Friday, July 3

LIFESTYLE

For parents of color, schooling at home can be an act of resistance
PARENTING

For parents of color, schooling at home can be an act of resistance

My 6-year-old hates the British. To be more specific, the British Empire that ruled over up to a quarter of the world’s land by the early 1900s. Hates that one of the biggest diamonds in the world, found in India over 1,000 years ago, now sits in the queen’s set of crown jewels. Hates that they drew up borders quickly and exited South Asia in the 1940s, resulting in the death of millions, and making his grandfather and great-grandparents refugees in the newly formed nation of India. How does my 6-year-old know all about this? Well, because we talk about it and have a lot of books at home. We have always read books about South Asian culture and history. And now that we have more flexible schedules since we have to work at home – and the kiddo has to do school at home – we have even more ti...
Working From Home? 5 Things You Need in Your Home Office
HOME

Working From Home? 5 Things You Need in Your Home Office

When you work at home, even part time, you discover that a makeshift desk area on a kitchen counter or the dining table isn’t the best setup. Having a dedicated home office, even if it’s compact, makes a big difference in comfort and productivity. Once you’ve chosen a room or area for your home office, here are five must-haves to include in it. Janiczek Homes 1. Comfortable Chair If sitting at a desk is a big part of your workday, make sure you have the right chair for the job. This is especially important if you work at a computer. Look for an overall fit that supports your back and encourages good seated posture. Features to look for include adjustable seat, arms and back, as well as legs on rollers and a seat that swivels so you can easily get in and out of the chair and reach for ...
Why people post ‘couple photos’ as their social media profile pictures
RELATIONSHIPS

Why people post ‘couple photos’ as their social media profile pictures

As you scroll through your Facebook news feed, you see it: Your friend has posted a new profile picture. But instead of a picture of just your friend, it’s a couple photo – a picture of your friend and their romantic partner. “Why would someone choose that as their profile picture?” you wonder. We are social psychology researchers interested in understanding people’s behavior in close relationships and on social media. Our research and that of other scholars provides insight into why people use these types of “I’m part of a couple!” displays on social media. Choosing profile photos that include their romantic partner, posting their relationship status and mentioning their partner in their updates can all be signs of how people feel in their relationship – and may send an important messag...
Helping Pregnant Parents To Be With Addictions Navigate Aspects Of Life
PARENTING

Helping Pregnant Parents To Be With Addictions Navigate Aspects Of Life

Coaches help pregnant people with addictions navigate all aspects of life, from doctor visits to finding housing. “Look at that little bald head,” Jewel Adams said. Moving toward Adams in the arms of her mother, and wearing a ruffled, magenta onesie, is 3-week-old Safiyah James. “Hi Sophia,” Adams said. “It’s Sah-fiyah,” said Kia Nassik, 27, as she allows Adams to hold her daughter in her apartment just south of Madison, Wisconsin. Safiyah sticks out her lower lip, squints her eyes and lets out a small cry. “She saying, ‘these ain’t my mama’s hands.’ I know, I know,” Adams said, rocking Safiyah for a few moments before handing her back to her mother. Though this is Nassik’s second child—she has a 5-year-old daughter as well—she feels like a first-time mom. During her first pregnancy, ...
The Kids Are All Right, But the Adults Are Struggling
PARENTING

The Kids Are All Right, But the Adults Are Struggling

While much attention on the rising suicide rate focuses on youth, data shows that it's actually working-age adults who are being hit hardest. The rise of suicide and other self-destructive behavior in the U.S. raises questions both tragic and curious. Suicide rates are up for every age group over the past few years, and they tend to get attention when someone—usually a young person—takes their own life. What’s causing this upswing? The truth is complicated. But the short version is this: It’s not youth who are creating the crisis. It’s their parents’ generation. Americans have the worst levels of addiction, suicide, and self-destruction in the Western world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a record 120,000 Americans died from suicides and rela...
What Low-Wage Work Does to Us
FINANCIAL HEALTH

What Low-Wage Work Does to Us

A huge share of U.S. employment is in low-wage jobs where workers are pushed to their limits to maximize profits for massive corporations. “Cyborg jobs” is the term Emily Guendelsberger uses in her new book, On the Clock: What Low-Wage Work Did to Me and How It Drives America Insane to describe the low-wage, high-stress jobs that make up a large portion—something like 47%—of employment in the United States. You could say they’re jobs determined by algorithms. Cyborg jobs are designed through data analysis to boost profits by getting the maximum out of workers. Staff scheduling is tight to avoid slow periods, so workers spend much of the day rushing to where they’re needed. Bathroom breaks are limited and timed. Workers’ movements and performance are monitored throughout t...
HOME

Backyard hacks you can try this spring

Whether you’re already stocking up on new flowers to plant or you’re just now dusting off the lawn mower, it’s about time to start getting that yard in tip-top shape for the season. And if you’re looking for some tips and tricks, we’ve got you covered — here are some seven hacks you can try in your yard this spring, whether you’re gardening, grilling or getting some sun. 1. Nature’s own table and chairs: Have some fallen trees in your backyard that you’re looking to get rid of? If they’re not too rotten, cut out some of the heftier parts of the trunk to make some rugged seating. If you’re feeling really crafty, make a table, too. Treat the wood to smooth and seal it. 2. Poolside movie: Here’s a fun one, even if you don’t have a pool: run a rope or wire between two poles, trees, or someth...
PARENTING

Stop Ignoring Mothering as Work

No one should be forced to mother, but women who choose that journey deserve political, social, and structural support. Every year during Women’s History Month we reflect on the many accomplishments of women and their contributions to society. Now that the month is over, it’s time to face a glaring omission so that it’s not repeated next March. This year, I was particularly concerned that the month’s overfocus on the secular and professional accomplishments of women brought an unintended consequence to undermine mothering as valuable work equally worthy of high-fives, GIFs, reposting, and tweeting. Women’s History Month or any such celebration is not complete until women are honored for their productive work—and their reproductive work. That means acknowledging work that’...
PARENTING

How Babies Adapt to Their Mother’s Physiological State

The classic image at New Year's where old Father Time represents the year just ended while the bannered New Year's baby emerges onstage, heralds the iconic star of a conference I attended in San Diego recently. Sponsored by the Association for Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health (APPPAH) the international congress addressed the scientific and psycho-social discoveries centered on "the conscious baby." Founded in 1983 by Canadian psychiatrist Thomas R. Verny MD, and David Chamberlain PhD, the APPPAH started as a small group of people who shared an interest in the sensitivity and consciousness of babies. Membership chair and parental educator Barbara Decker explains, "Their premise is that babies are having experiences in the womb-welcoming or not being welcomed, experiencing fear...
The Guide to Free Black Dating Sites
RELATIONSHIPS

The Guide to Free Black Dating Sites

Many people are considering exploring all of the free black dating sites that are out there. These sites can provide a potentially wonderful experience for you. However before you go exploring here are some general guidelines to look for at each site. Just by definition a free black dating site is really an affordable, fun way for black people to meet other black people or people in general for friendship, dating and romance. With people working more and more, sometimes 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet, the online dating world is becoming a much more viable option. These sites are filled with people from all walks of life. However, all sites are not created equal and it is important that you do your homework before you decide to join any particular site. The first thing you want to do is id...