January 2012 Archives
Jessie Weaver-
January 31, 2012-
Flu season is well upon us. (While we've already battled RSV and pneumonia in our household, we've averted the flu so far ... thank goodness!) Fauquier Hospital in Virginia outlines some of the myths and truths about flu and the flu vaccine for you here.
Myth | Fact |
You can get the flu from the flu vaccine. | You cannot get the flu from the vaccine. This myth stems from the presence of dead flu strains in the vaccine. They are there to give the immune system the information needed to develop antibodies for those strains. Side effects such as body aches or a low fever after receiving the vaccine can occur, but are not the flu. Those with asthma should get the shot, not the nasal-spray. |
You can get flu from the nasal spray vaccine. | You cannot get flu from the nasal spray vaccine. Again, the misconception comes from the presence of weakened strains of the virus, also known as Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV). These strains, while not dead, are not strong enough to cause illness. There have been some reports of flu-like symptoms, mostly in children, after vaccination, but it is not the flu. Those with a history of asthma should not take the nasal-spray vaccine. |
The flu vaccine doesn’t work. | In most years, the flu vaccine prevents flu for between 70 percent and 90 percent of vaccinated healthy people under the age of 65. There are other illnesses, such as the common cold, that have similar symptoms and can be mistaken for the flu. |
If you get a flu vaccine you can’t get an influenza virus. | Flu vaccines are made to protect against the most likely strains of flu circulating in a given year. Researchers determine which strains to include in the vaccine based on the most common strains circulating, but it is possible to contract a strain that emerged after the vaccine was made. The vaccine may also not be 100 percent effective against the strains of the flu it contains, depending on a person’s age and overall health. |
The flu isn’t serious enough to warrant vaccination. | While the seasonal flu is often mild, some can have complications that can be severe enough to require hospitalization. Pneumonia as a complication can be deadly. Annually, there are around 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths due to complications of the flu. |
If I don’t get vaccinated in the fall, I shouldn’t bother because it will be too late. | While it is best to get vaccinated before the season starts — Oct. or Nov. — flu season can peak as late as May. There is no set window, and the Virginia Department of Health vaccinates from Oct. through April, or longer if necessary. |
There is a limited supply of vaccine, so you should leave it for those who really need it. | Public health and government officials project there will be enough vaccine available for everyone who wants to be vaccinated. |
Absolutely everybody should get the flu vaccine. | There is an extremely limited group of people who should not get either kind of flu vaccine. Specifically, people with a history of allergy to eggs and those who have had a rare illness called Guillaine-Barre Syndrome should not get the flu vaccine. |
I’ve already had the flu, therefore I am immune. | “Flu” covers many different strains of the same virus, which is why the vaccine changes every year. Immunities you have built up to one strain of flu are unlikely to protect you from another strain. |
I got vaccinated last year so I’m protected this year. | The vaccine is never the same because flu viruses can adapt and change. Also, immunity wears off, even if the viruses are similar from year to year. It is important to get vaccinated each season. |
I’m healthy lower age/my child is healthy. Therefore we don’t need the flu shot. | While healthy people are better able to defend against a virus, it is still possible for a healthy person to get the flu. |
The flu vaccine can cause autism. | The Institute of Medicine, in a 2004 report, was unable to find a connection between the preservative thimerosal and the development of autism. However, if you have concerns, talk to your family physician. The nasal spray vaccine does not contain thimerosal. |
The flu vaccine is not safe for young children or pregnant women. | The flu vaccine injection is safe and recommended for children over six months and for pregnant women. |
You don’t need to get vaccinated because there are drugs now that keep you from getting the flu. | Antiviral medication may also lessen the symptoms of flu or make you less contagious after contracting the flu. There are medications on the market that may prevent flu in some healthy adults if taken every day the flu is present in the community. The CDC suggests being vaccinated, and to use those drugs only as a supplement. If an individual cannot be given the vaccine because of other health conditions, speak with a doctor. |
If you get the nasal spray vaccine, you can get other people sick with the flu even though you are protected. | It is extremely rare, but it is possible to become infected with vaccine virus after close contact with a person who has received the nasal-spray vaccine. However, the person who contracts the virus is unlikely to have symptoms of flu because the vaccine contains viruses that are too weak. |
Did you get vaccinated this year?
