Family Ties Forum

In the news | Parents turn the Miley moment into a teachable one

MEGAN K. SCOTT | The Associated Press

Miley Cyrus' struggle with her controversial photo in "Vanity Fair" presents a great opportunity for parents to discuss how seemingly innocous photos posted to a blog or social networking site can be misinterpreted, experts say.

The 15-year-old pop star appears in the upcoming issue wrapped in what appears to be a satin bedsheet, looking over her shoulder with her back and shoulder exposed. Miley has said she is "so embarrassed" by the photos and has apologized to her fans.

But it may not be that much different from what regular girls are already putting up on the Internet, says M. Gigi Durham, author of "The Lolita Effect."

"It is pretty routine these days for girls to post provocative pictures of themselves online," she says. "The sexual objectification of young girls is so normal in today's media environment."

COMMENT | Miley Cyrus photo 'scandals' reveal phenom's growing pains

GET IN THE CONVERSATION: Are your children Hannah Montana fans? What do you think of the photos? (See a photo and a video.) Miley Cyrus says she's embarrassed. Should she have posed? Click on "Comments" to share your thoughts.

By JOCELYN NOVECK | The Associated Press

"You get the best of both worlds," Miley Cyrus sings in the theme song of her hugely popular Disney Channel show, "Hannah Montana." It's a reference to her character's secret double life as both a rock star AND a normal schoolgirl.

Offscreen, though, this 15-year-old phenom is starting to learn how hard it really is to have the best of both worlds: as a G-rated Disney superstar AND a real-life, growing teenager with an eye on a long career.

Cyrus, whose fresh, easy charm and down-home Southern appeal have catapulted her to an astonishing level of celebrity, especially in the past year, found herself having to apologize Sunday for some entirely un-Miley photos in Vanity Fair magazine.

EARTH DAY | Eco-friendly crafts

HAPPY EARTH DAY!
Family Ties offers fun ways to celebrate Earth Day with a special package of crafts, treats and facts.

Earth Day crafting is no time for going heavy on the non-recyclable doodads, such as pipe cleaners and pom-poms. Consider these crafts that make the most of objects you probably already have:

WINE CORK COASTERS
Fast to make and long-lasting, these coasters really will protect your tabletops.

Supplies:
Wine corks of about the same size, about 10 or 11 per finished item
Heavy felt
Glue (such as Elmer’s or Aleene’s Tacky Glue)

Directions:
1. Cut a square of felt about 4.5-by-4.5 inches.
2. Lay wine corks on their side on the square in any pattern of straight lines that you’d like, trying to cover the felt.

EARTH DAY | Something sweet to eat

You can turn the classic crisp rice cereal treat into an Earth Day celebration by using a little bit of food coloring and imagination.

EARTH DAY TREATS
12 servings

3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 10-ounce package regular marshmallows, or 4 cups mini marshmallows
6 cups crisp puffed rice cereal
Green and blue food coloring

1. In a large saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Add marshmallows and stir until melted completely. Remove from heat.

EARTH DAY | On the air

Special Earth Day programming airs throughout the day on S.C. ETV (WRLK-35, cable channel 11). See complete listings below.

How will you celebrate Earth Day today? Clifford the Big Red Dog will be gardening, Arthur and Francine will be competing to see who uses less water, and Miss Lori and Hooper will be showing others how to recycle because PBS is going green for Earth Day.

Special PBS programming and online events for all ages will help children and parents celebrate Mother Earth at home. Earth Day-themed episodes of shows such as “Curious George,” “It’s A Big Big World” and “Maya & Miguel” will air along with green-themed music videos from the kids’ rock band, Milkshake.

PBS KIDS GO! will also show kids how they can follow their favorite TV characters’ lead and do their part to protect the planet.

EARTH DAY | Talk the talk

Earth Day was started by John McConnell on April 22, 1970. We tip our hat to this special day by providing a primer so you can talk the talk while walking the green walk.

Biodegradable: By U.S. government definition, 60 percent to 70 percent of a product's ingredients must be able to break down and return to the environment within 28 days.

Carbon footprint: A measure of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted through the combustion of fossil fuels as part of the everyday life of an individual or the everyday operations of a business. Calculation can include waste disposal, food grown and eaten, gas to get to work, etc. Calculate yours at Web sites like carbonfootprint.com. See also ecological footprint.

CFL (compact fluorescent lamp): An energy-saving lightbulb that is a replacement for traditional incandescent bulbs that expend much of their energy in heat rather than light.

Closed-loop recycling: Products of better-grade material made from a recycled source, such as ceiling tiles made from aluminum cans.

TRENDS | Iconic pregnancy guide updates its look and advice

GET IN THE CONVERSATION: The book that has been a trusted companion to countless pregnant women is getting an update. Did you find “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” reassuring or alarming? What’s your most trusted source for pregnancy tips? Click on "Comments" to share.

