A Late Night at the ER

Jacob breathing 60 times a minute prompted a late night ER visit yesterday. After a round of Albuterol (he kept crinkling his nose in bewilderment), a dose of Prelone (he let it dribble out) and a chest X-ray (Whew! Just viral), we were on our way back home.

Now I'm counting breaths, watching for fevers and wrestling with the metered dose inhaler. As you can see, he likes to disassemble it and put in his mouth!

Here's what happened when I took it away:

I spent the next 15 minutes trying to get him calmed down so he wouldn't flare his lungs... or throw up!


Sheila Cason, MD

Like the First Day of School All Over Again

I forget that new situations are scary for a little kids. I'm back at work from the holiday break and that means my five year old will be at the youth center today. She spent all morning giggling in anticipation. Until I dropped her off that is. Then she replicated the "look" from the first day of school. (see above) Pitiful huh? New situations are scary for me too. "Uh... Can I get a receipt for her? "

Sheila Cason, MD

Merry Christmas!

The Baby Alive dolls were the biggest hits. When you are little, feeding baby dolls and changing dirty diapers are still fantastically fun!

Sheila Cason, MD

The Feel of Family

The office Christmas party was like none another. I was excited to join everyone for another gathering, albeit a little nervous. A few months ago, when I was hired, we all met at a restaurant for a family style celebration. We had a good time until Jacob started throwing a tantrum and then quickly progressed to throwing up. He filled two water glasses with vomit. Everyone was kind and helpful but I know it couldn't have been pleasant. Embarrassed, I left shortly thereafter. Tonight was going to be different. "I won't let him tantrum," I told John, "I'll hold him all night long and we'll all be happy." Even so I brought extra clothes... just in case.

We arrived at Sam Choys, a little earlier than everyone else. The restaurant was all dressed up for Christmas with a huge holiday tree and sparkling lights. The long table had been prepared for the 8 main workers from our office and their families for a total of 20 settings placed. As we waited for the guests, John and I had a chance to relax with the kids... we ordered alcohol as soon as possible. I needed to unwind. It had been a cranky day for me. I was missing my family. There was a phenomenally low number of Christmas cards this year. Close to zero. Either everyone decided it wasn't worth the trouble or Guam is too far away.

On a whim, I ordered Shirley Temples for the kids. It brought back such delightful memories of dinner out with my parents. When I was young, we would go out to eat usually for special occasions, and I'll always remember this drink named after the famous little girl star. I remember the first one. We had gone out to eat at The Old Mill on a cold February day in Pennsylvania. I had felt a little out of place but still very grown up and special as I sipped my new cocktail... I thought about this as the kids looked at their new drink with wide eyes. Gabby drank two. Delighted was she! Bree nursed one all night long (she's just like me) and Jake sipped it, frowned and let it dribble out his mouth. He then played with the straw and cherry for a half hour.

There was a buzz in the restaurant with the diners voices mingling with the holiday music. I started to feel better. As I read Goodnight Moon to Bree and sipped my wine, the others slowly trickled in and we all greeted each other with the customary kiss on the right cheek. I like this custom. It felt awkward at first. But now as I have been here longer and have Guamanian friends this has become familiar. It feels delightfully warm and gracious to lean in and place your cheek against the soft cheek of another. Better than a handshake.

Later 23 men women and children were crowded around. The kids played with each other by running laps around the long table. Jacob joined in and started running around, his arms up in the air and his little feet going pitterpat. The presents were flowing off the table and onto the floor. The children were delighted. Food arrived just in time and we all dug in.

Then it happened. As the baby shoveled rice in his mouth, he got a little caught in his throat. He coughed and coughed and then John said the usual knowingly "uh oh" and he was right. It all came back up again. He just kept retching and the meal and fluids were literally splashing over everything. I was mortified. Not exactly the highlight of an office Christmas party and what you want at a nice restaurant. I looked around wildly and spied a nearby hurricane lamp. After I pulled out the candle and he finished the puking in the glass receptacle.

