Mean Girls

There is an article on newsforparents.org about "mean girls" that is bringing back bad memories.

Girls who gossip and exclude others from their cliques are often labeled as popular by their classmates, and nearly all high school cliques are divided along racial lines, according to University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
sociologist Casey Borch, Ph.D. Borch co-authored a study with Antonius Cillessen, Ph.D., at the Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen and the University of Connecticut, to determine how aggression, popularity and academic achievement influenced membership in cliques. The study will be published as a chapter in the forthcoming book "Modeling Dyadic and Interdependent Data in Developmental Research" later this year.

The study found physically fighting or being a bully gets you popular at a younger age, but spreading rumors and gossiping is a bigger deal when kids get older (It's called relational aggression). No surprise there. Sixth grade was the worst for me. I remember being in this clique and some of the girls were really mean to other people at school. They were very "exclusive" and it was hard to get them to let others in our group. I can't remember specific circumstances, but I do remember thinking, "Why are you so mean when they said certain things."

Here's the interesting part. The girls who do exclude people and gossip are the ones who others THINK are popular, but the truth is no one really likes them. It's all just perception.

"The 'mean girls' effect suggests that girls engage more in this type of behavior more than boys," says Borch, "and as a rule, they do, but the people who gain more from this behavior are minority boys. Minority boys who are relationally aggressive gained a lot more popularity over time than any other group, although, they were less likely to use the behavior.

"One surprising finding was that in the fourth grade about 50 percent of the cliques were of mixed race and ethnicity, but by the 12th grade, nearly 90 percent of cliques were of the one race or ethnicity," says Borch, "so only 10 percent were mixed. This was even more surprising given the increasing ethnic
diversity of the school system we studied over time. We did not expect to see
the racial composition of the cliques to go from 50 percent mixed to just 10
percent."

The researchers say cliches aren't necessarily bad. They can provide a good way to learn social cues. Kids figure out at an early age what kind of people they like to be around and which people are "trouble."

Are your kids in a clique? What ethnicity are the girls/boys in the group?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

How much water do we need?

A news study shows the "truths" we know about water may not have any scientific basis. Do you push your kids to drink water? I know I do. I don't think this study says that's a bad thing by any means, but it is interesting.

We always hear we need to drink eight glasses of water a day. That may be correct, but there's really no proof. Two doctors from the University of Pennsylvania said they spent a lot of time looking for research that shows how much water we need each day. They found very little.

One researcher thinks, "It's required for life, and I guess that's led people to think, well. it a normal amount is good, then extra might be better."

I remember being told I was getting heavy by my manager at a clothing store in college. She told me to drink more water because it will fill you up and you won't over eat. Doctors say there are no conclusive studies proving this.

What about the idea that water will help your kidneys function by clearing out toxins? Same thing-there is no scientific evidence. There's no proof is will prevent headaches or improve skin tone either.

From ABC News:

"A government panel said unless you're working out or live in the desert, you need 11 glasses full of fluid for women a day and 15 for men. That sounds like a lot, but most people get it already from things like coffee, milk, and soda. In fact, 20% of the water you need comes from the moisture in food. The best advice is to drink water when you're thirsty."

I hope this story doesn't prevent people from drinking enough water. I do think it fills me up. How about you?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Transgender Man Gets Pregnant

Yes, this picture you are seeing is real. This man is having a baby. He used to be a woman and decided to keep his reproductive organs. Very strange!

Here's the full story from ABC News:

It's a situation that has blurred all gender barriers. A transgender Oregon man is six months pregnant. Thomas Beatie and his belly are making headlines and raising eyebrows. The 34-year-old and his wife Nancy are featured in people magazine and appeared Thursday on Oprah.

Thomas grew up as Tracy, a Miss Hawaii Teen finalist. Ten years ago she underwent a sex change operation and legally became a man, but Beatie kept his reproductive organs and was still able to produce eggs so when his wife couldn't conceive he decided with the help of a sperm donor to have their baby.

Beatie said, "Ironically being pregnant doesn't make me feel any more female or feminine. You know it doesn't make me want to shave my legs or something. I'm a man. I just happen to be a pregnant man." Beatie is now 6 months pregnant and has gained 2 pounds (Only 2 pounds at 6 months? I wonder if that has something to do with the sex change??) and says he has cravings for soybeans and artichokes.

Some of his Oregon neighbor are shaking their heads in disbelief. Ron Schlieper said, "Quite frankly I think it's a hoax." But Beatie offers up his ultra sound as proof and his doctor who says the pregnancy is normal and the baby girl is healthy.

The bigger issue may be psychological. Psychologist Jeffrey Gardere said, “This is a child who may face the onslaught of the public and their opinions as to what a family should be .” Beatie says his own brother has called the baby a monster. He and his wife chose to think of her as their little miracle.

What do you think about this bizarre pregnancy story? If this was your neighbor how would he be treated?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

High School Dropout Rate

The high school dropout rate is being called a “catastrophe” by former Secretary of State Colin Powell. The non-partisan group “American’s Promise Alliance” released a new report this week showing among other things, in 17 of our nation’s 50 largest cities, more than 50% of students will quit before graduating. More than one million students drop out each year. The Bush administration is now reexamining “No Child Left Behind.”

