drnewmom's comments

What to Do When You Can't Afford Preschool - Blog Entry

10 Dec 2008 12:50 PM

I am very interested in preschool information. I have a new baby and have been thinking ahead. I did not go to preschool and in kindergarten I remember learning my ABCs. My neighbor has a 7-year-old and was telling me nowadays, kids are expected to be able to read by the time they get to kindergarten. I mean, I read to him daily and will continue to do so, but wasn't really thinking about structured lessons before school. Just what do kids need to learn by the time the go to school? Why are they expected to know so much more that "we" did 25 years ago? I can see the benefits of preschool, but I can also see an increase in illness. My little one was born 3 months early and a respiratory illness could send him back to the hospital (the reason we pay for a private sitter when I work). Anyhow, I probably won't homeschool formally, but may be interested in it as a pre-school resource. Thank you for addressing this topic!

Hey Moms... What's On Your Christmas Wish List? - Blog Entry

10 Dec 2008 12:40 PM

For Christmas, I'd like for my dh to finish the projects he started around the house. Realistically, though, I'd take a gift certificate for a half-hour massage (any longer seems to cross the lines of therapeudic to indulgent). Of course, if my dh wanted to start doing more housework, that'd be ok, too;).

Cutting Corners On Formula Could Be Fatal - Blog Entry

10 Dec 2008 12:16 PM

Goitre From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia A goitre (BrE), or goiter (AmE) (Latin struma), also called a bronchocele, is a swelling in the neck (just below the Adam's apple or larynx) due to an enlarged thyroid gland. Causes Worldwide, the most common cause for goitre is iodine deficiency. In countries that use iodized salt, Hashimoto's thyroiditis becomes the most common cause.

There is a lot more information out there, but there is the basic.

Cutting Corners On Formula Could Be Fatal - Blog Entry

09 Dec 2008 07:56 PM

goiter is enlargement of the thyroid gland (located in the neck), caused by lack of iodine in the diet. goiter is the reason why salt is iodized.

Cutting Corners On Formula Could Be Fatal - Blog Entry

09 Dec 2008 10:13 AM

Anything can be a "poison" given in levels high enough... many nutrients included. Although iron and iodine can be a poison, they are absolutely needed by the body in small amounts to function properly (can we say goiter?). There IS such a thing as too much of a good thing.

Would You Allow Your Child to Wear a Purity Ring? - Blog Entry

07 Dec 2008 08:33 PM

Valorie, I'm sorry if you were offended by my sarcasm. Maybe I should clarify myself. Muslim women are directed by their religion to cover themselves. Christians are directed by their religion to be pure, in thought and in action. They are not directed to wear a ring proclaiming such purity to the world. Living one's life according to God's direction is more important than a piece of jewelry. As Michele pointed out, the rings are "mega-popular" ... does that not cheapen their effectiveness as a symbol? If more than half of the kids who have worn a purity ring have had sex before marriage, what does that say of the teens' promise (and the rings themselves)?

Would You Allow Your Child to Wear a Purity Ring? - Blog Entry

06 Dec 2008 07:19 AM

Muslim students wear their clothing for religious belifs ... a purity ring has nothing to do with religion. Yeah, they might have been introduced by a religious man for his community, but it is not a token of religion. If rings are against the school rules, why not put on a chastity belt? Those are making a comeback, too. Oh wait, then no one else (in theory) would see them. She can always wear the ring outside of school. I'm not really against the idea of the ring, but school rules should be followed. Oh, to answer the question directly, I would have had my daughter follow the rules, maybe having her wear the ring on a chain around her neck as a compromise while at school.

How Much Are You Planning to Spend on Your Kids this Holiday Season? - Blog Entry

24 Nov 2008 08:02 AM

We are in the same boat with our little one--he is the first grandchild on my side, so with 2 sets of grandparents, 2 uncles an aunt and several great aunts and uncles, he'll get spoiled rotten! I don't think there'll be much left for us to buy him. I don't see us spending more than $50 or so on him. On the other hand, my neighbors have purchased a Wii, amongst other things, for their 7 year old ... I'm not sure I'd be spending well over $300 on one child (they are not wealthy)... but that's another story. Maybe I'll change my mind as he gets older, but I don't think so.

When Do You Decorate for the Holidays? - Blog Entry

22 Nov 2008 04:14 PM

I'm not a big decorator, but I really don't want to see or hear anything about Christmas until AFTER Thanksgiving! I can see putting your outside decorations up earlier (I live in the snowbelt), but I'd keep my lights off until after turkey day. I was floored when I hear the local radio station broadcasting Christmas tunes a week or two ago--I mean, come on, let's allow another holday to pass before jumping into Christmas!

Treating Flatulence in Pets - Blog Entry

15 Nov 2008 06:47 PM

A raw meat diet is seldom balanced properly (remember, in the wild, canids eat more than just "meat"). Additionally, there is the increased risk of diseases such as e. coli, salmonella and campylobacter. Gas can frequently be due to eating ANYTHING the dog is not used to. I had a client in the office once whose dog would get gassy if he at anything besides his food--even 1 potato chip would cause it! The best bet is to exclusively feed a highly-digestible, high quality diet.