Happily Married Couples

There's good news for happily married couples.

Researchers from Brigham Young University have discovered that happily married people averaged 4 points lower on their blood pressure readings than single people do!

Researchers say marriage brings health benefits because partners encourage each other to eat healthy, exercise, and visit a doctor regularly. (I think my husband would call this nagging. I will have to ask him.)

They also reduce stress by supporting each other through hard times. However, unhappy couples have worse blood pressure readings than single people do.

Are you in a happy marriage? What's your blood pressure? Do you have any proof that goes along with this study?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Swimming Death

A story we ran on WHOI-TV this week has been very upsetting. A 13-year-old boy drowned in the central Illinois city of Bloomington. He was found at the bottom of the deep end and the coroner says he was there for several minutes before anyone saw him. There were 46 kids in the pool for a Boys and Girl's Club event and one lifeguard.

I have no idea the circumstances surrounding this case and would never pass judgement, but I was surprised to learn this fact: According to the Department of Public Health in Illinois, the state only requires one lifeguard per 100 kids. Is that reasonable? It sounds like a lot of kids for one person to watch. What if more than one of them drowns at the same time? What do you think about the requirements? What would be a reasonable ratio if your child was at a pool party?

According to the Drowning Prevention Foundation, 19% of drowning deaths occur at public pools where lifeguards are present.

In 2004, an average of nine people per day died by drowning according the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Tells teens everything about sex?

From ABC News:

How much should we being telling teenagers about sex? New research suggests giving adolescents information about birth control may dramatically reduce the risk of teen pregnancy.

Researchers from the University of Washington examined results from a national survey of more than 1700 adolescents. Two-thirds of the teenagers reported receiving complete sex education, a quarter said they had received "abstinence only" classes, and 9 percent had no sex education at all.

Results showed those with the most comprehensive sex ed classes were 60 PERCENT less likely to get pregnant or impregnate someone than those who received NO sexual education. There was a modest trend toward reduced risk of pregnancy among kids who had abstinence only classes, but there were too few teenagers in these groups to allow for a meaningful comparison.

Another trend suggested teens who attended comprehensive classes were less likely to have sex - a finding researchers did NOT see for those who had abstinence only education. Experts say these results show that kids who have the MOST information about sex tend to make the best decisions.

This information is published in the Journal of Adolescent Health. What do you think? Should we be explaining the different forms of birth control to kids in middle school and high school freshman? Do you know any young girls who have gotten pregnant?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the overall teenage pregnancy rate for 2002 was estimated at 76.4 pregnancies per 1,000 females aged 15-19 years, down 10 percent from 2000.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Bad Habits

My four-year-old taught my one-year-old how to spit today. I was watching them and couldn't figure out quite what was going on until I walked over to the baby, who was in the high chair, and he spit in my face. Boys! I'm sure I have more of these days to look forward to! Anyone else have older kids who teach the younger ones bad habits?
-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Easter Egg Toy Recall

If you have some camouflage Easter eggs, watch out!

Hobby Lobby is recalling about 13 thousand Easter egg toys. The toys in question are camouflage eggs and eggs with spinning tops. The paint on the toys is said to have excessive amounts of lead, which can be toxic if ingested.

The camouflage egg set contains eggs painted in a white, brown and green camouflage pattern. The eggs with the spinning tops include a single egg with a rip cord. The toys were sold at Hobby Lobby stores nationwide between January and March of 2008.

The Camouflage Easter Egg Treat Containers have Item #1031 printed on the front of the packaging and are white, brown and green camouflage colors, sold in a package of eight eggs. “Made in China for Tony Development and Mfg Ltd; TST, Kin, HK” and UPC code number 43078 01031 are printed on the back of the packing.

The Easter Spinning Egg Tops have Item # 1054 printed on the front of the packaging and are multi-colored and come in packages of a single egg and a rip cord. “Made in China for Tony Development and Mfg Ltd. TST, Kin, HK" and UPC code number 43078 01054 are printed on the back of the packaging.

