ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com/media/feedlogo.gif ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Penpals become brothershttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/31/penpals-become-brothers/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/31/penpals-become-brothers/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/31/penpals-become-brothers/#commentsFiled under:

I was catching up on some blog reading last night, while also catching up on some TV, (How's that for multi-tasking?) when I came across the story of Ryan Hreljac and Jimmy Akana. They happen to be the co-authors of a new kids' book, Ryan and Jimmy: And the well in Africa that brought them together.

You see when Ryan was a typical Canadian six-year-old, he learned tabout the lack of clean water in many African villages. So he set out on a quest to raise money to buy a well. At age SIX! When he found out that his initial fundraising of $70 would only buy a hand pump, he got his whole community involved to raise the $2K it would take to buy a proper ground well.

To abbreviate a very long story (you can read the whole thing here) Ryan began a penpal relationship with a 9-year-old Ugandan boy in the village where his well eventually went. Kristin recently posted about the Acholi children in Northern Uganda and the horrific struggles of these children. The penpal, Jimmy Akana, was no different. Each night he walked for miles to shelter himself from the possibility of being killed by rebels. Some nights he hid in the forest near his house for hours. He had lost both his parents, his siblings had disappeared and he was now living with relatives.

Ryan went to visit Jimmy and the well in 2000. Shortly after the life-changing visit, Jimmy's life was in danger again. At age 12, Jimmy's relatives were killed or disappeared after a middle-of-the-night attack by rebels that saw his village burnt to the ground. Jimmy had managed to escape, and since the rebels viewed the harbouring escapees was seen as treason punishable by death, no one would take him in. By 2003, the rebels were hunting Jimmy, eager to assassinate him, when a miracle happened.

Ryan's parents took out a loan and sought the advice of an immigration lawyer. Then they got Jimmy out of Uganda and safely into Canada, where he now attends high school, living as their adopted son. Wow.

Now the two boys travel together, trying to raise awareness about the importance of good drinking water and fundraising for Ryan's charity, the Ryan's Well Foundation. What touched me most about the interview I saw on my public TV station, was how incredibly positive Jimmy is, even after witnessing the death of his father and cousins, even when describing the horrible events of his life -- he has a smile that will melt your heart.

Next time your kids complain about something, tell them about these two inspiring guys.

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]]>acholi children ugandaAcholiChildrenUgandajimmy akanaJimmyAkanakemptville ryan jimmyKemptvilleRyanJimmyLord's Resistance ArmyLord'sResistanceArmypenpals become brothersPenpalsBecomeBrothersryan and jimmyryan hreljac kemptvilleRyanAndJimmyRyanHreljacKemptvilleAmey StoneSat, 31 Mar 2007 13:58:00 ESTImage of the Day: cute smilehttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/31/image-of-the-day-cute-smile/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/31/image-of-the-day-cute-smile/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/31/image-of-the-day-cute-smile/#commentsFiled under:


Because I believe that there's nothing more beautiful, more innocent and more disarming than a child's smile whether they are gummy, missing tooth, exuberant or shy, March is "smile" month here at Blogging Baby. For the last day I chose this adorable smile from my BABY its half. I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed looking at your photos this month. Thank you always for your great contributions.

If you'd like your own picture featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr Pool - We'll select an image every day to highlight. Remember: I'm on the lookout for shots with interesting backgrounds, cool angles, or original composition. Be sure to read the intro on the main Flickr page for more information and limit your uploading to 5 photos per day

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]]>Amey StoneSat, 31 Mar 2007 12:06:00 ESTThe Toddler Gourmet: Veggie burgers and frieshttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/30/the-toddler-gourmet-veggie-burgers-and-fries/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/30/the-toddler-gourmet-veggie-burgers-and-fries/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/30/the-toddler-gourmet-veggie-burgers-and-fries/#commentsFiled under:

I'm constantly looking for healthy things to feed my kids. Part of finding healthy food is the quick and easy factor. How long will it take to cook? Can the kids feed it to themselves without much mess? Does it taste good?

