Grandma’s Advice

The FDA Reports:                                                                                                                                                As the millions of American women who have experienced pregnancy, delivery and breast-feeding know best, motherhood can be one of the most thrilling, but also anxiety-provoking, periods of their lives. This week, the FDA took a major step to make this memorable time less stressful by helping to make it healthier and safer. The FDA proposed to radically change prescription drug labeling regarding use of prescription medications for women of child-bearing age. We took this step to make the label more informative for doctors, healthcare professionals and patients.

The vast majority of the 6 million American women who get pregnant annually in the United States are in good health and their medical problems, if any, are well addressed. But American expectant mothers take an average of 3-5 drugs during their pregnancy, and pregnant women with chronic conditions such as asthma, high blood pressure, depression or diabetes, may need to take more medications. It is critically important that women and health care professionals have access to the most recent, reliable and clearly described information about the potential effects of these medicines on them and on their developing babies.

New FDA product labeling will do away with the outdated and confusing letter categories that have been used to characterize a drug’s risks when taken during pregnancy. Instead, the prescribing information will add clarity and specificity about what is known and will include such critical facts as: any needed dose adjustment when taken during pregnancy; the drug’s effects during labor and delivery, and possible complications in the new-born baby related to the drug treatment. It will also include data on the drug’s impact on breast-fed babies and on breast-milk production.

The new labeling will assist in counseling women about prescription drugs and biologics so that the balance of the risks and the benefits is clear and it will help them make informed choices about these products.

In addition to exercising our regulatory authority over individual medical products, providing the best scientific information to patients and health care professionals in a format that is easily accessible is part of our mission to protect and promote the health of all Americans.

NATIONAL EFFORT LAUNCHED TO RECOGNIZE CRITICAL ROLE OF GRANDPARENTS CARING FOR U.S. CHILDREN

Few people are aware of a recent startling shift in family dynamics, but grandparents are the primary caregivers for nearly six million children in this country - and the numbers are growing. In fact, 75 percent of all non-parental care of children in America is now provided by grandparents.

“Grandparents are becoming increasingly critical to the health and welfare of our nation’s children,”says Dr. Lorrie Henderson, acting president of the 126-year-old national children’s crisis charity KidsPeace.

“At a time when children are facing unprecedented stresses and many parents are busy juggling home and career, the deep reservoir of knowledge and parenting wisdom held by today’s 79 million grandparents amounts to nothing less that a national treasure. We must do more to recognize this growing trend andprovide support and recognition to those who are raising increasing numbers of America’s children.”

To focus the nation’s attention on this phenomenon and provide grandparents with the recognition they deserve, the national children’s charity KidsPeace, Humana, Mattel, Beaches Resorts and GRAND Magazine are launching the third annual national search for an example of extraordinary care worthy of the title of GRANDparent of the Year. Any member of the American public can nominate a GRANDparent of the Year. Nominating forms are available in the May/June issue of GRAND Magazine

and online at www.grandmagazine.com . Children should use the kid-safe site www.grandcontest.com (no personal information is asked). All nominations include a short, 100-word description of why the nominee deserves this honor. The GRANDparent of the Year will be honored with a seven-day, six-night all-inclusive luxury vacation for two in the Turks and Caicos or Jamaica from Beaches Resorts. The top 10 finalists will receive a $100 gift certificate and their photos and essays of nomination will be published in the Sept/Oct issue of GRAND Magazine in time for National Grandparents Day on September 7, and on www.grandmagazine.com. In addition, every grandparent nominated will receive a free subscription to GRAND Magazine.

Because of its work with and interest in helping children and families, charity KidsPeace has agreed to be the nonprofit partner for the effort. The national effort is also being supported by Humana, Mattel, and Beaches Resorts, which share GRAND’s goals to celebrate and honor grandparents and strengthen the bond between grandparents and grandchildren.

“Grandparents play an increasingly critical role in the shaping of new generations,” says Christine Crosby, founder and publisher of GRAND magazine. “Grandparents are full-time caregivers for almost six million American children, and are caregivers day and night to tens of millions more children while their parents work. It’s about time we learn to value grandparents in our society as much as other cultures do. We will all benefit.”

KidsPeace is a 126-year-old national children’s charity dedicated to giving help, hope and healing to kids

facing crises including traumas, neglect, depression, and the pressures of modern life. Founded in

1882,KidsPeace helps 10,000 children at 65 centers nationally and millions more through public education

and outreach. Supported by VIP leaders including its national spokesperson and founder of the Memory

Foundation Leeza Gibbons, child advocates, and child safety and self-esteem icon RETRO BILL, KidsPeace

was named “The Outstanding Organization” of its kind in the country by the AAPSC and was called “a

prototype of what we need for all children everywhere” by the late, nationally renowned child and family

expert, Dr. Lee Salk.

