Mother’s Milk: Breastfeeding Controversies in American Culture
July 9, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
Mother’s Milk: Breastfeeding Controversies in American Culture
The author draws on her own personal experience as a mother who went to great lengths to breastfeed her children as well as on her vast knowledge of the breastfeeding research literature. She opens up a discussion of modern breastfeeding issues and controversies and explores why breastfeeding is not a cultural norm in the United States. She also discusses the values of the La Leche League, who promote breastfeeding and offer lactation support. In her book she also talks about well known breastfeeding advocates who are pushing for breastfeeding to be culturally accepted in the US.
The American Academy of Paediatrics’ recommendation suggests that infants should be breastfed exclusively for the first six months in their life. However, the reality in the US is that only about 14% are exclusively breastfed for the first six months. In her book, the author examines the conflict that exists between the recommendations by the AAP, the philosophy of the LLL and the issues associated with working mothers and the modern world.
The author also discusses the different views of feminists and breastfeeding mothers and tries to open a dialogue between the two sometimes conflicting parties to achieve a balance between the baby’s and mother’s needs in terms of breastfeeding and the constraints a working mother faces.
This book is a must-read for anybody who is interested in breastfeeding issues. It will give women the opportunity to make an informed choice about the health and cultural issues associated with nursing a baby. The author advocates that breastfeeding is a natural part of every mother’s being, but because of external conflicts women face nowadays, this natural part has to be relearned.
Essentials of Smart Parenting: Learning the fine Art of Managing Your Children
July 3, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
Essentials of Smart Parenting is the latest guidebook by husband and wife team, Dr. Carl Arinoldo and Linda Arinoldo. Dr Carl Arinoldo has been working as a psychologist with his own practice for over 30 years and specializes in stress management and parent-child relationships. He has also appeared on many TV shows and radio programs as a guest speaker. Linda Arinoldo has been a school psychologist for over 25 years and has worked extensively with children, adolescents and their parents.
In the book Essentials of Smart Parenting they combined their knowledge to produce a guide book for all parents. Parenting is one of life’s greatest adventures. It can be difficult, scary, sad, stressful but also a very happy experience. In their book the two authors provide parents with the tools and advice that improves their parenting skills and at the same time reduces the stress associated with raising a family.
The book is written in a very easy to read style and takes into account not only the parents’ needs but also the needs of the children. By implementing the given strategies, harmony in the house will improve and raising the children will be more fun. In their book, the authors talk about the main principles, which are:
- United we stand
- ABC or always be consistent
- Give yourself a time-out
- Act, don’t react
- Pick your battles
- And more
The book offers parents easy to implement strategies and advice on how to make parenting a much happier and less stressful experience for both parents and children alike.
Generation Text: Raising Well-Adjusted Kids in an Age of Instant Everything
January 3, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
Generation Text: Raising Well-Adjusted Kids in an Age of Instant Everything
by Dr. Michael Osit
Modern parents are concerned about the effects of technology on their kids. Younger and younger children are spending more and more time interacting not with human beings, but with gadgets – cell phones, computers, video games, and other devices. Do we have reason to be concerned, and if yes, how do we go about setting limits?
In the book Generation Text, Dr. Osit reveals how the combination of high-tech interaction and immediate gratification is putting our children at risk for developing distorted self-image, poor work ethic, a sense of entitlement, and weakened social skills, as well as aggressive tendencies. Parents owe it to their kids to set boundaries when it comes to the use of gadgets, for their kid’s long term physical, emotional as well as social health.
Statistics show that kids spend more than half of their playtime in front of screens. The effect of this is that kids are less connected to the family. Why should parents be concerned about this?
1. Impairment of social skills – when machine to machine interaction replaces person to person interaction too much of the time, kids will not readily learn nuances essential to social skills.
For example, texting eliminates many challenges socially that contain important lessons for kids and teens to learn.
2. Changing values – the attitudes and behavior of kids has declined because modern kids have access to the world. The messages they get are not always appropriate.
3. Anonymity – we get more brazen and nervy when using technology.
That is not always healthy for relationships.
Dr. Osit refers to access and excess in his book. Access refers to easy availability of the world and other people. Kids can be all over the world in their bedrooms. Children can be exposed to ideas and concepts that are disturbing and that can change their developing brains. In the past, parents tried to protect their kids from these influences until they were more mature and could make better decisions. Now it’s harder than ever to do so.
Excess – kids who live in economically privileged parts of the world have too many privileges and possessions. There is often is a sense of entitlement with these things. What is acceptable and common for the age group is not always appropriate. Parents need to think about what’s best for their child and family, not what the neighbors are doing.
Instant Gratification
Too much technology can lead to weak delayed gratification muscles. As parents we need to help our kids learn how to delay gratification in order for them to be happy, healthy adults. Many parents are going overboard in expending too much money, time and resources. Parents are operating in a busier, fast paced world and because of guilt we say yes, sometimes to compensate for a lack of time.