I've recently learned the joys of a Gardenburger. It is hard to believe, but I really like this meatless "burger!" It tastes a bit like tater tots, which are definitely kid-friendly. It is also easy to cook up and serve to a little one with-- or without-- a bun.

Instead of french fries, I like to use sweet potato fries. You can throw them in the pan when you're almost done cooking the burger (I use grapeseed oil). The entire process takes just a few minutes and it is good to know you're not loading your children down with a plate full of cholesterol.

We also recently tried meatless "chicken" nuggets recently and, I have to say, I'll most definitely be buying more of these at the store. While my kids don't get "burgers" or "nuggets" every day, I'm happy to know these are on hand when I feel like going the easy route.

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]]>burgereatfoodgardenburgerhealthhealthytoddlervegeterianAmey StoneFri, 30 Mar 2007 16:01:00 ESTDo you "heart ground?"http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/30/do-you-heart-ground/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/30/do-you-heart-ground/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/30/do-you-heart-ground/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sometimes, it is easy to feel like you never have anything in common with the other parents on the playground. Many people I have tried to befriend have ultimately left me scratching my head, wondering how it is so freaking impossible to make friends that happen to be parents.

I've recently become a fan of watching music videos on Noggin.com with my young daughter. I'll give the people at Noggin credit; they're really good at scouting acts for their spots. (Note to Noggin: Could you please hire me? Sounds like a pretty fun job.)

I currently am enjoying I Hog the Ground by Steve Burns and Steven Drozd. If one of those names sounds familiar, it should. Steve Burns is the Steve of "Blue's Clues" fame. But now, instead of wearing his trademark striped shirt, he's wearing an awesome shirt that says "I Heart Ground."

Now, I find myself using it as my little parent catchphrase. I made some art while at the kids museum today that said, what else, "I Heart Ground," hoping that some other fun parent came along and had a chuckle.

I'd eventually like to make a shirt just like Steve's. But, if I never get around to doing so, I can always buy one on Cafe Press.

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]]>blues cluesBluesCluesmusicnogginsteve burnsSteveBurnsAmey StoneFri, 30 Mar 2007 13:07:00 ESTImage of the Day: newborn smilehttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/30/image-of-the-day-newborn-smile/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/30/image-of-the-day-newborn-smile/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/30/image-of-the-day-newborn-smile/#commentsFiled under:


Because I believe that there's nothing more beautiful, more innocent and more disarming than a child's smile whether they are gummy, missing tooth, exuberant or shy, March is "smile" month here at Blogging Baby. I fell in love with this photo the second I saw it. I don't know about your children, but mine have started to "smile" a month after they were born. This beautiful photo and moment have been captured by taishuanster.

If you'd like your own picture featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr Pool - We'll select an image every day to highlight. Remember: I'm on the lookout for shots with interesting backgrounds, cool angles, or original composition. Be sure to read the intro on the main Flickr page for more information and limit your uploading to 5 photos per day

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]]>Amey StoneFri, 30 Mar 2007 12:14:00 ESTBlogging Baby Sleepover for Thursday, March 29http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/29/blogging-baby-sleepover-for-thursday-march-29/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/29/blogging-baby-sleepover-for-thursday-march-29/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/29/blogging-baby-sleepover-for-thursday-march-29/#commentsFiled under:

Need a good laugh? Me, too. So, no chit-chat; let's just get to it:
Good night and sweet dreams.

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]]>Amey StoneThu, 29 Mar 2007 21:48:00 ESTPainful sex after giving birth?http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/29/painful-sex-after-giving-birth/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/29/painful-sex-after-giving-birth/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/29/painful-sex-after-giving-birth/#commentsFiled under:

Ask a group of first-time mothers who are nearing the end stretch of pregnancy and you'll have at least a couple who will say "I don't know how a baby is expected to come out down there!" While I believe it is very important to realize that your body is created the way nature (and, in my case, God) intended, the logistics seem a little iffy if you don't have any previous experience.

