Crackberry "Dings"

I got a free upgrade to a Blackberry Curve a few weeks ago. I can see why people call it a crackberry! It's hard not to check your email when it "dings" every time you get a new one. I think I am more tense now than ever. I hear it "ding" from across the room and I start wondering who it is. It is usually junk mail, but still, I have to look at it. It's addicting and I don't like it. I think I should turn the email "ding" off. I wonder if I can do that. Hmmm.. I did read an email in the car today, but I usually don't. I put the phone in the back seat so I am not tempted. There are certainly times when it is good to be informed. I do like to get back to people as soon as possible. Do you get email "dings" on your phone? Do you like it?

FROM NBC: You see it all the time on the roads, drivers checking email when they should have their eyes on the highway! And a new study shows that distracted driving is indeed a huge problem -- but not only with teenagers, as you may think. A survey of almost 600 mothers finds nearly half admit to reading or responding to a text message while driving -- with their kids in the car! Experts say this is dangerous not only because of the increased risk for accidents, but it also exposes kids to a bad habit.

Sun Protective Swim Shirts

Are sun protective swim shirts worth the cost or are they a good marketing campaign?
I sat down with a skin cancer specialist to find out.

Limiting Video Games

An Iowa State University study shows kids who watch television and play video games for more than four hours a day are more likely to have attention problems. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends kids have less than 2 hours of television/video game time each day. The kids followed by this study averaged more than four hours per day. I don't think my kids watch/play more than two hours right now. They're outside most of the day. But I am sure my oldest exceeds two hours a day during the winter. He gets so bored. And I think he naturally has a short attention span. That doesn't help!

Why does this happen? Douglas Gentile, ISU associate professor of psychology said, "Brain science demonstrates that the brain becomes what the brain does. If we train the brain to require constant stimulation and constant flickering lights, changes in sound and camera angle, or immediate feedback, such as video games can provide, then when the child lands in the classroom where the teacher doesn't have a million-dollar-per-episode budget, it may be hard to get children to sustain their attention." Here's the full story from Iowa State University:

FROM NBC: Kids who regularly play video games may be more likely to develop attention disorders. Researchers at Iowa State University studied over 13 hundred elementary school students -- looking at their video game and television habits. They also studied two hundred college students. They found children who spent more than two hours a day in front of the screen were two times more likely to have attention problems.

The same link was found among college students -- suggesting playing video games as kids can have a lingering effect. More than 27% of kids age 9 to 15 exceeded the recommended limit of screen time. Researchers found boys, african american children and kids from lower income families watched more t-v than other populations.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

What if you could look younger? Soderstrom Skin Institute was one of the first medical facilities to offer laser services in Central Illinois 20 years ago and today provides one of the most comprehensive laser treatment programs available. Call 674-7546 to schedule your FREE CONSULTATION today!

Is My Child Normal?

It is really an eye opener to have three children who reached the typical milestones at different ages. Our first child only spoke a few words until he was three years old. Our second started talking at around 2 1/2. The baby is already saying "mama" "dada" and a ton of other sounds that mimic words.

Walking? The first walked at 9 months, the second at 11 months, the third child at 10 months old has been cruising for a few weeks, so I bet the walking will be soon.

As part of our continuing partnership with Bright Horizons Family Solutions quality childcare, I thought I would bring you these "normal" situations that may seem abnormal.

We have dealt with the biting a little bit, but not the stuttering or motor tics. I had no idea they might be in the realm of normal. Have you dealt with any of the things on the list?

Is my child okay?

Since children develop in different ways and at different times, “normal” is often hard to define and assess. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers this list of seemingly “alarming behavior” as normal things we might see our children doing as they develop:

