Baby Einstein “scam”

Chris says: A few months ago I blogged about Baby Einstein, (see “Baby Einstein or Baby duh-duh”), wondering if something like this was really effective at increasing intelligence, or just a good distraction while you get chores done. It seems a headline today may help answer my question. I still think something like this CAN [...]

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Tylenol vs. shots

With all the latest info. on vaccinations, h1n1, etc., here’s another one… So your your baby gets his shots then you are told to give him some Tylenol in case of fever.  Straight from Czech, they say “don’t do it.”  haha. Is nothing simple anymore?  Here’s ABC’s short version of the study…       [...]

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Reading: whole word vs. phonics

Chris says: Ya’ll might remember my multiple posts on reading. I’m not sure what our fascination is with it. I guess it’s been drilled into us that the better/faster they learn to read, the smarter they’ll be. Riiiiiiiight. So it’s another one of those debates/feuds/controversies: whole word or phonics? The history of it all is [...]

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Nanny State Says No Bikes for Tikes

A Chuck Rant: As I stated in my last post, we are becoming a nation of veal calves.  This time it’s a school in south Florida whose sheeple, ahem, I mean administrators, decided to ban kids from walking or riding bikes to school.  I’m not kidding, this is happening in America; the ‘pussification’ of an [...]

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Are Kids Overscheduled?

A Chuck Rant: It’s that time of year, yes it’s back to school. And, with the new school year, we have to listen to all of the tall tales of how our kids are over-organized and overscheduled. Who are these hand wringing worrywarts who fret that children don’t have enough ‘downtime?’ And, why do we [...]

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DOD Goes International: Korean Dads Get Dissed!

A Chuck Rant: Korean dads are basically assholes according to Kim Seong-kon in The Korean Herald. Apparently, when Korean fathers get laid off, instead of helping out in the house, they sit around, barking orders, drinking Soju (Korean version of moonshine), and are “detested by their wives.” As the recession deepens, laid off husbands are [...]

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Study your reading

Chris says: I just did a study. It proves that reading to your kids is good.    It’s interactive, educational, and can actually help them read faster.  We’ve been reading to Owen for 1 week and he’s already now reading himself, at a 5th grade level. Seriously though, on the learning how to read tip, [...]

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Don’t Need a Study for This!

A Chuck Rant: ‘Studies’ indicate that reading to your child has benefits. I was too lazy to find such ‘study’ but you know damn well that it exists.  Essentially, if you’re looking for a study to back you up, and it’s common sense, there’s already a study out there demonstrating just that.  So armed with [...]

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Another totally useless “study”

Chris says: Chuck, that’s some sweet research.  Hey, while you’re not letting your kid play in the “dirty” sand, how about you just don’t  let them exercise at all. You know why? Because (NEWS FLASH) exercise actually won’t help you (or them) stay thinner.  Hey, makes sense. Think about it… the more you exercise, the [...]

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Start ‘Em Young: College Planning for Your One Year Old

A Chuck Rant: I know it’s a little early to start thinking about college for baby girl. After all, she’s scant 16 months; nevertheless, if you procrastinate, your precious child could be left behind and resort to checking out the local community college scene. And worst of all, staying with you (mom and dad) for [...]

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