Rexanne's Web Review - Issue #56

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Rexanne's Web Review
Web Sites & Insights

Issue #56 - April 1, 2002

Brought to You By: Rexanne.com

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If you find this newsletter helpful and interesting, please forward it intact to another parent and recommend they subscribe. Thank you!

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Welcome All Newcomers!

Did you all have a nice Easter and Passover? How about St. Patrick's Day? Hope my die-hard Irish revelers had a blast. :-) Send stories!

Gotta brag for a sec ... my older daughter has been accepted into one of the most prestigious and hardest-to-infiltrate High Schools in Los Angeles. She's beside herself with joy and I am very proud of her! The school's football team is one of the best in California so I'll be stoopid in the stands, for sure. No more trying to figure out flag football! LOL! I love you, Justice!

BoogieJack, a friend and RWR reader, has written an ebook with 100 excellent tips. This is an invaluable resource for anyone who builds web pages or has a business online. If this doesn't apply to you, he's also included computer tips that are not your average point and click. This is a great ebook for anyone who owns a computer. And, get this ... he's offered it to RWR readers for free! Gotta love this guy! Click here to download your free copy of: 100 Webmaster (and computer) T ips.

Make more friends ... send the above link to everyone you know!

Remember Mother's Day, which is May 13 this year. Get a head start and grab a linkful of WWW mom goodies on my updated Mother's Day site: Rexanne's Mother's Day

And you can now find which Card of Life you are through my new birthday site here: Cards of Life - Which Card Are YOU?

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Reader's Comments:

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Suzi wrote about our postpartum depression topic from last month:

"I was one of the unlucky sufferers of PPD. I wasn't psychotic but I did have the overpowering feelings of inadequacy and fears you wrote about. Thank you so much for bringing attention to this horrible problem. It made me feel like I could go through it again if I had to get PPD with my next baby. I now know there's support out there for me!"

Yes there is, Suzi. Thank you for sharing your story.

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Danielle wrote:

"I had severe PPD after both my children were born. I spent two weeks in the hospital after my second child was born because I was afraid of hurting him. Thank God my doctor recognized the signs at my two week check up! I managed to survive it the first time only because my mother came to stay with us. My husband had no clue what I was going through because I didn't want him to think I was a bad mother."

This is all too often the case, Danielle. Glad you found help!

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Pastel wrote:

"In your country, you give blame to everything but the reason. Andrea Yates is a murderer. Why do Americans always try to cover the issue with far-fetched medical reasons?"

Whoa Pastel ... this is why I prefaced last month's article with:

"Despite what you may think of Andrea Yates or the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of her children, her postpartum depression defense will either serve to enlighten more people to the devastating effects of PPD or throw the study of this very real mental illness into the dark ages."

I do not condone the PPD defense of Andrea Yates, although I am not entirely familiar with her medical history. Actually I agree with you. We do tend to be ridiculously liberal when it comes to legal defense in the U.S. I suppose it has to do with our system of justice ... something I would still defend until I the day I die. For the record, Andrea Yates was found guilty as charged.

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Kathy J. wrote:

"I have just created and signed this online petition: 'Petition for Enforcement of DSS Guidelines for Abuse/Neglect of Children.' Please take a look and consider signing yourself. PLEASE pass this along to ALL your friends & family in the United States and ask them to do the same."

Rexanne's note: I have signed this petition. Click here to sign: Petition for Enforcement of DDD Guidelines

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And MB wrote:

"I've subscribed to your newsletter pretty much from the beginning. My daughter is now 18 so your family tips and kid links don't always apply to my situation, but I've gotten a lot of good recipes from your cooking sites and have wasted more than a little time on your time waster suggestions!"

:-) Thanks, MB!

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OK, here's the scoop:

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Quote of the Day: Kids go where there is excitement. They stay where there is love. - Zig Ziglar

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This Month's Web Review is Sponsored By: Yes, Your Teen is Crazy!

Dr. Michael Bradley's book, "Yes, Your Teen is Crazy!" is an inspiration and should be on every parent's night stand, indefinitely. From the frightening statistics on teen suicide today to safety and privacy issues, you will finally understand what you're dealing with as a parent and what you can do to make the experience better for your teenager and your family.

Dr. Bradley's grasp of teen fears, trials and needs is a pleasant reminder to be kind to our teens in an otherwise punitive society. This book is a guiding light for parents trying to love sometimes unlovable kids while also providing security in the face of panic. He offers excellent guidelines to help conquer your fears while also helping your teen deal with their own tumultuous world.

Michael Bradley has given me hope and reinforced my own belief that raising strong, loving adults is our most basic function as parents. Please visit his web site today: Yes, Your Teen is Crazy!

