Spotlight on: Baby Showers

Rexanne's Web Review
Web Sites & Insights

Issue #60 - September 1, 2002 

Brought to You By: Rexanne.com

Please forward this complete issue of Rexanne's Web Review to a friend and recommend they subscribe. Thank you!

Find subscribe, removal and advertising information at the bottom of this newsletter.

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Welcome All Newcomers! 

Vacation time was exciting and lots of fun. Now it's back to school, back to routine and I'm back to being your faithful editor. Your comments, opinions and email are always welcome, wanted and needed. Let's hear from you! 

The latest change in Rexanne's Web Review is the return of the Freebie of the Month section, after the Kids Site section. There are just too many goodies out there to share! You'll find a printable or free offer each month.

My long-promised article and information on childhood vaccinations is the topic of the month in this issue. Might as well come back with a bang, huh? ;-) We also have a tooth fairy theme for those with younger kids. Wouldn't it be interesting and good to know what other parents all over the world are paying or doing for a lost tooth? Please send in what your going rate or celebration is for a lost tooth to: Tooth Fairy
All replies will be posted in the next newsletter.

Reasons to celebrate this month are Labor Day (US) on September 2 and Grandparents Day (global) on September 8. Enjoy the festivities if they apply!

Anyone thinking Halloween yet? Well, think no more. Instead, take immediate action and hop over to my Halloween site where you'll find plenty of WWW spooks and sites ready to warm you up to the idea of another trek through the streets and kiddy delight: Rexanne's Halloween  

We have Halloween advertisers in this issue, too. THEY know it's not too early to start shopping for costumes, candy, props and Halloween decorations. Please visit them and get your head start on the 
shopping! 

And you will LOVE our new sponsor, Classic Closeouts. Top designer labels at up to 90% OFF retail. I've been shopping like a crazy women there, for back to school clothes and accessories for the kids, holiday gifts and plenty for myself. The deals are amazing and the merchandise is top quality. 

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Reader's Comments:

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Denay wrote:

"I am a birth Doula in Kentucky and want to comment on one statement made in your article on circumcision: 'Sure, male circumcision does not alter a boy sexually ...' There is ample information that contradicts this opinion, that men are negatively affected sexually by circumcision. Feel free to use my email. I can only hope that it might help parents to allow their offspring to make their own decisions about permanently altering their bodies, as adults."

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Marsha wrote:

"On the Hugs and Hope for sick kids website, we now have a giveaway every two weeks. Visitors to the site can register for all kinds of goodies. Thought you might want to suggest to your readers that they drop in at and register to win."

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Monica wrote about head lice:

"When my two year-old got head lice, we used beer. Because my daughter is small, I only had to use 4 oz. a day. First make sure the hair is clean. Then use a can every other day for seven days. Then as a prevention, I used beer on my 3 yr. old and my 5 yr. old for three days. My husband and I used a half can on us for prevention. 

Beer freezes the eggs and lice, therefore killing them. After you wash with the beer (any kind is fine), let the hair dry on its own. Then use a comb designed for getting lice out and comb out the eggs and dead lice. For my daughter, it took three days and they were completely gone and have not come back."

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And this from Headlice.org about the use of Lindane as a treatment for head lice:

"Please visit Lindane.org. We bring it to your attention because someone forwarded a recommendation attributed to your web site that it is a product to be used. Lots of risks with Lindane that you may not know about."

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OK, here's the scoop:

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Quote of the Month:  There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but because conscience tells one it is right. - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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This Month's Web Review is Sponsored By:  Classic Closeouts

Here is the Internet find of the month. Many items are up to 90% OFF retail!

Classic Closeouts has all your favorite name brand merchandise at terrific savings: Baby merchandise; our very popular kid's store with SUPER back to school savings; woman's and men's designer classics such
as DKNY, GAP, POLO, CHAPS, OLD NAVY, LIZ CLAIBORNE, BILL BLASS, DISNEY, ESPRIT and many more. You will save BIG on accessories, coats, bags, hosiery, plus sizes, skirts, pants, sweaters, dresses, jewelry and more. 

