It’s a girl! Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson East and husband Andrew East welcomed their daughter recently, confirming the birth with a sweet Instagram post.
Johnson East posted a black and white family pic of the three, captioning it, “You are our everything. Welcome to the world baby girl.”
Fans have speculated about the sex of the baby recently. The couple recently added a “Love Pink Onesie” for presale to their The East Fam website. While it wasn’t a total admission or an actual announcement, as it turns out the pink onesie was an accurate prediction.
As of now there’s no word on the baby’s name—but we’ll keep you posted.
Remember lugging around 10-pound encyclopedias whenever you had to write a school report? Today, many tweens and teens Google their topics and accept whatever search results come up. Or they try to get away with doing “research” on Wikipedia, which is not entirely accurate. The whole point of doing reports for school is for kids to learn how to track down information using a variety of sources, determine their significance and credibility, and summarize the information accurately. These skills are the cornerstones of information literacy.
Here are some ways you can help your kid find reliable sources for school reports, both on- and offline. Kids should always fact-check using key media-literacy steps.
Know your domains. Every website has to register a domain that indicates what kind of agency it is. The most common are “.com” (businesses that profit from their sites), “.net” (networks that are often private), “.org” (nonprofits such as Common Sense Media that don’t profit from their sites), “.gov” (government sites that are obligated to publish public information), and “.edu” (university sites that publish peer-reviewed studies). All of these can provide information for research reports, but in general, “.gov” and “.edu” sites will offer objective data based on research.
Check university websites. Many large universities have well-funded research centers and laboratories that create reliable, peer-reviewed research.
Google and Wikipedia. These aren’t necessarily poor sources, but they need to be cross-referenced. And they’re not enough to support an entire school research report.
The library. Your local librarian is trained to help you find the best resources on your topic.
Meta search engines.Google Scholar (a free search engine that indexes scholarly literature such as academic papers) and Gale and LexisNexis Academic (both subscription-based services available at libraries and other institutions) search a huge range of topics for print and web articles, academic papers, and even multimedia sources.
People. Grandparents, historians, longtime neighborhood residents, and the like can be great sources of (not always entirely accurate but usually colorful) information.
Common Sense Media is an independent nonprofit organization offering unbiased ratings and trusted advice to help families make smart media and technology choices. Check out our ratings and recommendations at www.commonsense.org.
Prior to having children, I decided I would homeschool my children until they reach first or second grade. Now that I have children, my plans have changed just a bit. While I have decided to homeschool my four-year-old this year, I have every intention of sending her to school for kindergarten next year. And while my “teacher-mommy” (as she calls me) career won’t be going as long as I originally intended, that doesn’t mean I haven’t learned some important lessons along the way. So, if you are contemplating homeschooling or are on the journey with me, here are some tips you may find helpful:
1. You can do it! I feel the need to start with this because there is a certain anxiety that comes along with the decision to homeschool your children. Am I smart enough? Am I a good teacher? Will my child succeed? What will I teach? The list goes on and on. I am here to tell you that you can absolutely do it. You are not only capable but you are going to crush it.
2. You can give it your own special touch. The great thing about homeschooling is that you can put your own flair on it. You don’t have to do it like this mom or that dad. Aside from making sure you teach your children the required educational standards for their age level, you have the freedom to educate them how you want. So have fun with it!
3. Making your home conducive for learning helps. For me, this has probably been the most exciting part of homeschooling because I’ve been able to decorate. I homeschool in our dining room and I make sure that it is nice and colorful with learning posters and statements of inspiration. Additionally, I’ve also noticed that my little learner is excited to learn as she sees all the learning material around her.
4. Practice makes perfect. And this statement is so accurate. Although you are giving your child one-on-one attention, it doesn’t mean they will master the concepts after just one lesson; if they do, you may have a genius on your hand. It takes time to learn and that’s okay because you want them to understand the material not just regurgitate it back to you. So take a deep breath and relax.
5. You can have fun. Although homeschooling is just as serious as traditional schooling, it is not bootcamp. Whether you realize it or not, you are creating memories with your children and you want them to remember this time as wonderful, not dreadful.
All in all, I am thoroughly enjoying my year as a homeschooling mom. I’m grateful I get to be home with my little ones and I plan to make the most of this time. I’m sure I’ll learn more and as I do, I look forward to sharing it with you.
Hi Everyone. I’m Amber. I’m a wife and mom of 2 beautiful princesses. I was born a creative and I’m learning to find creativity in every area of my life. I’m a lover of all things beautiful but I’m also drawn to the broken because there’s always room for restoration.
We can all agree there is no right way to parent—some families find time-outs effective, while others turn to other means to teach right and wrong. No matter what camp you’re in (or maybe you prescribe to both depending on the situation and child), this new study by researchers at the University of Michigan wades into the murky and sometimes controversial waters of: to time-out or not to time-out. Read on for the scoop.
The study, which was published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, used archival data from the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation study—following children at three different age points. After reviewing the stats, gathered over eight years, the researchers from this study found there was no difference in emotional and behavioral health between the kiddos who had and didn’t have time-outs.
Rachel Knight, Ph.D., pediatric psychologist at University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and study lead author, said, “There are some alarming claims that time-outs can damage the parent-child relationship and negatively affect emotional health. But the research simply doesn’t support those claims. We did not find a relationship between time-outs and negative side effects in children.”
Knight continued, “Parents are constantly questioning whether they are doing the right thing for their children.” The researcher also added, “Unfortunately the first place many parents go for advice is the Internet, social media or friends—not a medical provider. There is a lot of conflicting information on the web that isn’t vetted or accurate.”
According to Knight, “There’s a wealth of research on how effective time-outs can be in reducing problematic behavior when they are used appropriately.”
As Knight alludes to above, we suggest always speaking to your pediatrician about what disciplinarian action (if any) is best and most effective for your family and child.
Getting baby fever and dreaming about having a child is a lot more fun than watching your baby come down with a fever. Read on for all the facts on how to recognize and treat a baby or toddler’s fever, plus the baby thermometers you’ll want in your medicine cabinet.
photo: iStock
Why do babies get a fever?
Babies can come down with a fever from an illness, infection and certain vaccinations.
What constitutes a fever for babies, and when should I call the doctor?
According to the Mayo Clinic, here’s when to be concerned and call your doctor:
• Babies under 3 months: rectal temperature of 100.4F or higher.
• Babies between 3 and 6 months: rectal temperature up to 102F and is irritable, lethargic or uncomfortable, or rectal temperature higher than 102F.
• Babies between 6 and 24 months: If the rectal temperature is higher than 102F but there are no other symptoms, you can wait a day before calling. If there are other symptoms, such as a cough, cold or diarrhea, you may want to call sooner.
• If the fever lasts for more than three days, call the doctor again.
But remember, these are only guidelines. When in doubt, or if you have questions or concerns, call your health-care provider for guidance.
What can I expect when my baby has a fever?
Babies with a fever may appear fine, or they may cry and seem uncomfortable. The Mayo Clinic recommends you contact your doctor if your child is unusually fussy or acting abnormally and it doesn’t improve after taking medications to bring down the fever. (Read on for guidelines of what medications to give and when to give them.)
Other symptoms that warrant a call to the doctor include: trouble breathing, rash or signs of dehydration, such as no tears when crying, no wet diapers for 8-10 hours, refusal to drink fluids or a dry mouth.
Starting at 6 months, children can experience something called a febrile seizure, which can cause them to convulse and lose consciousness. If you suspect your child is having a febrile seizure, lay them on their side or stomach on the ground and loosen any tight clothing. Remove nearby sharp objects and hold your child to prevent them from injuring themselves. When the seizure stops, contact your doctor immediately.
Rest and fluids are important for bringing down your child’s fever. Make your child as comfortable as possible by keeping the room temperature cool, dressing them in lightweight layers, and putting a blanket on them only if they appear cold so you don’t overheat them. When bathing your child, do it in lukewarm water.