You can find more information on the Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Diaper Bag Dilemma

I am having major diaper bag issues. I had to take my four-year-old to the doctor today. I put on a baseball hat and got them in the van by 8:30a.m. Please understand this is a small miracle. My son is the one who is 15 minutes late to preschool every day and it doesn't start until 9:00a.m. So, I get to the doctor's office, get a spot right in front and get the kids out. I am thinking, "This is going to be a good visit."

My youngest just turned one and is still wobbly on his feet. So, I am debating on whether to take the stroller and the bulky diaper bag into the office. I decide not to. I just got a new summer purse and it's big enough to fit a sippy cup and some snacks in it. So I throw the baby on my hip and grab the four-year-old's hand. As I am filling out the paper work, the boys are crawling and wrestling on the floor. I figure oh well, at least they're not crying. I am not sure the gentleman sitting across from me shared my sentiment.

We get called back. My eldest son and I slowly walk down the hall holding the baby's hands as he takes steps in between us. We finally get to the end of the maze and what do we find? Another waiting room. Yes, there are two waiting rooms. Why? I am not sure, but it was the start of disaster. Then what? Oh, the baby poops. Great! So I am standing in the middle of the building at this point with my sippy cup and snacks thinking these will not make his rear end smell better.

So we put all the winter coats back on and trot through the building, outside to the van and change the diaper. Then, we go back in and see the doctor. I am trying to talk to him as the kids are crawling around the patient chair chasing each other, when I look up to read a big red note: Please do not let children play with equipment. Luckily, the doctor smirks and I don't feel as bad as I probably should. That is, until one of the kids breaks the handle on the cabinet door!That was it. I just started laughing. The poor doctor probably thinks I'm crazy.

What are you supposed to carry to hold these baby things? I am wondering if I should dig out my old backpack diaper bag. If I didn't have the winter coats that would probably work. I can't stand to carry anything on my shoulder. It always falls off and I get to so frustrated. What kind of a diaper bag do you use?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Will it Play in Peoria?

Pampers wants to know, "Will it Play in Peoria?" The company is hosting free parenting workshops the week of April 21st in the Peoria area. Several people in the community have been asked to speak at the six scheduled events on topics like potty training, sleep, exercise for mom and fun activities to do with kids. I am hoping I get to go to at least one of them. Pampers is planning on having about 10 people at each event. So, if you're interested, you might want to sign up soon. Registration closes April 7th. And you do get some free products for attending.

It is interesting that Pampers is testing this event in Peoria. This news comes just a few months after "The Big Idea" with Donny Deutsch started stopping in town to test products for the segment "Will it play in Peoria." I guess we're getting this title back after years of not hearing about it. I am excited about that opportunity.

Are you interested in the Pampers event? If you live in Peoria will you go? If you live elsewhere, would you go to one of these events in your area?

Let me know if it will "Play in Peoria" by posting a comment. If I get enough feedback, I will send it back to Pampers.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Easter Stories

My four-year-old is the one who created drama today. The day started out great. He ran into our bedroom and said, "The Easter bunny came. He really came. Come on, let me show." So, he grabbed my hand and pulled me out of bed to show me the eggs in the corners of the couch. It was all very exciting.

UNTIL, he had to get dressed for church. I had his outfit laid out in the living room. He puts it on and my husband asks me if I thought our son was eight instead of four when I picked this sweater. My son turns the corner and has these saggy butt pants on that are at least two inches too long and a sweater the goes down to his knees.

That started the melt down. I can't take the blame for this. There doesn't seem to be any consistency in kids' clothes. I bought the same size I always do. So, my husband finds an old button down shirt and a sweater vest that is too small, but it looks better than the first choice. The only problem? My son,with this very serious face, shows me how the sleeves don't go down to his wrist and "mommy, this just won't do." I had to laugh at his perceptiveness.

It's the middle of the afternoon now and he still hasn't taken off his Easter outfit. I guess he got used to it!

What happened with your kids this Easter? Did everything go as planned or did you have to regroup at the last minute too? Tell me your Easter story.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen