Right around the birth of our first child, the World Health Organization put out a report that recommended breastfeeding children until the age of two, and exclusively for the first 6 months of life. My pharmacist friend was using the report as a benchmark for her family, as were many other mothers I was talking to. Up to this point, we hadn’t felt like mainstream parents, and I found comfort in the wide-spread acceptance of this information that was supporting attachment parenting concepts that we liked. We put any discomfort we or other family members felt aside about feeding in public and other issues, and decided to breastfeed our daughter for a minimum of one year. We were hopeful for, but not sure we’d make …

I like the idea that I am just a small blip on the evolutionary path of the human race. I don’t have to figure out our ever-changing world, and my place in it to know what to do as a parent. If change is inevitable, I see my job in the human continuum as helping to ensure we are shifting or evolving in a positive direction. The challenge is to identify the difference between evolved change, and change for the sake of itself.
Our children have the ability to live more fulfilling lives than simply being an animal of the stock-market food chain. But I often feel at a crossroad when faced with big parenting decisions. Parents that have the ability to marry the good of …

Swinging isn’t just a fun and interactive parent and child outdoor activity. It has a number of other less obvious benefits for child development that you may not think about.
1) Eye development
The development of changing the depth of focus has already started at 6 months and is basically completed during the baby’s second year. Swinging is one of the most excellent ways of helping to develop this ability and exercise it as the baby is moving back and forth constantly changing the depth of focus. (This is a period when watching TV should be at the absolute minimum, preferably not at all.) So don’t wait to long before you start your baby swinging.
2) Balance
Eyes and ears are major organs when it comes to balance. When …

With the recent outbreak of swine flu across the world, parents are rushing to find ways to protect their children.  Doctors, naturopaths and others all recommend a “back to basics” approach to reducing the risk of contracting this virus.  This approach essentially consists of diligently implementing an ongoing regime of good personal hygiene.  This includes encouraging your child to wash their hands regularly, cover their mouth when they cough, and staying at home during times of illness. Before parents rush to a vaccine, however, they need to know the risks.
Root Concept:
Currently, there is no human vaccine for swine flu.  The current influenza vaccines available in Canada and the US may or may not be effective.  Current child influenza vaccines, however, do contain some dangerous ingredients. …

To vaccinate or not is often a choice that is influenced greatly by where you live,  local health threats, personal values and your risk tolerance.  In Europe, some countries (UK and France) do not fund vaccinations through their government.  In Canada vaccinations are fully funded under the basic health care system. In the US, parents must sign a waiver saying that they do not want their children vaccinated (for religious or personal reasons) before they are sent to school. This is a highly personal choice, and one that must be done in the context of your own experience and values .
How Do Vaccines Work?
Vaccines originated in China where a person was infected deliberately with smallpox to help prevent future infection. Vaccines basically stimulate the body’s …