Save the Children, an international charity helping needy children, rated 160 countries to find the best place to be a mother. The countries were ranked by 4 major factors: health, economic status, political power and well-being of children. Included in the above were rankings for risk of maternal death, contraception use, life expectancy, education, income, participation in national government and mortality rate for children under age 5. Norway, Australia, Iceland and Sweden were the top 4 countries. Guinea-Bissau, Chad, Niger and Afghanistan were the bottom 4. The U.S. ranked 28th – not a “mom-entous” ranking!
“Mommy’s thumb” is the new name for a condition also known as De Quervain’s tendinitis. It seems lifting can cause a shooting pain from thumb through forearm. There are several theories for why cases of this condition are increasing: heavier children, older new mothers and lower-to-the-floor cribs. Frequent scrolling on smart phones can also put the thumb out of alignment. The inflammation of the tissue around the tendon in the thumb can be treated with ice and anti-inflammatory pills. However, since 25%-50% of new mothers experience symptoms of Mommy’s thumb, maybe new daddies should get a “thumbs up” for lifting toddlers.
For older children parents are starting to see the Internet as part of a punishment strategy. Research from the University of Southern California in 2010 found 66% of parents restricted access to television as a punishment. Fifty-seven percent restricted access to the Internet – that’s up 25% since 2000. Parents are also discovering Internet access is reducing their children’s face-to-face time with friends. Eleven percent of parents felt this way compared to 7% in 2000. Nevertheless, 71% of parents thought their children spent “just about the right” time on the Internet. Only 51% felt that way about TV. However, with the Internet there’s parental hope the children are “Internetworking”.
When children become 18, they’re young adults, able to make adult decisions – like enlisting. However, a study by the Education Trust found nearly 25% of students wanting to join the Army failed the entrance exam. This was true for men and women of all races and ethnicities. These high school graduates didn’t have the needed reading, mathematics, science and problem-solving skills. The results of a 2010 global education survey showed U.S. high school students were 26th out of 65 in combined scores in math, science and reading tests. It’s parents who need to “soldier” improvement in education.
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