Mammoth Blog

Available Now on Itunes Music from the Hit Show Yo Gabba Gabba

French video-sharing site Dailymotion is planning a kid's channel set to launch at the end of the year in Gaul.

Young Internet users will be able to access the secure online network from a separate URL with parental controls.

Dailymotion, nicknamed the French YouTube, has inked deals with Viacom-owned Nickelodeon, the Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Planete Nemo and Millimages to offer 300 hours of programming and nearly 1,000 different shows.

Dailymotion also has signed with Dupuis, Dargaud and Lombard, who rep TV and audiovisual rights for the country's most popular comic book characters.

All programming can be viewed free of charge and Dailymotion will share ad revenue with its content partners.

Dailymotion already is the top Web site in the territory among 5- to 12-year-olds, and 5% of visitors to the site are younger than 11.

"We're giving a targeted audience premium content," Dailymotion's senior manager of content and partnerships David Ripert said.

Dailymotion plans to launch the children's channel in France in November or December and hopes to expand to the U.S. and the U.K. in the coming months. source>>>

I've written more than a few stories on how Americans are by and large lacking in Vitamin D, but wow, was I unprepared for what I heard when I asked Frank Greer how many babies get enough Vitamin D: "If it's 30 percent, I'd be surprised."

Greer should know; he leads the American Academy of Pediatrics' committee on nutrition, which just doubled its recommendation for daily Vitamin D intake in children from 200 to 400 IU a day. The docs were concerned that many children, particularly young babies, aren't getting enough Vitamin D, which is essential for absorbing calcium from food and building bones. New evidence suggests that D also plays a vital role in the immune system, and might help protect against cancer and diabetes.

But how could so many American babies be missing out on this vital nutrient? Here's the deal: Many new mothers are Vitamin D deficient themselves, and can't deliver enough D to their babies while breastfeeding. Formula has enough Vitamin D to meet the pediatricians' goals. But moms who think they are doing the right thing nutritionally be breastfeeding need to give their babies supplemental vitamins, starting right after birth.

I always thought that parents were supposed to try to get vitamins into their kids by emphasizing healthy food, but that gambit doesn't work as well with Vitamin D. Oily fish contain D; hence the old-time winter remedy of cod liver oil. So does fortified milk. But a child would have to drink a liter of milk a day to get 400 IU -- something that lots of kids, including my own, aren't about to do. Human skin synthesizes D, but people who live north of Chicago aren't exposed to enough sunshine from fall through spring to make their quota. People with darker skin, or those who cover themselves up to avoid sun exposure, also can't make enough D. Then there are the kids who spend almost all day either inside at school or inside watching TV. They could live on the Equator, and they still wouldn't get enough sun.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics has doubled its recommendation for children's daily dose of vitamin D in the hopes of preventing rickets and reaping other health benefits, the group said Monday.

"We are doubling the recommended amount of vitamin D children need each day because evidence has shown this could have lifelong health benefits," said Dr. Frank Greer of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which released the new recommendations at a meeting in Boston.

The new guidelines from the nation's leading group of pediatricians call for children to receive 400 international units of vitamin D per day, beginning in the first few days of life.

Children who do not get enough vitamin D are at risk for rickets, a bone-softening disease that results in stunted growth and skeletal deformities if not corrected while the child is young. Babies who are exclusively breast-fed are at particular risk because nursing mothers tend to be deficient in the vitamin too.

Dr. Carol Wagner, who helped write the pediatricians' report, urged in a statement that breast-fed infants receive vitamin D supplements. source>>>

As a science teacher educator and parent, I have been concerned about the lack of science in primary schools for many years. My concerns have been confirmed in the new National Education Monitoring Project 2007 Science report about the state of science education in our schools.

It does not paint a rosy picture. The project reports that Year 4 students are generally positive about studying science at school (64 per cent) but, by Year 8, this has dropped significantly (24 per cent).

This pattern is common in other subject areas and can be explained by Year 8 students becoming more critical and realistic about their own abilities, but it still raises serious concerns.

I work with student teachers to prepare them to teach science in primary schools. We know that children are endlessly fascinated by all things scientific.

From an early age, they are avid, budding scientists. They are motivated to explore and make sense of their world - just ask any frazzled parent at the end of the school holidays.

