Ugh, it happened…after years of seeing erectile dysfunction (ED) commercials on TV, my eight-year-old daughter finally asked, “What was the commercial about?” I told her to ask her father, but he wasn’t home, so I was stuck. I’ve always been honest, so I told her it had to do with penis problems (not bathtubs). She went, “Eewww,” and that was that. I was lucky she didn’t ask me what kind of penis problems. Really, I’m surprised she hasn’t asked before now with how prevalent the commercials are on TV.
Beyond personal annoyance at seeing men talk about their penis problems daily on TV, I think it is really inappropriate these commercials are not limited to adult programing or late night. In fact, why do we think it is ok for our children to be confronted with any pharmaceutical commercials? [read the full article...]
Toxic Dump in Kings County, California causes birth defects.
As a parent of a child that was born with a birth defect, you ask yourself “Why?” In most cases, there are no clear answers, but for families in Kettleman City, California the cause may be a toxic dump. A federal inquiry of the dump has been launched by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has followed suit by calling for a “a thorough investigation” by state officials.
Aided by the environmental group Greenaction, residents filed a lawsuit to stop the expansion of the toxic dump in January 2010. In addition to the lawsuit, the group had been putting pressure on the governor to investigate “one of the nation’s largest hazardous waste dumps” for causing the birth defects in the community. The Silicon Valley Mercury News reports:
Editor’s Note: The following post originally appeared on Healthy Child Healthy World’s blog. We feel very strongly about this non-profit’s mission: “We are igniting a movement that inspires parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals. Eco Child’s Play is partnering with this organization to share valuable content with our readers.
The FDA says that all fruits and vegetables, including those that are organically grown, could benefit from a thorough washing to remove soil, surface microbes, and pesticide residues. While food safety experts admit there’s little chance of getting really sick, they still recommend that people with compromised immune systems or developing immune systems (fetuses and children) should thoroughly scrub all produce.
There’s been a global outpouring of financial support and aid for the victims of Haiti’s earthquake; however, what is desperately needed for the infants is human milk.
Does your child’s school have a bike education program? It is absent from my children’s curriculum, but maybe it shouldn’t be given the results in of school-based cycling programs in Wales. According to Treehugger:
From bike traffic schools in Santa Cruz to bike commuter guides, a little education can go a long way in helping people overcome their fear of adopting two-wheeled traffic. (Let’s not forget the one most important tip for staying safe on a bike either!) But an innovative program in North Wales seems to be way out in front in getting people to rethink the bike. It’s even claiming a three-fold increase in the number of kids cycling to school!
This post has been a long time coming.
I try to be a green, natural mama. I try to rationally and peacefully deal with my children. And when that doesn’t work, I fantasize about selling them to the circus.
But here I am, with two young boys, starting over as a single mama. I left because I was being abused.
I was silent about it for too long. And I stayed for too long. I could fault myself for those things, but instead, I’m opening up about it. Because if it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone.
I’ve considered myself a feminist for as long as I knew what the word meant. I helped friends get out of bad relationships and I thought that I knew the signs. I’m also the “mother-earth” type to some of my friends. Yeah, I’m crunchy, but I face the trials of parenting with a mix of peace and humor.
by Jennifer Lance on January 21, 2010 · 7 comments
If you are a mom that has breastfed your child past the standard norm in the US, then you are an “extreme” breastfeeder. Get those boobies ready for the X Games!
Seriously though, when most of the world breastfeeds their children way beyond infancy, why would the mainstream media call it “extreme” in the US.
Oh, sensationalism gets your attention, and how dare a mother use her breasts for feeding a child rather than for sexualization.