Once my children were born, I couldn't help but be absolutely scared to eventually get back to doing the deed. I had more than one person warn me about the first post-birth poop, but nobody wanted to talk about the first post-birth sexual experience.

I'm not going to lie. It hurt. Not only did it hurt, but breastfeeding tends to play my libido like a fiddle, so the entire scenario was less than ideal.

According to one study, it turns out that I'm not alone. Many women, especially those that had forceps-assisted births, had painful sex, urinary incontinence or decreased libido.

Fourteen months after the birth of my last child, I'm still waiting to get back to normal. I had about eight months of exclusive breastfeeding and we're still in the long process of weaning. Even though we're down to one or two breastfeeds a day, my body (and the hormones) is still trying to stay in "No Libido Mode."

With sex everywhere in our society, I often feel alone in my struggles. Is it normal still to have these issues this long after birth? Or is everyone else jumping back in the sack the night they come home from the hospital?

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]]>breastfeedingchildbirthlibidopainsexAmey StoneThu, 29 Mar 2007 14:29:00 ESTImage of the Day: pretty smilehttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/29/image-of-the-day-pretty-smile/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/29/image-of-the-day-pretty-smile/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/29/image-of-the-day-pretty-smile/#commentsFiled under:


Because I believe that there's nothing more beautiful, more innocent and more disarming than a child's smile whether they are gummy, missing tooth, exuberant or shy, March is "smile" month here at Blogging Baby. Today's sweet, beautiful smile is from andreandanne.

If you'd like your own picture featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr Pool - We'll select an image every day to highlight. Remember: I'm on the lookout for shots with interesting backgrounds, cool angles, or original composition. Be sure to read the intro on the main Flickr page for more information and limit your uploading to 5 photos per day

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]]>Amey StoneThu, 29 Mar 2007 13:03:00 ESTJob interviewing while pregnant?http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/29/job-interviewing-while-pregnant/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/29/job-interviewing-while-pregnant/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/29/job-interviewing-while-pregnant/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Much like many other people, I interviewed for a job in 2004. Actually, I interviewed for a couple of jobs. But, here's the kicker: I was eight and nine months, respectively, pregnant when I did so.

In fact, for the second interview, I was 35.5 weeks pregnant, basically, I was "ready to pop." The picture along with this post was taken one week before my final interview! It was quite funny to see these interviewers sit there, trying not to say anything about the Elephant in the Room. I could have lied and told them I was hiding a rounded briefcase under that maternity shirt, but I told the truth: I was knocked up. With child. Had a bun in the oven. Pregnant.

Needless to say, I didn't get the job. (For the second one, I honestly do not feel it was because of my pregnancy but because of, ahem, some other factors.) I did find myself, especially since I had never had a baby and had no idea what it was like to recover from childbirth (boy, was I in for a surprise!), saying things such as "I can be at work three weeks after having the baby!"

Okaaaay. I wasn't even walking normally three weeks later.

I know I'm not alone in applying for jobs while pregnant. It is such a touchy issue. In fact, according to one article, pregnancy discrimination lawsuits have jumped 23 percent since 1997.

Potential employers aren't supposed to ask if you are pregnant or plan on becoming so and the potential employee doesn't have to point out that she is, in fact, with child. But, what do you do? Say there are two candidates applying for a job. They are equal in every way, except one is pregnant. Who do you think will get it?

What should a woman do if she finds herself in this situation? It is already quite nerve-wracking to apply for a job, but to apply while pregnant is doubly so.

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]]>babychildcareinterviewjobjobslawsuitspregnancypregnantworkAmey StoneThu, 29 Mar 2007 12:03:00 ESTWhogoslavia?http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/29/whogoslavia/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/29/whogoslavia/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/29/whogoslavia/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ayun Halliday, author of The Big Rumpus, No Touch Monkey, Job Hopper and Dirty Sugar Cookies, is one of my all-time favorite writers. She also puts out The East Village Inky, a little zine that I was so happy to have on hand when I spent hours nursing my sleepless son at night.

