UK Law Commission calls for more rights for unwed couples
July 31, 2007 by andy · Leave a Comment
A report by the Law Commission calls for unwed couples to have more legal rights.
It claims that most couples living together still believe they are protected by a “common law” marriage, when in fact this isn’t true.
The report calls for a financial value to be put on the contribution each person brings to the relationship. This would mean that financial compensation would be given to someone who gives up work to look after children, if the relationship ends.
The Commission denies that their proposals undermine marriage. Earlier this month the Conservative party called for a number of financial incentives for married couples. The two proposals aren’t mutually exclusive.
76% of mothers will sacrifice purse, phone, or chocolate, for a “Me Zone”
July 30, 2007 by andy · Leave a Comment
A recent survey, by Glade Flameless Candles of all people, suggests that over three-quarters of mums would sacrifice their favourite purse, mobile phone, or chocolate bar, if it meant that they could have a few moments alone in their “Me Zone”.
The “Me Zone” is not only about creating time for mothers, but also a place for them to enjoy it (hence the candles, presumably).
Final Harry Potter book to be sent to hundreds of hospitalised children
July 17, 2007 by andy · Leave a Comment
On July 21st, thousands of children in American hospitals undergoing life-saving treatment, including chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants, will be treated to the final instalment of Harry Potter.
The Hope for Henry Foundation will deliver thousands of print and CD versions of the book, as well as hosting Harry Potter themed parties at the hospitals, complete with gift bags, trivia contests, readings, and other activities.
The audiobook of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, read by Jim Dale, will be given to children too sick or too young to read the 784 pages of this much-anticipated book.
“Mom Says No” software allows parental control over children’s online time, reduces confrontation
July 17, 2007 by andy · Leave a Comment
New software from UK-based Visionsoft called “Mom Says No” is set to allow parents to easily control how much time their children spend on the Internet, whilst reducing confrontation by taking out some of the human element (parent nagging) and replacing with an automated countdown timer.
“We developed this product out of personal need,” Richard Ward, Managing Director, Visionsoft, explained. “My child was spending hours online chatting with peers with continued promises to end sessions after repeated requests. After talking with other parents, I realised that I was not alone.”
“Mom Says No” simply warns the user when time is running out and gives the child enough time to sign off with friends.
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Austin, Texas based MommyMixer unites student babysitters with families
Today in Austin, MommyMixer will host its 42nd mixer to date, uniting college students looking for sitter jobs with local families that value an exclusive network of quality part-time sitters. Once again, the RSVP-only event has sold out with moms, dads and sitters anxious to get a jump on the September back to school rush.
Jill Meinrath, a University of Texas at Austin senior Plan II Honors student who plans to attend, said “I already know my fall academic schedule, including my courses and my sorority commitments. Being able to attend a July MommyMixer to meet families face-to-face is a great opportunity. It gives me peace of mind that I have a means of finding a flexible sitter schedule with one or two families before the hectic year begins.”
1 in 8 campaign launches to bring parents and premature babies closer together
July 17, 2007 by andy · Leave a Comment
According to research, only 18% of parents of premature or ill babies in special care know how to recognise their babies distress signals, and are able to comfort them.
Today sees the launch of the 1 in 8 campaign - supported by Fairy Non Bio, and BLISS, the premature baby charity - a groundbreaking research project that will look at new techniques to help parents be more involved in their baby’s care from day one.
As the name suggests, 1 in 8 babies in the UK are born premature or sick, and often the most natural instincts of a parent, to hold and soothe their child, are made difficult or uncomfortable in these situations due to being surrounded by medical equipment and complicated procedures.
D&D video game couple neglects children
July 16, 2007 by andy · Leave a Comment
A 22-month-old boy and 11-month-old girl were found severely malnourished and near death in the home of a Nevada couple who were so engrossed in a Dungeons and Dragons video game that they neglected to feed and care for them.
Doctors treated the boy for starvation and a genital infection. He lacked muscle development, causing him difficulty walking.
Hospital staff had to shave the girl’s head because her hair had been matted with cat urine. The 10-pound girl also had a mouth infection, dry skin and severe dehydration.
The prosecutor says the couple had food, but just chose not to give it to their kids.
Parental divorce is key factor in break-ups amongst their children
July 16, 2007 by andy · Leave a Comment
This may sound obvious to some, but a new study suggests that the rate of relational and marital breakup was higher amongst those whose parents had divorced.
The study looked at other factors, such as genetics or parental substance abuse, but found that divorce itself was a key factor that lead to the higher rate in children.
Brian D’Onofrio, assistant professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University Bloomington, said that when a host of variables are taken into consideration, such as genetic risks and socioeconomic factors, the real divorce still accounts for around 66 percent of the increased risk of divorce faced by children of divorced parents. “This means the transmission is not due to psychological or substance abuse problems that are passed from parents to the offspring. It’s something very unique about the separation of one’s parents. The societal implications are very important because divorce is such a painful experience for both adults and children. This further suggests that interventions specifically targeted at the consequences of divorce are important for our society,” D’Onofrio said.
Back to school tips for helping your child manage peer pressure
July 13, 2007 by andy · Leave a Comment
The Californian Association of Marriage and Family Therapists has put together a list of six things parents can do to help with the burden of peer pressure:
- Talk about drinking, drugs, and other harmful behaviour, maintaining open communication and understanding your children’s opinions.
- Talk about your children’s concerns and pressures.
- Help your child to prioritise important items and form achievement goals.
- Use TV and movies to start discussions about appropriate and inappropriate ways of responding to negative classmates and peer pressure.
- Invite your children’s friends home and understand the social groups they are in.
- Address concerns your children have quickly, ensuring they don’t develop into long-term problems. Consider your children’s point-of-view when resolving image issues.
“Morning after pill” could encourage teen sex
July 13, 2007 by andy · Leave a Comment
Concerns have been raised by the Family and Youth Concern organisation that giving out the “morning after pill” to under 16s can encourage them to have sex.
“It inevitably results in young men putting pressure on vulnerable girls to have sex by telling them that if they are worried about getting pregnant, they can always go to the school nurse and get the morning-after pill without anyone needing to know,” he said.
He cited a number of studies, 23 from 10 countries, that suggests that increased access to the pill has not made any difference to unintended pregnancy or the abortion rate.
Others in Suffolk, where a number of schools now give the morning after pill to girls as young as 13 in complete confidence, disagree.
Emrys Green, chairman of the Bury St Edmunds Youth Council, said, “I think it’s a good thing the morning-after pill can be given out in schools. At least it gives young girls a choice to live their lives and not their parents’ lives.
“It’s their choice whether they want to involve them or not. Just because the morning-after pill is available it doesn’t mean girls will have sex before they’re ready. If they wanted the morning-after pill that bad, they would go to the doctor anyway.”
Over one-third of US births to unmarried mothers, survey suggests
July 13, 2007 by andy · Leave a Comment
New data released by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics suggests that, in 2005, births to unmarried mothers accounted for over one-third of the total births in the United States, at 37%.
However, pregnancy amongst teenagers fell, thanks to reduced sexual activity, or the increased use of contraception.
The report, perhaps controversially, also suggests that children born to unmarried mothers are more likely to have a lower birth weight, higher mortality rate, and are at higher risk of living in poverty.
Having said that, single mothers who have significant economic resources don’t generally have these problems.
Women rule in the home and marriage, study suggests
July 13, 2007 by andy · Leave a Comment
A small study from researchers at Iowa University has concluded that many women rule the marriage relationship and the home, due in part to changing times and roles of the sexes.
The survey of 72 married couples shows that the man does not always hold the power, particularly where children are concerned.
“Roles have changed in a relationship. Women are no longer just in charge of the house and cleaning and cooking and standing there with a martini when husbands come home,” Dr. Fariello said.
