ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com/media/feedlogo.gif ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Christie Brinkley - Concerned mom or interfering ex?http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/christie-brinkley-concerned-mom-or-interfering-ex/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/christie-brinkley-concerned-mom-or-interfering-ex/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/christie-brinkley-concerned-mom-or-interfering-ex/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Christie BrinkleyKnowing that his recent 20/20 interview discussing his divorce would hurt their kids, Peter Cook and Christie Brinkley did the smart thing and got their kids out of town the night it aired. (Though one could argue that it isn't smart to air your dirty laundry in public in the first place). But before he could leave, his method of transportation caused an even bigger ruckus.

As Peter was planning to put his children on a single engine airplane, his daughter Sailor, 10, reportedly called mom Christie Brinkley in tears, because she was afraid to board the plane. Christie survived a 1994 helicopter crash and now always flies her family in bigger aircraft. Christie allegedly called the police, attempting to stop the plane from taking off with the kids on board, even offering to pay for a flight on a larger plane.

Because Peter wasn't doing anything technically illegal, the family was allowed to continue on with their trip. According to a source from the Cook camp, "They left and had a wonderful flight." Peter is trying to spin the incident as just another opportunity for Christie to interfere with his time with the kids. But sources close to Christie say that this has always been a family rule, and that as sole custodial parent, she has the right to make that decision.

Just another celebrity couple reminding us that divorce is never easy, but that a Hollywood divorce comes with it's own set of problems. What do you think?

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]]>airplaneChristie BrinkleyChristieBrinkleycustodydivorceexpire-images2009-10-13Peter CookPeterCookpoliceBethany SandersMon, 13 Oct 2008 16:00:00 ESTEconomic crisis means more babieshttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/economic-crisis-means-more-babies/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/economic-crisis-means-more-babies/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/economic-crisis-means-more-babies/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It is hard to find anything good to say about the economic crisis that has gripped not just the United States, but much of the world. People are losing their retirement savings, their jobs, their homes, their sense of security. Many of us have altered our normal spending habits and instead of going out to dinner or a movie, we stay home and find something else to do. Apparently in Britain, that 'something else' is sex. And according to some, this at-home recreation is having an impact on the sales maternity clothes, pregnancy tests, and sex toys (not necessarily in that order).

While many businesses are downsizing and wondering just how they will survive, those who specialize in sex-related merchandise are experiencing a boom. Pharmacies report a 20% increase in the sales of pregnancy tests and one chain selling maternity wear boasts of a 46% increase. As Miranda Levy, editor of Mother & Baby Magazine, points out: "What's cheaper and more fun than making babies?

Making babies with the help of sex toys, that's what! One online sex toy shop claims to have experienced a 27% increase in sales since the economy began melting down. "We are gobsmacked by the upturn in sales, while everyone else seems to be suffering. We've especially noticed the rise in sales of couples' toys, showing that people are buying for play with their partners," said Monique Carty, a spokesperson for the store.

I think it is great that couples are rekindling their romance in these times of trouble. But in about nine months, those who end up shopping in the maternity stores are going to find that staying home and having sex is a play now, pay later kind of fun. Ultimately, dinner and a movie would have been much cheaper.

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]]>babiescoupleseconomic downturnEconomicDownturnfinancial crisisFinancialCrisislovematernity clothesMaternityClothesmoneyparentspregnancypregnancy testPregnancyTestpregnantsaving moneySavingMoneysexsex toysSexToysSandy MapleMon, 13 Oct 2008 15:00:00 ESTDrop-off trick-or-treatinghttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/drop-off-trick-or-treating/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/drop-off-trick-or-treating/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/drop-off-trick-or-treating/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

plastic pumpkin Across the country, kids are gearing up for the one holiday when it is socially acceptable to ask perfect strangers for candy, and some people are scouting out locations that might offer a better selection for their little ghosts and goblins.

Residents in some cities and neighborhoods across the country complain that on Halloween eve, minivans full of kids from other locations will show up on their street and expel gaggles of ghouls looking for high-quality treats. Some websites even go so far as to publish the best locations in town.

Just what makes a neighborhood prime trick-or-treating real estate? Thickly settled, well-lit streets with plenty of porch lights glowing, and low automobile traffic, well as a high ratio of homes decked out in Halloween finery. Perception doesn't hurt, either -- neighborhoods with a reputation for wealth are more likely to draw visitors from other areas.

Just how acceptable is it to engage in drive-by trick-or-treating? It depends on which side of the street you're on. Those in popular locations grumble that parents are looking for a way get "better pickings" for their kids, without having to reciprocate, while others claim it is a matter of safety. Imagine what it's like for parents of kids who live in Chicago's notorious public housing, for example.

What do you think? Would you drop your child off in a "better" neighborhood on Halloween, or do you find the practice obnoxious and greedy?

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]]>halloweenhalloween2008holidaysparentingtrick or treattrick-or-treatTrickOrTreatAmy HatchMon, 13 Oct 2008 14:00:00 ESTCutting back by cutting children's hair at homehttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/cutting-back-by-cutting-childrens-hair-at-home/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/cutting-back-by-cutting-childrens-hair-at-home/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/cutting-back-by-cutting-childrens-hair-at-home/#commentsFiled under:

scissorsMy girls need a haircut, both of them. But we're cutting back, and paying $14 a piece for a trim just doesn't make much sense. And so tomorrow I'll pull out my scissors and try my hand at it. Keep in mind that the last time I did this, the hairstylist who corrected my attempt had to show at least two of her co-workers, because she just couldn't get over what a terrible job I did.

So. Yeah.

Today, I decided to do a little research. WikiHow advised me to gather my materials ahead of time, including a fine-tooth comb, spray bottle with water, sharp scissors, and possibly a DVD to keep wiggly kids busy while I try to avoid ruining their hair forever. But after reading their detailed directions, I'm daunted by the idea of "sectioning." I tried a couple other websites and watched a few videos, and ... well ... I'm feeling a little less confident. How do I get my kindergartner's bob to curl under in that cute way that it does?

So, plan B. I've decided that if I just trim their bangs, they can get by another month without haircuts. In fact, HGTV has some good advice for making bangs look more natural, rather than a straight (or in my case, somewhat uneven) line across the forehead. As for the rest, I'll leave the styling to the stylist.

Are you braver than me when it comes to cutting your own kids' hair? Share your tips with us!

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]]>at homeAtHomecutting childrens haircutting childs haircutting haircutting kids hairCuttingChildrensHairCuttingChildsHairCuttingHairCuttingKidsHairfrugalhaircutsaving moneySavingMoneyBethany SandersMon, 13 Oct 2008 13:00:00 ESTImage of the Day - Decisionshttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/image-of-the-day-decisions/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/image-of-the-day-decisions/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/image-of-the-day-decisions/#commentsFiled under:



Which one will it be? Looks like this little one might need some help from her parents! Thanks to markpuhl for this colorful photo of the season.

If you'd like your own picture featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr Pool - We'll highlight an image every day. Remember: we're on the lookout for shots with interesting backgrounds, cool angles, or original composition. Be sure to read the intro on our main Flickr page for more information and limit your uploading to 5 photos per day.

Have a particularly great Halloween photo to share? We're assembling a reader gallery of Cute Costumed Kids -- share your photos in our Flickr pool and check AOL Living's new Holiday Hub starting October 17 to see the full package!

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]]>Sarah JamesMon, 13 Oct 2008 12:00:00 ESTPostpartum depression strikes dads, toohttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/postpartum-depression-strikes-dads-too/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/postpartum-depression-strikes-dads-too/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/postpartum-depression-strikes-dads-too/#commentsFiled under: , ,

dad with babyThanks to widespread attention from the media and the medical establishment, we're all aware of the risk of postpartum depression. We know what to watch for in ourselves and in our girlfriends after the baby comes, and we know how important it is to get help before the "baby blues" turn into something more serious.

But it's not just new moms who are at risk -- new dads can suffer from postpartum depression, too. And it may be more common than you would imagine. According to Will Courtenay, a San Francisco, California-based psychotherapist, and a leading expert on paternal postpartum depression, "Each day in the U.S., 1,000 new dads become depressed, and according to some studies that number is as high as 3,000. That's as many as one in four news dads who become depressed."

While a variety of factors can trigger postpartum depression in new dads, there are things to watch for: dads of high-need babies (with colic, for example) may be at more risk, as will the partners of women who are prone to depression. And of course any parent with a history of depression prior to the birth of a baby should be prepared for a return of the depression once the baby arrives.

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]]>daddaddydadspostpartumpostpartum depressionpostpartumbodypostpartumdepressionpostpartumtreatmentSusan WagnerMon, 13 Oct 2008 11:00:00 ESTHealthier Halloween treatshttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/healthier-halloween-treats/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/healthier-halloween-treats/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/healthier-halloween-treats/#commentsFiled under: ,

candy cornMy husband and I share the personal opinion that we're doing our kids a favor by eating their Halloween candy at night. After all, they don't need the sugar, right? Of course, neither do we, but we don't usually acknowledge that fact while fighting over the last mini-Snickers bar.

If our neighbors start handing out treats like those suggested in this gallery from Forbes, there wouldn't be any arguments, because there wouldn't be anything good to fight over. But these treats are healthier for kids, so they're worth taking a look at. For instance, Forbes recommends avoiding:
  • sticky candy, like caramels
  • snack cakes
  • full-sized candy bars

Continue reading Healthier Halloween treats

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]]>candyhalloween candyhalloween08halloween2008HalloweenCandyhealthy halloween treatsHealthyHalloweenTreatsnutritiontrick or treatTrickOrTreatBethany SandersMon, 13 Oct 2008 10:00:00 ESTBoys are no bargainhttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/time-out-boys-are-no-bargain/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/time-out-boys-are-no-bargain/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/time-out-boys-are-no-bargain/#commentsTime Out

For some reason, when out and about with my sons, strangers feel inclined to either warn me about how much trouble the future holds ("All boys?! I don't envy YOU!") or how very fortunate I am to have offspring that won't get all hormonal and pissy every four weeks. I assume parents of girls experience the same thing ("All girls? Whew, no jock straps or foot funk for you, lucky thing!") and I've have never given much thought to these infoprophecies. But there was one I did buy into-that having boys is less expensive than girls.

It starts early on. For every five racks of lacy pink apparel in a children's store, there is one row of blue clothing embellished with either a dinosaur, a vehicle, or some type of ball. Sometimes all three! Boys don't wear tights or ruffle panties, need matching headbands or shoes every color of the rainbow so parents spend way less on accessories. And according to the old rules, other than the rehearsal dinner and booze at the reception, the groom's parents definitely had a sweetheart when it came to paying for weddings. Being all modern and progressive, we'll pay for half the wedding expenses (provided the bride stealing my baby boy is not a total hag, of course.)

However, having just experienced our first high school homecoming formal as parents, I'm starting to rethink the whole boys-are-bargains myth.

Renting the tuxedo was our first clue that this would be a night our VISA card would remember. We had rented cars in the past for less than one night of being a sharp dressed man cost! Savvy shopper high school girls found adorable dresses on sale (or at consignment shops or Ebay) that they own and can wear again. Point for girls.

Then there were the flowers. The single rose boutonniere that no one knows how to attach to a lapel anymore -$8 plus tax. A lovely wristlet of baby roses for a lovely wrist- $25. Again, point for the girls.

Guys (or rather, the guys' parents) are in charge of paying for tickets for the dance, dinner for two, gassing and cleaning the car, while girls' expenses include a hair appointment, manicure, pedicure, and new shoes.

Assuming the boys attended every formal from sophomore year on, we'll have paid the expenses for 12 Homecomings and 4 Senior Proms. Suddenly those antiquated wedding payment plans don't seem quite as lopsided-the parents of boys have pre-paid in high school!

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]]>Angie FeltonMon, 13 Oct 2008 09:00:00 ESTClassic trousers for work AND playhttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/classic-trousers-for-work-and-play/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/classic-trousers-for-work-and-play/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/13/classic-trousers-for-work-and-play/#commentsFiled under: ,

Mom|Style

Working moms have to do a lot during the day; there's the work stuff (meetings and sales calls and paperwork) and the mom stuff (car pool and soccer practice and homework). And then there's all the other stuff that needs to get done -- laundry and groceries and dinner and bedtime stories.

Your working mom wardrobe shouldn't be split into WORK clothes and MOM clothes; there's no reason you can't wear the same pair of pants to a meeting and to a soccer game. Look for classic cuts and washable fabrics; shop for pants in neutral colors that will work with everything else in your closet. But don't be afraid of pattern -- a great plaid or tweed pant is can be versatile and fun.

We've found five pairs of pants that can go from a meeting to the park with ease; it all depends on how you wear them. Take a look and think about retiring your Mom Jeans and replacing them with something a little more chic and grown up -- and a little more professional.

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]]>mom-stylemom-uniformSusan WagnerMon, 13 Oct 2008 08:00:00 ESTLisa Marie Presley gives birthhttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/12/lisa-marie-presley-gives-birth/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/12/lisa-marie-presley-gives-birth/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/12/lisa-marie-presley-gives-birth/#commentsFiled under: , ,

lisa marie presleyConsidering the grief that Lisa Marie Presley got before she announced her pregnancy last March, I don't blame her one bit for keeping quiet about giving birth. But the word is out now and her publicist confirms that Elvis Presley's only child is a mom again. She and her husband Michael Lockwood welcomed their twin girls this past Tuesday and according to that publicist, "babies and mom are happy and healthy and resting at home."

The girls names have not been revealed, but we do know that they arrived via C-section, one weighing in at 5 pounds, 15 ounces and the other at 5 pounds, 2 ounces.

The babies make three and four for Presley, who has two teenage children from her first marriage to Danny Keough - 19-year-old Danielle Riley, and 15-year-old Benjamin Storm.

Congratulations to Presley and Lockwood!

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]]>babiesbirthcelebrity birthcelebrity momCelebrityBirthCelebrityMomelvis presleyElvisPresleylisa marie presleyLisaMariePresleySandy MapleSun, 12 Oct 2008 14:00:00 ESTAndrew Lloyd Webber's kids won't inherit his moneyhttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/12/andrew-lloyd-webbers-kids-wont-inherit-his-money/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/12/andrew-lloyd-webbers-kids-wont-inherit-his-money/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/12/andrew-lloyd-webbers-kids-wont-inherit-his-money/#commentsFiled under: , ,


(Think that's bad? Click the photo to check out the Top 10 Most Controversial Celebrity Dads)

When your dad is worth $750 million, you might expect to never have to worry about money again. But Andrew Lloyd Webber's kids aren't getting a free pass from their dad. In a recent interview Webber revealed that he doesn't plan on giving his fortune to his kids when he dies.

Instead, the king of musicals will likely be donating the money toward helping kids around the world succeed in the arts. "(A will) is one thing you do start to think about when you get to my age. I don't think it should be about having a whole load of rich children and grandchildren. I think it should be used as a way to encourage the arts."

Webber acknowledges that since his wife Madeleine will likely outlive him, it'll be up to her to decide exactly how the money is spent and the company is run. And while kids Imogen, 31, Nicholas, 29, Alastair, 16, William, 15, and Isabella, 12, won't be inheriting their dad's giant fortune, Webber says they'll be taken care of nonetheless.

Gallery: Most Controversial Celebrity Dads

Alec BaldwinBilly Ray CyrusMel GibsonDavid HasslehoffWoody Allen


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]]>Andrew Lloyd WebberAndrewLloydWebberartsdonateexpire-images2009-10-6fortuneinheritkidsmoneyBethany SandersSun, 12 Oct 2008 13:00:00 ESTGoogle's Street View puts children in danger?http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/12/googles-street-view-puts-children-in-danger/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/12/googles-street-view-puts-children-in-danger/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/12/googles-street-view-puts-children-in-danger/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

street viewThanks to Google's Street View, anyone with an Internet connection can virtually tour the streets of cities across the United States. The tool allows you to see 360° images of neighborhoods just as if you were driving down that very street. It's a unique way to get an up-close and personal look at places like Times Square in New York and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. But Street View also lets users get up-close and personal looks at homes, schools and playgrounds. And those views, says a children's advocacy group, put kids at risk.

Stop Internet Predators has asked Google to remove the city of Pittsburgh from Street View because they say that images showing kids, toys and family cars make it easier for pedophiles to find potential victims. A spokesperson for Google says they have a process in which users may request certain images be blurred or removed from Street View, but Stop Internet Predators executive Director Stacie Rumenap says that isn't good enough.

"We want parents to have the opportunity to safeguard their children and for them to have the level of privacy and security they deserve," she said. "Our children's safety should always be the No. 1 concern when allowing a new technology to come into our neighborhoods, and putting the burden on parents to opt out of the system seems unacceptable."

Although Rumenap acknowledges that there have been no crimes against children attributed to Street View, she still thinks it should go offline until all images that might identify where children live, study or play are removed. I am not sure how this could realistically be accomplished, but Rumenap's group is actively pursuing that goal in several other cities as well. I've never used Street View for anything other than wasting time online and wouldn't care one way or the other if it went away. But does showing actual images of schools, playgrounds and homes really put children at higher risk of being victimized? Or is this just pedophile paranoia?

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]]>childrengoogle street viewGoogleStreetViewkidsonline predatorsOnlinePredatorspedophilepedophilespedophilesonlineplaygroundssafetyschoolsstacie rumenapStacieRumenapstop internet predatorsStopInternetPredatorsstreet viewStreetViewSandy MapleSun, 12 Oct 2008 12:00:00 ESTAn alternative to spankinghttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/12/an-alternative-to-spanking/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/12/an-alternative-to-spanking/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/12/an-alternative-to-spanking/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A woman administering a spanking, from a 1903 issue of Vanity Fair magazineThe spanking debate has been duked out repeatedly and will probably continue to be waged so long as people keep having kids. There was the California lawmaker who tried to ban it, but it seems that folks around here see it overwhelmingly as discipline rather than abuse. Me, I'm against it, but that's mostly because I'm very anti-violence.

Cathy Sorbo, a Seattle, Washington stand-up comedienne and mother, is on the non-spanking side as well and has written a column for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer on the matter after a woman was arrested for abandoning her newborn baby near a church in the middle of the night. More than just opposing spanking, Sorbo offers an alternative: tickling.

"You can carefully and skillfully overpower your child and inflict torture in a dominant fashion," she explains, "but instead of crying and fear, you will elicit shrieks of laughter." She notes, also, that there are disciplinary advantages too -- "you'll find your child to be more receptive to your concerns after you have both had a good giggle."

I don't know how effective a method of discipline tickling would turn out to be, but it sure seems a lot healthier and happier than spanking. As Sorbo says, "Laughter is healing. Spanking is not."

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]]>disciplinepunishpunishmentspankingtickleticklingRoger SinasohnSun, 12 Oct 2008 11:00:00 ESTChristian Slater gets GED to set an example for his kidshttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/12/christian-slater-gets-ged-to-set-an-example-for-his-kids/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/12/christian-slater-gets-ged-to-set-an-example-for-his-kids/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/12/christian-slater-gets-ged-to-set-an-example-for-his-kids/#commentsFiled under:


(Smart move! Click the photo to see the Top 12 Brainy Celebs)

Did you know Christian Slater was a high school dropout? Neither did I. But though the actor of two might not need that diploma to round out his resume anymore, he recently went back to school -- to bone up on academics for the GED test. His inspiration? His children Jaden, 9, and Eliana, 7. "High school was not something that I remotely took seriously, and now I have these kids" he told Parade magazine. "I obviously care for them to get an education, and I want them to take it seriously, so I am going to have to do something."

Christian passed the test, though he claims to have just squeaked by in his most feared subject, math. He told Parade that his children make him want to improve himself. "I wanted to be able to look them in the eye and feel they were looking into the eyes of somebody who was making an effort to take care of himself and be a better person."

That's a pretty profound statement from a dad who obviously takes his job as a parent very seriously. What about you? Has being a parent inspired you to make changes for the better in your life?

Gallery: 12 Super-Smart Celebs

Jodi FosterMatt DamonClaire DanesNatalie PortmanAlicia Keys

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]]>Christian SlaterChristianSlaterdadeducationexpire-images2009-10-12GEDhigh school drop outHighSchoolDropOutparentingself improvementSelfImprovementBethany SandersSun, 12 Oct 2008 10:00:00 ESTWe need girls to be good at mathhttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/11/we-need-girls-to-be-good-at-math/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/11/we-need-girls-to-be-good-at-math/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/11/we-need-girls-to-be-good-at-math/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In this country, sadly, we don't encourage advanced studies anywhere near as much as we should. In fact, it seems almost the opposite -- those who are passionate about hard science are the target of ridicule at best and victims of institutionalized physical abuse at the worst. And yet, while the stars of track and field can go on to become lawyers and own car dealerships, it is the nerds of the world that seem to make the difference -- people like Bill Gates and Steve Wozniak and, yes, Grace Hopper.

But can we afford this culture of anti-science where the brightest students are stuffed into lockers just for being smart? According to scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, we cannot. And when it comes to girls, doubly not. "It is deemed uncool," the researchers wrote, "within the social context of USA middle and high schools to do mathematics for fun; doing so can lead to social ostracism. Consequently, gifted girls, even more so than boys, usually camouflage their mathematical talent to fit in well with their peers."

The problem is that "a majority of the top young mathematicians in this country were not born here," says Janet Mertz, the professor who led the study. "We are wasting this valuable resource," Mertz noted. "Girls can excel in math at the very highest level. There are some truly phenomenal women mathematicians out there."

She's right, of course. Since men are no longer banging women on the head and dragging them back to their caves, we need every great scientific mind we can get, regardless of what type of body it might be in.

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]]>educationgirlgirlsmathmathematicsscienceRoger SinasohnSat, 11 Oct 2008 16:00:00 ESTYO-YO amusement rides shut down for inspectionshttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/11/yo-yo-amusement-rides-shut-down-for-inspections/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/11/yo-yo-amusement-rides-shut-down-for-inspections/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/11/yo-yo-amusement-rides-shut-down-for-inspections/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

yo-yo rideIf you are heading out to a fair or amusement park this weekend, don't be surprised to find the YO-YO ride closed. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Chance Rides Manufacturing Inc. have closed down about 85 of the rides in order to inspect and repair them. This action was brought about by two incidents in which children and adults were injured when the sweep arms suspending the circular swinging chairs broke free from the ride's center rod. Yikes!

Chance Rides is offering ride owners and state safety officials inspection and repair kits and has also created new inspection and maintenance guidelines for the rides. CPSC has jurisdiction over amusement rides, but state and local officials are responsible for inspections and oversight.

For more information about which states have amusement ride inspection programs and which agencies carry out those responsibilities, CPSC has published a Directory of State Amusement Ride Safety Officials which can be downloaded in PDF format from the CPSC Website.

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]]>amusementamusement parkamusement park ridesAmusementParkAmusementParkRideschance ridesChanceRidescpscfairspark ridesParkRidesparkssafety recallSafetyRecallyoyo ride recallYoyoRideRecallSandy MapleSat, 11 Oct 2008 15:00:00 ESTTeen facing porn charges for taking nude pics of herselfhttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/11/teen-facing-porn-charges-for-taking-nude-pics-of-herself/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/11/teen-facing-porn-charges-for-taking-nude-pics-of-herself/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/11/teen-facing-porn-charges-for-taking-nude-pics-of-herself/#commentsFiled under: ,

cell phoneWhat were you thinking? If you're a parent of a teen, you may have found yourself asking this question more than once. According to recent research, if a teen answered the question honestly, they might says, "I wasn't." Experts say that a teen's risky behavior often has little thought behind it at all.

Which makes the fact that teens often have free reign over technology a little scary. Take the new trend of teens taking naked pictures of themselves or others and either sending them to friends or posting them on the Internet. What a lot of these kids may not realize, as their parents do, is that once a picture is on the Internet, it has the potential to exist forever.

One 15-year-old girl is learning that lesson the hard way. She took naked pictures of herself, then sent them off to classmates. If she was looking for attention, she got it. Authorities recently charged her with illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented materials, and she could even be named a sex offender. The students who received her photos may face charges as well, since the photos are considered child pornography.

Authorities say that the practice is ballooning and that kids don't realize how much trouble they can get themselves into, not to mention others. A field hockey coach was recently convicted on child pornography charges after one of his athletes sent him a photo of herself in her underwear. If you think that this issue warrants a discussion in your house, visit SafetyClicks for advice on how to keep kids safe online.

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]]>arrestedcell phonesCellPhoneschargeschild pornographyChildPornographyherselfinternetnakedpicturessafetysex offenderSexOffenderteenteensBethany SandersSat, 11 Oct 2008 14:00:00 ESTSteve Doocy thinks coaching girls is like "herding cats"http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/11/steve-doocy-thinks-coaching-girls-is-like-herding-cats/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/11/steve-doocy-thinks-coaching-girls-is-like-herding-cats/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/11/steve-doocy-thinks-coaching-girls-is-like-herding-cats/#commentsFiled under:

girl soccerNot every child is an athlete. But those who do enjoy sports come in every age, shape, and yes, even gender. It might come as no surprise to you and me that girls can actually, oh, enjoy sports and maybe even be good at them. But according to Fox and Friends co-host Steve Doocy, girls don't really like sports at all.

In a recent interview promoting his new book Tales from the Dadside, Doocy responded to the different tone his book took when talking about his son versus his daughters. "I was very conscious of that because with boys they actually want to play and hit the ball. With girls, girls don't really want to play these sports. They just want to hang out. Being a coach for girls is like herding cats...."

Now in all fairness, maybe coaching his own daughters was like herding cats. But I think Doocy does a great disservice to young female athletes with this stereotypical statements. Boys like to play sports, girls are just in it for the social scene and the cute uniforms. Right. As a mom to a five-year-old girl who is already a tiger on the soccer field, as well as a friend to several women who have been playing sports since childhood, I can assure Mr. Doocy that girls DO actually want to play and hit the ball too. It's too bad Doocy couldn't see that in his own children and their teammates.

What do you think of Steve Doocy's view of girls and sports?

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]]>Fox and FriendsFoxAndFriendsgirlsherding catsHerdingCatssportssterotypesSteve DoocySteveDoocyBethany SandersSat, 11 Oct 2008 13:00:00 ESTPresidential pirateshttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/11/presidential-pirates/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/11/presidential-pirates/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/11/presidential-pirates/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A pirate captainThey disagree on the economy. They disagree about foreign policy. They even disagree on how to pronounce "Pakistan". But whatever their philosophical, economic, military or social differences, there is one thing the two presidential candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain, can agree upon -- pirates are cool.

In interviews with Nick News, both candidates told the thirteen-year-olds quizzing them that their favorite costume from their own past was that of a pirate. Now, having dressed as a pirate for a friend's son's birthday party, complete with real saber, I can understand that. There's something to be said for the romantic notion of a pirate's life -- sailing the seas, answering to no one, sort of an ocean-going hobo. Only, with plundering and pillaging thrown in.

McCain seems partial to that part; "When I see the way they behave in the United States Senate," he said in the interview, "sometimes I wish I (could) put my costume on and take my sword out or my dagger and get 'em back in line."

Obama, on the other hand, remembers fondly the costume he wore when he was three years old. He says it was "one of the best costumes of all time," adding that it even came complete with a pirate sword and a "little mustache."

I think we've finally found something that truly crosses all party lines and that everyone, republican or democrat, liberal or conservative, boxers or briefs, can agree on. And if we're all into being pirates, surely the rest of these problems can be solved? What say ye? Arrr!

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]]>barack obamaBarackObamacostumecostumeselectionhalloween costumeshalloween2008HalloweenCostumesjohn mccainJohnMccainmccainobamapiratepiratespresidentpresident 2008President2008presidential electionPresidentialElectionRoger SinasohnSat, 11 Oct 2008 12:00:00 ESTChicago considers gay high schoolhttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/11/chicago-considers-gay-high-school/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/11/chicago-considers-gay-high-school/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/10/11/chicago-considers-gay-high-school/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

colored pencilsMany cities have alternative schools where kids who might otherwise drop out are given the opportunity to stay in school and graduate. These at-risk kids are often the victims of neglect or poverty and may have already found themselves on the wrong side of the law. But, according to a 2003 Chicago Public School District study, there is another group of at-risk kids who might benefit from an alternative school of their own: gay, lesbian and transgender teenagers.

Studies show that gay high school students are three times more likely to miss school because they feel unsafe. Because the stigma and fear of violence puts these kids at greater risk of dropping out altogether, the Chicago Public School District has proposed a school just for them. The School for Social Justice Pride would have a maximum enrollment of 600 students who would be admitted on a lottery basis. The school would have the same staffing and oversight as other schools, but would include lessons about sexual identity in literature and history as well as offering counseling.

"We want to create great new options for communities that have been traditionally underserved," said schools chief Arne Duncan. "If you look at national studies, you see gay and lesbian students with high dropout rates. . . . I think there is a niche there we need to fill."

While the idea seems to have plenty of support, it is not going over well with some gay rights advocates. They want to see schools focus on fostering acceptance, not segregation.

The Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the matter on October 22nd and if passed, Chicago's first gay high school would open in 2009.

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]]>alternative schoolAlternativeSchoolchicagochicago schoolChicagoSchooleducationgay high schoolGayHighSchoollesbian high schoolLesbianHighSchoolpublic schoolPublicSchoolschoolsstudentstransgender studentsTransgenderStudentsSandy MapleSat, 11 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EST