The Lorax and Mother Earth

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.

The Lorax, written by Dr. Seuss, and first published in 1972, is the story of a little, orange fellow who warned a greedy entrepreneur, the Once-ler, about the dangers of cutting down the forest’s colorful Truffula Trees to make Thneeds.

Without the Truffula Trees, the forest became an ugly landscape whose once happy residents were forced to flee to find new homes. The story concludes with the Once-ler giving the last Truffula seed to a curious boy, entrusting him to plant it and restore the lively forest.

Join the Arbor Day Foundation® which pledges to “plant, nurture and celebrate trees.” Last year, Foundation members planted 8 million trees! When you join, you will get 10 free trees to grow, to send as a gift or to be planted — in your honor — in a national forest. Go here to join!

Teach kids the value of volunteering >>

Green Eggs and Ham and picky eaters

I do so like green eggs and ham! Thank you! Thank you, Sam-I-am!

In Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham, Sam-I-Am is a silly fellow who tries to encourage a friend to taste his beloved green eggs and ham. The friend isn't interested, but Sam-I-Am refuses to give up. In the end, Sam-I-Am's persistence pays off, and his friend not only tastes the green eggs and ham, but actually likes it!

Re-create this story at home without using eggs or ham! Put on your Sam-I-Am hat and up the foods your kids refuse to eat:

• Cut foods into different shapes. Slivers of carrots or cheese go down more easily than big, chunky bites.
• Change your preparation: If your kids dislike frozen or canned cooked peas, try some bagged sweat peas in pods.
• Serve on funky, fun or formal plates that distract resistant kids from the despised food item.
• Dress foods with the dressings or toppings your children love.
• Offer it at a restaurant, a party or someone else's home where kids are less likely to refuse.
• Remind your kids: They might actually like it!

Get the recipe for green eggs and ham recipe >>

Horton Hears a Who! and politics

Even though you can't see or hear them at all, a person's a person, no matter how small.

Dr. Seuss first published Horton Hears a Who! in 1954. The story tells of Horton the elephant who discovered — on a speck of dust — the microscopic community of Who-ville. Because of his large ears, Horton is able to hear the Whos while the other animals of the Nool Jungle can not.

At the request of Who-ville’s mayor, Horton agrees to protect the tiny planet, which infuriates his jungle-mates, who threaten to destroy the speck of dust. Horton convinces the Whos to come together and create enough noise for the other animals to hear. In the end, the little voice of JoJo is enough to make the community audible, demonstrating that "a person’s a person, no matter how small."

Horton Hears a Who! presents a wonderful opportunity for you to speak with your children about democracy, voting and being heard as individuals. In this election year, especially, you can help your kids understand the politcal party system, the Democratic and Republican platforms and the importance of exercising the right to vote. Follow the campaigns and election with your children, answer their questions and avoid the temptation to influence their political views.

Get your kids involved in politics >>

More family fun

Dr. Seuss-inspired family games
Recipes inspired by Dr. Seuss stories
Dr. Seuss activities for the entire family

by Rachel Reynolds
as told to Julie Weingarden Dubin

On January 20, 2009, while Barack Obama was taking the oath of office, we learned that our 3-year-old daughter had an orange-size tumor in her brain. Two days later, she had a surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible. Once the pathology returned, we learned it was a primitive neuroectodermal tumor, or PNET — a type of brain tumor that is very rare and very aggressive. Over the course of that year, Charlotte had three more brain surgeries, multiple rounds of chemotherapy, proton radiation, and other various treatments.

Unfortunately, despite intervention from some of the best doctors in the country, the tumor continued to grow. On January 7, 2010, Charlotte’s body finally succumbed to the tumor that had invaded her spine and central nervous system. Charlotte was almost 4 1/2 when she passed away peacefully at our home.

People to lean on

I work full-time as a principal of a private school for kids with autism, and I'm used to helping others, but it was difficult to learn how to welcome help from people when Charlotte, my only child, was ill.

Roger and I were amazed by the support that we found in our community. It came in large acts of kindness, such as the freezer the parents from Charlotte's preschool bought us for storing extra food. It came in airplane tickets bought to help with our travel expenses, food brought to our door many nights, and the donations that people made to help with our daughter's medical care. It also appeared in small acts: the anonymous plate of cookies left on our doorstep, or the offers to babysit Charlotte so that Roger and I could continue working. It came in simple notes that said, "I’m thinking about you." There was never a time when we didn't feel supported by our community.

Finding strength

I’ve always thought of myself as an optimistic person. Losing Charlotte has definitely been the darkest and lowest period in my life. I move forward one step at a time. I find strength in knowing that my daughter endured more in her short life than her father and I have in our combined eighty years. When you face challenges like these, you do have a choice. It's never easy, but you can move forward by taking small steps. That's how I cope.

Charlotte loved to sing and read books. She just wanted to soak up life and experience it completely. Charlotte taught me how to see the world like a child and appreciate the time that we have.

I realized after Charlotte died that I could turn my thoughts and feelings about our journey into something that may help others. I wrote the book, Four Seasons for Charlotte: A Parent's Journey with Pediatric Cancer, hoping that it helps families experiencing challenging times like ours, but I also hope that it can provide insight for medical providers, community members and the many other team players who are called upon to support families in their time of need.

Pay it forward

Even before Charlotte's brain tumor was deemed terminal, we knew that we wanted to give back to the community as a way to thank everyone for the tangible, monetary and spiritual support we received. We created CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation in Charlotte's honor to pay-it-forward and help others in need. CJSTUF supports families in situations like ours by providing financial assistance grants to families of children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. We also partner with other community organizations to provide healthy meals to caregivers in the hospital and other emergency assistance when we can.

Roger and I are encouraged and uplifted by our community. Friends and strangers surrounded us in our time of need. Through the foundation, we can be a lifeline of support for as many families as possible. We've turned our grief into something positive and we're here to help other parents in Charlotte's honor.

Photo credit: Deb Harper

Read more stories about real moms

Mom story: My son has Niemann-Pick disease
Parenting and autism: Amy's story
Mom story: I help the homeless rebuild their lives

Little by little

Parent counselor, discipline coach, preschool teacher and single parent Miriam Jochnowitz understands firsthand the importance of children's independent play. She says, "Be prepared to spend some time, ungrudgingly, at the start, at least. The more impatient you seem to go do something else, the more your child will be likely to want you to stay."

