New Parents, Breastfeeding

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5 Reasons to Send Your Kid Packing

Katrina Simeck — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:00:03 +0000

By Katrina Simeck

If you have a high school or college student, chances are good that you are both inundated with reminders to "expand horizons" and "dream big!" We teach our young adults that "it's a big world out there"...but do we really prepare them for just how BIG it can be?

Thanks to social media, an expansive internet, and even adventurous television programming, our kids are exposed to international influences that we never had access to. What's the best way to bridge the gap between our worldly advice and their worldly view? Give them a suitcase and passport and send 'em packing! Here are five reasons to encourage our kids to travel.

1. Travel encourages independence

From the early days of sleep-away camp to extended exchange programs, being away from home allows kids to begin to establish independence. Learning to manage their schedule, eat regular meals, and (maybe) do their own laundry prepares them for the time when Mom and Dad are no longer managing their every move.

2. Travel introduces diversity

Despite regular exposure to international media influences, some teens simply don't experience diversity in their everyday lives. Opportunities run the gamut from ethnic differences to religious views to financial status. There is no greater way to introduce teens to a new culture than to allow them the experience of living in it.

3. Travel adds to a college application

As college entrance becomes more and more competitive, students are challenged with making their application stand out. International travel experiences and exchange programs may give students an edge over other applicants. For examples of potential exchange opportunities, check out The Balancing Act's article on Broadening Minds Beyond Borders.

4. Travel builds relationships

Traveling as a student fosters new friendships that can last a lifetime. Thanks to social media, email, and Skype, these relationships can endure despite global time differences. Building a relationship with someone across the world allows for ongoing enrichment.

5. Travel expands horizons

A combination of all of the above creates a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students — the chance to broaden their life experiences. Enjoying a new culture, building relationships, learning a new language, and even trying new foods will encourage students to seek out new experiences and learning opportunities.

Bon voyage!

Permalink | Comments | Katrina Simeck's blog | Channel: Culture, High School, Higher Education, Extra Curricular

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A More Organized Life Is at Your Fingertips

Katrina Simeck — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:56:16 +0000

By Katrina Simeck

There's no way around it — life with kids is busy. Juggling schedules and managing a household while staying sane can seem impossible some days. Most of us don't have access to a personal assistant, but we can turn to the web for assistance! Read on for tips for using the internet to relieve some of the pressure and let you stay more organized.

Collecting Recipes and Meal Planning

Use a site such as Pinterest to collect recipes and meal ideas. Organize your boards into specific meals, or categorize by types (quick and easy, crockpot, meatless, etc) for streamlined planning. Before heading to the grocery store, browse through your pins for inspiration. Create a grocery list from needed ingredients. There's no need to even print the recipes — just log on to Pinterest to start cooking!

Saving Money and Budgeting

There are dozens of money-saving sites on the web! Before you make a purchase, try googling "[product name or store] discount code". Online coupons, printable coupons, and discount codes can help save money on everything from clothing to groceries. Want to organize your finances online? Use a site like Mint to streamline overall budgeting. Take advantage of online banking and account management for your bank accounts and credit cards. Setting up automatic payments and transfers will take "bill-paying" off of your to-do list.

Calendars and Task Management

Google Calendar offers color-coded categories to make your schedule clear at a glance. Have reminders sent to your mobile phone so you won't miss a soccer practice or forget to pick up dry cleaning. Online task management sites such as RemembertheMilk offer a virtual to-do list that can sync with your calendar — all your tasks and appointments in one place!

School Schedules and Extracurricular Activities

Check with your child's school to see if they offer email notification of school activities and reminders. You may even be able to use a Parent Portal to monitor your child's schoolwork and grades. Does your child buy school lunch? Check out My Lunch Money for an automated way to pay for lunches and set restrictions for food choices. Need some help organizing snacks with the soccer moms? Try Sign Up Genius to recruit and track volunteer commitments.

What are your favorite online tools for staying organized?

