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Our editors are always on the lookout for cool news that affects families. Each month, Postings brings you the scoop on the latest health research, parenting trends, happenings and more. Read on for this month's top-of-mind news you can use!

June 2012

Meet Robovie
Robot babysitters? Sounds like every parent’s fantasy, right? Just in case these robo-sitters are the Next Big Thing, researchers at the University of Washington are busy studying how these machines would affect our kids. Will kids develop an emotional attachment to them? Will they treat robo-caregivers as people — or like tools that can be bought and sold?

“We need to talk about how to best design social robots for children, because corporations will go with the design that makes the most money, not necessarily what’s best for children,” says Peter Kahn, UW associate professor of psychology.

Kahn and his research team are exploring how children interact socially with a humanoid robot. In a new study, the researchers report that children exchanged social pleasantries, such as shaking hands, hugging and making small talk, with a remotely controlled, human-like robot. Nearly 80 percent of the children — ages 9, 12 or 15 — believed that the robot was intelligent, and 60 percent believed it had feelings. The kids also said that the robot could be bought, sold and should not have the right to vote.

The findings show that the social interactions with the robot (named Robovie) led children to develop feelings for the robot. Kahn believes that as social robots become pervasive in our everyday lives, they can benefit children — but might also weaken their emotional and social development.

Float these rules!
We love our easy access to water and all it entails: boating, water-skiing, water sports. But water safety is imperative, especially when kids join the family on the lake. The Sea Tow Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to boating safety and education, offers the following tips for keeping kids safe:

1. Life jackets Be sure all kids wear a life jacket when the boat is moving. The U.S. Coast Guard requires that all children younger than 13 years of age wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while the vessel is being operated, unless the child is below deck or in an enclosed cabin on board.

2. Safety starts ashore Get the kids into the habit of putting on sunblock and a hat even before boarding the boat. If you have small children, put them in their life jackets in the parking lot. That way, they’re protected if they accidentally tumble off the dock and into the water.

3. Clear the decks When you climb aboard, have everyone stow their gear and any water toys away neatly, but keep the life jackets on.

4. The captain is in charge The adult who is driving the boat should give the kids a safety lesson before leaving the dock. Set a few basic rules, including:

• No running on deck.
• No sitting on the side rails, foredeck, dashboard or swim platform when the boat is under way.
• Advise them to use grab rails to steady themselves if the boat rocks. Instruct children not to walk around while the boat is in motion.
• Radio check Be sure everyone knows how to operate the boat’s VHF radio in case of an emergency.
• Toys When towing kids behind a boat on inflatable water toys, water skis or a wakeboard, be sure to designate an adult or teen to be the official watcher. Teach the kids hand signals they can use to tell you to speed up, go slower or stop.

Internet etiquette
How do you teach kids good Internet manners? Edutopia.org, a website dedicated to improving education, culled “netiquette” ideas from several schools and came up with these suggestions for students:

1. Don’t send very personal or sensitive information through email.

2. Don’t put something in email if you would be embarrassed to have your message read out loud to your mother — in a courtroom.

3. Pay attention to grammar and spelling. People will form an opinion of you based on how you write.

4. Use spell-check and review every message before sending it.

5. Before hitting “send,” ask yourself if you would say what you’ve written to that person’s face.

6. It is much easier to delay sending an email than it is to try to repair the damage from a hurtful message.

7. If you really can’t help typing an angry response, don’t send it immediately. Walk around the block, do some homework or watch TV, then reread your message and tone it down before sending it.

Prescription painkillers affect newborns
The number of newborns addicted to prescription painkillers has nearly tripled in less than 10 years, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. “These medications provide superior pain control for cancer and chronic pain, but have been overprescribed, diverted, and sold illegally, creating a new opiate addiction pathway and a public health burden for maternal and child health,” the report says.

In addition to seizures and breathing problems, babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome, or NAS, often suffer from low birth weight, irritability, muscle cramping, tremors, feeding problems, vomiting and watery stools.

Reflect on this
How can you create a culture of calm and reflection in your house? Try “reflective parenting.” Reflective parenting means interacting with your child while keeping a close eye on his — and your — state of mind and emotion. It’s empathy, patience, and intuition all rolled into one. Here are some tips, from the book, Beyond Smart: Boosting Your Child’s Social, Emotional, and Academic Potential:

1. Remember your child is a separate being.
2. Slow down and think about what’s really behind your child’s behavior.
3. Pay attention to your own feelings.
4. Think about ways to cope with your stress and anger.
5. Talk with your child about emotions — yours and your child’s.
6. Give your child 15 minutes a day of your undivided attention.
7. Don’t teach or preach during those 15 minutes.

For more information on reflective parenting, go to communityofmindfulparents.com.

            —Linda Morgan

May 2012

Pertussis cases skyrocket
Whooping cough is now an epidemic in Washington state. According to Secretary of Health Mary Selecky, 640 cases have been reported in 23 counties as of March. This is the highest number of cases in decades. There were 94 cases reported during the same period last year.

Pertussis, or whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory illness spread by coughing and sneezing, is particularly dangerous for infants because they can’t be immunized before they are 4 to 6 weeks old. Infants often get the illness from adults or other family members.

Health officials recommend that anyone who has contact with newborns and infants be vaccinated or, if they have been vaccinated, to make sure their vaccination is up to date. The whooping cough booster is called Tdap. For information, go to doh.wa.gov/cfh/immunize/diseases/pertussis.

More cuts for Seattle schools
Susan Enfield, interim superintendent for Seattle Public Schools, announced recently that the district’s budget gap for next year is projected to be about $22 million. “This comes after several years of budget shortfalls,” she explains in a report. Seattle Public Schools has lost $46 million in state revenue over the past three years.

The budget cuts will be less than those over the past several years, Enfield says. The total reduction will be about $1 million, compared to last year’s reduction of more than $8 million, and more than $3 million from the year before.

School improvements? Where?
Our government is spending $3 billion to help school districts around the country improve their worst-performing schools.

Is the effort working around our state? Not so much, according to University of Washington researchers who studied schools in Washington state that receive School Improvement Grants (SIG). They found most of these schools are failing to make aggressive reforms.

“With some exceptions, districts and schools in Washington state are approaching the turnaround work in ways only marginally different from past school improvement efforts,” states the report from the Center on Reinventing Public Education. “Despite the hard work of administrators, principals, and especially teachers, the majority of schools studied show little evidence of the type of bold and transformative changes the SIGs were intended to produce.”

Treasure your teacher?
Ivar’s and Kidd Valley restaurants are asking kindergarten through eighth-grade students (up to 14 years old) to nominate their favorite teacher for a chance to win the title of 2012 Teacher of the Year. The contest is in honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 7–11; National Teachers Day is May 8).

Ivar’s and Kidd Valley will each select a teacher as a grand prize winner, who will win a $500 gift card for school supplies. The nominating student of each grand prize winner will receive either a classroom chowder party or a Kidd Valley burger party.

To nominate a teacher, visit any Puget Sound-area Ivar’s or Kidd Valley location (excluding stadiums), or go to ivars.com and click the Happenings link or kiddvalley.com and click the Calendar link. Entries must be in by May 20.

Speaking of teachers . . .
The MetLife Survey of the American Teacher reports that, while parents are taking a greater role in their kids’ education, parent involvement remains a challenge. The quality of parent participation declines from elementary to middle to high school, according to the study.

“Parents report that schools with high parent engagement perform better on a range of measures, including collaboration, sharing information, contacting parents about learning issues, providing guidance on helping students succeed, and being flexible to meet with parents at different times of the day,” the survey says

The good news? Two-thirds of today’s students report that they talk about things that happen at school with their parents every day.

             —Linda Morgan

April 2012

Migraines and colic? Who knew?
According to an online article on WebMD, infants whose mothers had a history of migraine have a higher incidence of colic. In the study, researchers compared the risk of colic in infants among 154 mother-and-child pairs. The mothers were surveyed at their child’s 2-month-old well-child visit at pediatric clinics in San Francisco. Researchers report that since migraines run in families, knowing a mother’s history of migraine or her child’s experience with colic could help identify those children who might be at risk for migraine later in life.

Nurturing local talent
We know that we live in an amazing tech-driven, innovative region that attracts highly educated brainiacs in many fields. After all, the Puget Sound area is home to Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, Costco, Nordstrom . . . the list goes on. Yet, that talent is often imported. Haven’t you noticed that those new parents at your child’s school came from, well, someplace else, to work at Google or Amazon?

The truth is, we’ve fallen behind when it comes to nurturing homegrown talent, particularly in less-affluent districts such as South Seattle and south King County. Students in these districts lag behind on achievement tests and other indicators of educational success.

That’s why the Community Center for Education Results has teamed up with the City of Seattle, the University of Washington, the Seattle Community Colleges District, the Puget Sound Educational Service District, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and others to form the Road Map Project, a coalition working to double the number of South Seattle and south King County students pursuing a college diploma or career credential by 2020. For information on the project, go to ccedresults.org/the-project.

Stress and kids: toxic combo
“The Toxic Stress of Early Childhood Adversity: Rethinking Health and Education Policy” is the subject of an on-demand webcast now available from The Forum at Harvard School of Public Health. The hour-long program, recorded on Feb. 7, 2012 in Boston, examines how early childhood adversity can trigger the toxic stress response in children’s bodies and brains, leaving them at higher risk for problems in learning, behavior and health throughout their lifetimes — and how health and education policies might be used or revamped to better prevent or mitigate such problems.