Later all cleaned up in new Christmas pajamas, I settled down and breathed a sigh of relief... ten minutes later he threw up all over again. Unbelievable. The wait staff, my boss and husband all hovered as I tried to keep his little face and vomit off his new pajamas. I hadn't brought two changes of clothing. Who could have predicted that?

He finally finished and I stood and rocked him, trying to settle him down. We were both a little weary. As the kids ate their ice cream and opened their new presents, I looked down; he'd fallen asleep. I looked around the table and saw that our little spectacle didn't seem to make a dent in the holiday spirit. Everyone laughed, drank wine and talked as the Christmas paper flew and gasps gave way to giggles. I settled back down in my chair. This time I didn't run off. We didn't go home. For the first time since I came to Guam, I felt like I was home.

Sheila Cason, MD

End Power Struggles with your Child

Oh my goodness! I can’t believe it! Yet another struggle with my three year old. We were all doing fine until she refused to put on pajamas. I gave her two chances and then before you knew it, she was in bed crying, without having read books. And I’m left being the big bad mean Mommy! Will it never end?

I must really need to work through this issue, because here I am writing about it again. And if you were a fly on the wall you’d have heard me talking about it yesterday as well. During a well baby check for a sweet innocent 9 month old, the conversation drifted to her three year old brother. Nooo… I didn’t push, it went there naturally. We talked a lot of patience and lingered over the issues of parenting with love, compassion and consistency. They left profusely thanking me for the advice. But really it is them I should thank. Talking through these tough issues also helps me.

Life with children can be delightful and yet despairingly difficult at times. But you have to remember that if you want to end power struggles with your child, you need to ignore the bait. I’m not always that good at resisting. I just open my mouth, close it and start screaming when the hook gets stuck. Agghh! But if you can manage to stay strong, calm and centered as the storm rages around you, you can talk when it dies down.

But if you do take the bait, like I just did, wait until you’re both calm and then talk with them. Not more than 15 minutes ago my little girl came back up to me and wanted to talk. I picked her up and hugged her. We talked softly, looking at each other, our noses almost touching. I told her I needed to work on listening. You know what she said? “I need to work on listening too.” I hugged her to me and I talked and listened some more. She’s now fast asleep and as I look at her young little self, I can’t help but be sad that we argued. She makes me want to be a better Mommy.

Sheila Cason, MD

Twenty Five Days to Make a Difference- Meme

Laura of Twenty Five Days to Make a Difference tagged me for this meme. I’m honored to be joining her in her efforts to make a difference. She’s been such a positive role model for kids and adults alike. Here goes Laura:

1. In your opinion, what does it mean to make a difference?

To me, it means to do something small or big that impacts another in a positive way. It doesn’t have to be another person, it can be an animal or the environment. If you slow down and analyze your part in this world you’ll see that to make a difference you first need to make a difference for yourself. That means making goals and honoring yourself enough to keep them.

2. What is an example of a unique way to make a difference?

I think one of the best ways to make a difference is just to be kind and gracious to the people around you. We need to drop the habit of complaining and cultivate gratitude. If you really desire to be kind and giving, you can’t help but then go further and help others by donating time and resources.

3. Who has made a difference in YOUR life this week?

My friend Colleen on her day off took care of my little girl. Brianna woke up with a fever this week and I couldn’t take her to daycare. So I packed up her crayons and blankie and set her up in my office. When my friend heard that she was there she insisted on coming and getting her! This is huge! As a working mom it often becomes difficult to balance my responsibilities as a mom and as a doctor. I’m grateful for such caring friends.

4. If I didn’t have a blog, would you still be making a difference?

Yes. I’m a pediatrician and by definition I have dedicated my life to helping others but day to day life gets busy and sometimes I forget why I really wanted to do medicine in the first place. Because of my Mommy MD column, I found out about Laura’s blog and it re energized my goals! There is more accountability when it comes to writing about my experience. I have made a promise and have been working hard to keep that promise

5. What is your favorite thing about the internet?

That this huge world suddenly becomes very small and connected. I love that there are so many good people out there doing good things.

Sheila Cason, MD

Ummm...would you like some help with that?

Supportive Parents Linked to Good Grades

By Marie Hunt

Mommy MD Staff Writer

There have been numerous recent studies that focus on factors in children's performance in school. Socio-economic status, ethnicity, and many other factors were taken into account, but one factor consistently predicted whether or not a child would do well in school: parental support.

It has been found that, in most cases, the more positive support a child receives from the adults in their lives, the better their grades. It has even been found that the greater the number of adults in the child's family that were deemed supportive, the better the child's overall performance. Various studies have measured grades, social skills, and even level of physical activity. All were found to have positive links to parents who were involved in the child's education, attended events, and provided verbal encouragement. Long term studies found that instances of delinquency in children who received parental support and discipline were significantly fewer than in those who had not.

John Sanregret, the principal of a Michigan school, has found that parental involvement is not only beneficial for students, but is absolutely necessary. He recommends that parents remain a part of their child's education all the way through high school by studying with them at home and, when possible, volunteering at their school.

References

http://www.mininggazette.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=9735

Michael E. Woolley, Gary L. Bowen (2007). In the Context of Risk: Supportive Adults and the School Engagement of Middle School Students. Family Relations 56 (1), 92–104.

Lennart Raudsepp (2006). The relationship between socio-economic status, parental support and adolescent physical activity. Acta Paediatrica 95 (1), 93–98.

John Paul Wright, Francis T. Cullen (2001). Parental Efficacy and Delinquent Behavior: Do Control and Support Matter? Criminology 39 (3), 677–706.

Tiny Christmas Villages

If you ever get to Guam during Christmas, treat yourself and visit the St. Fidelis Friary. Inside this hillside Friary, you’ll see the wondrous creation of the Quinata family: a large assortment of tiny Christmas villages. For years the Quinata family has spent hundreds of hours erecting the villages for all of Guam to enjoy, free of charge. We took a leisurely stroll around the villages and then directly following nibbled on the offerings of sushi, cakes, cookies and fruit punch. It has become a Christmas tradition for many families on Guam and one that we happily adopted as well!

Sheila Cason, MD

Christmas Overseas

All around us our friends are leaving for deployment. It’s only recently that the U.S. Navy has been deploying service members who are also stationed overseas. It’s not unusual to be given as little notice as one or two weeks. This can be a double hardship for the families who already feel isolated in another country. They are now further split apart as a key member leaves for an often unknown length of time. The children and family left behind often experience loneliness, frustration and anger, even depression.

Being a military wife, I have learned to let go of expectations. I have become good at turning a challenging situation into a positive experience. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous that my husband may be sent away. I’d also be lying if I didn’t acknowledge how hard it is to be in another country without our family. But I’m proud to be serving our country and I want my children to feel lucky and proud as well.

Military life is different and it can be hard. I’ve found that one of the keys to coping is just acknowledging that fact and then reaching out to others. Tonight we’ll be making Christmas cards for deployed service members. It’s the least we can do to show our deep appreciation for those that are also separated from their loved ones during the holiday. It doesn’t take much time to reach out and send a note. Tonight we’ll let our soldiers know that we miss them and pray for their safe return. May we all remember to be thankful for the families we have near and far.

Sheila Cason, MD

Group Helps Kids of Deployed Troops

By Marie Hunt

Mommy MD Staff Writer

A group of Tennessee school children meet to discuss the holidays with counselors. What the children all have in common, besides being excited about the holidays like any other child, is that one or both of their parents have been deployed. The group, called Keeping in Touch - Kids and Troops, or KIT-KAT, encourages kids to talk about how they feel about having their parent gone for the holidays.

They talk about memories of past holiday experiences with the absent parent and their fears about the danger that parent now faces. Teachers and children work together to make care packages to send to the children's deployed parent. Care packages include tests that the children are proud of, artwork, and a letter from the child, among other things. The kids involved in KIT-KAT report feeling less afraid and more connected with their parent oversees. The group teaches the kids to be open about their feelings and take pride in having a parent that protects their country.

Reference


http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071213/COMMUNITY/712130309

School Performance

Today my little kindergartner made a difference in my life! This afternoon we all gathered for their Christmas performance followed by a “World Feast” aka “Parent Potluck". They sang and danced and recited poems. And like every other parent in the room we recorded everything!