Ayun and family (husband Greg Kotis, kids Inky and Milo) are off on a month-long trip through the Balkans, and they've set up a travel blog called Whogoslavia? which will be written by all four of them. They are just getting going on their adventure, so you can get in from the beginning.

I think it'll be a great armchair travel experience for those of us who aren't brave enough to take a month-long trip anywhere with kids. Be sure to check them out: Ayun has a fantastic sense of humor and I'm sure there will be quite a few great tales from the road.










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]]>Amey StoneThu, 29 Mar 2007 10:05:00 ESTHow do they do it?http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/28/how-do-they-do-it/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/28/how-do-they-do-it/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/28/how-do-they-do-it/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Sometimes, I look at other parents and wonder how they do it. How do they stay sane, how do they play, how do they work?

I currently work from home with two small children (one and two) underfoot. I constantly feel like my life is one big tug-of-war and, I have to admit, most of the tugging is coming from inside. I need to work more, no, I need to play with the kids more. Wait! The dishes! I need to do the dishes and the laundry and call that friend back and while I'm at it, let's get some "me time" and "couples time" in there as well.

As much as I want to make and stick to a schedule, the thought seems so daunting that I continually pass. All it takes is one phone call from a friend or a nap that goes longer than suspected and I find myself scrambling to make up.

One time, I made a schedule for my children. It lasted about three days, with me running around like the Mommy Dictator, shouting things such as "Now it is time to read books! Okay all done! Outside! Get outside! No, we can't do that right now, it is OUTSIDE TIME!"

Part of me wonders if having a schedule (and sticking to it) when it comes to children is pre-wired in you.There are those people who are good at having clean houses and doing things on time. Then there are those who are probably a little more "fly by the seat of your pants" that have no set schedule or routines.

While I'm in the second group, I really wish I was in the first.

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]]>kidsmomsorganizingparentsschedulesstresstimeAmey StoneWed, 28 Mar 2007 12:01:00 ESTImage of the Day: 3 months old today!http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/28/image-of-the-day-3-months-old-today/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/28/image-of-the-day-3-months-old-today/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/28/image-of-the-day-3-months-old-today/#commentsFiled under:


Because I believe that there's nothing more beautiful, more innocent and more disarming than a child's smile whether they are gummy, missing tooth, exuberant or shy, March is "smile" month here at Blogging Baby. Today I give you the happiest 3 months old baby on our Flickr Pool! Congratulations curls and crossbones!

If you'd like your own picture featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr Pool - We'll select an image every day to highlight. Remember: I'm on the lookout for shots with interesting backgrounds, cool angles, or original composition. Be sure to read the intro on the main Flickr page for more information and limit your uploading to 5 photos per day

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]]>Amey StoneWed, 28 Mar 2007 11:31:00 ESTOverweight kids treated with ADHD drughttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/27/overweight-kids-treated-with-adhd-drug/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/27/overweight-kids-treated-with-adhd-drug/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/27/overweight-kids-treated-with-adhd-drug/#commentsFiled under:

I've always felt a bit sad when I see an overweight child. Why? Health issues aside, I know how mean kids can be and I can't imagine having to go through life with other children picking on your weight constantly.

I think that most parents probably feel that they'd rather not have an overweight child. But, are there certain ethics to helping a child lose weight? Would you allow your child to take Adderal, a drug commonly used to treat ADHD, to lose those pounds?

More and more doctors are prescribing the medicine just for this reason. While I'm most definitely not an expert on Adderal, here's what I've learned about the drug: It is not approved for weight loss, that just happens to be a common side effect. It is an amphetamine. Some of the more harmful side effects could be sudden death in children with a heart condition, as well as psychiatric problems, such as mania and hearing voices.

Again, I'm not an expert nor do I play one on TV, but I will assume that these effects are probably somewhat rare.

For many of these parents and doctors, Adderal seems to be the only option. If your child was overweight, would you consider putting him or her on the drug? Personally? No, I wouldn't. The risks, while minimal, don't seem worth it.


