ParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.comParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.com/media/feedlogo.gifParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.comen-usCopyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Playdates: 5 Kinds to Avoidhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/01/playdates/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/01/playdates/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/01/playdates/#commentsFiled under: , ,

playdates

Playdates we love and playdates we loathe. Credit: Getty Images

Let's face it. The life of a modern mom would not be complete without the playdate.

While at work, we get a voicemail from Playdate Penny who would love to pencil our child in for an afternoon of organized extracurricular activities and we "accidentally" forget to call her back for days. Then there are the times when the babysitter calls in sick and we're desperate to find the Post-It where we jotted down Playdate Penny's phone number.

For some moms, scheduling playdates has become a full-time job. They have it down to a science, organizing and planning everything from the kids to the carpool to the heart-shaped sandwiches they'll serve as snack. We applaud these women. They do an amazing job and are the queens of playdates. Now, for working mothers, it's a different story. We already have full-time jobs and are stretched so thin that we usually don't have the time, energy or sanity required to plan the perfect playdate. Let's call those two hour chunks of socialized, structured play what they really are -- all work, no playdates.

But the truth is, as much as we try to avoid them, the playdate is here to stay. For those of you new to the game, here's a simple guide to help you survive the pitfalls of playdating, the ones we loathe and the ones we love.

Because if you can't be with the one you love, playdate with the one you're with.

Playdates We Loathe

Playdate Desperado: A lonely mother who is new to the neighborhood will stalk you and your child until you agree to come over to play for an afternoon. The truth is, she's the one desperate for a playdate and is using her child as bait. Out of pity or exhaustion, you finally give in and accept the offer, only to find you have nothing in common with this woman. To add insult to injury, the kids get into a major brawl and before you can grab the doorknob to make your getaway, she's already asking you for a second date and you desperately search your library of excuses to think of a believable reason as to why you can never return. Incidentally, contagious skin rashes work like a charm.

Playdate Cliques: On the rare occasion you do drop your child off at school, you see them gathering in the parking lot. Sporting trendy workout clothes, hair tied back in a ponytail, light makeup application, the keys to their Lexus SUV in one manicured hand and their pig-tailed child's hand in the other. Meet the playdate clique or the "witches of preschool" as we like to call them, comprised of women who do everything together, be it coffee, tennis, gym and, of course, playdates. If you happen to take a day off from work and have a run-in with the witches, they'll be sure to pretend not to know who you are and will intentionally box you out of their conversation. While you overhear them chat about their plans to take their little princesses to an afternoon origami workshop, don't feel bad that you're not on the invite list. Smile to yourself because you know that tomorrow, while they're chasing their kids at Chuck E. Cheese, you'll be back at work lunching and laughing with one of your favorite clients -- who just happens to be a working mom just like you.

Peculiar Playdates: Your kids get along great and your child begs, pleads and moans to have a playdate with their newest friend. Only one problem, you find the parents kind of weird. It's like visiting the Addams Family. They were always friendly, but something was always just a little off-center. It's not like they've got "Cousin It" or that creepy hand named "Thing" bunking with them, but the mom is sporting that 1970s long-haired Morticia look, and the place seems to have a spooky Halloween feel to it, and its only March. The peculiar playdaters phone constantly and if you still don't have caller ID, run, don't walk to the nearest Radio Shack to pick one up or you're doomed.

Playdate Piranhas: Jimmy seemed nice enough, but after inspecting the bite marks on your son's left arm, you discover it might be best to keep your child away from Hannibal Lecter-in training. Biters, punchers, sword fighters and swashbucklers can be scary when your child -- a rule abiding, Raffi loving moppet -- enters their world. Suddenly, your peaceful pixie starts picking up those bad habits and the next thing you know, he's biting the dog. Rule of thumb for biters: if they break the skin during a playdate, they can't come back until they break the habit ... if that doesn't happen until middle school, then sorry, but it's been nice knowing you.

Playdate Paranoia: This is the most stressful playdate by far. The mother brings their child to your house with a laundry list of things the kid can't eat, wear, smell, swallow or touch.

Are you kosher? Is this a nut free environment? Are those crayons nontoxic and do you use pesticides on your lawn? Is that coloring book age appropriate? We don't believe in television, and video games are out of the question. What about the beverages? If you don't have 2 percent growth hormone-free organic milk then he'll just have water, not bottled, fluorinated tap water "that's been filtered, of course."

You smile politely and make a note of the checklist. But what you're really thinking is -- are you kidding us, lady? Are you intentionally raising your boy like John Travolta in that plastic bubble movie, or do you really want to allow him to have any interaction with our kid, whose favorite pastime is proudly proclaiming the booger he just picked is especially for you?

Playdates We Love

Playdate With a Pal: This is by far the best kind of playdate. In this scenario, you are taking your child to see one of his or her closest friends and their mom just happens to be one of your friends, too. Simple, enjoyable and as close to heaven as humanly possible.

This always happens after work. You bring your kids over in their pajamas and they proceed to try on about 40 different costumes. Arguments are kept to a minimum, your wine glass is continually refilled and you get to catch up on the latest neighborhood gossip. Husbands are also invited to these playdates, since they're the designated drivers.

Playdates in a Pinch: You're about to close the biggest deal of a lifetime when suddenly your cell phone starts buzzing in your suit pocket. You fumble for the phone and your megawatt smile instantly fades as your babysitter informs you she has to leave immediately to take her 6-year-old to the doctor.

You know you can't reach your husband because he's working late, too, and your mother-in-law has dinner plans with her colorist.

Who can you call? That's simple: the most reliable and by far the coolest mom in town who doesn't mind picking up your tots, bringing them to her house and serving them a well-balanced dinner. Big shout out to the moms who've been there for us in a pinch. Without you, our cats would be babysitting our kids. (Just joking ... we're not that nuts ... cats can't figure out how to stick a straw into a juice box or work the DVD player).

Palatial Playdates: Let's be honest. These are, hands down, our favorite kind of playdate. Who doesn't want to check out that gorgeous center hall colonial down the street that you've had your eye on since you moved into the neighborhood? Going on a palatial playdate is just like going to a real estate open house, but you don't have to worry about leaving a fake name and address because you know you can't afford to buy anything.

We admit it, sometimes we are the proverbial nosy neighbors or as we like to call ourselves, the "decorating detectives." We'll jump at the chance to check out the home of our new neighbor who just moved into the McMansion down the road. "Of course, Rebecca would love to come by and swim in your gunite swimming pool ... No, we don't have any other plans," as you quickly pick up your cell phone to cancel a playdate with the "Peculiars."

Mentally taking note as you walk into the grand entrance hall, you marvel at the expansive floorplan, admiring everything from the dentil crown molding to the marble mantels to the custom-made mahogany cabinetry.

Unfortunately, our kids can sometimes sabotage our interior investigations before we've even had a chance to check out the master suite. In one memorable mansion, Beth's daughter launched into a screaming fit with her 3-year-old hostess, fighting over toys and pretty much ruining the playdate before Beth even had a chance to finish counting all the bathrooms.

Role Mommy Reality Check

Be careful what you wish for. While dialing up a playdate may seem like a quick fix for your busy life and your bored kids, proceed with caution. Make sure your child's companion has the pedigree of a UN Peacekeeper. Once the tables are turned, the last thing you want to do is host a devious troublemaker from down the street who manages to find the only markers in your house that aren't washable and decides to graffiti your playroom walls with the memorable phrase: Timmy wuz here.

