Deep South Moms

Topic Day Recap: Children of the Recession

Last week, Katie Couric  wrote a moving piece for our sister NYC Moms Blog site about the Children of the Recession and spoke to twenty five SV Moms Group bloggers about this series. The piece mirrored a series, CBS Reports Children of the Recession.  In her post, Ms. Couric shared some shocking statistics:

The poll found that 56% of parents surveyed have discussed the economy with their kids, and half of all parents have discussed their own family’s financial situation. These conversations can be very uncomfortable, particularly if a parent has lost a job or is struggling to pay the bills.

Another poll statistic I found interesting concerned diet. 21% of parents said they are now buying generic brands and less expensive food items for their children.

There’s nothing wrong with store brands or generic brands. I do worry, though, that by “less expensive,” some people are pushed into choices that may not be as healthy, like fast food & meals, that could have a long-lasting impact on children, as well.

Ms. Couric then went on to ask how the recession is affecting our families and our children.  So today, the writers from all of our sites are blogging about just that: how is the economy affecting our families.  How are our own "children of the recession" doing?

Katie Couric gave us a shout out on her own blog today, so please check out all of our sites to see what we had to say:

SV Moms Blog

Katie Couric listened: children of the recession

Put Aside the Blame & Open Your Door: to the children of the recession

It Takes a Village

Removing my head from the Sand: the Silicon Valley recession

No More Toys, Even for the Big Boys

Recession Proofing my Children

Chicago Moms Blog

Failing as a Parent

Too Young for Reality

During a recession there's no place like home

We Need a Recess from Recession

Uncertain Times: Children and Recession

In a Recession Filled with "No's," Finding a "Yes" for Children

DC Metro Moms Blog

My Child of the Recession

Ten Cents a Chore

Teachers, Students & the Recession

Children Deserve the Best of Parents, Even in the Worst of Times

Simple Ways to Deal with the Recession

50-Something Moms Blog

It Takes an Extended Family - with Money

New York City Moms Blog

The Recession's Front Line: Our Schools

My Divorce Recession

Recession Obsession

New Jersey Moms Blog

Life's not a Day at the Beach

Teaching Teens to "Be the Change"

Children of the Recession - I Can Do Better

Deep South Moms Blog

Throwing Down on the Recession

The Recession was NOT in the Plan

Los Angeles Moms Blog

Children of the Recession: Grow a Row

What Daddy Never Taught You: How to Gracefully Fall into a Recession

Reading, Riting & Recession

Children of the Recession: the Education Blame Game

Rocky Mountain Moms Blog

Going Hungry Because of a Computer Glitch

Philadelphia Moms Blog

Children of the Recession

Children of the Recession: Katie Couric Conversation

Recession Stinks

Canada Moms Blog

Grounded

Birth Rates Drop Due to Recession

Past Topic Days Include:

• The Economy & the Holidays (January 2009)
• Blogging for a Cause (December 2008)
• Diversity in Our Lives (November 2008)
• The Economy (October 2008)
• Birth Day, Adoption Day, the First Day of the Rest of Our Lives (July 2008)
• Sex, A Dirty Little Recap (May 2008)
• Recap - Education: Public, Private or Home Schools? (April 2008)
• Mom Bloggers Meetup with Katie Couric- Recap (April 2008)
• Recap!  Parenting Guilt: Can We Overcome It? (March 2008)
• Recap! Coping With Illness While Caring For Family (March 2008)
• Recap! Parents At the Polls (February 2008)
• The Opportunity to Educate is a Terrible Thing To Waste - Recap (November 2007)
• The Parental Goes Political (October 2007)

This is an original D.C. Metro Moms Blog post.  Stephanie also posts at her personal blog, Lawyer Mama, and at a kick ass political blog, MOMocrats.

Topic Day: Children of the Recession

Last week, Katie Couric  wrote a moving piece for our sister NYC Moms Blog site about the Children of the Recession and spoke to twenty five SV Moms Group bloggers about this series. The piece mirrored a series, CBS Reports Children of the Recession.  In her post, Ms. Couric shared some shocking statistics:

The poll found that 56% of parents surveyed have discussed the economy with their kids, and half of all parents have discussed their own family’s financial situation. These conversations can be very uncomfortable, particularly if a parent has lost a job or is struggling to pay the bills.

