Car Seat Law Going Into Effect

The new child restraint law goes into effect on May 5th. (I'm sorry I originally wrote July 1). Every child under the age of 8 needs to be some sort of car seat or booster seat. If your child is over 4'9" they are exempt from the law. (source) Good luck getting your 7 year olds who have been out of car seats for 2 years, back in them.


(Sorry I haven't posted for awhile, the weather is too nice to be in front of the computer, hope you are enjoying it too.)

Ouch!

The other day both our little car and our midsized SUV had to be filled up at the pump. We easily spent over $100!

Remember a few months ago when everyone was talking about oil hitting $100/barrel, as of yesterday it was $118. This march upward is making me scope out every gas station for the cheapest price, combine trips and consider taking the car instead of the more comfortable SUV on an upcoming road trip.

Gas prices now combined with the rising cost of food is sure to be hitting your budgets. What are you doing to compensate for these added expenses? There has to be more we all can do, give us your ideas - even the most simple - and I'm sure they will be financially appreciated.

My Beautiful Mommy

My Beautiful Mommy is a new book out by Dr. Michael Salzhauer discussing Mommy's plastic surgery. It's a helpful way to explain to Junior your new nose and bigger chest. Is anyone else concerned with this trend?

Salt Lake City was voted one of America's Vainest Cities by Forbes magazine this past year, for the sheer number of plastic surgeons living in the area. Are you surprised? You would think those honors would go to Los Angeles, New York or Miami. But no, it's us. Source

The most disturbing part of the growing number of plastic surgeries to me is that it sets the standard of 'beautiful' at a place that is unattainable without surgical augmentation. I love looking at women in their 70's, with their white hair, their glowing faces, even with their wrinkles. They are beautiful to me. If they have a happy glow about them, I always find myself hoping I will look joyful and classy like them when I reach that age.

I realize here in Utah we have a lot of babies. Babies have done things to my body that I would be mortified to show anyone. But to me there is a difference between some laser skin resurfacing to get rid of stretch marks or chloasma and getting a new nose or bigger chest (haven't we had the big chests enough between pregnancy and nursing!).

Maybe I'm out of line here, one of my friends has had her husband promise her she gets the cosmetic procedure of her choice after her last baby. That seems fair too. So Beautiful Mommies, what are your thoughts?

Feeling Torn by the FLDS Raid

There has been an ample amount of coverage and opining on the raid on the FLDS compound in Texas. I hesitated to post thoughts here, but it seems the debate is heating up rather than simmering down, and wanted to allow your thoughts to be posted here.

As a Mother I ache for both the children and their parents. I cannot imagine someone entering my home, taking my children, separating them from me, and disallowing contact. As Mother's we live for our children. To protect them, to cuddle them, to teach them. It seems all these children will have long term emotional issues from this separation.

But what of the long term emotional issues from being raised in an isolated community that has a pattern of abuse? Children, girls, under the age of 18 do not belong in marriages or sexual relationships, especially with men more than double their age. The idea of 14, 15, 16 year olds in this type of situation makes your skin crawl. It also makes you want to protect them - removing them from the situation - which is what Texas did.

As the court fiasco continues today, the logistical nightmare of custody and the emotional nightmare for the children will continue. What's best? I don't know. But it would be nice for the focus of the coverage on the crime (child abuse) and not the side show (polygamy).

The High Costs of Families Falling Apart

It is estimated that 'family fragmentation' is costing us, not just emotionally, but fiscally roughly to the amount of $112 billion every year. These costs come from the court systems, Medicaid, housing assistance, WIC, Head Start, school breakfast & lunch programs, and many other resources available to those in poverty.

The report concluded that even if a mere 1% decrease in family fragmentation occurred, it would save taxpayers $1.1 billion annually. Hence the study argues any efforts placed in marriage education programs or marriage-strengthening initiatives would have a high fiscal return.

It is a lengthy study, to read the highlights check here.

We have all seen the emotional trauma that can come with a family falling apart. It is interesting to consider the financial impact on society this has as well.

Obama on Parenting?

The other day I was listening to a talk radio show as I was driving around. They played this quote by Barack Obama then had reader's call with comments. I was surprised at the diversity of replies, and decided to open it up for discussion here. First, here's the quote:

"Parents if you don't parent, we can't improve our schools. You've got to parent. You've got to turn off the television set in your house once in a while, you've got to put the video game away once in a while."
"You should have a curfew in your house so your children aren't out in the streets all night. You should meet with the teacher and find out what the homework is and help that child with the homework. And if you don't know how to do the homework, don't be embarrassed, find someone to help you."
"Fathers, be fathers. Be a part of your child's life. Be a part of your child's life and try to make them proud. "
"And the last thing is, if your child is misbehaving at school don't curse out the teacher. You know who you are. It's not the teacher's fault that your child is misbehaving. That's some home training."
When the crowd reacted to this last comment, Obama laughed and said, "You know what I say is true, though. Don't blame the teachers, and the government and the schools if you're not doing your job."

Comments on the show ranged from praise for his call to parent, to boredom with his unoriginality, to irritation over being told how to be a parent from a presidential candidate. Well Moms, what are your thoughts?

Unplug 'n Play

Did you realize that by the time most students graduate from high school, they have spent more of their time in front of the television than in the classroom? That is crazy to think about. Especially when you factor in what is on television.

April 21-27 is Unplug 'n Play week. A good time to turn off the computer, the television and the video games and head outside. If the weather turns crummy, as it can quickly do in spring, read a book, play a game, do an art project, take a trip to the library, whatever your kids will enjoy.

I know that as a mom I sometimes rely on screen time to get things done. But I plan on taking this week to reevaluate what and how much television/movies my kids are watching. Maybe you'll read this challenge and go full force. Unplugging every media device and keeping them that way for the week. Or maybe you'll just be more aware of how much screen time your kids are getting and make an effort to decrease that time. Either way it will benefit your family.

For more information, or to have your family sign a pledge of participation visit: http://www.checkyourhealth.org/pa/upp08/unplg_home.htm.

You can do that?

The last two days in the Salt Lake Tribune I have read articles that made me think, What? You can do that? How is that right?

The first article dealt with the campaign of Jason Chaffetz against Rep. Chris Cannon. Chaffertz lives 2 miles north of district 3, the district he is running for office in. Consequently he will be unable to vote for himself. I had no idea that you could run for Congress without actually living in the district you are campaigning for! The only requirement is that you live in the state where you are seeking office. If he ran in the district in which he lived he would be challenging a formidable Rep. Matheson. All this adds to the uphill struggle Chaffertz is already facing. It's always difficult to challenge an incumbent, and David Leavitt, the other Republican trying to unseat Chaffertz so far has been well received. Article

The second article appeared today in the Tribune. With so many politicians retiring this year, what happens to their campaign funds still stocked away in bank accounts? Well, turns out it is up to them. It can go for anything: a vacation, a new car, a condo in St. George. The remainder of the account can be used at their discretion. This year's retiring legislators have amounts ranging from $1,000-14,000 left at their leisure. Some have vowed to support future candidates with the money or other non profit causes. It seems this should be the norm, not the exception. Article

It's every mother's worst nightmare, every father's too. Your child is missing. Then hours or days later they are found, having had to experience untold trauma, and you never being able to offer comfort. As I read the paper this morning I cried for Hser Nay Moo, for her parents, her brothers, for all those that loved her. I cried to think of so many volunteers who did not even know the family that took time from their own lives to search for one that was missing. My thoughts and prayers are with their family. May we all show them compassion as they continue to endure through the coming months and years of sadness.