So what is happening to that enthusiasm? Many of the students at Year 4 and Year 8 say they would like to do more science at school.

In fact, 16 per cent of Year 8 students in 2007 reported that they "never" did experiments with everyday things or with science equipment, compared with 8 per cent in 1999.

The science that children do get is predominantly group work, research and projects - not experiments, practical work, field trips and visits that they might have rightfully anticipated science was all about.

Why isn't science the rich and varied learning experience that it could be? Why are our children being taught "about" science, rather than "doing" science?

Those are questions well worth asking next time you get the opportunity at a parent-teacher or board of trustee meeting. I suspect you will be told that the priorities are numeracy and literacy.

These subjects have dominated the curriculum to the extent that teachers are hard-pressed to snatch more than a couple of afternoons a term to teach science. With so little time and so much to do, of course science is going to be reduced to bookwork.

How much more manageable and effective to use a computer or the library to find out the answer to curly questions?

At the University of Auckland's Faculty of Education, we expect our students to graduate ready to teach all of the subjects in the New Zealand curriculum. Science is just one of eight curriculum areas in which they have to be able to teach from day one.

Student teachers come into our science education course thinking "How hard can it be to teach science to a Year 4 student?" But every year we find our student teachers don't know as much as they think they do.. source>>>

Hoping to combat the "snitch" label that often leads to silent suffering, six Utah schools have introduced a Web site that allows students to anonymously report bullies.

A Brigham Young University student, Justin Bergener, created the site, which also lets students post information about thefts, drugs and harassment.

Bergener said he hopes students who might otherwise be too scared or shy to speak up will be willing to post on the site.

"There really is this culture and code of silence that's particularly prevalent in middle schools and high schools," Bergener said.

Many students may not want to be seen in the office talking to an authority figure, said Rosanna Ungerman, principal of Provo's Dixon Middle School.

"It allows students to have an outlet and avenue to report things they might otherwise not have reported," Ungerman said.

Nearly 50 schools in other states are also using the Web site.

Here's how it works: School administrators are made aware of any tips either by e-mail or text message, Bergener said. For some schools, students have to create a logon and password to send a tip, but they still remain anonymous, though. But in most cases, schools allow anyone to send a tip with no need to give personal information.

"They'd rather have 10 good ones and one false one than none at all," Bergener told The Associated Press on Monday.

Bergener said his Web site is simply a third party that ships the tips along. SchoolTipline, which also has participating schools in Texas, Washington, California and Arizona, doesn't read the tips or reply to them. If a tip goes unread for a day or so, though, SchoolTipline reminds schools it's there.

The six Utah schools using the Web site include elementary, middle and high schools.

Even some parents have reported incidents anonymously, said Judy Runolfson, Lehi Junior High's assistant principal.

"There's a greater awareness that it's a situation that needs to be looked into right away because we know it can lead from something that's not that bad to something much worse," Runolfson said. http://www.schooltipline.com

For a Full List including dates, times and links visit: TicketsOnsaleToday.com

Chicago Legends of the Stars
First Arena Elmira 10/14/2008
Gavin Creel Diesel Playhouse Toronto
G-Men Rackham Auditorium Ann Arbor
Holiday Hot Night-Starring T.I. Dunkin' Donuts Center Providence
Jimmies Chicken Shack State Theatre St Petersburg
Jingle Jam 2008 XL CENTER Hartford
Tommy Hunter Lindsay Academy Theatre Lindsay
Aaron Neville VooDoo Lounge North Kansas City
Baile Costeno : Acapulco Tropical : Luz Roja De Sanmarcos :
Disney On Ice : 100 Years of Magic MTS Centre Winnipeg, MB
Donald Braswell Laurie Auditorium San Antonio
Joan Rivers Lumiere Place St. Louis
Myrtl Beach Rocks: the Jam House of Blues Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach
Tanya Tucker Black Bear Casino Resort Carlton
Christmas Mariachi Festival US Airways Center Phoenix
Eric Burdon & the Animals. Casino Rama Orillia
Mavis Staples B.B. King Blues Club and Grill New York
Mobile Back Alley Calgary, AB
Said the Whale Sait's The Gateway Calgary, AB
Sighlo Newport Music Hall Columbus
The Four Tops and the Temptations. Casino Rama Orillia
The Holly Springs Disaster Sait's The Gateway Calgary, AB
The Oak Ridge Boys. Casino Rama Orillia
Tony Orlando - In Concert. Casino Rama Orillia
Epidemic Music Presents: Blake Lewis Showbox SoDo Seattle
Sycuan Presents Tesla House of Blues San Diego San Diego
Kenny Lattimore B.B. King Blues Club and Grill New York
Resident Artist Series: Stuart - Ivanov Duo USF Music Recital Hall Tampa
Josh Gracin with Flint Creek Club Paradise Blasdel
Lee Brice Club Paradise Blasdel
Sylvan El Corazon Seattle
MC Chris Chop Suey Seattle