The highlight definitely was the finale: "The Wind Beneath My Wings”. As my little girl sang and signed her sweet face just kept looking at me. As they finished they all ran over and gave us an “I love you” medal. There were puddles of tears everywhere!

I’m so grateful for her teacher for working so hard to get them ready. My daughter left that program talking about having love in your heart. I know she heard this from her teacher. Thank you Mrs. Alig, you have a lot of love in your heart!

Sheila Cason, MD

Ideas for Making a Difference

Well it’s been a great few days on our journey with Laura Stockman of Twenty Five Days to Make a Difference. Already we have baked cookies for the neighborhood painters. They have been working so hard! In Guam mold builds up easily because of the humidity and these painters have spent weeks power washing the houses and then painting them by hand! It’s very hard work and we’re appreciative! These are some of the workers in the picture enjoying their breakfast before the day started.

We have also started a bag for recycling, shopped for a family in need and pledged money for Laura’s blog. The kids have been extra helpful around the house – or rather I have been extra appreciative and they have responded accordingly! Below is a list of ideas for making a difference that Laura posted to her blog. Thanks Laura for some great ideas!

Laura Stockman's Ideas for Making a Difference:

1. Shovel snow for a neighbor who is elderly or busy.

2. Make cookies and cards to take to a local retirement home.

3. Go through your old toys or clothes and donate them to local places who might want them.

4. Donate old books to your library. Ours is in need!

5. Donate your time to your local SPCA.

6. Spend some time visiting with an elderly neighbor who may like your company.

7. Give free rice to hungry people by playing a word game.

8. Getting a laptop? Give one too.

9. Pick up litter in your neighborhood.

10. Take the bus, instead of driving, like my dad does.

11. Walk to school.

12. Donate new toys, food, books to sick kids or to those who can’t afford them.

13. Start a fundraiser.

14. Write a letter to someone you love, and tell them how much you appreciate them.

15. Learn how to go green.

16. Run or walk for a cure. Find a race in your area.

17. Smile and say thank you to everyone you are grateful for today.

18. Clean your room before your mom or dad asks you.

19. Do the dishes.

20. Make your Christmas gifts instead of buying them.

21. Buy your groceries from local farmers.

22. Learn something about a culture you don’t understand.

23. Read.

24. Don’t watch television for a whole week

25. Pray.

26. Write a letter to a soldier overseas.

27. Buy something small to send to a soldier.

28. Be a good role model for younger siblings.

29. Stand up for what is right when it is hard at school.

30. Compliment your teachers for a job well done.

31. What do you think? Let me know!

32. Donate your hair to Locks of Love.

33. Recycle cans and donate the money to a charity.

34. Use Good Search to raise money for Suneel’s Light.

35. Check out World Vision. Donate.

36. Click to help: breast cancer, hunger, rainforest, child health, literacy, animal rescue

37. Stop violence against women.

38. Write a thank you note to someone who deserves it.

Sheila Cason, MD

Holiday Spending Teaches Children

By Marie Hunt

Mommy MD Staff Writer

Could the way you celebrate the holidays teach your children how to handle money? Experts suggest that this may be true. Children learn from the model of their parents' lives, and this is true in financial decisions as well; so, whether parents or their children are aware of it or not, children may be forming their future spending habits based on how their parents spend.

The holidays make a deep, emotional impact on children, so a parent's actions during this time are especially important for a child's development. Jan Dahlin Geiger, a financial planner in Atlanta and author of “Get Your Assets in Gear! Smart Money Strategies”, says that spending too much on your children can not only be damaging to the family financially, but may teach your children to place importance on material things. She says that it is important during this season to teach your children that it is not money and gifts that express love, and the best way to do that is not overspending on their gifts. She suggests instead sharing experiences and spending time communicating the values that are important to your family.

Many families try to model good financial values during the holidays by giving to charities. Linda Leitz, a parent, financial adviser and author of “The Ultimate Parenting Map to Money Smart Kids” highly recommends giving to charity during the holiday season, being sure to not only model this for your children, but let them be involved in the process. Many Jewish families maintain the tradition of keeping a tzedakah box. "Tzedakah" is the Hebrew word for "charity," and the box is used to collect coins to be given to a good cause during Hanukkah. The Salvation Army is a Christian organization that collects change outside many stores and accepts donations of clothing and toys to give to families who are in need during the Christmas season. Giving to an organization that shares a family's values will help pass those values on to the children.

