ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com/media/feedlogo.gif ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Lies parents tell to their childrenhttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/20/lies-parents-tell-to-their-children/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/20/lies-parents-tell-to-their-children/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/20/lies-parents-tell-to-their-children/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In some small way, I wish we'd never started with the whole Santa Claus things. My kids are so deeply invested in it that I'm afraid finding out the truth is going to break their little hearts. My hope is that they'll learn gradually, like I did, and not all at once. Christmas is still magical to me, and I know that all those years experiencing the mystery and magic of Christmas is part of that feeling.

Cole Gamble, over at StrollerDerby, disagrees with me. He calls Santa Claus, along with the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny, one of the 14 lies we should stop telling our children. Others include:
  • Just tell me the truth and you won't get in trouble.
  • Do this or you won't get [something big you possibly can't take away anyway].
  • Big kids eat their vegetables; aren't you a big kid?
  • You'll make more friends if you play nice.
  • Mommy and Daddy are "taking a nap."
Cole says it's also statistically impossible that your child is the prettiest/most handsome in the world, because in fact, his children already hold that title. Since we've been talking a lot about lying this week, I think Cole's timing with this hilarious list couldn't have been better.

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]]>Easter BunnyEasterBunnylies parents tell their kidsLiesParentsTellTheirKidslittle white liesLittleWhiteLieslyinglying to kidsLyingToKidsSanta ClausSantaClausTooth FairyToothFairyBethany SandersSun, 20 Jul 2008 14:00:00 ESTToddler takes SUV for a joyridehttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/20/toddler-takes-suv-for-a-joyride/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/20/toddler-takes-suv-for-a-joyride/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/20/toddler-takes-suv-for-a-joyride/#commentsFiled under: ,

toddler driving carWhat kid doesn't like to play in the front seat of Mom and Dad's car? Whenever we're parked for any length of time, my kids beg to come up front and try out all of the buttons and knobs, so that when I finally turn the car back on, the radio is blasting and the windshield wipers work furiously, despite the fact that it's not raining.

But a three-year-old St. Louis boy recently decided that he was going to do more than explore the dashboard of his parent's SUV. He took the keys, told his mom he was going "bye bye," and then instead of heading out to the backyard, where his mother thought he was going, climbed into the family's SUV and put the keys in the ignition. He managed to get it into neutral, and then the vehicle rolled across the street and stopped only when it bumped into a neighbor's house.

The child wasn't hurt (and either was the SUV, the St. Louis Post reports), but stories like this one are a good reminder, especially during these hot summer days, to keep your car locked and your keys out of reach.

(via LilSugar)

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]]>babyproofingcarcar safetyCarSafetychildren driving carChildrenDrivingCarjoyridetoddler drives carToddlerDrivesCarBethany SandersSun, 20 Jul 2008 13:00:00 ESTMenthol used to hook kidshttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/20/menthol-rates-doubled-to-hook-kids/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/20/menthol-rates-doubled-to-hook-kids/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/20/menthol-rates-doubled-to-hook-kids/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Say what you will about a smoker's right to light up in his car or her own home, but I think we can all agree that underage smoking is wrong, wrong, wrong. a new study suggests that menthol cigarettes are specifically formulated to attract and snag young smokers (and the keep the adult smokers hooked for life).

Menthol cigarettes are the minty ones, you know, the ones most like candy. they're also easier for a young system to tolerate than regular cigarettes. According to a new study out of Harvard, manufacturers of menthol cigarettes are using this information to nab the "vulnerable population." As smokers get used to menthol, like with pretty much anything else, they naturally prefer a stronger flavor or sensation.

The research also indicated that nearly fifty percent of smokers between the ages of twelve (yes, you read that right, TWELVE) and seventeen prefer menthol cigarettes. Menthol cigarettes make up about 28% of overall cigarette sales per year. There's no need to do the math here to realize that a big group of kids is smoking these cigarettes. Those who participated in the study are urging for stronger legislation. Phillip Morris, the company who owns Marlboro Milds, a milder form of menthol cigarette, deny such allegations, as does its parent company, Atria. Lorillard, owner of the best-selling Newport brand of menthol cigarettes, also denied they lure young smokers.

Cig pic by wetwebwork.