Moms are some of the busiest people on the planet. From working a 9-5 job to getting the kids off the school or from attending soccer games to chaperoning a slumber party, a mom’s feet never seem to stay still. Some moms are responsible for taking care of their aging parents as well.

With this almost frantic pace, increased stress levels can be a natural result. Stress can impact many areas of life such as work, family, and other relationships. Stress can cause one to experience irritability, impatience, and distractibility. For busy moms, stress management is a necessity. Here are eight tips to assist in living a more stress free life.

1. Determine, no matter what, to create time for self. For some busy moms, maybe it’s a soothing bubble bath at the end of the day. For others, it could be a quick trip to the local Nail Salon. The activity really doesn’t matter as long as busy moms take some time for themselves.

2. Listen to calm, sooting music on the way to work, while at work, and while going to sleep. Music has a way of calming and soothing the mind body.

3. Practice deep abdominal breathing periodically throughout the day. Breath in deeply through the nose pulling the belly button toward the spine, hold for a few seconds, and then slowly release. Busy moms will be pleasantly surprised at how this simple technique can result in a more relaxed body and mind. This can be done in any environment.

4. Take time to exercise. Exercise helps to increase self-esteem, decrease depression, increase concentration and energy, and gives one a greater sense of control over stress. Hitting the local gym is not always necessary. Taking a 15-minute walk around the neighborhood, taking walks on lunch breaks, taking the steps instead of an elevator, and parking farther away when shopping are examples of how busy moms can squeeze in exercise during the day.

5. Eat Healthy. There are foods that promote calmness and foods that increase stress levels. Busy moms can ask themselves if they are eating too much sugar and caffeine, and if they are getting enough protein. They can also evaluate if they are eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and staying away from refined and processed foods. Healthy eating is very important for any busy mom. Taking a look at diets and making the necessary changes can result in increased optimal health.

6. Call a friend. For any busy mom, it is always important in life to have at least one relationship where they can just vent and know that a listening ear and unconditional acceptance will be given.

7. Practice Thinking Calmly. Everyone has a favorite place that is peaceful, soothing, and calm. When stress levels increase, busy moms can take a mental break and visualize that special place. They can take note of the sights, sounds, and smells. It is important to continue to do this until relaxation is felt. Busy moms will notice that the stress they are experiencing will be less and more manageable.

8. Have a sense of humor. We all are familiar with the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine.” This is so true. Be willing to laugh at personal mistakes. Watch a funny movie. Share a joke with a friend. In other words, lighten up. It will make such a difference.

Busy moms can follow the above eight tips for a more stress free life!

Source

http://indianfanclub.com

HEAD START FUNDING CUT JUST TWO WEEKS AFTER BIPARTISAN REAUTHORIZATION BILL CALLING FOR INCREASED INVESTMENT IS APPROVED

Like Many Other Domestic Programs, Program Has Seen Disinvestment Over Last 6 Years
By Sharon Parrott, Center for Budget Priorities

In December, the President signed Head Start reauthorization legislation which had broad bipartisan support.  The legislation called for expanding the number of low-income children served in the program and for new investments to raise the quality of the program.

Two weeks after this legislation was enacted, the omnibus appropriations bill was completed. That legislation cut Head Start funding by the equivalent of the cost of serving more than 20,000 children in Head Start this year.

The President’s 2009 budget proposes to fund Head Start at $7 billion — just a hair under what is needed to maintain 2008 funding levels adjusted for inflation and about 12 percent below 2002 funding levels adjusted only for inflation.

Grandma’s Advice:

Take Action contact your Congressional Representatives- Head Start works!
Tell Them to Fully Fund Head Start for increased demand in 2008-09.
http://www.webslingerz.com/jhoffman/congress-email.html - email addresses for members of Congress

The state of the Union is:

Uncertain and too fearful - What happened to hope and progress and a better world for our children and grandchildren?

Too Big - Imperial empire building by this administration has left us with poor international realationships and more hatred toward our people.

Depressed - More Americans are suffering ofmr depression than ever before, could the current stae of the union be the cause?

According to the Health United States 2004 report, issued by the National Center for Health Statistics, the use of antidepressant drugs such as Prozac, Paxil, or Zoloft, has nearly tripled among all American adults.
Among women, one in 10 now take an antidepressant drug. The number of children using antidepressants also has tripled since the 1994-96 study period.

Moving too slow - The economoy, progress, going green, getting off oil, way too slow getting to the next election

Poorer - More people live in poverty now that did 8 years ago

Tired - Fom all the political bickering an no real aciton

Has a glimmer of hope - We only have to get through the rest of 2008.
In 2009 there will be new leadership which we all hope will be better.