Excerpted from "Peeing in Peace: Tales and Tips for Type A Moms" by Beth Feldman and Yvette Manessis Corporon. Copyright(C) 2007 by Beth Feldman and Yvette Manessis Corporon. Excerpted by permission of NK Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

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]]>playdatethe editors at ParentDishTue, 01 Mar 2011 09:00:00 ESTGreat Birthday Party Ideas for Kidshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/02/03/birthday-party-ideas/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/02/03/birthday-party-ideas/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/02/03/birthday-party-ideas/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

birthday party ideas

Choose a classic theme for your child's birthday party. Credit: Getty Images

While certain trends in kids' birthday party ideas come and go, there are some themes that never grow old.

Whether you enjoy being creative with decorations and invitations or you prepare to purchase everything ready-made from a party supply store, these three can't-miss ideas are easily adaptable to your own personal party-hosting style.

1. Princess Party
Invitations: Send out royal scrolls and make them as fancy and elegant as you wish. Decorations: A pink balloon archway entrance makes for a memorable first impression, and a throne for the birthday princess is an important detail. Metallic curtains in a doorway can lend a dramatic flair, and white Christmas lights can add to the magical atmosphere.
Games: Play princess-themed games such as Pin the Diamond on the Tiara or hold a musical princess walk. More games such as a royal dress-up relay and sifting for gems can be found on Coolest Kid Birthday Parties.

2. Superhero Soiree
Invitations: Want to send out homemade invitations for a superhero party? Just use the emblem and the mask of your chosen superhero. For mask invitations, use a variety of superheroes and ask guests to wear them to the party.
Decorations: You can make decorations using comic book pages, printed images from the Internet, and superhero posters. Another idea is to make action signs such as "BAM!", "POW!" and "KAZAAM!"
Games: Game ideas range from a superhero obstacle course to an X-ray vision game to costume contests to strength competitions.

3. Tropical Luau
Invitations: Cut out beach objects (palm trees, starfish, coconuts) from card stock for invitations, or you could even send the invites as messages in bottles.
Decorations: Leis, tiki lights, palm trees, hibiscuses and coconuts are good party props, and it's always good to set the mood with hula music. A bonfire in the backyard would add even more to the scene.
Games: Luau games include limbo, pineapple bowling, hula dancing contests and pin the coconut on the palm tree. Birthday Party Ideas has instructions for these games, along with other Hawaiian-themed games and activities.


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]]>birthday partiesbirthday party decorationsbirthday party gamesbirthday party invitationsBirthdayPartiesBirthdayPartyDecorationsBirthdayPartyGamesBirthdayPartyInvitationsevergreenSally WorshamThu, 03 Feb 2011 10:00:00 ESTHealthy Snacks: Tasty Ideas for Kidshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/04/healthy-snacks/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/04/healthy-snacks/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/04/healthy-snacks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

healthy snacks

Healthy snacks are an important part of a kid's diet. Credit: Getty Images

As any plastic baggie-toting parent knows, healthy snacks are an important part of a child's diet.

Not only do snacks ensure that kids have enough energy to get through the day, but they also help kids get their daily nutritional requirements. That's why snacks should be as healthy as possible, says Mary Trotter, a dietitian with Nemours Health & Prevention Services in Newark, Del.

She encourages parents to prepare healthy snacks and serve them at the kitchen table.

"Snacks really should not be offered in front of the TV," she says. "It really is another meal -- a time to visit with parents or siblings."

If your children are reluctant to eat healthy snacks, tell them it will make a difference when they are playing soccer, tennis, baseball or whatever their interest is, says Elisa Zied, past spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.

"Don't talk about it terms of health," says Zied, author of "Nutrition at Your Fingertips." "Tell them filling your body with a lot of foods that have beneficial things can help you perform better."

If your children have been in the habit of eating junk food, try offering them a similar -- but healthier -- alternative, says Trotter.

Substitute:
  • Granola bars for donuts
  • Popcorn for potato chips
  • Sorbet for ice cream
  • Dried cherries or mangos for Fruit Roll-Ups
  • Seltzer with a splash of juice for soda

Other healthy snacks ideas:
  • Fruit: Don't forget about canned, frozen and dried fruits with no added sugars. Try freezing grapes or buy frozen blueberries, strawberries, peaches, mangoes and melon. But be careful when offering fruit leather or snacks because some brands of fruit snacks are more like candy than fruit. You can also get kids to help make a fruit salad and use a variety of colored fruits to add to the appeal.
  • Vegetables: Serve with low-fat salad dressings, store-bought light dips, bean dips, guacamole, hummus, salsa or peanut butter. Also, try to make a salad or set out veggies like a salad bar and let the kids build their own salads.
  • Soy: Edamame are fun to eat and easy to serve. Heat frozen edamame in the microwave for about 2-3 minutes.
  • Healthy grains: Though most kids eat plenty of grain products, too many of those grains are cookies, snack cakes, sugary cereals and other refined grains that are high in sugars or fat. Serving mostly whole grains is a good idea. It provides more fiber, vitamins, and minerals than refined grains.

Correction, January 5, 2011: The original article incorrectly stated that Eliza Zied is the spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. She is a past spokeswoman.

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]]>healthy snackhealthy snack foodhealthy snack ideashealthy snackinghealthy snackshealthy snacks for k...healthy snacks for kidsHealthySnackHealthySnackFoodHealthySnackIdeasHealthySnackingHealthySnacksHealthySnacksForK...HealthySnacksForKidsMelissa Kossler DuttonTue, 04 Jan 2011 13:30:00 ESTCelebrating New Year's Eve at Home, Family Stylehttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/28/celebrating-new-years-eve-at-home-family-style/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/28/celebrating-new-years-eve-at-home-family-style/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/28/celebrating-new-years-eve-at-home-family-style/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Celebrate New Year's Eve in different time zones. Credit: viZZZual.com, Flickr

As your family grows, wild New Year's Eve celebrations out on the town are likely to be passed up in favor of Dick Clark and quiet nights in. But staying home doesn't have to be dull. You really can have a fun time with the kids. Here's how:

  • Go international. Want to get little ones to bed early? Pick a favorite international city and create a celebration with food, games and decorations to celebrate New Year's Eve in Paris, Tokyo or Cape Town. Picking simple foods -- egg rolls, dumplings or sticky rice balls and tea -- can introduce your child to a new part of the world and allows you be creative, too. Let kids bang on pots and pans to celebrate "midnight" like they do in China, says New York City party planner Linda Kaye.
  • Get cooking. For older kids, try a Julia Child-inspired cooking night. Each member of the family can prepare one part of dinner, depending on their ability. Juice up the video camera and have each child describe what they are making, TV chef style. Meatballs and a veggie platter are easy and fun things for kids to prepare. At midnight, everyone can sit down to the feast and watch the video together.
  • Take a look back. For non-cooking types, try a newscast instead. The news set could be at the dining room table, and an "anchor" could interview each family member about what happened that year. Your daughter could describe the year in sports, and your son could remind everyone about vacation, the new dog, a wedding or school events. Use a tablecloth made of newspapers and serve a buffet of chicken fingers, chips and drinks. Watch the video at midnight as you sip sugar-rimmed glasses of lemonade.
  • Get funky. For a dress-up party, set up a nightclub in your home. Have everyone dress in festive clothing and decorate with silver and gold balloons, streamers and tablecloths. A karaoke machine will prompt most kids to sing, or play 'name that tune' with an iPod or stereo. "Bubble machines are another fun thing for kids on New Year's Eve," Washington, D.C.-based party planner Tony Scurry tells ParentDish.
  • Frost it festive. Children of any age will enjoy decorating cupcakes on New Year's Eve. Make cupcakes in advance for younger children and set them out with a variety of toppings. Let children dip their cupcake in different bowls of frosting and then top with crystal sugar, sprinkles and even sparklers. "Kids love dazzle and excitement," Scurry says. Have a contest for most creative, most festive or most bedazzled cupcake.

