The first is bonding with baby from birth.  Placing the child directly into the mother’s arms from the moment he or she is born will get the parent-child bonding off to a great start.  If this is not possible for some reason, bonding can still take place, but the ideal is to start from the very beginning.

By listening to their children, following their instincts, and selecting certain tools, parents can build the best environment possible for their own unique family.

The second “b” is breastfeeding, which allows mother and baby to bond closely while baby gains all his nourishment from his mother’s body.  Mother and baby can look into one another’s eyes, feel and smell each other, and baby can often hear mom’s heartbeat.

Bedding near baby.  When parents sleep with or near their child, they learn their baby’s sleep patterns.  They are likely to notice if something changes (such as a child getting into a position in which they can’t breathe), which increases safety.  Also, baby can nurse easily during the night time hours, allowing for ease in going back to sleep, which creates better rested mothers and babies.

Believing in the communication value of a baby’s cry is a very important aspect of attachment parenting.  Babies cry to communicate that something is wrong; therefore, a crying child should be attended to right away.  The sooner they are picked up in the comforting arms of their parents, the faster babies learn they are heard and their needs are being met.  Babies raised with Attachment Parenting usually cry less, in fact, because they are picked up at the first sign of crying, and rarely get to the point of screaming.  This particular guideline is probably the biggest worry for those considering attachment parenting, because parents understandably don’t want to spoil their child.  The good news is that a baby will never be spoiled by being comforted when upset.  Being soothed when they cry will only give children reassurance and confidence to be calm more often, which also makes parents feel calmer.

Baby wearing is common across many cultures, and has been utilized for thousands of years.  Wearing a baby in a wrap teaches the baby her parent is always near, which makes her feel secure.  She can hear, smell, and feel her parent, while the parent is able to walk around, show her interesting sights and sounds, and have both arms free to get things done!

Beware of baby trainers means not following the advice of people who want to put their babies on strict schedules.  Babies will not always adhere to a rigid schedule, especially during growth spurts.  Attachment parenting allows parents to take cues from their baby, to trust the baby to communicate his needs, and to trust themselves to read those cues accurately.  Relying on scheduling more than the baby himself can lead to serious health problems.

Finally, attachment parenting requires balance.  By listening to their children, following their instincts, and using the above ideas as tools to choose from, parents can build the best environment possible for their own unique family.

Vaccinations are one of the greatest success stories in modern medicine. They have saved countless lives and saved children from experiencing dreadful illnesses all over the world. Now there is a trend that threatens the lives of innocent children. Parents who (according to the World Health Organization) are typically well-educated, Caucasian and upper middle class are opting out of immunizations for their children. Since it is not the cost of the vaccines that is deterring these parents, it would be interesting to know if they are they reading the misleading information that is available on the Internet, or if they are not investigating the research showing that some of these dreaded diseases are coming back with vengeance?

In 2011, ten children under 3 months old died in California from pertussis (whooping cough), while another 7,800 were infected.  It was the worst epidemic to hit since 1947. That state had to pass a new law that all 7-12th graders receive the immunization to attempt to curb the incidence of infection. California is, of course, not the only state to be hit.

Also in 2011 a measles outbreak was reported in 23 states. In 33% of the measles cases, children experienced brain swelling, dehydration and pneumonia among other life- threatening complications. My cousin Helen, is mentally challenged due to a high prolonged temperature she had during measles when she was 7 years old. We had a 78% decrease in measles from 2000-2008 worldwide, but measles are once again on the rise.

How have we come so far in this area, to start going backwards? We need to protect the lives of our innocent children.  Childhood diseases are coming back because people trust that other parents will immunize, and thereby their own children will be safe. The bottom line is none of us are safe if everyone is not immunized.

What’s Behind the Vaccination Controversy?
People are understandably concerned about injecting seemingly healthy children with something foreign to protect them against a disease they might not get anyway. When vaccination becomes routine, and the diseases they protect against decline in frequency, people began to focus less on the benefits and more on the potential risks of vaccines. When they aren’t confronted with the devastating effects of some of the diseases vaccines protect against, they wonder whether they’re really necessary.

Vaccines came under intense scrutiny in the 1990s after an ingredient in some vaccines called Thimerosal was blamed for causing autism in children. Despite a thorough investigation, no evidence was found that vaccines or Thimerosal played a role in autism. Despite this, Thimerosal is no longer added to vaccines. Vaccines have also been blamed for contributing to other health problems such as autoimmune diseases, epilepsy, allergies, learning disabilities in children, ADHD, but there isn’t a lot of credible evidence to support this. Some parents still aren’t convinced.

What Are the Risks of Getting Vaccinations?
Vaccines are not completely free of risks. They can cause side-effects such as pain at the site of injection, headaches, fatigue, low-grade fever, nausea and joint or muscle pain. These reactions are usually mild and aren’t a threat to health. More severe reactions such as seizures and high fever can occur but far less commonly. In very rare cases, less than 1 in 1,000,000 vaccines, a child or adult who’s vaccinated can developing ongoing seizures, deafness, brain damage or a nervous system disorder called Guillain Barre syndrome. Rarely, a life-threatening allergic reaction to a vaccine can occur.

Another concern is the effect vaccines have on the immune system. In children, some parents are concerned that multiple vaccinations may be too much for a child’s immune system to handle. The reality is that children are exposed to a variety of bacteria and viruses that cause an immune response every day, and their immune system is able to handle it. There’s also concern that too many vaccines could overwhelm the immune system and lead to autoimmune diseases, but there’s little evidence at this point that this is a problem.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Vaccinating Children Against Childhood Illnesses?
The pros of vaccinating children are they will be protected against childhood illnesses that could threaten their health or paralyze them as polio once did. When parents don’t vaccinate their children, the risk of preventable childhood diseases rearing their ugly head again becomes a concern. A 2003 study conducted by the Pediatric Academic Society revealed that vaccinating children prevents more than 10 million cases of infectious childhood diseases. Children are particularly vulnerable to infections with bacteria and viruses, because their immune systems are still immature. Vaccinations help to protect them.

The cons of vaccinating a child include the risk of side effects. Fortunately, most vaccine side-effects are mild and transient in nature, although there is the unlikely possibility of a life-threatening allergic reaction or a more serious side-effect such as seizures or brain damage. Children should be carefully screened to make sure they don’t have any health problems or allergies that could increase their risk of a serious reaction before they get vaccinated.

Resources for Parents
Before making the decision not to vaccinate children against childhood diseases, parents should familiarize themselves with the diseases vaccines prevent and what the consequences would be if their child developed it. They should also understand the risks and side-effects of vaccinations.

The Centers for Disease Control publishes the risk of various side-effects for each vaccine recommended for children. Another good resource for parents is the Institute for Vaccine Safety associated with John Hopkins University. They do their own independent assessment of the safety of each vaccine and offer a wealth of information on safety.

The Bottom Line?
Vaccines have potential risks and side-effects, but they also offer protection against diseases that once threatened the health of the weakest members of our society, our children. That’s why it’s important for parents to weigh the benefits versus the risks carefully before choosing not to vaccinate their kids.

The data also disclose that this growing level of neglect is being fueled by two major factors:
1. The increasing financial stress on families, especially single parent households
2. The growing alcohol and substance abuse by parents or other caregivers
These factors, among others, increase the risk for a child to be subjected to physical, emotional, educational and medical neglect on the part of a parent or other caregiver.

Our country is addressing this growing problem through child protection services, law enforcement and a myriad of child advocacy groups and social service agencies.  While these efforts are necessary as protective measures, the problem is so large and so systemic that it is going to take a concerted effort on the part of society as a whole to stem the tide of this growing problem.

Each of us can do something to help the children who may be in these very unfortunate situations.  We can start in our neighborhoods, and take some very simple steps that can have a huge impact.  Here are some suggestions posted on the website of the Child Welfare Information Gateway:
* Get to know your neighbors. Problems seem less overwhelming when support is nearby.
* Help a family under stress. Offer to babysit, help with chores and errands, or suggest resources in the community that can help.
* Reach out to children in your community. A smile or a word of encouragement can mean a lot, whether it comes from a parent or a passing stranger.
* Be an active community member. Lend a hand at local schools, community or faith-based organizations, children’s hospitals, social service agencies, or other places where families and children are supported.
* Keep your neighborhood safe. Start a Neighborhood Watch or plan a local “National Night Out” community event. You will get to know your neighbors while helping to keep your neighborhood and children safe.

Whether you decide to become involved in organized child advocacy efforts, or you chose to keep a watchful eye on the children in your neighborhood, we can each play a role in making the world a safer place for our children.

With the number of children living in poverty on the rise even in wealthy nations, it is imperative to understand the long-term physical and psychological implications that are associated with living in a chronic state of scarcity and need.  Many experts now recognize that poverty directly affects outcomes relating to such conditions as homelessness, poor nutrition, inadequate child care, unsafe neighborhoods, food and water safety, and lack of educational resources.  These are some of the deplorable conditions plaguing poverty-stricken children today.

With the number of children living in poverty on the rise even in wealthy nations, it is imperative to understand the long-term physical and psychological implications that are associated with living in a chronic state of scarcity and need

Defining Poverty
Unlike an occasional financial crunch or economic hardship, a lifestyle of indigence is characterized by the ongoing shortage of basic necessities like healthy food, safe drinking water, adequate shelter, education, and health care. Although there are more people living in poverty in developing countries, there are destitute populations found in every region of the world.

Physical Aspects of Poverty
Through a growing body of research, experts are now realizing the significant relationship between poverty and the lack of physical well-being.  Although poverty has been long-associated with low birth-weight babies, obesity, and general poor health, the National Center for Health Statistics now reports that children living in poverty are five times more likely to contract an infectious disease and die from it.  In addition, poor children have higher levels of lead in their blood and are more likely to exhibit symptoms of lead poisoning due to long-term exposure to lead in sub-standard housing conditions. Lead poisoning has been known to induce learning disabilities through problems with speech, hearing, and behavior, all of which can be irreversible if not addressed early.

How Poverty Affects Academic Achievement
Besides the fact that poorer children are usually demographically located in areas with schools that have fewer resources, impoverished living conditions can significantly affect cognitive development in children.  Well documented studies indicate that chronic stress associated with an environment of scarcity impairs a child’s memory, as well as their ability to concentrate, focus, and learn. In addition, negative thinking patterns emerge and adversely affect self-esteem and confidence levels.  These psychological blueprints for failure are then handed down to the next generation and play a large part in perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

Perhaps the most devastating consequences suffered by impoverished people are not the material deprivations, but the multidimensional results such as the lack of cognitive ability, or lack of social skills; and, the multi-generational effects such as negative mindsets that are inherited, span a person’s lifetime, and then seed new progeny. The constellation of issues surrounding poverty makes it difficult to find a solution which addresses simple cause and effect.  Poverty remains a growing social concern and continues to be an enemy that threatens a large portion of our population, especially our next generation.

References:

G. J. Duncan & J. Brooks-Gunn (Eds.), Consequences of growing up poor (New York: Russell Sage FoundationFuture of Children, Volume 7, Number 2, Summer/Fall 1997, “The Effects of Poverty on Children,” Jeanne Brooks-Gunn and Greg J. Duncan

1. Your child will watch less TV - approximately ninety minutes less each day.

2. You will increase family dialogue while decreasing separation and isolation.

3. It is easier to make and enforce limits when the TV is in the family room.

4.  Your child will be less likely to become overweight.

5.  You will create opportunities to practice consensus seeking, deciding together which shows to watch.

6.  It will communicate your belief that exercise, reading, family time, and other activities are more important than watching TV.

