Articles
Feb 01 Marriage Isn't Natural--Another Reason to Commit
Parents Ask — February 2012 Question: “My daughter is getting married this year. With so many people getting divorced, I was wondering if you have any advice for her.” -Beth from Katy Answer: I didn’t marry you because you were perfect. I didn’t even marry you because I loved you. I married you because you gave me a promise. That promise made up for your faults. And the promise I | read more…
Feb 01 FYI -- February 2012
First FDA-Approved Study of Stem Cells to Treat Hearing Loss Begins at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and Cord Blood Registry® (CBR) are launching the first FDA-approved, Phase I safety study on the use of cord blood stem cells to treat children with sensorineural hearing loss. The study, which will use patients’ stem cells from their own stored umbilical cord blood, is the first of its kind | read more…
Feb 01 Galveston Offers Fun, Romance to Visitors This February
In the years immediately before and after the Civil War, Galveston was known as the “Playground of the South,” a place for visitors to eat, drink, and be merry in style and comfort. Tourists flocked to its lovely beaches, drawn by its convenient location and many attractions. Not surprisingly, these are the same qualities that draw tourists to the Island today. As winter moves into spring, there’s no better place | read more…
Feb 01 Journey to Motherhood
We recently celebrated my son’s 4th birthday, and it gave me reason to reflect. It has been five years since we decided to adopt. While it seems like an easy enough decision—you either want kids or you don’t—it took me a long time to make that choice. Now that we have gone through the process, we find that many friends and family members are wondering why we haven’t chosen to | read more…
Feb 01 Promises To My Teenagers
I recently spent time around a table with some older and wiser mothers. The conversation soon turned to teenagers—and there I was, sitting with the grownups. I envied my own budding members of that maligned demographic, who sat on the hostess’s matching recliners, lost in contemplation of their iPods, while the battle-worn women told of children morphing into angry, emotionally unstable, abusive, even suicidal teens. “You never want to believe | read more…
Feb 01 Sail Away!
If you think cruising isn’t for you, think again. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back vacation or one that gets your adrenaline pumping, cruising has something for everyone. I’ll admit I was a skeptic. I love traveling, but for some reason cruising wasn’t high on my list. Call me officially converted. For my first cruise, I sailed with Royal Caribbean on one of their Voyager Class ships. The Mariner of | read more…
Feb 01 Teaching Your Tween About Money Management
As your child reaches the “tween” years (10-12), it’s a great time to begin an in-depth conversation about money and financial responsibility. Tweens are maturing and have stronger opinions than younger children, so it’s a great time for parents to begin thinking about how to include their children in family discussions about finance. Budget You can review your family budget and general expenses with your child. He or she will | read more…
Feb 01 The Do's and Don't's of Homesickness
Spring approaches, and summer camp is right around the corner. Camp is a unique environment that promotes growth and independence. What’s more, for many families in today’s plugged-in society, camp is the first real separation kids and parents have experienced. As this milestone approaches, many parents worry about how their kids—and they themselves—will cope with the happy campers’ potential bouts of homesickness. Research indicates that homesickness is normal, and that | read more…
Jan 01 "Bead There" for Mardi Gras! Galveston 2012
2012 will mark the 101st Mardi Gras! Galveston celebration, and this year’s festivities are scheduled to be bigger and better than ever. This year, Mardi Gras! Galveston will feature 26 concerts, 24 parades, 19 balcony parties, and five fancy dress masked balls, all taking place between Feb. 10-21. Due to last year’s revival of a ticketed entertainment district, last year’s event saw increased attendance and a 50 percent drop in | read more…
Jan 01 FYI -- January 2012
New Survey Shows Renewed Progress in Reducing Youth Smoking In good news for the nation’s health, a recently-released Monitoring the Future survey shows that youth smoking declined significantly in 2011 and that youth smoking rates are at the lowest levels on record for all three grades surveyed (8th, 10th, and 12th). This news is especially welcome following several years in which the decline in youth smoking rates had nearly stalled. | read more…
