Hip Parents's topics - tribe.net

Tips for new parents?

Djinn — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:36:43 GMT

What would you say to someone who was about to be a new parent for the first time?

posted in Hip Parents - 5 replies

home alone?

bokomaru — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:05:47 GMT

I'm wondering at what age people begin to leave their kids at home alone during nights. I am remembering friends doing all night baby sitting jobs at 12 or 13, and have responsible kids in that age range. Plus, I know I was being left alone for nights at that age--and sometimes for a little longer. I don't think it's a good idea to do it often, but I'm wondering what other parents do about an occasional night out. What phone numbers do you leave with the kids? What's your game plan if anything goes wrong?

posted in Hip Parents - 2 replies

Free Sample Wall Sticker

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:04:11 GMT

Simplistick- Get a free Simplistick removable Wall Sticker. Kids will love them.
http://freakyfreddies.com/sticker.htm

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Free Picture Party

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:57:46 GMT

Shutterfly houseparty- Help you host a fun and creative get-together that will help you and your friends get ready for the holidays.
You’ll get a free party pack full of Shutterfly products, including a free photo book and gorgeous new holiday cards, along with
other great favors that will help make your party spectacular.
http://freakyfreddies.com/household.htm

posted in Hip Parents - 1 reply

Free Poster

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:13:54 GMT

Teen Vogue- Get a free Taylor Lautner poster and be entered for a chance to win $50,000 from Teen Vogue.
http://www.freakyfreddies.com/poster.htm

posted in Hip Parents - 1 reply

Free Music Stuff

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:12:13 GMT

MTV Video Music Awards - Free Cast Tickets for MTV Video Music Awards on 9/13 (NYC) Ages 16-25
http://www.freakyfreddies.com

posted in Hip Parents - 1 reply

Free Stuff

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:35:51 GMT

Canon Picture Perfect Holidays House Party
Get crafty with Canon this holiday season, at a Canon Picture Perfect Holiday House Party! Invite your friends over for some
do-it-yourself fun just in time for the holidays, receive a free party pack full of treats and exclusive offers from Canon to make
your party truly picture perfect.
http://www.freakyfreddies.com

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Free Stuff

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:02:45 GMT

Free Ashley Tisdale Party Pack- We have Ashley Party Packs complete with enough goodies for you and your friends! Each pack comes
with 5 Ashley Berry Lip Glosses, 15-20 Guilty Pleasure posters, 5 sticker packs, 1 Guilty Pleasure CD, and 1 Note from Ashley.
http://www.freakyfreddies.com

posted in Hip Parents - 1 reply

Free Stuff

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 15:05:37 GMT

Green Works Kids Clothing Swap House Party- Be kind to your closet, your wallet, and the planet by gathering friends and family to
exchange gently worn kids clothing items at a Green Works Kids Clothing Swap. After the swap there will be lots of great Green Works
product samples, a sweepstakes to enter, note cards, coupons, plus other going green goodies for all to share.
http://www.freakyfreddies.com

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Free Samples

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:49:42 GMT

Sundiwear- Get a free pack. Stickers turn red so your child won't.
http://www.freakyfreddies.com

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Our 19-Month-Old Has Only 3.5 Teeth

sa — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:41:45 GMT

Our dentist and pediatritian say don't sweat it, but poor kid. Not only is it hard for him to break up food, but it seems like it would have been so much easier for him to cut his teeth at a younger age, when he wasn't quite as aware(?)

At the rate we're going, he'll be getting the last of his baby teeth while learning to drive!

posted in Hip Parents - 1 reply

tooth fairy ideas

ezb — Mon, 14 May 2007 21:10:08 GMT

My girl just lost her second tooth. I'm wracking my brain for creative ideas that will make the tooth fairy a fun and meaningful experience. Anybody?

posted in Hip Parents - 14 replies

Kid Rex

Thu, 21 May 2009 14:28:46 GMT

Enter to win a FREE netbook computer for your child with educational software from KidRex - Safe Search for Kids! Three (3) winners
will be picked at random. Giveaway ends July 1st, 2009
http://www.freakyfreddies.com/kids.htm

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

New Show Casting Divorcees...Compensation 20K!!!

Renee — Fri, 15 May 2009 00:16:44 GMT

Hello everyone,
I actually went to your group because I am a Casting Producer
for a new TV show, and we are looking for divorced couples.
The show I am casting is about people coming through the other
side of divorce, and how they found happiness again. It is
meant to help other people that may be going through something
similar, and it is meant to be a story of redemption. It is
NOT exploitative.

PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE HELP TO CREATE
THEIR NEW LIVES, AS WELL AS 20K!!!

Below, please find a flyer for the show. I'd greatly
appreciate if you could forward this on to anyone you see fit.

Thank you, and have a lovely day!

Renee- Casting Producer
310-401-5421

________________________________________________________________
NOW CASTING!

The Producers of VH1’s “Behind the Music” brings you,
THE DIVORCE PROJECT!

Are you a divorced man or woman OR are you currently going
through a divorce?

We want to hear your story!

In America, 49 % percent of marriages end in divorce and tens
of millions of Americans have been though this often heart-
wrenching process…But there has never been a television series
that accurately depicts the experience…until Now!

A Major Cable Network is developing a series that will show
that there is definitely life AFTER divorce! We will show the
love, the loss and the redemption of picking up the pieces and
moving on…

We are looking for outgoing, charismatic couples in their mid
20’s to mid 40’s that are currently divorced, or couples who are
in the process of getting a divorce and are willing to tell
their story honestly and compellingly.

Selected couples will be compensated $20k !

CALL US NOW 310-401-5421 or email your name, number, photo and
story to
thedivorceproject@gmail.com
________________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Pen Pals for the kids

Ananke_Moon — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 19:16:32 GMT

I was just sitting here thinking (which can be dangerous sometimes lol) what happened to pen pals? I use to have 'em all over the world when I was a kid. What if we did that here? Maybe have our kids write a mini-profile about themselves and we can arrange for them to write to each other. And by mini-profile i mean : name, age, location, interests. Keep it simple. My girls are willing. (they are 9 and 12 by the way) And it can be either snail mail (old school way :) ) or e-mail..

What do you think?

If yes, then I'll start.....

Miah (girl) 9 years old - b-day 6-14
4th grade
California
Is a blue belt in taekwondo, loves art, dancing, music, reading, acting, origami and computers (and more)

Kyla (girl) 12 years old - b-day 3-20
7th grade
California
Is a Level 6 competitive rhythmic gymnast (and has gone to nationals 2 years in a row!), takes ballet, loves reading, music, computers, art, making friendship bracelets and other things for her friends and for sale, loves to crochet (and more)

If you'd like your child to write to either (or both) of mine send me a message.
If this doesn't work, that's fine too, but it was worth a try!!!
:)
Jessica

posted in Hip Parents - 9 replies

to make a more beautiful world...

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:07:11 GMT

A newborn looks into it's mothers eyes while nursing. Deeply, open, lovingly and completely trusting. It's Heart is in the most Vulnerable state and the most Open then it will ever be again.

The phone rings. The mother doesn't want to take the call because she is enjoying nursing and loving her baby. She takes it because its the insurance company, she has been waiting for this return call. She feels stress as she discusses the situation about what she thought was covered they now say is not covered. She tenses up as images flash through her mind of how this will change there lives; she doesn't want to go back to work, she wants to be with the baby. What does the baby feel as it's nursing now? The baby develops it's first shell. Not too thick, but it's one of many. Next time the phone rings the baby is aware, and tenses up just a little.

Day after day, the shells keep coming in. Some big, some little some thick some paper thin.

One day while the mother is happily folding laundry the baby slips off the sofa, suddenly the baby's is aware its physical body could be hurt, it's startled and cries out, though it is not hurt. The mother rushes to the baby, picks the baby up, she knows it is ok, she soothes it as she looks deeply into it's eyes with love and acceptance for it's cry, and smiles at the baby, the baby feels safe to express it's emotion and it was not hurt. It does not develop a shell.

With each shell a little resistance. Sometimes the shells are broken back down. The baby hears the phone ring. It tenses. The baby hears the mother laugh and get excited. The mother has several minutes on the phone in this way laughing and happy. When she gets off the phone she comes and picks up the baby, and dances around with it laughing. The baby releases the shell from before! But now it listens and is aware when the phone rings.

The heart thing... can something new be added or do we have to treck the old paths and unbury the vines, cutting them away. Can we plant flowers up the vines?

I like having flowers growing up my vines. The vines can be cut away, but the roots remain, able again to be activated. I
It's rare, the feeling to be completely safe to as to be completely vulnerable ...so that real LOVE can be shared.
There is so little love left in the world. Do we have to hold it back.

The people of this planet are covered with shells. When they get thick enough they cause a war. Do we have to trace back and drag up the reasons the war started? and before that, and before that and before that?

Do we need to ring the phone again and again for the adult until she accepts the feeling begun as a newborn. I feel we can start where we are and find better feelings from there. If we can find the feeling. What if it has become numb...

Unconditional love is becoming so rare. When I say I love and accept someone it's because I can't NOT love them because there is understanding. I don't need to trace back all of the traumas to understand why they act the way they do.

Yes it seems sick sometimes, thats another way of looking at it, the whole world does seem sick.

Yesterday I journeyed through some of my traumas, looking to find the cause for the heart line that goes numb when I sleep. So I imagined being as vulnerable as the baby.

And then how I would feel, and then to deal with that horrible shock I imagined --what would the perfect most loving human response be instead. In one memory I saw myself running up the road escaping with my cat (which was my first impulse) my face streaming with tears right. A nice grandpa man see me crying and pulls over and looks me in the eyes lovingly as I tell him in sobs, my siblings are going to kill it. He hugs me and understands and tells me everything is going to be ok and comes to the house with me. Now I'm scared not for the cat but for me. If he shames them and then I'll be the in line for dead. So I imagine that he takes each child alone and listens to their reasons for wanting to kill my cat, and accepts them unconditionally and comforts them (some hate the cat, some love the chickens it killed, some are hung up on rights and wrongs) he unconditionally listens with total love and acceptance to each child as they feel safe to share and cry themselves as he tells each one it will be ok. The oldest sister says she thinks her mysteriously missing cat was killed by Dad. My Dads childhood pet maggpie was killed by a neighbors cat...he's hated cats ever since.

