Today's top news stories for parents
Have your kids had to miss school or daycare yet this fall because of a cold or flu? Both of mine have had sick days, but luckily, their illnesses have been the minor sort that can be managed with small doses of Advil and large doses of television.
But something we've come to take for granted - in this world of 24-hour pharmacies - is that we'll be able to get the meds we need for our children, when we need them. I guess that's why this story is so shocking:
Angry parents can't believe lack of H1N1 meds for kids With all the time to anticipate the H1N1 pandemic, these parents are wondering why a solution needed to administer Tamiflu to children is in such short supply.
If you're wondering where your family can get vaccinated, watch our Swine Flu page. I'm adding links to the clinic hours and locations of each public health unit as the information becomes available. Look for it on the left under "Swine flu info links." For up-to-the-minute swine flu news bulletins, please follow me on Twitter.
Yesterday I saw a tweet asking for prayers for a seven-months-pregnant woman in hospital isolation with H1N1. If you're pregnant or know someone who is, you may want to read Why pregnant women need to be at the front of the vaccine line. We've also got an article that looks at how prepared the hospitals are to handle the demand that swine flu may present.
Other news stories you don't want to miss today:
Plan for all-boys school creating controversy See how opinions are differing on Chris Spence's efforts to improve school performance of boys. To get an idea of how passionately people are reacting, check out the comments on this story.
Quebec English school law quashed A court has overturned legislation that limited immigrants' access to English education.
iPods in the classroom. Should these be confiscated and returned at the end of the school year? Or incorporated into the way material is taught? The Calgary Board of Education is experimenting with the latter.
Barbie needs a kink in her hair Mattel has come out with some new darker-skin Barbies, but critics say the hair isn't what it should be.
Boy named "Chief Play Officer" for Toys "R" Us What do you think of corporations using kids as mini product ambassadors?
How young is too young for a frightening, blood-smeared Halloween? Have you been surprised at the level of Halloween gore in costumes marketed to kids? Check this out.
Other fun diversions:
Some cute, non-gory Halloween costumes
Tell your spouse to vacuum: Couples who do more housework also have more sex
Crazy Halloween decorations for the front lawn
I am not sure where to find out more information on this topic - perhaps you can direct me?
My daughter qualifies for a subsidized day care space for my granddaughter (1 1/2 yrs old) in the city of Toronto. But despite being on the city's official waiting list since before the baby was born, she cannot find a spot now that she needs to return to work. She has put herself on waiting lists at least a dozen individual daycares. Who can she turn to for help? What is the use of qualifying if there are no spaces? Is it best to give up working and apply for welfare?
Has The Star covered this issue in any investigative articles?
Thanks for your help.
Posted by: Sasha Lee | October 24, 2009 at 08:51 AM