Article newsfeed http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/ en-us Copyright 2012 The Professional Image. All Rights Reserved. Mon, 27 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Have fun with Hudson Valley Kids. Click on the magazine to see it in full screen. If you child likes to create puzzles, email us one and we may publish it in the next Hudson Valley Kids magazine. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1338 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1338 Mon, 27 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT What is the best way to prepare a child for the birth of a new family member so that the transition can be a positive one what are the guidelines? The impact of a new baby in the family on the life of a child can vary dramatically depending on many variables, among them, including family size, the age, sex, and temperament of any other children, when in the other childrens lives the new baby arrives, and the familys primary parenting style. A child who has been infantilized and over coddled by parents will have more difficulty giving up the role of being the baby than a child who has developed a greater sense of autonomy, self-definition, and competence. Girls, whether by nature or cultural modeling, seem to not only tolerate, but accept and enjoy a new sibling much more than do boys. Children who have been born with an easy temperament also have a much easier transition when a newborn arrives. Only children also seem to have difficulty with a new baby as they are no longer the center of the parental universe. Small wonder first born males exhibit the greatest number of maladaptive reactions to a newborn sibling. The reaction to a new sibling by a firstborn may also be mitigated by age. A six or seven-year-old has less difficulty with this addition than does a three or four-year-old who has not sufficiently developed a significant level of independence. I like Dr. Spocks analogy in his classic Baby and Child Care, to help us see the childs position. Suppose your partner came home with another person one day and said Dear, someone else is coming to live with us, I dont love you any less but this person will take much of the time and attention I spend with you away, not too much will change isnt it wonderful? How would we react in that situation? For children, jealousy and hostility are the most common emotions evoked. Outright aggression toward the baby is usually rare most hostility is directed toward the mother (as she is usually the primary caretaker of a newborn), often in the form of direct disobedience and escalating demanding behavior. Regressive behavior such as whining, clinging, and tearfulness is also common. Other regressive behaviors might include baby talk, demands to be carried or fed and children wetting or soiling their pants. Recognizing the normalcy and transitory nature of this behavior is important. Punishing the child or drawing attention to this babyish behavior might escalate the childs anxiety. Avoiding aggression and regression Preparing the child for the new baby seems to be the best defense to prevent or at least mitigate jealous or hostile feelings, not only for firstborn but for all children. Parents who minimize change in their childs life as much as possible prior to the birth of a new sibling, reassuring the child that becoming a big brother or sister will have its benefits, has been shown to be helpful in mitigating the potential toxic impact this change will bring. Including the child in as much of the process as possiblehospital visits, babys room preparation, picking out clothes all help alleviate anxiety the child may be feeling. In addition to emotional and intellectual preparation, children benefit from practical preparation as well. If the child is to sleep in a new bed, or have a new sitter or any other change in routine, this should be initiated well before the new baby arrives. New arrangements made when the baby arrives might not only be seen as rejection but outright banishment. It is also important to allow negative feelings about the baby to be expressed without reproach or undue criticism. Allowing your child to talk about their anger or resentment teaches them that the development of character is learned by the recognition that it's not the feelings we have that are inappropriate but how we express or resolve these feelings. Stressing the helplessness of the newborn and the grownupness of the big brother or sister often becomes the catalyst for adaptive reality testing. The child begins to think Mom and Dad are right, I can do a lot more than this helpless bundle, eat by myself, watch TV, stack blocks, stay up later, talk on the phone This insight will often turn hostile or jealous behavior into mentoring, where the older child becomes one of the babys teachers, and later takes delight in the baby copying them imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery. Part of this process might include parents asking the child if they want to give the baby one of the toys they have outgrown. This sense of competence and autonomy is very empowering for children. Dont be disappointed if the older sibling is not demonstrating the expected behavior. Be patient, and follow the guidelines; acceptance will come in time. Keep in mind, that even as adults we may be rationally prepared for a change in our relationships yet devastated by the experience of that change. Take comfort in the idea that this behavior is almost always transitory, and helps the child begin to learn what is probably one of the most important lessons in life change is inevitable. Happy Holidays to all Hudson Valley Parent readers and their families. Paul Schwartz, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology and education at Mount Saint Mary College. He is available for speaking engagements to parent groups. Click here to read feedback from a reader on Dr. Schwartz. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1317 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1317 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT This is a season to celebrate the love of family and friends. We, at Hudson Valley Parent, want to wish you all the very best of the season and look forward to a healthy and happy new year! In that spirit we want to share a note that a grateful parent sent to Dr. Paul Schwartz, Hudson Valley Parents guru on raising children. The letter writer is teaching her 9-year-old daughter what it means to share with others and give back to the community. Dear Dr. Schwartz, I wanted to tell you that after reading your article in Hudson Valley Parent about helping our children to beautonomous and to "give back", my daughters and I volunteered weekly at a soup kitchen last summer. I am teaching them autonomy, selflessness, compassion, earning privileges, and not to feel entitled like so many other young people do. Between your parenting articles, your snippet on Youtube, and other things you have done for you......I have to thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting me on the right path to becoming a better parent. Thank you very, very much! Have a wonderful holiday season and God bless, From a local Hudson Valley Parent reader. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1323 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1323 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Follow this information to ensure a safe skating session: Do not skate or walk on ice unless a sign is posted by your town Parks and Recreation department designating the ice as a safe-skating area. Skate only where you are sure the ice is strong enough to hold your weight. Ice should be a minimum of at least 6 inches to be safe to skate on. Always check for cracks, holes, and debris. If you hear cracking while on ice, lie down immediately and try to distribute your weight. Children should never be left unattended near any ice or frozen water. If you witness someone falling through ice, never attempt to make a rescue by yourself. Call 911 and notify the proper authorities. Courtesy of the National Safety Council Discover new places to skate in the Hudson Valley. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1319 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1319 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Last months Hudson Valley Parent examined the issues of gang violence (Gangspotting) and offered some preventative measures for parents. Although gang membership affects only a small number of children and adolescents, aggressive behavior has become all too common among youngsters. This month I would like to offer parents some ideas regarding ways to help manage or control aggression in children. The emphasis will be on young children, as their issues and difficulties are vastly different from those of adolescents. First and foremost should be the understanding that it is not the childs feeling of aggression that should be viewed as wrong or inappropriate anger is a normal and natural emotion that all children experience and express. What needs to be guided, managed, and controlled is the expression of these feelings, not the feelings themselves. Behind the aggressive acts of children are usually very strong angry feelings of some event or person that has frustrated the child. Children should not be made to feel guilty or ashamed about their angry feelings. The task for parents is to acknowledge, and if the child has been wronged, accept what their child is feeling. The primary goal for parents is to help their children learn appropriate ways of coping with anger, and frustration, and the acceptable ways to express these feelings. Accepting the angry feelings doesnt mean accepting the aggressive actions. Generally, most children want to, and will, conform to parental expectations, especially if these expectations are delivered clearly, in a warm and accepting manner conveying respect for what the child is experiencing. Managing and controlling the expression of feelings doesnt come naturally to children, they must be taught and it takes time, energy, and patience. There are many packaged approaches and a multitude of books on controlling aggression in childhood, each promising guaranteed success with all children. Please keep in mind, one method of managing aggression will not work with all children. Today, what has had the most success for aggressive children is teaching control and alternative modes of responding rather than older ideas like letting off steam somewhere else, otherwise known as catharsis. (There is one book on behavior management I do recommend to parents, its Alan Kazdins The Kazdin Method for Parenting the Defiant Child. Its practical, not one dimensional, and proven effective.) Children can mimic Sometimes the aggressive behavior exhibited by a child might be created or perpetuated by the management system used by parents. This doesnt mean that parents intentionally teach or reward aggression in their children; or try to promote it; however, they may inadvertently encourage aggressive behavior. For example, as a means of stopping their children from becoming aggressive, some parents may become too controlling of their childs actions. Too much control may result in increased aggression and oppositional behavior, as aggression may be the only way a child has of asserting himself. This authoritarian style of management doesnt teach a child how to behave, it just tells him he needs to control his aggression or else. The or else usually being some form of punishment. Parents who rely on constantly spanking and using punishment as their disciplinary technique may suppress aggressive behavior in the short term. However, physical punishment is not a desirable or successful long-term strategy, especially if it is harsh or frequent. Parents who use physical punishment or the threat of punishment will often illicit a greater degree of negative side effects and reactions from their children. The most useless management postulate that parents can use is do as I say not as I do; children do as their parents do! Think of your behavior when encouraging what you desire of your childs behavior. Children who are managed aggressively, imitate the adult models that punish them. A child hit by an angry parent learns to deal with his own anger or frustration in a similar manner. Research indicates that even moderate use of aggression such as spanking increases the very behavior parents are looking to control. Spanking also creates only an external control mechanism, and doesnt help the child develop internal self-control or any means of coping with the problem that created the misbehavior in the first place, especially in other environments. How much control is enough? On the other side of the spectrum lies the permissive parent, who may be too accepting of their childs impulses and aggressive behavior. These parents may use too little control over their children, trusting in their children's ability to control their own behavior and act appropriately with other children. Under control can prove almost as problematic as harsh punishment. Too much permissiveness, or looking the other way by parents, can be seen as inadvertently rewarding aggressive behavior. Children see that if nothing happens when they are aggressive, it must be OK. While ignoring some behaviors can be an effective management technique, not so for aggression. Ignoring aggression may send a message to that child that aggression is a behavior that is tolerated. Always make it clear that aggression is not an acceptable means of dealing with anger. Inconsistent management can also have the same or similar effects. Being inconsistent may result in a child thinking will I get away with it this time. When rules have been established they need to be clearly understood and consistently enforced. Dont make discipline a platform for Lets Make a Deal. Parenting is as much an art as it is a science. Staying away from either of the extremes in behavior management mentioned is a good starting place to help manage aggressive behavior when it happens. Some other techniques that have been effective: Help children understand and verbalize what they are feeling. Dont underestimate the power of talk. Help a child develop alternate methods of dealing with conflict, frustration or anger. Role play with your child. Go through various scenarios asking what she might or could do differently next time. Help a child to develop empathy. Be the broken record to your child, always asking How do you think your sister feels when you do that? Sooner or later it will help them change their thinking or behavior. Be patient. Although anger is a normal emotion, aggressive behavior in childhood in most instances is a product of learning. If aggression is learned, with patience and appropriate responses to childhood instances it can be unlearned and appropriate behavior taught. Paul Schwartz, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology and education at Mount Saint Mary College. He is available for speaking engagements to parent groups. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1311 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1311 Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT What you need to chef it up for your baby: A food processor, blender, or food mill A steamer (any old pot with some water will do) An ice cube tray for freezing individual portions for future use Fresh, organic produce What you dont need: An expensive steamer/masher machine (though it will certainly streamline the process) Salt or sugar Lots of time, money, or culinary expertise Don't forget these 5 essential feeding tips: Before you embark on the Great Solid Food Adventure its important to remember a few things: The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends exclusively breast or formula feeding for a minimum of six months (and continuing to nurse or formula feed after the introduction of solids until at least a year). Some pediatricians will encourage starting solids as early as four months, though Amy Spoto, MD, of Hudson Valley Pediatrics, says the decision to start should be based more on developmental signs of readiness than age. According to famed pediatrician William Sears: Your initial goal is to introduce your baby to the new tastes and textures of solid foods, not to stuff them. Go slow, waiting three to four days before introducing a new food so you can watch for adverse reactions (which may manifest as a red ring around the anus, diarrhea or constipation, eczema, facial swelling, hives, etc.). It is not necessary that rice cereal be your babys first food. Many pediatricians recommend starting with vegetables first, then fruit, to avoid encouraging a sweet tooth; Spoto says there is no hard and fast rule. The AAP recently changed its stance on common allergens like peanut butter and egg yolks; it is no longer recommended you wait a full year before introducing these foods, unless you have an allergy in the family. In fact, Spoto confirms that holding off on introducing such foods may increase the likelihood of an allergy developing. Now that you have the tools, start making your own baby food! http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1308 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1308 Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT We have the latest parenting information you need availableright at your fingertips. Simply download these files for easy and quick advice! Gang activity in the region recently has involved FBI probes and been spotlighted in the national news. Hudson Valley Parent magazine asked experts to help educate local parents about how to keep their kids from joining a gang, or recognizing the clues that they may already be in one. Gangspotting, an article in the October issue, features advice from professionals for parents. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1304 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1304 Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT Its time: Your little one is about six months old. Theyre eying your plate of spaghetti like Romeo did Juliet. All signs point to go time to bust out the bib and spoon and give them a taste of some real food. Look no further than your own produce drawer if you want to provide your little one with the most diverse, fresh, and nutritious food possible, while encouraging an adventurous palate, one that may make the difference between them eating only mac n cheese until high school or being the kid who will scarf down garlicky kale with gusto. Making your own baby food at home gives you more control over ingredients, and its cheaper, says Amy Spoto, MD, of Hudson Valley Pediatrics. I always encourage parents to make their own baby food if they have the time. When you make it yourself you know exactly what is in it. Knowing where the food comes from lessens the chance of ingesting any unwanted sugars, pesticides, or preservatives. Its just better to feed your baby fresh produce, especially organic, if you can afford it. Making your own purees out of the same produce youre buying for yourself is more cost effective than buying jars, which, at around a dollar a piece per four-ounce serving, adds up quickly. One of the biggest downfalls of jarred baby food is its processing. In order to kill all bacteria for longer shelf life, the fruits and veggies are heated to high temperatures. Unfortunately, this can deplete the nutritional value, as well as affecting taste and freshness qualities. In addition, the purees are often diluted, which is why the nutritional value of one brand may differ from another. This intense processing and diluting leaves many of the fruits and veggies unrecognizable to more discerning palates; it has been suggested that the bland taste and super smooth consistency of commercial baby food can set babies up to be more resistant to the same fruits and vegetables in their whole foods state. By steaming, roasting, or boiling your own fresh fruits and veggies and then pureeing with a food processor, blender, or food mill, youre not only offering your child a more nutrient dense food, youre making accessible a full range of produce that commercial producers cant. There is a bounty of Hudson Valley produce you wont find in a Gerber jar kale, beets, sweet corn, chard, heirloom tomatoes, or the countless varieties of apples. For Hyde Park stay-at-home mom Cara Kubert, making homemade baby food was not only easy, but a wild success. Since she and her husband eat fresh, local, and organic, she knew even during her pregnancy that shed want her baby to eat the same. I had tried some jarred baby food before and it just didnt taste right. So when son Wyatt started showing signs of readiness at four and a half months, Kubert began offering him simple things like bananas, avocado, or sweet potato, mashed with the back of a fork and mixed with breastmilk. An avid eater from the start, now twelve-month-old Wyatt took to the blends quickly, so Kubert began introducing new foods in rapid succession. He really liked carrots and bananas so I mixed those with lots of seasonal things. Eventually she began adding simple spices, like cinnamon. She would steam the fruits and veggies then use a food mill, storing extra servings in a freezer tray. Much of what she made never got used: By nine months Wyatt was refusing purees, instead clamoring for what was on mom and dads plates. He loved everything that was more seasoned and spicy. Kubert reports that he seems to have a more adventurous palette than other babies his age. And I like that he got a taste for healthy food. Shannon Gallagher lines in Rhinebeck and enjoys feeding her little girl home-made foods. Find the tools you need for making homemade baby food. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1306 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1306 Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT If you are not signed up for our newsletter, you are cheating yourself. It arrives nice and neat once a week, full of exciting places to go with the family and lots of great giveaways and contests. I know were all inundated these days with information, but if youre raising a family in the Hudson Valley, this is exactly the kind of resource that is useful. Please, take a moment to sign up right now (on our homepage). We dont share your email with anyone. Ill bet youll end up with at least one great weekend experience this fall just from signing up today. Go ahead. Ill wait. Okay, now that everyone is signed up for the newsletter, on to this months programming. As the father of a ten-month-old, Ive been intimately involved in the wonderful world of the sleeping habits of babies. In Sleep Wars, Janine Boldrin talks to moms and pediatricians to find out what the current thinking is on co-sleeping. It turns out that those that think its not a good idea and those that think it is have not managed to change each others minds. In the real world of parenting, I know folks who have stuck with one way or the other, but often (as in my case) its a blend. We slept with Mack the first week or two, then got a co-sleeper. At about three months, we put him in a separate room with a crib. But he still often joins us for an hour or two in the morning. Like a lot of these decisions, it comes down to what works for your family at any given time. Whichever wayor waysyou go, remember to follow the sleep safety guidelines particular to your choice. Once you figure out sleeping arrangements, youre all set. Just kidding. Now you have to decide whether to let baby cry it out or go the attachment parenting way of no-cry. For me and my partner, and most parents I talk to, no matter which way you go or what books you read, its going to be a little rough in patches, no way around it. And thats okay, its part of the deal. In Cry it Out or Rock-a-bye Baby?, Janine again consults the experts. While the conclusions and advice are not earth-shattering, they are reassuring for parents who can be experiencing Cry Anxiety. By the time he was five or six months, we mostly let little Mack cry a bit. He usually drops off fairly quickly. He may wake up periodically and cry for 5 seconds to a couple of minutes. If hes teething or crying unusually hard, well pop in after a few minutes, check the diaper situation, give him a little hug, maybe rock him for a few minutes. You figure it out, is what were figuring out. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1289 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1289 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT Kids are constantly asking questions as a means of understanding this complex world of ours, and all parents experience the joy of being able to provide the answers for them. Sometimes the questions asked however, can be challenging to answer. Such is the case when children ask about death, both in the abstract and when a person they knew or a pet has died. When my son was little, he would say things like, Daddy dont die! Youre not going to die, are you? He asked me to promise him that I wouldnt die. Although I assured him that I would probably not die for a long time, my lack of a hard and fast promise, which was often the case with other issues, lessened his anxiety, but did not leave him completely comfortable. I could have put his mind at ease by saying, Dont worry, I wont die, but that would have not been truthful, and he would have to unlearn what I told him at a later time. Many parents worry that by discussing death, it will fuel the childs fears. Children who have a good grasp of the facts about death have an easier time discussing and accepting the conceptand the realitywhen it does inevitably occur. Talking about and learning to accept death and the accompanying loss is an important part of a childs development. A death, large or small, can also be a time for a family to share feelings, beliefs, and the processes that are a necessary part of healing grief. When a death in the family occurs many parents try to shield their children from the event as much as possible. Research is clear on this issue; permitting the child to be involved in the process, both by discussing