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/Music and Your Kids: Tipshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/29/music-and-your-kids-tips/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/29/music-and-your-kids-tips/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/29/music-and-your-kids-tips/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Watch Video Related to Music and Your Kids!
Music and Your Kids

Listen to music with your children. Credit: Getty Images

Now's a great time to tune in

Almost nothing comes between kids and their music. But music has really changed. Know what your kids are listening to, and listen along with them. After all, music is expression -- good or bad -- and your being open to it goes a long way with your kids.

What is digital music?

Downloads, videos, MP3s, iPods, YouTube, and live streaming. Most of our kids' music now comes via the Internet. Social networks like MySpace launch artists, and kids link to artists' pages and download songs to their own pages. Videos appear for free or are available to download. Entire careers have been launched on the strength of an amateur musician's YouTube video. And kids can use music services like Rhapsody or Pandora to stream songs they like.

Music still gets swapped with friends. Most middle school kids know how to burn a CD, download music, and use file-sharing software (legal and illegal), all of which often bypasses parents completely.

Music is central to games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band. And software that allows kids to create and compose their own tunes is increasingly affordable, encouraging creativity and expression.

Why it matters

Music is a powerful medium. It can help quieter kids reveal things they normally can't. It can express emotions turbulent adolescents may not be able to voice. It's also at the center of many social interactions and popular culture movements.

Studies have repeatedly shown that kids are impacted by the music they listen to. Given the power of music and its potent messages, parents need to decide what their kids are ready for -- and help them decode what they hear.

Music with explicit content is labeled online, but it's still available. Sometimes what kids listen to is age appropriate, but even those songs can feature racy or violent lyrics and can glorify drinking, drug use, or violent behavior.

Tips for parents of elementary school kids
  • Be a model for tame music. Your child will sing along with whatever you select, so make sure you choose songs with lyrics you won't mind your child repeating if you aren't around.
  • Hold off on the iPods and MP3 players. Do you really want to hand your child an expensive gadget that could get left somewhere or go through the laundry? If your children want to listen to music in the car, give them your MP3 player.

  • Play your favorite music for kids and enjoy together. It's surprising how much kids enjoy listening to vintage tunes. Why not share your oldies but goodies and start them off with the classics?

Tips for parents of middle and high school kids

  • Do your homework before your kids buy CDs or downloaded music. Read some reviews -- including those on the Common Sense Media's music channel -- or take a look at the lyrics on sites like lyricsdepot.com or sing365.com.
  • Make some downloading rules. Make sure you agree on what kind of music your children can download. Sites like iTunes allow you to create an allowance for your kids so they can purchase at will -- but remember, if you do this, they are buying without your oversight. If you do decide to create an allowance, check which songs and videos have been downloaded -- and let your kids know that you will check their downloads. (Under the "view" section of your online music store, you can click the "date added" box to instantly check for any new song or video.) If the content is explicit, you'll know right away because it says so on the display.
  • Discourage stealing music. In addition to legitimate ways to buy music online, there are lots of programs that let kids get it for free. Remind your children that it's wrong to steal music -- after all, don't they want their favorite artists to get paid for their work? Also, many of these music-stealing programs can open up your computer to viruses and malware.
  • Enjoy music with your teens. Mortify your kids by playing Guitar Hero with them. Ask your son to plug in his iPod on the next family road trip, or have your daughter burn you a CD of her music for your car. Not only will you get a better idea of what they're being exposed to, but you may also improve your relationship with them. When you show interest in their world, they might be more open to hearing your opinions.
  • Discuss music messages. If you don't like a message, try to open a discussion with your child without being too judgmental -- nothing will make a kid defensive faster than a judgmental parent. It's important that children can challenge what they hear in a song, but they won't be likely to do it if they think you hate all their music.
  • Ask questions. Don't let music just wash over your kids. Instead, teach them to be critical of music's messages. For ideas, look at Common Sense Media reviews. Each one comes with a Common Sense Note, which provides parents with ideas about how to talk to their kids about music.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>kidsmusicMusic and Your Kidsyour kids and musicthe editors at Common Sense MediaFri, 29 Apr 2011 10:45:00 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.


Want to get the latest ParentDish news and advice? Sign up for our newsletter!



Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>birthday partiesbirthday party decorationsbirthday party gamesbirthday party invitationsBirthdayPartiesBirthdayPartyDecorationsBirthdayPartyGamesBirthdayPartyInvitationsevergreenSally WorshamThu, 03 Feb 2011 10:00:00 ESTIs Bieber Fever Hazardous to Mental Health?http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/05/is-bieber-fever-hazardous-to-mental-health/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/05/is-bieber-fever-hazardous-to-mental-health/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/05/is-bieber-fever-hazardous-to-mental-health/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Justin Bieber picture

Do you have Bieber fever? Credit: Chris Polk/KCA2010/Getty Images for KC

Parents of tweenage girls, Twitterers, trend-watchers-and the rest of the world, probably-know all about Justin Bieber, the 16-year-old pop sensation who appears to have sprung fully-formed from the Canadian heartland to take America by storm. And those with more than a passing interest and access to the Internet likely know that the teen star has been linked to the latest in a string of young women, the singer Selena Gomez, who is 18. Recently, the Web was aflutter over pictures of the two on a Caribbean vacation, apparently locking lips. Innocent fun, right? Free of consequences? Not when the "Beliebers" get you in their sights.

In fact, the combination of "Bieber fever" and Twitter has turned lethal -- at least verbally, as some fans have actually issued death threats targeted at Gomez. And while the anonymity of the Internet cloaks the age of these posters, they are likely young girls and adolescents. Take your pick of shocking posts:

o. "@selenagomez I'll kiII you I swear on GOD!!!!"
o. "@selenagomez stay away from Justin ped0phile, retard wait i'm gonna kiII ya in the night underneath your smelly bed"
o. "@selenagomez whore cancer whore..like i'mm kiII myself cuz i saw you and Justin kissing well thankyou Selena thankyou now i'm kiIILing myself"

Death threats? Slurs? Suicidal language? Why would our children type these things? Sadly, it's another side-effect of the culture of the Web: Just like teens bully their peers even more viciously online than in real life because the consequences aren't immediately apparent, children and adolescents in the virtual world are quicker and more outrageous in their anger or despair when faced with a setback. The stream-of-consciousness spewing of raw feeling has, unfortunately, become accepted as a form of authenticity. As if the immediacy of the emotion somehow excuses the virulence of what's being expressed.

Which leads to a another disturbing question: How did our kids get so deeply invested in Justin Bieber's love life? Don't they know he doesn't sing just for them?

Girls today can get incredibly wrapped up in relationships that in reality are nothing but fiction. This is nothing new, of course -- mention Sinatra, Elvis, the Beatles, David Cassidy, Michael Jackson, New Kids on the Block, the Backstreet Boys, and any number of women of every age will recall a youthful infatuation bordering on obsession. And yet today it is different -- young fans have a much stronger illusion of access to their idols, who communicate "directly" to them on their smartphones and iPads via social media. A youngster could be forgiven for thinking that Justin Bieber is, in this virtual universe, reciprocating her affections.

This is just what Bieber's media machine is after. An astute reader of the Huffington Post points out that in some countries in Asia, like South Korea, male pop stars are forbidden from having public romantic relationships to preserve the fiction for their young female fans -- and thus pad the bottom line. This fiction can be dangerous -- sure enough, at a Bieber concert in Australia last year, a number of young fans were crushed in the rush to be near the stage and their virtual beau in the flesh. But the more pervasive danger is emotional -- as evidenced by the virulent outpouring following the Gomez flap. And it's especially worrying because these obsessions are less and less visible to parents.

The days of posters, magazines, and massive CD collections are gone, all disappeared inside the computer, or even the device in a kid's pocket. Endless calls that used to tie up the phone are now silent text messages. And with this increased access -- that Bieber has to his fans, that they have to him, that our children have to the wider community on the Web -- the harmless, if hysterical, crushes of the past now spur open talk of murder and suicide. Another HuffPo commenter makes light of the phenomenon -- in the '80s and early '90s, she writes, "we didn't have 'THE INTERNET,' we had AOL! It was way too slow for us to be totally outraged on the Internet." This joke contains a fairly substantial kernel of truth: The Web is not just a forum, a new method of communication; it amplifies raw emotions, passing rages, and their consequences.

Bieber's mother is reportedly upset with him about the pictures. We don't need to be angry with our kids, but we need to teach them that the rules they know to follow don't magically disappear when they're in front of a keyboard and a screen. We understand that these Beliebers on Twitter probably don't truly feel murderous or suicidal; they're indulging in adolescent exaggeration, and if we heard them say it, we would probably hear it that way. But these kinds of remarks read very differently in print -- you just can't tell online. And remember that when 18-year-old Tyler Clementi killed himself last year, following a heartless prank, he left this message on Facebook: "jumping off the gw bridge sorry."

