The backstory to this week’s column. . . .

Well, every time I hear my evangelical friends talk about how Christianity makes you happier, I just cringe. I know there is data to support that, and that’s great. But there are lots of really lovely Christian people who are probably not terribly happy because they are really sufferring in some way. I’ve been there! I think we all have. Hopefully we are more “joyful” in those circumstances - that is very much the testimony of Scripture of what we Christians are called to be. But “happy” is something different. And as an evangelical Christian, when I hear conservatives go on and on about those “happy Christian” figures, I get a little nervous. When I saw the Arthur Brooks column in this week’s Wall Street Journal doing just that - I had to jump into the conversation.

Here’s the column. . .

Why Link Religion with Happiness?

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Hi friends. Today I talked to Meredith O’Brien. She’s the author of the new book, “A Suburban Mom: Notes from the Asylum,” a compilation of her very funny, and sometime outright hilarious, parenting columns and blogs.

We talked (hopefully) about whether or not there’s a backlash against overwrought and overworried parenting. She’s terrific, and had something very sage advice to offer from one of her own children’s teachers about homework!We had a fun conversation - I hope you’ll tune in. Betsy

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I’m supposed to eat what?

Okay, there’s an aspect of this that is “dial a letdown” because who can remember to eight these 8 things a day, much less have the time or energy to pull it together and make it happen? On the other hand, there’s some really great information here. I figure if I can make sure to get a few of these things in each day, for both my kids and me, then I’m taking some steps in the right direction.

At least a list like this on the fridge will help me to be a bit more thoughtful (I hope) about what I consume - and don’t. After all, we parents really need our energy and our health!

8 things to eat every day

Happy parenting. . .

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When a little dirt is a good thing for kids. . .

Hi friends, today’s parenting tip is last week’s column (which we didn’t get a chance to post over the weekend.)

As I noted in a study I posted last week, it seems we don’t do our kids any favors when we so overprotect them from germs and dirt that their immune systems have nothing to do - and get out of practice. That may be one reason why rates of allergies in kids have skyrocketed.

But is bubble-wrapping our kids and keeping them “safe” from germs just one way in which we over protect them — that isn’t healthy? I think so!

Too few germs - too much worry

Happy Parenting!

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Parents and the Culture. . .

Hi friends - today’s parenting tip is something Dr. Mogel said to me on the show yesterday. . .

“Today’s parents have their intuition broken by the culture.”

How true! She suggested that we consciously band together with like-minded parents who are also parenting against the culture, in order to shore ourselves up, provide encouragement to each other, AND to present a united front with like-minded parents, to our kids.

I think that’s a great idea. We’ll have the show posted soon. Be sure to listen!

Happy parenting!

Betsy Hart

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Today’s guest is Dr. Wendy Mogel, author of “The Blessing of a Skinned Knee”

Hi friends - please be sure to tune in today, 2:00 central time, to “It Takes a Parent” on WYLL/AM1160 Chicago, streaming live on www.wyll.com, or podcast anytime here starting Friday. Dr. Wendy Mogel is the author of the best selling, “The Blessing of a Skinned Knee.” She is a wonderful child psychologist in southern California, and she is just filled with common sense. As she put it to me when I was working on my book, “It Takes a Parent,” “I think the word ’special’ and ‘child’ are used way to much in the same sentence.”

Producer Lynne and I are a little tired of our kids whining, or telling us things like “that’s stupid” (no matter what we suggest doing, say on a Saturday afternoon) and in my case I’m tired of my kids asking me to go out to dinner all the time. What is that??

Dr. Mogel will talk to us about how to help our kids become more grateful. (Thank goodness!)

Dr. Mogel takes on what I call “the parenting culture” so beautifully, you’ll want to listen to the show and then buy the book on Amazon.com!

Oh, and we also welcome a new sponsor to the show today - Matt’s Cookies!

Be sure to tune in - and thanks for listening.

Betsy Hart

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Of Tattoos and Epidurals?

This tip is a little different - but interesting. Be careful of tattoos and epidurals! Seriously. The Wall Street Journal reports that there has been an “explosion” of lower back tattoos on young women. Now, it seems, when they give birth, there is some thought that an epidural administered through the tattoo in the lower back could cause some complications.

Look, you couldn’t pay me to get a tattoo, and you couldn’t pay me to go through birth in incredible pain (i.e., without pain relief.) But, if you know someone who has the former, and is pregnant and agrees with the latter, you might want to send her the link to this article!

Of Tattoos and Epidurals

Happy Parenting!

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Kids and Bible Memory. . .

With the school crush beginning, and my work load increasing, I’ve really fallen down on the job of helping my kids to memorize scripture, and just making time for family devotions. In looking for some resources (and encouragement) to get me “back on track,” I came across this great website with some terrific resources and tips for parents in helping parents to help kids hide God’s word in their hearts. This one is targeted at younger kids, but I think the encouragement is there for us “older” kids too!

Bringing God’s Word into our Family’s Daily Life

Happy Parenting!

Betsy

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How clean is dangerously clean?

Hi friends - here’s a really interesting story that’s just out. Are we keeping our kids so germ free that we are increasing their risk for life-threatening allergies?

Hint: step away from the antibacterial hand sanitizers!

(And e-mail this to the parents of every “bubble wrapped/germ free” baby you know!)

Are Germ Free Kids a Petri Dish of Other Heath Problems?

Happy Parenting!

Betsy

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