Another poll statistic I found interesting concerned diet. 21% of parents said they are now buying generic brands and less expensive food items for their children.

There’s nothing wrong with store brands or generic brands. I do worry, though, that by “less expensive,” some people are pushed into choices that may not be as healthy, like fast food & meals, that could have a long-lasting impact on children, as well.

Ms. Couric then went on to ask how the recession is affecting our families and our children.  So today, the writers from all of our sites are blogging about just that: how is the economy affecting our families.  How are our own "children of the recession" doing?

Join us here and at all of our sister sites throughout the day to see what we have to say. 

SV Moms Blog
Chicago Moms Blog
DC Metro Moms Blog
50-Something Moms Blog
New York City Moms Blog
New Jersey Moms Blog
Deep South Moms Blog
Los Angeles Moms Blog
Rocky Mountain Moms Blog
Philadelphia Moms Blog
Canada Moms Blog

Tonight and tomorrow morning we'll also have a round up post sharing all of our blogs on the topic.

This is an original D.C. Metro Moms Blog post.  Stephanie also posts at her personal blog, Lawyer Mama, and at a kick ass political blog, MOMocrats.

Ty: You should be ashamed of yourself!

Adults never cease to amaze me.  There are times when it is definitely true that children play fairer than adults.  In this case, Ty just isn't playing fair. The toymaker has created the Sweet Sasha and Marvelous Malia dolls.  According to a story in the Washington Post, the company claims that the dolls "are not made to be exact replicas of the first couple's daughters and are not based on the Obama girls."

Now who believes that? First Lady Michelle Obama doesn't believe it. Mrs. Obama's press secretary released this statment, "We feel it is inappropriate to use young, private citizens for marketing purposes." One thing is clear: As the economy continues in an economic downturn, Ty is trying to boost it sales with the new addition of the Sasha & Malia dolls to the TyGrilz collection.  In my opinion, Ty is also trying to capitalize on the "frenzy" over the Obama presidency and the Obama family.  Denise Gary Robinson, president of DollsLikeMe.com an online doll retailer specializing in ethnic dolls, toys and gifts, heralds Ty's actions saying, "That fascination will make the dolls a success. Girls all over the world, of all colors, will be looking for these dolls. They want to identify with these two girls." 

In a white paper on the DollsLimeMe.com website, Denise Gary Robinson goes on to discuss the findings of research done by noted psychologists Dr. Kenneth Clark and Dr. Marnie Phipps Clark who while preforming doll experiments during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1940s and found that given the lack of positive black images for children of color  to play with that black children felt inferior to their white counterparts.  

The Economy Topic Day Recap

Yesterday, bloggers across the Silicon Valley  Moms Group sisterhood of sites poured their hearts out about these scary economic times.  For some it's been nothing more than a chance to appreciate what they have or cut out little luxuries like Starbucks coffee.  For others, it's been much more serious.  These poignant views of the dire economic situation seen through the eyes of our contributors puts a very honest and human face on the newspaper headlines.

Here's the round-up of our contributor's thoughts on our day dedicated to the economy:

New Jersey Moms Blog

• Shelli gives up her Starbucks in A Change is Brewing.
• Mary Kate can no longer hide in Hiding in the Sand.
• Vanessa begins to appreciate what she has in Taking Stock.
• Amber loses everything in an afternoon in The New Face of Welfare.

Chicago Moms Blog

• Karen shares Economical Lessons From My Parents
• Beth vents her anger in Virtual Pickpockets.
• Alma picks and chooses which corners to cut in I've Always Come in Economy Size.
• Mary Anne stops dreaming in No House for Us, in These Dark Times.
• Kim adjusts for unemployment in Job Wanted.
• Marcie looks at the big picture in Is the Economy Really That Bad?.
• Jennifer adjusts to leaner times in One Day You Have It, One Day You Don't.
• Laila breaks down the crisis in a Candle in a Monsoon.
• Amy bonds in an unexpected place in Free Economy Lesson in the Freezer Aisle

New York City Moms Blog

• Willa observes that in New York City, Times Are Getting Tougher
• Amy believes that Our Economy Works Like A Napless Three-Year-Old
• Nancy reflects on the area we use to call The World Trade Center in a very touching post, (Stair)Master Of The Universe
• Cynthia questions bailing out the irresponsible financial institutions in Bailout Schmailout

DC Metro Moms Blog

• Susan wants to know, Am I Living In Denial?
• Mary questions, What Can Kids Understand About The Economy?