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]]>adderaladhddrugshealthobesityweightAmey StoneTue, 27 Mar 2007 13:02:00 ESTFun spring activity: Planting flowershttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/26/fun-spring-activity-planting-flowers/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/26/fun-spring-activity-planting-flowers/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/26/fun-spring-activity-planting-flowers/#commentsFiled under:

My daughter recently came home from school with a cup containing a pretty flower. She was so excited to have her very own plant that she couldn't even stand the thought of letting it leave her hands to go out in the yard.

Inspired by her love of her new plant, I went to the store, bought a flat of flowers for a few dollars and a bag of potting soil. Since I had about seven children over on Friday, seven children that needed entertaining, I pulled out the flowers, soil and plastic cups and let the kids have at it.

It was a success. The kids enjoyed putting the dirt into the cups and planting their flowers. Some were so happy that I was letting them bring the flowers home that they had to ask multiple times if it was for real.

So, if you're in the need of a spring activity for your children, consider getting your hands dirty. Not only is it fun, but it is a good educational experience and your kids get to help beautify your yard.

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]]>easterflowersplantsspringAmey StoneMon, 26 Mar 2007 16:02:00 ESTDisney's champagne for kids?http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/26/disneys-childrens-champagne/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/26/disneys-childrens-champagne/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/26/disneys-childrens-champagne/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When I was a little girl, my Mom said that we weren't allowed to have candy cigarettes. According to her, and I agree, they glamorized smoking to young children.

Some are saying that Disney is glamorizing another vice to children, though this one is a bit different. Next time your family is having a party, don't forget to stop at the store to get some Disney Partyfizz, a mock champagne drink for children.

That's right, from the bottle with the gold foil down to the bubbles, Partyfizz seems to be a bit too close to the real thing for some. If you're confused as to why you haven't heard of it, I am pretty sure that the product isn't available in the United States.

According to one little girl in the article linked, "It reminds me of champagne. The bottle shape and the colour of the juice are the same. I've seen mummy and daddy drink champagne at parties."

This article brings up many different questions. Should children have drinks such as mock champagne? Should parents drink in front of their kids? When should children be exposed to alcohol?

My parents never hid drinking from me (not that they were ever huge drinkers to begin with) and I most definitely wasn't the type to hit the bottle. Then again, I never even smoked one cigarette, so maybe that has to do with parental influence as well?

Personally, I don't feel comfortable letting my children have mock champagne or mock alcohol at any age. A sip of a parent's wine every once in awhile, sure. But an entire beverage where the point is to pretend to be "grown up?"

I'll pass.

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]]>alcoholchampagnedisneydrinkpartyfizzAmey StoneMon, 26 Mar 2007 12:04:00 ESTBooks to introduce your older child to a new babyhttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/25/books-to-introduce-your-older-child-to-a-new-baby/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/25/books-to-introduce-your-older-child-to-a-new-baby/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/25/books-to-introduce-your-older-child-to-a-new-baby/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

There are two types of literary propaganda I am quite fond of this year:
  1. What I like to call the "You're too big for diapers, so just potty train already!" books, and...
  2. The "Hey! You're getting a new sibling and it's gonna be awesome" category of books.
In my efforts to convince Nate that having a new sibling is a good thing, (Yeah right. If my husband came home with someone cuter and younger, I'd be pretty pissed too!) I have enlisted the help of the following two books.

The New Baby by Mercer Meyer
Mercer Meyer just gets kids. He puts their everyday situations into terms they can understand. This book follows Meyer's beloved Little Critter as he adapts to a new baby sister. Sometimes her diaper smells funny, and he can't really play with her the way he wants just yet, but over the course of the story he learns lots of fun and gentle ways he can interact with the new addition to his family.

Hello Baby! by Lizzy Rockwell
This book is slightly advanced for Nate's comprehension at age two, but I still really love to read it to him. It's a very biological and realistic look at what to expect when Mummy's expecting, wrapped up in a nice story. The big brother to be knows his mother is having a baby. He knows to feel for the kicks, he goes to the doctor to listen to the baby's heartbeat, and once baby arrives he learns to give her a sponge bath with Daddy. Good tips for introducing a new baby into your home. We already took Nate to my first OB appointment to hear the heartbeat on the doppler, and it was this book that gave us this idea and prepared Nate for what was going to happen.

What books did you read to your older children to introduce the concept of a new sibling?

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]]>books on little brotherbooks on little sisterbooks on new babybooks to introduce new babyBooksOnLittleBrotherBooksOnLittleSisterBooksOnNewBabyBooksToIntroduceNewBabygetting first child used to the idea of new babyGettingFirstChildUsedToTheIdeaOfNewBabyintroducing new baby to older siblingIntroducingNewBabyToOlderSiblingAmey StoneSun, 25 Mar 2007 11:58:00 ESTThe Terrible Whyshttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/24/the-terrible-whys/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/24/the-terrible-whys/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/24/the-terrible-whys/#commentsFiled under: , ,

For the most part, I am blessed with a happy, fairly well-behaved two-year-old. He has not yet started some of the behaviour that I hear about from other moms. He has, however, begun to question everything. Especially my authority it seems. All my feelings of maternal power are now dismissed with a simple three letters followed by a question mark.

"Why?"

It goes something like this. "OK Nate, time to get ready for school."

"Why?"

"Because mommy has to go to work and if we don't leave for school now, mommy will be in trouble."

"Why?"

And so on and so on. When you're lacking in the patience department, this line of interrogation can really wear you down. They should think about using toddlers and preschoolers to get confessions out of criminals.

So I've succumbed to ready Dr. Harvey Karp's The Happiest Toddler on the Block. I'm not too far in, but already he's enlightened me by comparing my son to a caveman. We often forget the massive achievements of our little ones from conception to age four. The advances that took 5 million years of evolution are now compressed into 5 short years!

I'll review the book once I'm done, but I already think it's worth recommending. I know I've been down on this type of advice in the past, but when push comes to shove, anything that might help to equip you with better coping skills is worth checking out.

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]]>Amey StoneSat, 24 Mar 2007 16:58:00 ESTAudra Rox really does rockhttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/23/audra-rox-really-does-rock/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/23/audra-rox-really-does-rock/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/23/audra-rox-really-does-rock/#commentsFiled under: ,

One thing I really like about having the television channel Noggin is that we get to see Jack's Big Music Show. Why? Because, even though I'm totally not hip in real life, thanks to JBMS, I am totally down with what the kids in the sand box are listening to.

Take, for example, Audra Rox. (Click on the JBMS link and look at the third video from the left for Audra's "I Hope My Momma Says Yes" )

Audra Rox (also known as Audra Tsanos) lives in Brooklyn, New York, where she also happens to teach music classes. Can I tell you how jealous I am of this fact?

I Hope My Momma Says Yes, the song currently playing on Noggin is completely fun and addictive. By the time the song is over, I'm ready to strip off all my clothes and chase the ice cream truck down the street, naked. I'm not sure if Audra planned on having that much impact on listeners, but what can I say? She's totally awesome.

Now only if she'd pack up and move to Texas so we could get in on the fun, we'd be set.

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]]>audraaudra roxAudraRoxjacks big music showJacksBigMusicShowmusicnogginsongsAmey StoneFri, 23 Mar 2007 10:02:00 ESTBenefits to waiting before cutting the cordhttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/23/benefits-to-waiting-before-cutting-the-cord/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/23/benefits-to-waiting-before-cutting-the-cord/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/23/benefits-to-waiting-before-cutting-the-cord/#commentsFiled under:

A new study shows that babies may benefit if the cutting of the umbilical cord is delayed for a few minutes. Traditionally, the cord was clamped and cut quite soon after the birth. In fact, usually within the first five to ten seconds of a baby's life. It was one of those "this is how we've always done it" situations.