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]]>at-homeCelebrationEvergreenjulia childJuliaChildNew Years EveNewYearsEvewhole familyWholeFamilyEllen Rooney MartinTue, 28 Dec 2010 13:00:00 ESTTeaching Kids Good Manners: 5 Tips for Parentshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/28/teaching-kids-good-manners-five-tips-for-parents/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/28/teaching-kids-good-manners-five-tips-for-parents/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/28/teaching-kids-good-manners-five-tips-for-parents/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

manners

Teaching kids proper manners starts at home. Credit: Philip Lim, AFP/Getty Images

We all want our kids to be polite people who treat others well, but young children are a fairly self-focused bunch, more interested in what they want than in saying thanks. How do we teach young kids the tangible skills and intangible instincts that make up good manners in our culture?

Child development experts Nurit Sheinberg and Lorraine Breffni, from the Early Childhood Studies Institute at Nova Southeastern University, say it begins with "realistic expectations and patience." Things such as good behavior in restaurants will come with practice and time, as kids gain self-control.

Preschoolers won't remember to say "please" or "thank you" after just a few reminders, Breffni says.

"From an operational standpoint, they're just not ready," she says.

But remind them enough, and eventually the lessons will stick. It helps to reward kids with positive words when they do the right thing. If a child shares a toy with a friend, point out how happy the friend looks.

"Make those connections between actions and reactions," Sheinberg says.

If a child is in daycare or preschool, find out how manners are approached there. Do teachers sit and talk with children at mealtime?

"Children should have multiple opportunities and contexts in which to see these skills demonstrated," Breffni says. Interaction with adults outside the family helps kids see and practice polite social behavior.

In addition, young kids watch and internalize, copying a parent's moves. Ramp up the politeness in your own behavior, and, over time, your kids will do the same.

Top five examples parents should set:

1. Share. Let another driver merge into your lane, hold the door for a stranger.

2. Don't interrupt. In the hustle of daily life, we may cut our kids off mid-sentence. Try not to sacrifice politeness for efficiency.

3. Pick up after yourself. Overbooked as parents are, making the bed is a luxury we don't always have time for. But children will learn from your examples.

4. Offer random acts of kindness. Watch a neighbor's kids or bake an unexpected treat for your coworkers. Your kids will notice.

5. Don't allow toys at the dinner table. This may be the toughest of all. Leave the BlackBerry and iPhone elsewhere, putting your focus on the food and the mealtime conversation.

Want more resources? Check out TV shows such as "Arthur" and "Cyberchase," which offer frequent lessons on patience, sharing and teamwork. Both Emily Post and Miss Manners have weighed in with books on good manners for kids, and a slew of children's storybooks explore politeness and courtesy.

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]]>developmentetiquetteevergreenmannerspolitenessMelissa RayworthTue, 28 Dec 2010 12:00:00 ESTBedwetting Usually Stops Without Alarms, Medicine or Parents' Helphttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/28/bedwetting-usually-stops-without-alarms-medicine-or-parents-he/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/28/bedwetting-usually-stops-without-alarms-medicine-or-parents-he/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/28/bedwetting-usually-stops-without-alarms-medicine-or-parents-he/#commentsFiled under: , ,

bedwetting

Don't fear bedtime. Credit: Getty Images

Although experts recommend discussing bedwetting with your pediatrician, parents don't usually need to worry. Sooner or later, a child's brain and bladder will develop further and communicate at night better.

Until then, says Dr. Howard Bennett, a clinical professor of pediatrics at George Washington University Medical Center, there's not much anyone can -- or should -- do to speed up the process.

Bedwetting is common among young children, says Bennett, the author of "Waking Up Dry." Thirty percent of 4 year olds and 20 percent of 5 year olds are bedwetters. Each year, 15 percent of children who are older than 5 stop wetting the bed without parental or medical intervention.

Doctors typically don't intervene until a child is 6 or older and is motivated to stay dry during the night, he says. Until then, Bennett and Dr. Mark Wolraich discourage drawing too much attention to the problem. If a child becomes embarrassed about it, emphasize that many children wet the bed and that it's often a genetic condition, Bennett says. If a parent experienced bed wetting, he could share his experiences with the child.

Above all, children should never be punished for wetting the bed.

"If it's not creating a disturbance, it's helpful to wait it out," Wolraich, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, says.

While many doctors suggest limiting fluids in the evening, Bennett avoids this approach because it's not very effective and children may view it as a punishment. Instead, he recommends encouraging kids to drink more during the day, which creates more urine. By having to hold it during the day, children will practice controlling their bladders. Parents can wake their child for bathroom breaks during the night if it helps, Bennett says.

As children age, doctors may prescribe alarms to wake them when they start to urinate while sleeping. The alarm trains the brain to wake the child up when the body has to urinate.

Finally, as a last resort, some doctors prescribe desmopressin, a medicine that makes children create less urine. However, many kids relapse when they stop taking the drug, which is why the medication is unpopular except for vacations, sleepovers or other special occasions.

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]]>bedwettingevergreenpotty trainingwaking up drywetting the bedMelissa Kossler DuttonTue, 28 Dec 2010 10:00:00 ESTHow to Prepare for the Santa Moment of Truthhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/17/how-to-prepare-for-the-santa-moment-of-truth/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/17/how-to-prepare-for-the-santa-moment-of-truth/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/17/how-to-prepare-for-the-santa-moment-of-truth/#commentsFiled under: ,


We dread it, but every parent knows that the day will eventually come when their child learns that there is no Santa. This discovery brings a double dose of shock to the little one. First, he has to come to terms with the fact that the jolly, bearded fellow who magically and reliably delivered them on Christmas morning, isn't real.

And second, when a child finds out about Santa, he figures out that the grownups have been, well, lying through their teeth. The very people who scold little ones to "always tell the truth" have been ignoring their own policy! This realization can create no end of confusion on the part of children who have been faithfully leaning on their parents to clarify the rules about right and wrong -- only to find out that mommy and daddy have been breaking them.

As hard as we may try to preserve our child's innocence, we all have to inevitably deal with the mournful moment when our youngster figures out -- or is told by an older sibling or clever classmate -- the real deal about Santa. Here's my advice:

o. Don't tell your child that he shouldn't be upset. He may be mad, confused, hurt or sad. Let him express himself, without trying to talk him out of his anger or tears.

o. When he's calmed down, tell him the story of St. Nicholas, and his great love for children. You can tell him that parents carry on St. Nick's "work" and spirit by sharing gifts and surprises.

o. Maintain traditions, like leaving cookies and milk for Santa, unless your child strongly objects. Children with younger siblings often take secret pleasure in collaborating with mommy and daddy to maintain Santa rituals for their little brothers and sisters, joining with their parents to keep the legend of Santa alive.

