Hello Small Talk Friends, It's been a long time...it's high time for a Small Talk Update! There's a lot going on and much more to come. I've included some very recent research that you do not want to miss. Here's what to read about this month:
1. What Do New Moms Really Want 2. What's New at Small Talk and the Area at Large 3. Research Update 4. Nutrition News and Recipe of the Month 5. Quote of the Month
Now that my kids are 5, 6, and 9, I have emerged from the haze of New Parentdom. New moms and dads know what I am talking about: The exhaustion of having little ones with wierd sleeping schedules. The isolation of not being able to speak to someone over the age of three. The wierd blurring of days that happens when one flows into the next. There's just no difference between a Monday and a Sunday. All of my kids are in school at least two out of seven days. I can do things without kids. Adult things. Like grocery shopping without whining. The dentist. The hair salon. Stuff I once dreamed about. Is it absolutely necessary for new moms to feel so isolated, detached from society, dare I say it? BORED! What do new moms want? I've been thinking about that. We already offer a support group twice per week. Plus a working moms group once per month. What else could we do? I'm working on some ideas: Workshops with topics for new parents, maybe some fun stuff to do with the little ones. How about art classes, cooking classes, craft nights, luncheons for moms and babes...What do you think? I'd love to hear your opinion. Please e-mail me: marcia@smalltalkcenter.com with your ideas. No idea is too small or too big. Thanks, Marcia
Working Moms Night Next meeting: Wednesday Evening, October 10. 6-7:30 p.m. Snack provided. $5 per session. Free for current members. This month's topic will be: Daddy and Me Pajama Party, creating bedtime meaningful bedtime rituals. If the weather is nice we will meet at Darrow Park, across from the West Bay just east of Tom's West Bay. If the weather is cold or rainy, meet at Small Talk. RSVP 231-935-9003
New Member Information: We have developed a new membership system that respects the natural timing of the average maternity leave. From now on we will not offer yearly memberships. Instead, you may sign up for individual sessions: Breastfeeding Group, Wednesday mornings, or New Mom and Baby Group, Monday mornings. Sessions will be $30 for 12 weeks. Current memberships will be honored as before.
Coming Soon: New Parents Workshops We are developing a series of fun and informative workshops for new parents. Some topics we are considering: Baby Wearing - So Many Options, Homemade Baby Food made Simple, Taking the Perfect Photos of Your Baby, Baby First Aid - What you Need to Know, etc.... Dates and Times will be announced. You'll be the first to know!
Preggers After Hours At the Old Town Preggers store: 417 S. Union in Old Town Thursday Night, October 11, 6-8 p.m. Admission Free! Topic: Feeding Your Baby With Style - Homemade Baby Food - Infant and Toddler Nutrition - Teaching Your Toddler Table Manners - 10% off all bibs and table wear (And this stuff is CUTE!) Call Preggers: 933-6262 for more information.
No Cold Meds for Kids! According to the FDA and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, cold medicines, like antihistimines and decongestants should NOT be used for kids under the age of two. And, these meds should never be used to sedate a young child. A Center for Disease Control and Prevention Report found that over 1600 children were treated in the emergency room over a two year period because of these drugs. The ingredients include: Pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, diphenhydramine, brompheniramine, and chlorphenadrine. There have been reports of deaths associated with these medications, almost always in children under two. These are very common cold medications found in every drug store and in every home medicine cabinet. ___________
Massive Crib Recall
One million Graco and Simplicity baby cribs have been recalled due to three baby deaths. In addition, seven babies were entrapped in these cribs, and 55 other incidents have been reported. The cribs are: Aspen 3 in 1, Aspen 4 in 1, Nursery in a Box, Crib N Changer Combo, Chelsea, and Pooh 4 in 1. Look for these numbers: 4600, 4605, 4705, 5000, 8000, 8740, 8910, 8994, 8050, 8750, 8760, and 8996. Please visit the firms website: www.simplicityforchildren.com if you have any questions about these cribs. ------- Maternal Weight and Children's BMI
Researchers at the University of Southampton in the UK have found that women who have a high Body Mass Index (BMI) prior to pregnancy had children with higher levels of body fat at age nine. It isn't clear if this high BMI will persist into adulthood. The thought is that being overweight at the start of pregnancy may have implications for a child's future weight status. ------ Recipe of the Month
It's squash season! This is a favorite soup recipe in our family. I really love this...it's true comfort food. (Great for little ones, too!)
Apple and Butternut Squash Soup
4 cups chicken stock 1 medium butternut squash, cut into chunks 2 medium, tart apples, peeled, cored and chopped 1 cup chopped onions Salt to taste Black Pepper to taste 1/2 tsp. dried rosemary 1/2 tsp. dried thyme 1/4 cup light cream
Heat oven to 400. Place butternut squash chunks on on a cookie sheet and add a little water to cover the bottom. Bake squash until soft with a fork, about 30 minutes. Let cool, then scoop squash out of skin, place in a large pot with all of the other ingredients, except cream. Heat until boiling, then simmer for about 15 minutes, until hot and onions and apples are soft. Place in a blender or food processer and puree until smooth. (Do this in batches, it's hot!) Pour into pot or soup tureen. Add cream and stir until blended. It's yummy, I swear! ______________________
Quote of the Month:
• "By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacationless class." - Anne Morrow Lindbergh