ABC News report:

25% graduate from high school in Detroit
30% graduated in Indianapolis
34% graduated in Cleveland

The alliance also introduced a series of high-level Dropout Prevention Campaign summits to reverse the trend. One Senator said, "If this was a health disease we would define it as an epidemic as quickly as we could." The group’s findings also illustrate a dramatic disparity in the educational tracks of students attending public schools in urban versus suburban neighborhoods. Philadelphia’s mayor said, “When you look at the financial resources we spend about half to educate children in the city of Philadelphia than our counterparts in the suburbs around us spend - you can't educate kids on the cheap."

Nationally, about 70 percent of U.S. students graduate on time. Many critics believe states currently under report their true drop out rates. The Education Secretary announced a change in the way the federal government will collect graduation data.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Lost Sippy Cup

I lost a yellow sippy cup on Sunday full of milk and am getting really worried about it. (It looks like the one the little girl is holding)My one-year-old boy had it in his hand and then it was gone. Poof! I have looked everywhere! I was packing some old clothes in boxes at the time and my husband took them to our storage unit. I hope the milk isn't in there! Can you imagine? Then, my one-year-old took our babysitter's keys and dropped them in the toilet! He is getting a little personality!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

World Autism Awareness Day

Today is "World Autism Awareness Day." The General Assembly of the United Nations designated April 2nd,2008 as the first World Autism Awareness Day with "the hope that in the future, improved research studies and technology, as well as increased awareness and compassion among members of society will help to improve our knowledge and understanding of and responsiveness to autism." Many communities are also celebrating the entire month as Autism Awareness Month. Easter Seals has an autism blog that is really interesting.

I have interviewed many parents and experts in the field as part of my research for the "Autism Epidemic" special that aired on WHOI in August 2007. There are so many signs and symptoms of autism and so many different aspects. Many parents have said to me, "no two autistic kids are the same." Some kids have very mild cases, others are so severe they need full time care their entire lives. There are so many more questions about autism than answers. Parents of children with the disorder often feel lost. I hope this designation will help these parents and help the rest of us better understand what needs to be done.

Autism One is hosting a three day conference this May. Jenny McCarthy is the keynote speaker. I was fortunate to be invited to attend. Local policy makers including mayors, state representatives and senators from Illinois (and most other states) have all been invited. I urge you to contact your local lawmakers and ask them to attend. The more people who understand autism, the better off we will all be. One in every 150 kids is now diagnosed with autism, one in every 94 boys. The chances are, you will know someone or your kids will go to school with someone with autism. This is no longer a topic for people who have a family member with autism.

UPDATE: The Autism Society of Mclean County held a book reading at Barnes and Noble in Bloomington, IL on Tuesday. The pictures are from the event. The little red head was telling me before I read how she has Aspergers and she loves her cat. She brought her mouse webkinz with her to the event. It just so happens I brought the book "All Cats have Aspergers Syndrome." Needless to say, I gave the book to Claire. Isn't it neat how things just seem to happen for a reason!

Thanks to David Warner for inviting me to read! The kids were so wonderful. What a great experience! Music Therapist Meryl Brown was there singing and dancing with the kids. She goes to your home and teaches kids on the autism spectrum how to open up. She said she has one child who was only doing ecolalia and is now having conversations and answering questions after about 8 months of therapy. If you live in the Bloomington area and are interested in hiring her email is MBrownMTBC [at] gmail [dot] com. Obviously use the appropriate version of email to send this. I just don't want her to get spam by posting the actual address on-line.

Here are some of the signs and symptoms of autism from the words of parents and experts in the field:

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Autism Death Update

This is a story that made national news when it happened in 2006. A mother from Morton, Illinois killed her daughter who had autism. In a videotaped confession to police, 39-year-old Karen McCarron told them she could no longer deal with the difficulties of her daughter's illness. Kathryn was three-years-old when her mom used a trash bag to suffocate her.

A judge sentenced the former doctor Tuesday to 36 years in prison. The prosecution had asked the judge to sentence McCarron to 50 years. The judge said for justice to be served, McCarron must spend "much" of her life behind bars.

Chief Prosecutor Kevin Johnson said, "As I informed the court I thought she should be sentenced to a number of years that would make sure essentially her quality of life would be over if and when she was ever released for the Department of Correction."

Defense Attorney Mark Wolfe said, "We were hoping because of her mental status and her circumstances and all the evidence that came into trial we were hoping the judge would give her a substantially lesser sentence than he did."

McCarron's attorney says he will consult with Karen to find out if she wants to appeal. McCarron must serve 100 percent of her sentence.

Paul McCarron, Karen's husband, testified in January that she was obsessed with finding a cure for the little girl. Paul has filed for divorce.

There is a similar story that ended happily on CNN right now. A mother from China says she seriously thought about killing herself and her son who has autism. She ended up starting an autism school: the "Stars and Rain Education Institute for Autism." What an amazing journey!

