Here are a couple of items that are important to note:

-Parents are cautioned (by drug companies) not to give cold medicine to kids under the age of 4 in this Chicago Tribune article.

- Doctors caution parents not to purchase exotic pets for kids under the age of 5 in this AOL article. Such pets (i.e. hamsters, baby chicks, hamsters, lizards, and turtles) pose a disease risk because of their germs. Also, they are more likely to bite, scratch or claw.

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What an encouraging month October has been thus far!

I learned that our Mom in the City site has been included as one (of eight) Mommy blog suggestions in a Grand Rapids Press article called “Moms use Web to connect with parents worldwide” today. (I need to visit Michigan!)

The little blurb says:

mominthecity.com — Geared toward urban parenting, the African-American founder includes a diverse group of mom blog contributors.

What an honor to be included with the following great blogs:

• coolmompicks.com

• momlogic.com

• mommytrackd.com

• pregnancy-pitstop.com/blog

• fromdatestodiapers.com

• 5minutesformom.com

And

• bookieboo.com

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Here are a few links that you might be interested in reading:

-There is an interesting article on msnbc.com about how a baby’s temperament/ interaction with their parents during the first year of their life can predict the odds of behavior problems later in life.

- The Telegraph has an article regarding a study that shows how a baby’s smile gives their mothers a natural “high’. (Just in case you need scientific reinforcement for something that we moms already know!)

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Of course it is. For one thing, you know that there’s an issue when you have to start planning for pre-k (at least) a year in advance. Although I’ve been in NYC almost half of my life, some things (like the schools) are still a shock to my system. (My point of reference: I grew up in an area of Virginia where almost everyone went to public schools. The schools were safe, diverse and everyone had a chance at a solid education.)

Anyway, there was an article in The New York Times called Pre-K System Faulted as Confusing to Parents. It talks about how a new application process that had been implemented to simplify pre-kindergarten enrollment has did more harm than good leaving many parents of potential public school students wondering where their kids will be going to school this coming fall. I’m just happy that I was able to find a great program for my oldest son. (Granted, I think that it’s easier/less competitive to get your child in a 2 1/2 hours a day program - like the one that my son will be attending-rather than a full day one.)

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Many of our members have had (or will have) children after the age of 35.  There is a balanced, encouraging article entitled "Delayed Expectations" about this demographic at http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/artslife/story.html?id=3bdbaef8-5933-4d0e-807c-8e02f98e5e25&k=99962

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There is a great article regarding summer activity ideas in the Pocomo Record. It mentions the two schools of thought regarding making the most of the summer (structured activities including educational ones versus unstructured activities) and advocates striking a balance.

The article also includes activities to keep kids busy including a link to the U.S. Department of Education’s "Summertime Funtime Activities" calendar for each day of the summer (www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content2/summertime.fun.html)

For the full article, visit http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060615/NEWS01/606150303

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In what is an elite tweak on home schooling — and a throwback to the gilded days of education by governess or tutor — growing numbers of families are choosing the ultimate in private school: hiring teachers to educate their children in their own homes." Read more at… www.nyt.com
(The Gilded Age of Home Schooling June 5, 2006 - By SUSAN SAULNY (NYT) - Front Page - News)

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A growing number of families - 32% of 1,000 adults surveyed nationwide - are trying to eat dinner together at home more often. That number jumps to 50% for younger households (age 28-41) and 47% for Hispanic and African-American households. Orlando Business Journal 4.24.06

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Manhattan parents of non-Chinese children are encouraging their children to practice Mandarin, China’s official language. In growing numbers, New Yorkers are enrolling their children in Mandarin classes and hiring Chinese-speaking nannies who can double as language tutors. Read more at: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/ny-nynann0424,0,1046380.story?coll=ny-homepage-mezz

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