Janet Zimmerman: January 2012 Archives

BY JANET ZIMMERMAN
GUEST AUTHOR

Stanford University researchers have turned up some interesting findings about the detrimental effects of too many electronics on girls aged 8 to 12.

In short, the study found that girls who use numerous digital devices at once, such as TV, cell phones and music, tended to feel less social success and slept less.

The researchers found the negative effects could be countered by face-to-face converstation with other people.

To see a story about the study, which was published this week in "Developmental Psychology," go to http://news.stanford.edu/news/2012/january/tweenage-girls-multitasking-012512.html.

BY JANET ZIMMERMAN

As I pulled dirty clothes out of the laundry hamper for my son to wear to school this morning, I was reminded of how challenging it is to work, be a mom and keep house.

I did redeem myself by fluffing up the crumpled T-shirt and skinny jeans in the dryer. And I added a dryer sheet so the clothes wouldn't smell like an 8-year-old boy had already worn them.

I'm taking a risk, admitting my slovenliness, but I have a feeling I'm probably not alone here. Sometimes you can't do it all.

BY JANET ZIMMERMAN

Last May I wrote a story about John and Christine Reed and their 15 children, nine of them adopted.

This extraordinary couple from Beaumont have dedicated themselves to building a family accepting of differences. Some of their children have special needs, physical disabilities and suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome. They range in age from 16 to 5.

In the last five years, the Reeds have traveled to Russia and Ukraine and saved children from life in an orphanage. (Domestic adoption was out because the couple had more than two children to a bedroom, a violation of U.S. standards.)

The Reeds, driven by their faith, have said there's always room for one more, especially when it comes to children.

True to their word, they are adopting again - this time two boys from Ukraine. They are in the process of being fingerprinted and updating their home study.

"We love our family, we love children, we are passionate about orphans, and last time I looked there are still millions of them out there, and room in our house and hearts for them," Christine Reed said.

Check out the Reeds' adoption story online at http://becausehefirstadoptedus.blogspot.com/, where Christine Reed also sells craft items made by her and her children to raise the $5,000 needed for the adoption.

You can see the whole family at http://smilesandtrials.blogspot.com/.

BY JANET ZIMMERMAN

It's that time of year again at our house - science fair.

I'm now in my sixth year of prodding, goading and otherwise needling my child to go beyond the obvious questions and delve into a topic in depth.

My kids have always done science projects, even though they are not required until fifth or sixth grade. They complain along the way, but in the end, they're always proud of what they accomplish. Besides, science fair projects are perfect for teaching the critical thinking skills that will help them get a good job when the time comes.

My son, now in third grade, started doing projects in kindergarten. Our favorite was one in which he tested seatbelts, using raw eggs, a Spiderman car and a ramp he built with his dad.

My daughter started doing projects when she was in second grade - testing which stain remover worked best, building a solar oven with different colors inside to see which cooked a potato faster, and the one that got her a second place medal in the district finals: How does water temperature affect the breathing rate of fish?

Funny, that topic came up recently while I was searching the Web for information and found Maille Lyons' great site, www.science-fair-coach.com. She is an environmental microbiologist and mom who started blogging after a friend asked her for help on her son's science fair project. She gives practical advice on finding a creative idea, designing an experiment, graphing and designing a presentation board to keep the judges' attention.

Lyons, by the way, recommends never doing a project on water temperature and respiratory rates of fish. Oops. It just goes to show, you don't always know what will be hit. The lesson here is to find a topic the interests your child, guide him or her in the proper scientific method and do the work.

And remember, it's not about winning. It's about learning.