All Shows available at Ticketmaster

Quicken Online has gone free!

Quicken is excited to announce that Quicken Online will become FREE starting Monday, October 13th. Until recently, Quicken Online was free to try, but cost $2.99 per month after a trial period. Beginning October 13th, there will be no charge to use the Quicken Online program.

What does this mean for you?
Free Quicken Online will be promoted heavily on our websites and the sign-up process will be much shorter and easier than the previous process.

Free Quicken Online has many cool new features including Quicken Beam, which allows users to check their balances from any mobile phone, Blackberry, or iPhone.

Your have 24/7 financial control at you fingertips with Free Quicken Online.

cientists have issued a health warning to the personal music generation about noise levels from their in-ear entertainment.

The quality of music reproduction at high levels on tiny players is now so good that more people are turning up the volume - risking permanent hearing damage.

A report from the European Union's Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) estimates that five-10% of personal music player users risk permanent hearing loss if they listen for more than an hour a day at high volume settings for at least five years.

And if that sounds like a low risk, European Commission officials pointed to the rising numbers of people who plug themselves into loud music every day just for journeys to and from school or work.

Add up the hours and the decibels, they said, and the number in the EU risking some permanent hearing loss is put at between 2.5 and 10 million people.

The Commission ordered the study from the independent committee because of the soaring numbers routinely exposed to high noise volumes through personal players.

An EU safety standard already exists restricting the noise level of personal music players to 100 decibels, but the scientists said the danger level is long-term exposure to music pumped into the ears above 89 decibels.

At that level, users of personal music players are exposed to higher noise levels than currently allowed in factories after just five hours' listening.

EU Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, said the scientists had now clearly signalled "cause for concern" and she would be organising a conference early next year with governments, the music industry and consumers "to discuss the way forward".

Ms Kuneva commented: "I am concerned that so many young people, in particular, who are frequent users of personal music players and mobile phones at high acoustic levels, may be unknowingly damaging their hearing irrevocably." source>>>

NCAA Basketball 09 is not just a new name; it introduces a new way to play college basketball that mirrors real life. A new, strategic gameplay feature challenges gamers to replicate their school's style of play, set the tempo and win. Whether your school plays up tempo looking to push the ball in transition, runs a half-court offense that utilizes the clock and limits possessions or features a balanced attack that combines transition offense with set plays, NCAA Basketball 09 rewards the strategic gamer and emphasizes team specific styles of play.

NCAA Basketball 09 will feature Division I coaches in-game for the first time. Each coach will provide real time instruction and feedback, helping gamers control the tempo by executing their team's offense and defense to perfection.

This year on Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3, NCAA Basketball 09 will operate on a new gameplay engine with over 1,000 new animation sequences that deliver a more responsive experience with improved ball physics and more intelligent AI. The new animation system enables gamers to apply pressure defense with new full-court presses and traps. Plus, improved AI and animations enable quicker players to get up and down the floor faster and make better decisions running the lanes and driving to the rim. Animations can be interrupted at any time, enabling you to read and respond to the action on the floor, just like real life. source>>>

The American Academy of Pediatrics has doubled its recommendation for the minimum amount of vitamin D that infants, children, and teens should get daily.

The new recommendation is to get at least 400 international units (IU), according to guidelines published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in November's edition of Pediatrics.

"We know that 400 international units a day is safe and it will prevent rickets," Frank R. Greer, MD, chairman of the AAP's committee on nutrition, tells WebMD.

The new guidelines are especially important for breastfed babies, since breast milk isn't rich in vitamin D, notes Greer, who recommends supplements to ensure adequate vitamin D intake.