I guess it makes it easier, when we can trace it, and see the vines, and cut them back ecspecially when we are numb. But if we can, start where we are it's beautiful.

Imagine every child being allowed to express all and every feeling. When they cry, when they complain, when they hurt, when they are scared, when they are angry, vengeful, in rage..., hopeless. Imagine adults gazing softly into their eyes like the newborn, comforting and accepting them in all of their feelings unconditionally.

IT CAN BE A MORE BEAUTIFUL WORLD

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Tooth Fairy Now Visits the Bay Area!

Laecee — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:34:00 GMT

Hello All!

I read a thread about finding something special for those who are still having their teeth collected by the tooth fairy. I wanted to put up a quick post to say that I found her! She actually visits!

Enjoy your winter!

http://www.happilyeverlaughterparties.com/ToothFairyMain.html

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

I need mommies to take a survey for my final research project!

jezebelsmommy — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:53:19 GMT

I'm studying the effects of childhood sexual abuse on length of pregnancy, labor and breastfeeding. If you have a moment, you you mind completing a brief survey for me? You don't have to have a history of abuse to participate. Thanks!

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pd1oa_5iJj89qiYdDLawjDw&hl=en

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Period won't stop for 14 year old.

Kit Kat — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 05:09:34 GMT

My friend has a 14 year old girl who just have her first period 3 months ago. The problem is that it hasn't stopped since. The doctor did some test and x-rays but don't see anything abnormal and can't explain it. She's getting very fatigue - understandablely. Anyone heard of this??

posted in Hip Parents - 13 replies

Learning RX

hennatat — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:42:09 GMT

Has any one ever tried it? (it based on a book "Releasing the Eistein within" or something like that.)

i am looking for feed back on it.

Its really expensive (for me) , so i want to know if anyone has tried it...and your thoughts on it.

thanks
Amy:-)

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Traveling With Unimmunized Kids

Isasmum — Wed, 29 Jun 2005 03:16:44 GMT

My man and I have not planned on giving our kid vaccinations, but we would like to travel with him to Europe to visit family and to the "3rd world" (Central & S. America). HAs anyone had experience traveling with unimmunized kids or selectively immunized kids? Any words of advice?

posted in Hip Parents - 48 replies

what happens when stoners have children (humor)

marleyjansen — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 12:24:40 GMT

A little baby humor to lighten your day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXXm696UbKY&feature=related

posted in Hip Parents - 9 replies

Sleep Overs

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:46:56 GMT

I have a 7 year old daughter. We recently moved to a new neighborhood and don't know many people yet, she just started 2nd grade.

I've already had one child give me her phone #, asking if my daughter could come over for a "sleepover". I don't really know this child, and have never met her parents.
My husband is 100% opposed to this idea. He thinks 7 years old is a few years too young to be sleeping over at someones house, specifically someone we've never met.
I'm on the fence about this.. I think maybe if I Call the parenst, and meet the parents and feel comfortable enough it would be OK for her to go to there house, just for a few hours. Maybe not a sleep over right out the gates..
Still my husband thinks 7 years old is too young, and closer to 8 or 9 is more appropriate.

Thoughts on this ?

posted in Hip Parents - 8 replies

if tribe tanks

gigi-d — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 01:20:05 GMT

http://triberefugees.ning.com/

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Surrogate experiences?

bokomaru — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:50:02 GMT

Hi, all. I am considering being a surrogate mother. Anyone had experiences with surrogacy and/or giving a first child up for adoption? Please PM me if you don't want to air it here, but wouldn't mind sharing with me.

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Here is something we can do to be heard!

Leslee — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:58:08 GMT

Hi,
Here is something we can do to make our self’s heard!

Something we can do:
A letter from Jane Brody, NY Times:

Dear Friends: Below is a missive of great import to the future of our
country. I do hope you'll read it thru to the end and follow thru.
Ourselves, our children and our grandchildren will pay the price if this
election should turn out wrong.
Thanks, Jane Brody Engquist

On behalf of my brilliant colleagues Lyra Kilston and Quinn
Latimer, editors at the esteemed art magazine Modern Painters, I pass on the
following--

Friends, compatriots, fellow-lamenters,

We are writing to you because of the fury and dread we have felt since the
announcement of Sarah Palin as the Vice-Presidential candidate for the
Republican Party. We believe that this terrible decision has surpassed mere
partisanship, and that it is a dangerous farceon the part of a pandering and
rudderless Presidential candidatethat has a real possibility of becoming
fact.

Perhaps like us, as American women, you share the fear of what Ms. Palin
and her professed beliefs and proven record could lead to for ourselves and
for our present or future daughters. To date, she is against sex education,
birth control, the pro-choice platform, environmental protection,
alternative energy development, freedom of speech (as mayor she wanted to
ban books and attempted to fire the librarian who stood against her), gun
control, the separation of church and state, and polar bears. To say nothing
of her complete lack of real preparation to become the second-most-powerful
person on the planet.

We want to clarify that we are not against Sarah Palin as a woman, a
mother, or, for that matter, a parent of a pregnant teenager, but solely as
a rash, incompetent, and all together devastating choice for Vice President.
Ms. Palin's political views are in every way a slap in the face to the
accomplishments that our mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers so
fiercely fought for, and that we've so demonstrably benefited from.

First and foremost, Ms. Palin does not represent us. She does not
demonstrate or uphold our interests as American women. It is presumed that
the inclusion of a woman on the Republican ticket could win over women
voters. We want to disagree, publicly.

Therefore, we invite you to reply here womensaynopalin@gmail.com
with a short, succinct message about why you, as a woman living in this
country, do not support this candidate as second-in-command for our nation.

Please include your name (last initial is fine), age, and place of
residence.

We will post your responses on a blog called "Women Against Sarah
Palin," which we intend to publicize as widely as possible. Please send us your
reply at your earliest conveniencethe greater the volume of responses we
receive, the stronger our message will be.

Thank you for your time and action.
VIVA!

Sincerely,

Quinn Latimer and Lyra Kilston
New York, NY
womensaynopalin@gmail.com

**PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY! If you send this to 20 women in the next hour,
you could be blessed with a country that takes your concerns seriously.
Stranger things have happened.

posted in Hip Parents - 1 reply

Online Co-Creative Birthing Class

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:47:47 GMT

The Co-Creative Birthing Circle: Online Multi-media Natural Childbirth Education for Parents
at the Maia Institute of Co-Creative Healing
www.maiainstitute.com

Comprehensive conscious birthing preparation with seven class modules, extensive articles, 40+ videos, 150+ links and resources, Birth Stories, the Mamatoto Cookbook, Birth Humor, and the Birth Circle Discussion Forum!

The Co-Creative Birthing Circle Facilitator Class is coming soon for birth professionals and advocates!

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Any parents in Buffalo, NY?

Leigh — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:44:14 GMT

I just arrived in Buffalo and will be here for a month with my 4 yo daughter. I'm looking for things to do with her, but also would love to find a daycare-school type place where she can go a few hours a day while we're here. Basically, I want a place where she can spend time with other kids while we can work.

Any thoughts and ideas on anything BUffalo and kids related, though, are very appreciated.

Leigh

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Food for 5 year old B-Day Party

xtinemac — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 04:55:57 GMT

So...in a few weeks I am having some people over for my daughters birthday party. It'll be a casual pool party. I can pretty much figure out what I'll put out for some appetizers and the cake is easy but I am so totally sick of seeing hot dogs at kids parties! What else can I do? I happen to be a vegetarian so I am not so interested in cooking meat.

I was thinking potato salad or pasta salad and/or beans (beans in the crock pot) and some fruit. I live in Tucson and it's hot as hell in July (and humid) so it needs to be somewhat light. And certainly no grilling. What should a main dish be? Do I do one for adults and one for kids? Although that sounds expensive and ridiculous. Maybe a homemade lasagna?

I want to please the kids and not have any of the adults wonder where the meat is.

There is also the problem that my kid is the absolute pickiest eater you have ever seen. So, I've asked her what she wants and all she can say is, "NOT hot dogs!!!". Okay then!

HELP!

posted in Hip Parents - 8 replies

Free Yoga for kids

Vani — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:42:51 GMT

This Sunday 6/01 from 2-3pm at the Asian Art Museum in SF we'll have our first yogi Kids program. This free program will run through next year. After yoga practice you can explore the museum.

Check out the link for more information.

http://www.asianart.org/family.htm#familyart

posted in Hip Parents - 4 replies

Sigmund Freud's Priorities

HARI — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:15:34 GMT

Five things are happening in your house at the same time. In which sequence would you solve them?

1. The telephone is ringing!

2. The baby is crying!

3. Someone's knocking or calling you from the front door!

4. You hung the clothes out to dry and it is beginning to rain!

5. You left the tap on in the kitchen and the water is already overflowing!

In which sequence would you solve these problems?
BE HONEST, THE FINDINGS ARE EXCITING.

posted in Hip Parents - 15 replies

Babysitting Trades -- San Diego/LA

sa — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:39:58 GMT

My wife and I are looking for other burner-type parents. We want to make some connections for babysitting both in SD and onsite at Burning Man and other festivals.

I know there are other parents out there like us who want to take their kids to these events but still want to have some serious mommy/daddy time. Maybe we can help each other out...

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Teen Odors

Pierced Goddess — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:05:35 GMT

I have cross posted this in a few of the parenting tribes, as I am at my wit's end.

I have a teen who's BO is to the point of unbearable.

