It seems that more and more pesticides are becoming part of the problem: linked to growth development, illness, and now proven to be correlated to ADHD, they’re bad. What becomes more problematic, however, is when one considers just how many “kid-friendly” foods are on the Dirty Dozen list, like strawberries, blueberries, and celery. The blogger points out that there is no one formula for ADHD and to avoid food with toxins may not necessarily prevent ADHD all together – studies like this cannot be performed on groups of children since a variety of factors influence ADHD, including genes and exposure to lead and cigarette smoke. Further, exactly how the organophosphates compounds (the pesticide) are linked to the disorder remains unclear, but in a study of 1,139 children, researchers found that the number of children with ADHD rose with higher levels of pesticide breakdown products.

Organophosphates, of which there are 40 kinds used as pesticides in the US, were first developed for chemical warfare. Though organic produce may be out of your budget — and it certainly is out of mine! — it’s best to look for ways to avoid pesticides however you can.

What’s most important is to remember to always wash your produce, regardless of how clean it may look.

For more information on the study, click here.

Recent studies now question just how Facebook, MySpace, and other competing social networking sites can benefit – not harm – your teen’s development. It seems that Facebook and MySpace have bred a more well-adjusted population of adolescents. Contrary to popular belief, most teens are not friends with large numbers of strangers and use the websites to keep in touch with distant friends or maintain relationships outside of the classroom or off the field. In fact, the use of social media may be helping teens “shape their own identities,” according to a recent LA Times article. Now that Facebook has opened itself up to people of all ages, allowing parents and adults to join networks based on region as well as profession, parents are able to monitor their children’s use of the sites simply by adding them as a friend. In this way, parents have a bit of insight as to whether their children would be likely to throw themselves into harm’s way.

According to the Digital Youth Project, “Most youth use online networks to extend the friendships that they navigate in the familiar contexts of school, religious organizations, sports, and other local activities.” It also notes that social media allows for interaction based on interest, hence the reason for joining a group on Facebook or joining a social network designed primarily for athletes. Social media gives a new meaning to friendships and allows for a casual, comfortable place where teens can express themselves. Flirtatious comments left on a friend’s “wall” will be seen by others, and in a way, can be thought of as a means of self-protection. In a way, the same school yard tensions and cliques can develop, but really, the only reason it seems frightening is that it’s not as clear cut as it was when my parents were children. Instead of the football players on one side of the lunchroom and the Mathletes on the other, it’s done digitally, often times reinforcing these boundaries but also reinforcing the connection these kids feel with one another. As a high school debater, I loved finding groups on Facebook where my debate peers came together to celebrate our tournaments and the activity; it gave me a sense of home and a really strong sense of community.

What’s most important is just that teens (and parents) use these networks for constructive purposes. Cyber-bullying, sexting, and other forms of harassment are always a threat, but I feel like that is because most people fail to educate themselves of the legality and seriousness behind it. Like a threatening phone call, a threatening email can be held against you. Once your teen is made aware of these facts, all fears should subside.

Do you let your kids use Facebook? If not, why? I’d love to hear your feedback!

For more information on the Digital Youth Project or to read the original LA Times article please click here.

After doing a bit of research I found one quote that I really like and relate to: “Don’t be surprised if your adolescent reminds you of your two year old because some of the same issues of identity, of ‘who am I?’ are being worked out all over again. No longer children, not yet adults, not happy to be defined by family members, adolescence can be a lonely time for some.”

Parents need not fret, it’s not like 14 lasts forever. Rather, they should encourage their children to get involved in sports and other activities at an early age. Activities such as yoga or group sports may help release a bit of the early teen angst and will at least get the kids out of the house.

In a country as big as ours, it’s hard to establish a consistent norm at the grassroots level, and truthfully, the only way children will learn healthy habits is from their families and their community. As any parent or teacher knows, its even harder to get kids to eat anything that looks remotely healthy. My mother has to put a little sugar on spinach in order for my 7-year-old sister to even pick up the fork. It’s a stress in any location, but the trick is to teach these habits early on so it doesn’t become such a battle in the future.

School lunches typically consist of frozen hamburgers, pizzas, and deli sandwiches. Cafeteria cookies are almost always a hit and chocolate milk was a staple. Tight budgets called for these quick, readily made meals and only now are we seeing the effects; between high calorie intake and limited time spent participating in physical activity, school lunches have allowed for the steady increase in obesity. As Let’s Move notes, we have to combat obesity with a double edged sword.  Schools need to provide suitable meals and increase physical education emphasis, and perhaps place more emphasis on nutrition in Health classes, which normally just teach Sex Ed.

It’s not impossible to change school menus, it just takes a bit of trial and error, as we’ve seen with Revolution Foods, a company which visits school districts to make nutritious and appetizing school lunches. Seems kids will eat anything with a side of ranch dressing or if the color is just right. Further, Let’s Move will help provide schools with resources to make the necessary changes. Sample wellness plans, menus, and programs are available now. Local education administrators are not alone.

Now that summer is here, take the time to take your kids to the local farmer’s market to show them all kinds of local produce and spend some time outside, riding a bike, going for a walk, or playing frisbee. If your family does any other kind of regular physical activity together, please feel free to share it with us.

For more information on Let’s Move!, please visit: www.letsmove.gov

- Autism affects 1 out of 110 children, and 1 out of 70 boys. These numbers are expected to increase 10-17% in coming years.
- Autism is the word used to describe the group of brain developmental disorders, called Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), and includes Asperger’s syndrome and Rett syndrome. We often just refer to these as Autism Spectrum Disorders.
- Every child is affected differently. Not every symptom is present in each case.
- Symptoms include communication difficulties, sensory integration disfunction (SID), social difficulties, repetitive behaviors, and in some cases, seizures.
- Causes for the disorder remain unclear, however, doctors agree that it is biological.
– There is no known cure.

Take the time to read up on Autism and become more informed, and continue to spread awareness, especially if one of your loved ones is autistic. Parents with autistic children are often criticized in public if their children act out; they aren’t bad parents, they’re just struggling to put together a jigsaw puzzle whose pieces don’t match as of yet.

For more information or to get involved, check out Autism Speaks, http://www.autismspeaks.org/index.php.

My favorite entry:

4.  Good grades are expected and help around the house is simply the price of family life.

Nice to see the WSJ point out, in an article about money, that not everything should be about money. Check out the full list here–seems like a good refresher course for some adults too.

Well, maybe not always. Last month, air traffic controllers at JFK airport allowed a child to make transmissions to pilots. But what started as fun-and-games has quickly turned into a serious investigation. Click here for the AP story via Yahoo.

Drop-side cribs branded Stork Craft (sold Jan. 1993 – Oct. 2009) Fisher-Price (sold Oct. 1997 – Dec. 2004) have been voluntarily recalled due to the possibility of the drop-side become detached and the infant entrapped.

Please check the recall notice to see if your crib is affected (cribs with fixed sides are not included in the recall), and contact Stork Craft for a repair kit.