September 2008 Archives

Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse, the stock market took a huge dive yesterday as Congress rejected the bailout bill many felt was the only option available to stem the current economic crisis that now appears to be wreaking havoc on global markets. Of course, others aren't convinced and are skeptical that the bailout will do anything significant to help the everyday American. The prevailing sentiments around the iVillage community, though, include lot of anxiety, confusion and frustration. Reaction to the latest bailout news rippled across many boards, but a very raw and spirited discussion unfolded on the Politics Today, where most agreed that this is one case where politics need to be set aside:

"I really hope I never see a day when my credit card or ATM card cease to work because the financial system seizes, but that day could possibly be a blessing in disguise. One thing is clear, our incumbent Congressional representatives need to go. I don't care what political party you favor. DON'T VOTE FOR INCUMBENTS!" -- glitter_girl_5000

"We may never get a clear answer as to why this bail out failed; our politicians are like children, constantly blaming someone else for something that has happened. -- carey239

"It's the current investors and creditors of the failing institutions who chose to make the risky investments to begin with. It is they who should shoulder the losses." -- janetlz

"In the end, I think it might be best to feel the pain and, hopefully, the government will still have the resources to rescue the real economy. If the choice comes down to saving Wall Street over saving Main Street, then I'm willing to take a pass on Wall Street bailout and wait until we get some decent legislation." -- glitter_girl_5000  

"I am so frustrated with BOTH parties for acting like babies. I am frustrated with McCain and Obama for not being leaders.  Neither one did what needed to be done. Neither one stepped up to the plate... however, BOTH have done a great job at blaming the other guy. I am disgusted." -- arizonadingo

"If the Democrats actually wanted this bill to pass, it would have...235 to 199 (with the independent going either way). The Republicans are responsible for a lot of things, but Democratic Party disunity and the Democrat's inability to get legislation passed when they are the majority are not two of them." -- philmercer66

"Alleviating the current situation with a "makeshift" bunch of ideas that don't seem to work well together, makes little sense if no plans exist to keep it from occurring again in real short order!"  -- sistah_w

"Politics being played out at the expense of the country, in my opinion, by both sides. I blame politics and worrying about re-election." -- antineocon

"If a patch is all we can get now, I guess that is better than nothing.  But I'd like to understand what in the bill that didn't pass is of concern, and how can it be fixed.  I'd also like to understand the implication of no action and any action."  -- alicia2210

 

Related: Financial crisis: What you should know (via msnbc.com)

With the first presidential debate behind us and the financial crisis worsening as the house rejected the latest iteration of the massive bailout that aimed to stabilize the economy, it would be hard to imagine this election season getting any more intense. That is, of course, if we didn't have the much anticipated vice presidential debate coming up this week. Many are on pins and needles to see what will happen when Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin go head to head in St. Louis on Thursday night. Naturally, iVillagers are buzzing about what they're expecting out of the debate and the candidates. As if that weren't enough, we've seen a ton of reaction to the recent column by conservative columnist Kathleen Parker, who calls for Sarah Palin to step aside as the Republican VP nominee. On the heels of Palin's recent interview by Katie Couric and her limited press interaction, people on all sides of the debate are wondering how Palin will perform in Thursday's debate.

Some on the Moms & Politics board feel that Palin isn't qualified for the job, pointing to the possibility she could also become president:

"I hope he selects a new running mate. If he does win this election and something were to happen to him - very likely based on his age, by the way -- then I do fear for our country with Palin as the president." -- goobersnot

"She is not ready for this, and she is hurting herself and her future. Experience aside, Obama has had a year to perfect this. He has had the benefit of a long, hard campaign. She has the spotlight, and I think that expectations are also unrealistic. She is crucified for every flub. I like her. I don't want her to fail. But I'm disappointed in her interviews thus far." -- lj_jacieb

After all of the drama surrounding the question of whether or not Friday night's debate would even happen, the duel in Oxford, Mississippi between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama attracted a lot of attention, but gave us very few surprises according to the reaction from the iVillage community. While some news outlets have polled their viewers to declare a winner, the overwhelming feeling I'm getting from our boards is that the reaction is pretty mixed -- and pretty much down party lines, as you might expect. While some said they were bothered by John McCain's posture, appearance and apparent refusal to face Barack Obama while answering; others were disturbed by Barack Obama's familiarity with McCain by addressing him often by his first name, his manner of speaking and the number of times he said he agreed with McCain. And then there was the whole bracelet episode, which had both sides buzzing. Of course, that's just the tip of the iceberg in the debate reviews from iVillagers.

The theme seemed to definitely be "no surprises" in many of the discussions moving along at a fast clip already on Politics Today. Some wondered if the debates are really making that much of a difference in how these candidates are being perceived -- or in how people will vote come November: 

"I thought overall it was close but I believe Obama may have come out ahead by a few points. Next week will be HUGE with the VPs." -- small_peanut

"Both my husband and I (strong Obama supporters) were also surprised that Obama won according to the polls. We thought it was a draw. The differences in fiscal policy were pretty much the same as we've been hearing all along, and because they both seemed to agree that some form of bailout is needed I didn't see either gaining any new advantage in that area." -- janetlz

"I just think with these televised debates and conventions... I wouldn't base my vote on how they perform on stage. They're not supposed to be figureheads, according to what our government structure says. They're not supposed to be actors." -- kalielu

"Personally, I thought it was a pretty uneventful debate and kind of predictable. On both sides." -- nenersr

 "I really think that when people watched debates or interviews, their perception of the performance is colored by what they already believed about the candidate." -- broccoli2008

Let's get rrrready to rrrrrumble!!!

With the financial crisis still hanging over our heads and despite John McCain "suspending" his campaign and proposing a debate postponement, the first presidential debate of this 2008 campaign is still set to unfold on Friday night in Oxford, Mississippi. From the comments I've read so far, it doesn't sound like the debates are likely to change too many people's minds about their candidate, but the reaction to the latest maneuverings by both campaigns have iVillagers posting up a frenzy to share their unbridled opinions. From the razzle dazzle to the "okie-doke", the folks on Politics Today weigh in on John McCain's latest strategy and the debates in general:

 "This is just another razzle dazzle play by McCain." -- sarahmeeveryday

When the conversation turned to the theory that McCain really wanted to try to delay the debates to push the vice presidential debate off the table, some speculated on how such a VP debate would play out:

"I agree Biden will have to control himself to not appear condescending. After watching the Couric interview can you seriously think she can slaughter him on the issues?" -- gal_callie

"Biden isn't the brightest crayon in the box. Palin will do just fine. It isn't just me that is saying this. Many on the left have already admitted it on this board." -- snoopyme

 

I've been curiously following a really great discussion over on the Hot Topics in Health board about a Swiss restaurant's plan to incorporate human breastmilk into their menu items. Now PETA is apparently getting in on the act by petitioning Ben & Jerry's to replace the cow's milk in their Cherry Garcia and Chubby Hubby with human breastmilk. Now, I'm all for breastfeeding, but I also have to admit the opportunities for jokes in this story are too much for me to resist, so I am going to cut straight to the reactions:

"No way!  I don't care if they test everyone who donates the milk, things can be passed through breast milk and I am not going to drink somebody's bodily fluid. " -- amomalmost40

"Why not? Cow milk comes from a breast, too." -- daelaria

There are so many women who want more than anything to be able to breastfeed their babies but are unable to for one reason or another. Wouldn't a better use of all this apparent extra breastmilk be in offering it at an affordable price to women who can't breastfeed?" -- gal_marlena

They're also discussing this story on Breastfeeding/Lactation Consultant, Taboos, Breastfeeding and Breastmilk vs. Formula Debate boards. As cmcindik asks, "Would you, could you, dine on foods made with breast milk?" Well? We wanna know! 

It's been pretty intense around here with all of the economic news, election coverage and health controversies, but there's a lot more happening in the iVillage community beyond heavy news and debates. Tam, our wonderful Community Producer, sent along this post from the Feminism Today board that caught my eye and made me smile. iVillager the_big_c writes:

"It's my daughter's 19th birthday this week and I thought I'd give her a list of rules she could refer to when I'm not around."

The list includes some great advice and reminders, such as:

"In Monopoly, buy the orange properties."

"Don’t call things by their brands, they are still just shoes and sunglasses."

"If unsure whether to call or not, the answer is always to call."

Others on the board have chimed in with their rules that range from the practical:  "Wear sunscreen. Floss daily." and  "Over tip at breakfast. The waitress is working just as hard even though the food costs less." ...to the sublime: "Feel free to sing along with the radio."

Of course this got me thinking of just what my own list might look like... and curious about what's on yours. Let me know what your list would include and feel free to stop in on the Feminism Today board and chime in on the list there.

Even though we've had a few days for it to sink in, I think there are quite a few of us out here who are still trying to wrap our minds around the $700 billion price tag of the bailout proposal that seeks to stabilize the country's financial health. Recent concerns about the economy and bailout plan have some polls putting Barack Obama ahead of John McCain in the presidential race, while many are still unsure that either candidate's plan can pull the financial sector out of its tailspin.

There seems to be no shortage of conflicting feelings about the current market crisis and what to do about it. Some of the confusion lies in the disconnect between the government and corporate ramifications and the impact on the average American taxpayer. iVillagers on our In the News board are coming to terms with the idea of the bailout while facing an all-too-stark reality right in their own communities:

"I understand that if we don't get our financial structure stabilized that the problems will increase and everyone will suffer - I just am having trouble reconciling that these big corporations get to have help, but regular folks were told to just deal with it. Meanwhile, we've got foreclosures and short sales in our neighborhoods - people are losing their homes and everyone else's property values are being adversely affected." -- lucy4980

"Unfortunately, now they say if we don't do the bailout, we could have another 'Great Depression'. Those who have been wise about money matters must be burdened with those who haven't." –- britstarlite322005

"How can we afford a $700 billion bailout for people who got greedy and made bad business decisions? I understand why they think it's necessary but it's infuriating that people can cause this kind of problem and have no consequences. Has anyone seen how much it would be to bail out bad mortgages?" -- jeanwl

"There are no less than 11 houses on my street in bank foreclosure. Some with boards going up on their windows to keep out vandals."  "Personally, I would much rather have my tax dollar bailing out the every day, hard working, blue collar families in my region that some corporate fat cats that take the company car and jet to their appointments." – hottlipps

 
On Politics Today the concern that partisan bickering in an already charged election season will derail any hope of everyone working together to crawl out of the muck: 

"I'm just glad America is finally waking from its slumber and taking a look at all this. It's a shame, though, that it took a bucket of ice water in the face to make that happen." -- glitter_girl_5000

"It's a shame though, this is going to be turned into nothing more than a partisan finger pointing session and those actually responsible, will walk away, with stuffed pockets." -- alicia2210

"It irritates me to no end that others just place blame on one party. Everyone in politics, in the companies, in the sec and the OCC are at fault. They all saw it and ignored it or were just riding the gravy train until it came to an end." -- tootired99

Others are not convinced a bailout is the right answer. From Moms & Politics:

"It's an awfully big reward for mismanagement and absence of foresight. Not to mention that the funds don't exist..." -- chargermom2008

"All bailouts do is move risk from stupid people to smart people." -- absintheofmalice

"I'm all for reasonable regulation. Definitely. The government should be in place to keep the private world honest. It's supposed to provide oversight to protect the consumer." -- delphine88

Back on Politics Today they're working through the numbers but are skeptical we're even getting the real story: 

"We are to trust that what we're being told is accurate and that an immediate bailout is essential to our economic survival. I don't trust that at all. I do think the situation is dire, but I'm not sure a bailout will change the underlying problems. I think the bailout could lead to a new set of problems." -- sopal1953

Still, some hope that this situation will force Congress to put aside politics and find a bipartisan resolution:

"Maybe this kind of crisis will reunite, so to speak, our lawmakers. Just hoping and counting on them to do what they can to protect us." – antineocon

What do you think about the proposed bailout plan? The answer to stop the downward spiral or a temporary fix that will only bring more headaches? How are you being affected by the struggling economy? Give me your take on the market crisis and if you'll be encouraging your representatives to support or reject the bailout.

Although questions about its unhealthy effects have been swirling around for a while, the recent promotional blitz for high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has proven to be quite a sticky subject. Some feel that the sponsors of these spots, none other than the Corn Refiners Association, are laying it on a bit thick. Others are considering that maybe a little HFCS isn't something to panic about. I have to admit that I was caught a little off guard when I saw the first commercial defending HFCS on television. (I also should admit that I enjoy many treats that count the sweet stuff as a main ingredient.)

The ubiquity of HFCS in everyday food items has also been a hot topic of conversation among the moms on our Expecting Clubs and Playgroups, who are doubly concerned about early childhood nutrition. Some experts are even pointing to HFCS as a culprit in the skyrocketing obesity rates as well as contributing to diseases such as diabetes. (You can also find more information on high fructose corn syrup here.)

They've been talking about the concerns over HFCS on the Frugal Famlies board. I think iVillager emily.n sums up what many are realizing:

"My biggest problem with HFCS is just that it is in so many things that people would never imagine."  

She goes on to elaborate on what I personally find to be pretty amazing, especially after I've tried in vain to find a product in my pantry without the dreaded HFCS in the ingredient list (or maybe that means I just need to change my shopping habits!):

"...it's even in things like bread, crackers, and soup (almost everything processed has a good chance of having it), you are probably eating way more than you realize, so most people probably aren't eating it in moderation and don't even realize that."  -- emily.n

These same sentiments are echoed by members of the South Beach Diet community:

"HFCS is in so many products -- I can't believe how many!  In fact, we have some dog treats with it in them -- dogs won't be getting those anymore. It is so unhealthy for people, can't imagine the affects on them. I think they use it as a cheap filler/binder and don't really care about anything else." -- suel2006

On Hot Topics in Health and in other communities, the focus is just as much on the idea of the commercials and food manufacturers' agendas as it is on the health effects of HFCS:  

"I just hope that people are able to see this type of advertising for exactly what it is: a desperate attempt to bring us back to a time where we didn't read the labels, or at least had no idea what some of this stuff really is." -- amy_belanger

"HFCS propaganda won't change my mind. The *name* just sounds bad to me, lol. I'll stick with my cane sugar, molasses, honey, and sorghum syrup, thank you very much." -- merigray

"I think the overall goal is to have a healthy diet that is generally natural and good for you. The media continues to latch onto single items or single ingredients and label them evil, the problem is that they continually change their coverage. Adding or eliminating a single thing is not going to make us all miraculously healthier. We need to use common sense, eat a balanced diet, exercise, and realize it's ok to have a 'treat' once in a while." -- amomalmost40

So where do you stand on high fructose corn syrup? Are you trying to cut it completely out of your life or do you think the backlash is just overreaction? Or are you, like me, a little on the fence? Are there foods you are just never going to give up no matter what? Tell me what you think about HFCS, the advertising campaign and other processed food concerns.

Monday's turmoil on Wall Street sent many Americans already jittery about the economy into a full-blown panic. With the market having its biggest drop since 2001, the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the buyout of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America, the worsening condition of the financial sector has iVillagers wondering what's next, how to protect themselves from further loss and, especially in light of the upcoming election, what the government should be doing to improve the future of the economy. A sampling of the reaction in our community:

"Yesterday was a tough day for our household. With the huge crash the stock market took, we lost $30K in one day. We are just so sick about it." -- anothermommy2006

"We only have a few thousand invested in the stock market, but it's there for the long haul, so I'm not worried. And the talk of making sure the money you have in your accounts meet FDIC guidelines, well, that's not much of a problem for me either! I'd love to have over $100,000 in any one account!" -- mom2fiveblessings

"I'm worried about the banks. Even if there were enough insurance to cover deposits should they be lost, failing banks means tighter credit and less investment which = a worse economy." -- kelpc

"While the hit isn't small change, it's not Black Tuesday all over again. The economy takes a nose dive every 4 years because of the uncertainty generated by the election." -- sewchris703

"My husband is a financial advisor and we got hit, along with many of his clients. He pointed out to many that there were many stocks which were up yesterday also. If you're diversified you should still be OK." --stephs_mommy

"What I wonder is if this will be enough for individuals and families to look at their own balance sheets, pair down spending and debt and live within their means?" -- txmusiclover

 

How have you been affected by recent economic woes and rough days on the stock market? Do you think the economy's only going to get worse, or is the panic being overblown? Share your story with us here and let us know how this is playing into your vote this November. 

It's somewhat hard to believe that it's been seven years since the tragedies of September 11, 2001 shocked the nation and the world at large. For many the day is one that will be a sharp memory, one where we remember exactly where we were, what we were doing and how we heard and absorbed the news about the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, as well as flight 93 that went down in Pennsylvania. iVillagers share their reflection on this anniversary, how the events have changed the world and how they're commemorating the day:

"We went to see the wound in the side of the Pentagon, and the air smelled like hickory, but that was just the fire smoke still lingering in the autumnal air. I get a head rush just re-living it as I write, and there are so many moments, and details that I can't articulate. In a world full of people, I had never felt so alone as that day." -- darwish2

"I was at home in my living room just puttering around the house. I rarely have the TV on but for some reason I had turned on the news station because it was really quiet that day. I watched that horrifying event repeatedly crying my eyes out. It stands vividly in my memory and always will."

"I'll never forget the initial feeling of denial about the seriousness of what happened to America on Sept 11. All day my co-workers and I sat glued in sadness and horror to the radio and news broadcasts on the internet while a 'normal day at work' was not happening..." -- cl-closetvixen

"I still can't look at images or hear stories about that day without feeling the lump in my throat. I know that many of your husbands or yourselves have been deployed as a result. Does anyone want to share what they were doing when they heard the news? I can remember exactly where I was and what was happening. I was in my car on the way to the banquet hall to drop off my place cards for our wedding on the 14th. I was in shock. When I got to the hall I sat a table with the owner and just watched the news in awe. I remember how eerily odd it was to have silent skies after that- save for a few fighter jets here and there. I live near an international airport and an Air Force base. It was so strange to celebrate our wedding on Friday knowing that there were still rescue missions happening a mere 2 hours away in Manhattan." -- darias3rd

"My heart goes out to all the family members and friends of the victims as they no doubt will relive those horrifying moments when they realized their loved ones had been in the attacks. God Bless them." -- karla1842

"I will never forget where and what I was doing...I don't like watching the anniversary coverage of it year after year, so, I try and not watch TV on that day and just get out and spend the time with my daughter." -- messpark3

What are your thoughts on this 7th anniversary of the September 11 attacks? Are you doing anything to commemorate the day? How did these events change your view of the world or affect your life? Share your reflections and stories with us here.

Bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical used to harden plastics, has been a topic of concern for many in the iVillage community, especially as conflicting reports about its safety have come to light in recent weeks. While an FDA report gave plastics containing BPA the all-clear, the safety of using the chemical has been called "inconclusive" by further research from the National Toxicology Program. BPA can be found in some baby bottles, canned food liners and other plastics. In our Playgroups and Expecting Clubs, moms have been sharing their worries as well as offering tips for finding BPA-free products. iVillagers have been also discussing this topic in our Hot Topics in Health, Breast vs. Bottle Debate and several other message boards. Some feel that plastics and chemicals are so prevalent there's virtually no way to avoid a possible issue, while others feel that the FDA is no longer a trustworthy resource:

"What causes concern for me is what I read about BPA possibly disturbing the endocrine system. I've been doing a lot of research on hormone imbalance and everything I have read talks about plastics and BPA and their adverse effect on the endocrine system. I know it is virtually impossible to eliminate these toxins but at least exposure can be reduced." -- carey239

"As to the issue of BPA's being considered 'safe', I agree that I'm not quite sure I would trust the FDA. That being said, we still use a lot of plastic in our household. We're living with my parents right now and my mother is the queen of plastic containers so I don't think there's any way we could completely avoid it at this point. I have bought BPA-free cups and such for [my son] but I'm sure he comes it contact with it from other sources." -- heavenly1127

"My goodness! How did we ever survive to have kids of our own what with all this poison in our homes? I have not changed bottles nor do I care to. I think people have a tendency to overreact about things because it has to do with our families." -- mckennagsmom

"It makes me so angry to think about it, just one more thing the FDA has screwed up to the detriment of our children." -- emilymara

"Just my very humble opinion but when I consider the source (FDA), that doesn't make me feel any better about me or my family consuming it." -- mygirlslilahandeva

"My son is three now and I really didn't know much about BPA when he was an infant. If and when we do it all again, I'll definitely be seeking out BPA free bottles." -- cl-kellie0901

Are you concerned about BPA in plastics or other possible chemical contaminants? How are you changing your habits or purchases based on this information? Tell me what you think about BPA, the FDA and the safety of the products we're buying.

I honestly don't understand it!! He must think I am a moron. I get a text message from my ex last night regarding our son.
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-rlsmartdivor&msg=20095.1

I have been dating this guy for 6 months now. Whenever he has work or family problems he ignores my txt messages and my phone calls. If he actually picks up on or txts me back he is cold with me.
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-rlhtbadly&msg=21.1

Text Dumping
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-rlguytalk&msg=27154.1
Last week my boyfriend of six months dumped me, by text!

The contents of a Wasilla resident Anne Kilkenny's personal email about vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has circulated around the Internet like wildfire and has even been picked up by news outlets like the New York Times and Atlantic Monthly. It's not unusual for an opinion piece like this to gain steam via email or on a blog, especially during election season, when it seems everyone is hungry for information (and dirt) on the candidates. The letter has also been posted on several of our boards and it's only added fuel to the debate over Palin, about whom many are curious to learn more.

Is it any wonder iVillagers are also buzzing about this on the Politics Today board?

"I don't know if there was any vetting. She is such a lovely looking woman and talks a "good" talk, is an ultra conservative - I'm afraid that's all the vetting guys saw." -- undefeated

"Sounds like someone has revenge, jealousy and an agenda on her mind. Most of this is opinion with very little fact." -- oldfaithfulmom

"We have legitimate questions about Sarah Palin and I would like the press to do its job - in a fair way. But I also don't think they should be parading the pregnant teen and her boyfriend around (happens to the best of us) around and then telling everyone not to talk about her." -- bostonsabrina

"I have to say I love the part "she has hated me since 1996..." Can we say vindictive? Yes she might have some "facts" but most of the letter is opinion based, probably based on the fact that "she has hated me since 1996.'" -- lighteningcrashes

 

Of course this is just a sampling of the reaction and more is sure to roll in. From the comments so far, I'm not really sure that the Kilkenny email is likely to shift the discussions much beyond the party lines, but it is interesting to see how one woman's take has caused such a stir. What do you think?

If you're not already feeling the blows of economic hardship, I have some bad news for you, it might just be a matter of time. All it takes is a quick glance at the headlines: The unemployment rate is at a five-year high. Second quarter foreclosures have surged. It's not exactly a shocker to read that the US economy continues to be weak. Ok, we get it already, it's bad. Unfortunately avoiding the headlines won't make much difference to those that are already facing tough times due to a rising cost of living, stagnant job markets and in some cases, mortgage issues. Here are just a few stories from around the iVillage community... 

"I work as a waitress at the moment. Working nights is wreaking havoc on my family... It isn't enough to live off of but it is more than an hourly wage and you work less hours. I don't know if I will be able to support my family in a few years the way cost of living is going up." -- indiccarose

"I wish I could [get rid of my credit cards], but sometimes that is the only way I can buy groceries.  We just don't bring in enough to cover all our expenses." -- luvmypunkin

"In the last 3 years, my husband and I have had a combined 6 job losses (layoffs & contract jobs) thanks to the economy, that has caused our cc debt to spiral out of control to $65K." -- gachick08

"I have been online applying for anything I am qualified to do. Even if the job does not offer benefits. I don't care now.  I need a income coming in.  We barely can make it on [my husband's] disability check.  [He] has MS and is unable to work due to how bad his disability is. " -- carolwood

"There is a house on our street that was foreclosed, bought, rented out, foreclosed and is now for sale again all in the space of a year." -- pameleen

"Our house is in foreclosure status and we have no idea where we are going to live soon. For the last 2 weeks we have been eating PB&J and spaghetti. It is all very discouraging and it takes a big toll on every family that is going through similar problems." -- cl-yourhopeful_gigs

"I do know several people who have lost their jobs recently. Sadly, our state has lost a lot of its better jobs in recent years, with few decent replacements in sight, while pay has lagged inflation in most cases for the jobs that remain. Other people we know thought they had saved enough for retirement and have been forced to either delay retirement or get back into the workplace." -- akrogirl 

Are you struggling due to the weak economy? What is causing the most stress for you? How are you coping? Leave a comment and let me know how you're being affected, your strategy for survival and anything else you're seeing out there.

Many children in the US were required to obtain certain immunizations to be able to go back to school this fall, but the debate over vaccines and their safety continues to rage on, even as the U.S. Institute of Medicine has issued a new report claiming they have been unable to replicate a study that linked autism with the measles vaccine and new research aims to take that claim one step further. There have been reports of an increase of measles outbreaks, yet the CDC states that vaccination levels for US toddlers are at an all time high. I'm not a doctor nor do I even play one on TV, so I will admit that these reports do leave me a little bit confused. From the looks of things on our boards, I'm not alone. Along with trying to decipher the onslaught of reports, many moms (and dads) are struggling with the decision to vaccinate their children in light of what some feel are disturbing trends (reactions to vaccinations, a sharp increase in autism diagnoses) as well as concerns over the ingredients used in most vaccines.

The latest updates have attracted some attention on the Vaccination Debate board:

"Autism is affecting people at alarming rates and they have no idea why. Very concerning to me when I have NO IDEA how to protect my baby guys from this! I would gladly take measles over autism ANY DAY!" -- momofbabyguys

"I have spent hours reading the studies they say PROVE they are safe... but the same studies only prove the vaccines ARE NOT SAFE! " -- rylandsmama

"I am not someone who is convinced either way about autism being caused by vax. I used to think this was a crazy idea, but have become more open to the idea after researching the link with vax and other neurological impairments. I am glad they are doing more studies, but I would like to see even more and on a much larger scale.

Measles is a disease I would consider vaxing my child for, but I need more convincing that it is safe and I would probably do it on an individual basis since I do not see Mumps or Rubella as serious diseases." -- tahoecindy

 

After an uncertain start due to Hurricane Gustav, the Republican National Convention got underway in Minneapolis-St. Paul this week. As promised, I'm back with a sampling of iVillagers' reaction to the convention and the speeches. I swear that I heard there were other speakers at the RNC, but all of the buzz seems to focus on Sarah Palin's appearance on Wednesday night. Love her or hate her, we apparently just can't stop talking about her!

From Politics Today:

"[Palin]'s a great speaker, too bad she took the wrong side on all the issues." -- janetlz

"I knew she was going to knock the socks off of people.  She was confident, charismatic (I think even more so than Obama), down to earth and very intelligent." -- oldfaithfulmom

"I believe people are so eager to be fed opinions that they fail to consider other options seriously.  I couldn't look myself in the mirror if I cast my vote for McCain OR Obama." -- kalielu 

I'm not sure why it is, but the topic of teen pregnancy tends to just set people off. Maybe it's that the tricky minefields of politics and religious beliefs are always a part of the mix ... or the fear that we'll have to deal with this with our own sons and daughters? Every time we've covered a story relating to teen moms, it definitely creates a frenzy ... remember the posts on high school maternity leave, middle school birth control and the teen pregnancy pact story? We've asked this before, but as we roar into the election season with a young mom-to-be polarizing an already charged political atmosphere everyone seems to be wondering: does abstinence-only sex ed really work? This is a topic we often see on our debate boards, but also from our playgroups as parents struggle to balance what's appropriate to share and when with their children as they grow. A sampling of opinion from around our community on this issue:

"I think it's important for schools to have sex ed because not all parents are involved and some kids won't get it any other way. Having said that, I think sex ed in schools should offer specific information about all of the risks of having sex, specific information about all of the various methods of contraception, and specific information about the failure rates of each method and what will make them fail... Abstinence-only sex ed is a waste of time and resources as far as I'm concerned. I will take it upon myself to arm my children with good info because I will want to be sure that they know what I want them to know even if school won't teach it to them. That's my job as a parent." -- white.wave7

"I would rather do the sex education myself apart from the basic biology. There are a lot of moral and emotional judgment calls there and I want an open conversation with my daughters." -- momranhan

"Abstinence only, to me, is just a way to set kids up for failure. Abstinence only seems to makes it the forbidden fruit problem and kids always want what they can't have or what they are told they can't have, for the most part. " -- crunchydoula

We've savored that last long weekend of summer and now the kids are back in school, whether they like it or not (more like the latter in the case of my daughter who just started middle school yesterday). In many areas of the US, school's been in session for a few weeks now and along with that, the boards have been buzzing with a lineup of back-to-school topics that may just be longer than that 3rd grade supply list you've been stuck with.

It seems to have become a running joke, but the super-long school supply list is no laughing matter in terms of the hassle and expense. Sure, it's a necessary evil, but some are wondering if things are getting a little ridiculous, while others are sharing their tips for making things a bit more simple and affordable. On our Living Simple & Green and Frugal Families boards we are seeing a good mix of perspectives from both parents and teachers:

"Am I the only one who is repeatedly blindsided by school expenses?  My kids go to public school, so thankfully there is no tuition or fees, and I can control what I buy for their wardrobe. What about: PTA dues, School fundraisers, Equipment for extra curricular activities (my dd needs $22 for band shoes and another $20 for the gloves!?), Gym clothes, I know some schools have to rent instruments What "extras" do you have to include, and do you keep a separate fund for them?" -- my4lovies

"My biggest pet peeve is mechanical pencils - students are always taking the lead out and it is all over the place or they don't have lead and expect the teacher to provide the lead. You would be absolutely amazed at what kids bring to school that prevents them from learning, and how many kids bring absolutely NO supplies at all and expect the teacher to provide for them. " -- imonmyway2000

"The kids will re-use their binders, pencil boxes, sharpeners a folder or two, and if I could (meaning they didnt come back last year) they would use scissors.  We bought new markers and crayons, paper, some folders, and anything not required last year like highlighters or pens.  But I wont send them all in because I feel like that opens the door to waste." -- momof2inbe

Speaking of fundraisers... on the 4th, 5th and 6th Grade board, janetis40 asks: "Am I alone in hating fundraisers?" I can't speak for everyone, Janet, but I'm pretty sure the answer is a resounding "no!" (See also: Where's the Fun in Fundraising?)

It's been a while since I've seen a topic overtake so many of our boards with such intensity, but the news that newly selected Vice Presidential pick Sarah Palin's 17-year-old daughter is 5 months pregnant has set off a firestorm of shock and opinionated discussion in our community. The reactions are mixed and range from that of simply curious onlookers to others who feel that this latest news is a death sentence to McCain's campaign. Some supporters think this news actually boosts Palin's viability as VP and shows her as a normal person while upholding pro-life beliefs; others consider it proof that she's out of touch with reality and that the teen pregnancy underscores the need for laws and initiatives she does not support.

On the Politics Today board, the reactions are just as all over the map.  Some are outraged at what they feel is hypocrisy on the side of the Republican ticket:

"Don't you find it interesting that a Christian and a proponent of abstinence only, had a 1) a daughter who has committed the sin of sex outside of marriage and b) didn't have enough sense or maybe enough EDUCATION on how to prevent a pregnancy?" -- eilatan68

The news has even attracted some supporters:

"Wow, I'm glad to see we have a normal American running for VP who realizes that her family is not immune to what other American families deal with. She and her family have earned my respect and admiration for dealing with this unfortunate timing in a humane way." -- lighteningcrashes

Some are even sympathetic to the Palin's crisis:

"Oh, Gosh, this is such a hard path for a young couple.  I hope they and their baby will be well and they will be able to finish school!" -- galanie

Others are, well, a little less so:

"Doesn't this party have anyone who will run with McCain without having to choose a mother who is neglecting her children? The Palin's may be waving the Christian flag, but this is surely not a Christian family I want running my country. How very sad for the party and this young girl. She needed her mother months ago. Go home, Sarah, and care for you children!" -- justthefacts08

And a few think that this whole issue is a distraction we should avoid:

"I think we all need to step back and take a deep breath.  It is really none of OUR business." -- ohearto