Permalink | 1 comment | Katrina Simeck's blog | Channel: Tips, Time Management, Work Balance

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Go With the Flow: 3 Ways to Celebrate Your Daughter's First Period

Alyssa Chirco — Mon, 14 May 2012 09:00:04 +0000

By Alyssa Chirco

It isn't easy to see a girl's first period as cause for celebration. If anything, that first menses marks the beginning of a lifetime sentence — the monthly ritual of cramps, bloating, and bleeding is something most women would understandably prefer to live without.

But if you have a daughter, this rite of passage is going to take place eventually, and you need to be prepared. Don't make it an event that you both dread — just relax, go with the flow, and turn the inevitable into the special celebration it deserves to be.

1. Throw a Period Party

Period Parties have actually been around for years, but it's only recently that they have become trendy. Basically, you throw a party and invite friends to celebrate the fact that your daughter has "become a woman." Often, there is a red theme, and you serve things like red velvet cake and red raspberry leaf tea. You can even play games like Pin the Ovaries on the Uterus.

If you can pull all this off without embarrassing your daughter, this may be the celebration you're looking for. (Personally, I'm pretty sure that I could not host one of these with a straight face).

2. Embrace Rituals and Traditions

Many cultures have ancient rituals and traditions surrounding a girl's first period. In the Hindu tradition, for example, young women are separated from the rest of their society when they begin menstruation and return once they have completed a ritual bathing ceremony.

An approach like this isn't realistic for most of us, but there are still lots of ways to create our own rituals and traditions.

Host a special dinner, and invite close female friends and relatives to celebrate.
Give your daughter a special gift — chocolate, a heating pad, or a fancy pair of pajamas are nice.
Plan a special mother-daughter outing to a coffee shop or other quiet place where you can answer her questions (and enjoy each other's company).
Teach her to understand her own fertility signals — she'll thank you later.

3. Buy Her a Diva Cup

Many pre-teen girls are terrified of tampons — I was absolutely convinced that I was going to die of Toxic Shock Syndrome the first summer I had to wear one to the local pool. But fortunately, girls today have safer options like The Diva Cup.

Yes, a menstrual cup can be messy and frustrating when you're first learning to use one, but isn't your period always messy and frustrating at first? A Diva Cup may not seem like much of a celebration, but if you teach your daughter to use one now, she won't risk years of exposure to the potentially harmful ingredients in disposable pads and tampons down the road.

And as a parent, protecting your daughter's health — and teaching her to do the same — is one of the greatest gifts you can give her.

I received a complimentary Diva Cup for the purpose of review. I've got to be honest — I am still getting the hang of using it, but because it is so much better for both my body and the environment, I'm determined to make it work. If you want to learn more about the product, and whether it is right for your daughter, you can find The Diva Cup on Facebook, Twitter, or in a store near you.

Permalink | 1 comment | Alyssa Chirco's blog | Channel: News & Commentary, Tips

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Writer Highlight: Kelli Robinson

Rhonda Franz — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:55:10 +0000

By Rhonda Franz

Summer days are almost here, and one of our writers is weighing in on one of the hot educational topic in the news over the last several months.

Handwriting: Should Schools Continue to Teach It?

With everyone — adults and children alike — conducting business and completing homework using more thumbs and keyboards than pencil and paper, some people are questioning whether or not spending time on it during the school day, and having children practice it at home, is worthwhile.

Kelli Robinson, mom, career counselor, and Parenting Squad writer, weighs in:

The writer in me wants schools to continue teaching cursive writing. I have fond memories of writing letters to friends over the summer months — sitting down at my desk, grabbing a sheet of stationery and a pen, and letting the words flow from my fingers to the paper.

Just recently we learned that the love letters exchanged between Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning were made available for everyone to view online. Emotions would be lost if we were viewing typed letters or text messages.

But the mom in me sees the struggles schools and teachers face. Too many meetings to attend, too many standards to meet, and not enough time during the day or help in the classroom to do it all. If one lesson has to be eliminated, I fear that cursive writing must be the sacrificial lamb.

I'd hope that kids like my daughter persevere in their curiosity about cursive writing, forging on in their independent pursuit of the perfectly scripted A, because I understand cursive writing's days must be numbered. But receiving a handwritten note in the future that says "I love you, mom" would be special.