7.  Your child will be less likely to learn about sex from television stereotypes.

8.  He or she will learn to see the bedroom as a place of peace and comfort, used for rest and
relaxation.

9.  Your child will spend more time studying.

10.  It will keep you more involved in your child’s life.

 Ten Terrible Reasons to Put A TV in Your Child’s Bedroom

1.  You can watch whatever you want on the family room TV.

2.  You don’t have to pay close attention to your child’s interests.

3.  You won’t have to deal with questions like “Will you come out and play catch with me?” or
“Want to help me put this puzzle together?”

4.  You won’t have to make any trips to the library so your child can pick out books.

5.  It will be easier for you and your child to ignore the limits you set for the amount of
television watched and the type of programming allowed.

6.  Your child won’t be interfering with your own busy life and require constant monitoring.

7.  You won’t have to figure out how to deal with the whining when you say no to your child’s
request for a TV in his or her room.

8.  Television is the universal babysitter. It will keep your kids occupied so you can indulge your own interests and handle your own agenda instead of parenting with purpose.

9.  You won’t have to deal with questions about sexuality. All your child’s questions will be
answered through what he or she views on TV.

10.  The TV is a stranger in your child’s bedroom influencing, guiding, directing, and causing the Great Family Disconnect. There is NO good reason not to GET IT OUT OF THERE, NOW!

***Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller are the authors of The Only Three Discipline Strategies You Will Ever Need: Essential Tools for Busy Parents and Parent Talk Essentials. They are two of the world’s foremost authorities on raising responsible, caring, confident children. They publish a free monthly e-zine for parents. To sign up for it or learn more about their seminars visit their websites today – www.personalpowerpress.com or www.uncommon-parenting.com.***

Violence, such as rape, assault, or murder, is an extreme form of aggression by one individual toward another. There are many causes and theories for the violence plaguing our youth. Many causes include frustration, violent media, domestic violence at home, drug abuse, and overall violent tension in the neighborhood.

Parents, teachers, officials, and the youth affected by the violence need be aware of the potential violence going on around them. Every year one out of every twelve high school students are injured or threatened with a weapon.

Youth between the ages of 12 and 24 have the highest risk of being victims of violence

Factors that contribute to violent behavior include:
* Low self esteem
* Victims of child abuse
* Drug and or alcohol abuse
* Access to weapons
* No parental guidance or monitoring
* Mental health issues

There are never simple answers to why our youth can become violent but there are a few reasons why they do:
* Violence as a learned behavior – they may have learned this at home and are acting out
* Retaliation – against one or many who they perceive have hurt them
* Jealousy – feeling of inadequacy and low self esteem can cause some youth to become fixated and feeling jealous of other individuals for what they perceive they have or what they want.
* Manipulation – a way to get what they want  and control others
* Expression – a way to release anger and frustration due to emotional immaturity

There is no simple cause for violence and there is no simple solution to stop the violence, but getting involved and educating your family and yourself is a great start.

Open Communication is Key
Experts agree that parents should be honest and forthright about their illness or disability with their children.  Accurate, age-appropriate information will help children better understand what is happening.  Conversations should be open to questions regarding the specifics of the disorder and should address particulars like how it will affect the children personally. It is important, however, not to overwhelm children with too much information and only give them as much information as they can comfortably digest.  This will depend largely on age and emotional development level.

Stress Experienced by Children of the Ill or Disabled
Many factors can seriously affect the stress levels of children who are living with and caring for ill or disabled parents.  Two of the most prevalent stressors are the emotions displayed by the parent and the ominous fear of the unknown.
* The emotions of the parent.  Especially in a mother/daughter relationship, the emotions manifested by the parent can have a profound and prolonged effect on the child.  Often, there is an increase in anxiety or the onset of chronic depression as the child attempts to cope with the sadness or unhappiness of the parent.
* Fear of the unknown.  Much of the stress experienced by children centers around issues to which there are often no definitive answers.  Children may question how long the illness will last, or they may fear that their parent will die. For children, this fear is debilitating and disconcerting because they have fewer resources for obtaining emotional support from friends or other family members.

