Since today marks the midway point between the commemorations of Hurricane Katrina and 9/11, it seemed appropriate to highlight this page of resources (from the LGBT-supportive American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)) to help families prepare for and cope with terrorism and natural disasters. While the information on biological, chemical, and radiological agents could drive anyone […]
One for the gadget file: If you love camping, but your sweetie can’t survive a morning without her French roast (or if you’re the java fiend), try the Press-Bot Coffee Press. It’s designed to fit a wide-mouth Nalgene water bottle, seals completely, and includes an integrated pour spout. Works for loose tea, too. Yes, fall
It’s the day after Labor Day, which makes it Postpartum Day, I figure. That’s perhaps apt, since this time of year has always meant new beginnings for me. Being a recovering academic, I think my biorhythms are still tied to the academic calendar, even though my son hasn’t started school yet. September always makes me
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS), a test for birth defects, carries the same risk as the more commonly used amniocentesis, a new study has shown. Doctors previously thought its risk to be greater. Women can undergo CVS about six weeks earlier than amniocentesis, at 10 to 12 weeks gestation, so these findings, if confirmed, will be
FamilyRoutes is a new online community for families offering free, unlimited blogging and photo sharing as well as a host of other great features. Samantha Fein, one of the founders (and a mom herself), explains the company’s vision: “Each of us has many dimensions, not just parenthood or our work life. This service is about
Having a pre-schooler, I don’t write about teens as often as perhaps I should. Here’s one item, however, that caught my eye: A long-term study of high school seniors’ educational and occupational plans found a widening gap between goals and actual achievements. Ambition can be good for some, the researchers say, but can also lead
Today is the National Day of Remembrance of Hurricane Katrina. Despite an outpouring of public support last year (in the face of what most agree were monumental government snafus), many Gulf Coast residents are still struggling to rebuild their lives. For stories of how LGBT residents of New Orleans are doing so, take a look
Last week, researchers announced the discovery of a genetic variant that may help identify women at higher risk of having premature births. This would allow doctors to take appropriate measures to minimize the risk. The scientists also found that African-American babies were three times more likely than those of European descent to carry this genetic
The U. S. Food and Drug Administration yesterday approved over-the-counter purchase of the Plan B emergency- contraception pill for women 18 and older, and men purchasing for their partners. Girls 17 and under will still need prescriptions. Because of its dual status, Plan B will only be available at licensed pharmacies. (Nine states, however (Alaska,
Yesterday I highlighted some LGBT-specific resources on school-related topics. As a complement to that, here’s a more general resource for any parent with school-age children. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers a list of Back to School Tips about Making the First Day Easier, Backpack Safety, Traveling to and from School, Eating During the School