References
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119715386439518429.html
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071208/LIFESTYLE/712080311
http://www.kansas.com/living/family/story/244181.html

I Couldn't Say No- He Was Having So Much Fun!

Number of Child Deaths Declining

By Marie Hunt

Mommy MD Staff Writer

Since 1960, the UN has been conducting studies on child health and education. It was found in the first report that around 20 million children under the age of five were dying annually. Today, the UN is happy to report, that number has dropped to less than half.

Researchers for the UN have attributed the decline to several important developments in worldwide child health. A rise in immunization has accompanied the decline in child deaths. A rise in exclusive breastfeeding is associated with fewer infant deaths. In countries where malaria is prevalent, there has been wider distribution of insecticide-treated nets, lowering the spread of malaria significantly and protecting those most vulnerable to the disease.

In the years since 1990 alone, the rate of under-nutrition has dropped from 32 percent to 27 percent. Catherine Langevin-Falcon, the editor of the report, cautions that, although this is good news, there are still too many children who suffer from under-nutrition. About 143 million children are included in this number, with more than half counted in south Asia.

The UN study also reports great progress in gender equality and child protection. Since the last report, the number of elementary age children who are not in school has fallen 20 percent. The number of girls attending school has always been lower worldwide than that of boys, but the report indicates that the number of girls attending school has risen, exceeding those in any previous report.

References

http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-12-10-voa15.cfm

Twenty Five Days to Make a Difference

10 year old Laura Stockman and her mother are making a difference this holiday season. With the help and guidance of her mother, Laura started a blog: “Twenty Five Days to Make a Difference". She has been blogging daily about her efforts at making a difference and she will continue this until December 25^th. She is challenging others worldwide with her endeavor. In only 10 days this blog has had over 9,000 hits and CBS is considering featuring her story for their program. This is what she wrote:

I hope that this inspires other grown ups and kids to make a difference in their communities too, by doing little things. For this reason, I am challenging everyone who reads this blog to TRY to do something every single day during the holiday season to make a difference in his or her world. Leave a comment or send me an email at twentyfivedays(at)gmail(dot)com and let me know what you did and when you did it. Even if you can’t do something every day, you can do one small thing to help make your world a better place.

Well Laura, you’re so right. Already you have made a difference because all the way over, on the small island of Guam, things are changing. Today when I woke up and read your story, I immediately started to think that I’m too busy and wouldn’t this be a great idea after the holidays were over. But as I kept reading I ran across your list of ideas for making a difference. You listed big and small, grand and simple. With your help I have realized that making a difference is not only something that we should do with our children but that we must do with our children. They need to be taught about generosity especially during the holiday season when time and money are spread thin. It’s in being generous that we remember our humanity. It is critical to our well being to be connected and show love and concern for our fellow human beings. Thank you for reminding me.

Even though December 25^th is only a few weeks away, it’s never too late to make a difference. Laura has inspired me. I spent the morning thinking of ways that my family and I could make a difference. The best way I can do that now is pledge to join Laura in her journey! For the next 2 weeks I will chronicle our contribution to this worthy project. Please let Laura be an inspiration to you as well. Show your children that generosity is contagious. You may find her blog at http://twentyfivedays.wordpress.com/.

Sheila Cason, MD

Holiday Tradition: Important for Children

By Marie Hunt
Mommy MD Staff Writer

Parents across the country are getting ready to celebrate the holidays with their children. Child psychology experts recommend that parents take into account the age of their child before selecting holiday activities. Understanding where the child is developmentally, they say, will help the parents give their child an enjoyable holiday experience.

Although an infant's memory is very short, with simple object recognition lasting no longer than six days, many parents want to find ways for their baby to experience the holiday season. Experts suggest holding the baby within 14 inches of decorations and lights, as their vision is limited. Infants enjoy tracking brightly colored objects that are held in front of their eyes, and with fully developed hearing by the age of one month, they may be soothed by softly playing music.