Jessie Weaver-
January 30, 2012-
Has your child had a big project due at school and needed your help? How much should you step in? Do you find that the majority of school projects reflect Mom's or Dad's work more than the student's? Ouch! The truth hurts.
Why is it that we sometimes step over the boundary line and do things on our child's behalf? This tendency doesn't happen overnight. Parents often are caught in a pattern of doing things for their kids, rather than stopping to teach or coach them how to do things for themselves. The following are three guidelines for fighting this trend.
- Step back. It is OK for kids to make mistakes. We sometimes forget that trial and error can be the best part of learning. We would rather step in and make things right. Or we are living vicariously through our children and take things personally when our children make mistakes.
- Build in time for interruptions and teachable moments. Kids learn by asking questions, hands-on experimenting, and connecting new things with what they already know. We are sometimes too busy for our child's questions or to stop and teach a life skill. We have to fight packing our schedules so full that there is no time left for life's interruptions. Unfortunately, all too quickly the question "Dad, will you help me?" turns to "I can't do this! You'll have to do it."
- Place the journey together higher than the finished product. Too many times, we focus on the end product. We want our child to make the perfect project or we must have the clothes folded a certain way or we are not happy. Resist the urge to refold those clothes or make the project the way you would have done it. Life is a journey together, so enjoy the time along the way!
Have you ever had trouble with this "doing too much" boundary? How do you discern where to draw the line?
Originally posted in June 2009.
Jessie Weaver-
January 27, 2012-
Read anything great this week? Leave the link in the comments and you might see it in a future "Friday Links" post!
Added to Saturday Stumbles at Simply Staci.
20 weeks pregnant
One thing I was told before I became pregnant was that everyone seems to have something to say to an expectant mother, whether you want to hear it or not. I haven’t experienced this too much just yet, but from early on, I decided to only have a few people to go to for pregnancy advice – my mom, my sister and my doctor. Luckily, I have a mom who raised three girls and an older sister who has three great boys. I also have a doctor I trust; I’m not afraid to ask him even my most embarrassing questions.
Even though I have these “go-to” people in my life, I thought it would be fun to ask moms of all ages in my life to give me their best words of wisdom for a first-time mom. Here are some of their replies:
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It's great to read parenting books, but don't let those books take away from the most important Book - the Bible. It has all the answers, and it's authored by the One who created the life on loan to you!
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Write things down! Take pictures! You think you'll remember everything, but you don't!
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Keep in mind God gave you the ability to care for your child in the best way you know how. Trust your gut, and don't doubt your ability to do what is best.
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Enjoy each moment and milestone, because they will quickly pass that one and go to the next.
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Don’t sweat the small stuff.
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You won't have all the answers, but you have earned the right to attempt life's journey together because you bonded for nine months.
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Even when you feel unworthy, undeserving and incapable of directing your child, remember He is there guiding you.
What about you? What one word of wisdom would you pass on to a new mom-to-be?
Becky Suggs and her husband, Robert, live in the mountains of Glorieta, New Mexico, with their pug, Sadie. They are expecting their first child in April. In her spare time, you can find Becky reading, enjoying the great outdoors, filling in squares to the latest crossword puzzle, and spending time with family. She has a passion for both kids and camping ministries.
Read Becky's other journal entries: Ask and You Shall Receive, Consider It Joy, Overwhelmed, and Pregnancy Perks.
Jessie Weaver-
January 25, 2012-
In the February issue, Dr. Marianne Neifert discusses "The Use and Misuse of Rewards" (pp. 38-39). Here are a few products you might consider as you think about behavior and how you will use rewards.
