Sunday, March 27, 2005

Cousins & Brothers

We went to my niece’s first birthday party last night. My brother had it at his martial arts studio, so all the kids had plenty of open space to run around. The thing that was especially notable about the evening beyond the normal, “aren’t our kids so cute,” was seeing my 2.8-year-old son running around playing with my brother’s 1-year-old daughter, and repeatedly saying, “I love my cousin SOOO much.” My brother is seven years older than I, but started having kids 20 years before I did, so growing up and even recently I never thought about our children interacting at all.
I have to say seeing them playing together was pretty amazing, seeing your children love your sibling’s kids just reminds you of how much you love your siblings growing up, of course you still love them know that you’re grow, but it’s different.

Saturday, March 26, 2005

carlo, regarding household sounds, when zachery was about a month old, we discovered by accident that he would be very soothed by the sound of the kitchen sink running. in fact, that then became the only way we could get him to fall asleep (walking back and forth in front of the running sink), and has continued, almost to this day, to be our cue to him that a nap is coming.

it's basically stopped working just recently, but for the longest time, that was our little bedtime routine.

Thursday, March 10, 2005

7 Steps to Protecting our Children from Sexual Abuse

Step 1: Learn the facts
Realities—not trust—should influence your decisions regarding your child.

Step 2: Minimize Opportunity
If you eliminate or reduce one-adult/one-child situations, you’ll
dramatically lower the risk of sexual abuse for your child.

Step 3: Talk about it
Children often keep abuse a secret, but barriers can be broken down by talking openly about it.

Step 4: Stay Alert
Don’t expect obvious signs when a child is being sexually abused.

Step 5: Make a Plan
Learn where to go, who to call and how to react.

Step 6: Act on Suspicions
The future well-being of a child is at stake.

Step 7: Get involved
Volunteer and financially support organizations that fight the tragedy of child sexual abuse.

... Okay that 7th step seems a little weak, but check out the darkness2light.org website to raise your awareness about how to keep your children safe from one of the most scarring crimes that can happen to a child.


A few links for new and future moms
-post partum planning guide: http://newhealthinc.org
-hypno birthing: http://ezbirths.com, I never heard of this before but it sounds like it might work to make birthing easier if you already have the ability to meditate.

The Naked Truth on Family Nudity
An expert resolves one mom and dad's disagreement about being naked in front of their kids.
Some up tight dad asks why his wife thinks it's okay to bathe with his 1 & 3 year old boys, what an idiot.



In reference to Seth's post about ambient music, household ambient sounds can work to sooth little ones as well. With my first son, as a part his daily evening passagiatta, I'd run the water in the bathroom and stop in there for a minute after each lap around the house. My new born likes finds the sound of main floor bathroom exhaust fan, I turn it on sit down on the throne and pull the hand towel over my should for him to hold, and he totally chills out.

Sunday, March 06, 2005

Drone Zone on SomaFM


"Served best chilled, safe with most medications. Atmospheric textures with minimal beats."

I found that the ambient electronic music on this internet radio station has a tendency to sometimes soothe my fussy little guy.