The problem I am having is that
1. She has only come to live with us in the last few months. So, trying bring up a subject like this is difficult for both myself and her father.
2. What can we do to remedy this? My teen has offered her sister deodorant as she was putting some on and she had declined. She can take a shower in the morning and a few hours later she has that odor again.

We are about to start a cross country road trip and we will be in the van with her for 8 hours a day. If we get a hotel room none of her sisters will share a bed with her and that makes sleeping arrangements hard.

Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions will ever so helpful.

Peace and Grace

posted in Hip Parents - 5 replies

Mom Jailed/Teen Taken for Alternative Cancer Treatment

dangerangel — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 21:21:14 GMT

http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/index.php/?p=434

posted in Hip Parents - 4 replies

From One Mother To Another

Naomi — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:19:44 GMT

Hello,

I recently started a non profit with my sister. We just launched our web site is www.from1mother2another.com. I would love any feedback!

posted in Hip Parents - 8 replies

A mom's poignant story.

Leslee — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:22:46 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQW23XCmOCw

This is especially outrageous, when you consider that, the latest studies show that SSRI drugs work for only a very small percent of people.

http://theeffexoractivist.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2296

This mom is not the only one, by far.

www.ssristories.com/index.php

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

g diapers

eric — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 18:12:22 GMT

I read a thread on these things in "Aware Mothers". Has anybody here used them and if so, what did you think? The main complaint in the thread that I read was that they don't seem to be real good at containing poop.

posted in Hip Parents - 30 replies

New to tribe - Ernest

Ernest — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:46:42 GMT

Hello friends I just found about tribe.net through a friend of mine.
He told me there are good groups to join and learn from.
I would love to meet different people here and learn more about parenting and child care.
I am an avid writer and I love writing on the topic of parenting and child care.
I have my little cute blog www.caringparent.org which is still in building phase.
I am here to learn what other parents love to learn so that I can write more articles
to help new to be parents who do not know about this site or places to find answer to their questions.

Btw my name is Ernest.

Cheers

posted in Hip Parents - 1 reply

Speech Therapy & Preschool

johnhell — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 07:29:59 GMT

My darling little 3 1/2 year old daughter could use some help with her speech development. Does anyone out there know of a positive location in SF for speech therapy?

Also, we're looking to start her in pre-school in SF soon. If anyone has any thoughts about low-cost (I'm a teacher and the only parent working) that you know has a positive, enriching, learning environment, it would be most appreciated.

Thanks.

posted in Hip Parents - 3 replies

pull ups...

Aura — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 21:02:28 GMT

My son is nearly five, and has always wet the bed, nearly every night...we had him out of diapers when he was potty trained during the day, a couple months after he turned two. But, nearly every day, I was washing his sheets, or waking him up to pee several times, and he was really tired a lot...so, his beautiful fairy goddes of a Waldorf pre-school teacher recommended that we put him in pull ups at night...she thought that him waking up dry, and rested sounded far better that what we'd been going through for two years, and much less humiliating and better for his confidence, etc...and so we just told him that we'd learned about these "special nightime undies" that soak up the pee, and let you sleep all night feeling good and dry, and that some day, his body would be ready to wake him up when he has to gp in the night, and then he wouldn't need them anymore. So, the problem is now, that we haven't found a brand that doesn't leak! So, often, but not as often, he wakes up wet...who can recommend a pull up that works all night for older heavy wetters? Thanks so much, Aura

posted in Hip Parents - 8 replies

Sister & I both want babies, but..................

Mon, 09 Oct 2006 15:03:06 GMT

Hi ! My name is Dana, i'm a mom to 5 1/2 year old Hailee.... My hubby and I want to start trying for another very soon.. Our daughter is almost 6, and we dont want to wait much longer for her to have a sibling...
My little sister who is 25 got married a little over a year ago.. her and her hubby have been trying to conceive ever since, with no luck.. She's ALWAYS wanted to be a mom and loves babies. Every month when her cycle starts, she gets sad... I would have started trying to conceive a few months ago, but wanted her to get pregnant first.. I already have one child, and I know how important this is to her.. She's made comments how "upset" she would be if I got pregnant first, or got pregnant and she never did... Or how "sad" she would be if I had a baby, and she wasnt able to get pregnant...
They've been trying for a year, i'm not just sure how much longer I should wait until I start trying to extend my family. (i'm sure getting pregnant for me will be very quick, one can never tell, but that's how it was with my daughter..)..
Then, what If I do get pregnant, and she never does, or doesnt right away, I know she will always harbor jealousy or resentment.. I know it must be so hard on them to not conceive just yet.. I keep telling her it's only been a year, keep trying.. (me, and my brothers, and my older sister all conceived very easily, so she see's that, and wonders what's wrong with her..)
I guess my question is............ Should I hold off my family planning for my little sister ?? Or, should she grow up and not get "sad and upset" with me for conceiving while she's trying ?? we wanted to start trying a few months ago, but have been waiting on her account and because of comments she's made......

posted in Hip Parents - 12 replies

pre & post natal massage in Vacaville

marleyjansen — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:24:53 GMT

For any new mothers or mothers to be, I have a studio in Vacaville where I can provide pre & post natal massage to increase health during pregnancy and to help fade out those post-baby-bump stretch marks.

I graduated from the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley, CA with over 1000 hrs and have been practicing for 13 years now.

Sessions are $70/hr

I have a wide range of other modalities to offer as well such as Reiki, Jin Shin, Tui Na, Shiatsu, Sports Massage, Swedish, Deep Tissue, Craniosacral Therapy and occasional intuitive insights.

If you're traveling through Vacaville or live nearby, and are looking for a seasoned professional to work with, please PM me to make an appointment :o) I provide a quite, comfortable and nurturing space in a quality spa-salon.

In Health & Service,

Marley

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Mattresses and flame-retardants

Sweet_Flicka — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 03:26:44 GMT

Has anyone found a good, inexpensive kid's mattress without a lot of chemicals? So far looks like Ikea, which apparently doesn't use the worst types of flame retardants, insecticides and stain-resistant coatings... but it's hard to figure out.

Thanks!

posted in Hip Parents - 5 replies

Helloo dear parents

HARI — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 14:28:21 GMT

As we celebrate the holiday season and look ahead to the New Year……

May your each day be blessed……….

May your each day be joyful and warm with togetherness…..

May good luck shine on you and your family and bring you more success…..

May sounds of childrens and your laughter rings & fill your home with good cheer….

May your heart be happy throughout this New Year……

Season's Greetings & Best wishes for every success and happiness!!!

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

How I will teach my children to change the world. A personal essay

TheRightRevRapMastaCornflake — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:57:46 GMT

"In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher." ~ HH the Dalai Lama

"Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress." ~ Mahatma Ghandi

Lately, I have been handed some bitterly harsh realities, about myself and the world around me, that I want to gain from and pass the knowledge on to my children. Things like the fact that you do not feel kindness when you are kind. You don't feel patient when you practice it. Tolerance does not overcome you when it is exercised. The warrior lives in fear and doubt. The brave still hurt and suffer. Love can be given no matter what you feel inside.

It is so difficult to teach our young to find small moments of joy and pure contentment because they are tempered with the reality that even the most perfect life has only one conclusion. All must grow old and pass on. It is the way. We must learn to be satisfied with mortality and even revel in it. Grasp onto our own frailty and imperfection and let the blessed goodness in everything enrich us. When one life produces goodness it adds to the overall goodness produced by others.

After being taught, for so many years, that the world could only be redeemed by one perfect life, lived by someone who could live forever, I have abandoned that idea. I now believe that the world can only be saved by a vast collection of smaller, imperfect mortals. Each contributing a portion to the whole. That is what I have decided to teach my children. I am working to show them that the recipe for a better world consists of many ingredients, not one single item. Man requires many different foods from many different sources in order to be truly nourished.

"There are no extra pieces in the universe. Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill, and every piece must fit itself into the big jigsaw puzzle." ~ Deepak Chopra

"But who prays for Satan? Who, in eighteen centuries, has had the common humanity to pray for the one sinner that needed it most?" ~ Mark Twain

"It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Thank you for listening.

Love and light, dear ones.
Rev

posted in Hip Parents - 3 replies

Traveling with a 2 1/2 year old!

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 23:04:47 GMT

I need help, advice, ideas, stories...I plan to take my son with me to my best friends wedding next June in Ontario, Canada and I'm kind of freaking out. My son just turned two and will be about 2 1/2 come June, and I'm worried....for one, we've never taken him traveling with us...if anything he's been in the car for at most 40minutes. Me and my bf are not travelers, and are kind of afraid of flying, and of course my son has never been on a plane. The plan is to fly and meet my bestfriend in Philadelphia(where she lives) then take the train together into Canada (9hrs.).....but I'm afraid of how he'll take it!
I consider myself to be a very anal parent as far as his daily routine goes, and making sure hes fed properly at certain times and takes his nap at a certain time, is in bed by 10pm etc, etc. etc.....basically i'm huge on planning and routine when it comes to him. And this trip is starting to freak me out!
Help!! What do I need to do in order to make this trip a success and not a big headache...cause I really wanto to enjoy being there for my bestfriend and being her maid-of-honor.

posted in Hip Parents - 8 replies

Crystal * Indigo Children

Sharka — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:04:16 GMT

the new generation of children who are naturaly connected to Spirit, gifted in multiple ways, quite inteligent, sensitive, very independent ..their energy vibration is to help the planet in the times of transformation..... and they can also be very hyper active !
what is your experience?

posted in Hip Parents - 7 replies

Whats a mom to do?

Homeschooling Mom — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 08:09:06 GMT

Ok, I have a teeny situation. My son is 15 years old, and a virgin. He's a little confused about his sexuality, and not sure where he stands. One of his friends is a gay young man that spends a lot of time at our home playing games. He's been a friend of our family for a few years now, and along with my son's straight friends, has come over many times and has been a good friend to my son. I've never discouraged their friendship...and I think that his sexuality is just fine, it's never bothered me a bit. He's older, almost 17 now.