Mother approved: Pregnancy guide updates its look, advice for a Web-dominated world
Though it remains undeniably popular — it’s been on The New York Times best-seller list for 355 weeks, with nearly 15 million copies in print — the information-packed “What to Expect When You're Expecting” has always had some detractors, who felt certain bits of advice were unnecessarily anxiety-provoking, a little alarmist. A new edition, with an updated cove, and  largely rewritten, is a chance to present a version that’s “more reassuring, more positive, more empathetic than ever,” its author says.

But the revamping raises a larger question: Can this iconic tome ever be as relevant as it once was? Can any book? When “What to Expect” was launched in 1984, it was the only thing of its kind out there — a guide written not by doctors but by women, for women. Now there are lots of others. But there’s also the big wide Web world out there, and it’s not just all those sites offering medical information. (Read the complete story here.)

COMMENT | Teen driver cell phone ban

Beginning drivers, those with learner’s permits or restricted driver’s licenses would be prohibited from talking on a cell phone or using any other wireless device while driving, under a bill passed by the House Education and Public Works Committee. It would be the first restriction S.C. has put on drivers using cell phones if it passes. Lawmakers in support of the bill argue the need to protect young drivers from themselves, but others say it's wrong to single out cell phones when there are many distractions that cause drivers to be dangerously inattentive. (Read the complete story here.)

GET IN THE CONVERSATION: Do you think a cell phone ban for young drivers will work? Click on "Comments" to share your thoughts.

Illustration | McClatchy-Tribune

TRENDS | Oh, baby, baby, it’s a ‘green’ world

“Green” babies are everywhere these days.

A growing number of moms and dads are spending a little extra to make sure their babes are healthy, happy and doing their part to save the planet. Natural and organic baby care products — everything from food to bedding — represent a fast-growing niche in the $30 billion baby products industry, experts say.

COMMENT | Keeping teens safe and sober on prom night

High schools in the Midlands are digging into their arsenals of tools to curtail drunken driving and other dangerous behaviors that often show up on many prom nights.

A rite of passage for high school students, prom night can turn dangerous if too much fun is mixed with too much freedom.

But school leaders hope the message of safety — sent though prom promises, school plays and bulletins to name a few — stays with students as they enjoy the night. (Read the complete story here.)

GET IN THE CONVERSATION: What can parents and schools do to encourage safe behavior on prom night? How do you talk with your child about the importance of not drinking and driving? What ways do you try to teach teens to make good decisions? Click on "Comments" to share your ideas.

IN THE NEWS | Teen attack video outrages, confounds parents

GET IN THE CONVERSATION: Do you think YouTube should allow fighting videos? Does the possibility of Internet "fame" factor encourages outrageous behavior? What is the parents' role in policing children's Internet use? Click on “Comments” to share your opinion.

Teen attack video outrages, confounds parents

By MELANIE AVE | St. Petersburg Times

Fights among teens happen everyday and most fail to make headlines in even the tiniest of communities across America.

But this one struck a worldwide chord.

A gruesome video clip of a Lakeland, Fla., teen being beaten by six girls on March 30 aired across the globe.

“The Today Show” and “Good Morning America” broadcast the beating of 16-year-old Victoria Lindsay, who suffered a concussion, bruises and temporary hearing and vision loss on her left side from the attack.

The story has drawn outrage from the public, spurring a debate about growing girl violence, a need for more parental involvement and the role of cyberspace in encouraging nasty behavior.

IN THE NEWS | School snack bill voted down

GET IN THE CONVERSATION: Are you concerned about fast food and high-calorie snacks available at school? What do you think school districts can do to encourage healthy eating? How do you teach your children to eat a nutritious diet? Click on “Comments” to share your ideas.

By GINA SMITH | gnsmith@thestate.com

Despite support from nutritionists, S.C. farmers and the state’s largest school district, a bill aimed at improving students’ eating habits hit a dead end Tuesday.

But its chief sponsor vows to fight on, citing the state’s childhood obesity rates, which compare unfavorably with those of much of the rest of the country.

“This is too important to just drop,” said Rep. Bakari Sellers, D-Barnwell. “We’ll amend it. We’ll find something to tack it on to. It’s not the end.”

IN THE NEWS | What parents can learn from third-graders' plot against Georgia teacher

GET IN THE CONVERSATION: How do you help your children cope with anger? What is your reaction to the Georgia incident? Click on “Comments” to share your story.

How to teach children to cope with anger

Even little children can be full of big anger. That's the lesson parents should take from the third-graders suspended from a Georgia elementary school after being accused of an elaborate plot to restrain and attack their teacher, childhood behavior experts say. (Read more here.)

While third grade may seem awfully young to harbor such alleged thoughts (and some experts say they doubt the children would have gone through with it), a child who doesn't know how to properly channel anger may be susceptible to such behavior, say anger management experts who deal with children.

Get in the conversation | Teens and prescription drug abuse

Apparently, prescription drugs are becoming the drugs of choice for many teens because of the ease of access — the family medicine cabinet — and the cost — free if you boost a few of Mom and Dad’s pain killers. [ . . . ]