According to developmental psychologist Judith Hudson, by 14 to 18 months children are able to retain long term memories of specific experiences. This is a good age to begin involving the child in family traditions. By the age of 2 or 3, children appreciate ritual, and this is a good time to explain traditions and the reason behind them.

As the child grows, holiday traditions become very important. Linda Gulyn, a professor of psychology at Marymount University who specializes in child development, emphasizes the importance of family traditions for children, saying that they place importance on certain rituals, not because of their meaning, but because of the relational experiences that help them bond with their family members. Recent surveys have found that adults continue traditions they experienced as children, such as making specific foods and watching certain holiday television specials, because a major portion of their childhood memories are based around holiday experiences.

References

http://www.babycenter.com/0_your-babys-holiday-an-age-by-age-guide_9830.bc
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/06/AR2006120602196.html
http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-2198896/National-Survey-Reveals-That-More.html

Sign Language and Children

By Marie Hunt

Mommy MD Staff Writer

The popularity of "baby sign language" has increased as more parents and caregivers find value in this form of communication with their children. The use of sign language with hearing infants and children, experts say, can greatly increase communication between fully verbal adults and the child who is still developing their language skills.

It was observed that in a home where parents sign to their child, such as a home with a non-hearing family member, the child can begin communication as early as six months, while in a home where sign language is not present, the child normally begins to communicate around the age of 12 months. It was formerly believed that the point at which a child begins to speak depends on brain development, and while this is still considered part of the equation, it has been found that motor skills play a large roll in the development of verbal expression. It takes much more coordination for a child to form a word than for that same child to use their hands in a simple gesture; so while their brain is capable of understanding the concept they wish to express and they are aware of a special label for that concept, a child's ability to express it verbally is delayed by the complexity of the muscle coordination required for speech.

A study has been conducted by Simona Ghetti, a professor of psychology at the University of California Davis who works at the university's Center for Mind and Brain, wherein 55 young children were tested to discover whether or not they were capable of introspective thinking, a skill that was thought not to develop until the age of four or five. It was found that this type of thinking occurs in children as young as three. Ghetti believes the reason this has not been discovered until now is that past studies have been reliant on verbal testing, while children at this young age are still developing their speaking skills. Researchers found that they were able to obtain more accurate results by using visual cues and allowing the children to answer the test questions with gestures.

A teacher of American Sign Language, Sarah Jernstrom has reported benefits to introducing sign language as early as birth, allowing the infant to become familiar with the signs even before they are able to duplicate them. Experts believe that using sign language with babies and toddlers not only reduces frustration in the parent and child but may also give them a head start in verbal communication.

References

http://www.idahostatesman.com/life/story/204831.html
http://www.strausnews.com/articles/2007/11/22/sparta_independent/news/10.txt
http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071108/NEWS01/711080354

Create a New Family Tradition

Last Christmas Eve was a night I won’t soon forget. In the spirit of slowing down and remembering what the holidays mean to our family, we went to our church’s Christmas Eve service. Now anyone with kids will know that trying to keep three small children entertained, appropriate and quiet during a service can be an exercise in futility and may be best not attempted. In fact since the kids were born we hadn’t braved it out on this special night. But last year we added this new tradition to our family routine. Oh sure they were wiggly and we probably shushed them a little but that’s not what I’ll remember.

I’ll remember the moment when we all were still. I’ll remember the lone candle that lit each family’s space. The church glowed with a multitude of small flames and we sang Silent Night in unison. The kids looked around mesmerized. They had never seen such a sight, nor had I. As we later meandered our way home through the dark neighborhood, a pale pretty barn owl swooped gracefully through the cool night air. As it crossed in front of us I sat awestruck, lost in the moment.

I don’t really remember last year’s Christmas gifts or the clinic’s crazy number of sick children, or even what we ate for dinner. I do, however, remember specifically how it felt to be in that church and later how it felt to see that owl. Being willing to creating a new family tradition had brought such pleasant rewards.

What new tradition will you start this holiday to bring you closer to the spirit of the season?