the issues and being in attendance at the funeral, helps to alleviate a childs anxiety and confusion. It also provides a mutual source of support. When a child asks about death and is denied honest responses, he will use his imagination to create an answer, and the longer these mysteries exist, the longer the confusion, and the more difficult they will be to correct. Loss is a part of being alive and the feelings accompanying the loss of a loved one adds a dimension to a childs ability to care about others. When talking to your child about death dont make euphemistic statements that may further confuse or frighten your child. Here are a few common statements to be avoided. Grandma has gone to sleep forever. This may make your child fearful of bedtime or even naptime, believing there may be a possibility that once they go to sleep, they wont wake up. Grandma is watching you from heaven. Your child may feel constantly spied upon and may become fearful of making mistakes or misbehaving. We have lost grandma, she has gone away. Your child may be confused and think, If we lost her, why not try to find her. This type of statement can also increase fears of separation, and when a parent goes away for any reason, they may, like grandma, never come back. Grandma was so good, God chose her to live in heaven with him. Children may become apprehensive of being good and may believe that being good causes death. Philosophical and religious concepts may be comforting for adults. However, until a child is old enough to grasp these ideas, they may be confusing and frightening. When you do talk about death with your child, always present your thoughts honestly, simply, and compassionately, creating an atmosphere of comfort and openness. Be direct, encourage questions, and dont be afraid to use the words death or dead in your explanation. If a loved one died, dont try to hide your tears or sadness. A child needs to see that these emotions are acceptable to express. Reassure your child that memories of the person who died will be preserved through pictures, other keepsakes, and memories. The following are some guidelines you might use to help structure your discussions: Children under 5usually dont comprehend the permanence of death. Death is often seen as reversible and temporary. Its important to explain that old age, accidents, or disease caused the death, and that the person will not return. They should be reassured that being bad or having angry thoughts dont make people die. Children 6-11understand that death is not reversible. They can be told all the facts and should not be left out of the conversations, if they are interested. At this age children may feel both anger and guilt, as well as sadness, about the death and may need help communicating their ambivalent and often confusing feelings. Adolescentsoften have the most intense feelings of grief of any age group, and often have the most difficulty expressing their feelings. Although like children, they need support, they also want to be seen as adults and treated as such. Like adults, children, find comfort in rituals. The ritual of the preparation for the funeral and memorial service allows everyone some closure to the loss experience. This ritual process is the beginning of the healing of grief. The funeral provides a structured way of allowing and encouraging both adults and children to comfort each other and honor the person who has died. Dont try to shield your child from the realities of life, or be afraid to demonstrate to your child that you might not have all the answers. Paul Schwartz, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology and education at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1276 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1276 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT If you and your tween need more inspiration, here is a recent space thatRoberta Wagnerdesigned for a client of hers. The theme was, Cottage Chic Meets the Beach. The tween, Mary Auringer of Port Ewen, had a few specific requests: beachy, a black, white, and aqua color scheme, large black flowered walls, and a chalkboard wall. The four room design budget was $700. The Lounge: A rice paper and bamboo backdrop was made using $10 panels hung on a curtain rod. A large area rug was made by arranging eight $2 rugs together. Black and white posters of Mary and her friends were hung for $16 apiece. Black flower sticker appliqus for the walls bring out the chic for $30. The Kitchenette: Dark cabinets were painted white and then distressed (a technique to make new furniture look older using sandpaper), brightening the room. Mary also got her chalkboard wall, which was a big hit with her friends. The Bath: The bath was painted with a light aqua paint, and the focal wall was rag rolled with two shades of aqua and white to create the look of water. To make the space feel larger, accent mirrors were used to bring in reflective light. The Changing Room: The focal wall was painted white with toffee stripes, giving it the look of a seaside cabana. Three full length mirrors ($5 each) were hung on the stripes. A fabulous old trunk was used as seating. An old dresser and storage bins were brought in for easy access to extra towels and swimsuits. Mary was excited about her haute new space and couldnt wait to share it with friends. Its fantastic knowing that your not-so-little-but-not-quite-teenagers are safe at home, enjoying their tweenhood. Roberta Wagner is from Port Ewen and is known by her friends as the Martha Stewart of the Hudson Valley. Find exclusive design tips from Roberta here. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1285 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1285 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT Does this conversation sound familiar? Parent: Wait just a second honey, I couldnt hear you did you say want to paint your room black? Child: The official color is called Midnight Crush. Welcome to the world of tween decorating. Tweens are not quite ready-to-spread-their-wings teenagers, but they are definitely not young children anymore. They want their own space and have specific ideas about how they want that space to reflect their personality and sense of style. This is an opportunity to work together and to score major parental cool points by showing that you see their point of view. But prepare yourselfafter creating such an amazing space they may never want to leave. Here are tips to get started. Create a plan Even though this is your tweens room, you will be footing the bill, so set a budget up front. Before committing to a decorating plan, consult design books or magazines to give your tween some options. After they pick a theme or style, have them draw a sketch of the room they envision. Be sure they include furniture, posters, and bedding. Color that grows with you Choose a color scheme with your tween. They probably have a few favorites in mind, but pick colors that they will grow with. For example, if your tween is craving lime green walls, compromise with one lime green wall, or inexpensive accessories. Size it right Scale is the most important factor in design. So many do-it-yourself-ers make the biggest mistakes by not measuring furniture before purchasing. If you have a small space, you will need to use small scale furnishings. The same holds true for a large space and large furnishings. Buy smart Tweens are ever changing. Odds are what they like today may be out tomorrow. Purchase expensive items like furniture in neutral colors. Spend less money on accessories. You can create a fabulous space without breaking the bank. Have your tween be actively involved not just in the choosing of the paint colors, but in the actual work. Use the makeover as an opportunity to teach them how to paint, clean baseboards, hang pictures, or even sew. They will appreciate it more and benefit from the experience of doing it themselves. Along with the chain stores like IKEA, PB Teen, and Marshalls, check out local offerings, like The Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Newburgh, for inexpensive furnishings. The ReStore recycles new, gently used, and antique items donated by manufacturers, stores, contractors, and individuals. All proceeds from sales go directly towards Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburghs house construction program. Craigslist, yard sales, and thrift stores also yield a gold mine of fun and unique items. And, your tween can always put their creativity to use by making decorations of their own. Dont forget, simply asking your tween where they would like to shop will show that you trust their design ideas. Roberta Wagner is from Port Ewen and is known by her friends as the Martha Stewart of the Hudson Valley. Check out a tween space that Roberta recently transformed. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1284 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1284 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT Jazz up your shades: Get some ribbon and dress up plain lamp shades. Wrap the ribbon around the shade and tie in a bow, or use multiple colors, and hot glue stripes. Design your own frames: Buy inexpensive frames or use old ones you have around the house. Use a hot glue gun and add buttons, shells, beads, or hard candies onto the frames. Make your own pillowcase: Purchase iron-on transfers at your local craft store and personalize away. Painted pots: Shop around for inexpensive terracotta pots and then paint your hand to make handprints all over them. Channel your inner artist: Buy an artist canvas and paint away. Create your own throw pillow: Scan a favorite photo and copy on iron on transfer paper, sold at your local craft store. Iron on fabric of choice. Sew and stuff. Cork it up: Purchase an inexpensive cork board at your local office store. Hot glue ribbon, or fun accessories to make it your own. You can also purchase sticky pins for some extra pizzazz. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1286 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1286 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT The transition to motherhood is marked by many gains. But there are losses, too: the loss of personal space and time, the loss of sleep, the loss of friends.The latter is subtle and at times sad. While some friends who are not parents may be turned off by your new life and jump ship, it is more likely that you become estranged by circumstance, as your time and focus is diverted to the needs of your baby. When my daughter was a few weeks old, I had dinner with two close friends. We had a lot of laughs as they talked about their misadventures: blind dates gone awry, office drama, and gossip from the weekend. While I was amused, I felt out of place. I had nothing to contribute, and though they asked me how I was doing, there wasnt much I could say. When they left, I felt like a bad date had just ended at once relieved and disappointed. Despite insisting to my friends throughout my pregnancy that I wasnt going to change, it became clear I had little choice in the matter. Motherhood is like a secret society. It is an experience that can be both unifying and isolating. For women choosing to stay at home it marks the end of (or a hiatus from) a career. Others must prepare themselves to juggle the intense demands of both work and baby. Either way, it is an exhausting, trying, all-consuming enterprise that must be lived to be fully understood. Face to face or virtual Thats what makes connecting with other moms who are in the same boat so important. It offers camaraderie, a much needed chance to interact with other adults, and depending on the forum, an opportunity to learn. In the early weeks and months, any excuse to get out of the house is welcome, and as a first-time mom you may not know anyone else with a baby. In that case, a hospital or community group is a good place to start. At the Neugarten Birth Center in Rhinebeck, the on-site lactation consultant facilitates a weekly mom-to-mom breastfeeding support group, which offers new moms an opportunity to ask questions of an expert or just chat with other moms who have chosen to breastfeed. Other birthing centers offer a variety of family-oriented classes that may have support groups affiliated with them. More so than brick and mortar mommy groups, the internet allows you to gravitate to people who share the choices youve made for your family whether you breast or formula feed, use cloth or disposable diapers, work or stay at home, co-sleep or use a crib, etc, chances are youll find a group online that shares your approach. Liz Cort of Red Hook started her own group after the birth of her son Jesse in August 2009. When she returned to work full-time, scheduling became an issue with the hospital groups. More important, she had difficulty finding a group that suited her personality. I just decided to draw from my own background and branch out and see if other moms had similar interests, says Cort, a former collegiate basketball player and fitness competitor. She founded Mommy-Baby Fitness in early 2010 using Meetup.com, a sign-up database that allows you to search for or create groups based on shared interests. I wasnt sure if there were other moms out there as fanatical about their fitness as me, but there are. Our common bond is that we want to get back in shape, meet other moms, and let our kids play, too. The group now has 75 members from across the Hudson Valley, and hosts several classes a week, from yoga to hiking to boot camp. Shannon Gallagher lives in Rhinebeck with her partner and their daughter Coraline. Web resources: Mommy-Baby Fitness of New York Holistic Moms Network Dutchess County Chapter Hudson Valley Parents(not to be confused with Hudson Valley Parent at hvparent.com) Hudson Valley Mommies Network Hudson Valley Stay-at-Home-Moms http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1266 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1266 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT The most dramatic and pervasive trend in adolescence today is the change in the stage of life we call adolescence itself. Like the universe, the developmental stage called adolescence is expanding! Adolescence was a nonexistent stage of development 100 years ago. Compulsory education laws and working restrictions for juveniles put adolescence on the map. Until recently, adolescence was a brief developmental period of life, and was seen as a transitional moratorium that separated childhood from the demands and responsibilities of adulthood. Today adolescence has become one of the longest developmental periods. Older and younger at the same time Todays adolescent doesnt just jump into adulthood as in the past; its now a slow weaning process. The implications of this shift are significant. Young children are displaying behaviors well before they are ready to act on or understand their meaning, and older adolescents are staying perpetual children. Watch any of the Seth Rogen movies to see these child/men in action. As one writer put it, the conveyer belt that transported adolescents into adulthood has broken down. Another major change is the advancement in technology. This generation has cell phones, iPhones, iPods, MP3s, computers, laptops, net books, tablet PCs, e-readers, touch screen monitors, and of course the old standbys, TVs, radios and CD players. The variable that has produced the most significant change however, has been the internet. Adolescents can now shop for anything in any part of the world in a matter of seconds. In the past the repository of knowledge and wisdom was found in books or with the elderly or well educated. Now the repository of wisdom lies in Google! The internet has not only affected shopping and information for todays adolescent; it has dramatically altered the way they communicate socially. On-line friendships are the hallmark of this generation. Face-to-face communication for many adolescents has been eclipsed by Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. The famous American psychologist Harry Stack Sullivan talked about how important the peer group and social acceptance is for an adolescent. He believed that these variables are a precursor of healthy self esteem and identity formation for adolescents. Sullivan didnt foresee that an adolescent can have literally hundreds of cyber friends and never experience the intimacy many theorists believe is necessary for the development of mature adult relationships. There are some psychologists like Daniel Goleman, the author of Emotional Intelligence, who believe that this generation of adolescents is losing the ability to interact with people in a meaningful way. Its all about me Another trend among todays youth is a sense of entitlement. Many come fully equipped with a well-entrenched sense of entitlement that permeates all aspects of their lives. Constant praise for everything a child does, and a belief that their self-esteem needs to be elevated at all cost, coupled with a pop culture that has look at me as the highest goal attainable, seems to have germinated a group of adolescents who feel that everyone needs to be there for them without hesitation. Not all bad There is good news as well. Cigarette smoking is down among todays youth, as well as the use of most drugs and alcohol. The incidence of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases are down. They might be a consummately self absorbed generation, but