A Little Hero Is Laid To Rest

Eight year old Tyler Doohan courageously rescued his little brothers and sisters and other family when their grandpa's mobile home cought fire in upstate New York. Sadly, he himslef perished in the fire after being credidted with saving six others.  We hope you'll take the time to honor him by reading about his story, and then perhaps by going over some of our fire safety materials with your own kids.

- People
- CNN

Fire safety resources for parents:
- Family fire safety  
- Print & read our book: The Day My House Catched Fires   

The Annorexic Doll

Apparently, there is a new doll on the market dubbed the anorexic doll.  When offered food, it turns it's head to the side and refuses to eat, just what our children needed.    

Here is just one of many links talking about the doll.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11190816  

Shame & Defensiveness

"For those of us who have not worked through the effects of shame as children, the embarrassments of everyday life loom catastrophically large.  Defensive pride temps us to conceal our errors, to deny that we are even capable of the same mistakes that everyone else makes." - Psychologist Sheldon Kopp, in Even A Stone Can Be A Teacher

Kids in Blenders

Here's a relatively common scenario that has played out in numerous kitchens across the country: You're doing something with the blender, perhaps pureeing food or making some ice cream shakes.  A curious child with long hair hops onto a stool to look over and see what's going on.  A scream or a yelp later, and suddenly your fruit smoothie has an extra ingredient and your daughter is bent over sideways above the blender.

The consequences of such mishaps usually aren't catastrophic, but it can take a good chunk of their hair out and leave your child with a temporary bald spot.  It also leaves you fishing out their tangled lock from the inner blade of the blender, which I hear is tons of fun.  So whenever you bust out the blender, warn kids of the danger, and have girls tie their hair back.  It's better safe than sorry.

Dying Regrets

The top 5 deathbed regrets, according to Bronnie Ware, a palliative care nurse and author of 'The Top Five Regrets of the Dying' are these:

1. Had the courage to live a life true to myself.
2. Hadn't worked so hard.
3. Been brave enough to express my feelings.
4. Stayed in touch with my friends.
5. Let myself be happier