Among the topics discussed was the January 2012 call to action issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics in the form of its policy statement “Early Childhood Adversity, Toxic Stress, and the Role of the Pediatrician: Translating Developmental Science into Lifelong Health.

Terrific talks!
ParentMap’s lecture series continues this month with Rosetta Lee, who speaks on “Parenting Essentials to Prevent Bullying,” April 10. Future lectures feature Julie Metzger and Rob Lehman (“Will Puberty Last My Whole Life?” May 1); John Gottman, Ph.D. (“Making Marriage Work,” May 10); and former vice president of Starbucks Howard Behar (“A Conversation with Teens on Passions and Life Purpose,” May 15). Learn more at parentmap.com/lectures.

Superstar status for STEM
Have you met STEM? If not, it’s time you did. Washington STEM is a nonprofit venture fund focused on promoting innovation, equity and excellence in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. It supports new ideas in STEM education both in and out of school, and helps create business-education partnerships for students. Its goal is for all Washington state students to receive a robust education that prepares them for success. Last year, businesses and philanthropies in the state helped launch Washington STEM with its first round of investments, totaling more than $2.4 million and serving more than 8,500 students.

STEM was big news at last December’s National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) conference in Seattle, with Washington STEM playing a lead role in engaging educators, business leaders and policymakers from across the Northwest on issues surrounding STEM education today. For information, go to washingtonstem.org.

And speaking of STEM
Don’t miss the 2012 Seattle Science Festival, set for June, which will bring hands-on exhibits, shows, demonstrations and performances to venues throughout the region. The Festival will focus on educating all ages about STEM. It coincides with the 50th anniversary of both the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair and Pacific Science Center, which is spearheading the effort.

Festival programs and exhibitions will take place throughout the Puget Sound region with the majority free to the public. For more information, go to seattlesciencefestival.org.

Is it all about maturity?
Kids who are the youngest in their class have a greater chance of getting diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than their older classmates, according to a recent Canadian study.

Researchers from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver studied kids in British Columbia, where the kindergarten cut-off date is December 31. Researchers found that children were 39 percent more likely to be diagnosed — and 48 percent more likely — to be treated with ADHD meds if they were born in December, as opposed to January.

In fact, the youngest boys were 30 percent more likely than their oldest classmates to get an ADHD diagnosis, and the youngest girls had a 70 percent greater chance, according to the study conducted by Dr. E. Jane Garland, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the university.

“The potential harms of over-diagnosis and lack of an objective test for ADHD suggest caution be taken in assessing children for the disorder,” the authors report.

            —Linda Morgan

March 2012

New otter daughter
There’s a new sea otter in town, born in January at the Seattle Aquarium. The otter (a girl!) is the second born to Aniak and the latest in a long line of sea otters born at the aquarium. Many of the sea otters born at the Seattle Aquarium have been transferred to other aquariums around the country. Really, you “otter” take a little trip to see this cute pup. The aquarium is located at 1483 Alaskan Way in Seattle. Go to seattleaquarium.org for information.

Lunches: Fruitier + fat-free
When the U.S. Department of Agriculture unveiled new school nutrition standards in January, the Seattle Public Schools (SPS) district felt pretty good about it, and here’s why: The district is already in line with some of these new standards. “Seattle has been very progressive with changing the way we offer meals, offering fruits and vegetables every day, as well as whole-grain-rich foods,” says Wendy Weyer, director of nutrition services for SPS. “There is a new requirement that we only offer fat-free or low-fat milk varieties, which we are already doing in Seattle.” The new standards will be phased in over a three-year period, starting in the 2012–13 school year.

Helping teens give back
The Seattle-based nonprofit Teens in Public Service (TIPS) helps teens find work and give back to their community by finding them jobs at various nonprofit organizations throughout the greater Puget Sound area. The organization selects teens for internships by matching their talents and interests with the needs of local nonprofits. Teens serve at no cost to the nonprofit, but earn a paycheck through TIPS, which is seeking applicants (ages 15–19) for its 2012 summer program.

How’s your parenting?
“Life Skills Parenting,” coming to the University of Washington on March 17, will focus on ways to improve family dynamics and enhance our effectiveness as parents. Speakers will include Dr. Marsha Linehan, University of Washington (UW); psychology professor Dr. Liliana Lengua, director of the UW Center for Child and Family Well-Being; Dr. Laura Kastner, UW professor and expert on teen behavior; and Anthony P. Dubose, Psy.D., president of the Evidence Based Treatment Centers of Seattle.

New program for gifted kids
The Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth (CTY) is enrolling students in its first summer residential program site in this area. Spots are available for 400 qualified students who have completed grades 7 through 10 to attend one of two three-week summer sessions at Seattle University beginning June 24 and July 15. Students can qualify for the summer program by achieving high scores on the college SAT and similar tests they take as middle-schoolers. For information, go to cty.jhu.edu.

Schools growing greener
While researching and assembling this special issue, we realized that many schools in our region are environmentally conscious and responsible — and integrate these values into their curriculum. One of these schools is Seattle’s Progressive Preschool (SPP), which was founded in 2009 by two Seattle parents. SPP’s mission is to provide a quality preschool curriculum that emphasizes social and environmental awareness as a building block for change. As SSP states on its website: “It is not about teaching what is wrong with the world, but rather instilling in our kids the understanding that they are capable of making a difference. In time, such awareness enables action, which enables justice.” For a listing of other “green” schools in the area, go to wagreenschools.org.

Don’t wait — read this now
Is your child a procrastinator? Maybe you’re a “not now, I’ll do it later” type yourself. But most of us have learned that, ultimately, we need to get the job done. And we want to make sure our children figure that out, too. How can you teach your kids to “just do it?” Tell them that it’s important to complete tasks that are given to them, then help them create work routines. Here are some tips, from the book, Beyond Smart: Boosting Your Child’s Social, Emotional, and Academic Potential by Linda Morgan.

Help your child . . .
Foster good work habits
Create work routines
Break projects down into smaller chunks
Organize projects and tackle the least appealing step first
Map out deadlines and set time limits for each step
Sep up a reward system for completing a task
If needed, get tutors, outside help or contact the school about the homework load

Inventors! Your time has come
The Boy Scouts of America has teamed up with Edison Nation to sponsor a contest for creative kids. Boys and girls ages 7 to 21 years old are invited to participate in “Innovation Challenge” to discover cool new products they think should be made and sold in stores. Winners will receive royalties from the sale of their products and be named the “inventor” on any issued patents. The search runs through May 7, 2012.

Fab film fest
The 6th annual National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) 2012 will be held April 26–29 in Seattle. It is the largest showcase of the best filmmakers, 22 and younger, from around the world. The festival includes more than 200 film screenings in categories including feature-length and short films in narrative, documentary, animation, music video, experimental and action sports.

            —Linda Morgan

February 2012

Workin’ 9 to 5 — for less
Think that women are finally earning what their male counterparts earn?

Think again. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in 2010, women in Washington state had median weekly earnings of $748, which is 76.5 percent of the $978 median weekly earnings of men. Nationwide, women earned $669 per week, which is 81.2 percent of the $824 median for men.

While both women’s and men’s weekly earnings in Washington state ranked in the top 10 in pay nationwide, the ratio of female-to-male earnings in the state place us 41st in the nation.

Think heart-healthy
Macy’s, in partnership with the American Heart Association and ParentMap, will sponsor Go Red For Women, a special event that will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, February 4, at Macy’s in Bellevue Square. Highlighting the day will be a passport program with “heart-healthy” stops designed to educate participants on their risk factors for heart disease and ways to live a healthier lifestyle. Stations will include CPR training, chair massages and nutrition and fitness information. Everyone who completes the passport program will be eligible to win a grand prize from Macy’s.

Power to the arts!
According to the nonprofit organization ArtsEd Washington, the level of K–12 arts education in Washington state schools is often inadequate. ArtsEd’s mission is to make sure all students in the state have access to an arts education.

In 2010, the Washington State Arts Commission released a publication, K–12 Arts Education: Every Student, Every School, Every Year.

The Every Student booklet is based on a survey of K–12 principals conducted in 2008–2009. Principals responded from across the state — from 37 out of 39 Washington counties, and from schools representing 25 percent of the state’s student population. Some of the survey findings include:

• 63 percent of principals are dissatisfied with the quantity of arts education in their schools
• 33 percent of elementary school students receive less than one hour per week of arts instruction
• 34 percent of eighth-graders attend a school where there is no instruction in visual art

K–12 Arts Education: Every Student, Every School, Every Year is available as a PDF online at arts.wa.gov/education/aeri.shtml.

Video games foster creativity? Really?
Here’s one that takes us by surprise: A Michigan State University study of nearly 500 12-year-olds found that the more that kids played video games, the more creative they were in tasks such as drawing pictures and writing stories. But the study also found that the use of cell phones and computers (other than for video games) was not related to creativity.

Linda Jackson, lead researcher on the project, said the study is the first that connects technology use and creativity. The findings should motivate game designers to identify the aspects of video game activity that are responsible for the creative effects, she says. “Once they do that, video games can be designed to optimize the development of creativity while retaining their entertainment values, such that a new generation of video games will blur the distinction between education and entertainment.”

The study also found that boys played video games more than girls, and that boys favored games of violence and sports (surprise!), while girls favored games involving interaction with others.

Desperately seeking Ritalin
The medicines needed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are in short supply, reports The New York Times. Many patients can’t find pharmacies that have enough pills to fill their prescriptions.

According to reports, federal regulators limit the availability of ADHD drugs, because they worry these drugs will be abused. ADHD drugs such as Adderall are sometimes used by students who want to improve school performance — or get high.

There’s a growing demand for these drugs. In 2010, more than 18 million prescriptions were written for Adderall, up 13.4 percent from 2009, according to a Reuters report.

The number of kids diagnosed with ADHD is increasing. Between 2003 and 2007, the percentage of children diagnosed with it increased by 22 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

             —Linda Morgan

January 2012

Keep chuggin’ that cuppa joe
Along with that caffeine buzz, you may be getting something else. A study recently published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention reports that women in the study who drank more than four cups of coffee each day had a 25 percent reduced risk of endometrial cancer. A caffeine habit of two to three cups a day resulted in a 7 percent risk reduction.

Some good news from SPS
Yes, there’s plenty more work to be done. But we’re always willing to hear some good news from Seattle Public Schools. For starters, reports interim superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield, high school graduation rates are up from 67 percent to 73 percent. In addition, 85 percent of 10th-grade students met the standard on the state writing exam; 65 percent of fourth-grade students did so on the state math exam; and 79 percent of third-grade students met the standard on the state reading exam. Yet, the fact remains that while students and schools are making steady progress, they are not doing so quickly enough to meet all of the district’s five-year goals, which were set in the 2008 Strategic Plan.

Super series
ParentMap’s Lecture Series gives Northwest families easy access to leading experts on a range of relevant parenting issues. The series will kick off on March 1 with Ashley Merryman, coauthor of NurtureShock. Additional lectures include Anthony E. Wolf, Ph.D. (“Aliens on Planet Teen,” March 6); Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson (“Health, Happiness and Family Balance,” March 21); Rosetta Lee (“Parenting Essentials to Prevent Bullying,” April 10); Julie Metzger and Rob Lehman (“Will Puberty Last My Whole Life?” May 1); John Gottman, Ph.D. (“Making Marriage Work,” May 10); and former vice president of Starbucks, Howard Behar (“A Conversation with Teens on Passions and Life Purpose,” May 15). Learn more at parentmap.com//lectures.

Preschool spotlights nature and nurture
A new nature-based preschool is opening this month at the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center in Bellevue. The Pacific Science Center’s new Polliwog Preschool will focus on nature, exploration, hands-on learning, scientific inquiry and creative expression.  —Linda Morgan

Life Skills Parenting
Don’t miss this special program, coming to the University of Washington on March 17. Life Skills Parenting will focus on ways to improve family dynamics and enhance our effectiveness as parents. Dr. Marsha Linehan, UW psychology professor, created DBT, a system of therapy with skills which combines cognitive-behavioral techniques for emotion regulation. Dr. Liliana Lengua, director of the UW Center for Child and Family Well-Being, will discuss what leads to breakdowns in parenting and ways to interweave DBT skills with parenting dynamics. Dr. Laura Kastner, UW professor and expert on teen behavior, will discuss the building blocks of competent family functioning in her talk, “21st-century Best Parenting Practices.” Anthony P. Duboise, Psy.D., president of the Evidence Based Treatment Centers of Seattle, will demonstrate ways to teach skills to teens and their families. For information, go to parentmap.com/article/life-skills-parenting-event.

December 2011

Our gift to you
It wouldn’t be the giving season without the advent of our wildly popular Big Gift Giveaway! We’ve assembled a crazy cool collection of memberships, tickets, gifts and more. We’ll award a gift every day between December 1 and 31. Enter daily at parentmap.com/big-gift to increase your chances of winning fab prizes such as a $500 gift certificate at the Bravern, 5th Ave. Cinderella tickets, a PCC $150 gift card, PNB Nutcracker tickets, a Pacific Place $500 gift card, and — are you ready — a trip to Mexico!

Could you be dyslexic?
Is your child dyslexic? Then chances are, so are you. According to the International Dyslexia Association, 98 percent of children with dyslexia have a parent who is dyslexic. Ask yourself: Do you read slowly? Did you have trouble learning to read? Do you make lots of spelling mistakes? Did you find it hard to learn a foreign language? Are you uncomfortable reading out loud? These are just a few of the signs of dyslexia. If you have them, or would like more information, go to the IDA website: interdys.org.

Womb woes
According to a Harvard School of Public Health study, baby girls exposed in utero to bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical commonly found in plastics, may develop later behavior problems. Moms found to have high BPA levels during pregnancy had 3-year-old girls who showed more anxiety and depressed behavior than girls not exposed to the chemical. Boys were not affected. Researchers said the reason girls showed problems and boys didn’t might have something to do with the way hormones affect brain development in the womb.

Stop the bullying!
We’d all like to know how to prevent bullying in our schools. The Washington State Office of the Educational Ombudsman offers these tips:

- Create a home environment of tolerance, where differences are celebrated.

- Encourage your school to develop policies and procedures regarding bullying.

- Ask for a bullying prevention program to be implemented in your school.

- Intervene every time you witness bullying behavior.

- Provide predictable, consistent, matter-of-fact consequences if your child bullies others.

- Support the child who is bullied. Give emotional nurturing at home.

- Encourage bystanders to speak out against bullying behavior, report it to adults and befriend excluded children.

- Spend time with your child and others. All children need a daily, personal connection with parents, teachers and other caring adults.

What’s in those toys?
Washington state will now require toys, cosmetics, jewelry and baby-product manufacturers to report when their products contain harmful chemicals. These include formaldehyde, bisphenol A and endocrine disrupters. The rule is a step toward making kids’ products safer. Large companies will submit reports by August 2012 and the rule will phase in over the next several years for smaller companies.

—Linda Morgan

November 2011

Seattle school daze
Woe is the Seattle Public School District. Many of its buildings are in disrepair. The Council of the Great City Schools recently named the district one of 50 that need substantial renovation and improved maintenance. On top of that, according to a report in the Seattle Times, enrollment in the district has surged over the past few years — a situation the district didn’t see coming. This year’s enrollment is about 1,500 students higher than last, leaving many schools crowded with portables and higher class sizes.

Male fertility = healthy heart
Being a dad can boost heart health! According to an article published in the journal Human Reproduction, fathers are less likely to die from heart-related problems than men who are childless. And fathers who only had one child were at a 13 percent higher risk of death due to heart disease. While the results of the study don’t indicate that not fathering children causes heart problems in men, they do suggest that infertility may be an early warning sign of future heart trouble.

And could they use it!
Who’da guessed? Social and emotional learning coming to the U.S. House of Representatives? Well, yes. Representatives from Illinois, Michigan and Ohio introduced The Academic, Social and Emotional Learning Act of 2011 in August. The legislation will increase programs that teach skills such as problem-solving, conflict resolution, decision making, relationship building and self-discipline. The bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to allow funding for teacher and principal training and professional development, to be used for social and emotional programming. Hey, it’s a start!

What’s in those toys?
Washington state will now require toys, cosmetics, jewelry and baby-product manufacturers to report when their products contain harmful chemicals. These include formaldehyde, bisphenol A and endocrine disrupters. The rule is a step toward making kids’ products safer. Large companies will submit reports by August 2012 and the rule will phase in over the next several years for smaller companies.

Revamping NCLB
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is being . . . left behind. President Obama, in an initial effort to reform NCLB, used his executive authority in September to allow states to opt out of some of the achievement standards of NCLB if states produce other accountability measures for elementary and secondary students. Under the new program, states will be eligible to apply for a waiver from the U.S. Department of Education that would exempt them from the NCLB standards. Obama noted that the emphasis on standardized test scores forced teachers to “teach to the test,” while other subjects have been edged out of the school curricula.

Gone viral
According to doctors, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible for one out of every 10 pediatrician visits. RSV “season,” says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), runs from November to March. Most babies will contract the virus by age 2. Keep your eye out for RSV symptoms, which are often difficult to detect because they are similar to the common cold. The illness, according to WebMD, begins with a fever, runny nose and a cough. Most adults experience RSV infection as a bad cold. But among kids who catch it for the first time, 25 to 40 percent come down with pneumonia or bronchiolitis. And two in 100 kids infected for the first time are hospitalized.

—Linda Morgan

October 2011

The mean scene
First time filmmakers Lauren Parsekian and Molly Stroud, victims of “mean girls” during their teenage years, went on a cross-country road trip to better understand — and document — the cruelty of girl-against-girl bullying. In their 10,000 mile journey, Lauren and Molly set-up “Truth Booths” capturing stories and confessions about bullying from girls across the nation. Their film, “Finding Kind,” profiles that journey, and the filmmakers’ quest to take these experiences and find a common ground of kindness and mutual respect. Check out the Finding Kind trailer.

Bullies be gone
Does back to school mean back to being bullied? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says parents should equip their kids with some tools to help them cope with the Bad Guys. According to the AAP, parents should teach their kids to look the bully in the eye, walk away and say (firmly!), “I don’t like what you are doing.” Parents should also find their kids more outside activities, encourage them to make more friends and if things escalate, let the school know. What else? Make sure it’s not your kid who’s the bully. For more on this, check out the chapter “Is Your Child a Bully?” in Beyond Smart: Boosting Your Child’s Social, Emotional, and Academic Potential.

Licely done
While the topic may make your skin crawl, at least we’ve got some good news. It used to be that when your kids got lice, the common advice for removing the little buggers included getting rid of all the lice and nits (eggs) from the head as well as spending weeks afterward washing and bagging up your home to be sure the nasty houseguests were gone.

Nancy Gordon, founder of local lice removal company Lice Knowing You, got in touch with us to tell us that some of that advice, which many parents still follow, is outdated. “You still need to remove all lice and nits (on your head) in order to make sure that your infestation will be gone. The part that has changed quite a bit is what a person needs to do in their environment to make sure lice don’t return.”

She says families only need to focus on the 24 hours before the head is treated. Wash bedding and clothing worn in the last day in hot water, put pillows in the dryer, and pop hair accessories into the freezer for a few hours.

Organic, schmanic?
The conclusions seem pretty natural to us. A recent NPR-Thomson Reuters Health Poll asked 3,000 people across the country about their preference for organic versus nonorganic foods. A 58 percent majority said they prefer the organics. But 38 percent said they prefer nonorganics, citing the high price of the alternative. (You know Whole Foods’ nickname “Whole Paycheck” didn’t just come about by happenstance.)

Those who prefer nonorganics also cited the difficulty in finding organic options. Other findings? Older people are less likely to say they prefer organics than the general population. (Perhaps old habits die hard?) Good news for local farmers, though: People prefer to get their produce at farmers’ markets first (43 percent), supermarkets second (32 percent) and home gardens third (20 percent). What about eating out? Organic options at restaurants leave people relatively uninspired: A full two-thirds say they’re not really interesting in organic options on menus.

Men don’t vent? Shocking!
Admit it. You’ve always wondered why guys just don’t share. Females seem to recite every problem while the menfolk just listen — or pretend to. Now, a University of Missouri study finally makes sense of it all. It’s simple, really. Guys figure talking about troubles is a waste of time. “For years, popular psychologists have insisted that boys and men would like to talk about their problems but are held back by fears of embarrassment,” reports Amanda J. Rose, associate professor at the University of Missouri. It turns out they weren’t embarrassed — they just didn’t see it as particularly useful. Researchers found that girls vent with regularity, thinking it will make them feel better. The boys? They feel those discussions would make them feel “weird.”

Halloween fest
Gilda’s Club Seattle, a nonprofit community clubhouse for anyone touched by cancer, hosts its 10th annual all-ages Halloween bash, Noogiefest, on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. Come dressed in your Halloween best and party down with games and treats, face painting, a haunted house and other fun. It’s all free, but advance registration is a must; call 206-709-1400.

Get shot!
Did you know that in Washington state, just 88.6 percent of children ages 19 to 35 months get immunized? That’s below the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) target of at least 90 percent. The CDC suggests that families ask their doctor what immunizations their kids need and when to get them; follow their doctor’s immunization schedule; and ask their doctor for a copy of the screening and immunization record. This will help you keep track of your child’s tests and shots, which child care providers and schools will ask for. The CDC’s recommended immunization schedule for children ages birth through 6 years suggests inoculation against hepatitis A and B, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, polio, measles-mumps-rubella and other diseases. The schedules may be found online here.

Education Extravaganza
Join us on Oct. 11 for a free education blowout. We’ve invited education experts, representatives for extracurricular activities and over 80 schools to Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue so parents can find out about what’s hot in the world of education. Jackie Ferrado from the Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program will talk about funding your child’s college education, and Sherrie Catron Burke of the Committee for Children will talk about the successful navigation of tween digital fads. Bring the kids for supervised arts and crafts and a magic show by Jeff Evans, and RSVP to be entered to win tickets to Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Nutcracker. You’ll want to show up — everyone who attends will have a chance to win a $2,500 toward your family’s education costs.

—Linda Morgan

September 2011

Sanity saver
Dr. Harvey Karp, the man many new parents credit for keeping them sane with his “5 S’s” for soothing babies and inducing better sleep, is coming to Seattle to share his wisdom with local families and child-care professionals. Karp, the bestselling author of The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on the Block, will also give parents tools to boost toddlers’ cooperation that can “prevent 50 to 90 percent of tantrums” in a matter of days. Sounds like an evening well spent, to us. Karp will speak at the Red Lion Hotel in Seattle at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15. The lecture will benefit Postpartum Support International Washington. Tickets are $20/single or $35/couple. (Nice to know: Babes in arms are welcome.)

Got (breast)milk?
When newborn babies have trouble breastfeeding, moms have a couple of options for expressing their milk: by hand or by machine.  The New York Times reports on a new study that shows moms who expressed by hand were more likely to still be nursing several months later than moms who used a breast pump. The study, out of the University of California, San Francisco, found that 97 percent of moms who expressed by hand were more likely to be breastfeeding their 2-month-olds, compared to only 72.7 percent among those who had used the machines. Those who expressed by hand were more comfortable expressing milk with others present (if you’ve ever used a breast pump, you know how awkward it can feel). And although the small quantities of milk were the same in both groups, hand-expressers were more satisfied with the results than those who may have felt discouraged by the relatively large collecting cups.

Izilla is on the move
One of our favorite local toy stores, Izilla Toys, has (sadly) closed up shop on Capitol Hill. But don’t despair: It’s still alive and kicking in its Wallingford Center location (lots of other kid-friendly shops, great free parking). Plus, owner Jude Larene has announced he’s opening The Peace Play Collaborative (The PPC) at the Wallingford Center. “The PPC will offer small and large affordable study and studio spaces for tutors, music teachers, art teachers, dance and music instructors, community leaders, etc. It also has a large rentable space for ongoing kids-related group classes and one-time events, such as parties, meetings, book clubs; the sky’s the limit!” The PPC will also offer drop-in play times for a small fee when the space isn’t reserved. That’s exciting news — we wish them luck. For more details, call Izilla Toys at 206-547-5204.

Whee! for Wee-Tots
Meanwhile, across the pond, an adorable new store called Wee-Tots has opened on Main Street in old Bellevue, right near mom faves Title 9 and glassybaby. Catering to the infant to 7-year-old set, store owner Ji-Young Lee (herself a mom to a 2-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy) has filled the modern store with a well-edited selection of higher-end baby furniture and gear (cribs, beds, strollers, car seats, high chairs, diaper bags and so on), clothing, accessories, and high-quality, eco-friendly and educational toys. “Having two children of my own, I wanted the best of what was available for them, and oftentimes, it was hard to find those things locally,” says Lee. “I wanted to open a children’s store that was known for having those unique, quality items.”

—Jane Watson

August 2011

Weighty matter
The idea that baby fat is adorable is about to become outdated. Concern about overweight kids is extending to younger and younger children, and now even babies’ weight is under scrutiny. The National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine released a report in June that highlighted the fact that almost 10 percent of babies and toddlers are overweight, and recommended that parents and caregivers pay close attention to weight-related factors they can control, including children’s nutrition, activity and sedentary behaviors such as watching television. The academy recommended that children stay active, eat nutrient-dense foods, limit screen time and sleep an adequate number of hours per night.

Boy power
A new Gallup poll shows that if Americans could have just one child, they would prefer to have a boy rather than a girl — by a 48 percent to 28 percent margin. Men have a stronger preference (by a 49 percent to 22 percent margin), while women don’t show a similar preference for girls; women who were polled didn’t care either way. Younger Americans, Americans with lower education levels and Republicans also preferred a boy over a girl, although income didn’t affect attitudes at all. According to the report, “Higher-income Americans are exactly the same as the national average in their preference for a boy rather than a girl.” Gallup points out that the implications for gender preference could eventually be profound as “various techniques for prenatal sex selection have become more widely available.”

In the weeds
A new study by Earth Open Source adds to concerns that the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup, glyphosate, is a factor in the development of birth defects. Earth Open Source reviewed the data available about Roundup and reported that the herbicide industry has known for years that the chemical causes birth defects in lab animals. Millions of pounds of the herbicide have been used since it was introduced by Monsanto in 1976.

Stress on the brain
Teens experience stress differently than adults do, according to a new study out of the University of California, Los Angeles, and teen stress might lead to risky decision making. According to online magazine Science Nation, the study’s author, Adriana Galván, scanned the brains of teens who reported having an extremely stressful day and  found that the “reward systems” of their brains showed more activation than adults when making risky choices. She also found that stressed teens made risky choices more often than adults. The magazine notes that teens’ prefrontal cortex — the area of the brain responsible for behavioral regulation — is still not completely developed, meaning that teens don’t always fully understand the consequences of their decisions. Galván says stressed out teens should bear that in mind and learn to take a minute to think about their decisions.

—Kris Collingridge

July 2011

Golden Teddy Awards
Where do you go to eat out with the kids? Grab a latte? Settle in for story time? Buy the best quality toys? We want to know!  Vote for your family favorites in more than 70 categories through July 14, and you could win a one-night San Juan Island getaway for two adults at Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes. We’ll be publishing the winners at parentmap.com in mid-August and highlighting favorites in our September Family Directory. Visit parentmap.com/golden-teddy to vote now!

