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Sense that we found out that i was pregnant, we have never been closer before like we are now. He ...
Abercrombie & Fitch Only Wants the Cool Kids in their Stores
Friday, May 24, 2013 by Casey Archibald
“We go after the cool kids.” That’s what Abercrombie and Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries said about his company. Recently, this 2006 interview with Jeffries' with Salon Magazine resurfaced in an article from the Business Insider.
Jeffries continued; “We go after the attractive all-American kid with a great attitude and a lot of friends. A lot of people don’t belong, and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely."
An uproar from Abercrombie shoppers and non-shoppers alike sprung forth soon after. Bloggers like Jes Baker went as far as creating an entire spoof advertisement spread and attached them to a letter directed at the CEO regarding his statements.
Indeed, even the store’s children’s line, which is geared to kids between ages 7-14, bears the tag line, “Classic Cool.”
What a kind of message is Abercrombie sending our children by emphasizing that they only cater to the “cool” kids? And for that matter, who are they to define “cool?
Amazing Teen Inspires Us All to Live as He Faced Death
Thursday, May 23, 2013 by Deborah Cruz
At the tender age of 14-years-old when most boys are worrying about how to deal with their changing voice, Zach Sobiech got life changing news. He found out that he had osteosarcoma, a rare form of terminal cancerous bone tumor that develops in children. So, he did what any amazing, inspirational teen would do; he became an Internet rock star sensation.
He wrote and sang the viral YouTube hit, Clouds, as a way to say good-bye to his friends and family. What happened was millions of people got to see the video and learn about Zach’s story. His simple act of closure has inspired everyone who’s seen it. He passed away on Monday, May 20, 2013.
Unfortunately, I never heard of this incredible kid before Tuesday. In a world where we are constantly assaulted with a barrage of bad news and death and tragedy, Zach Sobiech was a ray of sunshine and brought joy to those who knew him. His spirit and maturity in facing his own mortality, at such a young age, displayed a stoic strength of character that is unlike anything I have ever seen before. Zach lived every single moment of his life to the fullest. He sucked the marrow out of life, every last drop.
Devastating Oklahoma Tornado Brings Poignant Reminder
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 by Deborah Cruz
Yesterday, a huge tornado ripped through Moore, Oklahoma killing 24 people; 9 of those dead are children who were in school when the tornado ripped them out of this world. Hospitals reported roughly 242 injured; 58 of those victims being children. The total is expected to rise.
The tornado did not discriminate. It tore through Oklahoma leveling everything in its path, including two elementary schools. Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore was reduced to a pile of rubble leaving dozens of children trapped in a makeshift tomb. Rescue workers were able to pull several children from the disaster, but late last night crews were still frantically struggling to cut through fallen beams and debris to free dozens of students who are still trapped. At Briarwood Elementary School in Oklahoma City, cars were thrown through the walls and the roof was torn off.
Natural disasters have no consideration for whom they effect; whether it be a child who is loved and cherished more than life itself by its parent or a light pole. Like many other tragedies that have recently afflicted the children of our country, it was unexpected. Yesterday morning, hundreds of parents sent their hearts walking around outside of their bodies to school. They got their sweet babies ready, fed them breakfast, kissed them goodbye at drop off and had every intention of tucking them into bed safe and sound last night. For some of those parents, their worst nightmare came true last night.
A Mix of Formula and Breastfeeding May Benefit Baby
Monday, May 20, 2013 by Casey Archibald
There has long been a debate about whether it is better to breastfeed or formula-feed babies. Some breastfeeders accuse formula-users of not supplying the healthy benefits of breastmilk to their babies, and some formula-users insist that formula is their only option. According to a recent study, a mix of both might not only be a happy medium, but it might benefit baby as well.
Operation Shower: Honoring Deployed Military’s Expectant Wives
Thursday, May 16, 2013 by Deborah Cruz
Expecting a baby is simultaneously exhilarating and frightening, especially the first time. When I was pregnant with my first, I teetered daily (especially in the later months) between being so excited to meet my little girl that I couldn’t see straight and so scared of the thought of the unknown that I just wanted to call it all off. Thank heavens I had my husband by my side to hold my hand, talk me down, and reassure me that it was all going to be alright and he was going to be right there by my side the whole time. That was what alleviated the anxiety and allowed me to enjoy pregnancy and impending motherhood. But what if he wasn’t there? What if I had to do it alone?
There are women who do it every day because there is no option. Many military spouses spend their pregnancy alone while their husband is deployed overseas. For the military wife, there is no one there to take her hand and talk her down. No one is there to hold her hair back as she battles morning sickness. There is no voice of calm and reason to take her hand and tell her it will all be all right or hold her when she hits a bump in the pregnancy road. Her husband is serving and protecting our country thousands of miles away.
Thankfully, there is an organization called Operation Shower that makes sure that pregnant military moms know just how much we civilians appreciate the challenges they face alone while their husbands are deployed.
Hiring Handicapped Guides to Cut Lines (aka How the Rich Moms Do Disney)
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 by Kim Shannon
Have you heard how the privileged “1 percent” does Disney? They hire handicapped tour guides so that their children don’t have to wait in lines.
It’s gross – I know.
After hiring their Dream Tours guide, these upper-crust families are then able to enter Disney World through a “more convenient entrance” and proceed to the front of every line with their wheelchair- or motorized scooter-using guide.
Disney's Merida Makeover Sends Wrong Message to Little Girls
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 by Deborah Cruz
As many of you know Brave’s Merida was crowned an official Disney Princess on May 11th. I think we can all agree that we are happy about that, as she is one of the toughest, most independent, freethinking and strong–willed of all the Disney Princesses. She is exactly what I want my girls to aspire to be. She is a wonderful role model. Then, Disney released the new and “improved” Merida for the occasion. I was more than a little disappointed in Disney.
The new Merida is curvier yet leaner, her hair is wilder in that sex kitten way and her dress is more sparkly. Her bow and arrow have disappeared all together. She’s beautiful like a Barbie but what happened to the tomboyish, I don’t need a man to save me girl who looks like so many little girls in the world; the sassy, spitfire ginger we all fell in love with?
As far as I am concerned, my little girls already have enough impossible standards set for them by the media. I loved Merida because she broke the mold much like Tiana before her. She was a princess of substance. She had more going on than just beauty, she had brains and hopes and dreams and she was willing to work hard and stand up for them. Merida was empowering to every little girl. She didn’t need a man to give her worth and her beauty resonated from within, not just from the way she looked. She was respected and valued as a person. The new version throws all of that in the garbage and reduces her to a two dimensional beauty that fits the mold that the media has set forth.
Social Media Anxiety Disorder: Why 42% of Moms Are Suffering
Monday, May 13, 2013 by Kim Shannon
Do you frequently experience social network-inflicted stress? After seeing other image-sharing mothers’ posts and pins, do you feel pressure to ante-up your motherhood skills?
If so, you are not alone! According to a TODAY Moms survey, Pinterest is stressing out at least half of us moms! In fact, “A whopping 42 percent of [surveyed Moms] said that the image-sharing site has caused them anxiety.”
The survey also proved that most of the anxiety/stress/pressure/I’m-not-good-enough Moms feel is self-inflicted. And Pinterest isn’t the only vehicle to blame.
Sherri Shepherd on Motherhood, Diabetes, and Plan D!
Friday, May 10, 2013 by Kim Shannon
You might know Sherri Shepherd as a comedian, co-host on The View, and actress. But did you also know that she is a loving mother, a dedicated wife, and suffers from Type 2 Diabetes? In her latest book, Plan D: How to Lose Weight and Beat Diabetes (Even If You Don’t Have It), she teaches us how to reevaluate our relationship with food and find true health (and happiness!).
Sherri’s story isn’t about spending a lot of money on expensive gym memberships and gourmet chefs, nor is it about finding that extra time to work out. “Extra time” just doesn’t exist for us mothers! She wrote about the little things she did along the way, which resulted in a more than 40 pound weight loss and a new attitude for life.
The Kids Menu is Horrible for Your Kids
Friday, May 10, 2013 by Deborah Cruz
Haile Thomas is a 12-year-old chef who has partnered with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts to develop healthy menu items for kids. She is against kids getting accustomed to eating from the “kids” menu and I am too.
If you pay attention, and I know you do, I’m sure you’ve noticed that “kids” menu or deemed “kid-friendly” must be code for deep fried, processed and either dipped in sugar, cheese or some kind of rich sauce. Of course kids like that. Who doesn’t like something sweet or covered in cheese?
As I read about Haile Thomas and how she is changing the way the “kids” menu and “kid-friendly” is viewed it made me take a look at my own children’s eating habits.
When my girls were little they ate baby food, just like your babies, and with the exception of a couple of the meat products they loved everything I put in front of them. There were no picky eaters in my house.
Then when they went to more solid foods, I gave them everything my husband and I ate in much smaller portions because I wanted them eat healthy and be open to new foods. In fact, we have a strict you have to try every food twice policy, after that, you can decide whether or not you want to try it again but you have to try every food that is presented to you, at least twice.
