Kids
Medical Journal Argues Against Allowing Women to Give Birth at Home
Some experts say women with high-risk pregnancies shouldn't give birth at home. Credit: Getty Images
You won't even think about giving birth at home, if a leading medical journal has its way.
Editors of The Lancet say women should not be allowed to give birth at home, claiming in the latest issue of the specialty journal on oncology, neurology and infectious diseases that home births are too risky. The journal cites research reported in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology which "provides the strongest evidence so far that home birth can, after all, be harmful to newborn babies."
They also argue home births are three times riskier for newborns than hospital births.
Kids in Gaza Attempt to Break Kite-Flying Record
Palestinian children in Gaza attempt to smash their own world record for the number of kites flown simultaneously on the beach. Credit: Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images
More than 6,000 kids taking part in a summer program run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency came together this week on a Gaza beach to fly a kite, in an attempt to break their own record for the number of kites flown at the same time in one place, the BBC reports.
John Ging, the Gaza director of UNRWA, says the event touched the hearts of everyone in the war-torn Gaza area, despite the fact that the record has not yet been confirmed by Guinness World Records. Last week, he adds, 7,000 kids gathered to bounce basketballs simultaneously for five minutes, in an attempt to double that previous world record.
"Surely, two world records in a week would be another world record," Ging tells the BBC. "Like children anywhere in the world, children here must have a sense of normalcy."
Opinion: 'The Kids are All Right?' Not Really; Just So-So
Annette Bening and Julianne Moore play a lesbian couple with teenage children. Credit: Focus Features
Lesbians!
Imagine if Warner Bros. had simply cast Katharine Hepburn or Barbara Stanwyck as Ingrid Bergman's lover instead of Humphrey Bogart. Not that would have sizzled.
Apparently, all you have to do to make a great movie is toss in a couple of lesbians.
That explains all the Oscar buzz surrounding "The Kids are All Right," the new movie that follows Annette Bening and Julianne Moore as a same-sex couple grappling with teenage children, marital fidelity, midlife crises and more.
You know, just like heterosexual couples. But they're not heterosexual. They're a couple of women. Get it? That's what makes it so darn interesting, even revolutionary.
Psst, not really.
Betsey Johnson Unveils 'Eloise' Suite at the Plaza
Betsey Johnson designed the marvelous new "Eloise" suite. Credit: The Plaza
The new Eloise suite at The Plaza in New York City? Oh, it's rawther fabulous.
Designed by Betsey Johnson, the 18th floor suite features zebra-print carpet, pink-striped walls and a closet full of poufy skirts and other dress-up clothes. Hanging on the walls are original prints by "Eloise" illustrator Hilary Knight, and the pillow shams and chairs feature Johnson prints.
Oh, and in case you have an urgent room service request, there's a phone in the bathroom.
Johnson says she loves hanging out at The Plaza, so she was thrilled to be asked to design the suite.
"I just kind of live Eloise," Johnson tells ParentDish.
The designer says her granddaugthers Layla, 4, and Ella, 2, are Eloise fans, and they can't wait to stay in the new suite. As for Johnson, she says she loved designing the room and wants to do more home design.
Cry, Laugh, Shiver, and Learn: New Picture Books
Reading a good book can be an emotional experience. Here's a selection of new picture books that can run you through the full gamut.
"City Dog, Country Frog
" by Mo Willems, illustrated by Jon J. Muth (Hyperion, $18)We all know Mo Willems from his comedic kids' classics like "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
" and "Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale," but never before have we seen him tug those heartstrings the way he does here. This sweet and warm story, told over the course of five seasons, recounts an urban dog's visits to his human family's bucolic vacation house. With no canine companions to be found, the pooch bonds with an affable frog who teaches him the ways of the country. The ending --aided by the wonderfully realistic paintings of Jon J. Muth ("Zen Shorts") -- packs quite an emotional wallop. Adults and kids alike can expect to get weepy.Liev Schreiber Saving the Planet, One Hand-Me-Down at a Time
Liev Schrieber makes his kid wear hand-me-downs? Stars really are just like us! Credit: IGNAT / Bauer-Griffin
Nobody said saving the planet was easy, but actors Liev Schreiber and Naomi Watts know certain sacrifices must be made.
Rather than buying new clothes, they sometimes have their 19-month-old son wear things previously worn by their 2-year-old.
CBS News is not making this stuff up. "Kai wears Sasha's clothes," Schreiber tells the network point blank.
There will be a slight pause now so you can all catch your breaths.
CBS News reports Schreiber made this revelation while taking part in "The Darker Side of Green," a debate on climate change issues, held July 27 in New York City.
Front Seat Storage Bag Yields Safer Car Trips
Park it up front for a safer ride. Credit: The Silly Wagon
The Wisey Car Bag helps minimize distractions while driving alone with the kids, so you can keep your eyes on the road, where they belong.
Designed to hang on the front passenger seat, this innovative bag keeps all your little one's essentials within easy reach, with lots of pockets for holding bottles, diapers, pacifier, books, toys, snacks and more. It even has a special holder for your water bottle and a removable pouch that dispenses wipes.
It folds up or moves aside easily to make room for a passenger, and can be turned around when your child is old enough to grab their own stuff.
Available at The Silly Wagon for $29.66.
Mom Imagines Baby's Dream World in Mila's Daydreams Blog
What new parents haven't wondered what their precious little bundle was dreaming about when in the kind of deep slumber only a baby can sleep?
The seriously creative Adele Enerson, an advertising copywriter and concept designer, decided to create imagined scenes of her daughter Mila's dreams, which she conceptualizes and photographs during Mila's naps and posts on her blog, Mila's Daydreams. Adele, we know you probably need a nap, too, but keep the adorable photos coming!
Mom With Liver Transplant To Defend Her Medal in U.S. Games
Lauren Donkar, right, with her daughter Allie and her husband Nick. Courtesy of the National Kidney Foundation
When Lauren delivered her daughter Allie, now nearly 4, she began violently coughing up blood only 12 hours after laying eyes on her beautiful firstborn's perfect little toes. Four weeks later, she awoke from a coma to learn that she had undergone not one, but two liver transplants.
Due to a complication from pre-eclampsia, Donkar's liver failed and the situation was so desperate, they transplanted a liver from a donor with the wrong blood type. That one lasted two weeks until a compatible match was found -- a liver that's been standing the test of time, so far.
Donkar recognizes that she experienced a complete medical miracle due to someone else's sacrifice, but in her opinion, having a transplant "doesn't make you special ... it's how you cope with the challenges that are thrown your way that counts and what you do with the second chance at life you've been granted."
Watermelon Baby Video is a Slice of Juicy Fun
We've eaten our way through a bag of Ruffles on more than one occasion. A pint of Ben & Jerry's? Please. That's child's play. But gnawing through an entire watermelon? Well, that's new.
We couldn't help but laugh -- and acquire a major hankering for a juicy slice of fruit -- at this baby who appears to have been dropped into a scooped-out melon. And notice how the child's just pleased as watermelon punch, chewing away with abandon.
We're assuming the melon was seedless and, while we give this kid's parents credit for braving a potentially messy experiment on their unprotected furniture, we have two words for those of you who want to try this at home: drop cloth.
Related: Affirmation Girl Has a Past
Fight Childhood Obesity ... With Pole Dancing
Students perform a routine at a pole-dancing school in Colombia. Credit: Raul Arboleda, AFP / Getty Images
Scotland's Up Yer Pole (no, really), "an established pole-dancing school since 2002," announced it will soon be offering classes for kids ages 9 to 16. For about $8 per 60-minute class, kids can take a class that focuses on "strength, balance, flexibility and gymnastic based moves in a safe and fun environment," according to its website.
Also, Up Yer Pole wants you to know that it is a serious school.
"This is not just wiggling around a pole, this is fitness & specifically body conditioning & strength training," the website states.
And there's even more good news, parents. Kids can leave their bikinis and Lucite platform heels at home, since sneakers are perfectly acceptable, which really makes all the difference when you're drawing the line between adult behavior and children's behavior.
Related: Is This 'Single Ladies' Video Too Hot for Tots?
Survey Shows Positive Signs for the Economy as Back-to-School Shopping Begins
Parents doing back-to-school shopping are showing stores the money. Credit: Steven Senne, AP
Another sign of the times: They plan to shop for bargains through Facebook and Twitter rather than cutting coupons.
The survey, conducted by researchers for Deloitte, a New York-based consulting and financial advisory firm, found that three out of every 10 parents surveyed (or 28 percent) said they would spend more money on back-to-school stuff this year than last year. That's good news for America's retailers.
Back-to-school ranks second only to Christmas as the most lucrative shopping season of the year. In recent years, retailers have been hit hard by the recession.
Report Offers Good News, Bad News on Health and Welfare of Nation's Children
More kids are staying in school, according to the report. Credit: Getty Images
That's part of the good news and bad news coming out of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, as it released its annual KIDS COUNT Data Book July 27.
First, the bad news: Researchers for the foundation found 18 percent of America's children lived in poverty in 2008. That's at least a million more than in the year 2000, and the number is probably actually higher. In a press statement, foundation officials say upcoming census figures will probably hike the number up to 20 percent.
"We won't be able to assess the full impact of the economic downturn on children and families for a number of years," Laura Beavers, national KIDS COUNT coordinator at the foundation, says in the statement. "The economic data that the Census Bureau will release later this year will give a better picture of family economic well-being in the recession. However, even data from 2008 that was collected before the recession took hold shows economic conditions were worsening for kids."
Paper Chains Are a Fun Way to Start a Birthday Countdown
5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1... Birthday! Credit: Big Day Chains
Big Day Chains puts a new spin on an old tradition with its 30-day countdown chains for birthdays, weddings and baby's arrival.
The Days 'til Birthday kit is a great way to help little ones manage the seemingly endless wait until their big day, and definitely provides more fun than crossing off days on the kitchen calendar. Each kit comes with 30 perforated paper links that feature colorful printed designs on one side, and outlined birthday shapes to color in on the other. It also includes non-toxic glue dots for easy, mess-free assembly.
Rebels that we are, we love the idea of letting the kids count up, not down, coloring and adding a link to the chain each day so it can be used as a birthday decoration when it's done.
Available at Big Day Chains for $14.95.
Related: Summer Birthday Parties: 5 Fun Ideas
The Ultimate What-to-Take-to-College Checklist
Sure, his dorm room looked great when you dropped him off. Credit: Getty Images
But fear not, because we've got a secret weapon that can help you turn overwhelmed into overjoyed: the ultimate what-to-take-to-college checklist, put together with a little help from the experts at Bed Bath & Beyond and The Container Store.