Dirty deeds
Digging in the dirt is good for you, and the expectation that little girls should keep their clothes clean might have adverse consequences for their health later in life. A researcher at Oregon State University found that women have higher rates of autoimmune disorders than men, and blames cultural expectations that keep girls from being exposed to bacteria and parasites that help develop their immune systems. Boys are encouraged to play outside and get dirty, she says, while parents still tend to want their girls to stay neat and clean. Girls and boys should be playing outside at higher rates than they already do; it’s fun, and it could be good for their health.

Risky business
Investigators from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) anonymously surveyed 156,000 high school students about their involvement in risky behaviors, from smoking to drug use to not wearing a bike helmet, and found that kids who identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual reported that they engaged in riskier behavior at much higher rates than their straight peers. Fifteen to 34 percent of gay and lesbian students reported attempting suicide in the previous year (compared to 4 to 10 percent of straight teens), and 20 to 48 percent of gay and lesbian students identified themselves as smokers (compared to 8 to 19 percent of straight teens). Since the CDC didn’t ask kids the reasons for their behavior, we don’t know why gay, lesbian and bisexual teens take more risks, but the study’s lead author linked the stigma and rejection these teens suffer to the increase in self-harming behaviors.

Work it out
Is your teen looking for summer work? She might have a hard time finding it. The May report from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics puts the unemployment rate for 16- to 19-year-olds who want a job at 24.2 percent (for perspective: That’s the lowest rate for that age group since the end of World War II). And African-American teens who want to work have it much worse — their unemployment rate is 40.7 percent. Ripples from such a high teen unemployment rate can extend far into the future: More work experience during the teen years means higher wages when those teens reach the ages of 20 to 25.

—Kris Collingridge

June 2011

Bully for you?
According to a new study published in Pediatrics, bullies — as well as their victims — make more trips to the school nurse than other kids, and the reasons aren’t as simple as being sent to the nurse for an obvious injury. Being bullied takes a psychological toll on kids, which can make them more vulnerable to illnesses and symptoms, such as stomach­aches. But bullies can also suffer psychological stresses related to their behavior — and wind up in the nurse’s office. The authors of the study said their research suggests that school nurses can be instrumental in identifying bully­ing patterns at schools. Read more at parentmap.com/more.

Autism awareness
Is your child on the autism spectrum? Find the best information about autism on The Autism Blog, recently launched by Seattle Children’s. Doctors, nurses and psychologists offer expert perspectives on issues faced by families of kids with autism — from new research to finding a summer camp — to help parents cut through the thicket of sometimes confusing info out there. Visit the site to subscribe to the blog.

Vac facts
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the bacterial meningitis vaccine Menactra for kids between the ages of 9 and 23 months — the first approval in the United States of this type of vaccine for such young children. Bacterial menin­gitis, an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, is spread by close contact, such as coughing and kissing, and strikes previously healthy kids and young adults. (A major risk factor for contracting the disease is being 5 years old or younger.) Although rare in the U.S., bacterial meningitis can be devastating; it can quickly cause death, and those who survive it can suffer hearing loss, paralysis and other life-changing disabilities.

Heart smarts
A new study out of the University of Washington has found that college athletes suffer from sudden cardiac death far more frequently than previously thought. Earlier studies had estimated the risk at one in 300,000, but UW researchers put the risk at one in 43,000, with basketball players topping the list of athletes with the highest rates of sudden cardiac death. Researchers are hoping that the new numbers will convince schools that better — and more expensive — screening is worth the cost.

Divorce dilemma
Stay together for the sake of the kids — or not? Conventional wisdom favors the former option, but a new study out of Montclair State University suggests that a parent’s divorce isn’t the most important factor in determining a child’s future success at marriage. The way parents got along before divorcing actually has greater implications for their children’s future relationships. Researchers found that adult children from highly conflicted families that stayed together had a greater likelihood of relationship failure than adult kids from highly conflicted families in which the parents split.

—Kris Collingridge

May 2011

Quadruple X
A study by U.K. parenting website bounty.com found that families are happiest with two daughters, but a household with four girls in it is too much of a good thing. The study ranked kid combos from 1–12, with four girls coming in dead last (although four boys came in at number 6). Why would parents perceive four girls to be that much harder than four boys, with their reputation for noisiness and rough play? It’s not the sheer number of children, but the “drama.” According to the study, two girls don’t antagonize each other, but four girls do. Read more about this fascinating study at parentmap.com/more.

Cavity search
Here’s another one for the “eww!” file. Get ready for this: Parents pass the bacteria that cause cavities —  primarily Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus — to their kids. (Think of all the saliva swapping that goes on, unwittingly or not, between parents and young children.) Researchers at the University of Brisbane found that more than 80 percent of 24-month-olds studied had been infected with cavity-causing bacteria and concluded that, because the risk of getting cavities correlates with the age kids are first infected, “Strategies for the prevention of dental caries should include timely control of colonization of the cariogenic bacteria in the mouths of young children.” In other words, brushing counts — even when kids are very small.

Happy days
Can parents help their kids learn how to be happy? Yup. Join Christine Carter, Ph.D., author of Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents, for a discussion on the 10 things we can do to help our kids achieve greater happiness. (“Eat more candy” is not on the list.) Carter draws on the latest research to pinpoint the ways parents can help kids develop happiness-boosters such as optimism and emotional intelligence. May 10, 7–9 p.m. at Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle. $20, tickets: parentmap.com/lectures

Boys and babies
When we think of teen pregnancy, we think of possible bad outcomes for the mother. But a study in Economic Inquiry shows that becoming a teen dad can also negatively affect young men, reducing their high school graduation rates and increasing the likelihood of early marriage or cohabitation. Interestingly, the study found that teens who practiced birth control before the birth “face smaller consequences” than teens who don’t. Better sex ed. and access to birth control for young people, anyone?

—Kris Collingridge

April 2011

Cart blanch
Do you walk right by the wipes posted near most grocery-store shopping carts? This story might change that. Researchers from the University of Arizona swabbed shopping-cart handles looking for bacteria and hit the mother lode. Seventy-two percent of the carts had a marker for fecal bacteria — and half had E. coli contamination. Ewwww, gross! However, scientists say this level of exposure probably won’t make your child sick. But here’s another thing to remember: Wash those reusable shopping bags. Scientists say they also harbor bacteria.

Thanks again, Barbie
Those cultural stereotypes that tell girls they’re no good at math just won’t quit! Fascinating new research by our friends at the University of Washington’s Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences (I-LABS) finds that those messages are alive and well, and messing up little girls, beginning as early as second grade. They’re still getting the message that “math is for boys.” According to I-LABS, “Our results indicate the math-gender stereotype develops early, prior to ages at which differences in math achievement emerge.” Link to more on this study at parentmap.com/more. Moms with daughters: We have work to do!

Ear, ear!
Great news about ear infections: They seem to be on the wane. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a 30 percent drop in ear-infection-related doctor visits over the past 15 years. One reason for this may be a decrease in smoking by parents, which has been linked to ear infections in children. There also is a vaccine that can help kids who suffer from recurrent ear infections.

Facebook safety
There are two new weapons in the battle to keep kids safe on Facebook. The social-media giant just rolled out two new features designed to combat online bullying. First, a brand-new tool will allow children to report upsetting content to the site privately — and to parents, teachers and others. And for adults, an enhanced “safety center” will offer information created by bullying experts, including videos and articles. The new features were announced in conjunction with last month’s White House summit on bullying.

Marriage optional?
Young adults want to have kids, but don’t see marriage as mandatory, according to a huge new survey of so-called “millennials” (Americans younger than 30). Fifty-two percent of them said that being a good parent is one of the most important things in life, but only 30 percent said that marriage is. When asked the same question by the Pew Research Center years ago, Gen Xers ranked marriage a tad higher, at 35 percent. Still, 75 percent of millennials do admit it’s easier to raise a family while married.

Stay married!
Sure, it takes some work, but if you’re looking for tools to make your marriage stronger, who better to turn to than über-expert and marriage whisperer Dr. John Gottman? ParentMap is bringing his sure-fire sell-out marriage lecture back to Town Hall in May, along with the brilliant and funny Dr. Laura Kastner and the wonderful Julie Metzger. Learn more and get tickets at parentmap.com/lectures.

March 2011

Solid evidence
If you bottle-feed your baby, don’t start solid foods too early — that’s the advice of researchers who’ve just found a link between early solids and obesity. Their study finds that bottle-fed babies who start solid foods before the age of 4 months are six times more likely to be obese at the age of 3 years! Researchers didn’t find a similar link between solid-food introduction and obesity for breastfed babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies start on solid foods between 4 and 6 months of age.

Snooze to lose
Another fascinating fact about childhood obesity: Kids who are allowed to sleep in on weekends are less likely to be obese. That may not be surprising, since getting too little sleep is linked to weight gain in people of all ages. Researchers say the best thing for kids is a regular sleep schedule every day, but “catch-up” sleep on weekends and holidays tends to mitigate the adverse effects of irregular sleep during the week.

Weight not
We’re psyched to report that excellent friend of ParentMap Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, Ph.D. is coming to our area for a talk based on her book, “I’m, Like, SO Fat!": Helping Your Teen Make Healthy Choices about Eating and Exercise in a Weight-Obsessed World. The book’s title says it all! March 27, 10:30 a.m. at the Stroum Jewish Community Center on Mercer Island. Tickets are $20 at parentmap.com/fat.

Game on!
If you’ve got a gamer in the house, you already know: The next wave in video gaming, the Nintendo 3DS, will be released later this month. And you may have heard that Nintendo is warning that children younger than 6 should not use 3-D products, because the devices might damage vision. But the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) disagrees, saying there is no evidence that 3-D digital products can hurt vision in kids. According to the AAO, “The development of normal 3-D vision in children is stimulated as they use their eyes in day-to-day social and natural environments, and this development is largely complete by age three years.”

Snakes on the brain
According to new research, we’re not born afraid of spiders or snakes, but learn those fears very early in life. Scientists studying how fear works found that the more potentially dangerous a thing is, the more quickly we learn to fear it. They say we have built-in biases to detect things like spiders and snakes. But when has a fear gone too far? Read our article about phobias on page 44.

Marital bliss
Marriage makes men nicer, according to a study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry. Researchers studied 289 pairs of male twins and found that the men who were married engaged in much lower levels of antisocial behavior (like getting into a brawl) than their unmarried twins. In the study, the twins who were less aggressive and more empathetic had a better chance of getting married in the first place, but those civilizing effects increased after marriage. Researchers say one explanation for this may be that men learn relationship skills from their wives.

Marriage Rx
Learn a few marriage skills yourself at our upcoming lecture by John Gottman, Ph.D.! This year’s line-up features Gottman (twice!), Laura Kastner, Ph.D., Michael Riera, Ph.D., best-selling author Christine Carter and others. Tickets are going fast; visit parentmap.com/lectures and see page 37 for more information.

—Kristen Russell

February 2011

Baby fat
That chubby little cherub might not grow out of the baby fat, after all. New research finds that fully one-third of babies in the U.S. are either obese or are at risk for obesity, and those who are obese at 9 months of age have the highest risk of being obese at 2 years. Researchers are not suggesting babies be put on diets; they say parents of obese babies should be extra careful about food choices.

Autism fraud
The study that scared thousands of parents off of the MMR vaccine because it linked that vaccine to autism in children was “an elaborate fraud,” according to a seven-year investigation. The 1998 study had already been retracted by the medical journal The Lancet; the study’s author, Dr. Andrew Wakefield, has been stripped of his medical license. Link to the full report in the British Medical Journal at parentmap.com/more.

Sibling risk
A huge national study has found a possible link between autism and the spacing of siblings. The study looked at more than 660,000 second-born children and found that they were more than three times more likely to be diagnosed with autism if they were conceived within a year after the birth of an older sib. One possible explanation for this: Women may have depleted levels of certain nutrients — and higher levels of stress — after a recent pregnancy. Link to more at parentmap.com/more.

 

Jitterbugs
Is your kid getting too much caffeine? Probably, according to researchers who found that 75 percent of kids between the ages of 5 and 12 are getting a jolt every day. A study finds that kids ages 5–7 drink about 52 mg. of caffeine daily — that’s more than a full can of soda. Older kids, ages 8–12, drink more than twice that amount. No surprise: The study also found a significant correlation between caffeine intake and lack of sleep. Researchers think most parents just aren’t aware of how much caffeine their little ones are consuming; link to a cool chart at parentmap.com/more.

‘Sweatheart’ spending
The national belt-tightening trend could have a warm, fuzzy effect this Valentine’s Day: Husbands are now more likely to give their wives sweaters or other practical items than in previous years. A survey by the National Retail Federation found couples cut back on spending on their significant other, forking over an average of $63.34 last year (down from $67 the year before). Men usually spend twice as much as woman; about $135. This year, fewer will spend that money on jewelry and nights on the town, choosing instead to get clothing, candy and flowers for their sweeties. But puppy love is still going strong: People were predicted to spend an average of $3.27 on their pets last Valentine’s Day. That’s up from $2.17 the previous year.

 

—Kristen Russell

January 2011

Body talk
A troubling new trend among little kids in our country: The number of children younger than 12 who are hospitalized for eating disorders has increased 119 percent in recent years. A report by the American Academy of Pediatrics calls the trend “alarming” because it shows an increase in distorted body image in children. According to the study, the media is partly to blame for showing unrealistic body shapes, but the biggest impact may be coming from mothers who are unhappy with their own bodies sending unconscious messages to their kids. Moms: Check yourselves!

Know dose?
If you’re confused by the instructions on that bottle of baby meds, you’re not alone. A big new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that dosing instructions on over-the-counter (OTC) liquid kids’ medicines are often confusing and inconsistent. Researchers studied the directions on 200 popular OTC medicines for coughs, colds, allergies, pain and other ailments; they found that one in four of the drugs don’t come with a dosing device (dropper or cup), and when devices were included, most had markings that didn’t match up with printed instructions.

Period piece
An international research team has just identified 30 new genes responsible for determining when girls reach puberty, and many of them are the same genes that cause obesity. Researchers hope the new findings will one day help reverse the trend of early-onset puberty. Ten years ago, the average age of menarche (first period) was 14–15 years; now it’s 12–13 years. Early menarche is linked to increased risk of breast cancer, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes; experts say the new findings suggest that if parents and doctors intervene with girls who are at high risk of obesity, they may be able to delay menarche.

Hey, sugar
Try this at home: Swap out high-sugar cereal for a low-sugar option, put out a bowl of fresh fruit, and stand back and watch the magic happen. Researchers say that most kids will eat the fruit if they’re not eating high-sugar cereal. Win-win! The study divided 90 kids ages 5–12 into two groups. One group got high-sugar cereal (Frosted Flakes, Cocoa Pebbles or Froot Loops), the other got low-sugar cereal (Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies or Cheerios). Each group also had bowls of cut-up bananas and strawberries, and was told to eat at will. More than half of the low-sugar group (54 percent) ate the fresh fruit, compared to only 8 percent in the high-sugar group!

Giveaway
Family Game Night!
Start a new tradition for the new year: Family Game Night! You could win a box of great games from our friends at Seattle’s own The Wonder Forge. Prizes include fun “Cat in the Hat” and “Busytown” games for building skills for kids ages 3 and older (we’ll choose for you). To enter, visit parentmap.com/giveaways by Jan. 31.

—Kristen Russell

December 2010

Merry Stressmas!
Crowded malls, to-do lists and big-time busyness: For some of us, the holiday season packs a big stress wallop. But there’s still time to make a plan to keep things sweet and simple this month. Experts say the best thing parents can do to relieve holiday stress on their families is to slow down. Talk to your kids about expectations for gifts and activities, and be open with them if money is an issue, advises the American Psychological Association. Visit parentmap.com/more to get some great ideas for inexpensive gifts and holiday outings — and a nifty checklist for managing holiday stress.

Cold comfort
Another hazard this time of year: the winter cold. A new study suggests one possible way to stay snot-free this season: exercise! A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that the more exercise subjects got, the less they got sick. Exercising for just 20 minutes five days a week cut illness by a whopping 40 percent! Scientists aren’t sure why, but they think exercise recruits immune cells that normally hang around in your lymph nodes and other places. Can’t hurt to try!

Whooping it up
Here’s a big turnaround: Research­ers now believe it is children who are spreading the whooping cough (also known as pertussis) virus, not adults. Previously, scientists laid the blame for the whooping cough outbreak on adults, prompting major immunization campaigns aimed at grownups. But researchers at Michigan University find that it’s mainly children who are spreading the disease.

Know-nuttin’s
Heads up, moms of nut-allergic kids: A new study finds that only half of the people with peanut or tree nut allergies actually know what the nuts they’re allergic to look like! Researchers showed more than 1,100 people a display of peanuts and nine tree nuts in 19 different forms and asked them to identify the types of nuts; of those with allergies, only half could pick out the nuts that trigger their reaction. The study’s authors say parents need to show kids the nuts they’re allergic to in all sorts of forms, so they can avoid eating them.

Pizza my heart
Teenagers + pizza = a match made in (sodium) heaven! A new study finds that, thanks to their heavy consumption of pizza and pro­cessed foods, teen­agers take in more salt than any other age group in America — about 3,800 milligrams of sodium daily — more than twice the American Heart Association’s recommendation of 1,500 milligrams a day. Researchers estimate that if teens could drop salt consumption by just one-third, it would result in as much as a 63 percent drop in the number of teens and young adults who suffer from high blood pressure. More info on this story is at parentmap.com/more.

Go (online), girl!
Got a smart, kind daughter? Chances are, that’s not how she portrays herself online, according to a new survey of more than 1,000 teenage girls by the Girl Scouts of America. Girls in the study reported that, in person, they are smart (82 percent), kind (76 percent) and a good influence (59 percent). But the same group of girls admitted they downplay those positive characteristics in their online profiles in order to appear more fun, funny and social. About 22 percent of the girls in the survey admit they try to come off as sexy; another 35 percent say they try to appear “crazy.”

Picture yourself . . .
Relaxing in a spa, eating a fabulous, romantic dinner, or spending a sweet evening getaway at a sumptuous local hotel. Now picture yourself entering to win these and other great prizes in our annual Big Gift giveaway, a holiday present from us to wonderfully deserving you! It’s simple — and free! — to enter. Just visit parentmap.com and follow the links. Enter by Dec. 15.

Picking a preschool?
Get a little (free) help from your PM friends. Our annual Preschool Previews bring dozens of local schools together at an event that lets you ask, evaluate and educate yourself on your options. In West Seattle/South Seattle on Jan. 8; North Seattle/Shoreline on Jan. 12; the Eastside on Jan. 13; and Kent on March 14. Mark your calendar — it’s fun and always free! And our 2011 Lecture Series lineup has been announced; visit parentmap.com/events for details on all events!

—Kristen Russell

November 2010

Work it, girl
A new study brings welcome news for working moms: Children who are younger than 3 when their moms go back to work are no more likely to have academic or behavioral problems than the kids of stay-at-home moms. Psychologists at the University of California say their review of 50 years of research on the subject finds that for some families, having a mom who works is actually better for children, because the extra money makes family life easier and less stressful. This is especially true for single-parent and low-income families. Read more about the story at parentmap.com/more.

Say it ain’t so!
But when the kids get sick, it’s no picnic for working moms, according to a new survey. More than 50 percent of full-time working moms surveyed say they have to take unpaid leave to stay home with sick kids; one-third say they feel they regularly send sick kids to school or daycare. And 33 percent say they’ve lied to their bosses so that they can stay home with sick little ones, saying they themselves are sick or have a death in the family.

Nuts to that
Taking meanness to new heights: Bullies are apparently targeting kids who have food allergies. About one in four children are bullied or harassed because of food allergies, according to a new survey. Some are bullied for being allergic; others for having to carry medication. Fifty-seven percent of those bullied say that their bullies actually touch them or chase them with the actual food allergen. The survey is published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

Watered down
Chances are good your kids aren’t drinking enough water, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which finds that barely half of kids of all ages are downing enough. Inadequate hydration can result in fatigue, muscle weakness, headache and even impaired mental performance. Girls are more likely to be too dry than boys, and most kids get at least some of their water from sweetened beverages, according to the study. Kids should drink between four and eight glasses of water per day, depending on their weight — and more when they’re exercising.

Going Wiiiiii!
If you like your workouts Wii-style, you could be at risk of injury, according to research presented to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Turns out those interactive gaming devices are racking up a broad range of boo-boos, from mild cuts and bruises to shoulder, ankle and foot injuries. A total of 696 video-game-related injuries have been reported in the past five years, including many sustained by bystanders, who get smacked by flailing gamers.

 

Marriage Rx
Some startling new research into why marriages succeed or fail: Dr. John Gottman has created a mathematical approach — based on game theory — to measuring the amount of trust and betrayal in any given romantic relationship. Learn how to spot little everyday betrayals and build trust in your marriage at a special talk on Friday, Nov. 5 at Seattle’s Town Hall. For tickets, visit parentmap.com/meaningful-life-event. See you there!

—Kristen Russell

 

October 2010

Shot talk
A major new study has found no link between early exposure to thimerosal — a preservative used in some vaccines — and autism. The study, carried out by 14 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) scientists and published in the journal Pediatrics, finds that children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) actually had less exposure to thimerosal than did the children in the study who did not have an ASD. Read more at parentmap.com/more.

Got bump?
Then get a flu shot! That’s the message from 10 leading national health organizations, which are urging doctors to advise pregnant women — and those planning to become pregnant — to have the flu vaccine. You only need one shot this year (last year, the CDC recommended two). Pregnant women are at an increased risk of suffering dangerous effects from an influenza infection.

Short-term mammary
Good news and bad news about breastfeeding from the CDC’s annual Breastfeeding Report Card: In 2007, 75 percent of the babies born started off on breast milk. There’s a bit of a letdown six months later, when only 43 percent are still nursing; at 12 months, that number deflates to 22 percent. Breast­feeding has been shown to benefit both baby and nursing mother; more about this is at parentmap.com/more.

Mojo no-go
This just in from the University of No Duh: New mothers are just not that interested in having sex! A newly published review of nearly 50 studies finds that 83 percent of new mothers aren’t interested in sex three months after giving birth. But by six months after birth, nine out of 10 women are back to sexual activity. Reasons for the dry spell include . . . well . . . dryness and pain during intercourse, hormonal changes related to breastfeeding and a negative body image. The review is published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine (I know!); we’ll link to the story at paretmap.com/more.

Innuendo no-go
You know those racy quips in some movies that “go right over” your kids’ heads? Turns out, they probably don’t. That’s according to a major new report by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The policy statement “Sexuality, Contraception, and the Media” paints a pretty ugly picture of what sexual messages in the media are teaching our kids: Exposure to these messages is a significant factor in a child’s intention to have sex. Read the full report — and find ideas for managing these messages — at parentmap.com/more.

Sensory-friendly films

For kids with autism and other sensory disorders, going to a movie is a near impossibility. But two local AMC theaters — Kent Station and Woodinville — now have monthly “sensory-friendly” showings of first-run films. With the lights up, the sound down, and a welcoming attitude towards dancing, shouting and singing, these special showings may make it possible for some families to go to the movies together for the first time ever! Link to details at parentmap.com/more.

Green Halloween
It’s one holiday that can be frightful for your kids’ health, your family’s budget — and even the planet — but you don’t have to let those boogeymen scare you! Check out greenhalloween.org, a website packed with ideas for keeping Halloween safe and healthy for all. Created by a local mom, it includes simple tips, downloadable materials, games, contests and more. Boo-tiful!

Fair Weather
One of our best events of the year is just days away: the ParentMap Education Fair! Join us as we present dozens of schools and education programs under one roof. Compare, ask questions, gather materials and mingle with PM staff and hundreds of like-minded parents. It’s free! The fair is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at Seattle’s Bell Harbor Conference Center; and on Wednesday, Oct. 6 at Bellevue’s Meydenbauer Center. More info is at parentmap.com/education-fairs. See you there!

—Kristen Russell

September 2010

I’m stuffed!
Expecting a baby? Expect to spend about $1,400 before your baby turns 1! A survey by eBay Classifieds found that 62 percent of new parents spent that much or more, and most (93 percent) say their babies accumulate more stuff in a year than they themselves did in five years. In fact, 6 percent of parents say they have so much kid clutter, they can’t even park their car in the garage! Do babies really need all this stuff? Do you? Ponder along with us; read our feature story.

Young and restless
Startling news about ADHD: Nearly 1 million children may have been misdiagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in kindergarten — because they are the youngest in their classes. Two studies in the Journal of Health Economics find that kids who are the youngest in their grade are 60 percent more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than are their older classmates. The reason? Could be because younger kids tend to act “younger” — and be more disruptive in class. Read more on this story at parentmap.com/more.

Young and breastless
I’m worried about a new report in the journal Pediatrics that suggests the average age at which girls hit puberty is still dropping. Now, almost 25 percent of African-American girls experience the onset of puberty by age 7, as do 10 percent of white girls and 15 percent of Latinas. Those rates are much higher than they were in 1997, when we first started hearing about early puberty. Some scientists think a rise in obesity is one possible reason for the trend; others suggest exposure to chemicals called endocrine disruptors might be to blame. Link to more on this at parentmap.com/more.

I hear that
One in five teens now suffers from some sort of hearing loss, according to new research in the Journal of the  American Medical Association. That’s an increase of 31 percent in just 15 years. Reasons for the increase include — you guessed it — iPods and other devices, but also include obesity and general health problems. Loads more info on teen hearing loss is at Listen to Your Buds.

Kthxbai
You know all those news report that say teens are texting way too much? Turns out, parents may be to blame! More than half the teens answering a survey by texting app textPlus — 66 percent — say their parents text them during the day, even when they know they’re in class! Forty-three percent of teens say they themselves text during class — and only 26 percent think it’s wrong to do so.

Snore wars
A funny new study suggests a new sort of naughtiness in bed. No — not that, silly! — I’m talking about being mean to your bed partner! A big survey in Great Britain found that one in four women admit to deliberately waking up their husbands — just because they are jealous their spouses are able to fall asleep so easily! The study found that men tend to fall asleep in less than 10 minutes, while many women — 25 percent — take a full hour to nod off. To carry out the dastardly deed, most women say they just toss and turn until their husbands wake up; the next-most-common strategy is the “accidental” poke in the ribs. Other women just make noise — by talking or turning on the TV — to wake up their mates.

Fuzzy, was he?
In other snooze news, another survey in England finds that one-third of adults in that country take a teddy bear or other cuddly toy to bed with them. The survey — carried out by Travelodge — also found that 51 percent of adults still have some kind of stuffed critter from their childhood. Oh, Mr. Purpleface Bear, we are not alone!

Be direct
Here at ParentMap, we’re taking the direct approach, thanks to our super-expando shiny new online directory! The trained lemurs here at PM World Headquarters have been working furiously, adding thousands of new listings (thanks, Jen!) and fab new features, such as discounts, user ratings and much more! Visit parentmap.com/directory.

HappyMap?
Are you happy enough these days? Work on that at a special daylong event, coming up on Nov. 5. The Greater Good event offers strategies for cultivating compassion and strengthening relationships, and features a special talk by Dr. John Gottman! Read more at parentmap.com/events. See you there!

