Blog

The Gift My New Granddaughter Gave Me

I’m in love. Even before she was born, my new granddaughter stole my heart. She also gave me a gift – an affirmation of my commitment to children.

Candidates Must Focus on "How are the Children?"

With the primary elections over and the November elections in view, I am asking myself who is speaking for our children and youth? Who really cares if every child gets what they need to thrive and develop into healthy, productive adults?

Looking Back to Move Forward–MN Data Trends Website Helps Us Do Both

Hearing so much about government budget deficits, high unemployment, and plummeting home values, I can’t help but wonder how the heck we got ourselves into this mess and how families have fared.

Infant Mental Health

I have to admit the first time I heard the phrase ‘infant mental health’ I was skeptical. Really? Babies can have mental health issues? I pictured a baby on a couch telling a therapist about its problem, Freud-style. But, as I have since learned, babies can in fact have experiences early in their young lives that affect their emotional well-being.

Political Action Committees (PACS) and Children

The large sums of money being spent by groups to get their favored candidates elected should send up warning flags to citizens and advocates of children and other underrepresented groups. And it also sends a strong message about how important elections—and your vote—really are.

Getting the Word Out – What Babies and Toddlers Need

Some important messages about babies are permeating the broader culture. Others are not. A recent survey found that while most parents understand the importance of reading to infants and toddlers to their children’s future learning, fewer parents recognize the importance of talking or singing to them.

Helping Children Whose Parents Cannot

Many adults owe their success and well-being to relatives who stepped in and cared for them when their parents could not. A recent report from the Minnesota Department of Human Services indicates, however, that caring for young children may be adding an overwhelming burden for some grandparents and relatives. Many of these families receive fewer services than other poor families in similar circumstances and the children are faring more poorly.

Health Care Reform Will Mean My College Grad Will Be Insured

My daughter graduated from college in May with a degree in elementary education. The reality for her and for thousands of new grads like her is that it will probably take them a while to find employment with benefits. All I have to say is, “Thank goodness for health care reform.”

Why Not Try to Prevent Abuse?

Last week’s Pioneer Press again reported two horrific, but unfortunately familiar stories, about child abuse. Not reported was the Governor’s recent signing of a bill further cutting the major state funding source for county child welfare services. We need to start connecting the dots for the public and policymakers.

Ranked 8th Best, Why?

In a report released last week, Minnesota ranks 8^thbest out of 50 states by having only 37% of our 4^th graders reading at a proficient level. When we set the bar so low, is having two thirds of our children not reading really a good thing?