The Epidemic of Childhood Obesity

This is my next topic of discussion because I am very concerned about this growing problem. I would love to start a discussion on this and get some good advice as well as feedback about this issue. Childhood obesity is no laughing matter. I have been busy shoveling out of a big winter snow storm but hope to get some research facts up about this issue here in the next couple of days. Anyone with comments, questions or concerns about this topic... Please feel free to add it on to this post. Thanks!

I have done some research and I am starting another blog here shortly that will focus exclusively on childhood obesity and facts plus resources that parents can use to help fight this epidemic. I will post the link as soon as I have the blog up and running. For now let me just say it is scary that so many of our young children today are concidered overweight. Back in 2000 it was estimated that almost 10% of children of preschool age and over 15% of children school age were considered overweight and another 15% were considered at risk. This is very scary because these numbers have doubled or more in the last 30 years. I have 3 small children and concerns of my own about my children having to deal with this issue. Todays society encourages children to play video games, watch endless hours of television with shows on many channels 24/7 directed at the young viewing audience. Also there is so much temptation with quick meals that are not very healthy for our children and with a large majority of todays society being 2 parent working familys the time to make healthy meals is minimal. I think as a society we need to get back to the basics with our children and encourage getting out and playing weather permitting and staying active while indoors also when you can't be outside. Playing games, dancing, ect. we need to help our children help themselves so that they don't have to struggle with health issues throughout their lives. I think as parents it is our responsibility to keep our children healthy and teach them how to make smart and healthy choices in their day to day lives.

Just wanted to update everyone!

Hi again everyone, I just wanted to update you. It has been a week since I took my daughter to the doctor and she has made a full recovery! Once I began giving her the antihistimine she quit coughing so much and her congestion dried up. I guess there is something to be said for the old tried and true methods of healing our children. Any one have any comments to this topic please feel free to respond to this post, I would love to hear from someone else about their cold remedies that work or don't work! Take care and I will be posting a new topic up for discussion either later today or tomorrow! Check back often!

The Antihistamine seems to work!

Good News! The whole Antihistamine thing seems to work... My daughter has not been coughing at night and has been sleeping like a baby! She has had a complete turn around in the last couple of days... Let me know if anyone else has tried this method of cold relief!

What is best for my Kids?

Have you ever just wanted to be able to know what is best for your kids... I do everyday.
I am creating this blog to give other parents information about products or ideas that I have found to be helpful, hurtful or confusing to me. My hope is that with some positive posts, together we can figure out this whole parenting thing and do what is best for our kids!
Let me start with the whole Cold Medicine debate... I have been focusing on this issue because my children have all been fighting colds. I have 3 children ages 9 1/2 , 6 1/2 and 2 1/2 years old
When my first child was born and she got sick the doctor would recommend cold medicine to give her; but now everyone says that cold Medicine shouldn't be given to children. How do we know what the best choices for our children are. I took my Middle child to the Doctor yesterday and he told me to just use saline drops to clear her nose and to just give her a antihistamine product before bed. I have been told this in the past and used it with my son who is the 2 year old and it seems to work well. Anyway I tried it last night with her because the night before I had given her one of those over the counter cough medicines that is supposed to work for 12 hours and it didn't work at all.. the poor thing still coughed all night. What is the deal with all of this information and how do we know what the best choices are... anyone out there have any input I would love to hear from you.. Lets help each other do what is best for our kids! I look forward to hearing from you. Rhonda