She continues, "Start an activity together. Then say, 'I'm going to go do x for a while, and you can keep on doing this. I will be back and we will play together some more.'"

She says to gradually decrease the time you stay with your child at the beginning of the activity and lengthen the time you are away. She also reminds to schedule some time to simply play. She says, "Having fun together is an important, overlooked aspect of parenting."

Do double duty by turning play time into learning time, too >>

Figure it out

Susan Magsamen, founder and CEO of Curiosityville, suggests resisting the urge to swoop in, and, instead, letting your child figure out a solution to his own frustrations as he plays independently.

She advises, "Rest assured that it's okay for your child to feel frustrated as he works to figure things out. Know that kids are amazing problem-solvers and can figure out all kinds of things on their own."

She notes that giving children the opportunity to lead can result in some of the best creative play. She says, "When your child has a friend over, take a step back and let them decide what to do. Kids are consummate creators and can come up with amazing adventures at the drop of a hat. If they get stuck, offer some guidance, but let them take the lead!"

Check out these tips to mastering the art of play dates >>

Don't buy into child manipulation

Parents Teach Kids' Jennifer Little, Ph. D.,  holds a masters in special education and a doctorate in educational psychology. She has taught child development courses at undergraduate and 
graduate levels and was a teacher for almost forty years to pre K-12
 students, most of whom had difficulty interacting appropriately with others. In other words, she's seen it all. She advises not to allow yourself to be manipulated into becoming your child's only playmate.

She says, "Parents who feel guilty that there isn't another child or don't want 
to deal with adult responsibilities will devote much 
of their time to the child. Children learn to manipulate the parent 
quickly. Learn to have the child in the play room/bedroom and walk away.
"

Find out how to resist manipulation and other tricks kids use to get their way >>

To encourage them to enjoy their solo playtime, Little suggests finding "toys the child enjoys, and have them easily accessible and within 
the child's viewing range. When toys are put away , the 
child doesn't see them and realize he can play with them."

More on children’s playtime

Creative everyday play ideas for kids
The importance of playtime for your little one: The first year

Raising an independent baby

Oldies-but-goodies and new and innovative — there's a huge mix of baby and toddler products on the market. We've gathered six standouts from completely different categories. From the carrier to the booster seat, don't miss these baby products that will make your life easier.

More great baby products

The summer's hottest strollers and car seats
More new baby gear for 2012
4 Things to buy new for baby number two

Christie Rampone

Team USA Soccer

The 2012 London Games will be the fourth Olympics for Christie Rampone. Rampone has three Olympic medals — silver in 2000 and gold in both 2004 and 2008. Like every mom, Rampone aims to balance her career and her family the best she can.

"I try not [to] control everything and focus more on the important things," says Rampone. "I do my best to be there for my daughters, always trying to stay ahead of what needs to be done. And I work with our fitness coach, Dawn Scott, to make sure I am going in the right direction with my training and diet. At the end of the day, I cannot force things with my kids or my training for the Olympics. I do the best I can with both and try to prioritize so the things that truly matter are covered. Whether I am training or being a mom, my focus is always 100 percent. I stay in the moment, always. Having an equal balance with both motherhood and the U.S. Women’s Olympic Football Team helps me as a mother and being a captain."

Even as a world class athlete, Rampone has some of the same concerns of many other moms.

"My [hang-up] has always been my butt and my thighs. But I’m more proud of my body since having kids. This is what I look like and I’m comfortable with it. I’m not a perfect shape, but I’m fit and healthy, so I should be proud of it."

Read about how to throw a 2012 Olympic party for kids >>

Next up: Meet Olympian and mom, Kerri Walsh >>

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Kerri Walsh

Team USA Volleyball

Kerri Walsh is one of the most famous volleyball players in the world. The 2012 Summer Games are the fourth Olympics for Walsh, who has two gold medals. Walsh isn't just an Olympian — she's also a mother of two.

"I have realized that I need a lot more help — it takes a village. Our boys are really reasonable and they travel the world like champs. My husband is also an amazing husband and father. This helps immensely to keep our family close. I want to teach my kids to chase their dreams and they can learn so much by being vulnerable and challenging themselves. Being a mother was my ultimate dream and being able to go after my third gold medal with them behind me is the best feeling in the world. Pampers [Walsh is sponsored by the company] is such a beautiful brand and they make babies and families lives more special and wonderful. My partnership is a family partnership which is so special to me; it’s not just me anymore, I am a working mom. The spirit of play of my children is just beautiful."

Check out these free Olympics printables for kids >>

Next up: Meet Olympian and mom, LaShinda Demus >>

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LaShinda Demus

Team USA Track and Field

LaShinda Demus is the three-time USA Outdoor 400m hurdles champion — and she's also a mother of twins.

"This is by far one of the most exciting and proudest moments in my life," says Demus. "They are now 5 years old and very protective of their mother!"

Demus was an Olympian in 2004, gave birth to her boys in June 2007 and is now back at the Olympics this summer.

"I'm still trying to figure out what's the best solution for balancing motherhood and training, and I always come up with the same answer," says Demus. "You have to start by having a husband that's on the same page and willing to split the load."

Read about what your kids can learn from the Olympics >>

For photos, videos, and all-things-Olympics, visit www.teamusa.org or www.NBCOlympics.com.

Images: Mitchell Haaseth, NBC Olympics

Watch this video to see members of Team USA talk about their kids and about taking part in the London 2012 Olympics.

Is there anything as adorable as the bond between a child and a pet? Meet six furry pets and the families who love them.

More kids and pets

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Helping your kids stay organized

time saving tips for kids

Whether your child is in elementary or high school, learning time management skills is important. Follow these expert tips for teaching your kids how to be organized from the start.

If all that comes to mind when you think about time management is your hectic schedule at work or home, think again. Helping your kids with time management will help you and the rest of the family, too.

Lend your child a helping hand

Tara Kennedy-Kline, parent/family coach, suggests parents help kids with certain chores — or helping hands.