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]]>cigarettesharvardlorillardmarlboromarlboro mildsMarlboroMildsmentholnewportphillip morrisPhillipMorrissmokersyoungJennifer JordanSun, 20 Jul 2008 11:00:00 ESTFeist's Sesame Street appearancehttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/feists-sesame-street-appearance/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/feists-sesame-street-appearance/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/feists-sesame-street-appearance/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Artist Feist performing her hit song 1 2 3 4Feist's hit song 1234 might not be what you want to use to teach your little one to count -- she leaves out a couple numbers on the way to ten. For an upcoming appearance on Sesame Street, however, she's changed the lyrics to focus on learning to count just to four. Stick with what you know, I say. In advance of the clip appearing on the show, it's made its way to YouTube.

Of course, Feist isn't the only celebrity to show up on Sesame Street. I remember seeing Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, and Billy Joel on the show when I was younger. Now that I have kids of my own, there have been even more great performances -- Ladysmith Black Mambazo, REM, Norah Jones, and Denyce Graves, to name a few.

Feist apparently enjoyed her performance with the Muppets an awful lot -- she told reporters at the Juno awards that "it was the best day of my life. I'm sorry Junos, but the Muppets trump everything!" Who could blame her, after all? Once upon a time, performing at Carnegie Hall was the hallmark of success, but if you ask me, getting to be on Sesame Street beats that hands -- or flippers, or paws, or whatever -- down.

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]]>1 2 3 41234feistmuppetsmusicsesame streetSesameStreetsongRoger SinasohnSat, 19 Jul 2008 17:07:00 ESTMinnie Driver set to be a chubby mommyhttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/minnie-driver-set-to-be-a-chubby-mommy/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/minnie-driver-set-to-be-a-chubby-mommy/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/minnie-driver-set-to-be-a-chubby-mommy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

For someone who had little to say about her pregnancy, Minnie Driver is certainly opening up these days. She won't reveal the name of the baby's father and she has no plans on finding out the baby's sex before the big day, but she has a lot to say about the rest of parenting.

The actress recently revealed she has no real plans to stay with the baby's father and is seriously considering single motherhood. Now she admits she is prepared to be a "chubby" mother as well. As opposed to other Hollywood starlets who look like they were never pregnant to begin with (Keri Russell, I'm talking to YOU) or those who hit the gym moments after they shed the placenta and worked out frantically to reduce their size, Minnie has no plans to do anything other than be a mommy! Take that, Kate Hudson! (Hudson gained seventy pounds with son Ryder.)

Driver says to plan on seeing her around Malibu, and to plan on seeing her fat. As most of us realistic gals know, it takes a year to put it on, and heaven knows it can take at least a year to take it back off--if we ever do. Nice to hear someone from tinsel town taking a breath of reality! I doubt Minnie will stay 'chubby' as she likes to call it, given that she gained a ton of weight for her breakout role in Circle of Friends and lost all of it, but only time will tell. I just wish someone would advise Minnie she doesn't look fat now that she's pregnant--she looks fantastic!

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]]>circle of friendsCircleOfFriendsdriverexpire-images2009-7-16expire-images2009-7-18gymhollywoodkate hudsonkate-hudsonkatehudsonkeri russellkeri-russellkerirussellminie driverMinieDriverminnieminnie driverminnie-driverMinnieDrivermotherhoodpregnantsextinsel townTinselTownJennifer JordanSat, 19 Jul 2008 16:00:00 ESTDad called pervert for taking pictures of his own kids in publichttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/dad-called-pervert-for-taking-pictures-of-his-own-kids-in-public/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/dad-called-pervert-for-taking-pictures-of-his-own-kids-in-public/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/dad-called-pervert-for-taking-pictures-of-his-own-kids-in-public/#commentsFiled under: , ,

British man Gary Crutchley was enjoying watching his sons having fun on a large inflatable slide at an outdoor event and thought he'd capture the moment with a few pictures. Those innocent snapshots turned the family friendly event ugly, however, when the slide operator and a parent standing inline asked him to stop, even accusing him of taking pictures of their children to post on the internet. The word "pervert" was also thrown around.

Gary showed them the pictures he had taken, pictures of his own children, and even grabbed two police officers walking by to confirm he'd done nothing wrong. He hadn't, of course, but it ended what had turned out to be a pleasant day.

In this age of easy technology, parents can be understandably protective about strangers photographing their children. But does that mean that parents can no longer take pictures of their own children in public? I think this is a case of over-protectiveness gone bad, but there have been instances when I was uncomfortable with another parents' photography. Just last week, an older couple who appeared to be endeared by my children at an outdoor event turned their camcorder on them. I was left momentarily speechless; my gut told me they were harmless, yet I wasn't sure why they'd want video of my two kids.

How do you feel about parents taking pictures of kids in public places?

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]]>Bethany SandersSat, 19 Jul 2008 15:00:00 ESTGas containers must now be child resistanthttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/gas-containers-must-now-be-child-resistant/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/gas-containers-must-now-be-child-resistant/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/gas-containers-must-now-be-child-resistant/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

President George Bush has signed into law the Children's Gasoline Burn Prevention Act, which is designed to prevent kids from being burned or otherwise injured from gasoline. The Act requires portable gasoline containers to conform to child resistance safety requirements already in place for other flammable liquids. This new requirement applies to containers manufactured for sale in the United States on or after January 17, 2009.

"Families who purchase gasoline cans with child resistant gas caps and who keep all flammable liquids out of the sight and reach of children are improving the safety of their homes," said Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Acting Chairman Nancy Nord.

Keep your kids safe around gasoline by following this tips, courtesy of CPSC:
  • Buy a gasoline container that is child resistant.
  • Place a gasoline container in a well ventilated, cool area.
  • Never store gasoline or other fuel inside the house, in the basement, or near a fuel-burning appliance, open flames, pilot lights, stoves, heaters, electric mowers, or any other sources of ignition.
  • Never smoke near gasoline.
  • Never carry gasoline in the trunk of the car. Escaping vapors can easily ignite.
  • Keep gasoline, kerosene and other fuels out of the reach of children. Never permit children to play with matches or fuel.
The Children's Gasoline Burn Prevention Act was introduced to Congress by Dennis Moore, D-Kansas, after he learned of a tragic accident involving two children in his state. A four-year-old boy died and his younger brother was permanently scarred after they opened a gas can and spilled its contents near a hot water heater.

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]]>child resistantchild safetyChildrens Gasoline Burn Prevention ActChildrensGasolineBurnPreventionActChildResistantChildSafetycpscgasgas containersGasContainersgasolinegasoline containersgasoline safetyGasolineContainersGasolineSafetynancy nordNancyNordsafety resistantSafetyResistantSandy MapleSat, 19 Jul 2008 14:00:00 ESTFertility goes Brave New Worldhttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/fertility-goes-brave-new-world/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/fertility-goes-brave-new-world/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/fertility-goes-brave-new-world/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ever read the book Brave New World? In Aldous Huxley's science fiction masterpiece most people stop having babies the old fashioned way; instead humans are the product of test tubes, petri dishes and the like. With the advent of that seventy-year-old woman recently giving birth to twins, I'm starting to feel like the "fiction" part of sci-fi isn't so far-fetched.

Turns out scientists themselves don't think so either. A new report in the July edition of the Nature journal, scientists are predicting that within 30 years artifical wombs will be commonplace and it will be ethically acceptable to perform experiments on human embryos. Creeped out enough yet? They're also predicting infertility could go the way of the dinosaur, that labs will be able to manufacture eggs and sperm and that "genetic cassettes" will be used to correct diseases among other things.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) will be available for everyone and anyone from babies to grandmas will be able to have children. It was also noted that designer babies will remain an impossibility and people will still generally prefer making babies the old-school way, as it's less expensive and more fun. Having that kind of technology is one thing, but using it is another. Ethics take interesting turns throughout the years, and I don't necessarily think everyone would agree with all the possibilities mentioned above.

What do you think? Is this sort of progress inevitable and we should embrace it, or is there a good reason why infertility exists and we should let mother nature take her course?

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]]>aldous huxleyaldous-huxleyAldousHuxleybrave new worldBraveNewWorlddesigner babiesDesignerBabiesembryosethicsin vitro fertilizationinfertilityInVitroFertilizationIVFjournalnaturescience fictionScienceFictionscientiststechnologyJennifer JordanSat, 19 Jul 2008 13:00:00 ESTBooks to get age limits?http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/books-to-get-age-limits/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/books-to-get-age-limits/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/books-to-get-age-limits/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Who should decide whether a book is age appropriate for your child? Is it you? Is it her teacher? How about the librarian? What about the entire education system? Or, perhaps the publisher? In a move that is sure to gain controversy, publishers are attempting to put age-appropriate information on the covers of their books.

