Blog
I Remain Wary of Parenting Campaigns
Posted July 14, 2009
I've watched a few parenting campaigns unfold in my lifetime. The SIDS campaign ("Back to Sleep"), the breast-feeding campaign, the sunscreen campaign, the publicity around infant toilet training, toilet training in one day (Dr. Phil) and life-saving swim lessons for 6 month olds, to name a few. While I respect some of the research and some of the intentions behind each campaign, I get nervous when I see one coming.
My kids were little when the sunscreen campaign was born. I'm not sure to this day what/who was behind it but I'm sure sunscreen companies got rich and have stayed rich every since. Basically it makes sense to protect a child's skin from sunburn, of course. But that simple message got picked up and carried away by marketers and soon everybody jumped on the bandwagon.
It turns out, however, that as a result of the fanatic effort to protect children from the sun, we ended up "protecting" them from much-needed vitamin D. New research is leaning toward unexpected conclusions about vitamin D deficiency in children, particularly those living in northern climates like Canada. It is possible that childhood asthma rates, some types of cancer (not skin) and diseases such as MS are linked to vitamin D deficiency, since rates of each have risen alarmingly and mysteriously in our children since the start of the campaign to prevent skin cancer.
Looking back, parents should have been informed of the need for modest sun-protection without the expensive, scary, advertising-driven campaign designed to get all of us, sheep-like, onto the sunscreen train. Regarding the other campaigns I mentioned above, parents need to be informed of the benefits of breast milk without making mothers afraid or guilty if they choose to feed their baby formula. Parents need to be made aware of the safest sleeping position for a baby and the dangers of cigarette smoke - without making a parent feel she has to lie awake all night to be sure her baby is still breathing.
I wonder how this should be done. Can we keep ourselves informed without making ourselves scared? And what should a parent's response be when a new, million dollar campaign hits the streets? If we become cynical or dismissive of new research, we won't be serving our children well. But we do need to question, read more and discuss these campaigns with a doctor you trust to gain a realistic perspective.
p.s. Here are two articles which may be of interest to you:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/702423?src=emailthis
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4001172/
Filed under: News from Kitty, Interesting Parenting Matters
CBC Ideas - The Hurried Infant
Posted April 25, 2010
I've just finished listening to Part 1 and Part 2 of The Hurried Infant. I think it's an outstanding program and I urge you to find the time to listen. Much of the philosophy behind what I've been teaching for over 25 years is based on the type of research this program is based on. Turns out it's not just babies who are being hurried -- babies these days have very hurried parents.
Note: two of the women we listen to in the 2nd half have irritating ways of speaking. So try to "purposefully ignore" that irritation and still hear what they have to say.
Here is the CBC Ideas link.
Filed under: News from Kitty, Interesting Parenting Matters
New Website
Posted June 17, 2009
I am delighted to invite you to look at my beautiful new website at http://www.raymondparenting.com. I hope this site will convey to you a sense of confidence that you are becoming the parent you plan to be and will also become a primary resource for the times when you need a pep talk, new ideas or a pat on the back.
My blog is a new feature and probably the one I’m most excited about. You’ll see email questions and answers (Ask Kitty), my appraisal of some popular parenting books, my observations on parenting trends and even occasional stories of my own parenting traps as a new mother. To receive a copy in your inbox, simply pop your email address into the right upper corner on the home page.
My store is showcasing my new book "The Manual * 0-3 Months” which you can purchase as a PDF download right to your computer - in minutes. Additional books will become available over the summer. Also in the store, you'll be able to purchase and listen to my audio Mini-Seminars on temper tantrums, moving your child from a crib to a bed and coping with a picky eater.
Telephone counseling appointments and email counseling (Ask Kitty) are also available for purchase in the store.
Seminars have their own section with a full description of each one and easy directions for registering.
This website looks perfect to me right now; however, experience tells me there may be a few bumps in the road following this unveiling. I rely on visitors like you to send me a note when you find something that needs attention.
I hope you'll also let me know how you feel about my new site.
Nothing would please me more than to read your comment, below.
Filed under: News from Kitty