Common Reactions
As the family structure is disrupted and roles shift due to illness or disability, children may experience number different reactions to their parent’s hardship.
* Avoidance.  More often seen in males than females, avoidance is a defense mechanism characterized by the physical and psychological separation from the parent in order to cope with the illness or disability.
* Anger/guilt.  This reaction tends to be cyclical in nature and begins as the child experiences anger at the parent for being ill.  They then feel intense guilt for being angry as they realize that the parent is not at fault.
* Depression and anxiety.  A sickness or disability causes increased levels of anxiety and depression as the family structure and daily routines are compromised by the special needs and of the afflicted parent.  A very young child may perceive that their needs are not being attended to and an older child may feel the pressure of being powerless to help.

When a parent becomes ill or disabled, children can become frightened, insecure, and uncertain.  Understanding the emotions and subsequent reactions that children have to parental illness or disability is the first step to helping young people manage such a crisis.

References:
Worsham, N.L. and Crawfore, E.K. (2005).  Parental illness and adolescent development.  The prevention Researcher. 12(4), 3-6
Rizzo, V.M. and Kirkland, K.A. (2005).  Adolescent reactions to parental cancer:  Strategies for providing support.  The Prevention Researcher. 12(4), 10-12

You are a lesser person than I am. Because I am the gender that I am, you deserve to be paid less. You also do not deserve the same rights and, in social settings, you should only act a certain way. Because you are you, and I am me, I am better.

This is called discrimination. Discrimination of any kind comes from a place of ignorance and lack of understanding toward someone who is different than you. What I’m going to be talking about specifically is sexual discrimination.

Sexual discrimination is any kind of discrimination against someone on the basis of sex. This includes the discrimination of LGBTQ people, as their sexuality is a part of their sexual identity.

When you think of sex discrimination, you probably think about a work environment where a woman is getting paid less than a man, or a woman is not promoted simply because she is a woman. While these situations are often true, sex discrimination is something that could potentially happen to anybody. Take for instance a situation where a man is working as a nurse. In such a female-dominated job sector, it is common for men to be discriminated against. I recently read an article about a man who was working as a nurse in a hospital. Because of his gender, he was required to have a female attendant with him if he was working privately with a female patient. This is just a small example of a larger issue.

The fact is, for both men and women and anyone in between there are social standards which we are expected to live up to. A women is supposed to have children and care for them. Men are supposed to be businessmen and bring home the bacon for the family. Those who are transgendered are expected to simply choose a gender and stick with it. Men are not supposed to wear dresses. Women are not allowed to go topless in public. Once you start to identify these standards, the reality of what our society has labeled “female” and “male” lifestyles begins to emerge. We live in a society founded on the idea that women are not equal to men. We live in a world where a feminine man is ridiculed and is not allowed to simply wear a certain style of clothing. We live in a world where someone cannot marry someone else only because these people happen to be the same gender.

In our personal lives, how do we overcome these societal faults, which are often caused by our rampant mass media culture (which has proven itself a very terrible gauge for the facts of reality)? We can start by opening our hearts to others in very small ways. When I see those who are homeless, I often jump immediately to conclusions about them. But what if, every time I was about to judge the person, I thought back to the time when I was paid less than my male co-worker? When I think back to that small challenge alone, I think about what this person must have been through to get to where they are now. Suddenly, I see them less as an object and more as a real person

When we stop to truly think (something which our culture encourages us not to do) about the situations we are in and the people who we are judging, we can begin to understand that people are not just passing moments or ideals. They are real people.

Conversely, if you are the one being discriminated against, do not stay quiet. Ask yourself, are you worth just as much as the person who is getting paid more than you, has better opportunities than you, or is simply preferred because of their gender? When we place ourselves on equal standing with others, it is hard to find reasons why we are not treated equally.

It is important, more than anything, to speak up when you feel there is an injustice of any kind. If we want to better our world and the world of those we meet, we cannot keep silent and let social stigma continue to dictate our lives.