Sobering news for an otherwise festive holiday: The majority of cut roses sold in the U. S. were grown in Columbia, using harsh pesticides, according to the Associated Press. Industry workers, many of whom are single mothers, labor under often unsafe levels of chemicals, and many have become sick as a result. The AP also […]
I’m the parent of a young child, which means naps have been a stress-producing topic for me. Will my son nap? Won’t he? When will he? Has he given them up entirely? Now, a new study shows there’s a stress-reducing side to them as well. Adults who take at least three daytime naps a week
If you’re trying to conceive, here is some new research you may want to discuss with your doctor: A study at the University of Pittsburgh found that women who conceive in summer have the lowest rate of preterm births (less than 37 weeks gestation), with the rates increasing steadily through fall, winter, and spring. Those
Two recent news items on fertility and pregnancy, for those of us creating our families that way: A new technique for screening eggs could boost IVF pregnancy rates. Using a method normally used in cancer research, researchers mapped the number of chromosomes in an unfertilised egg to predict which eggs will produce embryos least likely
Today marks the start of No Name-Calling Week, “an annual week of educational activities aimed at ending name-calling of all kinds and providing schools with the tools and inspiration to launch an on-going dialogue about ways to eliminate bullying in their communities.” The event was created three years ago by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released a policy statement about the increasingly common practice of cord-blood banking, storing blood from a newborn’s umbilical cord in case of a future need for stem cells. The AAP does not recommend banking an infant’s cord-blood for future personal use unless there is a sibling with a
I recently hosted the Carnival of Bent Attractions, an LGBT blogging event organized by Maria at Daily Dose of Queer. Because she’s clearly a woman who knows how to manage her time, Maria is also organizing the new Carnival of Shoe and Bags. At first, I dismissed this as something of little interest. Since I’ve
With winter upon us, it’s tempting to use a fleecy car-seat cover to keep your wee one warm. I found one to be a great alternative to bundling my son into a snowsuit every time we went for a drive. The South Jersey Traffic Safety Alliance has issued a statement, however, warning people to be
The U. S. Department of Labor (DOL) has published a “request for information from the public” on the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). It “invites interested parties having knowledge of, or experience with, the FMLA to submit comments and welcomes any pertinent information that will provide a basis for ascertaining the effectiveness of the
As we wend our way through prime toy season, it’s worth remembering that many sound-enabled toys can permanently damage children’s hearing. The Sight & Hearing Association in the U. S. reminds us that “Because of a child’s shorter arm span, toys are often potentially more dangerous to hearing because children hold them closer to their
