This summer the journal for Bone and Mineral Research published a study suggesting that excessive TV watching during childhood may be associated with lower bone mineral content in young adulthood. The researchers followed 1,181 children over time and measured their weekly hours of TV watching at ages 5, 8, 10, 17 and 20. The bone mineral content (BMC) of each was measured at age 20. The study found the individuals that routinely watched more that 14 hours a week had lower BMC for their whole body and in their arms than those that watched less. Higher BMC helps protect the body against osteoporosis later in life. Furthermore, while all screen time should be monitored in children, TV appears to be the most harmful medium. A report published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine studied 111 children between the ages 3 and 8 and measured their TV viewing and other screen time, as well as their blood pressure levels. The study linked higher blood pressure with excessive TV viewing, but did not find the same link between the condition and computer usage.

When going out with the kids, before you even leave the house, use your camera phone and get a picture of them. Then, if they should disappear you can send the picture to the proper authorities showing EXACTLY what they look like and how they are dress. It can be sent to every police computer. Also, try to show something next to them to see how tall they are. Like next to a light switch, a piece of furniture, etc.) It only takes a few seconds to do this, and could mean the difference between life and death.