Some vitamin D experts say the AAP's new vitamin D guidelines don't go far enough.

"I was hoping they'd be more aggressive," says Bruce Hollis, PhD, professor of pediatrics, biochemistry, and molecular biology and director of pediatric nutritional services at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, S.C.
How Much Is Enough?

Greer explains that the AAP used to back the current daily dose recommended by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) but doubled that amount because vitamin D's importance has become clearer in the last five years.

"It's very clear now that, at least in adults, there is some association between insufficient vitamin D and various chronic diseases," including diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, says Greer. He notes that the research -- mainly done on adults -- doesn't prove that vitamin D prevents those diseases.

Hollis says the new guideline is still too low. "In my estimation, this recommendation just doesn't do much," he tells WebMD.

"I would have probably gone with 400 IU in the first year or two of life, and after that I would have increased it to at least 1,000 and also monitor the vitamin D [blood] level," says Hollis. He questions the AAP's decision to set the same standard for babies as for much bigger adolescents.

Asked about that, Greer says, "we don't have any really good information to say that we should be giving children in the United States more than 400 international units a day," even for adolescents.

The Institute of Medicine, which sets Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamins, hasn't changed its vitamin D recommendations.

"IOM is in discussions with various agencies and other groups that would sponsor a new review by the IOM of the science about vitamin D and calcium intakes to maintain health," IOM spokeswoman Christine Stencel tells WebMD. source>>>

View the Entire List at TicketsOnsaleToday.com

10:00 AM

3 Doors Down U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH

Alesana Stone Pony - Asbury Park, NJ

Cirque Dreams Holidaze Trump Plaza - Atlantic City, NJ

Disney On Ice : Mickey & Minnie's Magical Journey Wilkes-Barre, PA Wachovia Arena -

Doobie Brothers Ferguson Center for the Arts Concert Hall - Newport News, VA

EaglesSt Pete Times Forum - Tampa, FL

Eagles Amway Arena - Orlando, FL

Eagles BankAtlantic Center - Sunrise, FL

Gaither Fest 2009 Myrtle Beach Convention Center - Myrtle Beach, SC

Jim Gaffigan Town Hall - New York, NY

John Legend Masonic Temple - Detroit, MI

Lil Wayne Wachovia Arena - Wilkes-Barre, PA

Mannheim Steamroller: Christmas Ferguson Center for the Arts Concert Hall - Newport News, VA

Movin' Out - Music By Billy Joel, Choreography - Twyla Tharp Broome County Forum -

Rock The Halls Richmond Coliseum - Richmond, VA

Sesame Street Live : When Elmo Grows Up Whittemore Center Arena - Durham, NH

The Blenders Clay County Regional Events Center - Spencer, IA

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Breslin Center - East Lansing, MI

Trans-Siberian Orchestra The Palace of Auburn Hills - Auburn Hills, MI

Trans-Siberian Orchestra The Palace of Auburn Hills - Auburn Hills, MI

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Van Andel Arena - Grand Rapids, MI

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Van Andel Arena - Grand Rapids, MI

11:00 AM

Avenged Sevenfold Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena - Sioux City, IA

Bill Gaither and Friends Ford Center - Oklahoma City, OK

Bill Gaither and Friends Mississippi Coliseum - Jackson, MS

Cirque Du Soleil : Saltimbanco Mississippi Coast Coliseum - Biloxi, MS

Cirque Du Soleil: Saltimbanco Sears Centre - Hoffman Estates, IL

Gretchen Wilson Myth - Maplewood, MN

John Legend The Chicago Theatre - Chicago, IL

Millie Jackson Saenger Theatre Mobile - Mobile, AL

Miss Saigon Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace - Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Oak Ridge Boys Show Me Center - Cape Girardeau, MO

Paula Deen Mississippi Coliseum - Jackson, MS

Sesame Street Live : Elmo's Green Thumb Five Flags Center - Dubuque, IA

Smashing Pumpkins Auditorium Theatre - Chicago, IL

Smashing Pumpkins The Chicago Theatre - Chicago, IL

Take 6 Omaha Music Hall - Omaha, NE

Tennessee State Tigers Basketball - OVC Playoffs - 1st Round TN State University Gentry Center -

Tennessee State Tigers Basketball vs. Bluefield TN State University Gentry Center -

Tennessee State Tigers Basketball vs. Cumberland TN State University Gentry Center - Nashville,

Tennessee State Tigers Basketball vs. Jackson St TN State University Gentry Center -

Tennessee State Tigers Men's Basketball - ESPN Bracket Buster TN State University Gentry

Tennessee State Tigers Men's Basketball vs. Belmont University TN State University Gentry

Tennessee State Tigers Men's Basketball vs. Northern University TN State University Gentry

Thanksgiving Grown & Sexy Extravaganza Heymann Performing Arts Center - Lafayette, LA

12:00 PM

3 Doors Down Cricket Arena - Charlotte, NC

3 Doors Down Greensboro Coliseum Complex - Greensboro, NC

3 Doors Down Hampton Coliseum - Hampton, VA

3 Doors Down U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH

3 Doors Down - Switchfoot Patriot Center - Fairfax, VA

Michael Bolton Seneca Niagara Casino - Niagara Falls, NY

1:00 PM

Blue Man Group At Briar Street Theatre Briar Street Theatre - Chicago, IL

Chris Botti Desert Diamond Casino - Tucson, AZ

Los Angeles Dodgers World Series - Game 3 Dodger Stadium - Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles Dodgers World Series - Game 4 Dodger Stadium - Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles Dodgers World Series - Game 5 Dodger Stadium - Los Angeles, CA

Pacific Coast Conference Los Angeles Sports Arena - Los Angeles, CA

Rage In the Cage Desert Diamond Casino - Tucson, AZ

Strikeforce HP Pavilion At San Jose - San Jose, CA

UCLA Men's Basketball vs. Cal State Northridge Pauley Pavilion - Los Angeles, CA

UCLA Men's Basketball vs. Coaches v. Cancer - 1st Round Los Angeles, CA Pauley Pavilion -

UCLA Men's Basketball vs. Coaches v. Cancer - 2nd Round Los Angeles, CA Pauley Pavilion -

UCLA Men's Basketball vs. Florida International Pauley Pavilion - Los Angeles, CA

UCLA Men's Basketball vs. Louisiana Tech Pauley Pavilion - Los Angeles, CA

UCLA Men's Basketball vs. Loyola Marymount Pauley Pavilion - Los Angeles, CA

UCLA Men's Basketball vs. Mercer Pauley Pavilion - Los Angeles, CA

UCLA Men's Basketball vs. Wyoming Pauley Pavilion - Los Angeles, CA

3:00 PM

Bats Day Dark Park Festival Grove of Anaheim - Anaheim, CA

All shows available at Ticketmaster

Does even the thought of packing up the whole family for a flight have you dreading the holidays, even though they're still a couple of months away?

Family travel doesn't have to be a nightmare and, on The Saturday Early Show, Laura Begley, deputy editor of Travel + Leisure magazine, shared some ideas for lightening the stress load when flying with the kids ar holiday time.

Begley says it's not too late to get a good deal on holiday flights. Bookings have been down due to the poor economy, so there are more open seats available then usual. To find a good deal, try SmarterTravel.com. It has lots of good prices and great package deals.

Six Commandments for Flying with Kids:

# Book early morning flights

# Travel on Saturday

# Fly non-stop

# Check airline baggage policy (on set carry-on diaper bag)

# Keep the kids entertained (on set products, coloring books, kid camera, portable DVD player)

# Hang on to your stroller (stroller with detachable car seat)

Travel + Leisure Show-and-Tell Items for Family Air Travel

# SkipHop Duo Diaper Bag $54 www.skiphop.com

# Toshiba Portable DVD Player - SPD71S $129.99 www.toshiba.com

# Fisher-Price Kid Tough Digital Camera $50 www.fisher-price.com

# Range of activity books/crayons

# Maclaren Easy Traveler $75 www.maclarenbaby.com

Book early morning flights: Basically, early morning flights are the least likely to be delayed. And when you're traveling with kids, you don't want them to be tired or cranky. Because cranky kids = stressed-out moms and dads.

Travel on Saturdays: According to our research, Saturday is a much quieter day at the airport. Most people leave for weekend trips on Friday, and there are no business travelers on a Saturday, so the airport is relatively empty and easy to navigate.