The guidelines would be much those of the movies, which determine what may or may not be appropriate for someone of a given age. Authors among others are vehemently against such guidelines. Among them is none other than J K Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books (the movies of which naturally are advertised with such guidelines). Also among them is Philip Pullman, the author of the His Dark Materials books on which the movie the Golden Compass was based.

Pullman perhaps put it best when he said that by adding age limits it would exclude a group of readers and that he doesn't want to do that. I would imagine the last thing an author would want is to have fewer readers of his books! Look, I read Clan of the Cave Bear when perhaps I was a little too young to fully understand it--but I turned out all right. I think books are different than movies, somehow, but I can't put my finger on it. I don't know how I feel about age guidelines for movies--those don't mean anything anymore as the studios use them to get more viewers--but I can't say I champion the idea of putting restrictions on books. Henry Miller will spin in his grave!

Pic by Nils Geylen.

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]]>clan of the cave bearClanOfTheCaveBeargolden compassGoldenCompassharry potterHarryPotterhis dark materialsHisDarkMaterialsj. k. rowlingJ.K.Rowlingphilip pullphilip pullmanPhilipPullPhilipPullmanJennifer JordanSat, 19 Jul 2008 12:00:00 ESTDo peanuts cause asthma?http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/do-peanuts-cause-asthma/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/do-peanuts-cause-asthma/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/do-peanuts-cause-asthma/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

According to new research, they just might. A recent study suggests that pregnant mothers who eat nuts may impact their child's health later on. Women who consume nuts or "nut-products" like the beloved peanutbutter may increase the risk of asthma in their children by as much as 50%.

Before we go any further, I would like to point out for the record that peanuts are NOT nuts, they're legumes. It's true. Anyway, the Dutch researchers in charge of the study are leary of advising pregnant women to forego peanuts as they provide protein and nutrients. Although seafood also causes similar allergic reactions in children, the researchers were only able to make a connection to peanuts.

Four thousand women were surveyed for what they ate while pregnant along with their children's eating habits over eight years. The research indicated that women who ate nut products daily were more likely to have children with asthma. The link persisted despite factoring for the children's diet. Although there is no conclusive evidence at this time, the researchers think the toxin from the peanuts could pass through the placenta and sensitize the unborn baby. Needless to say, more studies are needed before anyone throws out her peanut butter jar!

Photo by Dr Stephen Dann.

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]]>allergic reactionAllergicReactionasthmalegumesnut productsNutProductspeanutpeanut butterPeanutButterpeanutsseafoodtoxinJennifer JordanSat, 19 Jul 2008 11:00:00 ESTJennifer Garner IS pregnanthttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/jennifer-garner-is-pregnant/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/jennifer-garner-is-pregnant/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/jennifer-garner-is-pregnant/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Lots of flowy summer tops couldn't hide what the media was desperate to know: Would Jennifer Garner become a mommy a second time? Well, after months of such tops and much speculation, Violet's mom has finally come clean.

The star of television's Alias series and husband actor Ben Affleck are expecting their second child. According to reports, Garner is five months along. The news, as usual, came from a surprising source. Rather than being from Jen's own mouth, it came from Victor Garber, Garner's Alias costar who also presided over her wedding to Affleck.

No word yet on whether the new bundle to be is a girl or a boy. Heck, with the way things are going these days it could very well be twins on the way! Congratulations to the expectant couple!

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]]>Aliasben affleckben-affleckBenAffleckexpire-images2009-7-18jennifer garnerjennifer-garnerJenniferGarnertelevisionvictor garbervictor-garberVictorGarbervioletJennifer JordanSat, 19 Jul 2008 10:00:00 ESTPenis costume calls for an apologyhttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/penis-costume-calls-for-an-apology/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/penis-costume-calls-for-an-apology/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/19/penis-costume-calls-for-an-apology/#commentsFiled under: , ,

graduatesIn most high schools, senior pranks are par for the course. Every year, graduating classes across the country try to top their predecessors with the most outrageous stunts they can come up with. Most pranks are harmless enough, but even those can get you in trouble.

19-year-old Calvin Morett had what I'm sure he thought was a great idea for a harmless prank for this year's Saratoga Springs High School graduation ceremony. He dressed up in a 6 foot tall penis costume and ran across the stage spraying Silly String on the audience. His prank was a hit on YouTube, but not so much with the attendees of the ceremony.

Earlier this week, a judge ordered Morett to write a formal apology to the city of Saratoga Springs. He must pay to have that apology printed in the local newspaper as well as perform 24 hours of community service to atone for his deed.

I watched the video and I thought it was pretty funny. But it wasn't the most important day of my kid's life, so I can see where some parents might not have seen the humor.




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]]>calvin morettCalvinMorettcostumegraduationgraduation prankgraduation pranksGraduationPrankGraduationPrankspenis costume graduationPenisCostumeGraduationsaratoga springs high schoolSaratogaSpringsHighSchoolyoutube videoYoutubeVideoSandy MapleSat, 19 Jul 2008 09:00:00 ESTChildren See -- Parents as role models http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/children-see-parents-as-role-models/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/children-see-parents-as-role-models/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/children-see-parents-as-role-models/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We've all seen it -- a child says something wildly inappropriate and shocks the adults around her. Her parents shake their heads, "We don't know where she gets this stuff." It's happened to me, and because my kids spend nearly all day, every day with me alone, I can't look much farther than my own behavior.

I think that most, if not all, parents slip now and then -- a curse word slips out, voices get raised, carefully honed parenting techniques fly out the window in the face of fatigue and stress. Kids are resilient, they learn that grown ups make mistakes just like kids do. And we try harder not to make those mistakes the next time.

An Australian organization called ChildFriendly.org recently put out a children's rights video titled "Children See." It depicts parents at their worst -- abusive, violent, careless, angry -- as well as their children following their lead. It's disconcerting, disturbing, startling, but it's also an excellent reminder for even the most thoughtful parent that our children are watching us, every minute of every day.

Watch the video below, then share your thoughts with us in comments.


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]]>abuseaustraliachild abuseChildAbusechildfriendly.orgchildren seechildrens rightsChildrenSeeChildrensRightsdomestic violenceDomesticViolenceparentingparenting role modelparenting techniquesParentingRoleModelParentingTechniquesBethany SandersFri, 18 Jul 2008 18:00:00 ESTReborn babies fool copshttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/reborn-babies-fool-cops/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/reborn-babies-fool-cops/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/reborn-babies-fool-cops/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Reborn babyIf you have ever seen a Reborn baby doll, then you know that they look for all the world like real babies. Reborns are popular with doll collectors as well as those who can't or don't want to have actual children. Some of these dolls come complete with beating hearts and an apparatus that makes them appear to breathe. Some of them, however, just lie there looking like real babies who aren't breathing. Like the one police in Australia saw when they peered into the window of an otherwise empty and locked automobile. Believing a child's life was in danger, the police smashed the window and rescued the doll.

This isn't the only case of police being fooled by a Reborn. A similar incident in the United States cost a man a window out of his brand new Hummer after his wife left her Reborn in his car.

I think if you are going to have a fake baby that looks so lifelike that people will break out your windows to rescue it, you might want to add a blanket to your fake diaper bag. That way, you will have something to throw over it when you leave it alone in the car.

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]]>doll rescueDollRescuefake babyFakeBabyfakes babiesFakesBabiesrebornreborn dollsreborn rescueRebornDollsRebornRescuerebornsSandy MapleFri, 18 Jul 2008 17:00:00 ESTThe long, sordid tale of E.B. White's "Stuart Little"http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/the-long-sordid-tale-of-e-b-whites-stuart-little/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/the-long-sordid-tale-of-e-b-whites-stuart-little/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/the-long-sordid-tale-of-e-b-whites-stuart-little/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

After a bedtime routine of bath, brushing teeth, and book reading, my daughters still often resist settling in under getting under the covers and settling in for the night. So we started a new routine where, once they are tucked in and quiet, we turn off all the lights and I read them a few pages from a chapter book (with my booklight). Not only does this give them incentive to get settled into bed, I figure, they're imaginations get a workout as they try to picture the story in their heads. Last week, my three-year-old pulled out Stuart Little. I wasn't sure if they were ready for it yet, but they seem mesmerized by the story so far, and it's so much fun to sink back into an old children's classic.

Stuart Little has delighted children for decades, but did you know that the book got off to a rocky start? The New Yorker has an excellent piece about the relationship between E.B. White, his wife Katherine, and book reviewer Anne Carroll Moore. Moore is credited with creating the idea of a children's library and story time, and became a powerful influence in children's literature. Though she pushed White for years to finish his book, once the manuscript was finished she fought its publication. Saying "I was never so disappointed in a book in my life," and that it had been written by "a sick mind," she refused to order it for the New York Public Library, and therefore influences libraries across the nation as well.

It's a story that's nearly as interesting as the book itself. Parents with an interest in children's literature, classics, or even the history of the New York City Library will find this piece of the past engrossing.

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]]>Anne Carroll MooreAnneCarrollMoorebedtime routinesBedtimeRoutinesbookschildrens literatureChildrensLiteraturee.b.whitelibarariesNew York City LibraryNewYorkCityLibrarystory timeStoryTimestuart littleStuartLittleBethany SandersFri, 18 Jul 2008 16:00:00 ESTTerminally ill toddler's parents sell everything and take her on holiday -- PD*Pollhttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/terminally-ill-toddlers-parents-sell-everything-and-take-her-on/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/terminally-ill-toddlers-parents-sell-everything-and-take-her-on/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/terminally-ill-toddlers-parents-sell-everything-and-take-her-on/#commentsFiled under: , ,

child's sneakersThree-year-old Caitlin Powell is living every tot's dream: her parents have sold their home and quit their jobs and are devoting their days to taking Caitlin and her seven-year-old sister on a series of fabulous vacations. Next month the family will go to Florida; next year they are planning an African safari.

But this isn't all fun and games; Caitlin has Sanfilippo Syndrome, a degenerative neurological condition that will eventually render her incapable of caring for herself or functioning normally. Doctors have told her parents that she will most likely not live past the age of 12.

Emma and Ben Powell, Caitlin's parents, have decided to face their tragedy by turning their remaining years with Caitlin into one big adventure. They have sold their home and quit their jobs and are planning to travel with Caitlin and her sister for as long as they can. "'I can't think about the future with Caitlin, it breaks my heart," says Emma. "She won't be with us for very long so myself and Ben have made a conscious decision to make every day special for her from now on."

Caitlin's story is truly heart wrenching, and her parents seem to have found a way to cope with their inevitable loss. At the same time, though, there is an element of irresponsibility to their plan. According to Caitlin's father, there will come a point where she needs full-time care, which is costly. I can't help but wonder how the Powells are planning to pay for Caitlin's care after all those years of vacations.

View Poll

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]]>pd-pollSanfillippo-syndrometerminal illnessterminal-illnessTerminalIllnessvacationSusan WagnerFri, 18 Jul 2008 15:30:00 ESTRadar gun toting boy aims to stop speedershttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/I-gun-toting-boy-aims-to-stop-speeders/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/I-gun-toting-boy-aims-to-stop-speeders/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/I-gun-toting-boy-aims-to-stop-speeders/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

boy with radar gunLots of little boys dream of careers in law enforcement. In preparation, they spend hours playing cop, arresting their little friends and writing tickets. But this sort of pretend police work is just child's play for Landon Wilburn of Louisville, Kentucky. He found an effective way to actually enforce the law and has become a neighborhood hero because of it.

Like a lot of subdivisions, the one where 11-year-old Landon lives has a problem with cars speeding through the streets. Residents have complained to police and Landon and his friends regularly yell at drivers to slow down. But when these efforts failed, Landon came up with a better idea. He got out his Hot Wheels toy radar gun, donned a bright orange vest, and grabbed his siren-equipped flashlight. He set himself up on the side of the street and began tracking the speed of passing cars.

Yeah, it's a toy but it actually works! The speed limit in Landon's neighborhood is 25 mph, but he clocked some cars going close to 55 mph. At least they were until they spotted what they assumed was a police officer with a radar gun aimed at them. Neighbor George Ayers says, "When I saw it happening, I got the biggest kick out of it. People were locking up their brakes when they saw him."

