Daily Mom Guest: March 2008 Archives
For most parents, the safety and well-being of their children is absolutely paramount. They will spend any amount of money necessary and do anything and everything humanly possible to protect their kids. Which is why the recent and tragic deaths of two young girls have struck such a nerve with so many moms and dads.
In
But many parents in the iVillage community have already drawn their own conclusions, arguing fervently that Madeline’s parents failed in their most important duty as parents—protecting their child. They failed, and Madeline paid the price. Member lilpeanut2007 writes: “It is one thing for parents to choose prayer over medicine for themselves, but I do not believe they have the right to subject their child to the same belief system. She depended on them to take care of her and they did not do that. It is negligent, and I do believe they should be charged accordingly.” Member mommydesire62777 agrees that Madeline’s parents should be held accountable and feels especially strong about the sentence they deserve: “I hope they get charged with murder!”
There’s a new online
game in town, and it isn’t pretty. The
virtual fashion game, called “Miss Bimbo,” is aimed at girls between the
ages of 7 and 17. The game’s Web site explains that players compete against one
another to become the “hottest, coolest, most fabulous bimbo in the whole
world.” But according to the male web
designer who created it, the game actually teaches girls how to take care of
their bimbos. That’s a hard sell, especially when players are encouraged to get
plastic surgery and diet pills for their bimbos. Of course becoming the most
fabulous bimbo in the world isn’t cheap; that’s why successful players seek out
wealthy virtual boyfriends.
Unsurprisingly, many
parents, like member mrst_plus_nute,
are outraged: “UGH! I hate garbage like this! As if there isn't
enough pressure on women to conform to an already unattainable social image.
How are young women ever going to learn to be functioning, contributing members
of society if their lives are dedicated to trying to reach some imaginary image
of perfection?”
Member countrygoddess2008 is also upset and believes the stereotypes perpetuated by the game contribute to the explosion of eating disorders among girls and young women: “This is the exact reason that women develop eating disorders … I’m hoping to raise my kids to realize that as long as you are healthy it doesn't matter what size you are. Our society is vain.”
Let's hear it for the men!
It’s not
often we women get to say that, but according to an MSNBC story, men are slowly
getting better at helping with housework and child care.
The Council
on Contemporary Families found that, since the ‘60s, men’s contribution to
housework has doubled and the time they spend on child care has tripled.
And not
only does chore sharing save
time, but according to Joshua Coleman, a San Francisco-area psychologist,
it also allows for a happier marriage
and more frequent
sex.
If that
doesn’t convince your husband
to pitch in, I don’t know what will.
How does
your husband help out around the house? Does more chore sharing equal more
lovin’ in your home? Tell us!
--Allison Busacca, Assistant Producer, Pregnancy and Parenting