Do not give any medication to babies under 6 weeks old. Call your doctor before giving any medication to a child under 6 months old. Between 6 weeks and 6 months, acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) is recommended. After 6 months, you can also give your child ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin). Do not ever give aspirin to children under age 18.
Look for products marked “infant formula” and carefully read the label for the proper dose for your child’s age.
If the fever doesn’t respond to medication, it’s time to call the doctor again.
What kind of thermometer should I use?
First of all, if you have an old mercury thermometer lying around, get it to a hazardous waste collection site. They’re not safe for anyone to use.
Instead, for babies and toddlers, you’ll want a digital thermometer, which can be used in the rectum, armpit or mouth, as well as a temporal artery thermometer (also known as a forehead thermometer). There are also digital thermometers you insert into the ear, but they’re not recommended for newborns.
Digital thermometers record body temperature through electronic heat sensors. A rectal reading is considered the most accurate by the American Academy of Pediatrics, especially for younger babies. If you use a thermometer rectally, label it clearly so you don’t later use it in a child’s mouth. Oral readings are tricky for babies because they can’t keep the thermometer in the right spot for the minute it takes to get an accurate reading, so save those for older kids.
Before using a digital thermometer, clean it with warm, soapy water and rinse with cool water so the water temperature doesn’t affect the reading. After using a digital thermometer, clean it with rubbing alcohol or warm, soapy water.
Forehead thermometers record the temperature of the temporal artery through an infrared scanner. Parents love temporal artery thermometers because they give accurate readings with minimal inconvenience to the baby, and can even be used when baby is sleeping.
Thermometers We Love
Smart Baby Thermometer from VAVA Apply the small silicone patch (FDA approved and made with medical-grade adhesive) to your baby’s armpit and this wireless thermometer will beep and blink red LED lights if their temperature rises above 100°F. Thanks to a 24-hour battery life, temps are monitored all night long. The device also notifies you about low battery, disconnection and if the device falls off your baby. The large, backlit temperature reading is easy to see in the dark, or you can move the device to whatever room you’re in to track the readings.
Infrared No-Touch Forehead Thermometer from iHealth Labs
This temporal artery thermometer (shown above) gives a reading in 1 second and vibrates when done (no annoying beep to wake or startle your baby!). Place it against the center of the forehead, one inch above the skin. The large backlit LED screen clearly gives the reading on the back of the device.
iProvèn Digital Thermometer
This digital thermometer measures a fever in 10 seconds, and has a waterproof, flexible tip for easy cleaning and more comfortable readings.
Kinsa Smart Thermometer
This digital thermometer has a large display and gives readings in 8 seconds or less. It connects to a smartphone app so you can track baby’s temperature readings as well as their symptoms and medications you’ve given them.
There’s nothing quite like the breathtaking sight of blazing red and orange leaves to get you in the fall spirit. Thanks to this amazing interactive fall foliage map you can figure out the best times and places to see those beautiful colors from now through November.
The fall foliage season varies across the country and the peak changes from year to year based on the annual temperatures and rainfall, which means knowing when and where to visit is the key to enjoying an incredible view. Each year SmokyMountains.com creates a predictive map of the fall foliage season by using a complex algorithm that carefully analyzes several million data points, like historical temperatures and precipitation, which is used to forecast county-by-county the precise moment when peak fall will occur.
“The predictive fall leaf map helps potential travelers, photographers and leaf peepers determine the precise future date that the leaves will peak in each area of the continental United States,” explains the creator of the map data scientist and CTO Wes Melton. “By utilizing the date selector at the bottom of the map, the user can visually understand how fall will progress over a region. We believe this interactive tool will enable travelers to take more meaningful fall vacations, capture beautiful fall photos and enjoy the natural beauty of autumn. Our nationwide fall foliage prediction map is unique––it is one of the only fall leaf tools that provides accurate predictions for the entire continental United States.”
While no prediction is 100 percent accurate, the map is an excellent guideline if you’re making travel plans around the peak foliage times. According to this year’s map, the first peak will begin at the end of September with most of the country passing the peak by the beginning of November.
If you grew up in the ’80s, chances are you spent your summers riding your bike to your friend’s house and only heading back home when the streetlights came on. Things are a little different in 2019 and this hilarious video of 1989 moms versus 2019 moms highlights exactly how much things have changed.
Funny moms Meredith Masony of That’s Inappropriate and Tiffany Jenkins of Juggling the Jenkins have teamed up to compare and contrast the differences between how moms handled those long summer days in the ’80s versus now and they’ve summed it up perfectly in the video below.
Those days of baking in the sun and sending the kids off for a day of roaming the neighborhood with nothing more than a Pop Tart have been replaced with fresh ostrich milk, 100 SPF sunscreen and meditating with goats. Pretty accurate.
The only question that remains is are you a 1989 mom, a 2019 mom or a little bit of both?
Early detection is critical when it comes to fighting cancer. A new tool developed by MIT can anticipate the development of breast cancer in women up to five years in advance.
In a recent blog post, MIT announced the collaboration between MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab and Massachusetts General Hospital. The team has worked together to develop a new deep-learning model that can predict from a mammogram if a patient is likely to develop breast cancer as many as five years in the future.
This new diagnostic tool is based on over 60,000 patients’ mammograms and known outcomes, discovering subtle patterns in breast tissue that are precursors to malignant tumors. It has already placed 31 percent of cancer patients in the high-risk category, compared to 18 percent from traditional modes of diagnosing.
Because this tool is based on actual hard data, rather than suggestive behaviors, it allows for a more comprehensive approach that is free of bias. This means that it is equally successful in predicting a diagnosis in women of color as in caucasian women—and it is also risk-based and not age-based as in previous models.
MIT and MGH hope that this new tool can lead to accurate, early detection of breast cancer for more women and that it might be applied to other types of diseases that face similar detection hurdles.
Monitoring infants in the NICU is critical to the care of the tiniest of newborns, but all of those wires can get in the way of new parents who just want to get close to their babies. Revolutionary new research into wireless monitoring for NICU patients could be a complete game changer.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new sensor that is both wireless and made with flexible, skin-like material. The device is equally as accurate as traditional sensors, but without all the intrusive wires.
Not only does the sensor make it easier for doctors and nurses to care for babies in the NICU, but it serves possibly a greater purpose in allowing parents more opportunity for close contact and skin-to-skin bonding with their babies during those critical early days. Hopefully this new technology will become the norm in all NICUs soon.
According to recent reports, the fave children’s retailer Gymboree is closing all 900 of their stores. And yes, that includes one of the Gymboree Group’s other store chains, Crazy 8.
Gymboree Group initially filed for bankruptcy in June 2017. With a report of more having more than $1 billion in debt at the time, the company closed nearly 375 stores. Unlike other major retailers, at the time Gymboree was able to get rid of plenty of debt (a reported $900 million!) and come out on top. But alas, the good fortune couldn’t continue, and if a report from The Chicago-Sun Times is accurate, all Gymboree stores could close as early as this week.
Earlier this week, TheWall Street Journal broke the news that the company is set to file for bankruptcy protection for a second time. So, what does this mean for all of your local Gymboree, Janie and Jack and Crazy 8 stores? According to a strategic review announcement that Gymboree released on Dec. 4, 2018, the company is in the process of reviewing their options. These options include closing all Crazy 8 stores and “significantly reducing” the number of Gymboree stores in 2019.
Following the strategic review statement, Gymboree’s current CEO, Shaz Kahng, published an online letter to consumers on the retailer’s website. The letter confirmed that the company has decided to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and will indeed close all Gymboree, Gymboree Outlet and Crazy 8 stores. Kahng also added that the company is trying to preserve the Janie and Jack brand by selling that part of the business.
For more information, read the full statement about Gymboree closing here.