Fortunately, Landon may soon find his radar gun is no longer needed. After commissioning a study on speeding in the area, speed humps are being installed in the neighborhood.

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]]>boyscopshot wheels radar gunHotWheelsRadarGunkentuckykidslandon willburnLandonWillburnlaw enforcementLawEnforcementlouisvillepolicepolice radar gunpolice radar gunsPoliceRadarGunPoliceRadarGunsradar gunradar gunsRadarGunRadarGunsspeed humpsspeedersSpeedHumpsspeeding carsSpeedingCarstoy radar gunToyRadarGuntoysSandy MapleFri, 18 Jul 2008 15:00:00 ESTParentPicks: Next up, toddlers.http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/parentpicks-next-up-toddlers/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/parentpicks-next-up-toddlers/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/parentpicks-next-up-toddlers/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's time for another installment of ParentPicks, a veritable gold mine of parental wisdom. Our sneaking suspicions were right - you DO have some fantastic baby picks up your sleeve!

Well, let's keep the good ideas flowing. This month's ParentPicks feature will be focused on the darling, yet obstinate toddler stage. Personally, I have been thrown blindly into the Terrible Two's Ring of Fire during the past month. (HOLD ME.) The only item that elicits a guaranteed smile from my outdoorsy dictator is his Kettler tricycle.

What about you, though? What product or item could you not live without during the toddler years? Your insightful responses will be compiled and presented in August for everyone to enjoy. Now, get to it! Parents all over the world will thank you!

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]]>Sarah JamesFri, 18 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EST'Can baseball save your marriage?' and other shared activitieshttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/can-baseball-save-your-marriage-and-other-shared-activities/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/can-baseball-save-your-marriage-and-other-shared-activities/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/can-baseball-save-your-marriage-and-other-shared-activities/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Do you like baseball? Any kind of sport? What about traveling or other activities? If you said yes to any of the above, do you enjoy doing so with your spouse? A new report from a set of studies, some of which have been going on for more than a decade, seems to think that if you do, your marriage has more of a chance at surviving. You know the old saying "those that play together stay together?" Well, turns out there may be something to that after all. Howard Markman, co-director of the University of Denver's Center for Marital and Family Studies, believes that having fun with your spouse is essential to your marriage.

Seems like a no brainer, sure, but when was the last time you went on a date with your spouse? That's one of the questions asked of couples by Markman and Scott Stanley, the other co-director of the study. The results were interesting, especially when they found out that women and men have very different views on what constitutes a date. The last time you spent time with your spouse could seem forever ago due to the economy, raising kids, demanding careers and commutes, among other things. Still, I think any married couple will tell you it's critical to have fun in your shared lives if you want to get something meaningful out of your time together.

According to another study, marital interaction is actually on the decline. Paul Amato, a sociologist at the Pennsylvania State University, surveyed over 2000 couples in 1980 and another set of roughly the same amount in the year 2000 and found that the number of couples who consistently participated in leisure activities together declined. The good news? Markman, in a separate study, noted that cities with major league baseball teams had a divorce rate 28% less than cities who wanted one but didn't have one. Why? Well, it certainly gives married couples something to do! No comment on whether or not the couples were happier if their teams won the pennant.

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]]>baseballdenverfamilymajor league baseballMajorLeagueBaseballmaritalmarital and family studiesMaritalAndFamilyStudiespennsylvaniapennsylvania state universityPennsylvaniaStateUniversityreportstudytraveluniversity of denverUniversityOfDenverJennifer JordanFri, 18 Jul 2008 13:00:00 ESTImage of the Day: A contagious smilehttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/image-of-the-day-a-contagious-smile/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/image-of-the-day-a-contagious-smile/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/18/image-of-the-day-a-contagious-smile/#commentsFiled under:



Hey, guess what? It's Friday, and it looks like I'm not the only one who's thrilled! Thanks to McGowan Photography for such a great photo.

If you'd like your own picture featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr Pool - We'll highlight an image every day. Remember: we're on the lookout for shots with interesting backgrounds, cool angles, or original composition. Be sure to read the intro on our main Flickr page for more information and limit your uploading to 5 photos per day.

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]]>Sarah JamesFri, 18 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EST