Studies show that kids – even teens – really do respect and admire their parents and want to please them. They also crave to spend more time with their parents. We need to start creating more balance with our kids and give them the gift of our focused attention instead of more gadgets.
When used the right way, technology can be an asset. For instance, shy kids can use technology to boost their social ability. It can compensate for their weakness. What is needed is to establish limits and boundaries with your kids before you give your child the privilege of using technology such as the internet. Instruct them on what they should do for example, if they come across pornography online.
Computers should be kept in a public area of the home and the rules of use posted nearby. Parental controls are easy to implement and some of these are free from the internet service provider. Kids should be coached to come to the parents if they stumble on something inappropriate online. Encourage them to come to you if that happens and help them understand that you will not get angry but will talk about it. This is an opportunity for you to hand down your values to your kids.
Dr. Osit suggests eliminating distractions during family times and setting a good example by turning off cell phones at the dinner table and on family outings. Model the behavior you want. If a parent is addicted to their Blackberry, then they can hardly criticize their child for being addicted to their handheld gaming system.
Carrie Lauth is the host of http://www.NaturalMomsTalkRadio.com/blog, a weekly internet talk radio show and podcast for natural families. To read more natural parenting book reviews, visit: http://naturalmomstalkradio.com/blog/reviews/
Louder Than Words
August 2, 2008 by · Leave a Comment
Louder than Words
A Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism
by Jenny McCarthy
I’ve seen a lot of reviews of Jenny McCarthy’s book Louder Than Words A Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism. Both good and bad.
Although, I am not a fan of Ms. McCarthy, I do have to say she has impressed me with her strength. So much of the information she relates, we moms of special children have been through and that in some sense made the purchase of the book worth it. I picked it up and couldn’t put it down, my eyes filled with tears as I read through the pages, the same experiences, the same feeling I felt. In some way it was comforting to know I wasn’t the only one who feels like I am lost walking around in a dark room with no answers.
I thank her for the information she shared regarding the treatments that worked with her child and applaude her determination to help her son, Evan. One item I am particularly grateful for is what she calls the: “What To Do Pamphlet”. I too wished there had been one when I was told my child had autism and the one she provides at the end of her book is very informative and helpful.
Ms. McCarthy’s book lost some credibility to me when she began mentioning her use of tarot cards, had this information been left out I think her credibility would have shone through completely for me. She does repeatedly state that she is not a doctor and is only offering information that is personal to her situation and what she states are her opinions of the options.
It’s unfortuante that so many of the reviews attack her, her views and that of the doctor who wrote in this book also. The book isn’t all about what is written in the Forward. It’s about a search for answers, a struggle for a little boy, a strength beyond what was believed could be handled , a triumph and a mother’s love.
If you have an open-mind and open heart you will find in the pages, a book you will learn from, not just about autism but about LOVE.
Nanette Gomez is a work at home mom to two beautiful kids, a virtual assistant and blogger.
Video Games & Your Kids – How Parents Stay in Control
July 21, 2008 by · 1 Comment
Video Games & Your Kids – How Parents Stay in Control
by Hilarie Cash, PhD and Kim McDaniel, MA
Like many parents, I’m concerned about my kids not spending too much time in front of a screen. Whether that be television, computer, or video games. Ever since becoming a parent I decided that I would not own a video game system. One reason for this is because I have seen how they interfere with other, more important activities like reading, spending time with family, helping around the house, etc. It seems that boys in particular have a hard time accepting limits around gaming. Since I have two sons, I didn’t want any part of the constant fighting over the system between themselves and refusing to accept boundaries and limits that I see in other families. I’ve also observed kids missing sleep and even social interaction with peers because of spending too much in in artificial world, with detrimental effects.
This book gathers research, science and data about why parents should be concerned about video games. Rather than being the greatest invention since the baby wipe, video games aren’t always just harmless fun. For one, video games are highly addictive. Video games have negative effects on the body and the brain – not only do video games contribute to a sedentary lifestyle but they also retrain the brain and the way it thinks. This has deleterious effects on how a child learns and their ability to learn outside the game. Video games can also lead to a reduced attention span and reduced ability to deal appropriately in social situations.
Interestingly, the authors aren’t totally opposed to video games but remind parents that they must be very careful about their use. This book is helpful to a parent to give them confidence in their gut feelings that allowing a child to have unrestricted access to video games is a bad thing. It also gives you some pointers from these experts on how to spot video game addiction and how to get help for your child – and even yourself or a spouse if you are the ones with a problem.
Carrie Lauth is a work at home Mom of 4. Read more of her opinions on parenting books and other products at http://www.naturalmomstalkradio.com/blog
