Paul Palmer, proud to be a pisces man

A brief overview of the main newspapers, news sites and TV channels shows that, despite the fact it’s been a month since the US election, “Obamania” is still in full swing. Obama has become something of a popular culture icon, on the par of Madonna, Batman and rock stars. It has then occurred to me that Obama’s image and story can be compared to Joseph Campbell’s myth of the Hero, which Campbell called the “monomyth” (1). Whether consciously or unconsciously, people – and sometimes Obama himself – tend to project this image upon him. As early as 2006, he was called star and legend (2), and recently I have even read an online blog where the writer called him ‘savior’! (3) Mind you, I’m not laying a claim of profound originality on this –  I discovered then that George Lucas has already made note of Obama following the Hero’s Journey (4) and there are two bloggers that talked about it, albeit sketchily (5, 6). However, I would like to look at this more in detail than the others I have read – and this article will be lengthier than most others!

Let’s start with the beginning. For those that don’t know, Joseph Campbell (1904-1987) was one of the foremost mythologists of his age (7). He is primarily remembered for his groundbreaking book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces. It is in this one that he articulated the myth of the hero’s journey, which directly influenced George Lucas’ Star Wars, Disney’s The Lion King, and countless movies and books ever since (8). The book ‘deconstructs’ the journey of the hero in three parts. It is my intention here to compare these with the story of Obama’s rise to power and Presidency.

Preliminary:

As per Campbell’s analysis, the hero is someone naturally special, singled out in some manner amongst his peers. Born of an African father and white mother, Obama’s mixed heritage has marked him out as a ‘special’ person right from the start. Furthermore, a characteristic of the Campbellian hero is that he is often cast aside by his family as in the story of Moses. This is an archetype Obama fits very well: he was abandoned, only two years old, by his Kenyan father Barack Obama Sr, whom he met only once more in his lifetime. This has had a major impact on him, according to his best-selling autobiography Dreams from My Father (9).

Part I: Departure

1. The Call to Adventure: the hero receives a beacon call, often from another person (called a ‘herald’)
Obama describes a moment of self-awakening in his book Dreams from My Father, when he realizes, following one-year work with a corporate firm, that his calling was to work for the poor (10).

2. Refusal of the Call – sometimes, the hero initially refuses the call for action.
This is an optional element in Campbell’s book that does not apply to Obama, who comes across as a positive and ambitious person.

3. Supernatural Aid – the hero is helped by a protective figure that gives him support
In youth, Obama’s main support seem to have been his mother, Stanley Ann Durnham, and his grandfather Stanley Durnham, who acted as a surrogate father (11). In politics, an important figure was Illinois State Senator Emil Jones, the leader of the Democrats. His wife, whom Obama has called his ‘rock’ also had an important influence on his political career. 

4. The Crossing of the First Threshold – the hero must pass a first test to enter into the new world of heroic action
There were some key decisive moments in Obama’s life that shaped his future career as a politician. One was his decision after two years of attending Occidental College in California to transfer to Columbia University, where he graduated in political science. Another, to seek a low-paid job as a community organizer in Chicago. Thirdly, his decision after two years of working in Chicago to go to Harvard Law School.

5. The Belly of the Whale – the hero must pass through an initiatory trial that involves a descent into a dark or dangerous realm
In Dreams of My Father, Obama presented his darkest moments as the heavy consumption of drugs and alcohol both at  Punahou high school and at the Occidental College. Obama confessed to becoming a “pothead” in order to “push questions of who I was out of my mind” (12). Eventually, however, he got his life in order by moving from Occidental College to Columbia University.

Part II: Initiation

1. Road of Trials – succession of obstacles
Barack Obama has encountered a number of obstacles that he has surpassed in political ascendancy. The first was the candidature for the Illinois State Senate in 1996, when he had to eliminate better titled candidates. He succeeded, albeit using what some critics said as being unfair tactics – he successfully challenged the voting campaign of both candidates who were hence legally suspended from the contest (13).
The second obstacle was his failed candidacy to US House of Representatives in 2000, when he was defeated by incumbent Bobby Rush by two to one. This was a sore defeat, the only time when he considered giving up politics altogether (14). He didn’t, and Obama learned many useful aspects of campaigning from this attempt.
In 2004, he successfully run his candidacy for US Senate. Finally, in 2007, he obtained the endorsement of the Democrats for Presidency against the better titled Hillary Clinton.

2. The Meeting with the Goddess –  marriage between the hero and a queenlike or mother-like figure
In 1988, Obama met Michelle Robinson, a fellow Harvard Law graduate,  while he was doing a summer internship at law firm Sidley Austin. He married her in 1992. Obama is deeply admirative of his wife, whom he called “his rock”. He speaks of her, “There’s something about her that projects such honesty and strength. It’s what makes her such an unbelievable professional, and partner, and mother, and wife” (15).

