Second Time Around
Just in time for those holiday visits, two organizations have teamed up to offer child-safety and child-nurturing tips for grandparents--just in case they didn’t get it the first time. Among the hints offered to grandparents by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Pampers Parenting Institute (you read that right) are: Baby-sit on a regular or as-needed basis; never take your grandchildren’s side in a dispute with their parents; and respect the rules that your children set for their children. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus--and grandparents who can follow these simple guidelines. For more tips, visit https://www.pampers.com.
Muscle Bound
Next time you look at a properly pumped-up guy or gal, just remember that he or she may be one of the thousands of bodybuilders who suffer from muscle dysmorphia. Described by researchers as a cousin to eating disorders, this psychological affliction has weightlifters chronically worrying that they look puny. Symptoms also include giving up desirable jobs and social engagements to work out, wearing baggy clothes to conceal their bodies and experiencing great distress if they miss one day of lifting.
Nurse Hotline
Want to know how to cook a safe holiday turkey? Want to know about that rash that developed the second your in-laws showed up? Want to know if you have flu symptoms or something worse? For 10 years, the Simi Valley Hospital has staffed the Ask-a-Nurse telephone line to answer just such puzzlers. The nurses are available for general health questions and physician referrals at (805) 583-8971 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day except Christmas. Maybe they give advice on whether it would be better to leave Santa nonfat cookies and skim milk this year.
Household Blues
Who keeps the house sparkling clean (or a close proximity thereof)? Who takes care of the kids? Who nurtures the relationship? Answers to these and other house-maintenance types of questions are often a good indicator of who is depressed in a marriage, according to a study in the Journal of Family Psychology. Studies found that the partner who did more of the household chores and emotional work tended to be more depressed. Maybe it’s time to try the ‘90s solution to this problem: Hire a cleaning service and at least one therapist.