Tag Archives: online

Disposing of Computer Monitors

Did you know that computer monitors, or more accurately some of the elements inside them, are considered “hazmat” or hazardous materials? Due to this fact, computer monitors should not be thrown away or taken to a landfill. There are specific processes that must be followed for recycling computer monitors to protect public safety. So, if you have an old monitor that’s taking up space and you would like to get rid of it, how do you find an appropriate disposal option? Sell It If your monitor works fine, but you decided to replace it with a bigger or better one, … Continue reading →

Sharing Sleep with Your Baby

It might surprise you to know that putting your baby in a crib is a cultural idea. Families all over the world consider the best place for an infant to sleep, to be in the parents‘ bed. Co-sleeping with your infant does encourage breast feeding and it may buy you at least a few more hours of sleep. That can be a precious commodity in those early days. Many moms and dads report that they sleep more soundly with their babies in their bed through the night. Furthermore, sleep sharing is more common than you might think. An informal survey … Continue reading →

Download Your Personal Trainer

Our high speed, high tech world is always looking for ways to make your life easier, faster, better or more connected. Some results are not as we might wish them to be. After all, the ability to shop from home is very convenient but also cuts down on how much time you spend on your feet out walking the store, the malls or the parking lots. So our wins have a way of generating new losses that we then have to overcome. But not to get too philosophical on you here. The latest and greatest we talked about a little … Continue reading →

The Family Bed – Part 4: Making the “Right” Choice

We’ve discussed the risk factors for co-sleeping, have explained SIDS and SUID, and now it’s time to make a choice. But what is the “right” choice? We all want to do what is best for our children. As parents, this protective nature begins before the baby is born. As a mother who co-slept with both of my babies, for different lengths of time, I advocate the concept of The Family Bed. For me, it provided a safe, comfortable haven for both my children and myself throughout their fragile first year of life. My daughter slept in our bed until four … Continue reading →

The Family Bed – Part 3: Sudden Unexplained Infant Death (SUID)

Many people are familiar with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, also called SIDS. But many people are not aware of Sudden Unexplained Infant Death, or SUID. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is just one cause of Sudden Unexplained Infant Death, or SUID. Ruling out SIDS in the death of an infant requires a thorough investigation, including a complete autopsy and the gathering of information regarding the infant’s medical and personal history. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to diagnose whether or not a death was SIDS related or caused by another form of SUID. Other circumstances that can be classified as a … Continue reading →

The Family Bed – Part 2: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

The main reason some people oppose the concept of The Family Bed or co-sleeping, is because they fear it poses a danger to the baby. Research about this topic has been all over the board throughout the years. Protestors claim that co-sleeping puts a baby at a greater risk for suffocation or for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), while supporters say that sleeping with your child may actually reduce the occurrence of SIDS. To get to the bottom of this issue, and to bring you the most informed information possible, I decided to go straight to The Academy of Pediatrics … Continue reading →

The Family Bed – Part 1

The topic of the family bed, or co-sleeping, is one that typically sparks deep opinions. Many families are either for co-sleeping or against it, and few are on the fence about the idea. In the next three installments, I’ll attempt to debunk the myths, give the facts to you straight, and hopefully, allow you to make the best decision for your family. Yay vs. Nay What the Supporters Say: Supporters of co-sleeping feel that babies and young children sleeping in bed with their parents is a natural process that leaves both parent and child feeling safe and loved. The starting … Continue reading →

Parents Need to Monitor Teens Online Usage

Teens these days are familiar with the Internet, they use it to buy gifts, do research, and also find friends. That is where the problem lies. Many teens reveal personal information like their name, address, school, age, phone number, photographs, and other personal details. While the Internet is an incredible tool, if used wisely, it is also a breeding ground for child predators, who frequent sites primarily focused towards teens and children. But the greatest danger doesn’t lie in the child predators but in the peer groups that teenagers and tweens are finding on-line. Peer groups that support drug use, … Continue reading →

Co-sleeping Makes Me Happy

This is a really silly title for a pretty mushy blog entry. Recently I asked the question, on a local parenting loop I moderate: “What aspect of your parenting style has had the most positive effect on your family?” Although I asked the question, I didn’t immediately have an answer, myself. After much contemplation, I realized that my answer is co-sleeping, the practice of sharing a “family bed” during a child’s infancy to promote healthy attachment and to ease the stress of night waking and simplify breastfeeding. I’ve long been a supporter of co-sleeping although I’ve only recently expanded my … Continue reading →

Internet Child-Proofing

As I sit in front of my computer trying to make a few deadlines, I am interrupted by that all too familiar ding of email hitting my inbox. It’s not my close friend from Texas shooting the breeze nor is it my Mother reminding me to remind her when my son’s next soccer game is. This time it’s a report generated automatically and sent to both my husband and I from my children’s computer letting me know exactly what they are doing online. Snooping? Maybe. But I’m not really interested in reading their private emails or visiting the websites they … Continue reading →