The New York Times published quite the interesting article this week relating to Disney’s Baby Einstein brand of electronic media (VHS, DVD, CD) which were marketed as tools to make your children smarter by plopping them in front of a television or stereo playing them.

It turns out that the efficacy of these videos is still unproven (even though the line has been available for over ten years!) and some (most notably the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, less so myself) have said using them really isn’t a great idea and Disney is now offering refunds.

I’ve never been a fan of sitting Mini in front of a movie or video, though I confess to having done it, though it was more for a “five-minutes-to-do-something” break than a “get smart quick” scheme.

Now that Mini is in 4th grade, it’s important to me to not let her get sucked into the vortex of television and online programming that’s less than educational. She reads (Greg Heffley’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid and R. L. Stine’s Goosebumps series’ are current favorites) and listens to audiobooks (J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series) quite a bit. We play games, though I will say boardgames aren’t my favorite things.

We go places, too. And not just the park or the mall…We go to aquariums (Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach, SC and the local N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores), we visit museums (there’s a lovely history of Onslow County at the Onslow County Museum in Richlands) and, though Mini doesn’t know it, we’ll be making a trip to the N.C. Zoo at Asheboro soon. The hope is that these interactive and engaging activities will help Mini develop a curious mind and interest in the world around her.

The only way to get your kids smart(er) is to actively engage them in activities. Reading and writing, playing games and having honest-to-goodness-conversations will do more than any 30-minute DVD of pretty colors and soothing music, I can promise you. It’s activities and interaction that will make children smart.

What activities do you use to help your child develop thinking skills? How do you feel about the Baby Einstein products? Share your questions, ideas and experiences in the comments.

Well, fall has finally come and with the turning leaves and joyfully cooler temperatures, fundraiser season has also shown up on our doorstep.  I have swallowed my pride and begged every family member and friend I know (who isn’t selling fundraiser stuff; if they are I offer to buy from their kid if they buy from mine) to buy the $10 a roll wrapping paper so that my kids could go to the “main event.” 

The main event is essentially an inflatable slide and gives them some time outside of the classroom;  a few kids who sell over XX number of items will get their chance to win money, an iPod, or a Wii (I’d love to know what the chances are).  However, the girls could not possibly miss the main event; are you kidding, missing a party??!! 

All of this leads me to one idea; I think we need to find better ways to raise money for our schools.  There’s only so much overpriced wrapping paper one can sell.  Certain family members no longer answer my calls and cower in fear if I catch them off guard )  Moreover, the schools get such a nominal percentage of the profits that I wonder if it’s all worth the effort.  To top it all off, tax revenues are down, our teachers have had to take a pay cut, and it seems like there are more kids in our schools every single day.  Soooo …. we need more money to give to our schools and I don’t know if the traditional fundraisers are cutting it. 

Now, I have heard from my fundraising customers that cookie dough and pizza sales get a thumbs up.  The school which the girls attend also has numerous family nights where a portion of the profits at a local eating establishment are donated to the school on a given night.  Other than that I just don’t know; raffles, relays, etc? 

So let me hear your ideas and thoughts so we can start changing it up a little (I really don’t want to spend another 90 bucks on wrapping paper) while getting more money for education.

Since Mallory and Vannah have started school, I have noticed that they’ve picked up bad habits from other kids.  We don’t say “hate” in this house.  It’s an exceptionally strong word and I don’t believe for a second that either could comprehend the seriousness of its use.  Mallory came home a few days ago and mentioned that she “hated” one of her classmates and wasn’t her friend anymore.

So starts the battle against peer pressure.  Savannah came home a few days after the first incident and asked me for a Bratz doll.  I despise those dolls; I have a fundamental problem with buying my kids a doll that looks like she’s getting ready to head out to a bar or club. I don’t dress like that; I don’t expect my children to dress like that while they’re under my roof either.  I don’t want them to think it’s cool to dress like that.

So now I’m left wondering how I can impress our values upon the girls.  First and foremost, I think an age appropriate explanation is required. I explained to Mallory that hate is a nasty and mean word and she should not use it.  I told her that dislike would be more appropriate.  I also talked to Vannah about dignity and class.  Barbie looked elegant and classy in her evening gown.  The same was not true for the Bratz doll.

I honestly believe that our kids live in a much different world where rude seems to be the new social norm, where parents try to be friends, and where nobody’s truly accountable for their actions anymore.  I want my children to be compassionate, polite, respectful, and have dignity.  I want them to be enthusiastic and have focus in their lives.  I want them to respect themselves. It seems like it’s becoming an uphill battle because they’re being hit from all sides.  Peer pressure, the media, toy makers, and the people that are looked up to in our society seem to be sending the wrong message.  I’m not quite sure how to win this one, but I’ll do my best and in doing so, I hope to set my children on the right path and instill values that will last a lifetime.

How are you doing with establishing values for your kids?

With so many families leading hectic lives it’s easy to turn to fast food as a quick fix. The increasing consumption of fast food, coupled with little or no physical activity, are both major sources of concern in the fight against childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity is a serious issue. Studies show that a child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80 percent chance of becoming an obese adult.

As a concerned parent, here are a number of ways to help:

Preventing obesity in children requires helping them increase their physical activity and decrease the number of calories they eat. Children should exercise every day and eat foods high in fiber and low in calories and fat.

Parents can help by buying fruit, vegetables and other low-fat foods and serving their children kid-sized portions, instead of stopping at fast-food restaurants. Signing up children for team sports such as soccer, basketball and swimming can keep them active — and burning calories — year-round.

One way to get your children moving is to get the entire family involved in regular physical outings. You can walk or bike together, and plan family vacations that focus on staying active rather than sitting on a beach. When looking for activities, choose those that won’t be difficult or embarrassing for your children

To learn more tips of what you can do to turn your tween around, click on our OHealthy article.

What is your No. 1 concern about your child’s health?

Saturday, President Obama declared H1N1 influenza a national emergency. The White House said that Obama signed a proclamation last night allowing public health officials to bypass certain federal regulations.

Anne Schuchat, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‘s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, says there’s no need for alarm. “It’s really more a continuation of our preparedness steps,” she told USA TODAY on Sunday. The declaration will help with flexibility in case hospitals see a greater influx of flu cases in coming months, “she said.

The national emergency is a reminder how important it is to be well informed about the signs and symptoms of H1N1 as well as how to keep you and your family safe. This is especially important for families with children.

Join us on Onslow’s  Health Talk blog on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 9 AM where we will have Onslow Memorial Hospital’s infection control nurse available to answer your questions. Sign up with your e-mail below and we’ll remind you of the event.