Childhood is terribly brief; it's painful when bits and pieces of our child's innocence fall away, which happens when he finds out who really put those presents under the tree.

But given the fact that every child who once believed in Santa Claus does make peace with the truth, don't let the moment of discovery steal your Christmas joy. By reminding your children that the real meaning of Santa lives in our hearts when we give to others, they can hold on to the sweetness of Christmas, even after finding out that -- perhaps only technically speaking -- Mommy and Daddy do the work for jolly, old St. Nick.

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]]>Christmassanta clausSantaClausSusan Stiffelman, MFTFri, 17 Dec 2010 15:00:00 ESTGirl 'Star Wars' Fan Bests Bullies With Support From Online Geeks Across the Galaxyhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/13/star-wars-fan/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/13/star-wars-fan/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/13/star-wars-fan/#commentsFiled under: , ,





Katie Goldman is a 7-year-old with a very big fan club.

A first grader in Evanston, Ill., Katie carried a "Star Wars" water bottle to school every day, until a few weeks ago, when, out of the blue, she asked her mom if she could take an old pink bottle to school instead. The sudden change of heart surprised Katie's mom, Carrie Goldman, since Katie is obsessed with "Star Wars," just like her dad, CNN reports.

When pressed for an explanation, Katie tearfully told her mom the first grade boys at school were making fun of her because they insisted "Star Wars" was only for boys. She thought they would stop teasing her if she brought the pink bottle instead, according to the network.

Goldman says her heart sank when she realized what was going on.

"Is this how it starts?" Goldman writes on her blog, "Portrait of an Adoption." "Do kids find someone who does something differently and start to beat it out of her, first with words and sneers? Must my daughter conform to be accepted?"

Goldman writes that she was confused, because these weren't random mean boys bullying her daughter. They were good kids whom Katie often plays with.

"But when you put the boys together in a pack, maybe they start to feel vulnerable and insecure, which causes them to do unkind things, such as tease my daughter for carrying a 'Star Wars' water bottle," she writes.

Though her mom told Katie it was OK to be different, Katie insisted she was already different enough: She's the one who was adopted, wears glasses and needs to wear a patch for a lazy eye, Goldman adds, noting that being different is a complicated topic.

"I see people publicly lauding diversity and privately attacking those who are different," she writes. "It trickles down to kids teasing each other for the types of toys they prefer. So it starts now, with a couple first graders and a water bottle. Right here, right now, we as a community need to recognize the slippery slope of bullying those who are different. We need to show our support for each other's choices, as long as they do no harm."

With that, Goldman issued a call to action that has ricocheted through the Internet, eliciting unexpected responses and acts of kindness from thousands of people.

"I would love to be able to show Katie that she is not alone, that other females appreciate 'Star Wars.' If there are any female Star Wars fans reading this, please feel free to show your support for Katie," Goldman writes. "I will let her read your messages or comments, and I think she will be surprised by what I suspect is a vast number of female fans."

A few days after Goldman's Nov. 15 blog entry, Jen Yates wrote about Katie on her blog, "Epbot," a place for "geekery, girliness & goofing off."

"My fellow geeks, I need your help," Yates writes. "I just read this article about little Katie being bullied by her classmates for carrying a 'Star Wars' water bottle to school. She's only in the first grade. This, my friends, cannot stand."

And to Katie, Yates writes: "I think I speak for every Epbot reader here when I say: Don't let the scruffy nerf herders get you down. You rock that water bottle with pride, and know that there are thousands of other fans out there (myself included) who would be proud to share a lunch table with you. Oh, and may the Force be with you."

Yates asked her readers to leave a comment in support of Katie on Epbot or on Goldman's blog and to help spread the word.

And that's when Katie's tale went viral. In a tremendous outpouring of support, the story of the little girl who loves "Star Wars" spread on Twitter, Facebook and tons of blogs, including the official "Star Wars" blog.

Traffic on Goldman's blog exploded, CNN reports, with 1,200 people leaving messages there, while more than 3,300 comments were posted on Yates' blog. There were also links from "Star Wars" message boards, parenting blogs, tech sites and a Twitter hashtag #maytheforcebewithkatie made its way across social media sites.

Online retailer ThinkGeek sent Katie a lightsaber. The cast of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" sent "Star Wars" merchandise. Ashley Eckstein, the voice of the female Jedi Ashoka Tano, sent Katie Her Universe clothes for girls. And Tom Kane, who voices Yoda, escorted the Goldman family to a screening near their home, CNN reports.

One fan even created a Facebook event suggesting people wear "Star Wars" gear on Dec. 10 in support of Katie. The Goldmans also asked participants to donate to "Star Wars" charities for the holidays and nearly 35,000 people signed up.

And, also on Dec. 10, Katie's school hosted Proud to be Me Day, where kids were encouraged to wear something that shows their interests -- whether it be princesses, sports, animals or anime, CNN reports.

"What strikes me is how these individuals who were once so isolated are now part of a very tight community," Goldman writes on her blog. "They have found each other; they are plugged into each other, and they have each other's backs. Now they have Katie's back, too."

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]]>adoptionbullyinggeek girlsGeekGirlsgeekskatie goldmanKatieGoldmanstar warsStarWarsHoney BerkMon, 13 Dec 2010 15:15:00 ESTBody Piercing: Is Your Child Ready?http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/08/body-piercing/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/08/body-piercing/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/08/body-piercing/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Body Piercing Photo

Does your teen want a navel piercing? Credit: Corbis

It might be hard to imagine your perfect child with a pierced ear, much less a pierced tongue or navel. But in the event they ask you before they pierce, doctors say the same health rules apply for babies, teenagers and adults.

Some parents want their infant's ears pierced, but most doctors suggest waiting until they are at least a few months old.

"I prefer to wait until the child is old enough to care for the piercing on her own," Dr. Tanya Remer Altmann tells ParentDish. The California-based pediatrician will pierce an infant's ears if the parents request it and the baby has had both 2- and 4-month vaccines.

Toddlers are hard to deal with because of the squirm factor and they may have dirty fingers and play with the earrings, which can lead to infections.

"Wait until your daughter asks for it or has demonstrated that she is responsible enough to care for them on her own," Altmann says.

Whether you are piercing an ear or a navel, it's important that the instruments used are sterile to prevent infections. Same for the skin -- it needs to be prepped by cleaning before piercing.

Teenagers are trickier, of course. It's important to communicate, and, if you're lucky, you may be able to compromise, particularly with a younger teen. Altmann suggests using incentives like a second hole in one ear in exchange for keeping grades up.

While the chances of infection are lower if piercings are done in a doctor's office, it's just as likely that your son will show up one day with a pierced eyebrow performed by a friend. Chances are, nothing was sterile.

"In teens, I've treated infected piercings not only in their earlobes, but other pierced body parts," Altmann says.

Serious infections can result from unsterile piercings, Dr. Amy Derrick tells ParentDish. She emphasizes that it's important to keep the area that is pierced clean.

"Children tend to think of piercings as temporary, but there can be permanent complications from piercings," says Derrick, a dermatologist in Barrington, Ill.

Chipped and broken teeth are common with lip, tongue and mouth piercings, she says. Make sure your children know about the possibility of infection, scarring and broken teeth before they head to the piercing parlor.

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]]>evergreennavel-piercingpiercedpierced-earspiercingsEllen Rooney MartinWed, 08 Dec 2010 15:00:00 ESTMaturity Plays Role In Talking to a Child about Deathhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/11/28/maturity-plays-role-in-talking-to-a-child-about-death/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/11/28/maturity-plays-role-in-talking-to-a-child-about-death/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/11/28/maturity-plays-role-in-talking-to-a-child-about-death/#commentsFiled under: , ,

father and son picture

Death can be hard to discuss with a child. Credit: Getty Images

No matter your religious beliefs, death is a subject that, at some point, a parent will need to discuss with a child.

Maturity plays a part in a child's understanding of death, and a few suggestions may make it easier to let a child know about the death of a friend, family member or even a family pet.

According to Earl A. Grollman in his book "Explaining Death to Children," because young children see their parents leave and return, they often may equate death with this temporary departure. Slightly older children, between the ages of 5 and 9, start understanding death better, but tend to deny it can happen to them or people they know. Whereas, after the age of 9, children have a much greater understanding of death and its permanence.

If someone close to the family dies, be prepared to share your grief with your children. A child should be made aware that death can make people sad. Death, however, is a subject that should be handled with truth. An untruth -- that a dead person is just in a deep sleep, for instance -- creates difficulties when a child tries to equate an everyday event, in this case, sleep, with the tragedy that has occurred.

If possible, try to bring a child to a graveyard to facilitate a discussion of life and death, or try to bring this sometimes taboo subject into regular conversation. Seeing a grave helps to explain the question children often ask: Where does someone go when they die?

Although one should openly discuss death, the cause may not be appropriate. While a young child may be brought to understand that a person is not returning, if that person has committed suicide or faced a violent death, the child need not be told all the details.

Some experts believe that children as young as 7 should be given the opportunity to attend funerals to become a part of the family's rituals of healing and mourning. If the child does not want to attend the funeral, perhaps visiting the funeral home with a caring, compassionate adult who is able to answer questions might provide a compromise. Or, as the child moves through the mourning process, arrange a visit to the deceased's favorite spot or the grave.

Discussing death with a child is important, as is ensuring that the child has an opportunity to ask questions. Children should be free to express emotions and crying, if necessary.

There are three phases of a child's grief: Protesting a person's death; despair or pain; and hope. Keep in mind that life and death are two certainties, which can be used to explain each other. However, if you -- or your child -- are having difficulties surrounding someone's death, seek out counseling services or pastoral care. Utilize services that will help you and your child comprehend death, which is one of the most difficult elements of life.

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]]>childchildrendealing-with-deathdeathevergreenexplaintalk about deathElizabeth HumphreySun, 28 Nov 2010 19:52:00 ESTParentDish's Top 25 Albums for Kidshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/11/28/parentdishs-top-25-albums-for-kids/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/11/28/parentdishs-top-25-albums-for-kids/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/11/28/parentdishs-top-25-albums-for-kids/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

kid music picture

Kids rock, too! Credit: Getty Images

There are thousands of choices when it comes to music for kids, but which CDs are the best for not only kids, but adults, too? These 25 selections provide musical enjoyment for both parents and their children.


1. Barenaked Ladies, "Snack Time": This collection of 24 original children's songs from the multi-platinum Canadian band was inspired by the group's own children and contains catchy pop songs the whole family will love.

2. Caspar Babypants, "Here I Am": Caspar Babypants is the alias of Chris Ballew of The Presidents of the United States of America, and he uses the same quirky sense of humor and sing-a-long style when writing kids' music.

3. Daddy a Go Go, "Come On Get Happy: The Best of Daddy a Go Go Vol. 1": This best-of collection from John Boydston includes alternative rock versions of classics like the "Scooby Doo" theme song and original tunes.

4. Dan Zanes, "House Party": This album from the former Del Fuegos rocker includes guest appearances from Bob Weir and Deborah Harry, to name a few, and is an eclectic mix of old folk standards and new originals.

5. Farmer Jason, "A Day at the Farm with Farmer Jason": Farmer Jason, aka Jason Ringenberg of Jason and the Scorchers, uses his rockabilly and cowpunk roots to make a hootenanny of a kids' album, singing songs about life on a farm.

6. Frances England, "Family Tree": Singer/songwriter England's soothing, dream-like voice gives these indie folk songs an almost hypnotic quality.

7. Various artists, "For the Kids": The first of this series of compilations of artists including Cake, Sarah McLachlan, Tom Waits and Billy Bragg and Wilco is fun for both kids and grown-ups. Love it? Two other volumes also are available.

8. Gunnar Madsen, "I'm Growing": Grammy-nominated songwriter Madsen's collection of inventive children's songs will never fail to put a smile on your family's faces.

9. Jack Johnson, "Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the Film Curious George": Johnson's version of "Three is a Magic Number" and his cover of the White Stripes' "We're Going to Be Friends" are the highlights of this assortment of groovy songs from the movie "Curious George."

10. The Jellydots, "Hey You Kids!": At first listen, you might not think this is a kids' album because the songs are so indie rock and grown-up sounding, but with subjects like blankets, race cars and cookies, these are some very kid-friendly tunes.

11. Justin Roberts, "Pop Fly": This album from established kids' music maker Roberts contains fun, peppy pop songs about stay-at-home dads, student crossing guards and the first day of school.

12. Laurie Berkner, "Rocketship Run": Made famous on "Jack's Big Music Show" on Noggin, The Laurie Berkner Band continues to inspire kids and parents to dance and sing along to her tunes with this CD.

13. Los Lobos, "Papa's Dream": The rock band Los Lobos, along with Mexican-American singer/guitarist Lalo Guerrero, give us a wonderful journey of a family traveling to Mexico in a hot-air balloon with catchy sing-a-long tunes.

14. Marlo Thomas and Friends, "Free to Be You and Me": This oldie-but-goodie from the '70s continues to resonate with children today because of its universal lessons of tolerance and self-confidence.

15. Medeski, Martin & Wood, "Let's Go Everywhere": This funky, jazzy assortment of songs is sophisticated enough for adults, but is still geared towards kids without talking down to them.

16. Ralph's World, "Green Gorilla, Monster & Me": Ralph Covert's collection of laid-back pop songs will make everyone in your family want to sing along and dance. The cover of Ray Stevens' "Gitarzan" is especially fun.

17. Recess Monkey, "Field Trip": The members of Recess Monkey are all teachers, and these catchy, upbeat songs were inspired by actual field trips they have taken. This album does a great job of translating the excitement of a field trip into music.

18. "Rockabye Baby: Lullaby Renditions of The Beatles": Sleep-inducing, lush instrumental versions of songs like "Across the Universe" will most definitely lull your little ones into slumber. Other Rockabye Baby CDs include tunes from Metallica, Led Zeppelin and even Nirvana and The Cure.

19. ScribbleMonster, "Songs with No Character": If there was such a category as alternative kids' rock, ScribbleMonster would be at the top of its charts. Billed as "music for grown-ups and their children," this CD gets the balance right.

20. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, "Easy": Rap for kids! These positive hip-hop songs will get everyone's feet tapping.

21. Sesame Street, "Platinum All Time Favorites": This is the quintessential collection of all the best songs from "Sesame Street," including "Rubber Duckie," "I Love Trash" and "Bein' Green."

22. They Might Be Giants, "Here Come the 1,2,3s": The quirky pop band has become big-time players in the kids' music scene. This album comes with a DVD featuring videos of every song.

23. Trout Fishing in America, "Big Round World": Trout Fishing in America not only makes music of all sorts of styles, but the group's songs also teach kids important lessons -- just check out the song "Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks."

24. Yo Gabba Gabba, "Music is ... Awesome!": The coolest kids' show on television delivers an excellent compilation of songs from the YGG gang and bands including The Shins, Of Montreal and The Roots.

25. Ziggy Marley, "Family Time": Bob's son, Ziggy, wanted to make an album for the entire family, and this one fits the bill. Willie Nelson, Paul Simon and Jack Johnson all make cameo appearances on this reggae-heavy collection.

Related: Top 20 Christmas movies for kids

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]]>best kids cdsevergreenfor the kidskids-musicsesame streetyo gabba gabbaSally WorshamSun, 28 Nov 2010 18:21:00 ESTHow to Play: Spooky Walkhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/26/spooky-walk-game/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/26/spooky-walk-game/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/26/spooky-walk-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

spooky walk game picture

Print pictures of Halloween images to play. Credit: rkramer62, Flickr

What you need: A box, creepy Halloween music and cut-outs or printouts of Halloween images, such as pumpkins, witches, ghosts and scarecrows. You will need one image per player. You also will need to write down what each image is on slips of paper to draw out of the box.

How to play: Place the images in a circle on the floor. Have the children stand on the pictures, and then start the music. Have the kids walk around the circle stepping/standing beside or on the things you cut out. At random intervals, stop the music and everyone freezes by the image next to him or her. There should only be one child at an image.

The rules: Once everyone has stopped, draw the name of one of the images (such as a witch) from the box. The person standing on or next to the witch would be out of the game. The witch image would then be pulled from the game so there are only as many images left as there are children still playing the game. The game continues until only one person remains.

How to win: The last remaining player is the winner.

Related: More Kids' Games

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]]>evergreenhalloweenholiday gamesmusical-chairsSpookyWalkSally WorshamTue, 26 Oct 2010 07:00:00 ESTHow to Play: Halloween Cornershttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/20/halloween-corners-game/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/20/halloween-corners-game/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/20/halloween-corners-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Print Halloween-themed images to play this game. Credit: riptheskull, Flickr

What you need: Music, a room with four corners, a hat or box and two copies of four Halloween-themed images, such as a witch, a black cat, a ghost and a jack-o-lantern.

How to play: Place one Halloween image in each of the four corners. Let the players know that when the music plays, they can move around. However, once the music stops, they need to proceed to one of the four corners of the room. Once the players have selected a corner, the music operator pulls out an image from a hat and those players standing in that corner are eliminated from the game. Then, start the music back up, mingle and repeat the process.

The rules: The Halloween image you pulled from the hat is returned before the music starts again, so this game can have as many rounds as necessary.

How to win: The last player remaining is the winner.

Related: More Kids' Games

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]]>evergreenhalloweenhalloween cornersholiday gamesSally WorshamWed, 20 Oct 2010 11:00:00 ESTWatch Your Language: Young Children Unprepared for 'Snark' Attackhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/15/watch-your-language-young-children-unprepared-for-snark-attac/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/15/watch-your-language-young-children-unprepared-for-snark-attac/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/15/watch-your-language-young-children-unprepared-for-snark-attac/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

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Little kids are just so ... literal. Credit: Getty Images

A Republican walks into a bar in Idaho with a frog on his head. Bartender says, "Where'd you get that?" The frog responds, "This is Idaho. They're everywhere."

Tap. Tap. Is this thing on?

Wow. Tough room. Note to self: Quit playing elementary schools.

Good idea. A new study suggests kids younger than 10 might just hurt their necks from trying to see the sarcastic and ironic comments flying over their heads. Not really. That was just the kind of metaphorical statement many young children wouldn't "get."

The New York Times reports Canadian researchers observed young children in a laboratory and concluded that kids have virtually no grasp of irony until they are 6. Even after that, their grasp is tenuous.

It's not until they're 10 or 11, researchers found, that they stop taking everything so dang literally.

Still, many children grow to old age being severely irony-impaired. Left untreated, they spend their final days telling people in the nursing home that, by cracky, that young Stephen Colbert fella makes a lot of sense.

(Psst, Colbert only pretends to be a conservative commentator. No one would be that over the top. It's all a joke. Like Glenn Beck.)

Researchers say their conclusions are important to keep in mind when talking to young children and clueless adults who are going to take things literally and will be probably end up confused or perturbed.

Even when the irony-impaired try to dabble in irony and sarcasm themselves, researchers found, they really don't understand what they're doing. Asked to explain irony, they might look like they just got clocked upside the head with a two-by-four.

"You really see that they respond appropriately to this language in conversation," Holly E. Recchia, the lead author of the report, tells The Times. "That's not the same as saying they can explain their understanding explicitly."

Recchia is an assistant professor of education at Concordia University in Montreal, and, The Times reports, she and her colleagues found mothers tended to use irony and sarcasm more negatively than fathers.

"It may be that mothers take on roles as teachers or managers," Recchia tells The Times. "If moms are more engaged in conflict management, then it could be that rhetorical questions are more effective than sarcasm."

As children start getting snarky, they are more like to use sarcasm ("Gee, thanks a lot") rather than understatement ("I'm just a bit angry with you right now").

Of course, you can be ironic without being mean.

"Parents tend to view ironic language negatively, but it's not always negative or nasty," Recchia tells the newspaper. "Sometimes it's quite playful. It may be that humor and irony can help to defuse situations that might otherwise cause conflict. It may be an effective tool."

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]]>ironyirony researchIronyResearchsarcasmTom HendersonFri, 15 Oct 2010 16:30:00 ESTHalloween Crafts: Gruesome Gourd Creatureshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/15/halloween-crafts/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/15/halloween-crafts/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/15/halloween-crafts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

halloween crafts picture

Need some Halloween crafts? Scare Halloween revelers with wacky gourd creatures like this creeping critter. Credit: Gina Provenzano

Tired of the same old jack-o-lanterns and tombstone lawn ornaments that serve as standard Halloween decor? DIY creepy creatures will delight kids young and old this season.

Unleash your pint-sized peeps with overactive imaginations on a pile of pumpkins and gourds and see what comes of it all. OK, you might need to lend a hand or two. Here's how to scare up some family fun.

What You'll Need:

  • Gourds and pumpkins
  • Dowels or wooden skewers, 3 -4 inches in length
  • White glue
  • Permanent marker
  • Sharp tool to punch holes, an awl or metal skewer (to be used by adult only)
Directions:

Play with gourds and pumpkins to find the perfect combination and general location for placement. Indicate where gourds should be placed by making a dot with a marker. Adults should pierce both entry points on gourds at markings. Then, allow child to dip ends of dowel in glue and insert halfway into main body and extremity. Get crafty. Use mini gourds for eyes, curly squash as a nose or legs (our octopus could have easily been a spider by swinging his legs in the opposite direction). If necessary, use a knife to trim ends in order to fit one end to another.

Allow to dry. Then set out to scare and inspire.

halloween crafts picture

Get tangled up in an orange octopus. Credit: Gina Provenzano

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]]>craftsgourdshalloweenhalloween craftsHalloweenCraftskidsGina ProvenzanoFri, 15 Oct 2010 10:00:00 ESTYou Can Insure Just Your Child ... for a Pricehttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/14/you-can-insure-just-your-child-for-a-price/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/14/you-can-insure-just-your-child-for-a-price/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/14/you-can-insure-just-your-child-for-a-price/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sorry, kid, no individual insurance policy for you. Credit: Getty Images

Slowly, the man in the pinstripe suit raised the corners of his mouth in a self-satisfied smile.

"Yeeees," he said as he rubbed his hands together. "You can have your precious child-only health insurance policy back. And all it will cost you is ... higher premiums!"

From out of nowhere, there was sudden, loud and ominous blast of organ music. The man seemed to erupt in flames, and before the young mother could gather her wits, the mysterious stranger vanished as quickly as he had appeared. All that remained was a cloud of smoke that smelled faintly of brimstone.

To be fair and balanced, insurance companies are not the devil. Or even his minions. That's just an incredibly popular (and probably only partially true) legend.

Another is that the Obama administration made a Faustian bargain with insurance companies. That legend, however, is based on actual events.

Earlier this year, health insurance companies dropped child-only insurance policies because the kids just didn't bring in enough money. Administration officials feared sick children may go uncovered and untreated, so they struck a deal.

If companies agreed to restore child-only policies, in return, the administration would allow companies to jack up their premiums so they can turn a profit. That is, assuming individual state laws permit it.

But not all the companies are playing ball.

"Unfortunately, some insurers have decided to stop writing new business in the child-only insurance market, reneging on a previous commitment made in a March letter to 'make pre-existing condition exclusions a thing of the past,' " Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius says in statement quoted by The New York Times.

Insurers argue they're not greedy devils, just economic realists. They won't have the resources to help anyone if they don't turn a profit. In other words, they can't help the sick unless the majority of the people paying premiums are healthy.

They told administration officials child-only policy are fiscal disasters waiting to happen because, under health care reforms, families can buy insurance for their children at the last minute. While that may make sense from a humanitarian standpoint, insurance executives argued it hampered their ability to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

All this may be moot in 2014.

Unless Republicans win enough seats in Congress next month to make good on their plans to scuttle health care reform, all Americans will be required to have health insurance by 2014. Insurance companies won't be able to turn either adults or children away because of pre-existing conditions.

The Times reports the Obama administration and insurance companies have been locking horns for months. Administration officials want companies to cover children with cancer, autism, heart defects and other conditions.

Yet, most parents are lucky if they can find insurance that covers braces.

In a letter quoted by The Times, Sebelius calls the continued reluctance of some insurance companies to offer child-only policies "extremely disappointing."

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]]>child only health careChildOnlyHealthCarehealth carehealth care reformhealth insuranceHealthCareHealthCareReformHealthInsuranceTom HendersonThu, 14 Oct 2010 13:30:00 ESTSchool Cafeterias to Try Psychology in Lunch Linehttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/13/school-cafeteria/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/13/school-cafeteria/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/13/school-cafeteria/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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The U.S. government is trying new approaches to get kids to choose healthier foods. Credit: Mark Humphrey/AP

Hide the chocolate milk behind the plain milk. Get those apples and oranges out of stainless steel bins and into pretty baskets. Cash only for desserts.

These subtle moves can entice kids to make healthier choices in school lunch lines, studies show. Food and restaurant marketers have long used similar tricks. Now the government wants in on the act.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced what it called a major new initiative Tuesday, giving $2 million to food behavior scientists to find ways to use psychology to improve kids' use of the federal school lunch program and fight childhood obesity.

A fresh approach is clearly needed, those behind the effort say.

About one-third of children and teens are obese or overweight. Bans on soda and junk food have backfired in some places. Some students have abandoned school meal programs that tried to force-feed healthy choices. When one school district put fruit on every lunch tray, most of it ended up in the garbage.

So instead of pursuing a carrot or a stick approach, schools want to entice kids to choose the carrot sticks, figuring children are more likely to eat something they select themselves.

"It's not nutrition till it's eaten," said Joanne Guthrie, a USDA researcher who announced the new grants. The initiative will include creation of a child nutrition center at Cornell University, which has long led this type of research.

Some tricks already judged a success by Cornell researchers: Keep ice cream in freezers without glass display tops so the treats are out of sight. Move salad bars next to the checkout registers, where students linger to pay, giving them more time to ponder a salad. And start a quick line for make-your-own subs and wraps, as Corning East High School in upstate New York did.

"I eat that every day now," instead of the chicken patty sandwiches that used to be a staple, said Shea Beecher, a 17-year-old senior.

"It's like our own little Subway," said Sterling Smith, a 15-year-old sophomore. (Hint to the school: Freshen up the fruit bowl; the choices are pretty narrow by the time Smith gets to his third-shift lunch period.)

Last year, the USDA asked the Institute of Medicine for advice on its school lunch and breakfast programs, which provide free or subsidized meals to more than 31 million schoolchildren each day. The institute recommended more fruit, vegetables and whole grains with limits on fat, salt and calories. But it was clear this wouldn't help unless kids accepted healthier foods, Guthrie said.

"We can't just say we're going to change the menu and all of our problems will be solved," she said.

The agency requested proposals from researchers on how to get kids to actually eat the good stuff. Cornell scientists Brian Wansink and David Just will get $1 million to establish the child nutrition center. Fourteen research sites around the country will share the other $1 million.

"Findings from this emerging field of research - behavioral economics - could lead to significant improvements in the diets of millions of children across America," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement.

Cornell's focus will be developing "smart lunchrooms" that guide kids to make good choices even when more tempting ones are around.

"We're not taking things away from kids," Wansink said. "It's making the better choice the easier, more convenient choice."

Wansink is a prominent food science researcher, known for studies on the depiction of food in paintings of the Last Supper and how the placement of a candy jar can affect how much people eat from it.

Christine Wallace, food service director for Corning City School District near Cornell University, met him a few years ago and invited him to use her 14 schools as a lab.

"We tend to look at what we're offering and to make sure it's well prepared and in the correct portion size, and not the psychology of it. We're just not trained that way," Wallace said.

For example, some Corning schools had express lines for a la carte items - mostly chips, cookies and ice cream. The idea was to reduce bottlenecks caused by full tray lunches that took longer to ring up. But the result was a public health nightmare.

"We were making it very convenient for them to quickly go through the line and get a bunch of less nutritious items," Wallace said.

After studies by Wansink, they renamed some foods in the elementary schools - "X-ray vision carrots" and "lean, mean green beans" - and watched consumption rise. Cafeteria workers also got more involved, asking, "Would you rather have green beans or carrots today?" instead of waiting for a kid to request them.

And just asking, "Do you want a salad with that?" on pizza day at one high school raised salad consumption 30 percent, Wansink said.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL. This article was written by MARILYNN MARCHIONE, Associated Press Writer.

