Is breast-feeding good for your baby but bad for your marriage? Is your baby sling nothing but a horrifying "man-distancing" contraption designed to keep your husband away? One woman, who is taking today's generation of co-sleeping, breast-feeding, baby-sling-wearing mothers to task, says that all of this mothering is getting in the way of women's sex lives. While some might simply argue that the mere presence of new babies suggests women are still finding a way to have sex, one young mother developed a more thoughtful counter-argument. Sheclaims the theory that 'involved parenting kills passion' is nothing more than a dangerous myth -- a myth which makes women feel they must choose between being good wives or good mothers.
Is extreme obesity a form of child abuse? Some researchers and medical professionals are recommending that dangerously overweight children be removed from their homes as a way to prevent future weight-related health complications such as diabetes, stroke and heart attack. While some say that drastic times call for drastic measures, others are saying not so fast -- not only is the plan unlikely to work but the numbers of kids involved would overburden an already overwhelmed social services system. One commentator recommends demonizing fast food the same way our society demonized smoking. Would you like a stroke fry with your cancer stick, perhaps?
If the fear of having the government remove your obese children from your home isn't enough to keep you away from your favorite fast food joint, the new findings on germ levels in fast food play areasjust might do the trick. One activist mom has made the cleanliness of playlands her mission this summer and has embarked on a cross-country road trip, collecting bacteria samples off playground equipment in between museum trips with her family. What she's found is disgusting, though perhaps not altogether surprising. She says that whether a community's rich or poor, it's just gross in there. Just thinking about it makes us reach for the hand-sanitizer.
Continuing with today's childhood obesity and fast food theme, First Lady Michelle Obama is under fire for ordering a burger, fries, and chocolate milkshake recently. Some say that as the spokesperson for the Let's Move campaign, Mrs. Obama shouldn't be caught eating fatty foods at a greasy spoon. Others are coming to her defense, saying that she's a good example of the tried and true motto, "everything in moderation."
Teens are telling 'tweens to "stop being a loser" -- in the nicest way possible. A couple of recent college graduates started an advice blog for their younger sisters and girls who just wish they were their younger sisters. They say they offer younger girls a non-judgmental forum in which to seek help. Readers are able to submit questions and receive advice from someone who's been there, done that, more recently than say, their mothers.
Dana Macario is a TODAY Moms contributor and Seattle mom to two sleep-depriving toddlers. She is currently developing an alarm clock that will start an IV coffee drip 10 minutes prior to wake-up time. Once properly caffeinated, she also blogs at www.18years2life.com.