Make behavior modification fun with The Ticket Store Game®. Available in both online and board game versions, the game lets parents assign tasks to children. Children who respond favorably earn tickets that accumulate and may be exchanged for tangible rewards “bought” online or home-based rewards generated by parents. Visit www.ticketstoregame.com for online pricing plans or to order the board game for $24.95.
Here’s an app version of the tried-and-true reward system used by parents and teachers for years: drop a marble into the jar each time a child demonstrates appropriate or requested behavior. When the jar is full, the child receives a predetermined reward. The Marble Jar app is appropropriate for kids ages 2-12 and is available for download to iPhone or iPad for $2.99. Try it to motivate your child to brush her teeth, get dressed, finish her dinner, or any other task that usually involves constant reminders.
Help your child make good choices and build good habits with the Portable Parenting App. Program up to four children and receive daily, weekly, and monthly reports on behavior. The app includes features for monitoring time out, providing “star stash” rewards, and a separate feature for keeping track of a child’s money. Available for iPhone and iPad, and coming soon for Android.
Do you use any tools for a rewards system?
Jessie Weaver-
January 24, 2012-
In our February issue, Chris Gonzalez writes about "The Wicked Stepmother: Three Ridiculous Myths" (pp. 30-31). Here, Chris expounds on what to do to beat those myths.
Become a contagious and irresistibly good stepmother in these ways.
- Understand that your relationship with your stepchildren is born of the loss, either by death or divorce, or their mother. You are a reality in their lives because someone else that really matters to the children is gone or has dramatically changed.
- Create realistic expectations for yourself as the stepmother. Be the loving and compassionate image of God you were created to be. Replacing the biological mother and fulfilling the stepchild’s every need is not likely to bring immediate success, if any success at all.
- Be consistent, patient, and trustworthy over time. This will earn you more points with the new stepchildren than any grand plans for being everything to them.
- Do not force, buy, or bribe your way into your stepchild’s life.
Create a new “normal” in your blended home.
Liberate yourself and recognize your success as a stepmother.
Your new husband loves you, but that love does not necessarily create any sense of obligation within his children to do the same. In fact, they may decide to hate you as a tactic to get their biological parents back together. Again, it is not necessarily you they hate, but the role you occupy. No child is born with the glorious dreams of having a stepmother. However, when reality crashes down the walls of the ideal, children often resist reality and fantasize about their idealized past.
Your sense of self and capacity for love will be challenged. In all likelihood, your investment of love for your new stepchildren will far outweigh the returns, at first. Most stepchildren grow to love their stepmothers in some way. The goal is not to replace the biological mother but rather to develop a loving relationship with clear and defined boundaries wherein all the parties know and agree to the expectations for each other. Respect for each other and allowing space for stepchildren to be stepchildren is the name of the stepmothering game.
Chris Gonzalez is a marriage and family therapist with the Better Life Counseling Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He writes a feature column for the Jonesboro Sun and gives seminars on the topics of marriage, family, and faith. Chris and his wife Gail have two children, Sierra and Canaan.
Jessie Weaver-
January 23, 2012-
In a recent survey of over 500 kindergarten teachers around the country, two-thirds of the teachers stated that the children in their classroom were unprepared for kindergarten. Two-thirds of the teachers said that the majority of students do not know their ABCs.
What can you do to prepare your child for kindergarten? Here are some suggestions from teachers.
- Actively participate in your child’s education with pre-reading and reading activities, such as reading books together and practicing the alphabet.
- Expose children to new experiences and talk with them about those experiences in order to improve their ability to speak and understand oral language and increase vocabulary.
- Practice identifying numbers and counting with both verbal and written activities.
- Work with children to identify shapes, colors, and objects in the world around them.
- Place children in social settings with other young children so that they can learn together while they also develop manners and the ability to share and be respectful.
Age of Learning, Inc., which conducted the survey, has several online games to help your kids learn and be ready for kindergarten. Access is $7.95 per month.
For free games, you might try SproutOnline.com, or learn Bible verses and ABCs at the same time with the ABC Scripture Series at Impress Your Kids.
What do you think of this survey? Is it valid?
Jessie Weaver-
January 20, 2012-
Read anything great this week? Leave the link in the comments and you might see it in a future "Friday Links" post!
Added to Saturday Stumbles at Simply Staci.
Jessie Weaver-
January 18, 2012-
Each month ParentLife pulls together a one-page document for preschool and children's leaders and teachers that highlights articles that might help families they work with. But this also is a great tool for parents!
The articles below are in our current January 2012 issue of ParentLife. Read the articles that minister to your family and pass along a copy to those who might benefit from it!
Like a Lamp Unto My Feet: Just like prayer and Bible study, Scripture memory is a critical Christian discipline. Unfortunately, it is becoming obsolete in many homes today. Teach the families three practical, everyday ways to memorize Scripture together as a family (pp. 31-33).
Sparrow Prayers: Teaching a child to pray can be as simple as learning to pray sparrow prayers—short "thank You" and "help me" prayers throughout the day. Provide parents with six simple ways to help teach their children to talk to God (p. 44).
Real Life Solutions: Tattling. Every parent or teacher has had to deal with a tattletale at some point in time. Check out these effective strategies for curbing tattletale behavior (p. 48).
Help! I'm in Debt! In today's economy, there are bound to be families in your ministry who are struggling financially. Provide them with these practical tips for digging out of debt (pp. 38-39).
Aaron Shust: Encourage families struggling with life-changing illnesses with this story of hope and learning to trust God (pp. 20-23).
Honesty Is the Best Policy: Children are great at asking difficult questions, and sometimes teachers and parents may not know the answers. Equip them with ways to handle these questions with honesty (p. 19).
50: The number of words most 2-year-olds may say. Are the teachers and volunteers in your ministry nurturing language development? (See p. 13.)
Beating Cabin Fever: Are the kids in your ministry struggling with cabin fever this winter? Provide these creative winter-fun ideas to parent and teachers in your ministry (p. 24).
To download a full-color PDF of the flyer, click on the link below.
ParentlifeEveryday_Jan.2012.pdf
William Summey-January 19, 2012-
ParentLife Online is excited to announce a new partnership each month with LifeWay’s CentriKid Camps (centrikidblog.com). Each month we will feature a guest post from the CentriKid team filled with great insights about the older children and preteens they work with every summer. We hope you will be inspired and encouraged through this new partnership!
To kick off our new partnership, we are giving away 5 copies of Organized Mass Chaos: The Official OMC Game. If you have ever been to camp, you know how amazing this game is! OMC is an action packed, large group activity perfect for any occasion with a large group of kids. Designed for kids in grades 1-6, it can be played with up to 200 kids at one time. Comes with a complete instructional DVD and 300 task cards for your VBS, Discipleship times, Summer Children's activities, or Backyard Bible Clubs.
Here’s how to enter: for a chance to win post on our site or on our FaceBook page about this new partnership with CentriKid. If you have been to CentriKID camps, tell us why you love the CentriKID experience! If you have not, tell us what you look for from a camp experience for your kids.
Want to win a free subscription to ParentLife? While you are online, check out the CentriKid blog today. They will tell you how to enter a giveaway today to win a free one year subcription to ParentLife!
You can find great info anytime about CentriKid by visiting their FaceBook page too!
So post today about camp and enter to win OMC!
Jessie Weaver-
January 17, 2012-
Julie Fidler wrote the article "Childhood Depression" in our February issue. Here, she outlines a plan of action for parents of depressed children.
Nothing is more frustrating than watching your child suffer and feeling like there is nothing you can do to ease their pain. But take heart – a parent’s supportive words and actions have more of an impact on their child’s heart than they realize. Sometimes just knowing how to tweak the little things makes all the difference.
Not sure what’s going on in your child’s heart? ASK.
Bombarding your child with “What’s wrong?” is likely to push him away rather than draw him into conversation. It may make him feel like he is being confronted instead of listened to. Try asking your child how he is feeling or make an observation. “You seem a little down today” might just open the door to some eye-opening conversation.
Keep Notes … and the Lines of Communication Open
Teachers, pastors, and other parents often see things that parents don’t. Sometimes Mom and Dad unknowingly deny there is anything wrong, just to save themselves and the family the heartache of confronting it. Ask other people who play a special role in your child’s life if they’ve noticed anything unusual or if anything concerns them.
At the same time, don’t expect others to alert you to changes in your child’s behavior or habits. Let other people know you are looking for additional insight; but ultimately, you are your child’s first line of defense, and if you do notice something unsettling about your child, take copious notes that you can review later on with a doctor or counselor. Is your child sleeping more than usual or suffering from insomnia? Is he having angry outbursts or crying for seemingly unknown reasons? Jot it down, and include dates and times.
What Goes in Must Come Out
You can’t always control what your child eats at her friends’ houses or while she is at school, but you can have relative control over what she consumes in your home. As a long-time depression sufferer myself, I will never forget when a friend and counselor told me she had never worked with a depressed client who ate enough protein. Skeptical, I began making an effort to eat more protein, and guess what? My depression improved.
It stands to reason that if a child eats mostly sugary cereals for breakfast, junk snacks during the day, and not enough fruits and vegetables in between, the result will be depression and less of an ability to be his best self. Everyone knows it’s hard to get children to smile upon a plate full of brussels sprouts, so find out what healthy foods your child likes, and add more of those things to his diet. Ask your child’s pediatrician or a knowledgeable counselor about diet and depression and change your menu accordingly.
And if you can’t convince your child to devour a single green bean, learn creative ways of disguising healthy foods. Tip: puree any vegetable imaginable and add them to spaghetti sauce!
Get the Lead Out
If your child’s life revolves around the Internet and video games, something is wrong, and you may have a starting point for dealing with his depression. Exercise can lift your child’s spirits, distract her from her troubles, and inspire a healthier lifestyle.
Making sure your kids are physically active means being a positive role model yourself … which means getting the entire family moving. You don’t have to sign the family up to run a marathon – just find a few physical activities you all enjoy. It could be something as simple as tossing a ball back and forth on a beautiful day.
Faith
Where is your child, spiritually? Do you know? Even if your family attends church every time the doors are open, that doesn’t mean your child is spiritually healthy. Depending on a child’s age, she may be questioning some of the doctrines she has heard at church, especially if she is being challenged by other kids. Be sure to continue family church attendance.
Schedule family devotional times, and be sure your child has access to an age-appropriate devotional guide and has a Bible of his own. Most of all, pray for your child often. Ask God to provide the guidance that only a Heavenly Father can give.
Julie Fidler is a freelance writer and researcher and author of Adventures in Holy Matrimony: For Better or the Absolute Worst.
Photos used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons. Click on photos for source.
Jessie Weaver-
January 16, 2012-
Every month we have a long list of products we want to share with you, but only a few can fit in the printed magazine. That's why it's so great we have this online space! Here are a few things we couldn't squeeze into the magazine this month.
Voyage with the Vikings by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker: Action is the name of the game when cousins Patrick and Beth meet real Vikings from the year 1000. The Imagination Station series highlights Christian values in a series of eight books for children ages 7 and up. Retails for $4.99.
A Mother's Guide to Praying for Your Children by Quin Sherrer: Learn to pray powerfully and effectively for your children. Retails for $12.99.
Exact Change, by Continuum Games: Begin to teach children ages 6 and up the value of a dollar with the Exact Change game. Learn how the game is played at www.continuumgames.com. Retails for $9.99.
Today I Ate a Rainbow!: This kit contains a chart, book, colorful magnets, and other goodies that can help kids want to eat a rainbow of healthy food every day. Check it out at todayiatearainbow.com. Retails for $25.
Do you have any favorite products you love to share with others? Right now my little ones are loving the VTech Sit to Stand Alphabet Train!
Jessie Weaver-
January 13, 2012-
Mark Driscoll's Family Dinner Devotions at Life Together - a step-by-step guide on having family devotions at the dinner table
Keep Them Little at Impress Your Kids - Why it's OK to let our kids be kids.
Seven Prayers a Day at Angie Smith Online - Seven scriptural prayers to pray over your kids throughout the day. Such a wonderful resource!
One of our Facebook fans offered up a link to her post Testing the Boundaries: What's a Parent To Do? A great, comprehensive, and readable post on what to do when your child decides he doesn't want to obey.
Creating Family Nights at Women Living Well
Did you read or write something you'd like our readers to see? Leave a link in the comments, on our Facebook page, or send us a Tweet!
Added to Saturday Stumbles at Simply Staci.
Jessie Weaver-
January 12, 2012-
16 weeks pregnant
I had no idea what to expect when I became pregnant. I have lots of friends and family who have had babies, but I can honestly say every day is a learning experience for me. There’s really no way to describe all of the changes going on inside and outside!
Lately, I’ve been trying to find the positives in every situation that comes my way. With pregnancy, the obvious positive is the little one growing inside! But there are also some not so fun things with this miracle – ever-changing waistlines, unsettling foods, sleeplessness, and emotional ups and downs. My husband and I are determined to find positives when these negatives seem to weigh heavily on my mind. The other day, we found something that has brought us great laughter …
Expectant mother parking! How genius is this idea? I can admit we have only found three places in a 100-mile radius with this luxury, but it’s become a running joke between us each time we pull in a parking lot. (For the life of him, he can’t figure out why there aren’t these spots in stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s!)
I’ve had some sort of job for the better part of 15 years now. I’ve never been fortunate to work for a company with employee-of-the-month parking, but it’s like I’m the employee of the month for nine whole months! In all seriousness, this is such a nice gesture towards those who are pregnant. Even if it just saves a few steps, thoughtful things like this can make my day a little brighter!
As I’ve thought a lot about this, I am reminded this is a great way to pray for expectant mothers. Next time you’re shopping and see one of these spaces occupied, pray for that mom to be. I’m sure she could use a little extra prayer in her day!Note from Jessie: Trust me, Becky, these parking spots will be MUCH more precious when you're, say, 36 weeks pregnant! Hehe. I am an even bigger fan of the "parents with small children" spots.
Becky Suggs and her husband, Robert, live in the mountains of Glorieta, New Mexico, with their pug, Sadie. They are expecting their first child in April. In her spare time, you can find Becky reading, enjoying the great outdoors, filling in squares to the latest crossword puzzle, and spending time with family. She has a passion for both kids and camping ministries.
Jessie Weaver-
January 11, 2012-
Some days, I think I might actually have this parenting thing somewhat under control. (Then something happens like I trip over the trash can lid that's on the floor and bang my baby's head onto the corner of the china cabinet, and I change my mind.)
My daughter, Libbie, who's 3, has been running a fever for the past day and a half, so we've had a lot of time at home. During a better hour this morning, I offered to let her do one of her favorite activities: paint.
"Will you paint WITH me, Mommy?" she asked sweetly, the dark circles under her big blue eyes making her look even more pathetic. I agree, and she instructs me on where I am to sit, that I need a separate page of paper, where to put the water, what colors to paint. While she makes, well, a big purple watery mess, I use half my brain to paint a simple rainbow.
As soon as she deciphers its shape, Libbie exclaims, "It's like Noah!" And I beam. Because somewhere in there with the (somewhat correct) words to "Jingle Bells" and ways to annoy her baby brother, she related rainbows with the Bible.
So while we paint, I simply retell the story of Noah's ark, illustrating my story as we go. She wants me to paint Noah and people and animals, so I craft a few flying birds and a bear with my big sponge brush. They look ridiculous, but I don't care. Because we're learning and having fun.
Being a stay-at-home mom is all about these teachable moments. They make it worth every tear, coupon, and supressed scream.
When Jessie Weaver is not busy being the resident ParentLife Blogger, she writes at Vanderbilt Wife and also for magazines like HomeLife and ParentLife. She lives in Chattanooga with her husband, where they run after two little ones: Libbie (3) and David (1).
Jessie Weaver-
January 10, 2012-
We are proud to have Dr. Linda Mintle in ParentLife each month answering questions submitted from readers. To submit a question for Dr. Mintle, e-mail it to parentlife@lifeway.com and include "? for Dr. Mintle" on the subject line. This month we have an extra Q&A from Dr. Mintle we wanted to share.
Q: Some days we are so busy, we need to eat out. We want to teach our children healthy eating habits, but it seems like the kids’ menus are not helping. We know many restaurants are adding healthy selections, but there are still a lot of fried foods with little nutrition. How can we encourage healthy eating in restaurants?
A: More restaurants are offering better choices for children because of the obesity epidemic. But for those menus that still challenge your sensibilities, try these suggestions from my book Raising Healthy Kids in an Unhealthy World.
- Ask the waiter to bring water right away and skip the sugar drinks.
- Tell the waiter to skip the crackers and bread — too many calories before the meal even begins. Occupy children with games instead.
- Order a salad or vegetable instead of fries—ask for substitutions if necessary.
- Check out appetizers or split meals from the adult menu if the child options are unhealthy.
- Encourage your child to stop eating when full and wrap up the rest for a snack later.
- On sandwiches, try mustard, vegetables, or salsa instead of mayo.
- Go to the salad bar and choose low-fat dressings, fruit, and vegetables.
- Order fresh fruit for dessert.
And always remember that you model healthy eating by your choices!
How do you make good choices when eating out?
Jessie Weaver-
January 9, 2012-
One of our new monthly features will be Trends & Truth by Mike Nappa. Here's the first installment. Enjoy!
"Test everything. Hold on to the good."
―1 Thessalonians 5:21
Welcome to “Trends & Truth Online”―exploring pop culture from a parent’s perspective. In this month’s blog we tackle a few questions from parents.
Q: Dear T&T―I keep hearing that the digital revolution is taking over. What does that mean for my kids?
A: The short answer is this: Whereas digital movies, books, TV shows, music and games are relatively new to you, for your children they’re all just a normal part of life.
Today, entertainment media is ever-present on computers, cell phones, e-readers, and video game consoles. That means your children are growing up in a world where everything they want is available digitally―and they’re going online to get it. In fact:
- Among kids aged 2 to 14, digital downloads account for 21 cents of every dollar spent on entertainment.
- About 50% of American children have downloaded their first digital content by age 7.
- Over half of American kids ages 2 to 14 use Netflix and Hulu Plus subscription services to download TV shows and movies.
“Instant gratification afforded by downloading content is alluring to [kids],” says Anita Frazier, an analyst with the NPD Group. And the massive scope and availability of digital content in a “broadband home” makes downloading entertainment something that’s very “normal” for children today―your kids included.
Q: Hey T&T―I love to share funny YouTube videos with my family, but it’s a pain for us all to gather around my laptop for viewing. Any suggestions?
A. Probably the easiest way for your whole family to watch the latest dancing cat video is through your family’s gaming console. By connecting to the Internet via your Sony Playstation 3 or Microsoft Xbox 360, you can easily view YouTube chuckles on your big-screen TV. In fact, according to recent reports, Playstation and Xbox are the #1 “devices that U.S. consumers use to watch online video content on the television.”
So, commandeer the console, and enjoy!
Have a pop culture question for Trends & Truth? Email it to parentlife@lifeway.com!
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Mike Nappa is a bestselling author, a noted commentator on pop culture, and founder of the website for parents, FamilyFans.com.
Photo used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons. Click on photo for source.
Jessie Weaver-
January 4, 2012-
In our December issue, pages 40 through 42 talked all about finding a new pet. Here, Kristen White tells us about hot to determine whether you want to BUY or ADOPT your furry (or not!) friend.
If you know your family is ready to bring a pet into your home, you’ll have to decide how to find your furry (or feathery or shelled or bubbling) friend.
Pet stores may be the only place available in your vicinity for certain kinds of pets. When buying from a pet store, assure how the pets have been cared for prior to purchase and what kind of warranty comes with them. If your son is willing to fork out more than $100 for an aquarium and all the set-up costs, you want to be assured his turtle or lizard will live longer than a month!
In general, the best place to find a dog or cat is your local animal shelter. In the United States, 3.7 million animals are euthanized every year because of overpopulation. That’s 800 every minute! Your family may be able to help alleviate this sad situation. Some shelters allow a trial period; inquire about policies at the shelter or humane society in your community.
If your family is interested in an American Kennel Club (AKC) registered dog or specialty breed of cat, in most cases it is better to purchase the pet directly from the breeder. That way, you can meet the mother (and perhaps father) of your pet, see the conditions in which she was raised, and ask questions. Responsible breeders will provide a health certificate from a veterinarian showing proof of vaccinations, worming, and a general exam. Many maintain a policy to take the animal back if there is a problem.
Did any of our readers get a new pet for Christmas? How did you make the decision on what to buy and where to get him or her?
Photo used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons. Click on photo for source.
Jessie Weaver-
January 6, 2012-
Stuff Stealers at Lysa TerKeurst - What stuff is stealiing time/money/anything from you?
Experiments in Empathy by Elizabeth Esther at World Vision Blog
Love Is ... at For Better and Worse - An interesting look at how the Bible defines love. Are you loving your spouse like that?
Are You Full? Or Did Christmas Let You Down Again? at Learning My Lines
25 Rules for Mothers of Sons at Team Studer
Did you read or write anything excellent this week? Please leave the link in the comments so we can add it to our Friday links next week!
Added to Saturday Stumbles at Simply Staci.
Jessie Weaver-
January 2, 2012-
The winner of the YakPak Student Backpack is:
Lisa Roper
The five winners of Penny Love are:
Amy Hallagin
Tricia Gray
Jamie Sprague
Jamie mullen
Sallie E.
Congratulations, winners! We'll be in touch by e-mail soon.
Jessie Weaver-
January 3, 2012-
Carey Casey, our Dad's Life writer, is also the CEO of the National Center for Fathering. He brought it to our attention that they are sponsoring a giveaway for two tickets to this year's SuperBowl - the #1 Football Dad Contest.
Their publicity article states:
The contest is part of the nonprofit’s initiative to reverse a trend of fatherlessness, said Carey Casey, the National Center for Fathering’s CEO.
“We have a crisis in this country: Our children have a critical shortage of heroic fathers and father-figures,” said Casey, adding that the dangerous trend is negatively impacting teenage pregnancy rates, drug abuse, mental and physical health problems, and poverty.
The giveaway is an opportunity to reward heroic fathering and raise awareness about the Center’s mission, said Carey. To enter the contest, a father will be asked to film a 60-second-or-less video explaining:
1) Why he is a great father or father figure;
2) Why his son or daughter is the ultimate football fanatic; and
3) Why he deserves to take his son or daughter to the Super Bowl.
Contestants will then upload the videos to YouTube and post them on the Fathers.com Facebook page (www.facebook.com/NCF4dads). The public will vote for the videos between January 16 and January 20. On January 21, three judges will select a winner from the top three vote-getting videos. The winner will receive two tickets to the Super Bowl: one for him, and one for a child of his choice.
That would sure be the trip of a lifetime for a kid and his or her dad! Let us know if you decide to enter so we can vote for you! You can find more information and e-mail for details from the Fathers.com Facebook Page.