Knowing the difference between real pain and teen exaggeration is key to monitoring our kids' emotional lives in this digital age, and the only way to do that is to know your child. Be tuned in to her moods; talk to her about her music and her crushes. You want to understand how powerful her interest is, gauge how emotionally involved she is, and know when she's suffering -- even if the object of her affections is someone she's never met. It's not easy; not a lot of parenting in the 2.0 world is. But this is her life. You want to be there for her, even if it seems too silly to be serious. A broken heart is a broken heart, even on the Web.

Alan Ravitz, MD, MS, is a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Child Mind Institute. For more on parenting adolescents, go to childmind.org, which offers advice and a wealth of information on childhood psychiatric and learning disorders.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>justin bieberJustinBieberSelenaGomezDr. Alan RavitzWed, 05 Jan 2011 18:00:00 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>developmentetiquetteevergreenmannerspolitenessMelissa RayworthTue, 28 Dec 2010 12:00:00 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>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

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>best kids cdsevergreenfor the kidskids-musicsesame streetyo gabba gabbaSally WorshamSun, 28 Nov 2010 18:21:00 ESTParentDish's 20 Top Educational Toys for Gradeschoolershttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/11/26/parentdishs-20-top-educational-toys-for-gradeschoolers/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/11/26/parentdishs-20-top-educational-toys-for-gradeschoolers/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/11/26/parentdishs-20-top-educational-toys-for-gradeschoolers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Technosource Printies Pets Design Studio (TechnoSource)

Technosource Printies Pets Design Studio. Credit: TechnoSource

The kids grow up so fast, don't they? Seems like only yesterday they were in diapers, and now here they are, starting second grade. Time to clean out the play room to make space for some new and more educational toys. To help you out, here are ParentDish's Top 20 Educational Toys for Gradeschoolers:

1. Monopoly (Hasbro, $14.26, at Amazon.com): Talk about a classic. Monopoly has been around forever. And why not? It's good, clean family fun. In terms of educational value, you've got math, real estate, keeping your cool when you land on Marvin Gardens with two hotels -- all excellent skills to get your gradeschooler ready for the harsh realities of life.

2. Allowance Game (Remedia Publications, $21.99, at Amazon.com): Think of the Allowance Game as a less complicated version of Monopoly. Kids learn about money and how to make and lose it, without the hassle of doing so with actual cash.

3. Risk (Parker Brothers, $23.84, at Amazon.com): Conquer the world in board game form. An excellent educational game for your little Napoleon. If you want to go retro, pick up Winning Moves Games Risk 1959, released in honor of the 50th anniversary of the classic game.

4. GeoSafari Talking Globe Jr. (Educational Insights, $65.99, at Amazon.com): It's a little pricey, but it is a globe that talks. If that doesn't keep your child occupied, we don't know what will. As a bonus, the kids can have fun scaring the family cat. That activity isn't educational, but it is fun.

5. Uno (Mattel, $6.20, at Amazon.com): Uno seems too easy for kids this age, until they knuckle down and start to play it. The basics are indeed very basic, but winning still requires the use of that underworked muscle, the brain.

6. Yahtzee (Hasbro, $9.99, at Amazon.com): There's no secret why Yahtzee is educational -- it teaches children what a full house is! Just kidding. Actually, it's all about math. There's even some strategy involved -- do I take the three of a kind now, or wait for a better roll of the dice?

7. Rubik's TouchCube (Techno Source, $49.99, at Amazon.com): An updated version of the puzzle toy that took the world by storm back in the '80s. Unlike big hair and a lot of the bands from that decade, Rubik's has survived, and even thrived, throughout the years. This version has touch-sensitive colored squares, eliminating the need for all that twisting and turning.

8. GeoSafari Talking Microscope (Educational Insights, $31.32, at Amazon.com): You can talk to your microscope, just imagine it ... Well, OK, maybe you can't talk to it, but it can talk to you! This is a great starter microscope for your little Sid the Science Kid. Package includes starter slides so they can dive right in and start learning.