• A wide range of ages and times when children pick up big milestones, such as rolling over, sitting up, walking, and talking.
• Stuttering in preschool age children.
• Motor tics in preschool and younger school age children.
• Differences in personalities, e.g., some children are very shy and quiet while others are very outgoing.
• Occasional “strange” behaviors, like a 2-year-old who puts his hands in his diaper and smears his poop all over.
• Occasional “difficult” behaviors as your child tests his limits, e.g., lying, swearing, biting.
  Does age make a difference?
  The general age at which children exhibit the behaviors listed above plays an important role in whether the behavior is in fact appropriate or not. While it may be common for a 3-year-old to start having accidents if you bring home a new baby, it isn't common for an older child to soil himself. And while a preschooler may have trouble paying attention, your older child should usually be able to concentrate on things without getting easily distracted. But parental and cultural expectations, experience, and the child’s personality all influence behavior and development.
  What should you do if your child exhibits some of those normal, but often frustrating behaviors?
  If your 3-year-old starts stuttering, instead of correcting her or asking her to repeat herself, see your pediatrician, who will likely tell you that it is a normal developmental stage that your child will outgrow. This also applies to school age children who develop tics, involuntary muscular movements that often go away after a few months. In either of the above cases, if you overreact and tell your child to stop, the added stress may make things worse.
  What is a developmental delay?
  A developmental delay occurs when your child has delayed achievement of one or more of his milestones. This may affect your child's speech and language, his fine and gross motor skills, and/or his personal and social skills. Your pediatrician should screen for delays at your child's well-child visits. This may consist of simple questions to see what your child is able to do at different ages or it may include a formal screening test.
  For example, one infant might start rolling over as early as 2 months and another might not roll over until they are 5 or 6 months old. Or an infant might not start walking until 10 months, 12 months, or 15 months, and would still be considered normal. In evaluating a child with a mild delay, you might also consider the timing of when he picked up other milestones. If he was late rolling over, sitting up, and pulling up, then it makes sense that he might be late walking, too.
  Is there a time to worry?
  Parents usually worry about their children. It comes with the territory. But pediatricians are usually only concerned about children who aren't catching up or who seem to be losing milestones. Older children can have delays too, although delays in later milestones are often harder to notice than developmental delays in younger children. Milestones in preschool age children might include more subtle things, like balancing on one foot, walking heel-to-toe, wiggling his thumb, or copying a square. In these children, parents are more likely to notice tasks that their children aren't able to do, like riding a tricycle, getting dressed, or brushing their teeth.
  Again, the first step in alleviating your worries is to act on your concerns. Trust your instincts and ask your pediatrician. Here are some others ideas to help you understand if your child has a potential problem:
• Try not to rely only on comparisons to other children of the same age, especially for infants and toddlers.
• Consider how your child's “problem” is affecting her day-to-day life. For example, if your child is shy, it is less likely to be a problem if she has a few good friends, talks to her teacher when necessary, and is social with close friends and family. On the other hand, a shy or anxious child who won't go to school or talk to anyone likely does have a problem.
• Consider how long or how many times your child has done a behavior you are concerned about. Lying or swearing one or two times can be normal if your child stops after being told it is wrong. It may be a problem if it continues.
• Write down your observations and your questions. Ask your pediatrician or a developmental specialist for more help.
• Read a parenting book to get more help identifying what's normal.

Should you just wait and see if your child “outgrows” your concerns?

Always consult your pediatrician, but once you bring your concerns about your child's development to your doctor, you may in fact hear, “That’s normal. Just wait and see if she catches up.” That response, although often appropriate, can be frustrating for parents.

To alleviate some of your anxiety and help gain greater assurance, ask your doctor the following questions:

• Why do you think it’s normal?
• How long should we wait?
• What is the next step after the waiting time?
• Listen carefully and trust your instincts. Be persistent. This is especially important if you return after the waiting period and are told to wait some more. Sources for more help might include an Early Childhood Intervention program, a Pediatric Neurologist, or a Developmental Pediatrician.

Are you normal?

Parents run the gamut from worriers to laid-back optimists. If we are too far towards one end of the continuum, friends and family often help us achieve perspective. Many parents today tend to be prone to worry because there is so much parenting information surrounding us, often laced with the implicit message that perfection is possible and anything less than a total obsessive focus is slacking in your most important role. If you find yourself worrying too much and distrusting the opinions of professionals, step back and consider whether you have lost perspective. After all, most children develop fine at their own rate, and even thrive in all kinds of circumstances without any special intervention.

For more information, visit:
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/yourchild/devdel.htm

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

What if you could look younger? Soderstrom Skin Institute was one of the first medical facilities to offer laser services in Central Illinois 20 years ago and today provides one of the most comprehensive laser treatment programs available. Call 674-7546 to schedule your FREE CONSULTATION today!

Celebrity Sing for Wishes!

Imagine having the most precious gift of a child and then finding out that gift could be taken away from you. That's the reality for hundreds of local families who have children with life threatening illnesses. Doctors may not be able to cure these children, but there is something you can do. You can help make the dreams of these kids come true! The Make-a-Wish Foundation is trying to grant 8 wishes through a unique event called "Celebrity Sing for Wishes." You guessed right. That's where I come in. I am not really a celebrity and I can't sing at all, but I do want to help the kids. So, yes I agreed to make a complete fool out of myself if it helps a child! It should be VERY amusing!

Please donate to my cause if you can. The amount you donate will not show on the screen. I will never know if you donated a $1.00 or $100 so please just do whatever you can. (Unless you want to tell me so I can praise you! )

Just CLICK HERE and look for my picture.

The event is July 10th from 6pm-10pm.
Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant, Bloomington

Toxic Pesticides on your favorite foods

CNN ran a Special Report tonight on the enormous amount of pesticides put on fresh fruits and veggies. Below is a list of the foods you should buy organic and the ones you can buy in the cheaper section. I am definitely taking notice! This is disturbing.

Special Report:
"You can reduce your exposure to pesticides by up to 80 percent by buying the organic version of the Dirty Dozen," Rosenthal said.

The Dirty Dozen

Celery

Peaches

Strawberries

Apples

Domestic blueberries

Nectarines

Sweet bell peppers

Spinach, kale and collard greens

Cherries

Potatoes

Imported grapes

Lettuce

Not all non-organic fruits and vegetables have a high pesticide level. Some produce has a strong outer layer that provides a defense against pesticide contamination. The group found a number of non-organic fruits and vegetables dubbed the "Clean 15" that contained little to no pesticides.

The Clean 15

Onions

Avocados

Sweet corn

Pineapples

Mango

Sweet peas

Asparagus

Kiwi fruit

Cabbage

Eggplant

Cantaloupe

Watermelon

Grapefruit

Sweet potatoes

Sweet onions

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

What if you could look younger? Soderstrom Skin Institute was one of the first medical facilities to offer laser services in Central Illinois 20 years ago and today provides one of the most comprehensive laser treatment programs available. Call 674-7546 to schedule your FREE CONSULTATION today!

Sunscreen Ingredient Danger

I am so mad. I just checked my sunscreen and sure enough, it contains retinyl palmitate. The Coppertone baby sunscreen does not, but the Coppertone oil free for FACES does! Now that I look closer, it says "helps prevent premature skin aging." I assumed that was because it was keeping you from getting tan, not because it has an anti-aging chemical in it. I am so frustrated. Check your sunscreen. I really didn't think this was as common as the article suggests. I guess I was wrong!

FROM NBC: A U.S. senator is calling on the FDA to reveal findings about a possible link between a common chemical in sunscreen and skin cancer. Democrat Charles Schumer says the Food and Drug Administration has been reviewing data about the potential health risk of the chemical retinyl palmitate since July of last year.

He's calling on the FDA to provide its evaluation of the data and recommendations immediately. Schumer says consumers deserve to know whether or not retinyl palmitate can actually lead to an increase in the risk of skin cancer. Senator Charles Schumer/New York: "The studies, if they're true suggest, the vary product that protects us from the sun may actually increase our chances of developing the disease it's supposed to protect us from getting. Millions of Americans use sunscreen to keep themselves and their families protected from the dangers of too much sun. If the product they are using does more harm than good, everyone has the right to know and the FDA has to take action."

Retinyl palmitate, a vitamin a derivative, is found in hundreds of the most popular sunscreen products. One study found that tumors and lesions developed up to 21 percent faster in lab animals coated in the chemical.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

What if you could look younger? Soderstrom Skin Institute was one of the first medical facilities to offer laser services in Central Illinois 20 years ago and today provides one of the most comprehensive laser treatment programs available. Call 674-7546 to schedule your FREE CONSULTATION today!