Safety Warning!

Make sure you tell your kids not to give strangers your home number! I got this message in a forward. I rarely read them, but for some reason this one caught my eye. I tested it to see if it's real and it is!

UPDATE: This forward says this is a new feature by Google. I didn't catch that. This is not a new feature. I just think it's a good reminder for all us to tell our kids not to give out our home numbers to strangers.

Google has implemented a new feature which enables you to type a telephone number into the search bar and hit enter and you will be given the person's name and address. If you then hit Map, you will get a map to the person's house. Everyone should be aware of this! It's a nationwide reverse telephone book.

If a child gives out his/her phone number, someone can now look it up to find out where he/she lives. The safety issues are obvious, and could be alarming.

In order to test whether your phone number is mapped, go to: google, Type your phone number in the search bar (i.e. 555-555-1212) and hit enter. If you want to BLOCK Google from divulging your private information, simply click on your telephone number and then click on the Removal Form. Removal takes 48-hours.

Check your own number and although this may not apply to you if you have an unlisted number or cell phone as primary contact, but you may know someone who needs to know this.

My number is unlisted for obvious reasons so I am in the clear, but I tested some friends numbers and sure enough, their address and a map to their house showed up.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Crib Bumper Pads

Do you or did you use bumper pads in your child's crib? We did with one child and not with another. Doctors are warning parents that babies can become entrapped between the bumper pad and the railing. That can lead to the baby inhaling too much CO2 and suffocation.

The new study was done at St. Louis Children's Hospital. Dr. Bradley Thach says there were a few strangulations with bumper cord ties, but most of the death cases they saw were caused by suffocation.

The current guidelines for bumper pads call for avoiding pillow-like pads, but the new study showed all firmness levels posed dangers. Babies as young as one month old can wedge their head and neck between the pumper pad and the mattress. Dr. Thach said, “And then it flattens out over the back of their heads, usually, and babies don’t know how to go back.” The pad also creates a breathing hazard when a baby's face gets pressed against it.

It makes sense to me. I took the bumper pads off with my first son and put a net around the crib. It looked horrible, but it worked! He couldn't get his feet caught in between the railing, but he could still breath through the holes. He was one of those kids who liked to bury his face in the bumper pads.

My second son doesn't want anything to do with the bumper pads, so they are still on. I am not sure that is the wisest thing to do after reading the new warnings. However, doctors say babies one month to eight months are at the most risk because they can scooch around, but may not have the head strength to untangle themselves. My son is almost 13 months (I can't believe he's that old!) Still, I will have to take the bumper pads off soon because he will probably start to stand on them and try to get out of the crib at some point. My eldest son did that and ended up with a broken collar bone!

About.com has an article that explains why bumper pads were invented in the first place. I wish the manufacturers would stop making them if they're not safe. They are so darn cute and they're everywhere. I don't know that I have seen a crib set without them! I'm sure a lot of new parents don't know they're not recommended by major health organizations.

Did you use bumper pads? Why or why not?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Changing the way we discipline kids

The website Empowering Parents has an interesting article from Behavioral Therapist James Lehman that could change the way you punish your kids for bad behavior. You might not use the word punish anymore!

He gives some interesting examples that seem obvious once they are pointed out. He says the consequence for a child doing something wrong should be constructive. For example, if your child sleeps in and misses school, he/she does not lose television privileges for a week. Instead, you makes the child go to bed early for the next three nights. That way there are consequences for bad behavior, but you are not getting your child back by punishing him/her.

"It’s also important to make the consequence task-oriented, not time-oriented. A time-oriented consequence is when you tell your child he’s grounded for a week or can’t use his cell phone for two weeks. It’s ineffective because all it does is teach kids how to “do time.” It does not teach them how to change their behavior," said Lehman.

What does Lehman suggest we do when kids argue? He said, "The best consequences are those from which the child learns something. If your son is disrespectful to his sister, a good consequence is to tell him he can’t use the phone until he writes her a letter of apology. In the letter, he has to tell her what he’ll do differently the next time he’s in conflict with her."

Lehman says when you are thinking about how to discipline your child, think about what you want to accomplish. Maybe you want them to be nicer to a sibling, get their homework completed or stop putting their shoes in the middle of the floor. Think of consequnces that will lead to those results instead of just a blanket punishment like being grounded.

The advice makes sense to me. I think some of us do these things without thinking about it, but it sure is a good reminder. My son is really too little to be grounded, but we have taken the T.V. privileges away before and the instance had nothing to do with T.V. I missed that opportunity to be constructive.

What do you think about this parening advice?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

P.S. I have mentioned many time my son has night terrors. I found out this week enlarged tonsils are probably the culprit. I can't believe it took two years to figure this out! I interviewed a surgeon today and will give you all the juicy details in a few days. Who knew night terrors and enlarged tonsils were connected?

iPod and Hearing loss

iPod is now helping us help our kids (and ourselves) by turning down the volume on the tiny machines. You can download maximum output limiting software to reduce the audio levels.

iPod users say the problem is the little ear piece not fitting correctly. They say they turn up the volume to hear the music better, but at times it can be too loud.

Audiologists who are now treating older adults are expecting to see the iPod generation soon. Audiologist Dr. Jennifer Esse recommends a custom ear piece that any audiologist can make. It stays put by filling the space in your ear.

Loud music can cause irreversible damage to your inner ear and that could mean permanent hearing loss.

I know my ear never fits into those things. I would love a custom piece. However, I have a feeling I will never take the time to make it!

For more on hearing loss associated with loud music go to listentoyourbuds. It is a public education site that offers information on safe listening practices in a fun format. It has games, music and information that targets elementary school-aged kids along with information for parents, educators and professionals.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has more information about hearing loss as well as other subjects of interest to parents including childhood speech development.

Do any of your kids have IPODS? At what age does that craze start?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Human Growth Hormone

From CNN:

A new study suggests human growth hormone may not have the athletic benefits some believe. In fact, it may even harm athletic performance.

Doctors at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center did a study on HGH. They found those who took it didn't get any stronger or increase their stamina. The hormone even made some subjects tired. Doctors say those on HGH did put on a few pounds of muscle, but health officials say it may just be fluid buildup.

Human growth hormone is one of the performance-enhancing drugs allegedly abused by major league baseball players.

Here's more on the debate of whether or not HGH is legal.
The Human Growth Foundation looks at the traditional use of HGH to help children of small stature.

It seems like every week I hear about kids in high school doing things to their bodies to make them better athletes. Sports seems to mean everything. I guess it has to do with college scholarships?? I am stressed out just thinking about when my kids get to high school. What do you think about kids taking HGH to become better athletes?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Kids huffing household products

This is a scary topic. According to a CNN report, huffing is becoming more common than marijuana in teenage kids.

What exactly is huffing you ask? The National Drug Intelligence Agency describes it this way:

Abusers, primarily adolescents, inhale chemical vapors from a variety of substances, many of which are common household products. These young people abuse inhalants in order to obtain a euphoric effect and are often unaware of the potential risks, which include brain damage and death. Some adults also abuse inhalants, particularly nitrites. Adult abusers often inhale substances in order to enhance their sexual experiences.

Here's the CNN story:

A new study finds U.S. teens are turning more and more to common household items to get high. Inhalants are the drug of choice for adolescents 12 to 17 years old according to a new report by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The survey estimates about one million adolescent Americans use inhalants. 12 and 13 year olds use them more often than marijuana. Inhalants are liquids, sprays and gases that are sniffed or inhaled to get high. They include common household products like aerosol air fresheners, hair sprays, paint solvents, and nail polish. according to the study, glue, shoe polish,and spray paints were among the most commonly used by adolescents 12 to 15. Inhalants or "huffing" can cause severe damage to major organs even death.

How do you know if your child has been huffing? Dr. Greene's website says:

Inhalants gradually leave the body for 2 weeks following huffing--mostly through exhaling. The characteristic odor is the biggest clue. Be on the lookout for breath or clothing that smells like chemicals. Look for clothing stains. Watch for spots or sores around the mouth.

Start talking with your child about it now. Although huffing peaks between the ages of 12 and 15 years, it often starts "innocently" in children only 6 to 8 years old (Pediatrics, 1996;97:3).

Wow, There really is no way to get rid of all the household products kids could use. The list is just too long. Has anyone talked to their kids about this and if so, what did you say?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Magnet Toy Recall

I am at the point where I am going to ban all toys with little magnets. We don't have any yet, but if we get some as a gift, they are going back to the store.

Here's the latest magnet recall from CNN:

Toymaker Mega Brands is issuing a recall for some of its magnetic toys because of a choking hazard. Two-point-four million toys will be recalled.

The toys include MagnaMan, Magtastik and Magnetix Junior. A CPSC official tells parents what to do if they have purchased these toys. "This recall involves millions of toys with multiple tiny magnets. Parents should check homes for loose or missing magnets and return the toys to Mega Brands for a free replacement. The tiny magnets are smaller than a pea. If ingested serious intestinal injuries and possible death to children."

Mega Brands says there have been reports of 44 magnets coming loose. The CPSC says the magnet toys were sold in stores between January of 2005 to December of 2007. (Which stores?Target, Toys R' Us, Wal-mart, K-mart)

So what can happen if your child swallows one or more of these magnets? They can attach to each other and cause: intestinal perforation, infection or blockage. The damage done can lead to death.

For details, on the recall, or on how to return the toys and receive a free replacement, consumers can call 800-779-7122.

megabrands.com

cpsc.gov

Am I just paranoid or are all of you banning little magnet toys from your house too?

I know we have ran stories about kids dying when they ingested strong magnets. The magnets messed up the child's intestines. Scary!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Horton Hears a Who!

Did any of you take your kids to see Horton Hears a Who? My husband took our four-year-old Sunday and they loved it. We bought the Dr. Seuss book a few weeks ago and have been reading it just about everyday. My son absolutely loves going to the movies. He has been looking forward to his day out with daddy for weeks.

CNN said we're not the only family who went to see the movie this weekend. The title of their story is "Horton hears cha-ching at the box office." It made $45.1 million dollars, the best opening so far this year.

My husband said, " It was funny. There were three comic legends: Carol Burnett, Jim Carrey, and Steve Carell. Carol Burnett was the bad person, the kangaroo. (Our son) said the kangaroo was mean, of course. It wasn't over the top. I thought it was pretty true to the story. For reading the story 100 million times, I was still amused by the movie. "

He said a one and half year old was leaving the theater very slowly and everyone was waiting for him. A little kid said, "It's alright. A persons a person, no matter how small." (How cute is that?)

The New York Times readers have given it three out of five "dots" so far. My favorite kid friendly movie site kids-in-mind has not reviewed it yet.

My husband said, "I would give it three and half out of four stars. It wasn't as good as say, Hoosiers." (Hah!)

Did any of you see it? What did you think?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Food additives and hyperactivity in kids

UPDATE: PLEASE READ COMMENT #4. IT IS FROM SOMEONE WHO CLAIMS TO KNOW A LOT ABOUT THIS STUDY AND HAS SOME INFORMATION THAT DISPUTES THE REUTERS STORY.

A small European study that showed food additives could lead to hyperactivity in kids has been proven wrong. More specifically, it hasn't proved to be accurate enough to warrant a change in kids' diets.

Reuters is reporting, the European Food Safety Authority found "limited evidence that the mixtures of additives tested had a small effect on the activity and attention of some children."

"The additives analyzed by the UK researchers were Tartrazine (E102), Quinoline Yellow (E104), Sunset Yellow FCF (E110), Ponceau 4R (E124), Allura Red AC (E129), Carmoisine (E122) and sodium benzoate (E211)."

However, there may still be a connection between these food additives and hyperactivity in kids who have allergies to them, but is was "not possible at present to assess how widespread such sensitivity may be in the general population."

It would be nice to know if there is something tangible causing all this hyperactivity in kids. Too bad this study didn't help out us parents!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen