Rexanne's Web Review - Issue #55

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Rexanne's Web Review
Web Sites & Insights

Issue #55 - March 1, 2002

Brought to You By: Rexanne.com

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Welcome All Newcomers!

This month marks the two-year anniversary of Rexanne's Web Review. We made it, we're happening, we're hanging in there and we're going strong! There are more than 1300 subscribers as of this morning. I hear from about ten of you a month. Are you all out there or are these phantom numbers Topica throws at me? :-) This newsletter thrives on input from you. Yes, you! C'mon ... let's hear some of your favorite tips, tricks, time wasters and thoughts on parenting issues. You can remain anonymous or take full credit. Either way, Rexanne's Web Review needs your voice. Do I hear the clattering of keys? ;-)

Easter Sunday is March 31 this year. Hop on the bunny trail and into the spirit of the holiday with my full-service Easter site, filling your Easter baskets with love and WWW offerings: Rexanne's Easter

Special Offer to RWR readers: Have a really cute, Personalized Letter From the Easter Bunny sent via email to any child for only $2.00! (Regular price is $3.00.) Be sure to specify you're an RWR reader when you send in the information and I'll deduct the $1.00 from your payment request.

And last but not least, my long-anticipated birthday site is here. So much information about birthdays, you, the day you or anyone else was born and plenty of links to keep those kid and adult birthdays manageable. There is even a page all about baby showers. This is a definite book mark! :-) Birthdays by Rexanne. Please pass the link on to your friends and family!

Happy Easter and Happy Passover!

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Reader's Comments:

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Kathy sent a horrifying picture of her nephew who had an accident on a treadmill, with a warning to keep kids off of them:

"Look what can happen if your little one decides to take a ride on the treadmill, even if you've told him time and again to stay off it."

My older daughter had just such an accident at a friend's house about four years ago. Both her shins and arms were shredded from top to bottom ... definitely not a pretty site. This is a serious safety issue, guys. Please keep your kids away from treadmills or other potentially dangerous exercise equipment.

Thanks for the warning, Kathy!

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And Johanna wrote:

"Keep up the great work. Some days I live for this newsletter!"

Now ain't you the sweetest, Johanna! Thank you for making my day. :-)

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OK, here's the scoop:

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Quote of the Day: When some bunny loves you, it's no good unless they love you ... all the way to the egg hunt and back. ;-) - Rexanne

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Parenting & Family Topic of the Month: Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression
By Rexanne Mancini

The case against Andrea Yates, accused of drowning her five young children, is disturbing and horrible. Despite what you may think of Andrea Yates or the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of her
children, her postpartum depression (PPD) defense will either serve to enlighten more people to the devastating affects of PPD or throw the study of this very real mental illness into the dark ages. While many doctors and psychologists have made great strides in understanding PPD and helping its victims, these same doctors and mental health professionals worry that bad publicity and ridicule could destroy PPD's credibility and their efforts at gaining more funding and study of this disease. For the facts on the Andrea Yates case, please refer to: Andrea Yates - News Article

For some women, PPD can be a nightmare. While her family and friends expect her to be joyous and elated over the birth of her child, a woman can be sinking into the darkest corners of despair, unable to cope with an infant, the biological changes surging through her body and the severe depression overwhelming her brain. As joyously anticipated as the birth of her baby was, a postpartum woman can become riddled with severe anxiety over her ability to care for her newborn, her self-esteem can plummet and her brain's chemical changes can produce intolerable levels of panic. This is no one's fault. It is a condition that can strike even the ordinarily soundest individual.

PPD is classified as a mental illness. Only a non-professional would categorize it as a character flaw or weakness. PPD is real, at times resulting in severe psychosis and should be treated as soon as the new mother begins to feel any mental or emotional changes that could affect her ability to care for her newborn. Even though some women will refuse to believe PPD is happening to them, her family, friends and especially her husband must be alert to the possibility of this condition. While you, I and most women we know might have breezed through the first year after the birth of our children with only occasional surges of panic or moments of near collapse, a significant percentage of women suffer more serious PPD. Only one percent succumb to actual psychosis leading to the tragic harm or death of babies and sometimes themselves. The greatest threat is denial of their symptoms.

Early identification and treatment of PPD are the keys to successful therapy. If you or a new mother you know is suffering from even the slightest feelings of depression, anxiety or inadequacy, seek immediate help. The birth doctor will be able to identify the severity of symptoms and prescribe appropriate treatment.

For a glimpse into one couple's voyage into the absolute hell of PPD psychosis and invaluable information on the subject, visit: Tahlor Dawn's page

Another PPD site, which includes numerous links to the stages and development of PPD, can be found here: Post-Partum Depression

This is a link to the Depression After Delivery, Inc. web site. There are articles, information on PPD and an 800 number for further information and referrals to PPD help in your area.

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Rexanne Mancini is the mother of two daughters, Justice and Liberty. She is a novelist, freelance writer and maintains an extensive yet informal parenting and family web site, Rexanne.com – http://www.rexanne.com -Visit her site for good advice, award-winning Internet holiday pages and some humor to help you cope. Subscribe to her free newsletter, Rexanne’s Web Review, for a monthly dose of Rexanne: http://www.rexanne.com/rwr-archives.html

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This article is available for reprint at no charge providing the resource box with the writer's information is included and remains intact.

Know of a good parenting or family site your fellow readers might enjoy? Please send it for possible publication in an upcoming issue: Parenting Site

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Food & Cooking Site of the Month: Granny's Kitchen

From our Food & Cooking Editor, Martha Jones, AKA Queen Can-ivore:

Who better to ask than Granny? A little bit of everything here, from old stand-by's and faves to unique twists on a variety of regulars. Granny loves apples - bunch of goodies there, plus charts, handy guides, and links to more useful sources and fun. I love finding NOOMs (new ones on me) - don't miss Flower Pot Bread!

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Queen Can-ivore is also known as The Real Martha. Find her at: The Real Martha.com - real easy recipes for real busy, real people. Not for fans of the UnReal Martha.

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Bon Appetit!

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Kid's Site of the Month: Kid's Easter Links

Need to occupy little hands and minds over spring break? Let the kids have the computer for an hour or two. They can find hundreds of fun and informative sites and activities about Easter on this page. From
Easter sites for kids, crafts and games or the best books about the holiday, this is the resource! :-)

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Tip or Trick of the Month: Easter Egg Hunt Tips

The following tips to help you have the perfect egg hunt are from: Robyn's FYI Easter Egg Hunt Page.

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1) Hide plastic eggs rather than hard boiled.

2) If younger kids, (3 and under) will be playing, be careful of small toys and jelly beans. These items can easily choke a child.

3) Have at least one person that is trained in first aid and a first-aid kit. (Many American Red Cross chapters offer a one day course in first-aid.)

4) Be ready for bad weather. Locate an indoor location to use if needed.

5) Set up well marked boundaries.

6) Have adults scattered about the grounds to supervise.

7) Moisten paper towels in water, fold and place in baggies. Great to carry around for quick cleanups, such as chocolate covered faces.

8) Be sure all candy eggs are well wrapped. You may wish to place them in zip-lock sandwich bags.

9) Hide appropriate to age groups.

10) Figure how many eggs and how much candy you think you need and multiply by 2.5. - Rexanne's note: I'm assuming she means per child. I'd multiply by at least five, but I'm excessive. ;-)

11) If you have a mixed group of kids, stager the start of the hunt. Younger kids & kids that need assistance first, then older kids.

12) Have spare baskets for kids who may have forgotten theirs.

13) Keep a stash of candy and eggs for any kids who may have had problems. You don't want any to feel left out.

14) If the hunt is for a nonprofit group, check with local fast food stores for donations of prizes. Many times they will donate, either toys from their kid's meals or coupons for food/drink.

15) Have the video camera and a regular camera loaded and ready.

16) Don't forget: drinks, special treats for kids who may not be able to eat sugar and special needs of some children.

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Have a tip or trick your fellow readers would enjoy or could use? Please send it here for possible publication in one of the next issues: Tips

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This Month's Time Waster: Weiner Dog Races
Because life is supposed to be fun!

This site is so funny! Weiner dogs racing across the screen, with any bizarre happening imaginable to trip them up, help them cheat or just to help them be goofier than they look. I adore Dachshunds, have had
four and would love another one so don't be sending me hate mail about calling them goofy-looking! :-)

Weiner Dog Races is very clever and a great place to waste a good half an hour. When you think you've exhausted your silliness for the day, check out the link at the top for Weiner Dog Dance and also be sure to feed the two-headed Weiner dog. More giggles await you!

Feed the kids first ...

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Featured Site of the Month: Interview With God

Thanks to Marc for sending this link.

Interview With God is a gorgeous flash presentation that will bring tears to your eyes and hope to your soul. With beautiful music to soothe you, the message here is open to anyone, even those who do not use the word "God." Let's all just change the word to "Gods" or "my" God, shall we? Then no one will get annoyed or indignant and we can do away with all the PC nonsense rampant in our world these days. :-)

Enjoy this awe inspiring site!

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Supporting the sponsors and advertisers in Rexanne's web review keeps this newsletter alive. Each advertiser has Rexanne's Seal of Approval! Please visit them today.

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You will find amazing gifts and gift ideas for children, women, men and everyone in between on this page. Discover the joy of online shopping and how easy you'll be able to shop for the holiday. Easter Baskets, Gifts & Flowers is your one-stop solution to pleasing your loved ones and yourself!

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Candy Warehouse has an awe-inspiring assortment of the very best Easter candy. You'll find favorites like Cadbury cream eggs, chocolate bunnies, chicks and lolly pops, candy carrots and so much more to help you fill all those Easter baskets. Perfect egg hunt candy, too! Hop over to Candy Warehouse's Easter Bonanza today and SAVE!

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