She explains, "Parents can write helping hands tasks — homework, special classes, activities — on magnets and keep them on a dry-erase calendar. Each evening, the child must choose their helping hands and make sure their book bag is prepared for the next day. They also must decide if they are going to pack lunch so it can be made the night before, if necessary. Post a list of school lunches and special events, like picture day or assemblies, that the child will need to be prepared for. This significantly cuts down on stress in the morning."

Read 4 ways to get the kids to school on time >>

Be consistent with your child

Kennedy-Kline is a big believer in consistent schedules. "Set a schedule for what gets done as soon as the child gets home," she suggests. "Do you sit at the table and have a snack while going through their book bag, or do you have a TV break before you get into the evening routine? No matter what it is, set the agreement with them and stick to it."

Learn more about how to get organized >>

Make sure your child is involved with managing his time

Kennedy-Kline explains, "Children need for adults to set intentions and guidelines, and then, explain those things to them, write them down together and stick to them."

Whether your child is a preschooler or high schooler, you'll need to discover what kind of organizational process works best for her.

"As far as organization, the most important part is involving the child in the process," Kennedy-Klein says. "Ask them what works for them. Give them an option or two if they are stuck, but keep it simple and observe the patterns the child is already in."

Depending on how old your child is, Kennedy-Klein suggests asking these questions after observing your child.

1. Do they store their lego pieces by color or size in little buckets?
2. Do they use a different notebook or folder for every school subject, or keep everything packed in one big binder?
3. Do they like to use storage containers that look like treasure chests, or do they prefer open crates or shelves?

She adds, "Following the child's natural tendencies will lead to greater, sustained success — and continuous success is the foundation for creating self monitoring and motivation down the road."

Read more on time management

Time management reap the rewards of the routine
A freshman's guide to time management
10 favorite organizers for moms

We have seen it on television, possibly even experienced it in our own homes growing up — a happy family gathered around the dinner table, sharing stories and enjoying a home-cooked meal. Re-creating that scene in our own homes isn't easy, with family schedules crazy enough to warrant a color-coded calendar. How important is it to the well-being of your children and the happiness of your family?

Try one of these fun themes for family dinnertime >>

A recent study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family took on the task of analyzing the relationship between frequent family dinners and three indicators of well-being — symptoms of depression, use of drugs or alcohol and delinquent behaviors. The data used were from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health. About 18,000 adolescents were interviewed twice, one year apart and then again in young adulthood .

Ann Meier, associate professor of sociology at the University of Minnesota, and Kelly Musick, associate professor of policy analysis and management at Cornell University, wanted to see if there was a cause-and-effect relationship between eating dinner together as a family and the well-being of children.

They first looked at the relationship between family dinners and three indicators of well-being in adolescence. With all other factors being equal, there were strong associations between family dinners and well-being of adolescents in the household.

When they dug deeper into the data and accounted for other ways in which families that ate together differed —  time spent with parents, parental monitoring and family resources — the associations were far less. When they looked at the data on these same adolescents one year later, the effects of family dinner on well-being were diminished. By the time these subjects had entered the third age group , they found no direct, lasting effects of eating dinner together as a family on mental health, drug and alcohol use or delinquency.

This study may leave parents more confused than ever about family dinners. Time spent together as a family in general, and the quality of that time, may have a greater impact in the long-run.

Here are a few ideas for family time that don't revolve around the kitchen table.

• Game night - No electronics are invited — just a game and an hour together. Choose a game that all ages in the family can participate in, including little ones.
• Movie or TV night - Again, no cell phones or iPods invited. Choose something that will get the kids talking or laughing, especially if you have teens. It only takes a small amount of time, but the payoff is huge.
• Errand run - Many tweens and teens do their best talking with parents in the car. Get into the habit of taking one of yours along with you when you run errands, and then sit back and listen. Who knows what you might hear.

Check out these games to play at the dinner table >>

Bonding with your family doesn't just take place around the kitchen table. Take advantage of small moments here-and-there to nurture that bond now, so that it will hold for years to come.

More family time

Family time with fun and creativity
5 Reasons family time rocks
Finding time to connect with your family

How much is too much?

Technology is wonderful for our kids. It allows them to learn and explore things in amazing ways. However, most experts agree that too much screen time for children can be detrimental. So how much is too much?

How and why to set screen time limits

With the latest release of the iPhone 4S, I think we can all attest to how advanced our society is when it comes to technology. It is rare to see a person without some sort of smart phone in their hands, most children proudly tote around their iPod touches, even children as young as 2-years-old seem to have an impressive grasp, literally and figuratively, on how to use an iPad. Since we didn’t have all this technology growing up, one might stop and wonder, "How is this going to affect my child?"

Studies were conducted long before the invention of the iPhone that showed overuse of screen time had a negative impact on the developing brain. What does overuse mean? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics it is more than 2-3 hours per day, which used to only mean TV or video games but now encompasses much more.

So, how do we as parents teach our children to use all of this technology responsibly, to be able to take advantage of the good it can offer, without losing themselves to it? One way is to set limits and boundaries on how much and how often they can use these devices. Some parents are afraid to curtail its use because their children may fall behind. I am confident in countering that thought because children are literally surrounded by the technology. They receive computer classes in most schools beginning in kindergarten. Our children will surpass our skills by the second grade and will have no problem keeping up with the technology.

What is all the fuss about overuse?

Research has shown that the vast majority of screen time is passive. That means that there is no interaction on the child's part while watching. They get into a zone, blue lights flickering on their faces, eyes fixed on the screen. Television shows are purposely designed for scene changes every 3-5 seconds which trains the brain to need things to be very fast-paced. The problem is, the brain cannot process information at that rate, creating a mind blur of images and sounds that cannot be comprehended. Is it any coincidence that we find an increase in the number of children diagnosed with ADHD? I think not.

When you are out for dinner, look around and see the children who are sitting at the table behaving so well. If you look closer, you will see that child has some sort of device in their hand; they are either watching a movie or playing a game. While it makes for an enjoyable evening, we are setting habits that will be hard to break in later years.

Create a fun bag

In order for our children to grow up and be leaders, respected by peers and able to effectively communicate, we need to teach those skills while they are young. If they need to have something to do while waiting, create a fun bag, which only comes into places where waiting is required. Those things are put away when the food arrives so the family may be connected rather than interrupted by devices. If you go to a restaurant that is notorious for taking a long time to serve, many will allow you to order ahead, minimizing that time.

Ways to limit screen time

How do parents go about decreasing exposure? I know it sounds old fashioned, but there is nothing better than a good day at the park! A park may not be convenient for some parents, so how about setting screen free times at home? This encourages the children to utilize their imaginations and creativity to come up with ideas about how not to be bored. Here are some other tips that we can implement at home to make a difference.

• Setting limits and boundaries on how often and how much we can use screens
• Keep your child's bedroom TV free
• Schedule weekly one-on-one activities with your child — they want nothing more than your time and focused attention
• Reducing screen time by only 15 minutes a day, until you reach the target goal of no more than 1-2 hours per day
• Having a screen free day: an evening free of TV, texting, computer or Wii. No electronic devices! These can be replaced with board games, books, family activities etc.
• Encouraging think time or imagination time

The percentage of time spent abstinent from electronic devices does not need to be the goal, but being more mindful of how we utilize them is. They are wonderful machines and have made life much easier for us, but we need to remain alert, mindful and certain we remain participants in our own lives.

So the next time you think about passing your iPhone to your child to get fifteen minutes of peace, you may want to consider passing on a book instead.

More about kids and screen time

Is childhood depression caused by technology?
Mom vs. Dad: Technology and your kids
Unplug your kids this summer

Talk and text safety tips

Can you hear me now? According to research, twenty-two percent of young children own a cell phone , sixty percent of tweens , and eighty-four percent of teens. At back-to-school time, many parents make the decision to arm their kids with cell phones.

Protecting your kids

Contributed courtesy of SafetyWeb

Parents generally say they allow their kids to have cell phones for safety reasons; they want to be able to reach the child anytime. Cost is also a factor. Cell phone industry experts say phones and family plans are both becoming more affordable. Also, as adults swap out their old devices for newer smart phones, it is easier to pass down a used phone.

But for children, it is all about social life. A Pew study found that half of 12 to 17-year-olds sent at least fifty text messages a day and texted their friends more than they talked to them on the phone or even face-to-face.

Of course, owning a cell phone comes with possible outside threats. Here are ten tips from SafetyWeb to help keep your kid stay safe while using a cell phone:

Talk to your kids about the dangers and consequences associated with inappropriate cell phone use. Discuss topics including sexting and texting while driving. Make sure you get caught up on the lingo of popular acronyms and initialisms. Ask your kids to save any abusive or problem messages to show an adult.

If your child is under 10, they probably don't need a phone with unlimited social networking or email capabilities. Likewise, the actual phone itself doesn't need built-in features like a web browser or video messaging. For a young child, look for basic phones. Review all pre-programmed apps and phone capabilities beforehand.

If your child's cell phone has access to the internet, find out if your service provider offers some sort of parental control feature to which you can subscribe.

Designate time slots for talking — perhaps after homework and chores are completed, or before dinner. Don't let constant calls interrupt family time. It's easy for a chatty teen to cuddle up to a phone at bedtime, so check periodically.

Perhaps your child is older, but you're still not comfortable with him or her texting and emailing unmonitored. SafetyWeb provides parents with comprehensive alerts and reports on their child's cell phone calls and text message activity. This allows you to keep track of when they are using the phone , and who they are communicating with most frequently.

Instruct your child not to answer calls or text messages from numbers they don't recognize. If it is important, the caller will leave a message and then he can decide how to respond. Explain how to block calls from unwanted numbers.

To help keep your kids safe, make sure their cell phones have all important phone numbers pre-programmed into it so they can always get a hold of someone if they’re in trouble.

Always keep your child's cell phone charger in the same place. It's best to find a central location — like maybe the kitchen counter, or a table by the door. Mark the end of the monthly billing cycle on a calendar to remind her how long those dwindling minutes have to last.

Tell your teen to use caution when giving out a phone number. Make sure they don't publicize their number on the Internet or social sites like Facebook.

Fun ringtones, games and backgrounds — oh my! But, be careful. These features can come with potential bugs or hidden fees.

More about kids and cell phones

5 Reasons why your kids should have cell phones
Kids and cell phones: What you need to know
Cell phone safety tips for kids, tweens and teens

Latch On NYC

Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York City, has caused a stir with “Latch On NYC” — a mandate to keep formula marketing away from new mothers. Formula will still be available for moms who make that choice, but healthcare workers won't just offer it anymore.

Less access to formula

This September, participating hospitals in New York City will limit formula supplementation to breastfed babies who have a medical necessity for it — in other words, nurses and other healthcare workers will not have the ability to offer formula to breastfeeding moms unless it’s requested or in their medical charts.

Participating hospitals will also be discouraged from handing out formula freebies and will reduce or eliminate formula marketing that appears in the form of promotional posters and magazines, in addition to other media.

Less access

In participating hospitals, formula will be held behind locked cabinets, similar to medication that needs to be checked out by staff, recorded in a chart and reported to the health department. The hope is that formula will cease to be routinely given out or offered to breastfeeding mothers — formula that often tempts new mothers who are attempting to establish a successful breastfeeding relationship. Rest assured, formula will still be available to moms who prefer to feed their babies that way.

“Human breast milk is best for babies and mothers,” said New York City Health Commissioner Thomas Farley. “When babies receive supplementary formula in the hospital or mothers receive promotional baby formula on hospital discharge it can impede the establishment of an adequate milk supply and can undermine women’s confidence in breastfeeding. With this initiative the New York City health community is joining together to support mothers who choose to breastfeed.”

Blown out of proportion

Some feel that the mandates have been greatly exaggerated in the media, with some feeling that formula and formula-feeders are being demonized — but that isn’t the case. “They just aren't allowing formula companies full access to new moms for marketing," said Kelly, mom of two. "We do so much complaining that new moms don't get enough breastfeeding support… so now we are saying, when a woman asks for formula, let’s help her with the breastfeeding if needed, and give her some education before handing the formula over. It's not like they are saying you need a prescription for it!”

Unethical formula marketing

Breastfeeding advocates have noted for many years that the marketing tactics of formula companies are highly unethical. Formula marketing is specifically addressed by the World Health Organization and its code is continuously violated by formula companies in the United States. Of note, it reads: “Facilities of health care systems should not be used for the display of products within the scope of this Code, for placards or posters concerning such products, or for the distribution of material provided by a manufacturer or distributor.”

“Parading formula in front of new moms who might be struggling emotionally and learning a new skill is like a trap,” explained Heather, mom of two. “It is highly unethical and these things aren't allowed in other countries.”

“Latch On NYC” may be misunderstood by many, but the good news is that New York is taking steps to bring its hospitals into alignment with the World Health Organization’s recommendations, which have the best interests of babies and their mothers in mind.

More on breastfeeding

Whoopi thinks breastfeeding help is lame
Breastfeeding photos: Moms with their babies
Why you should breastfeed your toddler

Neonatal circumcision, the removal of some or all of the foreskin of the penis, is falling out of favor in the United States. Once touted by many as a necessary medical procedure, it is no longer recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics as a routine surgery on newborn infants, and decried by many as a barbaric practice that should no longer take place.

The tide swings

Once common enough that it was even covered by state medical programs such as Medicaid, routine infant circumcision is now a decision more parents aren’t making. Research has shown that routine circumcision does not have enough medical benefits for it to be recommended.

While circumcision rates are hard to quantify due to several factors, such as cultural ceremonies that take place outside of the hospital, a researcher from the CDC estimated that in 2009, as few as thirty-two percent of newborn boys went under the knife, compared to fifty-six percent in 2006.

"Do not circumcise your baby because you think there are some medical benefits," writes renowned pediatrician, Dr. William Sears. "A recent review by the American Academy of Pediatrics looked at all the data from the past decades to see if there truly were any medical benefits. Their conclusion — no. There are no significant medical benefits that make circumcision worth doing."

Not like Dad

Even in families where Dad is circumcised, parents are making a completely separate decision for their sons. "Originally, my plan was to do it, no questions asked," explained Angela from Canada. "Daddy had it done, therefore, so should the son. I basically changed my mind when I realized that our continent is one of the few countries in the world that actually do this."

Even in the face of religious views

Many parents have strong religious reasons for circumcision, but even many of those of a faith, such as Judaism, are choosing to abstain from the big cut. "I had a huge fight with our family over leaving Joshua intact ," shared Jenna from New Jersey. "I fought hard to preserve him and I won. We had a no-cutting bris and all. I am so thankful that my husband supported me in the end, and my perfect little boy didn't have to endure that crap."

Rebecca, mother of four, agreed. "I figure if God told Abraham to circumcise himself when he was like 100-years-old, my son can do the same if he feels like it," she explained.

Born perfect

Many moms we spoke with felt that their child was born with a foreskin for a reason. "Both of my sons were born perfect and left intact," shared Katie, mother of two. "I think that we are adapted as animals and that foreskin serves a purpose."

Katie is not alone in thinking that the foreskin is supposed to be there. "We now understand that the prepuce is richly innervated, erogenous tissue which enhances sexual pleasure," says Christopher L. Guest MD, FRCPC. "In addition, the prepuce provides a unique linear gliding mechanism during sexual intercourse. As physicians, we have no right to amputate this functional tissue from powerless infants without medical urgency."

More on circumcision

What you need to know about circumcision
To circumcise or not?
The circumcision debate

Brandi Glanville

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Brandi Glanville tweeted her disappointment after learning that Kristen Stewart cheated on Robert Pattinson with her married Snow White and the Huntsman director, Rupert Sanders.

"I'm not happy with this K stew BS," Glanville tweeted. "2 close to home. Same story, friends with the wife and kids & f-u** the husband wen we think no one is looking."

Glanville’s husband, Eddie Cibrian, cheated on her with LeAnn Rimes, who was also married at the time, while working on a Lifetime movie together. Glanville and Cibrian have two children together.

“Home wreckers come in pairs!!! It takes 2!!” she later wrote. “Off to vegas to do some liver wrecking.”

Glanville also took to Twitter to clear up the rumors that she was caught by her Real Housewives co-stars in a compromising position in a bathroom during Kyle Richard’s annual white party.

“OMG people I did NOT get caught having sex in any bathroom! I kissed a cute boy that I am now dating.These stories are such BS #getlives” she wrote.

Now that that is cleared up, we will end with this sweet tweet about her two adorable boys, Jake and Mason:

“Can't sleep I have two very cute little boys doing gymnastics in my bed.”

Alicia Silverstone

Alicia Silverstone is not one to shy away from controversial parenting topics — and this time she tweeted about orgasmic birth.

“Share what you think about orgasmic birth and check out what the community had to say… #bookclub,” she tweeted, with a link to her website featuring quotes from moms about their natural births.

“Our most recent book club selection was Orgasmic Birth, a book I read and loved while I was pregnant with Bear. The book is based on the film of the same title,” she wrote.

Find out more about orgasmic births here >>

Snooki

Pregnant Snooki was a gymnast! Who knew?

“USA GIRLS GYMNASTICS,” Snooki tweeted. “Legit crying over vault right now. #hormones”

After one of her followers tweeted that they miss doing gymnastics, Snooki wrote: “For real. I did it for 8 years.”

“ur so unathletic though can't see u doing that,” tweeted another follower.

“You don't really know me though,” she quipped back.

One follower came to her defense, reminding everyone how she once did “back handsprings in the club.”

Vanessa Lachey

Vanessa Lachey is expecting her first child, a boy, with husband Nick Lachey.

"#MaternityMonday: BRAXTON HICKS. No, that's not our baby's name!“ she tweeted. “This is ur body doing "practice contractions". Read up on the differences!”

She later wrote about flying during pregnancy.

“I can't believe you are allowed to fly pregnant all the way up to 36 weeks!!! Then no more! That's pretty far along,” she tweeted, later writing:  ”PS, I don't intend to be flying close to 36 weeks! After my docs ok & compression thigh highs in tow, I'm ready for one LAST work trip."

Lachey looked gorgeous in a printed maxi dress while promoting her show, Wipeout. “Mama hit the red carpet tonight, and my feet are sooo happy to be in flat sandals!” she tweeted after the event.

Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson is never one to hold back her thoughts on gross bodily functions — which is one of the reasons why we love her!