9. Mi Jam Drummer (Blue Box, $44.95, at Amazon.com): You know that joke all of your childless friends think is so funny? The one where they say, "Why not get Jimmy a drum set?" The Mi Jam Drummer is a way to let Buddy Rich Jr. bang on the drum all day in complete silence. Drums are a musical instrument, and therefore this is an educational toy.

10. Digital Coin Counting Money Jar (EB, $18.29, at Amazon.com): Start giving your change to your kids and let them keep track of how much they collect. A great way to learn about saving money.

11. No Stress Chess (Winning Moves, $12.61, at Amazon.com): Chess is a game that takes a lifetime to learn. Get your little kings and queens started young with this version.

12. Technosource Printies Pets Design Studio (Techno Source, $10.29, at Amazon.com): Kids bored with their stuffed animals? Tell them to make some new ones. Watch them look at you like you have lost your parental mind. Then smile as you hand them this nifty new product that lets kids design a stuffed toy on a computer, and then print out that design onto "special patent-pending Printies[TM] fabric sheets." Translation: you can design and make a huggable toy at home. Ain't technology grand?

13. Spinmaster Aquadoodle Wall Mat (SpinMaster, $39.99, at Amazon.com): Drawing is a very creative activity, even when it's on your wall. Hang one of these and avoid the punishments, the tears and the new paint job.

14. Bushnell Powerview 12x25 Compact Folding Roof Prism Binocular (Bushnell, $19.04, at Amazon.com): These binoculars are compact, which means smaller. That means they fit nicely into smaller hands -- like the ones your kids have. Use them for bird-watching, nature-gazing or spying on the neighbors. Wait -- ignore that last one.

15. Brain Games 2 (Radica, $12.97, at Amazon.com): Radica claims this handheld device will help "train your brain," a muscle that gets far too little attention. Don't expect it to turn your child's Cs into As, but it certainly can't hurt.

16. Smart Lab You Explore It Human Body (Smart Lab, $20.66, at Amazon.com): This entry in the Smart Lab series combines an anatomy book with an actual model of the human body for kids to check out while they read, making this a true hands-on learning experience.

17. Air Burst Rocket System (William Mark Corporation, $22.99, at Amazon.com): You know what kids don't do enough of these days? Blow stuff up. Granted, we know more about what's safe and what isn't than we did in years past. This system allows kids to have the fun of shooting a rocket without dealing with dangerous substances. And it's still educational, because after all -- it's still a rocket.

18. Originial TEDCO Gyroscope Twin Pak (Tedco, $10.29, at Amazon.com): How do those things spin like that? And how is that one spinning on top of the other one? Kids will have fun figuring it all out.

19. Erector Build & Play -- Construction Bucket, 150 Pieces (Erector, $22.92, at Amazon.com): Legos are great, but sometimes it's good to change things up. Erector sets are a classic building toy, and this bucket is a good place to start. The pieces are made of durable plastic rather than metal, so kids are less likely to cut themselves while they build.

20. Aliens Among Us Jigsaw Puzzle (Great American Puzzle Factory, $6.98, at Amazon.com): Puzzles are fun and great for developing the brain and fine motor skills. It doesn't have to be this particular puzzle, but Aliens Among Us does look amusing. And at 100 pieces, it should give little hands and heads a good solid workout.

(Note: Prices are accurate at the time of publication; Internet retailers change their prices frequently.)

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>educational toysevergreenGradeSchoolerlearningtoysBrett SingerFri, 26 Nov 2010 08:02:00 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

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>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

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>evergreenhalloweenhalloween cornersholiday gamesSally WorshamWed, 20 Oct 2010 11:00:00 ESTHomework Help Tips: 7 Ideas for Getting it Donehttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/19/homework-help-tips/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/19/homework-help-tips/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/19/homework-help-tips/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Child doing homework Picture

Let your kids have some play time before they start on their homework. Credit: Getty Images

Homework. Is there any other word that can instantly cause children to groan and parents to wince?

And, too often, homework is a battlefield: Kids fight it, while parents beg, plead, coddle, bribe, command, threaten and sometimes just give up trying to get their children to finish it. But homework doesn't have to be such a huge stress for families.

Dr. Paula Kramer, chair and professor of occupational therapy at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, says the best way to handle homework without conflict is to establish a daily routine.

"Homework is a necessary part of childhood, education and a critical aspect of development for future productive behaviors," Kramer says. "By creating a daily schedule, which involves designated time for homework and studying, children will begin to see homework as a responsibility, just like going to work is for parents."

Kramer says parents should follow these seven tips to help avoid arguments over turning off the television and hitting the books:

1. Homework must be done daily. Come to an understanding with your children that homework is a necessity. Teach them that homework is something that has to be done on a daily basis.

2. Set expectations. Communicate with your children's teachers to find out how much time students are expected to devote to homework each night. Discuss this expectation so your children understand the average time they will need to devote to homework each night. Setting expectations and time limits will make them more productive.

3. Allow for active playtime before homework. If your children don't have an after-school activity, such as sports practice or dance class, provide 45 minutes to an hour for them to engage in physical activity before starting their homework. This will help them burn off energy, settle their nervous systems and help focus mentally for their homework tasks.

4. Create a designated area for homework and studying. Depending upon the child, this could mean setting up a desk space in a bedroom away from family members or clearing off the kitchen table within view of the parents. The important thing to remember is to keep the homework locale consistent, quiet and free from distractions.

5. Create charts to track homework progress. The chart will not only set a schedule that visibly shows that homework needs to be done every night, but will also allow your children to track their progress. Rewards can be given for homework completed successfully a few nights in a row.

6. Use positive reinforcement to encourage good homework and study habits. Positive reinforcement should be used to recognize accomplishments. Small rewards should be given for small tasks, such as a gold sticker on the homework chart for completing homework that week. Larger rewards can be given for larger accomplishments. Here's one idea: An "A" on a test earns the privilege of choosing what the family has for dinner on Friday night.

7. Be a role model for your children. School cannot teach them everything. Take an active role in your children's education. Check in on them while they are doing their homework to make sure it is completed properly. Also, suggest and model behaviors that teach important life skills that make tasks more manageable. For example, create flash cards on Monday for a test that will need to be studied for on Thursday or set daily "goals" for the child so a project will be completed ahead of its due date.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>homeworkhomework tipsHomeworkTipsthe editors at NetscapeTue, 19 Oct 2010 13:20:00 ESTYour Kid Crazy? Don't Worry, It's a Big Clubhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/14/your-kid-crazy-dont-worry-its-a-big-club/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/14/your-kid-crazy-dont-worry-its-a-big-club/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/14/your-kid-crazy-dont-worry-its-a-big-club/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

crazy child picture

Is moodiness in teens a medical condition? Credit: Getty Images

Teenagers are nuts.

Tell you something you don't know? Very well. Let's get clinical.

At least one in five adolescents in the United States has some kind of mental disorder that makes day-to-day life a pain in the butt for themselves, those around them or both.

That's not exactly how the National Institute of Mental Health put it. But that's the gist.

And if your kid has asthma or diabetes, watch out. Researchers for the institute claim in the October issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry that those kids are more likely to have more intense emotional and behavior disorders.

But not to worry. Researchers say a high percentage of kids experience some kind of mental disorder in puberty in various shades and degrees.

Kathleen Ries Merikangas and her colleagues at the institute looked at psychological statistics from 10,123 teens ages 13 to 18 across the United States.

One of five teens suffered from disorders such as panic attacks and anxiety disorders (especially in social situations), as well as attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, depression and general moodiness.

Moody, depressed and hyperactive teens with short attention spans who don't handle themselves well in social situations? Sounds like a nasty case of puberty. Who knows were it will lead. Left untreated they could become ... [just like the rest of the human race.]

And ask anyone in the universe. That species is really crazy.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>mental disordersMentalDisordersteen depressionTeenDepressionteens and depressionTeensAndDepressionTom HendersonThu, 14 Oct 2010 16:00:00 ESTCaution: New Teen Driver, Terrified Parenthttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/13/caution-new-teen-driver-terrified-parent/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/13/caution-new-teen-driver-terrified-parent/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/13/caution-new-teen-driver-terrified-parent/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,




It's easy enough for the folks at AAA to say parents need to spend more time teaching teenagers how to drive.

Sure, let those people hurtle the wrong way down on a one-way street during 5 p.m. rush hour, sitting next to a panicky teenage driver who, let's face it, isn't exactly Albert Einstein even when he does know what the $#@! he's going.

It's scary!

Still, those scolding school marms at AAA say you better go to the store, buy yourself a spine and do your duty. As dangerous as jittery juveniles can be when you're teaching them to drive, imagine what they're like without you there to scream "Ohmigod!" and grab the wheel.

AAA points out that teenagers crash more cars than any group of drivers in the United States. In 2008, according to AAA, 1,368 new drivers between the ages of 15 and 18 died in car accidents.

Parents just don't spend enough time teaching teenagers how to drive, according to a study released by the AAA Foundation just this week.

How do researchers know this? They did a little snooping.

Researchers from the University of North Carolina's Highway Safety Research Center attached dashboard cameras to the cars of some 50 North Carolina families. They also interviewed parents 10 times during the year between kids getting their learner's permits and their actual licenses.

Kids don't get enough experience driving on different kinds of roads with different amounts of traffic and in different situations, researchers concluded. According to AAA stats, about a quarter of fatal crashes involving teens happen between 9 p.m. and midnight.

"A disappointing result was that only 20 percent of the time parents and teenagers were in the car at night, rain and heavy traffic. Eighty percent were found in benign or routine circumstances -- to and from school, to and from church," Peter Kissinger, president of the AAA Foundation, tells ABC News. "Parents need to give additional experience."

Beyond that, parents spend only a pitiful amount of time teaching their kids to drive at all.

Kissinger tells ABC his organization would like to see parents spend at least 100 hours teaching kids to drive. (The majority of states only require 50 hours.)

Almost 70 percent of parents in the study said busy schedules got in their way. No excuse, Kissinger tells ABC, noting that inexperience behind the wheel is the leading cause of most crashes involving teens.

"The best way to learn is to practice with an engaged parent," he says. "Everyone goes through a learning process."

About half of the parents in the study said they didn't feel comfortable being on the road in rain or heavy traffic with an inexperienced teen driver. However, they apparently don't mind other people doing it. Even without experience in bad weather or traffic, about 40 percent of the families still let their kids get licenses when they hit 16.

Talk about scary.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>aaateen driversteen drivingteen driving safetyTeenDriversTeenDrivingTeenDrivingSafetyteens drivingTeensDrivingTom HendersonWed, 13 Oct 2010 17:30:00 ESTSemester Abroad Leads to More Brewskis and Vino for College Studentshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/13/drinking-in-college/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/13/drinking-in-college/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/13/drinking-in-college/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

drinking in college picture

Drinking in college increases when students study abroad. Credit: Getty Images

In the midst of gaining cross-cultural skills, learning a foreign language and garnering a global understanding, college students studying abroad are busy raising their beer steins and vino glasses -- at more than double the rate of their peers back home, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hey, someone had to help with the research, and 177 students at the University of Washington volunteered to get drunk for the sake of science. The students shared their drinking habits before their international adventures, during their treks and back home (an average of three to five years), according to the newspaper. The findings were published in the journal Psychology of Addictive Behaviors.

The researchers at the University Of Washington Department Of Psychology found, overall, that student drinking more than doubled while abroad, but returned to pre-travel levels when the students came back home. However, the heaviest drinkers drank more when they got back.

Location also was a contributing factor, with international collegiate adventurers in Europe, Australia and New Zealand leading the drinking pack, according to the Times. Additionally, students in Latin America drank significantly more when they returned, compared to pre-trip levels.

Younger students -- those under 21 -- drank less than their older peers before traveling, but once in Europe, they started hitting the brewskis about 170 percent more than their pre-travel days, the Times reports. These younger college students also drank more when they returned, compared with before their trip abroad, where the legal drinking age is below 21.

"The study abroad experience presents both unique opportunities and unique risks for students," study co-author Mary Larimer, director of the Center for the Study of Health & Risk Behaviors, says in a news release. "Working with these students pre-departure is a terrific opportunity to help reduce their risks for drinking consequences while abroad, and may also help prevent difficulties when they return home."

UW graduate student and researcher Eric Pedersen tells the Huffington Post he would expect to get similar results at other universities.

"I don't think this is just a UW problem," says the psychology student, who notes, however, that his study sample included more women than the national average for studying abroad and the students he looked at were more diverse ethnically than the national average.

He tells the Huffington Post his research did not pinpoint why students drink more while they study abroad, but the results don't necessarily indicate binge drinking. Pedersen says a drink or so each night with dinner could add up to the 10 drinks a week European visitors reported on average.

"In general, drinking is an issue on college campuses, " Pedersen tells the website. "When you take that and put it in a foreign country, there's potential for more consequences.

He notes, however, that most students who study overseas, including those who drink, do not get in trouble while they're abroad.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>alcoholcollege and alcoholcollege drinkingCollegeAndAlcoholCollegeDrinkingstudy abraodStudyAbraodMary Beth SammonsWed, 13 Oct 2010 13:30:00 ESTOpinion: Bullying Stops With Parentshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/08/bullying-stops-with-parents/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/08/bullying-stops-with-parents/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/08/bullying-stops-with-parents/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tyler Clementi, 18, a first year student at Rutgers University in New Jersey, killed himself shortly after being spied on and having footage of himself streamed online. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

Last week we mourned over several teenage suicides: Kids ages 13 to 18 from New Jersey, Texas, California, Indiana and Minnesota who were bullied because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. These tragedies occurred in red and blue states, major cities and rural communities, and probably much closer to home than any of us want to consider.

And these were only the ones we read about.

Here are some horrifying statistics. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24, and fourth for children ages 10 to 14. A 2008 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that one-third of high-school students had seriously considered suicide, created a plan or actually tried to take their own life in the 12 months preceding the survey. Furthermore, boys have a higher rate of suicides, yet girls are also more prone to report their own attempts. And gay kids, according to other surveys, are at least twice as likely to make suicide attempts.

These are our sons and daughters -- tweens and teens grappling with who they are in the romantic world, so many of whom are bullied at school for being different, so many of whom remain silent about their struggles and pain.

This needs to stop. Both the bullying and the silent shame. Every one of us has the capacity to be the catalyst to end this misery. Take personal responsibility by reaching out to the children around you and making sure they are all safe, no matter who they are.

Start with your own dinner table and ask your child, "Who's being bullied at school?" Statistics dictate that teenage suicide will touch us all at some point, but those numbers don't have to stay that way.Talk to your kids and figure out where the bullying is going on, then use the resources below to empower yourself to make a difference.

Teach your child to believe in himself as well as standing up for those around him. And if your child is the bully, end that behavior immediately. Parents, check your own bullying tendencies as well. Answer this question honestly: What am I doing that's contributing to this situation? Chances are, there's something you can change in your own behavior and attitudes that will have a major impact on your kids and the world around them.

Don't wait until another child suicide story hits the front page before making this a priority in your family ... because that could be one day too late.

GLSEN: The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network offers a comprehensive list of anti-bullying resources.

PFLAG: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays is a family-based organization committed to the civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. They offer parents 10 ways to make our schools safer and ways to report bullying in schools.

The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project focuses on crisis intervention and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. The confidential hotline is 866-488-7386. Check out their section on suicidal signs and facts and advice on how to help someone who is suicidal.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255)

Eddie Mercado is senior manager at AOL and works closely with the ParentDish team.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>bully victimsbullyingBullyVictimsSuicidesuicide helpsuicide preventionSuicideHelpSuicidePreventionteenage suicideTeenageSuicideEddie MercadoFri, 08 Oct 2010 17:23:00 ESTCondom Sense: Trojan Ranks 13 Most Sexually Healthy Collegeshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/07/condom-sense-trojan-ranks-13-most-sexually-healthy-colleges/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/07/condom-sense-trojan-ranks-13-most-sexually-healthy-colleges/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/07/condom-sense-trojan-ranks-13-most-sexually-healthy-colleges/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

trojan condom picture

Columbia University had the highest "sexual GPA." Credit: Getty Images

Crazy parties, wild behavior, one-night stands, unprotected sex: This is the stuff that causes parents to wake in a cold sweat when they think of their sons or daughters on campus.

Well, here's some good news: A growing number of campus health and wellness offices, along with sex experts, want to help ease your nightmares and are taking steps to make sexual health a priority at their schools. And guess who's helping them help your kids stay STD free?

Trojan. The condom giant just released its fifth annual Sexual Health Report Card, which looked at 141 colleges and ranked them according to the quality and accessibility of their sexual health resources. The report zeroes in on 12 categories ranging from contraceptive availability and STD testing to sexual assault programs, according to a news release. Each school was given a "GPA" based on its average in the areas, with 4.0, naturally, being the highest possible rating.

Columbia University in New York City topped the honor roll with a 3.70, distinguishing itself with Go Ask Alice, a comprehensive website that allows students to submit questions anonymously. Current topics span the health scope: "Keeping the flow with a condom," "Numbing lube safety for anal sex" and "Quick and healthy bag lunches."

Michigan State was ranked second with a 3.61, followed by Ohio State University. Also making the honor roll: University of Michigan, 3.55; Brown University, 3.50; University of Iowa, 3.49; University of Oregon, 3.44; Princeton University, 3.41; Rutgers, 3,38; University of Minnesota, 3.37; Western Michigan University, 3.28; Cornell, 3.22; and Yale, 3.17.

The idea is that by making students aware of their school's sex health status, it will instigate change, Trojan representative Bruce Tetreault, says in the release. The company decided to launch the study years ago in response to the rising rate of sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) among young people, he adds.

According to the latest Center for Disease Control and Prevention report in 2008, STDs are a growing public health challenge in the United States. The CDC estimates there are approximately 19 million new STD infections each year -- almost half of them among young people ages 15 to 24. The cost of STDs to the U.S. health care system is estimated to be as much as $15.9 billion annually.

"We found the numbers unacceptable, and wanted to make students aware of how their schools ranked in terms of sexual health," Tetreault says in the release.

Bert Sperling, owner of the research firm that partnered with Trojan to administer the survey, says all schools have shown improvement in the past five years, and that students at Arizona State and Northwestern University, among others, have taken action in an effort to up their schools' rankings.

Although the ratings only cover a small portion of the approximately 2,000 4-year institutions in the United States, Sperling says 30 percent of American undergraduates attend the colleges studied.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>college sexCollegeSexsexSexual healthSexualHealthSTDteen sexTeenSexMary Beth SammonsThu, 07 Oct 2010 13:00:00 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

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>bathroomcampinggirlshikingoutdoorspottypublic restroomsPublicRestroomsrestroomwomenHoney BerkWed, 06 Oct 2010 14:00:00 ESTKnocked Out: Challenge Inspires College Kids to Get Some ZZZZshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/06/knocked-out-challenge-inspires-college-kids-to-get-some-zzzzs/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/06/knocked-out-challenge-inspires-college-kids-to-get-some-zzzzs/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/06/knocked-out-challenge-inspires-college-kids-to-get-some-zzzzs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

kid listening to music picture

The Huffington Post is challenging college students to get eight hours of sleep (a night). Credit: Corbis

Sleep? Please. Who needs it? Isn't that what Red Bull is for?

It's a one-way conversation all too familiar for parents of college students. "Sleep is just sooooooo overrated Mom," is the mantra of this nocturnal set.

But now, the Huffington Post has created a challenge to incoming college freshman designed to get them to cut out all-nighters and cut back on the multiple caffeinated beverages that keep their eyelids open all day.

Please, contest gods, tell us your secret. The Freshman 8 is a spin-off of the old freshman 15 motif, and focuses instead on the health benefits of a good eight hours of sleep, Dr. Michael J. Breus, Ph.D, a clinical psychologist and member of the American Board of Sleep Medicine who is overseeing the contest, tells the website.

Weight gain is not uncommon, Breus tells the Huffington Post, but neither is a full night's sleep. He cites a 2001 study by the American College Health Association that shows only 11 percent of college students consistently sleep well. Adequate sleep, he says, can lead to higher grades, heightened performance and better health.

So the Huffington Post tracked the progress of students who entered the contest on Facebook and have come up with six well-rested finalists who are in the running to win a trip to New York City during the site's Oct. 28 Game Changers Event.

Leah Finnegan, a college correspondent for the site and editor of the Daily Texan at the University of Texas-Austin, says all-nighters aren't worth it on her Huffington Post blog.

"You see, just a short month ago, I would have awoken bleary-eyed and confused after an unsatisfying five hours of sleep," she writes. "Throughout the day I would have had multiple caffeinated beverages. All day I would think about sleeping, only to stumble home at 8 p.m. and find myself wide awake, neurons somehow pulsing on the dregs of coffee in my veins. Sleep would come six sad hours later. And then the whole thing would begin again. It's really no way to live, and it's a cycle that started for me in college, when varied wake-up times, free-flowing legal stimulants and midday naps were new and interesting."

It's tough to rack up the ZZZs in the student lounge or when your roommate is throwing a bash. Breus suggests students get earplugs, an eye mask and a good set of headphones.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>college students and sleepCollegeStudentsAndSleephuffington postHuffingtonPostsleepsleep deprivationSleepDeprivationMary Beth SammonsWed, 06 Oct 2010 13:30:00 EST