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]]>school lunchSchoolLunchAssociated PressWed, 13 Oct 2010 10:50:00 ESTMad Scientists Launch Plot to Get Kids to Eat More Lima Beanshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/07/mad-scientists-launch-plot-to-get-kids-to-eat-more-lima-beans/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/07/mad-scientists-launch-plot-to-get-kids-to-eat-more-lima-beans/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/07/mad-scientists-launch-plot-to-get-kids-to-eat-more-lima-beans/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

lima bean picture

But lima beans taste just like candy! OK, they don't. Credit: Getty Images

Lima beans? Seriously?

Blecch!

Sorry kids, but a group of scientists say you need to eat more lima beans and other legumes. What's a legume, you ask? It comes from an acronym for Like Eating Gross, Ugly, Muskrat Entrails. Actually, it covers a family of beans from lima to kidney to soy to others really just too horrifying to get into right now.

But scientists say you need to eat more of them.

Stupid scientists. Why can't they ever come out with a report that American children suffer from a severe chocolate deficiency?

Oh, well. As you will be told many times in the coming years, life isn't fair.

The latest evidence of this cosmic unfairness comes from the American Academy of Pediatrics where, Bloomberg Business Week reports, those pesky researchers say infants and young children are not getting enough iron.

You get iron from (ugh!) legumes, shellfish, iron-rich fruits and vegetables and iron-fortified cereals that generally do not have chocolate coating or prizes in the box. In other words, nothing you actually like to eat.

No one said childhood was easy. However, it apparently gets a whole lot tougher if you don't get enough iron.

"Iron deficiency remains common in the United States," report co-author Frank Greer, a former chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics committee on nutrition, tells Business Week. "And now we know more about the long-term, irreversible effects it can have on children's cognitive and behavioral development. It's critical to children's health that we improve their iron status starting in infancy."

The report, published in the November issue of the journal Pediatrics, recommends nursing infants get one milligram a day of iron supplements starting at 4 months, until they can start eating iron-fortified cereals. Infants on formula don't need more iron, according to the the report, and whole milk should not be given in the first year.

Dr. Robert Baker, a co-author and a member of the executive committee of the AAP section on gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition, tells Business Week older kids should ideally get more iron from foods almost universally considered yucky.

He realizes that's not quite realistic.

"In some cases, children will still need liquid iron supplements or chewable vitamins to get the iron they need," he tells Business Week.

Woo hoo! Break out the Flintstones chewables! Dibs on Dino!

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]]>iron deficiencyIronDeficiencylegumesnutritionnutrition researchNutritionResearchTom HendersonThu, 07 Oct 2010 15:00:00 ESTKids Less Likely to Have 'Four Eyes,' Study Sayshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/06/kids-less-likely-to-have-four-eyes-study-says/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/06/kids-less-likely-to-have-four-eyes-study-says/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/06/kids-less-likely-to-have-four-eyes-study-says/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Shades are cool. Prescription eyeglasses? Not so much. Credit: Getty Images


Yes, folks, children with glasses do still get teased and called "Four Eyes." But now, it seems, specs may not have to be the only option to help kids see better at an early age.

More than half of optometrists say it's appropriate for children to start wearing soft contact lenses between the ages of 10 and 12, with daily disposable lenses being the most frequently prescribed for this age group, according to a new study from the American Optometric Association (AOA).

Doctors usually fit children ages 8 to 12 with glasses, and they prescribe contact lenses secondarily. But new data from this survey of 576 optometrists shows a gradual shift in approach as children get older, with 21 percent of optometrists noting they're now more likely to fit 10- to 12-year-olds in contact lenses than they were a year ago.

Overall, one in five optometrists say they begin prescribing contact lenses first for 10- to 12-year-olds; nearly half prescribe contact lenses first for 13- to 14-year-olds; and two-thirds recommend lenses first for 15- to 17-year-olds.

In explaining this shift in their approach, over half of the doctors who say they're now more likely to fit children in lenses attribute it either to the availability of daily disposable lenses or "improved contact lens materials"; nearly 20 percent say the shift results from requests made by the child and/or parent; and 10 percent say that recent research on the subject and kids' participation in sports/activities have influenced their decision.

Nearly all (96 percent) of the doctors surveyed say the most important factor to consider when fitting a kid with contact lenses is the child's interest and motivation to wear them. Further, the child's maturity level (93 percent), ability to take care of lenses by themselves (89 percent) and personal hygiene habits (89 percent) are also vitally important.

Though only a very small percentage of optometrists say they are less likely to fit kids in contact lenses, poor hygiene and maturity levels seen in younger kids were the reasons cited most often.

The study, conducted by the AOA with support from VISTAKON(R) -- a Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. -- was designed to gauge current trends in prescribing contact lenses to children ages 8-17 and to understand factors that influence optometrists' decisions to fit a child in contacts.

Other key study findings include:

  • The majority of doctors surveyed say gender was not a factor in the decision to fit a kid in contact lenses, though one in four say they are more likely to fit younger children when they're girls.
  • Daily disposables are the most frequently prescribed lenses for children 12 and under, while reusable contact lenses (two-week and monthly replacement) are prescribed more often for kids ages 13 to 17.
  • Two out of five optometrists say parents request contact lenses because their kid refuses to wear his or her glasses.
  • Seventy-one percent of doctors said overnight wear of contact lenses is not appropriate for kids under 18.
"This study shows us that parents should feel that it's OK to ask their child's eye doctor about contact lenses," Dr. Sindt, Chair of the Contact Lens and Cornea Section of the AOA, tells ParentDish in an email. "We shouldn't put up barriers based on a child's age or preconceived notion that a child can't wear contact lenses. Contact lenses are safe and effective for children -- even young children -- and they have a positive impact on their emotional, social and educational development."

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]]>contact lensescontactlenseseyeglassesglasseslensesresearchvisionHoney BerkWed, 06 Oct 2010 17:53:00 ESTHandy Device Lets You 'Go' Whenever or Whereverhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/06/handy-device-lets-you-go-whenever-or-wherever/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/06/handy-device-lets-you-go-whenever-or-wherever/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/06/handy-device-lets-you-go-whenever-or-wherever/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

go girl picture

When you gotta go, you gotta go. Credit: GoGirl


Let's face it ... the world is not a pee-friendly place if you're female.

Enter the GoGirl female urination device, a clever little thing made from flexible, medical grade silicone that can be a lifesaver whether you're hiking, camping, traveling or just find yourself somewhere without access to a clean restroom.

Because, odds are, you and your daughters will have to resort to squatting or trying to pee standing up at some point in time -- which, as you know, is not as easy as it sounds and often results in splashing or dribbling.

Easy-to-use, GoGirl fits snugly against your body, forming a seal that lets you simply aim and pee -- just like the guys. And it's washable, reusable and folds up into its own little tube for great portability -- so you can use it again and again, and stop counting the miles to the next clean restroom.

Available at GoGirl for $9.99.

Related: Innovative Bugaboo Convertible Stroller to Hit Stores Next Spring

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]]>bathroomcampinggirlshikingoutdoorspottypublic restroomsPublicRestroomsrestroomwomenHoney BerkWed, 06 Oct 2010 14:00:00 EST