Fly non-stop: For families, the most stressful time is getting on and off the plane. If you fly non-stop, you have fewer headaches to deal with. You also have to deal with all the stuff, bags, carriages, toys, kids going to the bathroom, etc - it's just easier to do it once. I think it's worth the extra money. First, you'll get there faster, have less hassle and, most importantly, the possibility of delays is lessened. And long delays and kids are a terrible mix. Also, a lot of airlines are eliminating (United, for instance) pre-boarding for families - so boarding with the kids will be that much harder.

Check airline baggage policy: You really want to do this. A lot of people don't realize that many carriers don't count the stroller as a checked item, so you won't be charged if you bring it along. But you must check with the airlines. Also, it's good to note - if you have a kid with a ticket, your child can bring one carry-on item, a personal item, and have a checked bag. So, even your one month-old can actually carry-on an adult-sized suitcase! Continue>>>

Skating on Monday. Mom and Tot class on Wednesday. School on the other days, work and household chores in between... Oh but what about swimming lessons? Gymnastics? Language classes? Sometimes I feel like I'm fighting the clock, trying to squeeze in every imaginable activity to enhance the lives of my little guys. I also feel the pressure when I speak to other moms who have their kids signed up for three extra-curricular activities a week.

What ever happened to just sitting around and playing house with the kids? Running around the backyard playing tag?

Are we overscheduling our kids? I wonder if they feel the same stress that we do.

Unstructured playtime might be just as important for your child's development as academics and sports, according to a 2006 study from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Unstructured meaning no schedule. Letting them just be kids. Keeping the toys simple, like empty boxes and containers, to encourage imaginative play. Playing at the park. Riding their bikes. Setting up a tent in the backyard and play camping.

Let your child lead and set the pace for play. When an adult isn't dictating how something must be done, kids practice when to push and when to compromise on their own. They also have room to use their imagination.

I've dropped swimming lessons this fall because I figured I'm overscheduling my kids and we all need some down time. I've thrown structure out the window at home and have let the kids decide what they want to do for fun. For them, this simply means they want to engage in a wrestling match, play a game of hide and seek or tickle each other to the point of tears of laughter.

Now, a new study shows that kids are not the overscheduled generation that many believe them to be. The study's researcher found that a higher level of activity was not linked to such stress symptoms as depression, anxiety, alienation and fearfulness. The parents may feel overloaded but the children who are more active are not more stressed.

Hmmm...so what do I do now? Sign my kids up for more activities again? What is best for my them? I think a balance is crucial here. But how does one attain it?

One option is to slow down and set some limits. Allow your kids (or if they are too young, you decide for them) to choose one activity per season. Fall is a beautiful time for horse-back riding while summer is great for outdoor swimming lessons. Skating in winter is skating and spring is great for soccer.

Another option is to do two concurrent activities that are seasonal, ie. swimming and soccer in the spring and summer, and skating/hockey and music/dance classes in the fall and winter.

When? Schedule all the activities during the week so that your family can have the weekends free. Or if your weekdays are busy enough, set aside your Saturday and get it all done in one crazy day.

Some moms take the very laid-back approach and don't stress an ounce about enrolling their children into programs from the time they are out of the womb. Then there are those moms who sign up for every mom and tot program available. Are baby dance classes really necessary? They must be geared towards moms who need to socialize because really, your 1-year-old has years before appearing on "Dancing with the Stars".

With the Boss, I stressed about getting him into various activities from a very young age because "kids need to learn social skills". My opinion is that kids have the rest of their lives to become social butterflies! With the Underboss, although I've only recently enrolled him in a class at 20 months old, he is thriving unbelievably.

For me, I figure let kids be kids - let them have fun! I'll enroll my own children in one program a season. Once they start school full-time, their lives will quickly start to resemble an adult's with deadlines and schedules. Soon enough each of them will be carrying their own BlackBerry. Source>>>

This may signal the death of texting, but half of parents think they're cool when they send text messages to their children and most think it's the best way to check on their kids, Ars Technica: The Art of Technology reports.

"They found that 76 percent of parents feel that their children are more likely to keep them abreast of their activities through text messaging than other methods. 73 percent said that their kids were more likely to respond to a text message than other methods of communication, and a full half of parents feel that texting with their kids makes them "cool." -- Ars Technica post on an ATT survey.