Kelli Robinson is a freelance writer whose writing has been featured in local, regional, and national print and online publications. She specializes in parenting and family topics, and her parenting humor column "My Big Top World" is featured in North Carolina newspapers. A Pittsburgh native, she now lives near Charlotte, NC with her husband, kids, cats, and dogs — and all the insanity that come with them!

Permalink | 1 comment | Rhonda Franz's blog | Channel: News & Commentary, Tips, Education, Learning Tools, K-8

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6 Good Reasons to Let Your Kids Be (a Little) Bad

David James — Fri, 11 May 2012 09:00:03 +0000

By David James

We set strict schedules. We closely watch what our kids eat. We regulate the watching of television and YouTube. We are well-intentioned — trying to give our children the perfect start for a productive, healthy life. With all the pressure placed on parents these days, who can blame us?

But maybe, just maybe, we're trying to raise kids who are too perfect. Consider this post the devil's advocate talking.

After all, our parents bought us fast food, let us watch cartoons for hours on end. I remember missing many a bedtime to sneak in some extra television or playtime. And we turned out OK.

Here are 6 reasons to consider letting your kids visit the dark side:

1. Eliminate Taboos

Kids tend to crave that which is forbidden, and they will often go to great lengths to get it. Eliminate the taboos by introducing your kids to that which you avoid — chocolate, video games, or soda.

2. Teach Moderation

Don't let your kids eat a full pan of brownies, but teach them that a little goodie is, well, good. If it becomes too much, put on your parent pants and tighten the reins.

3. Control the Situation

If you introduce these items on your watch, you can control the situation. You determine the quantity and quality. A side benefit — your kids might think you're extra cool for showing them how to play "Call of Duty."

4. Reward Thyself

There are so many demands placed on kids today that they need to feel rewarded. If your child does well on a test or earns kudos for a task at school, let them realize that there is a benefit to hard work. This is a lesson that will serve them the rest of their lives.

5. Join the Crowd

When they experience fast food or movies or video games at their friends' houses, they'll be ready for it. By introducing it to them on your terms, it takes away the power of the unknown.

6. Trust Your Kids

After all, you raised them. Give them a little rope and chances are they'll show you that they know what's appropriate and what's not.

Moms and Dads: What say you? Can parents really be too strict? Do we really have to fight every battle? Or is it a different world today?

Permalink | 1 comment | David James's blog | Channel: Safety, Tips, Discipline, Home Life, Education, Learning Tools

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Parenting Squad

BPA Now Lurking on a Receipt Near You!

What is BPA?

Why was it used in the first place?

Why is this a big deal for kids?

What problems can it cause?

Why is it in receipts?

What precautions can we take as parents

The Role of the FDA

Further Reading

Get Grilling With Kids

Shake It

Top It

Kabob It

How to Protect Your Family From Ticks

Know Where They Live

Know How to Find Them

Know How to Get Rid of Them

Know How to Protect Your Pets

Extra Precautions

Attachment Parenting & Breastfeeding: Join Our Tweetchat Today, Thursday, 05/17 For a Chance to Win an Amazon Gift Card

What Is Attachment Parenting?

What Attachment Parenting Is NOT

What IS Attachment Parenting?

The Eight Principles of Attachment Parenting

5 Reasons to Send Your Kid Packing

1. Travel encourages independence

2. Travel introduces diversity

3. Travel adds to a college application

4. Travel builds relationships

5. Travel expands horizons

A More Organized Life Is at Your Fingertips

Collecting Recipes and Meal Planning

Saving Money and Budgeting

Calendars and Task Management

School Schedules and Extracurricular Activities

Go With the Flow: 3 Ways to Celebrate Your Daughter's First Period

1. Throw a Period Party

2. Embrace Rituals and Traditions

3. Buy Her a Diva Cup

Writer Highlight: Kelli Robinson

Handwriting: Should Schools Continue to Teach It?

6 Good Reasons to Let Your Kids Be (a Little) Bad

1. Eliminate Taboos

2. Teach Moderation

3. Control the Situation

4. Reward Thyself

5. Join the Crowd

6. Trust Your Kids