So get informed and cast your best vote:

Compare candidates positions:

Health http://www.health08.org/sidebyside.cfm

Education: http://oedb.org/library/features/comparison-presidential-candidates-on-major-education-issues

Jobs: http://career-advice.monster.com/salary-trends/2008-presidential-candidates-on-job/home.aspx

Here are some money-saving strategies for travelers this holiday season:

Universal pre-kindergarten will have a profound impact on our students, improving achievement and lowering the drop-out rate, especially among the most disadvantaged. Headstart was right all along! There is now  proof that early educationis the number one defense against drop out rates.

But pre k eduction is not just needed for the poor, middle  and higher income families benefit too. According to a 1998-1999 early childhood longitudinal study, 49 percent of children who do not know the alphabet as they enter kindergarten are from middle or higher income families. Additionally, the most rigorous study of pre-k programs found that all children benefit regardless of family income bracket.

And a 2002 report from the Economic Policy Institute revels that the gap in reading skills between middle-income children and their more affluent peers is greater than the gap between middle-class and low-income children.

Very few states even require kindergarten attendance. Pre-k participation is already nearly universal for children of well-educated parents with high incomes. many parents want to send their children to good pre-k programs; the problem is that so few can afford good programs without help.

It is time for public education to begin to provide Pre K education. Some states are beginning to respond to this need. such as New Yokr, Pennsylvainia and Massachuttes.

Providing a child with early learning opportunities lays the foundation for a better life and greater opportunities, said Governor Spitzer. “Access to health care and education are critically important components of early childhood development and we are making great strides on both of these fronts. Universal pre-kindergarten will have a profound impact on our students, improving achievement and lowering the drop-out rate, especially among the most disadvantaged.

Get involved let you school board know, now is the time for universal Pre-k education for children and grandchildren, it is the best way to help them compete in a global economy.

As boomers begin to move toward life after work also known as retirement it is a smart thing for the world to start looking at the next generation. And tht’s just what several cities around the US are starting to do.

Forward-thinking city leaders and economic developers are romancing young workers more and more. As their Baby Boomers retire, the next generation better be there to fill the void. From coast to coast, cities, large and small, are vying to become the “in” place to be for fresh college grads.

Over the last 10 years, only 14 urban areas across the United States saw increases in this segment of workers. Those cities are Las Vegas; Nevada, Austin, Texas; Phoenix; Arizona, Atlanta, Georgia,; Raleigh-Durham, and Charlotte, North Carolina; Salt Lake City, Utah, Portland, Oregon, Denver, Colorado, Orlando, Florida, Nashville, Tennessee,; Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Greensboro-Winston Salem, North Carolina.

A just-released study from the Segmentation Company, a division of the market research firm Yankelovich reports that 65 percent of 1,000 respondents aged 24 to 35 said they preferred to “look for a job in the place that I would like to live,” rather than “look for the best job I can find; the place where it is located is secondary.”

Parents protect Your From Injuries as They Head Back to School

Your kids may already know their ABCs, but do you know the ABCs of keeping your children safe as they head back to school? The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents to put safety at the top of their lists of things to do and to pay special attention to helmets, art materials, and back-to-school clothing this fall. Parents and school officials should also look for hidden hazards on playgrounds and on soccer fields that could sideline children with injuries or may even be deadly.
CPSC offers the following ABCs of back-to-school safety:

A. Always wear the right helmet for the activity.

Wearing a helmet significantly reduces the risk of a head injury and can save your child’s life. Bicycle helmets, for instance, can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent.
There are different helmets for different activities. Each type of helmet is made to protect the head from the impacts that are common to a particular sport or activity. For the best protection, make sure your child wears the right helmet whether it’s for biking, football or baseball.
Fit is important. A helmet should be comfortable and snug, level on the head and securely buckled so it doesn’t move or fall off during a fall or collision.
For more information on helmet safety, go to CPSC’s publication “Which Helmet for Which Activity” at http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/349.pdf.
B. Â Be safe on the playground and on the soccer field.

Hidden hazards can lurk on the playground or sports field. More than 200,000 children each year visit hospital emergency rooms due to injuries received on playgrounds.
To prevent the most common type of playground injury — a child falling from equipment — make sure there is at least a nine inch layer of shock absorbing surface material made of wood chips, mulch, sand, or pea gravel, or safety-tested rubber or fiber material mats underneath and around playground equipment.
Cover exposed hardware that can catch clothing, and remove any free- hanging ropes. Both are strangulation hazards.
On the soccer field, work with your school to ensure portable soccer goals are securely anchored when in use. Movable soccer goals can fall over and kill or injure children who climb on them or hang from the crossbar. Since 1979, CPSC has reports of at least 28 deaths associated with soccer goals.