“Not One More Child” project launched today

The Surviving Parents Coalition (SPC) and National Association to Protect Children (PROTECT) launched their “Not One More Child” campaign in Washington, D.C. today with a formal event at the National Press Club. The event was attended by legislators, law enforcement, and other coalition members. The “Not One More Child” campaign website, www.notonemorechild.org was introduced, along with a public service announcement focusing on the exploding crisis of child exploitation. The groups also released law enforcement maps with data showing hundreds of thousands of criminals who are currently trafficking in child pornography.

“‘Not One More Child’ is literally about rescuing children,” said Ed Smart, parent of Elizabeth, president of the Surviving Parents Coalition and member of the “Not One More Child” Alliance. “The campaign is not only about child pornography, but about pictures that include perpetrators, child victims in crime scenes.”

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WellChild Helpline launched: UK’s only national children’s health advice line

The children’s charity WellChild today announced the launch of the WellChild Helpline, designed to offer comprehensive help and advice to anyone concerned about the health and well-being of children.

Staffed by a team of trained healthcare professionals from a variety of disciplines, callers will either have questions answered, or efficiently passed to the most appropriate organisation.

BBC1’s Breakfast programme’s GP, Dr Rosemary Leonard, endorsed the WellChild Helpline, saying, “WellChild’s new service is extremely welcome as accessing the right information can seem daunting and not having access to concerns about health can cause a lot of anxiety. By having this multi-disciplinary team of experts at the end of a phone-line or email, WellChild will be putting people in touch with the right health information which could ultimately lead to saved lives as well as an enormous improvement in the quality of many more.”

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Young children’s academic development heavily influenced by family affluence

A new study by UK children’s charity the Sutton Trust suggests that economic factors play a huge role in the academic and learning development of young children.

They claim that research on children born in the years 2000 and 2001 shows that, even between the ages of 3 and 5, less bright children from more affluent families are catching up academically with very bright children from poorer families.

By age seven, many have caught up or even overtaken them.

The Trust claims that this wide social divide hasn’t changed in thirty years.

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Swarovski shows off celeb-designed denim jackets, supports World Orphan Week 1-7 Oct

In support of World Orphan Week (1st-7th October), Swarovksi has unveiled a collection of celebrity-designed denim jackets which will benefit SOS Children’s Villages, the world’s largest charity for orphaned and abandoned children.

Celebrities including Jessica Alba, Laila Ali, Eric Dane, Rebecca Gayheart, Angie Harmon, Finola Hughes, Stacy London, Reba McEntire, Katharine McPhee, Sara Ramirez, Jordin Sparks, Carrie Underwood and Vanessa Williams took part in this worthwhile endeavour.

Beginning September 25, each of the fashionable creations will be featured on eBay Giving Works and can be found at www.ebay.com/swarovski. The charity auction will end on October 5.

“By 2010 there will be more than 25 million orphaned and abandoned children around the world. SOS Children’s Villages and Swarovski believe in providing the vital care these children need to grow and flourish in their communities. During World Orphan Week, I hope everyone will take a minute to make a difference in the life of a child,” says Finola Hughes, General Hospital’s” Anna Devane and host of The Style Network’s popular makeover series “How Do I Look.”

Each of the jackets was designed using a combination of Swarovski brooches and iron-crystal transfers, ranging from a celestial theme from Reba McEntire to a floral theme from Carrie Underwood.

The partnership between SOS and Swarovski dates back to the founding of SOS in the Tyrol region of Austria (also home of Swarovski’s world manufacturing headquarters) in 1949. The company’s founder, Daniel Swarovski I, was a humanitarian who personally supported the charity and the crystal maker is happy to have continued the relationship through today.

Twins, Triplets & More Week: Top tips for the first year with twins or more

This week is Tamba’s Twins, Triplets & More Week - which sees parenting groups across the country celebrate the special bond that multiple birth children enjoy.

It also helps raise awareness of some of the unique challenges that families who find themselves blessed in this way can face.

Like any family, the first year, and those chaotic first months can be the toughest.

Here’s my list of top tips for how to survive the first year with twins, triplets or more:

1. Accept all offers of help from friends and family.

2. Prioritise as much as you can - don’t feel your house has to be like a show home - keep things clean but please don’t beat yourself up if they’re not tidy!

3. Learn what your telephone answer machine is for - don’t feel bad if you don’t have the energy to talk to anyone who calls in the evening.

4. Find out about any local groups for families with twins, triplets or more. (More details through Tamba or Twinsclub)

5. Try your best to establish a routine and stick to it. But please don’t stress if it all seems too much. All babies are different, even if they were born minutes or seconds apart.

6. Recognise that caring for babies takes up a lot of energy. Regardless of who leaves the house and gets paid for it, if you are with a partner, you are both working!

7. Get as much rest as you can - if the kids are napping - you can too.

8. Don’t let crying get to you - take time out if needs be.

9. Ring Tamba’s Twinline on 0800 138 0509 if it all gets too much.

10. Find friendship and support online: As well as Tamba and Twinsclub, Twinlets also has a very friendly forum.

Linda Jones is mum to Emily and Melissa, aged eight. She is a former editor of Twins, Triplets & More magazine and has written for a wide variety of publications on multiple birth issues. Catch up with Linda’s blog at Got Your Hands Full.

It’s BBC Children in Need day

Here in the UK, it’s the BBC’s annual charity extravaganza raising money for Children in Need in the UK.

Every penny raised goes towards helping disadvantaged children in Britain.

Fundraising has been going on all week: tonight is the grand finalé, kicking off at 7pm on BBC1.

Join in and raise some money for a worthy cause.

BBC Children in Need

Andy Roddick and Deliver the Dream Team Up to Help Families

Pat Moran, founder of Deliver the Dream, is pleased to announce that Andy Roddick, currently the No. 1 tennis player in the U.S., will serve as spokesperson for the not-for-profit organization which provides retreat weekends for families facing serious illness or crisis.

Roddick recently recorded a public service announcement for the family retreat program that will begin airing in cities throughout the Southeast. According to Roddick, he immediately knew he wanted to get involved after learning about Deliver the Dream, which is based in his hometown and serves families from across the Southeast.

“When a child or parent is seriously ill, Deliver the Dream is there to help the entire family find the strength to prevail. It’s this unique approach to providing support that attracted me to this incredible program,” Roddick said. “I’m really looking forward to attending my first retreat weekend and doing whatever I can to help Pat’s organization further its mission and raise money to help children and families.”

Link (Business Wire)