“Ingrown,” she tweeted, with a link to a photo of what appears to be a bloody toenail on a piece of gauze.

Responses from her followers ran from “Nasty” to “ouchy!”

Bethenny Frankel

Bethenny Frankel’s daughter Bryn has a new pink room!

“A peek into my bumblebee’s very pink room!” she tweeted, with a link to a photo of her adorable room.

“Pink is Bryn’s favorite color. I wanted to incorporate the color pink without it being too overwhelming, so I chose a soft color combination of buttercream and pale pink,” she wrote on her website. “It reminded me of yummy cupcakes!”

From Kristin Cavallari to Gwyneth Paltrow, check out more funny, wacky and sweet celebrity mom tweets >>

Photos: WENN

We know that teaching kids a second language is a tremendous help in life, but how do you go about teaching, say, French when you only speak English?

Yes, you can!

Do you think it's impossible to teach your child a second language that you don't speak? It's not. Caryn Antonini is a mom, language expert and founder of the Early Lingo language learning tool for kids. Her insight just may give you the confidence you need to tackle the challenge of teaching a second language...and your kids will thank you down the road.

Why bother?

There's no question that it's easier to stick to one language, but parents are recognizing the advantage of teaching kids a second, or even a third, language. "In order to compete in the global marketplace, our children must learn foreign languages," says Antonini. "There are so many benefits to being bi- and multi-lingual including better scores on standardized tests, heightened problem solving skills and the ability to think outside of the box." Need more reasons? Just think of the tremendous advantage your kids will have when they eventually enter the workforce. Can you say: "hired?"

Find out how to arm your child with a second language >>

Don't feel overwhelmed

Just the thought of teaching your child a language you don't speak can be intimidating, but moms today definitely have a wide range of resources readily available. "There are so many resources these days to help your child learn," says Antonini. "DVDs, television shows, books and magazines can all be very helpful. I would also encourage moms to seek out native speakers to speak to your child exclusively in the given language." Another great strategy is to learn the language right alongside of your children.

Read more about introducing a second language to your child >>

There's no better time

By this time, you're probably recognizing the value of an additional language . Maybe you're feeling pretty confident about teaching your kids Spanish, French or Mandarin but you're thinking about waiting a few years to launch your grand plans. If so, think again. Now is the best time to get started. "Every baby is born with the ability to speak any of the 6,000+ languages of the world," says Antonini. "In the first six months of life, babies babble using 70 different tones, however they start discarding sounds and words they don't hear in their everyday environment." Take advantage of your child's remarkable ability to absorb language skills while she's young. It's never too early, but it's also never too late if your child is beyond the infant years.

Read about learning a second language: Great summer activity for kids >>

Whatever method you choose, be encouraged! You really can give your child the gift of another language. The path to a bi- or multi-lingualism may just be a family adventure.

Read more about kids and languages:

Fun ways to teach your child sign language
Learn a language and culture together
Exposing kids to their cultural roots

They hear you but they aren't listening

You can hear yourself — you know you sound like a broken record, like Charlie Brown's teacher. You're frustrated. You're drained. You've asked them over and over to do the simplest tasks and they still aren't listening.

How to get your kids to listen to you

If you're tired of ragging on and nagging your kids, read on for experts' tips on how to get your kids to not only hear you, but to listen.

Why won't they listen?

There's not a mom out there who is going to say she enjoys nagging. But most moms will probably agree they've done it. So, why are you repeating yourself so many times? Why isn't your child listening? Marcy Axness, Ph.D., says one of the most frequent questions she gets asked is, "How do I get my child to respect me?" "What they’re really asking is, 'How do I get her to do what I tell her to do?,'" says Axness.

Obviously, there's not one reason why a child doesn't always do what he's told. But before you look at your child as the problem, you need to first look at yourself.

How do discipline your toddlers, kids, tweens and teens >>

Positive discipline: Why timeouts don't work >>

Approach older children differently

Because you can't discipline a toddler the same way you would a teen, your approach needs to change as the child grows up. "For older kids, it's a matter of reminding them that they are an integral part of the family, which means doing things and participating around the house. Identify what things are privileges and indicate that these privileges come with being a part of the family. Ask them to take on more responsibility, and then, explain to them what exactly that means. When your child steps up, remember to say 'thank you' and acknowledge their contribution."

Stop doing everything

Tina Tessina says, "With children, today's caring moms tend to err on the side of doing too much, and not allowing their kids to learn to be self-sufficient. With children, let them do as much as they are capable of. This, of course, needs to be age-appropriate, but a three-year-old can learn to help mommy by picking up toys, and a six-year-old can get his or her own cereal breakfast, set the table, and help with dusting."

"As they get older, give them responsibilities that fit their abilities like vacuuming, shopping, cooking, cleaning bathrooms or yard work. If you want to rotate chores, put a chore list on the wall and move around who does what. This helps older kids understand what is necessary to be done, and how often to do it. Saving and handling money are reasonable chores, too."

Read more about disciplining your kids

How to keep your teen safe without nagging
Parenting guru: Is it wrong to punish kids?
The secret to well-behaved kids

Ever wonder if other moms sleep as much as you do? Moms spilled their sleeping secrets, revealing a lot of sleep-deprived parents out there.

But don't worry — moms with older kids said they sleep closer to the 7-8 hour range.

Dangers of sleep deprivation

Parents — especially those with young children — are naturally sleep deprived. When you have a young child waking up in the night, it can be impossible to get a good night's rest. And sometimes that doesn't end for years. What are some of the risks and concerns that come with being constantly without enough sleep?

"I have lost most of my math ability and memory capacity because I'm just so tired all the time, but I think I get five hours a night now. It has gotten better in the past few months, because those five hours are straight through. Previously, I was sleeping in two to three hour chunks," admits Roland. And she's not alone.

"Sleep deprivation is very common in new parents. This can lead to fatigue, poor concentration, depression, anxiety and irritability. We are now seeing links to heart disease, weight gain and high blood pressure due to lack of good sleep," says Dr. Mary B. Seger, author of The Parent Guidebook - How to Raise Happy, Healthy Children With Advice From a Mom and Nurse Practitioner.

When to worry

You are tired...but when does that constant exhaustion turn into something you should be concerned about? Segar says, when the lack of sleep causes an inability to do daily activities. Segar says that the symptoms, which can also mean depression, can be fixed. Go to bed early. Take naps. Give yourself a break from the perfectionism." Another recommendation is to ask for help. Ask your husband to get up with the baby or bring her to you so you can breast-feed in bed. He can also take her back to bed," says Segar.

For parents of school age kids

Having kids in school doesn't mean a more peaceful rest time, though. So what can you do — since napping is probably out of the question? "Routine and schedule is imperative! You are the parent, not your child's friend. Sleep is imperative for the health and happiness of parents and children. Having a set bedtime and naptime keeps everyone happy," says Seger.

More on parenting

7 Must-have apps for busy moms
Parenting resources we love
Meal planning made easy

Divide and conquer

Before school is back in session, sit down as a family to figure out school start and release times as well as times of any extracirucular activities your kids are involved in. Compare calendars with your partner to figure out which duties each of you will be handling. Figure out which days you’ll each be responsible for the school carpool, various after-school activities and study groups. Decide who will be taking care of dinner . Sharing responsibilities with your man will help ease the stress of the back-to-school routine.

Check out more tips for adjusting kids routine for school >>

Wake up call

A few weeks before school starts, start getting your kids back on the school year schedule. If you’ve been letting them stay up late and sleep in late, you’ll need to reset their clocks to ensure a smooth back-to-school transition. Remember, they’ll need a full night’s rest to be ready to tackle the school day head on.

Read up on tips to help reset your child’s internal clock before school starts >>

While we’re on the subject of waking up, you may need to set your alarm a few minutes earlier than usual to ensure you have enough time to get yourself ready for work and be available to help your kids get ready and fed before it’s time to head out the door.

More on the back-to-school routine

Getting into the school routine
Getting your children school ready

6 Tips for getting your household ready for back to school

Carmen Kilday, is a mom who is known as Inga Lorious on the Denver Roller Dolls rink.

"My roller derby habit is uber important! It is the outlet I use to escape the nightly laundry/dinner routine and occasionally to escape my three kids! I could get lost in all my kids' endeavors, but roller is something I have for me. I have always had an athletic activity that has kept me fit, like tennis or running, but roller derby is more. Derby is an obsession. At one point, I was on two travel teams and a home team. Balancing that with being a mom and a wife wasn't easy. My family sacrificed many meals with me , and my husband is definitely a derby widower. However, we are very intentional about family time and everyone has to pitch in with chores."

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Shannon Ward lives in Canada and took up surfing at the age of 34 after having her son.

"Surfing is the perfect hobby for me because it is a great workout but is also incredibly stress-relieving. In order to surf, you must be able to live in the moment, and that means shedding all your worries for a while. It is also important to me to be in touch with nature. Every time I come out of the water, no matter if it was a bad surf session or good, I am a better person. This makes me a better mom too. I believe that having children is the best reason to pursue your passions because it sets a great example for them to not be afraid to live their dreams and to do whatever it takes to make them come true."

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Kerry Swetmon is a Georgia mom who takes her fishing seriously.

"It never ceases to amaze people when I say I'm a competitive angler. Once per year -- one wonderful, fabulous, extraordinary weekend each September -- I leave everything behind , and I travel to Texas and compete against 120 ladies in a fishing tournament. My husband knows I'm going, he knows he's in charge of the kids and he knows I look forward to it all year. And although I fly in from Atlanta, most of the ladies are from Texas. You have never seen more beautiful anglers! These Texas divas arrive at the dock at 5:45 a.m. with a full face of makeup and big hair a-flyin'. They're gorgeous! But, don't let that fool you, we are all serious about winning first place!"

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Stefanie Reed is a mom from Idaho who finds time in the saddle therapeutic.

"Having a hobby is important to me for a few reasons. It allows me to have my time, away from all life's responsibilities. Some days, it feels like therapy. I go home feeling totally renewed and ready for my crying baby, needy husband and dirty house! It is my competitive outlet so I don't get crazy with the other mothers on play dates. It is also important to me that my daughter grows up watching her momma be passionate about something. Balancing riding and motherhood can get tricky, but I try to make it a priority because I know how important it is for me mentally and physically. It literally can make the difference between a bad week and a good one. Plus, I have an amazing, supportive husband that understands I need my barn time."

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Jenna Meek is a Colorado mom who enjoys regular recoil therapy.

"Shooting is great stress reliever! Some people are surprised to learn that I enjoy shooting. But, since women shooters are one of the fastest growing demographics of shooters, many ladies ask questions about how to get into the sport. I am always happy to share my love and knowledge of shooting with others! This is the main reason why my husband and I started our firearms training company, 3 Gun Dynamics. I believe that having shooting as a hobby makes me a better mom because it gives me something positive and fun to focus on. It gives me confidence. I think it's good for my son to see an empowered, confident mom. It's also something that my husband and I do together and makes us a stronger team and family. "

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Ashley Barden is an Arizona mom whose love of photography keeps her focused.

"It's so nice to have something other than my kids to be proud of! When I'm taking pictures, I'm not Brian's wife or cute kids' mom. My photography is all mine! It's good to get out of the house and do something I am passionate about, but it's even nicer to come back to my kids! I also think that it's great for them to see me out there doing something I love and to see me get excited about something other than them! Getting out there and having some time apart makes me appreciate them that much more. Doing photography refreshes my mind and gives me a boost of energy. I channel that into being a better mama!"

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Marjorie Sgarrella, mother of two girls, breeds and shows standard poodles.

"I really enjoy having a passion I can share with my children. Showing dogs is a big time commitment, but I really enjoy it and my family can come to the shows with me…and we all enjoy the dog! We got our first standard poodle when my girls where 5 and 7 and we didn't even know how to spell dog show. Breeding and showing happy, healthy standard poodles has become a great passion of mine; my breading program, JetSet Poodles, breeds about one litter per year. Showing dogs is a great hobby for the whole family, both my girls now have dogs of their own that they showed in junior handling."

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Tiernan McKay is a writer for SheKnows and a mom of three who enjoys standing on her head.

"How often do we, as moms, get a chance to just focus on breathing for an hour? Not often enough. That's why I love yoga. Sure, it's fun to challenge myself with new poses and more advanced expressions, but being able to really focus on my breath is a gift. Sweating for an hour or a ninety-minute class rejuvenates me while strengthening my mind and body. While I walk out of class physically spent, I am usually emotionally and mentally recharged. I use yoga techniques in my daily life as well. When my kids throw me a curveball, I focus on my breath before reacting."

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Michelle Cummings is an author, team building consultant, mom and fly fishing addict.

"Fly fishing is about being away from my other world, finding adventure in an unspoiled setting surrounded by majestic peaks, wide valleys, and stepping into culture and lifestyle that is predominately male-oriented. Any day I can stand among towering mountains, quaking aspen and other breathtaking formations, it tends to dwarf one's petty day-to-day concerns. I can't think of many other places that allow me to be as still and in sync with my surroundings as standing in a river rhythmically casting my fly rod. Fly fishing feeds my soul and allows me to be a better mom, boss, wife, etc. back in the real world."

PHOTO GALLERY: See more adorable ideas.

For this Funny Face Bagel Lunch, there is a funny face turkey sandwich with baby spinach hair, cherry tomato nose, olive eyes and turkey pepperoni tongue. For the sides, there are carrot hearts on top of fresh broccoli, with grape and strawberry hearts for dessert. Let me show you how easy it is to create this bento box lunch for your loved ones.

Next, let's make the main attraction of this lunch — the funny face! I used a bagel thin, but a regular bagel would also work just fine. Start by creating your child's favorite sandwich. Here, I am using turkey, cheese and mayo. Line the top half of the sandwich with baby spinach to make the "hair."

For the face, I am using two black olive slices for the eyes, a cherry tomato nose and half a slice of turkey pepperoni for the tongue.

To create the mouth, carefully cut a small incision the size of your pepperoni. Slide the pepperoni into the incision. Push it in until you feel it is secure.

Lastly, put on your olive eyes and place the cherry tomato nose into the center hole of the bagel. I used a dab of mayo to hold the eyes in place. If you have older children, you could also use a couple toothpicks to attach and hold eyes into place.

Now let's move onto our heart carrots. Make two angled slices at both ends of a baby carrot.

Place those ends together, to form a heart.

Secure the carrot heart with a food pick or toothpick.

To make your strawberries into hearts, simply cut a small "V" out of the top of the strawberry. Place them on food picks with some grapes, pineapple or melon, and you have a healthy, beautiful dessert any kid would love!

Place all of your bento box lunch creations in a lunchbox, and you have made your very own Funny Face Bagel Lunch.

Watch as Kat demonstrates how to make a snake pizza

More school lunch ideas:

Easy nutrients to pack into a school lunch
Kid-friendly recipes from Jamie Deen
8 Fun school lunch bags and boxes

Betty White and The Lorax

Over the years, we've seen Betty White in a number of terrific roles, from Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show to Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls. In 2012, she added another to the list — Grammy Norma in Dr. Seuss' The Lorax.

SheKnows exclusive with Betty White

In an amazing career spanning over seven decades, Betty White has received 20 Emmy nominations, winning seven times. And of course, no one will ever forget White guest-hosting Saturday Night Live in 2010. In recent years, the 90-year-old White has garnered a cult-like following. In 2012, she continued to add more credits to her name — including a role in the 3-D CGI film Dr. Seuss' The Lorax as Grammy Norma.

The Lorax

Many of us grew up on Dr. Seuss books. We now read the stories to our kids, huddle around the TV to watch our favorites and flock to the theater to see the Seuss movies. On March 2, 2012, Universal Studios and Illumination Entertainment released a new film based on one of the classic Dr. Seuss books — The Lorax. The movie hit theaters on the 108th birthday of Seuss, who died in 1991 at the age of 87.

The story is set in the town of Thneedville where a boy is searching for love but also finds an exciting adventure. He meets a variety of unique characters such as the often-grumpy and always lovable Lorax and the mysterious Once-ler. White joined a star-studded cast of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax as the voice of Grammy Norma in the film.

"Making The Lorax was a delight and environmentally it's such a beautiful story — that's what drew me to it," said White. "The movie is very positive and fun, but also has a message — that we have to make the most of what we have and save what we have left of this amazing planet."

Despite her age, Grammy Norma is brave and vibrant. She isn't afraid to speak her mind and she's a whole lot of fun. She sounds a lot like White herself.

"We are both old that's for sure — that's our main similarity," White laughed. "What I love about her is that she digs into life and enjoy every minute of it."

Betty White and the Emmys

White has a long list of Emmy wins and nominations on her resume. In July 2012, White was nominated for another. This time, the nod comes from her role as host of NBC's Betty White's Off Their Rockers.

In the vein of Punk'd, the show delivers crafted comedic stunts and candid moments, capturing the hilarious reactions of unsuspecting people on hidden cameras.

"It's a hidden camera show but this time it's old people putting young people on," explained White. "They allow young 'marks' to hear some pretty outrageous stuff — all staged, of course. I think the results are pretty funny."

Hearing that she's been nominated for an award never gets old for White. "When the nominations were announced I was so shocked... and I'm still shocked and very thrilled," she gushed.

The Lorax on Blu-ray and DVD

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax will be available on Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack on August 7, 2012. Both sets feature DVD, Digital Copy and UltraViolet, so you can watch it anytime, anywhere.

The Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack will also include three brand new mini-movies featuring some of your favorite characters from The Lorax including the Bar-ba-loots, Humming-Fish, Swomme-Swans and, of course, the Once-ler and the Lorax. Plus, there's plenty of other bonus features that your family will love.

In addition to Betty White, the all-star cast of the film features Danny DeVito , Ed Helms , Zac Efron , Rob Riggle and Taylor Swift .

"I encourage everyone to see it," said White. "It's the kind of movie that young kids — and everyone — will want to see again. It's pretty to look at and the story is very enjoyable. I know I want to see it again."

The Lorax sneak peek

Check out a sneak peek of the new mini-movies and find out more about The Lorax in the video below.

Image credit: Starbux/WENN.com

More about Dr. Seuss

6 Dr. Seuss characters we love
Dr. Seuss-inspired family games
How to recreate Dr. Seuss stories at home