Parents say a lot of things that are not particularly true. Sometimes they don’t realize it, while other times it’s quite deliberate.

Most people hear the line about catching a cold from being out in the cold from far more people than just their parents. But it’s just not true. You catch more colds in winter more due to being in more confined spaces with people with colds.

Or perhaps just from sending the kids back to school. So many colds come from that too, for most parents.

Then there’s the rule about not swimming for an hour after eating. I don’t think I ever paid attention to that one. Never a problem either.

It took me years to realize that the rule on it taking years to digest chewing gum was false. What was it, seven years or something? Too bad it’s not true; something that resistant to acids could be useful.

My parents didn’t subject me to many of the usual myths, though. Which ones did you get?

Technorati Tags: parenting myths

These days they talk a lot about how important it is is for kids to learn a second language early. I think about that a lot with my kids.

I didn’t start taking Spanish until junior high. I barely speak it anymore, for all I took it in high school and a bit in college as well. Took just a touch of French too, and it was fun to see the professor twitch every time someone in the class used Spanish pronunciation. The two languages are just so similar in appearance….

I’d love to get my kids into other languages earlier than that. I found out a couple weeks ago that my niece is studying German using the Rosetta Stone software. She loves it. As in asked if there was a version for her Game Boy. Of course, there isn’t, but I think that’s a good sign for how much she loves the program. She wanted to be able to take it with her places.

I haven’t picked the language I think my kids should learn. Spanish is pretty practical around here (southern California), but other languages may be more practical in the long run. I understand Chinese is getting to be in larger demand.

In the long run, of course, it really depends on personal interest, and I mostly just want to get my kids started on something. There’s no rule saying they have to stick with the same language throughout.

Technorati Tags: learning language, foreign language, education, kids, parenting

Sorry, it’s not chocolate flavored. But they have found a compound that occurs naturally in chocolate that is good for your teeth. Better, in fact, than fluoride at fighting cavities.

We have at least 2-4 years of testing before this comes out on the market, of course, but I can hardly wait. I’m none too fond of using a poison such as fluoride in my toothpaste, so I really hope this tests better and is safer. Can’t always be sure of that second part when you’re talking about a compound being taken out of something it was safe in. The appropriate dose for toothpaste may not be so good.

Frankly, I like this idea, even if they aren’t making it chocolate flavored. Peppermint is already a candy flavor, so I see nothing wrong with making it taste like chocolate, but if it bugs people too much thinking of it that way, there are plenty of other flavors that can be made. Just look at the huge range available now.

Technorati Tags: chocolate toothpaste

I’m pale. The joke in my family is that we’re part ghost or part lobster, because we’re so fair skinned, and burn riduculously easily.

My daughter, on the other hand, is part Italian, and it shows in her olive skin. I always joke that she was born with a better tan than I’ve ever had in my life.

She’s too young for makeup, much as she wishes otherwise (5 years old, what can I say?), but I think it will be interesting when the time comes for her to start wearing real makeup. Say 20 years down the road. I’m her mother, I can dream!

Seriously, I know I have under 10 years for that.

But naturally darker skin is different from my own. I’ll have a challenging time helping her, but I think I’ll have to keep things such as ORIKI Cosmeceuticals in mind.

One of the things they mention is that naturally darker skin can react differently from lighter skin. Even so young, I can see that in her. Some of it is nice for her, such as tanning ridiculously easily. But she also has a dark patch on one arm from an old burn (I think). It’s little differences like that which are so noticeable.

At her age, of course, the only skin care she really needs aside from basic washing is sunscreen. I don’t care how well you tan, sunscreen just makes sense. I have my kids trained that if we’re spending much time in the sun, the sunscreen goes on. Even darker skin can get skin cancer, after all.

Hopefully not with mildew, all in a row.

Developing flowers based on pictures from your digital camera on the other hand, that could be interesting, although I don’t know that a floral design, no matter its basis, is for everyone.

But that’s the concept behind a new software program that takes pixels from your cell phone, and uses the colors to create flowers on your wall. The flowers can combine to create new flowers or even die over time.

At least you won’t need to water them or pick petals up off the floor.

Technorati Tags: flower wallpaper, electronic wallpaper, growing wallpaper

I talked a bit on here about choosing shoes to wear to my sister’s wedding, but I realized I never posted pictures. So…

I chose a shoe by Naturalizer called Prissy. Really a very nice shoe, but I’m no longer used to heels, so I did struggle with them a little. I used to be so comfortable in 3 inch heels and these were only 2-1/4….

They were utterly perfect, though, great fit, reasonably comfortable even though I am out of the habit. They were the exact minimum height for the dress unless I wanted to get it hemmed, so that was great too.

The wedding went off beautifully. Everyone loved my dress, and of course the bride looked beautiful.

Technorati Tags: shoe shopping, wedding