CNN has been covering and will continue to cover autism all this month as part of National Autism Awareness Month.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Teaching Rhyming

"Does table and chair rhyme mommy?" My four-year-old has this thing lately with trying to rhyme. I have decided I am horrible at teaching this concept. I think he got this fetish when the "Horton Hears a Who?" movie promotions started showing up. We now have six to 10 Dr. Seuss books.

Today he asked me if blanket and Cranky rhymes. Well, at least that's a little closer. I am not sure if he's catching on or just gets lucky once in a while like when he said, "box and fox-that rhymes, right?" (That's probably from a Dr. Seuss book)

I found this teacher's forum that looks at how to teach rhyming to preschool/kindergarten age kids. The teacher mentions that her "bright" kids are having a hard time understanding the concept.

Here are some tips they mention:

1. Read stories that rhyme.
2. Give a word such as "cat" and start naming words that rhyme with it.
3. Use Note cards: "Sometimes I write an ending on a card (for Sheep in a Jeep I would write -eep). Then I make other cards with sh, j, b, and st. Then we make the words from the book with the index cards. (sheep, jeep, beep, steep). This has helped some of the kids that weren't getting the idea."
4. Sing the name game. "News, news bo bews, banana fanna fo fews Me my mo mews, News!"
5. Use picture cards of things that rhyme like cat, bat and rat.

Some of these things I am already doing. I think I will try the index cards and pictures with the words written at the bottom. I did read a study on how rhyming is closely connected with learning to read. Therefore, it makes sense to me that teaching him his letters will help him rhyme!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Peoria Times Observer

One of our local newspapers did a spread on NewsAnchorMom.com in the Times Women segment in the recent issue. I just found out the Peoria Times Observer has posted the story the on its new website. It's on two pages. Part 1 Part 2 incase you're interested.

Also WMBD 1470 has really supported all my ventures. They have a little tidbit about this site.

You can also find a mention on the Peoria Journal Star website, but you have to have a password to get to the archives. That's unfortunate!

And my co-anchor Tim McGinnis has made his personal blog public at Tim McGinnis.com.

Dan Dermody from WIRL 1290AM has been a great supporter of newsanchormom as well as Scott (and Gin) from Hippie radio.

Thank you for all your support!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

QuiqMeds

Imagine seeing your doctor and getting a prescription filled all in one shot. In-office vending machines for prescription drugs could be in your future. A company called Quiqmeds (Quiqmeds.com) already has 16 in Pennsylvania, with contracts pending in Connecticut and Florida.

Quiqmeds is like a vending machine for medications and it holds 400 to 700 bottles of pre-packaged, safety-sealed drugs. The physician writes the prescription order. Next, the drug, strength, dosage and usage instruction are entered on a touch screen. A staff member checks the written prescription against the order on the computer and prints out two sets of labels. Then, a security code is used to dispense the bottle of medication. The labels are double-checked against the bottle. Finally, one label is applied to the bottle and another to the patient’s chart. The patient pays for the prescription before leaving the office.

Depending on the state, doctors who use the machine make a minimal profit on each prescription. Craig Nurick with Quiqmeds told me the doctors typically make about $5.00 per prescription. He said the machines contain mainly generic medications. I was concerned the doctors would prescribe certain medications based on what they had available in the vending machines. Nurick said the doctors are not aware of how much of each medication is left in the machines. The server goes directly to Quiqmeds. He said the doctors make such a small amount of money on each prescription, pushing certain meds would not be a problem.

And what about safety? Will people start breaking into these things? Nurick said the machine is 800 pounds and made of steal, so that is not an issue.

And what about insurance. The machine does not take insurance. Nurick said that's why the drugs are mainly generic.

So what about when your child gets amoxicillan that has to be mixed with water? Who does the mixing? Nurick says it comes out as a powder and there is a line that says "Fill to here."

Here are some facts compiled by the medical company Medstar:

Americans purchased 3.6 billion prescriptions in 2005 at a cost of $200.7 billion.Up to 49 percent of patients don’t fill or take their medications as directed. Two common reasons for not getting a prescription filled are cost and access to a pharmacy.

The Kaiser Family Foundation reports Americans purchased 3.6 billion prescriptions in 2005, costing them $200.7 billion. 59 percent of those under 65 purchased at least one prescription. Among those 65 and older, roughly 92 percent purchased one or more prescription medications.

Medications are prescribed to treat diseases and/or help patients cope with chronic medical conditions. Yet, researchers estimate as many as 49 percent of patients don’t adhere to physician recommendations for taking/filling their medications. In one study, 22 percent of patients being treated for end-stage kidney disease reported they forgot to fill their prescriptions. Another 30 percent failed to fill their prescriptions, mainly because they didn’t have enough money or have a way to get to the pharmacy.

Some physicians have been dispensing certain prescription drugs out of their offices for several years. However, doctors need to have a secure place to store the drugs and need to be conscientious about re-ordering supplies. With QuiqMeds, the company monitors usage through an Internet connection and restocks the vending machine when supplies run low. The system is very secure because only QUIQMEDS staff can get inside the machine to access medications.

Would you get your drugs out of a vending machine at your doctor's office? What do you think about this concept?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen