Babywise, my opinion

It has recently occurred to me that older moms might find themselves tempted to want to resort to one of the popular baby sleep remedies.  Let's face it, we're busy and sleep is at premium more valuable than gold!  However, I've been on the war path since my first child was born to warn people about the book Babywise, by the Ezzo's.  They advocate extreme scheduling of your baby and suggest just letting your baby cry as long as they will until time for food or awake time.  Folks,  YOU CAN"T SPOIL A BABY!  Babies are also incapable of making deliberate decisions until well after 12 months.  I know the sweet little thing may seem like they understand and can comprehend "NO", but until they are older, we just have to let them have their way, sorry.  Belive me, as the parent of an 8 and 11 year old, there will be time for discipline later and if you have a good relationship with them from the start, they will not need as much it!  Remember, the word discipline means "to teach", not to punish. 

More fuel for the breast feeding war!

How many of you go to the bathroom to eat?  I know I don't!  I'm not super into the idea of my baby having to do that either....  Recently, I was asked why it was necessary to have the ability to file a lawsuit for not being allowed to breast feed.  Well, here is an article that demonstrates the reason quite well!  There are three types of laws regarding breastfeeding.  1) You won't get thrown in jail, gee thanks! 2)  It is a legal right (most states have this type of law) and 3) It is a legal right with the ability to compensated if that right is violated (only about 10 states have this).  Without the ability to file suit, it makes enforcement difficult and makes it easy for businesses to disregard the law.  Here is an example of compensation under the law making a difference.   http://www.nursingnewsflash.com/texasnurses/Story.nsp?story_id=170318140

Things to do in Houston, TX

We have been on a bit of a break.  In part due to Spring Break and in part to a nasty cold going around our household!  I generally assume that everyone who lives in our area knows about all of the great things you can do with your kiddos, but since I'm still running into people who haven't heard of some of our favorites, I"m going to share.  If you don't live in the Houston area, that's ok, some of these things are available in other cities as well. 

First on our list of spring break activities was the Houston Zoo.  If you haven't been out since the put in the new African exhibit, it's worth going!  Anna was able to get up close and personal with a gorilla (through plexiglass of course ;0)! ). 

Next on the list is the Bayou Wildlife Park ( http://www.bayouwildlifepark.com/ ), this is a great day trip!  Located on FM 517 in Alvin.  Go on a safari, right here in Texas!  Take a picnic and feed an Ostrich!

If it's the month or March or April, you can couple your trip with a stop at Froberg's Farm to pick your own strawberries!  ( http://www.frobergsfarm.com/ ).  If you don't live in the Houston area, go to http://www.pickyourown.org to find venues in your area to pick your own fruit and vegetables!  Anna loved this and was frustrated that she had to wait until we got home for washing and pureeing to have a taste!

If you live in Houston, you are no more than an hour from Galveston, which has Moody Gardens, the Strand, Bichop's Palace, Dolphin Tours, and deep sea fishing (not a baby activity, but our 8 yr old son loves to fish)  http://www.galveston.com/default.asp

If you live here, you don't need this info, but for visitors here in early March, swing by the rodeo!  http://www.hlsr,com