Order your discounted copy of "Yes, Your Teen is Crazy!" here: Order the Book

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Parenting & Family Topic of the Month: Wonderful Teenagers

Wonderful Teenagers
By Rexanne Mancini

I've been living with a teenager for more than six months. Am I panicked, driven insane or cowering in the shower? No. I adore my teenage daughter and her gaggle of friends. They've turned me on to some of my favorite "new" music, made me laugh with really witty observations and amazed me with their courage in conquering a frightening world.

Teenagers are the great, under-appreciated class.

As reiterated over and over in our sponsor, Michael Bradley's excellent book, "Yes, Your Teen is Crazy!" and as I have peppered my Internet pages with over the years, love is what children need most. That includes teen children. Sure, they're probably at their most unlovable during the manic years between 13 and 17, however, this is the time they need our love and support more than ever. The cherishing we lavished on them during their early childhood will be the glue that holds their tentative self-esteem together while they bounce through this very tough period of their lives.

If you think living with a teenager is hard, try being one again. The trauma of social acceptance, acne, hormones and high school would reduce the average adult to a whimpering mush ball. Mix that with a heavy dose of unwanted restrictions, rules and misunderstood emotions and you have individuals who are living hell on earth. Let's try to make their journey into adulthood easier to bear.

Allow your teenager to talk and express emotions you couldn't possibly relate to and you will come to understand them better. Try not to offer advice unless it's subtle and requested. I know it's hard, however, what our maturing children really need is to be heard, understood and adored, no matter what comes out of their mouths.

While we need to respect their privacy and individuality, we are always their parents. Teenagers still need boundaries and discipline, although we might consider readjusting our methods to better fit their growing independence. Try giving good reasons for restrictions you place on your teen and let them feel they are part of the decision process. They might surprise you with their understanding and acceptance of your rules. They might even agree with you! While they could rebel over these restraints, they need them desperately to feel secure in a world they still have little control over. They will welcome your involvement if it is handled with gentleness and love.

Offering our teenage children the respect and appreciation they deserve will give them a positive springboard into the world they will soon control.

Humor helps ... ;-) For a truly perfect analogy of children growing into teens, the following page will crack you up: Kids Are Dogs, Teens Are Cats

One of my favorite teenage parenting sites is Parents & Teens. Lots of great advice and a terrific newsletter.

And an excellent report on the teenage brain by PBS can be found here: The Teen Brain

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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.

Have an issue you'd like addressed in this column? Know of a good parenting or family site your fellow readers might enjoy? Please send it for possible publication in an upcoming issue. Click here: Parenting Site

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Food & Cooking Site of the Month: Canned Food Alliance

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

The Canned Food Alliance has added a new KIDchen focus including "Adventure" hints for cooking with kids, safety tips, how to get children to try new food, nutrition lessons (don't worry, not all healthy foods taste like brussel sprouts), and much more. Search recipe database for more than 40 KIDchen Creation recipes for the family to prepare together and hundreds in the Can-do big people section.

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Queen Can-ivore is also known as The Real Martha. Find her at: The Real Martha
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: Teen Growth

Teen Growth is a terrific resource for advice, health information, social interaction and fun. Articles range from titles such as "What's Normal" to "Combating Bad Breath." Addressing issues that teens truly relate to makes this site a haven for 13 to 18 year-olds. The Q&A section answers reader's questions and offers more information per topic for further investigation. Teen Growth is one of those sites designed and created for teenagers that truly works for the intended audience.

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Tip or Trick of the Month: Green Fridge

Our food & cooking editor, Martha, has put together a page of hints, tips and tricks worthy of a WWW place of honor. You will find tips on cooking, baking, food storage, decorating, cleaning, energy saving, nail maintenance, mental clarity and so many more I can't even begin to list. This is a great, book-mark-for-sure page. Super links at the end of the page add more value to this great resource. Well done, Martha!

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: Colorgenics
(Because life is supposed to be fun!)

Kat sent this link and I loved it. Thanks Kat!

Ever wonder what your favorite colors say about you? Or which colors strike your fancy on a given day and why? Colorgenics offers an array of colors for you to choose from, based on "favorite" to "least favorite." After you've made your choices, you'll receive a personality and state of mind analysis. Fun! Go ahead ... see what your favorite colors mean.

Feed the kids first ...

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Featured Site of the Month: Federal Forms & Publications

April can be such a beautiful, flower-filled month ... then there's April 15, which means tax deadline time in the United States. Blech! We can moan and carry on or just get it done with as little pain as possible. If you haven't filed your taxes yet, now's the time. And if you're the do-it-yourself type, this site is for you. All the federal tax forms and filing information you need to do it properly and learn the latest tax laws, rules and deductions. It has to be done. Might as well just do it! Good luck! :-)

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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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