3. Woman as the Temptress – rejection of a powerful female figure
A read of Obama’s life shows that he seems to respect or even admire female figures. First was his mother Stanley Ann; then there was Michelle Obama. Finally there were other political mentors like Alice Palmer (16). If there was one woman whom Obama had to ‘reject’ it was Hillary Clinton, his Democrat counter-candidate for Presidency. Nevertheless, Obama did not seem to harbor bad feelings toward Hillary, neither did she act in a ‘corruptive’ sort of manner toward Obama.

4. Atonement with the Father – reconciliation with the tyrant and merciful aspects of a father-like authority figure
As Dreams of My Father shows, Obama was affected by the absence of his father, Barack Obama Sr (17). An important part of young Obama’s life was taken by his effort to reconcile his father’s absence with his ever-present racial heritage.

5. Apotheosis – the hero’s expansion of the self, or profound alteration of the perception of reality
Obama’s first apotheosis was his famed 2004 speech at the Democratic National Convention, that would bring him into the spotlight and change the course of his career. Obama’s final apotheosis was his candidacy and success to the bid for the Democratic nomination in 2007.

6. Ultimate Boon – the hero obtains a key item or victory
His first major victory was his landslide win in the US Senate in 2004; next, his Democratic nomination in 2007 and finally, his election as President in 2008.

Part III: Return

1. Refusal of the Return – having attained enlightenment or bliss, the hero may not want to return to the ordinary world
This is not the case in Obama’s case, since his victory was attained in the ‘ordinary’ world, not some otherwordly or mythical land. Furthermore, he has always been an ambitious figure, who would not settle in one place but aim higher (18), (19).

2. Magic Flight – the hero may have to wrestle the ‘boon’
Obama had to pull all his stops in the Democratic presidential nomination of 2007, which had to be wrestled from much better-titled Hillary Clinton.

3. Rescue from Without – the hero may need supernatural support to bring the boon into the ordinary world
There were several moments when Obama’s ‘lucky streak’ played in.  It isn’t a coincidence that Washington Post, in an article from August 2007, called his ascent to US Senate as “A Series of Fortunate Events” (20). They recorded how in 2004 his win for US Senate was helped by the decision of Peter Fitzgerald, the incumbent Senator, not to run for his own seat again, by the domestic abuse charges brought against Democrat counter candidate Blair Hull, who was the favorite for the seat just one month before the election and by Republican counter candidate Jack Ryan’s domestic sex scandal. Obama eventually came in to win the Senate seat by a landslide victory: 70% (21).

4. Crossing the Return Threshold – the hero returns to the ordinary world
The ‘return threshold’ is undoubtedly the win of the American Presidency, which was both a challenge and a given – following his win of the Democrat nomination over Hillary Clinton.

5. Master of the Two Worlds – the hero pertains both the divine and human worlds
Following his political ascendancy and experience, Obama is now seen as fit to run the USA and able to share his vision to the American people.

6. Freedom to Live – the hero bestows the boon to his fellows.
Once he has won the Presidency, Obama is now in the position of contributing to the betterment of American life and of improving America’s tarnished image abroad.

Conclusions: Barack Obama’s story and image fits quite well with Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey” pattern, even if it does not flow in a linear fashion as Campbell designed it. This is, after all, natural: Campbell was disecting single-story fairy tales and books, but Obama is real-life figure and his life goes beyond the imaginary. 

On the other hand, one aspect worth noting is that Campbell’s pattern does not go beyond point 6 where the hero is in the position of bestowing the ‘boon’ to the other people. Obama must go beyond the Campbellian heroic journey into the actual work of sharing the boon. Currently, Obama is a hero because of his past, and the symbol of change, youth and racial unity that he symbolizes. However,  it is his long-run work that will define him as a true hero.

References:

(1) Campbell, J. (1949). The Hero with a Thousand Faces. New York: Pantheon Books.
(6) Cocca, C. (2008). Barack Obama and the Hero’s Journey. Online. Available at: http://christophercocca.wordpress.com/2008/11/08/barack-obama-and-the-heros-journey/. Accessed on 11 Nov 2008.
(3) Edinger, R. (2008). Obama Rocks: America and the Planet. Online. Available at: http://www.obamabook.org/obama_book_introduction.html. Accessed on 09 Nov 2008.
(2) Graff, G. (2006). The Legend of Barack Obama. The Washingtonian, 1 Nov. Available at: http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/people/1836.html. Accessed on 09 Nov 2008.
(11) Jones, T. (2004). Barack Obama: Mother Not Just a Girl from Kansas. Chicago Herald Tribune, 27 Mar. Online. Available at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/chi-0703270151mar27-archive,0,2623808.story?page=1. Accessed on 09 Nov 2008.
(9), (10), (12), (17) Obama, B. (2004). Dreams from My Father. New York: Three Rivers Press.
(5) Snapp, M. (2008). Obama Walks the Hero’s Journey… Contra Costa Times. Online. Available at: http://obamamessiah.blogspot.com/2008/03/obama-walks-heros-journey.html. Accessed on 09 Nov 2008. ]
(4) The Huffington Post. (2008). George Lucas on Obama: A Hero in the Making. Online. Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/04/george-lucas-on-obama-a-h_n_105102.html/ Accessed on 09 Nov 2008.
(7), (8) Wikipedia. (2008). Joseph Campbell. Online. Available at:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Campbell . Accessed on 10 Nov 2008.
(13), (16)  Jackson, D & Long, R. (2007). Barack Obama: Showing His Bare Knuckles. Chicago Herald Tribune, 4 Apr. Online. Available at: www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/chi-0704030881apr04-archive,0,5507395.story. Accessed on 09 Nov 2008.
(14), (20), (21) Mundy, L. (2007). A Series of Fortunate Events. Washington Post, 12 Aug. Online. Available at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/08/AR… Accessed on 10 Nov 2008.
(15)  Parsons, C., Japsen, B. & Secter, B. Barack’s Rock: Michelle Obama. (2007). Chicago Herald Tribune, 22 Apr. Online. Available at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/chi-070422michelle-story-archive,0,56722.story?page=1 . Accessed on 09 Nov 2008.
(18) Pearson, R. & Long, R. (2007)Barack Obama: Careful Steps, Looking Ahead. Chicago Herald Tribune, 3 May. Available at: www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0705030101may03-archive,0,2521558.story . Accessed on 10 Nov 2008.
(19) Dorning, M. & Parsons, C. (2007). Carefully Crafting the Barack Obama Brand. Chicago Herald Tribune, 12 Jun. Online. Available at:www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/chi-obama_senate_recordjun12-archive,0,3195588.story . Accessed on 10 Nov. 2008.

Jo Hedesan

Have you ever heard people saying that they’re planning on taking a holiday in the Caribbean, but then unsure as to where in the region they’re going? It’s a common dilemma – the Caribbean is a great draw to tourists, with its 10 hours a day of sunshine and pristine beaches, but actually picking which island is right for you can be tricky. It would take more space than I have here to write a guide to each of the islands, so I’ve decided to list a handful of family Caribbean holiday suggestions to give you an idea of what to expect from this beautiful and relaxed area of the globe:

Barbados Sports Camp

If you’re planning on taking a family Caribbean holiday in August, then the free Barbados Sports Camp is a must for your children – allowing you to enjoy the sun and the sand in peace! Families may book up to four children between the ages of 9 and 17 for 1 to 5 days at the camp, where up to 100 children can get tuition from former professional players of Netball, Football and Cricket. Dividing the kids up by age group, and with the emphasis placed squarely on fun, this year’s coaches included Alan Hanson, Mark Bright, David Seaman, Sir Geoff Hurst, Mike Gatting, Olivia Murphy and Fiona Murtagh. With that pedigree of coaching it’s sure to not only be fun, but educational as well!

Explore Revolutionary Havana

The infamous Cuban revolution is still felt in every aspect of Cuba, from the attitude of the locals, to the propaganda and the statues. No more is this felt than in Havana, where Castro delivered many a memorable (if very long!) speech, and where there’s a monument to the failed revolutionary hero of the 19th century – Jose Marti. The Plaza de la Revolution is the place to go to get a feel for the vibe, where the iconic picture of Che Guevara is a truly imposing presence. Aside from that, the various museums of the city have all kinds of artefacts and items pertaining for the time, allowing even non-islanders to get into the revolutionary spirit on a Caribbean holiday!

Stay in an Antigua Spa Hotel

Antigua has some of the best spa hotels in the world, so if decadent relaxation is something you look for from a Caribbean holiday, then look no further. Amongst the more memorable options are being worked on by two therapists with a ‘Synchronised Massage’ at Carlisle Bay, or enjoying a Caviar and Pearl Facial at The Verandah Resort & Spa. The perfect way to unwind after a ‘hard’ day at the beach!

See the Grizzly Side of Jamaican History

Jamaica is widely known as a land of sand, sea and good times. However, if you want to see the grizzly side of the island’s history, not only can you visit the site of the last pirate execution, you can also dare to take the tour of Rose Hall – the former home of the infamous Annie Palmer. Immortalised by the late Johnnie Cash in song form, the legend of her life is different from every source, but the general gist involves a background in Voodoo, the murder of 3 husbands and relationships followed by the murder of many of the slaves on the building’s plantation. She was then herself murdered as an act of revenge. The reason why the house is still a highlight for luxury Caribbean holiday makers? Because many visitors report that the building is haunted by her from beyond the grave, despite the tomb she’s buried in being designed to keep her there for ever. Visitors report voices, bloodstains, footsteps, music and babies crying upon visiting the house, and many more see things in the photographs that they don’t recall seeing at the time!

Go Diving with Sharks in the Bahamas

In 1877, Mark Twain commented “You go to heaven if you want, I’d rather stay here” in his first visit to the Bahamas. It certainly is that beautiful, and the experience is no less pleasant over 100 years later! If you want something a little more challenging, then Shark Diving is something that many will see as closer to Hell than Heaven… Still for those who can stomach it and aren’t put off by the warning instructions (“never move your arms away from your body!”), there’s some fantastic photo opportunities, and of course a memory and anecdote that will last long after your Caribbean holiday is over!

Of course, in addition to this there is plenty of cross over – all the islands have splendid beaches, all of them offer conditions ideal for scuba diving and all of them have their fair share of nightlife for the visitors. Whatever you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it on a family Caribbean holiday – whichever island you end up visiting.

Kieron Sellens

The family is the main place where we develop our self-esteem. It can also be a place where self-esteem withers. I intentionally act in a way that builds self esteem when family palmer get together, letting my kids help me makes them feel good. I can see the benefits in their attitudes and behaviour.

Virginia Satir was a family therapist who influenced and touched people all over the world. She was a pioneer in the study of self-esteem, and had this to say about families: “Feelings of worth flourish in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible – the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family.”

But if you grew up in a family where one or both parents were abusive, where there were unresolved mental health problems, or where alcohol or drugs were an issue, you know that family life can be very different from this description. In fact, it can be downright damaging.

Perhaps, now it’s time for you to take on a parenting role, and maybe you’re wondering if you can break the cycle. Or maybe you’ve been a parent for a while and realize you could be doing a better job of it. Whatever your situation, you’ll benefit from taking an honest look at your strengths and limitations.

You see, when you acknowledge and accept the past, reach out for new understanding (as you’re doing now), and then decide you’d like to raise your kids in a better way, you are breaking the cycle. And you are building your own self-esteem – the first step in helping your own kids to do well.

Paul Palmer

My wife and I split up some time ago, the boys no longer accept her abusive behaviour when they see here. I resisted breaking up the family palmer for four years now I wish it had happened years earlier.

Technorati Tags: Family and Self-Esteem, family palmer, paul palmer

This year I decided it was time for the family palmer to start taking more vitamins. It’s hard to constantly focus every day as a single parent to plan meals to get the balance right.

I joined the Vemma programme initially to learn about the business opportunity, however this soon changed. The first product we tried was Verve, it has a healthy balance of vitamins and minerals with the added natural constituents of Vemma. The difference though is the energy formula as a carbonated drink in a can.

Our verve experience has been very excellent right from day one. My eldest son is 14 years old. He likes staying up late watching films and playing games. In the morning it takes some time to gain enthusiasm.

However on his first day at school with Verve his teacher noticed a difference during the first class of the day. He was much more alert and responding to classroom tasks quicker than his teacher could keep up.

The contrast was so much that his teacher noticed the difference and asked why. Physiologically the results do make sense. I’m a biologist by trade and know the brain needs glucose to function efficiently so I believe the positive effects of Verve with it’s antioxidant properties, balanced nutrition and high energy formula are responsible for the positive results.

School is out for summer now so I will continue the “experiment” in September. I have seen the difference in my 12 year old as well though, both had higher energy levels and improved performance.

It’s like giving my family palmer a jump start in the morning, so we get more out of the whole day.

Paul Palmer

Technorati Tags: family palmer, paul palmer, verve experience

Background
A health care profession that dates back to ancient Greece, chiropractic is a hands-on, drug-free therapy that is intended to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal complaints such as back pain, joint pain, sports injuries and headaches. Chiropractic treatment puts special emphasis on the spine under the hypothesis that musculoskeletal disorders affect the body via the nervous system. A chiropractic physician’s primary tools are their hands, which are used to improve joint mobility by applying controlled force. In addition, chiropractors are trained to counsel patients on various aspects of everyday health and lifestyle decisions, including diet and exercise.

The Short Answer:
So is chiropractic a legitimate medical science? Does it work?? The short answer is yes, chiropractic can be an effective, and cost-effective, way to treat certain ailments, as long as you’re being treated by a qualified chiropractor.

The Long Answer:
According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), “chiropractic treatment is both safe and effective” for certain musculoskeletal ailments, including neck pain, headaches, and in particular, back pain. In a study reported in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, patients with chronic lower back pain who went to see chiropractors had quadruple the satisfaction scores of those who were treated by family physicians.

Although chiropractic is becoming more and more accepted in mainstream medicine, it remains a controversial topic. Medical doctors consider chiropractors to be practitioners of Complementary and Alternative Care (CAM), a label chiropractors reject. One of the main reasons chiropractic is so controversial is that some of its practitioners, most notably its founder, D.D. Palmer, believed that all illnesses can be cured through chiropractic treatment. Unfortunately, the science on this just doesn’t pan out. If you come across a chiropractor making similar claims, such as having the ability to treat diabetes solely through chiropractic care, run the other way! According to the National Institute of Health, “the effects of chiropractic treatment on nonspinal conditions, such as high blood pressure or ear infections, have not been scientifically proven.”

Is it Safe?
For the most part, the answer is yes, but any risks depend on the specific type of chiropractic treatment used. For example, side effects from chiropractic adjustments can include temporary headaches, tiredness, or discomfort in parts of the body that were treated. The likelihood of serious complications, such as stroke, appears to be extremely low and related to the type of adjustment performed and the part of the body treated. The risk of complications increases in cervical-spine or neck manipulations and affects 1 out of every 500,000 people.

If you are considering seeing a chiropractor, inform your current health care provider of any treatments you are getting or considering.

When Should I See a Chiropractor?
If you experience unexplained pain or chronic pain (pain that lasts longer than it should) in your joints or muscles, you should see a chiropractor. As a general rule, you should not see a chiropractor if you are not experiencing pain or if you are concerned with an aesthetic flaw, such as abnormal curvature in your neck. Many people do not have a “normal” neck curve, according to Dr. Homola, author of Inside Chiropractic: A Patient’s Guide, and that doesn’t mean they require treatment or that they will develop a problem.

To sum up, chiropractic can be a safe, affordable and effective alternative to conventional medicine for many ailments. However, chiropractic care should ideally be accompanied by medical care to ensure that chiropractic treatment is the best treatment. When you’re being cared for by a chiropractor and an MD, you get the best of both worlds.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your primary physician.

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Alex Levin
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/medicine-or-myth-the-truth-about-chiropractics-715808.html

ATTACHMENT PARENTING:  PARENTING IN A DETACHED SOCIETY

By Stephanie Lehane  (January 2009)

There is a modern-day debate surrounding a centuries old practice that has been coined “attachment parenting”.  To first understand the controversy, one must define the term attachment parenting.  Attachment parenting is a way of child-rearing that serves as a guideline, rather than a rulebook, for parents to better understand the non-verbal communication they receive from their infants, babies, and children.   At odds with this concept is the parenting style popularized at the beginning of the twentieth century and passed down for several generations since. 

The three main modalities of attachment parenting as they relate to infants and babies are  breastfeeding, babywearing, and co-sleeping.  It seems the mere mention of any or all of these invites a plethora of advice and opinion.   In the face of all of the scientific data pointing toward breastfeeding as the best form of nutrition for babies, women of previous generations will often advise that new mothers bottle-feed.  This same troupe of well-intended matriarchs often tends to rally behind the concept that a baby, even an infant, can be spoiled.   And of course nursing mothers who opt to co-sleep with their infants receive dire warnings of increased risk for SIDS and children who will be in high school still climbing into bed with mom and dad.  Yet, for centuries, mothers out of instinct and necessity carried, cuddled, breastfed, and co-slept with their babies.  It wasn’t until the advent of modern medicine and the advancements of science that mothers began to question their innate sensibilities in favor of advice from professionals, typically men, who would tell them that there is a new and improved way to raise a healthy baby. 

THE CONTROVERSY

Breastfeeding

All mammals nurse their young.  So why is this form of feeding and nurturing human babies controversial and how and when did it come under attack?  To be sure, breastfeeding mothers have an easier time avoiding stares and unsolicited advice when they choose to feed their babies in public today than they did a decade ago.  But some stigma still exists as a throwback to a more puritan, sterile era where doctors and formula companies alike, worked to convince society that not only was formula a better choice for babies, bottle-feeding was a more modest option for women.  The first commercial baby formula was invented in 1860 by Henri Nestle in Switzerland and became popularized during the Industrial Revolution when women were leaving the home to work in factories.  Bottle feeding reached its height in popularity during World War II with only 20-30% of women in the U.S. breastfeeding at all.   Many women still choose to bottle feed their babies today as it is seen as a more convenient method, in spite of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ current recommendation to exclusively breastfeed infants for six months and continue to nurse through age one.  However, breastfeeding is gaining in popularity during the Information Age where modern parents are growing confident in its overwhelming benefits for both baby and mother.  According to renowned pediatrician and father of eight, Dr. William Sears, not only is breast milk a sound nutritional choice, but the act of breastfeeding itself encourages the bond between mother and child.  In order to become successful at breastfeeding, mothers must be able to interpret baby’s cues and trust in their own instincts.  Mothers become child-centered and focus on their babies’ needs and how to meet them.  Likewise, baby is able to tap into and interpret her mother’s social signals and trust that her needs will be met.  A symbiotic relationship develops wherein both parties to the breastfeeding partnership must ebb and flow together.  Breastfeeding is often viewed as the first and most important aspect of attachment parenting.

Babywearing

Babywearing in all its various forms dates back to the origins of recorded history.  Anthropologists have uncovered ancient etchings depicting women carrying their babies wrapped in cloth as they worked, walked, and cared for older children.  Across cultural lines, many methods of wearing babies exists and a recently there has been a resurgence in popularity in the developed world.  However, around the same time as breastfeeding began to decline, so did the art and practice of babywearing, particularly in the West, and for the same reasons.  Mothers began to listen to the advice of their doctors who explained that holding and carrying their babies too much would lead to spoiled babies.  All sorts of inventions and devices, such as strollers and playpens, began to emerge as places for women to put their babies so as not to spoil them.  It took only a couple of generations to figure out that the opposite is actually true.  Babies who don’t receive enough tactile stimulation from being held are less organized, cry more, and in extreme cases experience “failure to thrive” which means they do not grow and develop as they should.  Recently, a Motrin ad was pulled because of the backlash from a new generation of babywearing moms and dads offended at the ads suggestion that babywearing is a new fad, something done to be seen as trendy and fashionable.  These parents opine that carrying baby close to them is not only convenient, but is a wonderfully fulfilling way to build a bond with their baby.  There are several different styles of babywearing devices such as slings, pouches, wraps and carriers and in some areas parents can find consultants to help them decide which style is best for them and their lifestyle. 

Co-sleeping

This is perhaps the most controversial of all of the different areas of attachment parenting.  Certainly, it may seem odd to western parents used to the concept of creating a separate nursery for baby, complete with crib, changing table, dresser, and rocking chair.  Historically, co-sleeping, or the practice whereby infants, babies, and/or children sleep in the same bed with their parents, has been a common practice worldwide.  Since the nineteenth century, this practice has decreased in popularity in North America, Europe, and Australia as separate sleeping arrangements became affordable and desirable.  Among the reasons opponents of co-sleeping cite in favor of separate sleeping arrangements are the possibility that a parent could roll over and inadvertently crush or suffocate her baby, increased risk of SIDS, and the inability of older babies and children to become independent and sleep alone.  However, recent research has shown significant benefits to babies and parents who co-sleep.  Studies have shown that co-sleeping may actually reduce the risk of SIDS due to the baby mirroring his mothers breathing and sleep-cycle patterns.  This is because a major factor in SIDS deaths may be the inability of babies to regulate their breathing, thereby actually “forgetting” to breathe.  Additionally, babies in the family bed experience shorter and fewer deep-sleep states.  This is important because prolonged states of deep sleep, such as occur after long bouts of crying or sleeping alone, are potentially another major cause of SIDS.  (Note:  co-sleeping is not recommended when parents smoke, use drugs or alcohol, or are obese).   But the number one benefit proponents of co-sleeping cite is more sleep for all.   The family bed may be particularly convenient for breastfeeding mothers who can easily resume nursing until both mother and child drift peacefully back to sleep.  These mothers point out that there is no awakening to the piercing cries of a hungry baby, frightened and alone, adrenaline pumping for all as bottles are warmed and parents attempt to stay awake to feed him, only to have him re-awaken when returned to a cold crib sheet.

So it seems that modern parents are beginning to embrace the wisdom of ancient times.  As tightly-knit communities wane in favor of loosely-knit networks, individuals are more connected and yet more alone.  The paradox of today’s society is that it is both easier and more difficult than ever to be a successful parent.  There is more information available to parents than at any time in history.  Yet, information comes at a price:  if not careful, it can take the place of instinct.  In the end, the best approach for parents is to read, research, and understand available parenting methods and then trust themselves and their babies to do what is best.

Ref.  Baby Matters, Dr. Linda Palmer

         Askdrsears.com, Dr. William Sears

         Breastfeeding in a Bottle Feeding Culture, Tina Rychlik

         Wikipedia

Stephanie Lehane
http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/attachment-parenting-parenting-in-a-detached-society-730178.html

Maui is home to over 20 golf courses and has been labeled the world’s premier destination for golfing. Many of the golf courses on the island are ranked at the top or close to the top in relation to all of the other courses in the world.

In Maui, you can enjoy numerous professional tournaments, but there is always space for non-professionals on the course. You won’t have any problem getting a tee time for a leisurely game with family and friends.

Maui golf courses are excellent for competing, enjoying a game of golf, or just learning the game and having some fun. Below you will find a list of some of the most popular courses on the island.

The Bay Course
Designed by Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane, the Bay Course is one of three Championship courses that are owned by Kapalua Resort. The Bay Course is a par 72 course that spans 6,600 yards. Generous, beautiful greens and rolling fairways make this course a pleasure to play. The Bay Course has 68 bunkers, 8 water hazards, and a breathtaking 5th hole that rests along the edge of the Pacific.

The Plantation Course
The Plantation Course is home to the Mercedes Championship, which is the championship that opens the PGA tour season. You will enjoy numerous terrains on this course, from deep valleys to large, expanding greens and fairways. The Plantation Course is a par 73 course that spans 7,411 yards.

Wailea Blue
The Wailea Blue course is located on the lower foothills of the majestic Mt. Haleakala. Designed by Arthur Jack Snyder, this course spans 6,765 yards and offers family rates. You will find serene lakes, coral sand bunkers, and cooling fountains. You will view spectacular scenery of the sparkling ocean and the dramatic volcano in the nearby distance.

Wailea Emerald
The Wailea Emerald course was given a Top Fairways Award as being one of the most golf-friendly courses for women. Additionally, it is considered one of the most fun Maui courses for all players. Spanning 6,825 yards, you will find carpet-like fairways, an abundance of vistas showing off the Ocean and the volcano, and plenty of colorful foliage. For players that like to have a challenge they will be able to tailor the course to their needs with the use of four and six tee boxes.

The Village Course
The Village Course is filled with all the right aspects to provide a breathtaking view and a challenging game. Your game will be graced with hilly terrain, plenty of bunkers, and 4 water hazards. Additionally, you will have breathtakingly scenic views of the Pacific Ocean, Lanai, and Molokai.

Makena North Course
Makena North is located on 1,800 acres of land. Naturally beautiful and unspoiled, this course is perfect for golfing in every way. This 18-hole course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. The views of the Pacific are as clear as day. Many people play slowly as they end up watching the whales or looking to the neighboring islands in the distance. The tenth hole offers natural Hawaiian rock walls and there are natural gullies and streambeds throughout the entire course.

Dave Huffman
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/golfing-on-maui-105741.html

After our exciting round at Mystic Dunes, it was only mid-afternoon on a gorgeous day with blue skies, so we decided to take a 10 minute drive and drop in on the Father Son Challenge at Champion’s Gate, which has been held for the last 3 years at this golf course in the South part of Orlando. You can’t miss Champion’s Gate, when you first get off exit 58 on the I-4, the impressive main entrance gates to Champion’s Gate are right there.

The Father Son Legend is truly a walking Hall of Fame of Golf, and it’s a celebration of the sport as well as of the bonds of family. Famous golf professionals of the present and the past play with their talented sons and daughters, and all of them share a passion for the game.

This year’s line-up included Jack and Jackie Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and his grandson Sam Saunders, Vijay Singh and 15 year old son Qass, Mark and Shaun O’Meara, Craig and Chris Stadler, Bob and David Charles, Raymond and Robert Floyd (Raymond has won the Father Son Challenge 5 times since 1994 together with his sons Robert and Raymond Jr.), Hale and Steve Irwin, Tom and David Kite, Bernard and 15 year old Stefan Langer, Davis Love III and his 12-year old son Dru, Johnny Miller and Johnny Miller II, Larry and Josh Nelson, Curtis and Tom Strange, Lee and Daniel Trevino, Fuzzy Zoeller and his daughter Gretchen.

We parked our car and approached the club house. Just as we were walking towards the stands on the 18th hole, Davis Love III had finished his round and was coming towards the club house. It is really an amazing experience, seeing all these world famous celebrities and icons of the sport, up so close and so relaxed in this unique tournament format.

The rules of playh are based on a Scramble Format, which means that on each hole, each player drives and the best drive is selected. Each player then plays a second shot from the spot where the selected drive lies, and the best second shot is selected. This process is completed uniti the hole is completed.

When we were there we also saw golf greats like Vijay Singh, Mark O’Meara and Lee Trevino finish their rounds. It was great seeing Vijay, relaxing after his final putt with a coffee in hand, awaiting the arrival of his son on the last hole and watching his son’s last putt of the day. Because this tournament pairs up the great players of golf with their sons or daughters, it really gives you a much better feeling of these professionals as human beings, and according to Allan Findley, General Manager of Champions Gate, many of these players truly relish this event, which allows them to celebrate their sport as a family away from the pressures of the PGA Tour.

We really enjoyed the atmosphere at the Father Son Challenge, and it would have been great to see some of the other legends of golf, like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, in person. Unfortunately we have an extremely tight schedule and will be unable to come back on a second day, but it was a great experience, getting a first person look at this “Walking Hall of Fame” of the game of golf.

For the entire article including photos please visit
http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/orlando_championsgate_fatherson.htm

Susanne Pacher
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/hello-from-orlando-part-20-the-walking-hall-of-fame-of-the-pga-father-son-challenge-at-championsgate-92846.html

If you are a parent or grandparent, you know there are plenty of rules for raising kids. However, we are all different, including our children so ignoring these rules can sometimes be a good idea.

Some years ago, in his book, How to Parent, Dr. Fitzhugh Dodson said that, “Raising a child is a human relationship, and human relationships cannot be reduced to a set of rules.”

Rules are only guidelines, and both you and your child are unique. Each of you is a product of a special combination of genes and environment that has never existed before. What’s more, you have a special relationship with each of your children that is different from the relationship of any other two people on this planet.

So, avoid the mistake of trying to fit this relationship into any preconceived idea of what it’s “supposed to be” like. Refrain from dogmatically following a set of rules, even when the rules are written by a so-called “expert.” And, don’t try to force your child to conform to someone else’s idea of what she or he should be.

The most important thing you can do for your children or grandchildren is to offer them stability, guidance and support while they explore, and learn to realize, the unique potential self which is unfolding within them.

You can reinforce their efforts to achieve worthwhile goals, you can set reasonable limits, and you can remain flexible. But most of all, you can make sure they know that you recognize and respect them for the goodness that resides within each of them.

Paul Palmer

Technorati Tags: family palmer, paul palmer, raising kids

strong>About Bouldin Creek

Bounded on its north by Town Lake and on its south by Oltorf Street, Bouldin Creek is a family residential area in South Austin replete with the amenities of suburban living. This community is bounded also by South Lamar Boulevard and partly by the Union Pacific railroad tracks on the west and the South Congress Avenue on the east. Its proximity to various amenities provide for a healthy balance of family and social life.

Your Bouldin Creek neighborhood

A neighborhood of residents of diverse backgrounds, Bouldin Creek reflects the different tastes and preferences of its residents in the makes of the houses, the landscaping of the yards and lawns, the layout of the streets. With a young population, the area’s houses and amenities reflect the dwellers’ professionalism, love for the outdoors, as well as the colorful mix of cultures brought about by the different origins of the settlers there.

The neighborhood abounds with family-ran stores and grocers, pastry shops and bakeries, restaurants, salons and barber shops. It is very easy to get lost in the cozy, unhurried pace of living in Bouldin Creek as you sample these shops’ wares and a taste of the local hospitality.

Amenities in Bouldin Creek

The artist and the performer in you will be drawn naturally to the Long Center for the Performing Arts, not to mention the Lester E. Palmer Community Events Center. These centers provide budding artists with an avenue for their crafts. The business sector is thriving and with the majority of the population in the local workforce, you can ask your neighbors for the next available job. Business, recreation, education, social action, all these are available at Bouldin Creek.

For education and learning, there are different establishments for the residents’ children to attend. There are the Becker Elementary School, the Armstrong Community Music School, the Texas School for the Deaf, the Twin Oaks Branch Library and the Shambala Buddhist Meditation Center. Inter-denominational residents go for solace and religious worship to the Goodwill Baptist Church, the Austin Baptist Deaf Church, the Holy Name of Mary Orthodox Church, the St. Anne African Methodist Episcopal Church, and the St. Ignatius Catholic Church.

For a little local R&R, the residents are blessed to have available for them at proximate distance the Town Lake, Auditorium Shores, the East and West Bouldin Creek Parks, and the Ricky Guerrero Park which are all within walking and jogging distances. You can take your friends or your family with you to these local places and simply enjoy the beauty of nature and the company of loved ones. Go swimming, picnicking, boating, biking, or simply strolling leisurely.

Living in Bouldin Creek

Mid-priced residential units range from $250,000 to $500,000. For the more affluent, there are commercial sales available up to $2.5 Million. Bungalows and multi-storey units are available, as are two-, three-, or multiple-bedroom units. Whether you are single or starting a new family, there will be a home just right for you and your budget in Bouldin Creek.

Joe Cline
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/bouldin-creek-neighborhood-in-austin-texas-704076.html