Here's the deal. My son is very open and honest with me about sexuality. He's admitted to me that he has strong feelings for the friend mentioned above. He's very attracted to women, and the thought of womene sexualy arouses him. However, This boy that is gay has been hitting on him for awhile now, and has even told my son that he loves him. After turning him down many times, my son decided to go out with his friend as of yesterday...so they're officially dating. For me, this isn't a problem...I'm not at all homeophobic, and have told my son that if this is where his heart lies then he still has my love and respect as his mother.

The problem is this:
I am divorced, and my ex husband is suing me for custody. It's been a very rough battle, and my ex is using my religious beliefs and lifestyle as a basis for his "case". I'm not a strange deviant either...I'm a stay at home mom, and I'm wiccan. That seems to be enough in my community to condemn me, however, as the judge has made it clear that he finds my religious beliefs abhorrent. At any rate, we live in a small community and word travels fast here, so my ex is soon to find out that his son considers himself bisexual, and is dating another boy in school. Our community is very conservative and we live in a rural area. Already, all the other boys in my son's class have shunned him, and in one day the other boys that he considered his friends now tell him that he's not welcome to come over to their homes any more, and that he's going to hell.

My husband (remarried) is talking about taking drastic measures to try to get my son laid! OMG... I have no idea how to handle this. On the one hand, if my son really is gay or bi, I want him to know that I support and love him. On the other hand...I can't risk my ex blaming me for this transition, I'm worried about the interaction my son will have with others in the community and how the other kids in school have and will treat him. I'm terrified for him and this decision he's made, as I know it will be difficult for him living in this rural community.

When I was growing up, this kind of thing was unheard of...at least I thought it was. How do parents handle such a dillema? What is the right course of action? Do you fill his room with playboys and porn and pay someone to sleep with him...to "knock the gay out of him"? Ugh, it sounds so WRONG. I don't want him to have the wrong idea about women either!!! I'm confused, and have no one to turn too. My whole family, if they learned of it would be just horrified. I'm so torn between wanting to support him, and wanting to make sure he's safe, and wanting to defend my right to mother him. I want to make the right decision FOR HIM, regardless of what anyone around me may think, or the concequences that it may bring. I just don't know what that right decision could possibly be. What would you do?

posted in Hip Parents - 12 replies

Jealousy

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 22:58:06 GMT

Jeremiah (22m) is highly jealous of his sister, Brianna (5w). She was breast feeding and he walked over, grabbed the breast and popped it out of her mouth as if to say your done. What is the best way to deal with jealousy when both require mommies attention.

I am not home that much, I go home about every two weeks just for the weekend. When I am home on the weekends that I am there we dont notice the jealousy at all.
i~brian

posted in Hip Parents - 4 replies

Bathing themselves

earthhooper — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 01:50:33 GMT

At what age should a chilld be able to to bath themselves correctly? I have a 9 year old daughter who I have been letting shower herself but I noticed today that she has not been getting herself clean. We have talked about it many times and I am not sure what to do. I feel like I am invading her privacy at this age if I bathe her. Thoughts?

posted in Hip Parents - 12 replies

Nice one

HARI — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 12:34:51 GMT

Thought I will share it with you..........

A professor stood before his Philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.

He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full.

They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.

Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full.

The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand.

The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

"The golf balls are the important things - your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

"The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car.

"The sand is everything else--the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

"The same goes for life.
"If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Play with your children.

"Take time to get medical checkups.

"Take your partner out to dinner.

"Play another 18.

"There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

"Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter.

"Set your priorities.

"The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked.

"It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a cup of coffee with a friend."

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

The War Against Drugs-How Young is Too Young?

hip_huggers_rule — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 02:01:04 GMT

My son just started Kindegarten in our small Village in Western NY... JUST started... and this week they are having a Too Cool For Drugs campaign... now these are little kids!! Who, I would hope!, have no idea about drugs... I know that the Dare Program doesn't start until the 5th Grade and is under contention as it seems to teach children more about drugs than how to stay away from them...

Also as a mother who is all for *Legalizing It!* I know that there are substances out there that are sooo unhealthy and hurtful, I would never want to see anyone get wrapped up in it/them... (and I have seen it in my time) But is the tender age of 5 maybe a little too young to introduce this broad subject? My son had no idea what they were talking about when he came home with a sticker saying "Too Cool For Drugs"... I didn't make a big deal out of it with him because I didn't want to confuse him when he can't truly grasp the idea and controversy yet... Let alone worry about CPS knocking on my door because of ths tender subject getting misconstrued in the mind and expression of a 5 yr old in the classroom...

How do you guys feel about it?

posted in Hip Parents - 7 replies

help with 12 yr old daughter

loi — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 19:50:30 GMT

i'm not sure what to do with my 12 yr old. she looks about 14 and has done several things that really worry me. the first was that i found out she was doing some light cutting (for 2 months on and off). we cried and talked and it appears that she has stopped this. but there are other things...she also has some issues with not eating well which i have addressed in the past, but each morning, she says she "can't eat". ??
today, i took away use of her phone because she was rude to me and i looked through it. i saw that she had recently begun communicating with a boy (around 14 i think) and they exchanged photos of their top halves (she had a bra on, he had no shirt). i'm worried about her and wondering what steps to take. it's especially difficult because i've been a single parent since she was 3 and she's had no one really take the place of her father. so i know she is looking for male attention and really wants to dress seductively, as well as wear dark eye makeup (which i stop). i've explained the safety issues of trying to look older and sexier, as well as what others will think of her. she just doesn't care. i will (and have) take away her cell phone and computer ("her life") but want her to have it if she's out in the world or if i'm gone. also i don't want her to freak out and really rebel - i know there are many other worse things she could be doing now...
what can i do?

posted in Hip Parents - 8 replies

Language Tutorials

Ariane (Miss Skittles) — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 23:23:16 GMT

OK, so my daughter Kitty is finally taking French in school. She's in 9th grade & is very excited about it. Enough so that she's asking me to get her some additional French tutorials called "Muzzy". Does anyone know about these or how they compare to a learning system like Rosetta Stone? Have you used any foreign language tutorials? Any thoughts on them?

Thanks!

posted in Hip Parents - 6 replies

New Tribe: Child's Play

Kit Kat — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 01:49:27 GMT

Hi Everyone, I've created a new tribe called Child's Play. Share and find new ideas about how we can help our children to learn and develope through play and have fun doing it!

http://tribes.tribe.net/childsplay

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Birth Arts Doula Workshop at Harbin Hot Springs

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 02:48:55 GMT

BIRTH ARTS INTERNATIONAL
DOULA WORKSHOP

at Harbin Hot Springs in Middletown, CA
October 19th-21st, 2007

To Register and for more info: www.maiahealingarts.com/harbin...oct-07/

Join us for a weekend educational immersion into the science and spirit of labor support. Learn how to provide support for women and babies through pregnancy, labor, birth, and immediate postpartum.

The training includes an three days of class, extensive workbook, and on-going mentoring through didactic work to complete the program and receive certification as a Certified Birth Arts Doula.

Birth Arts offers a complete birth doula training integrating evidence-based maternity care research with traditional women’s wisdom and intuition. The workshop includes hands-on experiential practice in bodywork, rebozo, labor support techniques, and non-pharmacological methods of pain relief. We will go into detail about the practice of supporting women at birth at home, birth center, and hospital environments.

with Kara Spencer, LMT, CD
Harbin Hot Springs, Middletown, CA
October 19-21, 2007

Kara Spencer - Maia Healing Arts: www.maiahealingarts.com
Birth Arts International ~ www.birtharts.com
Harbin Hot Springs Retreat Center - www.harbin.org

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Child Stresses

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 02:03:21 GMT

Being away from the home can be hard on the children. I work at Ft Bragg. When I get the time, I travel 4 hours to the house to spend a weekend or what I can. Then I pick up and leave for undetermined amounts of time.

I think that Jeremiah (22 months) does not understand this to well. He plays with me in ways that Mom just cant do. Then he tries and gets into trouble.

I just want to think that everything will be okay once I retire in about 8 years.
i~brian

posted in Hip Parents - 9 replies

A splendid message

HARI — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 09:51:35 GMT

A splendid message......... something that all of us can share with our peers.....

Eight Children were standing on the track to participate in the running event.

* Ready! * Steady! * Bang !!!
With the sound of Toy pistol, all eight girls started running.

Hardly have they covered ten to fifteen steps, one of the smaller girls
slipped and fell down, and she started crying.
When other seven girls heard this sound, stopped running, stood for a
while and turned back,they all ran back to the place where the! girl
fell down.

One among them! bent, picked and kissed the girl gently and enquired
'Now pain must have reduced' no ?. All seven girls lifted the fallen girl,pacified her, two of them held the girl firmly and they all seven joined hands together and walked together and reached the winning post.

Officials were shocked . Clapping of thousands of spectators filled the
stadium.

Many eyes were filled with tears and! perhaps it had reached the GOD even!
YES. This happened in Hyderabad [INDIA], recently!

The sport was conducted by National Institute of Mental Health.
All these special girls had come to participate in this event and they are
spastic children.

Yes, they were mentally Challenged.

What did they teach this world?

Teamwork??

Humanity??

Equality among all ??

Successful people help others who are slow in learning so that they are not
left far behind. This is really a great message...spread it!

We can't do this ever because we have brains!!!!!!!!!

posted in Hip Parents - 1 reply

School and booster groups

dorit — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 17:11:45 GMT

Hello fellow parents,
Our daughter, Liberty, goes to a public school here in LA (Part of the much criticized LAUSD). We, the husband and I, are for the most part very happy with the school (there have been problems- like too many subs when Liberty’s kindergarten teacher was out on maternity leave and a very nice but completely clueless principle- but a few calls to the proper people fix everything). But like all schools, there is never enough money, so we have started a booster group for the school. With the help of a fiscal sponsor we have the non profit 501 © 3 and fortunately I have years of experience running non profits and raising funds via grants and such. And being that we started the group with no input from the school (when we- a group of 8 parents and the husband and I- we still had the clueless principal and started the group so we wouldn’t have to deal with her. Luckily the new principal had a booster group at her old school that was using the same fiscal sponsor as we are)

My question is to any of you who have a parent started/parents run booster group (not PTA who have their own set of rules and all) at your kid’s school:
How do you deal with the administration?
Do you give the teachers and principal any decision making positions on your boards?
And any advice out side of these questions you can share would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Dorit

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

spitting

wickissick — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 15:42:52 GMT

i was just wondering if any of you ahve nay methods for teaching your child to spit. mainly toothpaste. i know if sounds funny but they are having a real hard time...thanks

posted in Hip Parents - 9 replies

Questions about the movie Matilda

StoryTime — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 21:00:23 GMT

Hello everyone!
Have you seen the movie Matilda?
Here is why I am asking this question:

I haven't seen it yet so when I saw the dvd in the bargain basket at my local disc/dvd store I grabed it and thought that would be interesting (plus it has a French language option, my girl and I are bilingual and I do my best to provide movies that have French audio features).
So my first question would be, what do you think of it?
Second is an important one, when I got the dvd it just wouldn't work in my dvd player, I brought it back but a few days later a friend who heard about this problem bought the new dvd at another dvd store.
Incredible, the new one is stuck too, I have a technical problem with it as well, the same problem, basically it is stuck at some point...
So, I thought I would ask other parents and see if you like it, if it's worth it trying to get another dvd that somehow works...(my other dvds work in my dvd player...by the way).
If not, I'll get something else that won't get stuck.
This is a rather strange story isn't it...
I am going bananas with this thing...
Thanks to all!
;)
Story Time.

posted in Hip Parents - 12 replies

Parents how do we decide what is right nd wrong

HARI — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 07:21:18 GMT

Relaxing on my terrace and having a “smoke” I was just thinking , how do we parents decide wich action is right and wich action is wrong in this world, , I know there is a right and a wrong during our life on this earth but moral conduct is determined by God’s law, not public opinion. All are called to live a moral life and there is a strong impulse in all of us, to try to be right.

Don’t you think rightness and wrongness is very much dependent upon who is viewing it, you may say 'sanity' as the ability to tell right from wrong, but don’t you think even that is based on opinion.
Am I right if I say there are no absolute right or absolute wrong in this world?

To really know who is right and who is wrong, only god can judge as we cant look into the future thus rightness depends upon viewpoint, interests and a little bit of lady luck

Only human beings have the ability to choose between right and wrong. But is there a difference between morally right and wrong actions or values, or institutions? If so, what is that difference?.

Different humans and human societies have ensured that these terms are conjugational—"I am right, you are mistaken, he is wrong; we are good, you are in error, they are evil . but how or why do we identify a statement as correct or false, and how do we reason since it is a matter of viewpoint and convictions.

I don’t have the answers do you??? I like your views on the same

posted in Hip Parents - 10 replies

Blossoming Too Early

HARI — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 15:07:41 GMT

Puberty is an unsettling stage in anyone's life, but if it happens at an age when you are still playing with dolls, it can be very worrying indeed
My neighbors kid entered puberty yesterday and she is 8 years old

Don’t you think the normal age at which puberty starts in both boys and girls has dropped by about two years since the past 10 years or so?

Why Is the Age of Puberty Dropping?????????
is it due to exposure to environmental chemicals that is causing the drop in the age of puberty

Or is this is largely due to improved nutrition??

Or is that the epidemic of obesity is to blame.??

Are we parents prepared for this problem???

I was discussing with my wife that In the present situation we Parents have to know what to tell the child and not pass on our own myths and misconceptions about sexual behavior. Give information in the right quantity at the right time depending on the child’s age, sensitivity, intelligence and the extent of exposure. Children at this age are very pliable I feel , which is the key to the solution also. Since physical maturity doesn't always come with emotional maturity, girls who start puberty early may need advice about handling sexual attention, especially from older boys. We Parents should answer the queries of a child on this and this important subject carefully, giving out only that amount of information as is required to assuage the child’s curiosity level at that age. But the information given should be close to the truth, comprehensible to the child and not fairy tale explanations.

Could you please share your thoughts and experiene on this subject becasue I and my wife feel this is quite a serious matter especially when we have twins in the age group of 9..

posted in Hip Parents - 2 replies

moving question

bokomaru — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:14:52 GMT

backstory: My boyfriend just sold his condo (that we lived in together for a few months) and bought a house we've both moved into with his daughters. We have them half-time, and I'm not so very new to them (I've been around for a year or so). They like me lots, I like them lots, and they're super-easy, in most aspects. Their dad is very disciplined, and I'm the "fun" one, though I'm not a total pushover, and their dad is lots of fun. They are 9 and 10.

When we put the condo up for sale, they packed up a TON of boxes--we got them to pitch some things, but they mostly put everything in storage. Every little peice of paper they pitched caused drama and tears (odd for them, because again, they're super-easy kids). Now, we're getting to the last bunches of boxes from moving. Their new room is already crammed with furniture (I was only going to allow them some of it, but I was gone, and their dad just couldn't bring himself to make them throw some of it away) and toys, and dead ant farms. They've got about six more boxes, packed with stuffed animals, books they've outgrown, trash, and um, icky moldy play dough. I want to allow them to take two boxes and fill them with stuff from the six boxes... those two boxes can come in and be unpacked. Their dad wants to sort through the stuff ourselves, keep just the very best examples of their art and writing and pitch everything else (to avoid the bawling)--or, alternatively, continue to store the boxes unless they ask about them. I want them to learn to a) donate unused things to charities and those who will use them and b) throw trash away--even brightly colored trash. Plus, I want them to have control over what they keep and what they say goodbye to. He thinks they'll stuff the boxes completely full of crap and cry over the trash (which is likely, I've gotta admit). Ideas on what to do or on how to make it go more smoothly?

posted in Hip Parents - 2 replies

Go Clean Your Room!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dorit — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 02:01:07 GMT

I came from a family of slobs so this parent-getting-kid-to-clean-room thing is new to me. Hell when I was a kid no one cared about trash and food and clothing on the floor. My idea of rebelling as a young kid was organizing my stuffed animals.

So- whose responsibility is it to insure a seven year olds room is clean or at least the floor and any other flat services (dresser, desk, and table window seat) are not stacked with stuff? And I should add, she comes from long line of junk collectors

posted in Hip Parents - 15 replies

Keeping fit

HARI — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:08:38 GMT

I have posted this earlier, and I am posting his again as its quite shocking to see many parents /young people are, in large measure, inactive, unfit, and increasingly overweight these days. Physical inactivity ultimately could have a devastating impact on our physical and mental health. and ofcource our children do not like thier parents to be unfit ,overweight and haggard. They may not tell us on the face but deep inside they want us to be smart, fit and healthy.

Please note you are the only person alive who has sole custody of your life. Your particular life. Your entire life. Not just your life at a desk, or your life on the bus, or in the car, or at the computer. Not just the life of your mind, but the life of your heart, Not just your bank account, but your soul. Do take care and keep your self fit.

We face a lot of stress and strain in day today life, which results in anxiety and mental imbalance thereby leading human race towards degeneration. Any illness or disease results basically from this imbalance. Therefore keeping fit is important at all ages.

Fitness is the key to your physical health and to enable you to live happily. Regular exercise can increase energy levels, release stress and make you feel good about yourself, it helps psychosomatic disorders/diseases and improves an individual's resistance and ability to endure stressful situations.

A person is said to be healthy only when the body and mind are stable physically, mentally, spiritually and intellectually.

Do what ever you want, eat what ever you want but ensure to spend at least one hour everyday in doing some sort of physical exercise, this will help in preventing one to be drawn towards the accumulating affluence of the ever rushing mind and body and maintains harmony and balances in the mind and the body.

Sometimes you may suffer from lazy bugs biting you even though you adore working out everyday. If you can discover why you don’t feel like working out part of the battle is already won because now you can do something about the reason.

Force yourself to do some kind of physical exercise everyday, Substitute some form of informal exercise. Your last resort is to choose not to exercise that day but make up for it immediately the next day.

Lastly Hip parents please share with us your secret of good health and keeping fit.

posted in Hip Parents - 12 replies

decision making

HARI — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 12:21:18 GMT

I feel many a times using our gut instincts can be very helpful in decision making. Honestly I almost never take a plunge into anything without considering it over twice, or even thrice ……..Still sometimes we are too emotionally connected to the situation to see clearly all the details involved in making a wise decision , am I right???,

We may have made some poor choices in life , but along with those choices I am sure we would have come across challenges and opportunities that we would not have experienced otherwise.

Making the decision itself, is more of trying to move past the fear of making a wrong choice, don’t you agree??. We don’t know or can't know what all the future holds for us thus whatever decisions we make , positive or negative , only destiny decides if it is a wise decision.

I think it was Roosevelt who said “One thing is sure. We have to do something. We have to do the best we know how at the moment... if it doesn't turn out right, we can modify it as we go along”

By the way ...How good a decision maker are you ??

posted in Hip Parents - 4 replies

Do Children Have a Right to Privacy?

HARI — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 15:26:09 GMT

Parents often struggle with the boundaries of their children's privacy. What is acceptable given the responsibility for your child's health and welfare? When a mother is cleaning a child's room or putting away some clothing, the temptation to look at that crumpled stack of school papers or flip through an unlocked diary or poke around the closet can be too strong to resist. Especially if there's any cause for concern. And what do you do if you actually find something? Will you destroy your child's trust if you admit to an invasion of privacy?
These are tough questions. I believe it is important to respect a child's right to privacy but only up to a point. Your child's safety is always the primary issue. Of course, the difficulty is trying to determine if your child's health or survival is actually at risk. In these times, it's almost too easy to become convinced that your child is on drugs or depressed and/or suicidal. Research suggests that one of every four adolescents will experience a significant depression during their high school years. At least half of all adolescents will have had significant experience with drugs during their high school years.
Therefore, you need to be educated about the signs of substance abuse or depression such as marked changes in behavior or mood and/or onset of sleeping or eating problems. Many health professionals and hospitals have brochures with more information about these topics. Schools and places of worship frequently offer lectures on these subjects. Learn as much as you can so you can recognize the serious problem and not be accusing your child when it is age-appropriate behavior. One of the best ways to manage this is to spend time alone with your child. This will provide opportunities for your child to share, when he or she is ready, what is actually going on. Remember,teens are scared and they will want to talk to you if they can believe you will really listen and not judge them harshly.
This brings us back to the issue of privacy. Teens retreat from the family circle. That is normal. They want special space, usually their bedroom, that will reflect their moods, interests, and search for a sense of identity. Parents need to set some guidelines up front. Tell your child his privacy will be respected unless his behavior strongly suggests there is a serious problem which he is denying. Open communication is always the priority. But, if there are strong signs of a substance abuse problem, all bets are off. I've had parents literally remove the door to their child's bedroom when it was clear that the child was involved with drugs and kept denying it.
So, what happens when children appear to leave an "invitation" to look? A child struggling with a problem may very well leave clues, usually subconsciously, wanting help but being unable to openly ask for it. If a teenager is really trying to hide something, they certainly can do so. Therefore, I am always suspicious when something is left in open view that tempts a parent to peek. I think the child is asking you to look. That is very different from a parent just going through a child's things and is certainly different from reading a diary that has been kept out of sight or locked.
If you do discover something important enough to warrant discussion (common examples are school warnings, birth control devices, shoplifted items such as CDs or cosmetics, and drug paraphernalia), try to avoid an explosion or a lecture. I recommend focusing on the communication issue first. "Why were you unable to talk to us about this issue?" The primary goal is to open up the sharing of concerns and to improve the trust. If you only come down on the child, then her worst fears are realized and she's even less likely to talk to you the next time there's a problem. That doesn't mean you ignore consequences if the child has done something wrong. It should just be the second step in the process.
My friend found a package of condoms in his sons schoolbag. It was decided that a low-key discussion should take place without a lecture about the risks of teenage sex. Instead the parents just empathized about how adolescent sexuality is such a difficult and scary issue, especially with concerns about AIDS. They also noted how different it is from when they were kids; everything is so much more out in the open and there seems to be more pressure on teens to "know" about sex. They asked why their son hadn't expressed any concerns and emphazied the importance of being able to talk about this.
My friend,s son of course, denied the condoms were his. Seems like every kid only carries cigarettes, condoms, or pot for their friends, NEVER for themselves! There was a small expression of anger at his mother's violation of privacy, but less than expected. Days later, my friends son acknowledged his surprise that his parents didn't get so upset and didn't take the condoms away. Then, he was able to talk to his mother about some of the pressure he was experiencing in the relationship with his girlfriend. One small victory in the quest for parent-child trust.

posted in Hip Parents - 14 replies

Getting Down

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 01:43:04 GMT

I have had a discussion lately that covered being a "man". Powertools and beer does not make a man. I think its the way that he can be with his family and put them first. As in getting down on the floor and playing with your children. I have heard that some would think that is not being "manly". Well if thats that, I guess I would rather be down on the floor and be measured in the opposite direction.
i~brian

posted in Hip Parents - 3 replies

Chicken Soup

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 01:53:26 GMT

I got a present for my dad and I haven't given it to him yet. Silly me. I in turn, started reading the stories in the book. Has anyone else read this or these series of books?
i~brian

posted in Hip Parents - 3 replies

free and easy way to help homeless children

beckeyla — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 22:02:35 GMT

www.railwaychildren-friends.com/email.asp

place this web search-engine in place of your old one and raise 10p per search

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Not going to the playa...what to do that weekend

shadeshaman — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 02:55:59 GMT

I can't go....waa... Must work to support kids. It sucks, but I wonder if there are other folks who will be around. Or will the Bay Area be a ghost town in the weirdo department?

posted in Hip Parents - 5 replies

What are you thinking right now

HARI — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:06:14 GMT

What are you thinking right now?????????
Say anything thats running around your head. it could be a song you are humming, wish headache would go away, wish your husband/Boyfriend come home early, or feel like boxings your kids ears or sexual fantasies , or watch your favourite tv channel...............

Its kinda silly right ....... but it fun

I am thinking of rolling a joint and smoke it before my kids come home from play

posted in Hip Parents - 10 replies

is it time to leave?

jerushah — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:54:43 GMT

i still feel love for my husband, but the frustration is becoming unbearable. from the moment we met 7 years ago i knew he was inconsiderate, but i chalked it up to youth, and viewed it as something that would change with time. it hasn't. he knows he is self centered, he acknowledges his lack of consideration, but does nothing to change it. we have a one year old, and i am pregnant again. i am feeling stuck, i've been a stay at home, and now that i'm pregnant again, i fell that my options are very limited. i have always been very independent, now i feel almost helpless. he did something completely unacceptable recently, and i listened with a sinking stomach to same bullshit i have been hearing for seven years, and suddenly realized that i never wanted to hear it again. any suggestions?

posted in Hip Parents - 18 replies

now I KNOW it's time to leave

jerushah — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:10:58 GMT

after all that great input, turns out he cheated on me. i feel numb.

posted in Hip Parents - 5 replies

Birth Arts Doula Training at Lost Valley, Oregon - Aug 24-26

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 08:37:56 GMT

Birth Arts International Doula Training
at Lost Valley Educational Center, Dexter, OR (near Eugene)
August 24-26, 2007
www.birtharts.com

facilitated by Kara Maia Spencer, LMT, CD

For more information see: http://www.maiahealingarts.com/lost-valley-oregon-august/
or contact Kara at 541-520-0681

Join us at Lost Valley for a weekend educational immersion into the science and spirit of labor support. Learn how to provide support for women and babies through pregnancy, labor, birth, and immediate postpartum.

The training includes a weekend workshop, lodging (dorm or camping), meals, an extensive workbook, and on-going mentoring through didactic work to complete the program and receive certification as a Certified Birth Arts Doula.

Birth Arts offers a complete birth doula training integrating evidence-based maternity care research with traditional women’s wisdom and intuition. The workshop includes hands-on experiential practice in bodywork, rebozo, labor support techniques, and non-pharmacological methods of pain relief. We will go into detail about the practice of supporting women at birth at home, birth center, and hospital environments.

Tuition: $350

Food & Lodging: $130 - dormitory lodging, $70 - camping in your own tent
includes delicious vegetarian meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch

For registration or inquiries contact:

Kara at 541-520-0681 or email kara@birtharts.com

Mail your registration form and tuition to: Kara Spencer, 2833 Willamette St, Suite B, Eugene, OR 97405

About Lost Valley Educational Center:

Lost Valley, www.lostvalley.org, is a permaculture school, intentional community, and workshop retreat center. Situated just 25 minutes east of Eugene, OR on a beautiful reserve of land, there are hiking trails, a creek with a swimming hole in the summer, and guided nature trails.

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Xtra cargo room on the way home from the Playa?

sienna — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 23:48:25 GMT

We're going to miss being out on the playa this year :(

because I'll likely be in labor delivering our new twins :) !!!

We're living in central VA (richmond area) and starting over from scratch financially. We're living with friends and hoping for transitional housing to open up soon. As such, things are super tight on the money front. I have friends and family in Chgo who have done an amazing job of gathering up baby things for us, the problem is getting them back to VA. I'm hoping to stumble across some Burners heading back from the playa who have reason to stop through Chgo and have extra room in their truck, RV, etc. to bring back some or all of what's been gathered. I know there's 2 cribs (collapsable), 2 strollers, a changing table, cloth nappies and some baby clothes there for us.

If you know of anyone who might be willing to help out with this stuff and get it even close to us out east, PLEASE contact us!

in community,

Sienna D.

posted in Hip Parents - 1 reply

Chivalry

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 19:49:39 GMT

Is chivalry dead?
i~brian

posted in Hip Parents - 10 replies

Trying for Baby #2

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 17:51:55 GMT

My daughter Hailee is 5 1/2.. We are finally starting to try for baby #2, a brother or sister for Hailee :-) I am so excited... I stopped taking Birth Control after my last cycle, which was about 2 weeks ago.. I am now on a prenatal vitamin and watching my diet a little more than I have before....
It's a much different experiance this time around, trying instead of having a surprise :-)

posted in Hip Parents - 11 replies

talking to kids about sex...

Aura — Fri, 25 May 2007 20:35:05 GMT

I over heard my daughter whispering with her friend(both nearly eight), talking about what sex means...it was very giggly talk, with a very scant understanding, as is probably appropriate for their age...until now, I feel I have always handled giving her questions age appropriate, and satisfying answers, but now that I realize its only a matter of time before she wants, and needs more details, I feel like I want some guidance. I am really protective of too much too soon, but don't want to make sex talk taboo AT ALL! Advice? Any good books to recommend? Thanks, Aura

posted in Hip Parents - 18 replies

Innocence

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 01:55:21 GMT

Its not when you lost your innocence, but what would it be like to get some of that back. Our children have that innocence. Ohhhh to just have that again.

i~brian

posted in Hip Parents - 4 replies

Birth Arts International Doula Workshops

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:38:06 GMT

Upcoming Birth Arts Workshops in Vermont, Oregon, Texas, and California!
www.birtharts.com

Birth, Postpartum, and Advanced Doula Trainings integrating wise women traditions with evidence-based research.

Birth Arts Postpartum Workshop
Bennington, VT - July 28th-29th
contact: Helena Wu at helena@birtharts.com / 802-235-1512

Birth Arts Advanced Workshop - Vibrational Medicine for Birth
Chester, VT - August 25th-26th
contact: Helena Wu at helena@birtharts.com / 802-235-1512

Birth Arts Labor Doula Workshop
Lost Valley Center, Dexter, OR - August 24th-26th
contact: Kara Spencer at kara@birtharts.com / 541-520-0681
www.maiahealingarts.com/doula-training/

Birth Arts Labor Doula Workshop
Alma De Mujer, Austin, TX - August 24th-26th
contact: Patricia Couch at patricia@birtharts.com / 541-556-8415
www.pattycakebirthingservices.com/b...x/

Birth Arts Labor Doula Workshop
Harbin Hot Springs, Middletown, CA - October 19th-21st
contact: Kara Spencer at kara@birtharts.com / 541-520-0681
www.maiahealingarts.com/harbin...oct-07/

More dates coming soon. Contact demetria@birtharts.com if you are interested in hosting a class in your area or for interest in distance learning programs.

Birth Arts International
www.birtharts.com

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Do we like our childs friends???

HARI — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 15:20:20 GMT

Parents all want their kids to have friends who are polite, honest, and bright, who don't drink or smoke or use drugs. Parents want to protect their kids and at the same time encourage independence. Many of the friendships parents worry about are short-lived. Often children discover that a friend they admired at first is really not so terrific. Allowing an objectionable friendship to run its course, will work better than actively trying to stop it. Address the need that the friendship satisfies; ask the child what it is that he likes about that particular friend. The answer may give you some clues about the real reason he's attracted to that friend. However, parents have to distinguish between experimentation and danger. Children have to learn to deal with all kinds of people, and short of keeping them in the house day and night, there aren't many alternatives. When the issues are threatening and potentially dangerous, such as when the child aligns himself only with children who are belligerent or who engage in antisocial or delinquent acts, then parents have a responsibility to discourage the association. When behavior is unacceptable it must be stopped.
Parental support, trust, patience, common sense, and luck will help children acquire the ability to deal competently with social interactions. Children need knowledgeable and sympathetic guides to help them get along with people, feel good about themselves, and be responsible for their actions.
· Let our child know that we feel friendships are important and worth the effort.
· Respect our child's social style; some children do best with a host of friends, and some do best with a few close friends. Some make friends quickly, and some warm up to friends slowly.
· Find practical ways we can help our child make room in his/her life for being with other children. This is especially important if our child is shy or reluctant about peer interactions. For example, we should be flexible about family schedules so that our child can find time to be with friends. Offer our home or offer to accompany children on outings. we might also make arrangements for our family to spend time with another family that has a similar-age child.

Although some parents may sometimes feel as if they're being too pushy by adopting such strategies, however children who were more well adjusted socially had parents who were more involved in their children's social activities don’t you think so

posted in Hip Parents - 1 reply

Do children receive too many shots?

HARI — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 15:07:18 GMT

I have noticed that the number of recommended childhood vaccines has increased substantially over the past several decades.

During my child hood I received 5 vaccines routinely and up to 5 shots by 2 years of age. Today, children receive 11 vaccines routinely and as many as 20 shots by age two,"

I do understand that immunization uses inert, inactive or live attenuated viral antigens to stimulate the body's immune system to provide protection from disease.

However what are your thoughts about the same ?? Do children receive too many shots? Do they need them all? Should we worry about side effects and safety. Some say vaccines may cause some child to develop autism? is it true ?? Who's watching out for us?

Searching for the answers to these and other questions may help us understand the role immunization has played and continues to play in improving our health.

I strongly feel information presented to parents should be balanced.

But balance regarding issues of vaccine safety only occurs when data regarding the known benefits and risks of vaccines are presented. Discussions that include theoretical risks, unfounded hypotheses, and unconfirmed data will only mislead and confuse us.

posted in Hip Parents - 12 replies

Island Festival??? LA

metaneon — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 06:12:08 GMT

Island Festival sounds fun.
Is there anything similar in LA?
We gotta stay home daddy & $'s kinna thight.
We can't afford 4 plane tkt's...

posted in Hip Parents - 3 replies

Kid & Parent friendly event: Island Festival July 20-22nd, 2007!

MizzMayhem — Sun, 27 May 2007 07:42:49 GMT

Located on Whidbey Island, Island Festival's inaugural year promises to be full of sun filled laughter and a great time for all ages. Please bring you and your younger ones to our special event....check http://islandfestival.com/ for all details but read on for some introductory tasty treats.....

Recreation
ONSITE
The Recreation realm and on site Camping will be hosted on enormous grassy ball fields. We trust it will entice you to come play!

Let your inner child have some fun with the random participatory activities you’ll stumble upon, challenge your friends to a variety of lawn games or meet new peeps during one of the unusual team games being served up.

There’s plenty of space to share out there, and we invite you to bring your own favorite recreational interests too. Show us something new!

Off the field, and onto wheels, you can cruise the 6300 sq ft skate/bike park (bring a helmet and wheels)

OFFSITE
Still feeling adventurous? Offsite you’ll find many other ways to recreate.
Please note: these are not operated by Island Festival.

Tennis: 6 free outdoor courts located about 1/6 mile away at the adjacent school

Swimming: Take a dip at Deer Lake, just a few minutes drive from the site…
www.visitwhidbey.com

Hiking, Biking and Nature excursions: Enjoy the great outdoors at nearby Saratoga and Goss Lake Woods, or explore other island trails…
www.gosslakewoods.org
www.whidbeyinmotion.org

Beach combing: A quick ride away, you’ll find a long stretch of beach to roam…
www.visitwhidbey.com

Sea Kayaking: These guys will come equipped and meet you at 1 of 5 locations…
www.whidbeyislandkayaking.com

~ stay tuned for more details ~

Music & Entertainment
The Music and Entertainment realm will be showcasing a diverse array of musicians and performers throughout the weekend. Enjoy sampling some new flavors along with your favorite delights!

Multiple stages will host our vision of a musical menagerie ~ from rock to reggae, jam bands to jazz greats, blues to bluegrass, eclectic to electronica, world rhythms to world class DJs. There's no doubt you'll be getting your dance on with all the great grooves!

Plus we'll spice all that with unique entertainers, performance attractions, experimental and documentary films and visual artists to completely awe your senses.

Current Line up includes:
Anoushka Shankar & Karsh Kale, Michelle Shocked, Ganga Giri, Alfred Howard & the K23 Orchestra, Delta Nove, BLVD, One World Taiko, roving artist - Jamie Janover, Souleye, On the One, DJ's Michael Manahan, Phidelity… plus more to come!

~ stay tuned for more artists additions ~

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Kids and Guns

ezb — Tue, 22 May 2007 18:51:07 GMT

My nephew just received a couple of toy guns as gifts from friends for his birthday. Now, my brother is struggling with the issue of where to draw the line with gun play. He's wrestling with his own issues of what is and isn't "ok" vs. just pure fun. After learning of this, I thought "this is a good topic for hip parents".

So, what do you all think?

posted in Hip Parents - 18 replies

Pinworms...

Aura — Fri, 18 May 2007 23:30:12 GMT

We are dealing with the nasty little critters, and a friend told me that they come from animals, as in my pets. Does anyone know if this is true? I have not seen evidence of my dog or cat having worms, but this does seem like an inportant tidbit, as we have dealt with this once before, a year ago, and I would love to avoid ever dealing with something like this ever again! Thanks, Aura

posted in Hip Parents - 4 replies

Getting labor going?

treja — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 17:35:50 GMT

What are all the tip n tricks to jumpstarting some labor?

posted in Hip Parents - 14 replies

Happy Mother's Day!

EdgarC — Sun, 13 May 2007 19:17:04 GMT

Wishing all the Mother's a splendid day!

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

Kid Friendly Island Festival!

MizzMayhem — Sun, 13 May 2007 18:03:19 GMT

For those of you on the road traveling this summer you may be interested in the inaugural Island Festival! After nearly a decade of vision and hard work, Island Festival commences July 20-22nd on Whidbey Island, WA. Feel free to check out the myspace music site I built to promote the festival:

www.myspace.com/islandfestival1

I also created a tribe as well:

tribes.tribe.net/islandfestival

Even if you can't make it this year i'd be honored if you'd stop by the sites and show your support. A three day music festival of fun, spoken word, dj dome, outdoor recreation activities, kidsville, and a lot more. Yay! thanks! :)

We are currently networking with all bands, artists, speakers, and performers as well as artisan and culinary vendors. Please drop me a line and let me know you are interested and I will forward you to the appropriate peeps!

xo~RamonaMayhem

posted in Hip Parents - 0 replies

cool birthday party action for toddlers

Jen — Wed, 02 May 2007 23:47:43 GMT

Hey, all! Looking for something crazy to do for my son's upcoming 2nd birthday. Did a luau at Golden Gardens last year, which might be hard to top! Anyone have any creative themes they've tried??

Cheers!

posted in Hip Parents - 3 replies

PLEASE help spread alert, the worlds' bees are dying!

Leslee — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 22:07:55 GMT

PLEASE help spread alert, the worlds' bees are dying!

Without bees, we can NOT survive. Please post this on as many forums as you can.

(Tribes breaks links so go to link to get link.)
http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/wildlife/article2449968.ece

CELL PHONE RADIATION
MAY BE KILLING BEES

Scientists claim radiation from handsets are to blame
for mysterious world wide 'colony collapse' of bees

By Geoffrey Lean and Harriet Shawcross
Published: 15 April 2007

It seems like the plot of a particularly far-fetched horror film. But some scientists suggest that our love of the mobile phone could cause massive food shortages, as the world's harvests fail.
They are putting forward the theory that radiation given off by mobile phones and other hi-tech gadgets is a possible answer to one of the more bizarre mysteries ever to happen in the natural world - the abrupt disappearance of the bees that pollinate crops. Late last week, some bee-keepers claimed that the phenomenon - which started in the US, then spread to continental Europe - was beginning to hit Britain as well.
The theory is that radiation from mobile phones interferes with bees' navigation systems, preventing the famously homeloving species from finding their way back to their hives. Improbable as it may seem, there is now evidence to back this up.

Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) occurs when a hive's inhabitants suddenly disappear, leaving only queens, eggs and a few immature workers, like so many apian Mary Celestes. The vanished bees are never found, but thought to die singly far from home. The parasites, wildlife and other bees that normally raid the honey and pollen left behind when a colony dies, refuse to go anywhere near the abandoned hives.
The alarm was first sounded last autumn, but has now hit half of all American states. The West Coast is thought to have lost 60 per cent of its commercial bee population, with 70 per cent missing on the East Coast.

CCD has since spread to Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece. And last week John Chapple, one of London's biggest bee-keepers, announced that 23 of his 40 hives have been abruptly abandoned.

Other apiarists have recorded losses in Scotland, Wales and north-west England, but the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs insisted: "There is absolutely no evidence of CCD in the UK."

The implications of the spread are alarming. Most of the world's crops depend on pollination by bees. Albert Einstein once said that if the bees disappeared, "man would have only four years of life left".
No one knows why it is happening. Theories involving mites, pesticides, global warming and GM crops have been proposed, but all have drawbacks.

German research has long shown that bees' behaviour changes near power lines.
Now a limited study at Landau University has found that bees refuse to return to their hives when mobile phones are placed nearby. Dr Jochen Kuhn, who carried it out, said this could provide a "hint" to a possible cause.

Dr George Carlo, who headed a massive study by the US government and mobile phone industry of hazards from mobiles in the Nineties, said: "I am convinced the possibility is real."
The case against handsets
Evidence of dangers to people from mobile phones is increasing. But proof is still lacking, largely because many of the biggest perils, such as cancer, take decades to show up.

Most research on cancer has so far proved inconclusive. But an official Finnish study found that people who used the phones for more than 10 years were 40 per cent more likely to get a brain tumour on the same side as they held the handset.

Equally alarming, blue-chip Swedish research revealed that radiation from mobile phones killed off brain cells, suggesting that today's teenagers could go senile in the prime of their lives.
Studies in India and the US have raised the possibility that men who use mobile phones heavily have reduced sperm counts. And, more prosaically, doctors have identified the condition of "text thumb", a form of RSI from constant texting.

Professor Sir William Stewart, who has headed two official inquiries, warned that children under eight should not use mobiles and made a series of safety recommendations, largely ignored by ministers.

posted in Hip Parents - 1 reply

Living in San Francisco....

saakimba — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 08:51:22 GMT

Hey there, Hip Parents....... I am moving sometime in the next few months to the city (IN city, not east bay) and am looking for information/advice from those in the know about what areas are most hospitable to a mama and her 9 year old girlie. What neighborhoods are good? Bearing in mind that I know that all of the city is expensive, which areas are a little more affordable? Which are less? What are the schools like? I really appreciate any insight that any of you can offer. I will eventually be posting looking for another mama & kid or small family to set up a co-housing situation with, but that's a future post... thanks!!

Karen
(Saakimba)

posted in Hip Parents - 9 replies

sneaking health

hernancortez — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 14:02:07 GMT

I bought some health food from safeway.
I know it was healthy cause there was this big ol' "O"
on it ;-)

Just Kidding!

Actually, I needed some cash for the theme park, so I bought the healthiest thing I could find and
got "moneyback" from the cashier.

We got these little plastic trays with some apple slices with a section of yogurt and
some granola to dip in, and we got some carrots and celery sticks with ranch and sesame seeds.

Now, I been doing the dip thing but I never heard of nor tried the extra crunchy dip thing. It was kinda fun, and I liked that they were nice enough to put some extra sugar in the yogurt and ranch, cause, the kids dont get enough of that.
Why bother making stuff tasty from the gitgo/ Just buy a 55 gallon barrel of it and toss in some sugar.

So it was really nice being a rebel with 'fresh' food eating on top of a fiberglass carrot patch. It gave me a hint of what a cannibal
might feel like. But it seems so unholy eating semi-good food at a theme park. I am sure we have a special place in hell waiting for us.

Bugs Bunny kept looking jealously at us, and the Tasmanian Devil did his angry little tornado thing and tried to force some
cooked 2 months ago and reheated 10 minutes ago ribs and spun sugar. We found that the quick route was to take his food and as soon as he tornadoed away, we fed it to these cute little republican kids. We hung onion rings off of his little horn buds, took pictures.

I gotta tell you a little secret.

It just isnt fun getting on the little choo choo train without that special detachment from reality that a queesy stomach and
malnutrition can gift you. Sort of a never never land of toxic combinations. All that is missing is a football field sized TV screen with
toy commercials. Luckily the whole damn theme park is a toy commercial. I just like mine coming in subliminal like a commercial blurts.

posted in Hip Parents - 1 reply

make sure you have this conversation with your kid...

cooldawn — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 03:20:57 GMT

Maybe it's because I've taught teens for ten years and seen too many unplanned pregnancies or maybe it's because my oldest is approaching "that age", but I implore you.... when you talk about sex and all it encompasses (and your kid is old enough for details), make sure your kid knows how to use a condom.

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=80157

posted in Hip Parents - 3 replies

Damn

tydye — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 23:53:08 GMT

I thought I was hip.. Wait I am hip.. And I am a parent... Why would the other parent try to take away my position in my daughters life??? Now I have to goto court to see my daughter??? Thats not very hip... I need a cyber hug

posted in Hip Parents - 6 replies

Road Trip with a 7-month old--Advice?

kindsis — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 22:32:50 GMT

Hi Hip Parents,

We're planning our first road trip with our little man along for the ride. He'll be about 7.5 months old at the time. In general, he's a happy go lucky fella--what some of our friends call "an easy baby" or as my manager pokes "angel baby". I wouldn't go that far. Regardless--you get the gist: He's pretty chill.

We have big plans to go on a roadtrip to the Southwest and are trying to figure out a reasonable itinerary that will be fun for the whole family. Currently we're looking at doing Phoenix-->Flagstaff-->Mesa Verde-->Santa Fe--->somewhere near the Grand Canyon --all with one night in each place and between 4-6 hours of driving per day.

I'm trying to figure out--how much driving do you think is reasonable with a 7.5 old? Granted--we haven't seen any teeth coming in just yet but realize that could be right around the corner and change everything.

I've realized that ever since becoming a mom I'm always running late and things always take me way longer than I think they will. I'm trying to be realistic with our road trip. It seems like I need to add in an additional 4 hours to every day just for feeding and diaper changing.

I'm currently leaning towards scaling back the trip a bit and maybe not driving as far so we'll have more time to sightsee, but I'm having trouble figuring out what seems reasonable.

Does anyone have any experience they'd like to share? Or what worked for you?

Thanks!

Laurel

posted in Hip Parents - 5 replies

A DOCUMENTRY EVERY PARENT NEEDS TO SEE !!!

Leslee — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 18:39:02 GMT

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3609599239524875493&q=The+Drugging+Of+Our+Children&hl=en

http://www.ostrowandcompany.com/film_detail.php?film=The%20Drugging%20Of%20Our%20Children

The Drugging Of Our Children

OVERVIEW

Genre: Feature Documentary
Language: English
Country of Origin: USA
Running Time: 102 minutes

CAST & CREW

Director: Gary Null
Co-Directed by: Producer: Manette Loudon, David Chmura
Associate Producer & Legal Affairs: David Slater
Editor: David Chmura
Cinematographer: Derek Ramsey, David Chmura
Writer: Gary Null
Producer's Representative: Ostrow and Company

SYNOPSIS

How are large drug companies benefiting from the latest trend of selling powerful psychoactive drugs to America's children? Do these drugs really help our children cure symptoms of supposed mental illness, or do they tend to increase depression, violence, and suicide? Are we really treating the root causes of mental illness, or are we just eliminating annoying symptoms?

This feature-length documentary examines the alarming growth in the prescription of powerful psychotropic drugs for adolescents and children. Leading experts, as well as Neil Bush, Michael Moore and Gary Null, provide insightful commentary about the growing trend to pathologize the behavior of children, and then require them to take mind-altering pharmaceutical drugs as a "cure." The documentary recounts the national tragedy of Columbine and focuses on the largely unknown fact that teenage shooter Eric Harris was on the psychotropic drug Luvox at the time he and Dylan Klebold took the lives of 13 other students at their high school. Violence and aggression, precipitated by prescribed drug use, is also explored in an unprecedented discussion between Mark Taylor, the first shooting victim in the Columbine tragedy, and Cory Baadsgard, a teenager on Paxil and Effexor who, in another violent incident, took his teacher and 23 students hostage at gunpoint in his Washington high school. The film proceeds to show the dangerous links between psychotropic drugs like Paxil, Luvox, Effexor and Prozac – commonly prescribed to adolescents for anxiety, depression and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - and the increased incidents of violence, suicide and psychotic behavior often observed in those children and adolescents who are taking the drugs. The film also provides compelling personal accounts, including a mother going to prison and losing her son to government authorities because she refused to give her son psychiatric drugs. Leading medical authorities and mental health professionals speak the unvarnished truth about current increased diagnoses of recently devised mental illnesses and the unprecedented prescription of a host of very powerful psychoactive drugs to "treat" them. Finally, this documentary explores safer, alternative methods for treating childhood mental illness.

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posted in Hip Parents - 1 reply

God bless single parents

HARI — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 15:46:03 GMT

Yesterday after work I happen to visit my friend a single parent , she has two kids 6 and 8 year old ,

During my three hr stay at her place I realised Single parenthood can be very challenging. Her children share more household responsibilities, including looking after themselves. She often discuss things with their children like financial and family decisions which, in my family it is usually discussed only between me and wife.
It was just amazing to see the control and love this family was sharing in household chores, and spending time having fun together.

Single parenting is very challenging. Children require so much love and support that the parent are required to play a variety of roles. Man its not easy for one to be the worker, the parent, the cook, the cleaner. Managing time, and to set priorities

God Pl bless these lovely people with lots of strength and happiness for they are no ordinary people..

posted in Hip Parents - 4 replies

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