As most of us are aware by now there has been a widespread swine flu epidemic on the rise in severalUS states. As concerned parents we can't help but worry a little more about diseases like this spreading and infecting our kids, especially if you have young children in school. Earlier today they confirmed at least eight students in NYC came down with the swine flu virus after returning from a trip toMexico.  

Right now the best we can do is to stay informed and avoid large crowds, especially with small children, while also making sure we wash our hands regularly. Surprisingly, the CDC hasn't put any travel restrictions to Mexico in place. 

The scary thing is there is no vaccine available to prevent this strain. Thankfully, the US cases have not  been as severe as the over 80 in Mexico which have resulted in death already, while over 1000 have already been infected in Mexico alone. Just tonight, I learned via abcnewsradio.com that at least 10 students from New Zealand returning from a trip to Mexico may be infected with the swine flu virus as well.

Learn more about this outbreak and stay up to date using the resources linked below or follow @cdcemergency on twitter or the #swineflu tag on twitter via twitter.search.com.


Related articles:

New Cases of Swine Influenza Confirmed in Kansas, California and Suspected in NYC
Mexico swine flu deaths spur global epidemic fears
CDC: Swine Flu Facts
Click here for more about the swine flu.
Mexico’s Calderon Declares Emergency Amid Swine Flu Outbreak
HOW TO: Track Swine Flu Online

 

©2008 Patricia Garza

Posted by Patty Littlebytesnews at 7:04 AM 0 comments blog comments powered by Disqus Links to this post    

Labels: California, CDC, epidemic, health, Mexico, New Zealand, outbreak, pandemic, parenting, resources, swine flu, Swine influenza, World Health Organization

While browsing the net, I came across this article from a news source in the UK. The headline caught my attention as it seems they think the government should have more involvement in the social welfare of "at risk" children, giving government more control of parenting decisions. Here is an excerpt of the article entitled, "Government should become 'a parent':

Monday, 20, Apr 2009 12:01

By Alice Cannet

A report calling on the government to take a hands-on role in the parenting of disadvantaged children has been published by a committee of MPs.

The report, entitled 'looked-after children', comes in the aftermath of the Baby P case, which triggered deep reflections on the need for an overhaul of the British care system.

Opinions about social services have suffered in recent years and especially after the poor handling of Baby P by Haringey's social services.

To read more see Government should become 'a parent'

While I understand child abuse cases are a big reason for social services, such as CPS or DFS here in the US, there is a fine line to allowing government involvement in our daily lives and how we parent.

This article explains how they plan to support at risk children and families, in order to prevent cases of child abuse, after the horrible case of Baby P about a year ago.

However, we all know giving government more control of our children and taking them away is not necessarily the solution to the problem of child abuse prevention.

The solution starts with helping parents learn to cope with anger issues, substance abuse issues and through providing them with the education and resources to help them learn to be better parents. Parenting is hard work and children do not come with instruction manuals!

While I believe social service programs can be effective, I find that in the US giving the government more control to decide if a parent is fit to raise a child can be more detrimental than helpful.

For example, I have a niece who was removed from my half-brothers home because they (CPS/government) claimed he was not taking her to school. I do not know all the facts of the case and situation, but do know she is not in a better home now and was placed in a worse situation.

The home CPS and the courts ended up placing her with was the home of her late mother's sister. During this time my niece was exposed to a smoking home, along with drug users and other shady characters. The parents (her aunt) have since divorced and somehow she chose to live with the step-father, to my dismay, she turned to drugs, smoking and other destructive behavior as a result. Currently, we have no idea where she lives, but last heard she was raped, is using drugs and living with a boyfriend, based on comments she wrote on her myspace page lats year.

Before she was placed in her aunts home at the age of five, my sister and her military husband petitioned the court to place her with them into a smoke-free, drug-free and stable Christian home environment. However, the court and CPS chose to place her with the aunt and in this case her situation deteriorated. CPS and the Courts do not necessarily have the best interest of the children in mind and end up making mistakes that cost children their futures and too many times their lives.

So, based on my experience and knowledge of government run systems it seems we are better off as parents getting the support and education we need to raise our children in a healthy home environment before the government becomes involved in our children's lives. If you know of someone who is new to parenting or struggling, or you  have a neighbor or friend with kids, reach out to them and offer your time or listening ear. Let them know you are there for them and will offer any support you can provide.

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• Arguing in Front of the Children (dailystrength.org)
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• Legislators seek answers on why CPS ignored custody order (outside of Zemanta)
  
• Stop the Department of Children and Family Services From selling our children for profit (thepetitionsite.com)

 

©2008 Patricia Garza

Posted by Patty Littlebytesnews at 8:22 AM 0 comments blog comments powered by Disqus Links to this post    

Labels: Baby P, child abuse, child abuse prevention, government, parenting, parents, politics, resources

While reading some of my favorite feeds today, I came across this important contest and opportunity for today's youth to speak out and be heard with their views on life, particularly the life of the unborn. Students ages 12-18 are encouraged to submit their 2-5 minute videos via YouTube in response to Lia's video below, for additional info see below and follow the links:

When 12 year-old Lia Mills wrote her speech about abortion for a school contest:

she had no idea the kind of impact it would have worldwide. Yet after her mother put the speech on YouTube, it garnered over a half a million views!

The greatest source of energy and potential the pro-life movement has is its youth. Youth have a unique perspective and voice, giving them an incredible ability to change hearts and minds. They are steadfast in their beliefs and want to share them with others! Now, Lia is challenging other young people to send in their videos and spread the pro-life message.

The SBA List wants to provide our nation's youth with the opportunity to do just that. This new contest will award two winning videos with a $1,000 scholarship and will be featured in a Susan B. Anthony online campaign!

Lia's Challenge Contest Rules and Information

* Contestants will create a 2-5 minute pro-life video on the topic of their choosing. The video does NOT have to be of the student giving a speech -- you may be creative!

For rules and prizes, visit the Lia's Challenge at the Susan B. Anthony List, where there is also a downloadable flyer to post in your school. Use the Share button below to spread the word.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
About SBA List

The Susan B. Anthony List was founded by a diverse group of women in 1992 to advance the role of pro-life women in the political process. Today the Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of over 145,000 Americans dedicated to advancing, mobilizing and representing pro-life women in the political process. Its connected Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.

Visit the Susan B. Anthony List

Source: ProLifeBlogs

 

©2008 Patricia Garza

Posted by Patty Littlebytesnews at 7:21 PM 1 comments blog comments powered by Disqus Links to this post    

Happy Easter to all my readers and friends who follow me on twitter!!

Enjoy this artistic video depicting Christ's resurrection. For a great video selection on the "Passion of Christ" see pro-life advocate, Jill Stanek's blog where I found this great video and quote:

Easter quote
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."

All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:

"Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"

~ Revelation 7:9-12, New International Version

For those living in AZ Please see this important legislative message and take action to support this bill:

Very important Bill to Support! HR 450

Let's Have a Constitutional Showdown - All Laws Must Be In Agreement With The U.S . Constitution! Pass HR 450 Now!

'To require Congress to specify the source of authority under the United States Constitution for the enactment of laws, and for other purposes. '

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the `Enumerated Powers Act'.


The bill was referred to the Rules Committee and to the Judiciary Committee. Even if the bill had 435 co-sponsors, the chairman of either committee could simply refuse to move the bill from the committee to the floor for a vote.

Sadly, this is what has happened to similar bills in the past. They simply die in committee, and the public never even knows such a bill was proposed.

You can find more info on it at:
www.congress.org
www.govtrack.us

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please call or fax each (Democrat and Republican) Arizona
Senator/Representive, except Shadegg (it's HIS Bill...lol).

You can send 2 FREE Faxes a day at www.faxzero.com! After they have sent the fax, you will get a confirmation email.


Here are the Arizona Senator/Representative Fax Numbers:

Representative Ann Kirkpatrick: 202-225-2315 and 928-532-5088

Representative Ed Pastor: 202-225-1655 and 602-257-9103

Representative Harry Mitchell: 202-225-3262

Representative Gabrielle Giffords: 202-225-0378 and 520-322-9490

Representative Trent Franks: 202-225-6328 and 623-776-7832

Representative Raul Grijalva: 202-225-1541 and 520-622-0198

Representative Jeff Flake: 202-226-4386 and 480-833-6314

Senator Jon Kyle: 202-224-2207 and 602-957-6838

Senator John McCain: 202-228-2862 and 602-952-8702

Visit Arizona for America to join and get more important updates.

 

©2008 Patricia Garza

Posted by Patty Littlebytesnews at 1:32 PM 0 comments blog comments powered by Disqus Links to this post    

Labels: Arizona, Easter, freedom, HR 450, legislation, politics, resources, rights, state sovereignty, support, United States Constitutions

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• EHParenting Guest Posts: Three Odds Truths of Motherhood (extrahourdinaryparenting.com)
• Patient Parenting (attachmentparenting.org)
• Life Lessons (multitaskingmama.com)
• Traditional parenting 'leads to well-adjusted children' (medicine.com.my)

 

©2008 Patricia Garza

Posted by Patty Littlebytesnews at 2:12 PM 0 comments blog comments powered by Disqus Links to this post    

Labels: Ballroom dance, blogtalkradio, book review, Borneo, Brazil, family, Malaysia, moms, motherhood, parenting, self discovery

As a subscriber to the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) newsletter, I wanted to share this information to those families who are considering homeschooling as a solution for your children's education.

I subscribed to this informative newsletter a few years ago. This organization provides resources to homeschooling families and legal support to families who want to homeschool but may have met resistance from federal or state laws restricting their rights as parents.

As a teacher and as parents, we have been considering this option in the future for our sons, especially since the option to send them to a private school is pretty slim at this time.  I feel homeschooling would be a great way to take control of our children's education. Parents can now join HSLDA for free through April 30, 2009. 

According to HSLDA, By becoming an HSLDA member you can help build a stronger coalition for protecting parental rights.  Approved applicants will be granted a free membership good through July 31, 2009. Of course, you will be able to renew for continued benefits after this trial membership period. Join now >>

In addition, HSLDA is offering this free seminar for parents considering homeschooling:

Homeschooling Young Children

Vol. 88, Prg. 31-35
March 30-April 3, 2009

---

If you have questions about starting homeschool with your young learner, this week’s program has answers! You’ve already taught your toddler so much, why not keep going? HSLDA program coordinator Vicki Bentley offers encouragement and suggestions for how to teach your early learner.

Program Listing:

Click on a program title to listen online and read a transcript

3/30
The First Step of Your Homeschooling Journey

3/31
When Do I Start?

4/1
All About Order

4/2
Extra-curriculars for the Littlest Ones

4/3
Just for You

 

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©2008 Patricia Garza

Posted by Patty Littlebytesnews at 7:23 AM 1 comments blog comments powered by Disqus Links to this post    

Labels: educational, event, families, foundations, homeschool, k-12, Kids and Teens, parental rights, parenting resources, school, students, teaching