But with all this buzz about cord blood, Canadian researchers decided to study the effects of leaving the umbilical cord attached. There's been a lot of controversy in this field, with some schools of thought feeling that leaving the cord attached could fill the baby with too much blood, causing a variety of unwanted side effects. Delaying clamping is even though to increase the mother's chances of hemorrhaging.

This latest study refutes this, saying that two minutes longer attached to mama could fill the baby with iron-rich blood stores that could prevent anemia and help fight infections well into the first year. Though there were some incidences of jaundice and polycythemia, the researchers claim there was nothing to show significant harm from extended cord attachment.

The key will be in whether or not parents embrace this idea and urge their care providers to try it. Judging by my recent experiences with asking for a VBAC, it is clear to me that much of the traditional medical world is resistant to new and controversial ideas when it comes to the birth process.

What do you think? Personally, as long as they cut the cord by the time I realize what the heck just happened to me, I'm good.

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]]>cord blood and anemiacord blood increase iron stores in newbornscord blood rich in ironCordBloodAndAnemiaCordBloodIncreaseIronStoresInNewbornsCordBloodRichInIrondelay clamping to prevent anemiadelay cutting cord to prevent anemiaDelayClampingToPreventAnemiaDelayCuttingCordToPreventAnemiaumbilical cord discoveryumbilical cord newsUmbilicalCordDiscoveryUmbilicalCordNewsumbillical cord newsUmbillicalCordNewsAmey StoneFri, 23 Mar 2007 09:26:00 ESTPortrait of a Working Mom: Mom's Sick Dayhttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/22/portrait-of-a-working-mom-moms-sick-day/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/22/portrait-of-a-working-mom-moms-sick-day/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/03/22/portrait-of-a-working-mom-moms-sick-day/#commentsFiled under:

I've been home sick this week. Cute, but snotty two-year-olds look innocent enough, but they are walking petrie dishes of germs. Here's how this working mom's day goes when she's outta comish.

6:30 AM: Alarm goes off. Ugh. There's a jackhammer going through my head, my nose is running and my chest feels like an elephant is sitting on it. Hit snooze and hope 15 minutes will make it all go away.

6:45 AM: Realize that nothing is better. Husband gets out of the shower to be told I'm not going in.

8:00 AM: Wake up to sound of frolicking preschooler. Crap. Husb is long gone to work and I have yet to call into the office. Roll over to get the phone. My voice is scary enough to erase any doubt about my illness.

8:30 AM: Toddler can tell by my greasy hair and sweats that I am not going to work. Starts his "I no wanna go to school" campaign.

9 AM: Get the toddler to preschool/daycare, kicking and screaming that he wants his mommy. "Mommy needs her rest," I try to explain. He looks at me with disdain.

10 AM: Yay! Working means no daytime TV. I forgot how much I missed daytime TV!

11 AM: Am bored with daytime TV. I boot up the laptop. Maybe I'll just check my work emails. That will prevent the mass of unread emails tomorrow morning right?

12 AM: Oh dear. I am fully working, not resting. My husband calls to check up on me, chastizes me and orders me back to the couch.

1 PM: What the heck is going on in Salem? Who are these people? Why did they have to go and change Shawn?

2 PM: I can do some laundry while I'm home, no? Maybe I'll just check my email and write a blog post, too...

3 PM: Crap! They will be home soon! I should try to nap. No. I should think of dinner. No. Nap!

4 PM: ZZzzzzzz. I should wake up and watch Oprah, but ZZzzzzzzzzzz.

5 PM: Crap! They will be here any minute. Time to pretend I'm still really sick so that I'm off the hook for dinner. Fan out some take out menus and put a cloth over my eyes for effect.

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]]>humorous mom storiesHumorousMomStoriesmoms sick daysMomsSickDaysmothers and sick daysMothersAndSickDayssick daysSickDaysworking momsworking moms sick daysworking mothersWorkingMomsWorkingMomsSickDaysWorkingMothersAmey StoneThu, 22 Mar 2007 17:54:00 EST