Silicon Valley Moms Blog

• Robyn is riding out the storm in Riding It Out
• Nicole wants to know, When Will It End?
• Kimberly's optimism is cowing declining with When Will We Be Hit?
• Jill shares her fear about the SV economy in Will The Bubble Burst In Silicon Valley... And Why I Am Scared
• Courtney says goodbye to her beloved Silicon Valley Target store, The End Of A Love Affair.

Deep South Moms Blog

• Lotus shares her frustration in The Dreaded Green Bean vs. Wall Street
• Michelle writes about how The Recession Came Early To Our Home
• Amy shares her experience of HAVING to go back to work in A New Reality

Los Angeles Moms Blog

• Elizabeth questions The Economy:  What is it about October?
• Sarah is going to Now Take A Nice, Calming, Deep Breath
• Jessica is Blogging About the Economy: Round Three
• Florinda ponders the state of finances in What, me worry about the economy?
• Kim pulls out the Financial Book Report
• Nina discusses when being broke is old news

50-Something Moms Blog

• Myrna wants to know:  What did your parents teach you about money?
• Arleen laments in Happy Holidays?  Really?
• Cynthia reminds us all that The "Great Depression" Offers Many Lessons About Families and Sarah Palin, Too.
• Joanne is now dealing with high blood pressure because of Barbarians, Masters & A Den of Thieves

Soon-to-launch-Rocky Mountain Moms Blog

• Marie stays hopeful with Every economic crisis has a silver lining

Soon-to-launch-Philly Moms Blog

• Jo-lynne wants to know, The Economy, So What?

PAST SV MOMS GROUP TOPIC DAY RECAPS INCLUDE:

• Sex, A Dirty Little Recap (May 2008)
• Recap - Education: Public, Private or Home Schools? (April 2008)
• Mom Bloggers Meetup with Katie Couric- Recap (April 2008)
• Recap!  Parenting Guilt: Can We Overcome It? (March 2008)
• Recap! Coping With Illness While Caring For Family (March 2008)
• Recap! Parents At the Polls (February 2008)
• The Opportunity to Educate is a Terrible Thing To Waste - Recap (November 2007)

The Recession Came Early to Our Home

The economy and meltdown of Wall Street has most Americans losing sleep.  Americans watched as their hard earned money disappeared overnight.  As citizens worried, our leaders bickered and played the blame game.

The recession came early to our house in 2008. For reasons I can't disclose on a public blog, our family health insurance was canceled in March and our family was not notified. I found out we had no health insurance as I getting a test for breast cancer...which was the type of cancer that killed my mom.

Topic Day: THE ECONOMY

Unless you have been hiding under a rock, you know that the stock market decline has been to topic of conversation on every news stations, newspaper and blog.  You know that ALL our savings and retirement accounts are losing value.  You know that we are sitting around the dinner table figuring out how we are going to "tighten the belt" and stop spending.  We are scared about the declining value of our homes.  Many of us are having the tough discussion about foreclosure or bankruptcy.  We are in disbelief and trying to figure out how to survive in these uncertain times....

And today, the Mom Bloggers of Silicon Valley Moms Group:  Silicon Valley Moms Blog, Chicago Moms Blog, DC Metro Moms Blog, New York City Moms Blog, New Jersey Moms Blog, Deep South Moms Blog, 50-Something Moms Blog, Los Angeles Moms Blog (and soon-to-launch Philly Moms Blog and Rocky Mountain Moms Blog) will be writing about the ECONOMY and how it is effecting our lives. 

Please join us throughout the day as new posts go up on all our sister-sites! Share your thoughts and experiences in the comment section of each post.  Sink or swim, we are all in this together.....