Classic Closeouts will NEVER be undersold, guaranteed! Visit us today for immediate savings.

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Parenting & Family Topic of the Month:  Childhood Vaccinations

Editors note: My daughters have not been vaccinated, ever, against anything. If anyone would like to know my reasons, I'll be happy to provide them via email. There will be numerous links throughout this article to help you arrive at your own conclusions about standard childhood vaccinations. In all likelihood, most of our readers have had or plan to have their children vaccinated. This article is not meant as an attack on your judgment or as an attempt to make you feel guilty over your choices. I am presenting this information out of concern and regard for all our children.

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Childhood Vaccinations:
By Rexanne Mancini - Copyright - 2002

While infant and childhood vaccinations remain a rite of passage for babies born in the United States and most other countries, there is a growing trend by concerned parents of questioning this practice. Unfortunately, there is very little support for these parents in the traditional medical community. While you, as parents, will be told that it is mandatory to vaccinate your babies and even accused of child abuse in some instances if you do NOT vaccinate your infant, I feel it is of vital importance that you know the facts and truth about various vaccinations routinely administered to your children, the actual legality of not vaccinating if you so choose and the opportunity to make your own informed choices. 

There is a dramatic increase in many countries of childhood autism, leukemia, diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis and other immune deficiency and muscular diseases, as well as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It is the belief of many that some of the children and adults affected by these ravages on the body are so-attacked as a result of having been vaccinated as infants and children against a host of potential diseases, such as polio, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, hepatitis B, tetanus, etc. 

It seems each year another vaccination hits the market, with pediatricians espousing the benefits and necessity of these inoculations for our babies and children. Most pediatricians have been assured by the pharmaceutical companies who manufacture these vaccines that they are safe and pose very little or no threat to their patients, i.e., your children. While the majority of medical practitioners are well intentioned, they are educated to believe what they are told by medical associations and other authority figures in 
their profession. Many parents of recently inoculated children who show symptoms of distress are told that the illness or symptoms have nothing to do with the administered vaccinations. I wonder ... 

I would not want to experience parenthood without a good, trusted pediatrician, however, I have been known to question ours relentlessly. I have often refused certain tests or suggested treatments for my daughters for various non life-threatening symptoms when I felt they were unnecessary. No harm has come to my children from my reluctance to have them poked and prodded for conditions that may or may not have been brewing. I also refuse fluoride treatments that are supposed to protect our children's teeth from cavities. You can read about the dangers of fluoride here: Fluoride

As parents, we need to question those who treat and care for our children more often. Sometimes, we blindly accept what authority figures tell us without realizing that we have options. Many times, those options could benefit our children more than a prescribed treatment or behavioral label that has been pinned on our child by a disinterested party without enough forethought or concern for their long term well being. As an example, all public and private schools in the United States will inform you that your child must be  vaccinated in order to begin or continue school. This is absolutely untrue. In many states, parents can refuse to have their child vaccinated based solely on philosophical beliefs. Other states insist on a religious and/or medical reason for vaccination exemption. While all public schools must adhere to the legislature, thereby respecting your right to not vaccinate your child, some private schools could exercise their privilege as a private institution and refuse admittance to your non-vaccinated child. My daughters are currently enrolled in private schools in California without incident. You can check the status of your state's public school requirements here: All State Vaccination Exemption Information

There is a form in every school office on which you can state the reason for waiving your child's vaccinations. I have been requesting and filling out these forms for more than 11 years and they have always been available, although no one will tell you this or offer the option unless you ask. If your children's school won't provide this form, you can write your own exemption letter. Here is a web page explaining how to write one: Exemption Letter

While the abounding argument for routine vaccinations is strong, I urge you to at least be informed and question the practice if you choose to have your babies and children inoculated against anything. Know the risks associated with each vaccination your child is receiving and watch closely for symptoms of adverse reactions. 

This is an excellent web site on all aspects of vaccinations: National Vaccine and Information Center

For further information you will not find in the mainstream media on vaccines: Think Twice Global Vaccine Institute - Articles

Another good web page with various information and links regarding vaccination alerts and dangers: Be Informed About Vaccinations

And a very informative personal web site on vaccination dangers and other pertinent information can be found here: Shirley's Wellness Cafe - Vaccinations

I am fully aware that this article will stir the pots of controversy. Please speak up, whatever your opinion on the subject matter. All responses will be posted in the reader comments section in the next issue of our newsletter on October 1, 2002. 

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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. 

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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:  Cook Like Mom

"Dishes so delightful, your tongue will slap your brains out." 

Cook Like Mom is a site any mother would be proud of. There are many basic, easy to prepare recipes for everything from appetizers to desserts. They all sound yummy and most of the ingredient lists aren't so long that they make you want to give up before you start. Cook Like Mom has categorized their recipes to make it easy to find exactly what you're looking for or browse the section that stimulates your appetite. You're sure to find plenty of ideas for dinner, breakfast and snacks to tempt the whole family. 

Bon Appetit!

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Kid's Site of the Month:  The Tooth Fairy Game

Children of loose-tooth age can have lots of fun and play games with Squanky the tooth taker. This site has word games, drag and drop puzzles and other enjoyable activities where kids will have no idea they're learning important reading and cognitive skills while giggling with Squanky. 

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Freebie of the Month:  September Calendar & Tooth Fairy Certificate

Here's a pretty calendar for the month of September from Graphic Garden, to print out and be cheered by each time you look at it.

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A really cool Tooth Fairy Certificate to print out for that toothless munchkin can be found here: Tooth Fairy Certificate

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Tip or Trick of the Month:  Tooth Fairy Fun & The Heimlich Maneuver 

Here are some super tips and ideas on Tooth Fairy lore from readers of Main Street Mom: Tooth Fairy Ideas

Remember to send in what your going price or celebration is for a lost tooth: Tooth Fairy

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And for everyone's safety and concern, here's a page explaining and illustrating how to administer the Heimlich maneuver. Good one to print out and leave in an accessible spot just in case: Heimlich Maneuver

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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:  Strange Reports
Because life is supposed to be fun!

Feel like being really silly? Want to play a prank on anyone with an email address? Then Strange Reports is the time waster for you. Choose from a variety of prank subjects, fill out a few lines and hit send. Your designated prank receptor will be led to a web page with their name cleverly embedded in the text, which reads and looks like a web page from an official news site. It's all in good fun, however, there are a few slightly off color pranks you could or don't have to pick. If you're easily offended by flatulence or other silliness having to do with our nether regions, you might consider skipping this one. ;-) 

Feed the kids first ...

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Featured Site of the Month:  Right Now

This is an uplifting, inspiring flash presentation that will, if nothing else, give you sufficient motivation to get up and grab another cup of coffee. ;-) Beautiful scenery is the backdrop for a lovely, calming, yet meaningful message from the folks at Daily Motivation. 

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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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Advertisement: In My Humble Opinion - The hilarious weekly humor and opinion column by Chandra K. Clarke. Clean and thoughtful! You can subscribe for free by sending a blank email to: Subscribe IMHO or visit The Column today!

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Advertisement: Candy Warehouse - Select from a wide variety of ghoulish treats, perfect for all your Halloween trick or treaters. Candy Warehouse has all your favorites, from candy corn to Snickers. 
Check out the ever-popular Halloween Novelty Candy section for fun and different Halloween treats. It's NOT too early ... order your Halloween candy TODAY for best selections! 

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The fine print: 

This newsletter is copyright - 2002 - in its entirety. Please pass it on, but also please leave it intact. :-) 

You are receiving this email because you sent a specific message asking to be placed on the mailing list for this newsletter. If you wish to be removed from this list, see the remove notice above. 

I have personally checked out the links provided here but they could possibly lead you to any number of bizarre and/or offensive sites. Surf at your own risk. The DIRECT links on this page are all family 
friendly unless stated otherwise. While this newsletter is family friendly, it is not necessarily intended to be read by children. Parents should always monitor their children while they are on the Internet. 

All material on these pages: Copyright: - 2000-2002