—Kristen Russell

August 2010

Facebook ’em
Kids + Facebook = a passel o’ worries for parents and schools. But help may be on the way, now that Facebook and National PTA have “friended” each other. The new partnership has a lofty goal: nothing less than a comprehensive program to reduce cyberbullying and increase kids’ online safety. For its part, National PTA will reach out to local PTAs via its National PTA website; Facebook has pledged an in-kind commitment of $1 million in promotions and through its safety center. More info is on our site at parentmap.com/more; read much more about kids’ online safety.

Su-weet!
Here’s news so shocking, I almost dropped my Pop-Tart: More than half of all foods aimed specifically at toddlers — 53 percent! — derive 20 percent or more of their calories from sugar. That’s according to a new study that looked at packaged toddler and baby foods in Canada. Products considered in­cluded toddler entrées and desserts; snacks like cookies, snack bars and yogurts; and some cereals. Forty percent of ’em had some form of sugar listed among the first four ingredients on the label. Check your labels and watch for sneaky sugar terms like corn syrup, cane syrup, brown sugar and dextrose.

Lesbian families
Are kids raised in lesbian families at a disadvantage? A huge new study, just published in Pediatrics, answers with a resounding “No!” The study followed lesbian families for 24 years; it found that the 17-year-old kids of lesbian mothers scored higher in social and academic performance, and lower in aggressive behavior and social problems than did their peers raised in “traditional” families — even in the face of homophobic stigmatization. Find out more; watch for our feature story on gay parenting in the November issue of ParentMap.

Button ugly
Know those little round batteries you find in watches, flashing jewelry and toys? Keep ’em away from little kids! Poison Control specialists say if button batteries are swallowed — or crammed up noses or into ears — they can cause big problems for little kids. Most swallowed buttons pass right through, but some get lodged in the esophagus, where they can cause tissue damage. If you suspect your critter’s been sucking down button batteries, call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222. More tips can be found at parentmap.com/more.

Morning person?
If you tend towards cranky in the evenings, listen up: A new study finds that your mood at baby’s bedtime can have a major effect on baby’s sleep! Researchers at Pennsylvania State University tracked maternal moods and babies’ sleep patterns, and found that moms who are “emotionally available” at bedtime tend to have babies who sleep more soundly. What does “emotionally available” mean? Warmth and sensitivity, among other things. So if you’re irritable at the end of the day (imagine!), take a few deep breaths cribside; the last thing you need is a sleepless baby!

You slacker!
Seems last month’s cover story (“Con­fessions of a slacker parent”) struck a nerve; slacker parents have been turning themselves in in droves on our Facebook wall. “One day I lost track of time, only to realize that [my 6-year-old son] hadn’t had anything to eat from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m.,” writes Dawn. You think you’ve got a few guilty parenting secrets? Pop that Easy Mac in the microwave, “friend” us and check out the slackitude!

Speaking of normal …
Here’s another breath of fresh air for us perfection-challenged parents: Dr. Laura Kastner’s new online project, Top This Parenting. The new website — a collaboration between a psycho­logist, a poet and a geographer(!) — dishes up great perspective, advice and fun, Kastner style. What could be better?

The new ParentMap.com
Sure, our old site won oodles of awards, but here at ParentMap, we never rest on our laurels! This month, we are all aquiver over our newest baby: the spankin’ new ParentMap.com! Now it’s easier than ever to find the info you need, rate articles and events, search our giant, continually updated calendar, and more. Keepin’ it fresh for you! Hope you like it.

—Kristen Russell

July 2010

You need a raise
Yes, you, mom! Salary.com’s annual estimate of what you should be paid for all those mom duties is a whopping $117,856 for stay-at-home moms; working moms should earn $71,860 above their outside salary. Those figures come from average salaries for the 10 basic jobs a mom does, including housekeeper, cook, psychologist, day care center teacher and van driver. Estimated salaries are down a tad from last year, thanks to the economy, but one number that continues to rise: the number of hours the average working mom puts in. Moms with full-time jobs outside the home now work more than 96 hours a week, when you combine her job, mom hours and mom overtime. Not considered by the survey: the numbers for single mothers. Laugh? Cry? Caffeinate?

Do you have ‘sexsomnia’?
A frightening new disorder to worry about: sexsomnia! The “disorder” — in which a person initiates sexual contact while asleep — appears to be more prevalent than previously thought. Almost 8 percent of people in a sleep-disorder study had symptoms of sexsomnia; three-quarters of them are men. Oddly, doctors say, patients rarely if ever complain about the symptoms of this disorder.

Sexless in Seattle
Wish it weren’t so, but our latest Parentmap.com poll turns up evidence of something missing in parents’ marriages: sex. A full 40 percent of parents tell ParentMap that their sex life is DOA; 25 percent say they’re rarely in the mood for sex — but still making the effort. Some consolation: Eighteen percent say they’re getting plenty, thank you very much. Read our report on why making time for sex really, really matters.

Sobbing softly …
… over my keyboard after reading the newest stats from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): A full 40 percent of teens — ages 15–19 — have had sex at least once. What’s more, 14 percent of the girls and 18 percent of the boys say they would be “pleased” if this resulted in a pregnancy. Experts say that little bombshell shows there are many misconceptions about pregnancy and parenting among teens. Ya think? The upside: Most teens — 79 percent of girls and 80 percent of boys — report using some form of birth control during their first sexual experience.

Obesity and birth
Another sobering CDC report: About one out of every five pregnant women were obese when they got that way, and that could account for a big rise in cesarean sections, birth defects and deaths. The CDC defines obesity as having a body mass index of at least 30 (for instance, a 5-foot-5 woman weighing 180 pounds). Read a fascinating New York Times article on this study.

Horrid hybrid
The worst new idea in kids’ entertainment: advergames! Here’s how they work: Your kid watches a show on Nickelodeon or the Cartoon Network and sees an advertisement for a food company’s website. That website features online games that incorporate loads o’ product placement and branding (brainwashing?) into the fun. The food companies also incorporate nutrition and/or physical activity messages — but only at the rate of one healthy message per every 45 brand identifiers. Thanks for nothing, Chester the Cheetah (though the Cheetos sushi recipe rulez!).

Flight plan
If you’re flying with your family this summer, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) wants you to buy a separate seat for your infant. Children younger than the age of 2 are not legally required to have their own seat, but the NTSB says holding tots on your lap can be dangerous if you hit turbulence. “The safest place for young children in turbulence or an emergency is in an approved child-restraint system or device, not on an adult’s lap,” says the NTSB, which is urging passage of a law mandating that separate seat.

Of note …
Huzzah for Seattle Children’s Hospital, which has just been ranked among the best in the nation for the 18th year running by U.S. News & World Report …The first-ever drop-in center for homeless youth has just opened in East King County. The Family Resource Center is at 16315 N.E. 87th Street in Redmond. Details are at Friends of Youth.

—Kristen Russell Dobson

June 2010

Saddy-o
We know that dads get postnatal depression, too, but a new study shows just how prevalent the problem is. Researchers now think as many as one in 10 new fathers experience depression before or after the birth of a child. The worst time for many dads? Between three and six months after birth. Read more about the study.

Born to learn
More fascinating news about what goes on inside newborns’ noggins: Scientists now say new babes are capable of learning — while they sleep! While monitoring newborn brain activity, researchers blew a gentle puff of air at the babies’ eyelids, simultaneously playing a tone. After a while, they cut the puff and just played the tone — and the newborns still scrunched up their eyes! The researchers say this finding may one day lead to a test that can identify infants at risk for developmental disorders that do not become apparent until later in childhood.

Hyper-‘vegilant’
Results of a new study are raising concerns that a certain common pesticide used on fruits and vegetables maybe cause attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The study, by researchers at Harvard University and the University of Montreal, doesn’t prove the link, but experts have deemed the research “persuasive.” The pesticide, called organophosphate, turns up in the urine of most Americans. The study’s authors are calling for more research to confirm a link to ADHD; in the meantime, switching to organic produce may help limit your family’s exposure. More info here.

Beyond the pale
Do you look healthier with a tan? No, you do not, according to the American Academy of Derma­tology, which just released its annual look at the “suntelligence” of 26 major U.S. cities. The survey of American attitudes turned up some surprising results: 66 percent of those polled think people look healthier with a tan. On the other hand, 80 percent say they are concerned about skin cancer and feel it’s important to protect themselves. Seattle is ranked an “un-suntelligent” 23rd in the study — better only than Pittsburgh, Chicago and Cleveland.

Boob job?
Thinking of tinkering with your curves? Looking at a little lipo, perhaps? A recent ParentMap poll finds that about one-third of local moms — 39 percent — might like a little elective plastic surgery, but say they’ll probably never get any. Another 23 percent say “no way,” but 17 percent say “maybe someday.” About 7 percent have already gone under the knife. Look for a new poll on our home page!

Babypants Moneydrive
Power up your preschooler — and you could win an original song written just for them! Every kid who takes part in Wellspring’s “Kids Helping Kids” coin drive will be entered to win an original creation by Caspar Babypants (aka Chris Ballew of The Presidents of the United States of America). Register at kidshelpingkidsseattle.com.

Summer solutions
Hey. It’s June! Do you know where your summer camps are? Tie up those loose ends — and get great ideas for summer programs — on our special Summer Camp Survival Guide.