Sheila Cason, MD

Toy Safety

By Marie Hunt
Mommy MD Staff Writer

There is a mounting concern among parents and environmental groups about the levels of lead in toys. Young children may experience developmental problems due to an extended exposure to lead, and in a recent study involving 1,200 toys, a group tested the toys using an X-ray fluorescence analyzer, a device reported to be more accurate than home lead testing kits. Of the toys tested, 17 percent had to be recalled due to lead levels exceeding the federal recall standard.

A website developed by the Ecology Center and the Washington Toxics Coalition, http://www.healthytoys.org/, published a list of "worst toys" today. Several research groups were asked to help inform the public about the toys to be wary of as they shop this season. In addition, they list "best toys," toys found to be safe and environmentally friendly by the research groups involved. There is also a website, http://www.drtoy.com/, that reviews toys annually to come up with a list of "top 100 toys." Dr. Stevanne Auerbach, an experienced childhood specialist, has analyzed over 4,000 toys since she began the site, the results of which are accessible on the site. Besides safety, these toys are judged by other criteria, such as affordability, creativity, and educational benefits. The 100 best toys for 2007 are listed in categories such as Best Active Products, Audio and Video Tapes, Creative Products, Educational Products, Socially Responsible Products, Software/CDs/High Tech Products, Games, and Ten Best Toys, so that shoppers can easily find a gift that the children in their lives will not only like but can safely play with as well.

References

http://www.drtoy.com/awards/2007_3_list.php

http://origin.mercurynews.com/business/ci_7638906?nclick_check=1

http://www.healthytoys.org/

Tips to using American Sign Language

• Get a basic sign book and learn the signs. Keep doing them until you are comfortable with them.

• Choose signs that will help with communication such as “more” and “all done”

• Throw in fun signs too. Kids love animal and action signs.

• Teach manners such as “Please” and “Thank You". One of the first signs my son did was sign please. Not only did it teach him to be polite but if he saw something he wanted and he didn’t know the word he’d just sign please and that usually worked.

• Watch children’s hands closely. Kids will sign in little tidbits, much like babbling when you are learning to speak. When you notice a little sign, praise them and say the word and repeat the sign correctly. As they increase their fine motor skills, they’ll get better.

• Teach them signs that communicate well when they are older such as: No, Stop, Telephone, Wait, and Pay Attention. I signed the last one recently to my oldest when she was at swim lessons. She was goofing around and looked at me across the pool. I was able to get her to refocus without going over to her and embarrassing her in front of the class.

• Learn why the sign was created. It makes it so much easier to remember.

• Don’t force them! If they don’t want to sign don’t make them! It’s supposed to be fun. You’ll find as they get older in school a lot of songs in school and church are signed at the same time. They’ll love recognizing the signs and be proud that they can play along.

• Teach everyone in the family! The older kids will catch on really fast and if they use it as well it helps.

• Expect to sign for months without much apparent understanding or replication. But then all of a sudden, when you least expect it, they’ll sign something!

• Don’t try to sign every single thing at first, just incorporate a few signs into your day and you’ll find that they will learn gradually.
  

Sheila Cason, MD

Stress and the Holidays

By Marie Hunt

Mommy MD Staff Writer

Stress is a major cause of depression and physical fatigue, and it is during the holidays, experts say, that the added pressures may cause what is known as acute stress. Several surveys have been conducted regarding stress and its effect on people during the holidays. One Opinion Research Survey found that half of the women who responded said they experience more stress during the holidays, while a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association found that one in five believe that holiday stress actually affects their physical health.

A study was conducted on the effects of stress on both men and women by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. It was found that, while men meet stress with a fight-or-flight response, women generally respond with what has been called tend-and-befriend. Women instinctively begin to nurture those around them and become more social, often heaping upon themselves more responsibilities, causing a cycle of stress. The holidays become a recipe for stress related fatigue and anxiety, especially for women.

The professor of family studies at Kansas State University, Tony Jurich, explains that the main cause of holiday related stress is unrealistic expectations. Women feel pressured to duplicate either past holiday experiences or what is portrayed as ideal in the media. He says that the beginning of overcoming the st