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April 2007
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Posted by: Linda at 10:03AM EST on April 26, 2007
I just read the Connect with Kids story about food and advertising to kids... which stated that children see an average of 21 food commercials a day – mostly for foods that are high in fat and calories.
Apparently, the media -- and well-meaning organizations, send a few mixed messages to our kids. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services joined with Dreamworks and the Ad Council's Coalition for Healthy Children to launch a series of Shrek-themed public service announcements (PSAs) as part of Health and Human Services' "Small Step" Childhood Obesity Prevention campaign. According to the program, its goal is to encourge kids to exercise.
We can certainly applaud those efforts. But an organization called Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood (CCFC) found seventeen food promotions for the upcoming movie Shrek the Third featuring seventy-five different products, including McDonald's Happy Meals, Kellogg's Marshmallow Froot Loops cereal, Keebler E.L. FudgeDouble Stuffed cookies, "ogre-sized" Peanut Butter M&M's, Cheetos, and Kellogg's Frosted S'Mores Pop Tarts. Many of the promotions are targeted directly to preschoolers and children as young as two. The Institute of Medicine has recommended that the food industry stop using media characters to promote junk food to young children. They say, why would young children follow Shrek's advice about healthy living and ignore his entreaties to eat Happy Meals and Pop Tarts?
The CCFC is encouraging parents to log in on their feelings about the campaign... at the following link: http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/ccfc/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=11168&t=SansSignupBox.dwt and start getting serious about combating childhood obesity by advocating for policies that protect children from commercial exploitation.
Food for thought...
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Posted by: Karen Weeks at 1:52PM EST on April 12, 2007
I'm really looking for similar experiences and advice....
I have a 6 year old daughter. She is the oldest and was an only child until she turned 5. She excells academically, especially in reading, writing, creative writing and art. She seems to be making friends at school (kindergarten) and seems to really enjoy freetime when she can play with others. My concern is that she will not try new things, especially physical activities (i.e., soccer, dance, tumbling, etc.) because she "doesn't want to be the worstest" to use her words. This sometimes happens when she is trying to do more difficult academic things (i.e., reading big words, learning how to tell time on a face clock).
I try to explain that it's okay if you don't get something just perfect, what matters is that you try. I tell her that we (dad and mom) are proud of her always. I've tried explaining that if everyone were perfect at everything the world would be boring. I've tried telling her that each of us has talents. I explained that talents are things that we are really good at. I also explained that each of us have things we need to practice harder on in order to be good. I gave examples of her talents and my talents. I gave examples of things I'm not good at.
It's so much of an issue that when I've taken her to her first few soccer practices she just sits on the side lines and cries or make-believes on her own. I've tried practicing with her to no avail. I've even joined a womens soccer league so I could maybe show her that even though I've never played and I have no idea what I'm doing and I mess up all the time...I'm still having fun.
I guess the reason I feel she needs to be involved in some sort of activity is that she is so used to playing by herself, she even fears playing with NEW kids because she doesn't know them.
Please help!
Karen
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Posted by: juff at 9:34PM EST on April 10, 2007
If your child has a food allergy, you are probably already a member of the The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. If you are not a member, join now at faan@foodallergy.org. The information they provide you with could save your child's life.
We discovered my child's severe nut allergy when he was about two. He sampled peanut butter from the end of my finger and immediately got whelps around his mouth and red stripes on his neck. Fortunately, with a little benadryl it was quickly under control. Thank God I didn't give him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. We are lucky. My son is 10 and has never had a severe reaction to nuts though we know he is still very allergic because he has a blood test every year. We always carry his epipen and he has one at school. After reading this month's FAAN newsletter, we were reminded that we don't always remember to do everything we can to keep him safe. If your child has a food allergy, don't let your guard down. When dining out, always ask to see the manager to discuss the ingredients on the menu even if you have been there before. Always read labels to see if there are hidden ingredients. Educate your friends to read labels or provide them with snack for your children when arranging play dates. Some companies' change recipes and ingredients even if you have purchased them for years. The FAAN is wonderful about sending out notices regarding changes in product ingredients. Be an advocate for your child's safety!! If you have any food allergy stories, please share them with us so we can all become better educated and just maybe save a child's life!
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Posted by: juff at 9:54AM EST on April 2, 2007
I am not sure why I am having so much anxiety about my oldest child
(boy) going to middle school next year. I am trying my best not
to let him know my fears. He is a well-rounded good kid so that
is on our side. You hear so much about how socially difficult the
middle school years are. I am sure the difficulty has so much to
do with hormones of of the children at this age. You hear
about the bullying and "mean girls". One of my new online friends
gave me this advice. "Make sure you and/or your husband stay close to
him as hard as it may be." "Help him find a niche, whether it be
sports, music, drama, academics, yearbook, etc." I thought this
was great advice!! What can you experienced moms and dads share
with the rest of us who will be heading to middle school in the Fall??
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