they are also the most well informed generation in history. So roll your eyes after talking with your adolescent, as our parents and every other parent did since recorded time, and probably earlier. Their path is different from ours, as it should be. But as we did, they too will find their way, however long and circuitous, to a healthy adulthood. Paul Schwartz, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology and education at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1267 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1267 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT Not long after my partner Stephanie announced that she was pregnant, I ran into a friend who was also expecting. She was a strong advocate for home birthsthis would be her third. Being somewhat enamored of de-medicalizing the birth experience, I asked her to have a chat with Stephanie. It may have been a case of too much too soon. This was Stephs first child, and she was 40 years old, and none of this had even been on her radar. While she did not feel comfortable with the home birth option, she did think it made sense to try a drug-free labor at a birthing center. Of course, while birthing centers encourage you to write up a birthing plan, there are no guarantees as to what happens during the actual event. Thats part of the appeal of a more hospital-oriented processthere is a fairly standard and systematic procedure in place. My mom had five kids in the 1960s this way. There was no option to forego drugs. There were no pre-birth prep classes for mom and dad, and certainly no need for breastfeeding class. The baby was shuttled off to a nursery immediately, and it was fed formula from the get go. My partner Stephanie and I had our baby in November at the Birthing Pavillion at Hudson Valley Hospital Center in Cortlandt. It was a relaxed, comfortable, low-key environment. Our friend Kate was our doula. Everything went according to planuntil it didnt. When it came down to it, Stephanie seemed unable to push the baby out. There were tense moments for dad, when monitors showed the babys heart rate going way down. I could see how exhausted my partner was. The doctor and midwife had gone into strictly business mode. Finally, all hands on duty at the time were called into our room for one final chance to help deliver our baby boy before going to the Caesarean option. The operating room was on standby. A vacuum suction was employed several times, and the midwife climbed up onto the bed to help push the baby out. An episiotomy was performed. And our little guy finally started to emerge into the world. With his large, sloped head he looked like a purple baby gorilla to his stunned and exhausted dad. It turned out that Mackinley Aden Roland, at 9 pounds 7 ounces, was about 2 pounds heavier than expected. There is no way to know how a home birth would have gone in this particular situation. I still believe home birth can be the first choice for many parents, as long as mom is 100 percent behind it and has full confidence in all those involved. But as older, first-time parents, we felt more comfortable in a birthing center. In the end, the goal is the same: as safe and healthy a birth as possible for all. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1263 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1263 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT Bon SecoursCommunity Hospital 160 East Main St., Port Jervis 845-858-7175 Catskill Regional Medical Center P.O. Box 800, 68 Harris-Bushville Rd. The Birthing Center 845-794-3300 Good Samaritan Hospital 255 Lafayette Ave.,Suffern 845-368-5000 Hudson Valley Hospital Center 1980 Crompond Rd. Cortlandt Manor The Womens Pavilionfor Birthing 914-737-9000 Kingston Hospital 396 Broadway, Kingston The Family Birthplace 845-331-3131 Northern Dutchess Hospital 6511 Springbrook Ave., Rhinebeck Neugarten Birth Center 845-876-3001 Orange Regional Medical Center 60 Prospect Ave., Middletown Rowley FamilyBirthing Center 845-342-7240 Sharon HospitalBirthing Suites 50 Hospital Hill Rd. Sharon, CT 860-364-4000 St Anthony Community Hospital 15 Maple Ave., Warwick Kennedy Birthing Center 845-986-2276 St. Lukes Cornwall Hospital 70 Dubois St., Newburgh SLCH Birthing Center 845-561-4400 Vassar Brothers Medical Center 45 Reade Pl., Poughkeepsie 845-454-8500 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1273 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1273 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT Are you familiar with this lullaby? Generals gathered in their masses Just like witches at black masses Evil minds that plot destruction Sorcerers of deaths construction. No? Well, the folks at Rockabye Baby did have the good sense to leave out the lyrics to Black Sabbaths War Pigs and other timeless rock music songs when they created their popular nursery-friendly renditions. The infantized tunes will sooth parents as well as babies, as mom and dad recall their glory days while humming along: Cutie the bomb Met her at a beauty salon With a baby Louis Vuitton Under her underarm From Gold Digger by Kanye West. $16.98 each. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1270 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1270 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT Some children thrive with a full schedule of activities while others feel stressed and overscheduled. Well meaning parents sometimes push kids too hard and are trying to make up for lost childhood opportunities. How do you know your child is on extracurricular overload? Here are some red flags according to Smith who remarks if you see these you need to reevaluate your childs schedule: Your child is irritable Your child is exhausted much of the time Your child doesnt want to go to the activity Your child has frequent psychosomatic complaints like stomach aches and headaches Your child doesnt want to go to school Your childs schoolwork begins to suffer Your child doesnt have enough time to do homework How can you ease the stress of finding an afterschool activity? Get the answer!   http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1262 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1262 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT The following recipes arecourtesy of the National Watermelon Promotion Board. Try one or all three to satisfy your watermelon craving. Watermelon Shirley Temple This recipe was created by Chef Joe Poon for the National Watermelon Promotion Board. Ingredients: 4 shots (6 ounces) watermelon juice 4 shots (6 ounces) lemon lime soda 2 teaspoons confectioner's sugar Instructions: Place all ingredients in a mixer. Mix, then pour over crushed ice and strain into glass. Servings: Serves 2; Per serving: 186 Calories; 1g Fat (3% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 46g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 24mg Sodium Grilled Kielbasa with Watermelon Relish 1 cup minced watermelon cup minced onion cup finely chopped cabbage 2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar 2 tablespoons honey mustard 3 pounds kielbasa Mix the watermelon, onion and cabbage in a mixing bowl. In another small bowl slowly mix the vinegar into the mustard and then pour the mixture over the watermelon/onion/cabbage mixture and toss together. Grill the kielbasa until brown and crisp on the exterior but still juicy inside. Remove from grill to a cutting board and cool for 5 minutes before cutting the kielbasa into bite sized pieces and skewer them with a pick. Serve warm with the relish for scooping with the kielbasa. Serves 12 as an appetizer. Red White and Blue Watermelon Sundaes 4 cups watermelon balls 2 cups fresh blueberries 4 dollops prepared whipped topping Red, white and blue star sprinkles Gently mix together the watermelon and blueberries. Divide among 4 sundae bowls. Top each with a dollop of topping and sprinkle with red ,white and blue sprinkles. Serve immediately. Serves 4. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1272 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1272 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT The Evenflo Momentum 65 is a child car seat designed to offer greater protection during side impact crashes. In terms of day to day features, car seat harnesses can be a time wasting pain in the neck (literally), so the Momentum features an easily adjustable harness system. The seat works in both forward and rear facing modes, and can handle a child up to 65 pounds. Most important, it comes with a flip-up cup holder. $199.99, Babies R Us. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1271 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1271 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT The rotating hook on chair byChicco lets you bring baby to the table with a minimum of fuss & spin her for dinner. It goes on and off easily, and works on most tables, so no hassle taking it with you to grandmas house. The only inconvenience is pressing two little buttons at the same time to remove the chair arms, which requires dexterity and finger strength. Another useful feature is the removable serving tray, which can be popped in the dishwasher. The seat pad comes in two prints for 2010, Miro (shown) and Sea Dreams, and is machine washable. $69.99. Target. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1256 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1256 Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT The 75 recipes in Love in Spoonfuls, by the editors of Parenting, are arranged by age, from 6 months to 2 years, so a new parent will be referring to this from first bites through toddlerhood. Each chapter starts with the age-relevant lowdown of how to approach feeding. The beautiful food photography is used not only to accompany the recipes (raspberry puree, Asian-style pork meatballs, baked fish with mango) but also to illustrate early eating conceptsfor instance, the minimum safe sizes for various finger foods. Topics such as picky eating, global flavors, and family meals are presented as mini-features. Preparation tricks include making bento boxes, and using cookie cutters to keep food fun, with an eye on creating habitual and healthy meals for your infant that compliment the family meals. This has worked at our house: Mackies pea and mint puree is so tasty Ive been known to slip it onto dads plate. Stephanie H., Beacon Love in Spoonfuls, published by Chronicle Books, 159 pages. $19.95. chroniclebooks.com http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1255 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1255 Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT I reviewed the Ocean Wonders Jumperoo a little while back on our blog, regarding it as an odd configuration of metal and plastic that nevertheless produced a drooling smile every time. The report from the field after a few more weeks gets even better. Mom and dad love it because it's the perfect place to put baby Mack while preparing his breakfast, and a great way to jump-start his day. All the various doo-dads still amuse, and even the little ditty it plays over and over is less annoying than, say, the ice cream truck jingle. Overall, I'd call the Jumperoo our Ten-Minute Nanny (my partner calls it baby crack). Its the rare toy that has actually paid for itself! MR $99. Babies R Us. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1252 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1252 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT For a listing of all hospitals that accept cord blood donations: marrow.org. For a list of public and private cord blood banks: parentsguidecordblood.org. This site also lists all current diseases treated with cord blood and all diseases and conditions being researched. The two companies that accept public donations from anywhere: Cryobanks International, Inc. 800-869-8608 STORAGE: Altamonte Springs, FL LifebankUSA 1-877-543-3226 STORAGE: Cedar Knolls, NJ http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1247 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1247 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT Opponents of same sex schooling maintain that same sex education will have the reverse of the intended effect and actually increase gender stereotypes. Additionally it is believed that same sex education will also diminish and even negate the gains made by Title IX, a Higher Education Act that calls for federally funded schools to treat males and females equally in academics and in sports. Gender differences lie on a continuum Most teacher education programs do not train prospective teachers for same gender education. The differences between boys and girls lie on an overlapping continuum, and there is no one way to teach boys and another to teach girls. Some boys are highly sensitive and as the clich goes; in touch with their feminine side. Conversely some girls are extremely aggressive and assertive, and more dominant than some boys. Sooner or later males and females will live and work together. Advocates of coeducational education believe that single sex schools limits the opportunity to learn to work cooperatively and experience the real gender differences between the sexes, not the stereotypes. Case by case basis What is the answer; do single sex schools improve academic performance and give kids a competitive edge? As I have said before the answer cannot be stated as a simple yes or no, and additionally, the answer is often contradictory. There is some compelling evidence that both at the elementary and secondary level academic performance is enhanced when girls are present in the majority. However there are still a multitude of unanswered questions that need to be researched. If you are considering a single sex educational setting for your child, be aware of how your child learns best, including their learning style, temperament, interests and where they would be happiest. When you have the answers to these questions for your child, then you can make an informed decision, and your child will benefit, wherever they go to school. Paul Schwartz, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology and education at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh. What are thepros of a same sex education? http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1249 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1249 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT Summer is known as trauma season among safety experts and health professionals. Here are some summer safety considerations for parents to review as their family enjoys the warmer weather. For more home safety tips, visit homesafetycouncil.organd our home safety article. If you have a pool or spa, install a fence that is at least five feet high and goes around all four sides. The fence gate should be self closing and self locking. A sliding glass door is not considered a barrier. When children are in or near the water, make sure a grownup is watching them. Do not get distracted by cell phones or conversations, and do not put older children in charge of watching younger children in the pool area. Make sure the area under your childs playground equipment is covered with a thick layer of appropriate safety material. Keep sidewalks and pathways clear of toys and clutter so you or your child doesnt trip. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, never run a barbeque grill in the garage or any other enclosed area of your home. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1246 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1246 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT In our increasingly competitive society, professionals as well as parents are always looking for the educational environment that best allows children to perform to their maximum potential. A controversial issue in this quest for the optimal environment is finding the ideal setting for every child. One of the often discussed and debated options in this quest is the consideration of single gender education. Some considerations for same gender educational practices include, the setting itself in contrast to a coeducational setting, the potential social benefits of this setting, and the potential enhancement of learning outcomes. It is also important to take into account that boys and girls learn differently. There is evidence that their brains are also structurally different as well. However, these differences between boys and girls are one of degree and not of kind. This months column discusses the prevailing arguments with regard to same gender education. Parents can evaluate what the research suggests and weigh that against how their child responds to various aspects of the educational environment. Historically, it was believed that same gender education supported the prevailing gender stereotypes; that men should study courses that prepared them for careers in medicine and engineering, and that girls should prepare for the fields of nursing or teaching. Professionals at that time believed that coeducational schooling would change these stereotypes. Coeducation appears to not only have not changed these behaviors and stereotypes, but has rather reinforced them. Girls in coed settings tend to avoid math and science so as not to be seen as masculine, and boys shy away from the arts to avoid being seen in any way feminine. The following is an outline of the facts about same sex education. There is a real shortage of hard research evidence or facts either way. The facts presented by most research studies are more like generalizations about the genders. If you are thinking about placing your child in a single sex education environment, first and foremost you should predicate your decision on whether your child will be happy in that setting, and then consider the research and how placement might impact your child. Pros of same sex school There seems to be less social pressure based on gender in same sex settings. Girls are more competitive, compete in sports more and appear to be more outspoken and less shy when boys are not around. They also participate in traditionally male dominated subjects when boys are not there to potentially evaluate them. Boys also seem to feel the relaxed social pressure to be seen as masculine, and become less competitive and more cooperative. They may participate more in what are usually seen as feminine subjects like art and drama. Since boys mature later than girls, it may be an added benefit for them. Researchers suggest that this freedom from, what is perceived as evaluation from the other gender, allows kids to concentrate on their studies and become more well rounded learners. Teachers can plan and adapt their lessons to the particular learning styles that the children have, as well as planning events that dont need to include activities for both genders. Without the constant bombardment of social pressure throughout the school day found in a typical mixed-sex setting, advocates feel single gender schooling is a more relaxed learning environment. Simply stated, single sex proponents believe single sex settings encourage kids to break out of stereotypical roles and just be themselves. It is believed in a single sex setting that kids might explore areas of strength they possess, that might not have explored in a coeducational setting. Paul Schwartz, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology and education at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh. What are thecons of a same sex education? http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1237 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1237 Sun, 20 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT Falls account for approximately 1.3 million injuries each year and are the leading cause of nonfatal home injuries for children. According to the NYS Department of Health, one of the most common causes of fall related hospitalizations for children include falling from playground equipment. I have yet to see a safe play area in a backyard, says Meri-K Appy, President of the Home Safety Council. Every swing set needs to provide a safe landing with padding in the fall zone. Beyond a bone breaking, there is head trauma which is not so easily fixed. From 2004 to 2006, Dutchess County had the highest rate of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) hospitalizations in New York State. Falls, which are the leading cause of TBIs, constituted twenty nine percent of the causes of injury related hospitalizations for children in Dutchess County in 2006. The NYS Department of Health recommends that playground surfaces consist of shredded rubber, fiber mulch, or fine sand that extends 12 inches deep and 6 feet around equipment to reduce injuries due to falls. Children are going to climb and they are going to fall. Make sure they have a safe landing and supervise them, says Appy. Parents buy play sets for their kids to grow into, but kids are going to use them right away. The whole family Does your family have a fire escape plan? As a family talk about what youre going to do when the fire alarm goes off, recommends Appy. Have a family fire drill. Make sure the children know what the alarms sounds like and where they should go. Elementary age children can sleep through an alarm. You may have only minutes to wake up and get your children. Michael Vatter, Chief of the Newburgh Fire Department, recommends changing the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors twice a year and using Daylight Savings Time as a good reminder for the switch out. We still find very old wiring in residences along with substandard electrical service, says Vatter. Older homes are a major concern for us. We do find that heating systems are neglected. Failure to maintain the heating systems is a major cause of carbon monoxide incidents. Beginning on February 22, 2010, NY State Law requires that every dwelling unit have a Carbon Monoxide Detector installed. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that is highly toxic to humans. Wood stoves, fireplaces, even an attached garage, all of these are key sources of carbon monoxide, says Appy. The scary part is that you only know it is there if the alarm goes off. Think ahead Parents need to continue to reevaluate their homes safety as their child grows. Resources are available through the Home Safety Council, your local health department and fire department to learn about what you can do to keep your home safe. Janine Boldrin is a freelance writer who lives in West Point with her husband and three children. Home safety starts at birth, find out more here. http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1236 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1236 Sun, 20 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT Many expectant couples are not aware that they may have the option of saving their babys cord blood. In fact, more than a few are likely unfamiliar with the term itself. Here are some facts about cord blood and what options for saving the blood are currently available. Cord blood is the blood taken from the umbilical cord and placenta after the birth of a healthy baby, says Misty Marchioni, director ofCommunity Blood Services in New Windsor. The stem cells found in cord blood are currently used to treat leukemias and certain cancers. Research is being done with stem cells to treat Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, and spinal cord injuries. Stem cells are cells that have the capacity to become other types of cellslung cells, heart, muscle, etc. Other sources of non-embryonic stem cells are bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells. Cord blood has several advantages over other stem cells. Because cord blood is collected and cryogenically stored, it can be available for transplant in 24 hours. Finding a registered viable bone marrow donor can be a time-consuming process, and in some cases patients do not have much time. Bone marrow donation is painful, and peripheral blood donation is uncomfortable and time-consuming. Also, the more mature stem cells found in bone marrow and peripheral blood are more likely to cause graft vs. host disease, which occurs when the body recognizes the transplanted stem cells as foreign substances and begins to attack and destroy these new stem cells. Because cord blood stem cells have not done a lot of fighting, they may reduce graft vs. host disease by as much as 50 percent, according to Donald Hudspeth, general manager and international project manager at Cryobanks International, Inc. Saving is expensive One of the biggest concerns about cord blood banking is cost. Saving cord blood in a private bank has an initial cost along with an annual fee. Its not free and its not cheap, says Hudspeth. One of the first questions you have to ask is can you afford to do it. There is an upfront cost of about $2,000 and then a yearly fee of $100 or more to maintain the cord blood. The perceived advantage is that you are guaranteed that your child or someone else in the family who is a compatible recipient would have the cord blood available if the need arose. Public banking is also an option. However, it costs a public bank about $1,000 to process cord blood for storage. To accept donations without charge, the bank must have income to support the laboratory. That income may come from federal funding (The C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program authorized by the Stem Cell Therapeutic and research Act of 2005 provides funding to cover the expense of collecting and storing public cord blood donations) it may come from private banking profits, or selling some of the donations to research programs. Still, many hospitals do not offer this servicethere are currently none in the Hudson Valley region. The closest hospitals are in New York City. Jamie Lober is a nationally known speaker providing information on womens and pediatric health topics. jamie@getpinkpower.com. How does cord blood banking work? http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1239 http://hvp.neocurvedemo.com/articlespost.aspx?id=1239 Sun, 20 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT