Comments on: Do We Really Need This? http://www.mombian.com/2008/02/27/do-we-really-need-this/ Sustenance for Lesbian Moms Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:39:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dana http://www.mombian.com/2008/02/27/do-we-really-need-this/comment-page-1/#comment-75224 Dana Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:08:34 +0000 http://www.mombian.com/2008/02/27/do-we-really-need-this/#comment-75224 Oh, good point about using the LENA for a child with special needs (or potential special needs). I have no problem with that. My objection was the fact that it seemed to be marketed to parents in that fear-mongering, competitive "if you don't use this, your child may not get into Harvard" way. At least that's how the NYT presented it. The LENA Web site itself seems to focus more on its use in detecting legitimate language delays, and that's certainly a valid use. Oh, good point about using the LENA for a child with special needs (or potential special needs). I have no problem with that. My objection was the fact that it seemed to be marketed to parents in that fear-mongering, competitive “if you don’t use this, your child may not get into Harvard” way. At least that’s how the NYT presented it. The LENA Web site itself seems to focus more on its use in detecting legitimate language delays, and that’s certainly a valid use.

]]> By: April http://www.mombian.com/2008/02/27/do-we-really-need-this/comment-page-1/#comment-75222 April Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:18:58 +0000 http://www.mombian.com/2008/02/27/do-we-really-need-this/#comment-75222 As the parent of a child who is on the Autism Spectrum, I would have to disagree with you on the LENA. I could see the use of it if you are concerned about whether your child's language is developing on track. It would not have helped us much because it can't distinguish the quality of language (our son used to communicate through phrases of dialog used in Thomas the Tank in Engine DVDs), but for those children who have language and then suddenly begin to lose it, it could be helpful for tracking purposes. As the parent of a child who is on the Autism Spectrum, I would have to disagree with you on the LENA. I could see the use of it if you are concerned about whether your child’s language is developing on track. It would not have helped us much because it can’t distinguish the quality of language (our son used to communicate through phrases of dialog used in Thomas the Tank in Engine DVDs), but for those children who have language and then suddenly begin to lose it, it could be helpful for tracking purposes.

]]> By: Liza http://www.mombian.com/2008/02/27/do-we-really-need-this/comment-page-1/#comment-75221 Liza Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:50:56 +0000 http://www.mombian.com/2008/02/27/do-we-really-need-this/#comment-75221 Hilarious! And while I'm sure there are some parents for whom these gadgets are life-changingly useful, I could not agree more that for most of us, they scream "I have too much money!" My favorite apparently standard but I don't get why gadget is the wipe-warmer. Hilarious! And while I’m sure there are some parents for whom these gadgets are life-changingly useful, I could not agree more that for most of us, they scream “I have too much money!”

My favorite apparently standard but I don’t get why gadget is the wipe-warmer.

]]> By: Dana http://www.mombian.com/2008/02/27/do-we-really-need-this/comment-page-1/#comment-75207 Dana Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:08:37 +0000 http://www.mombian.com/2008/02/27/do-we-really-need-this/#comment-75207 Fair enough, and I won't debate the merits of a small notebook of recycled/recyclable paper vs. the energy needed to make a device of plastic and silicon. I don't have the data to know which is really best, environmentally. If you've found a system that works for you and your family, though, then that's the important thing. Fair enough, and I won’t debate the merits of a small notebook of recycled/recyclable paper vs. the energy needed to make a device of plastic and silicon. I don’t have the data to know which is really best, environmentally. If you’ve found a system that works for you and your family, though, then that’s the important thing.

]]> By: lakay http://www.mombian.com/2008/02/27/do-we-really-need-this/comment-page-1/#comment-75206 lakay Thu, 28 Feb 2008 05:52:46 +0000 http://www.mombian.com/2008/02/27/do-we-really-need-this/#comment-75206 I just wanted to say that you might be slightly less critical. My sister recently purchased the device that tracks when you last fed, changed, and etc. the baby. Wanna know why? Because she didn't like all the paper she was using to keep track of it - the trees being wasted and all that. And why does she need to keep track of it? Because we believe that family extends beyond immediate parentage and biology and we all help raise our kids together - the fact that on any given day, her son is with 3-4 different "primary" caregivers while various others work makes this gadget a life saver for all of us. It has also helped my 6 year old daughter learn a lot about babies and how often then need to eat and sleep and etc. And if it's time to feed the baby and we are all around, she's thrilled to let us all know so she can have her turn. I just wanted to say that you might be slightly less critical. My sister recently purchased the device that tracks when you last fed, changed, and etc. the baby. Wanna know why? Because she didn’t like all the paper she was using to keep track of it – the trees being wasted and all that. And why does she need to keep track of it? Because we believe that family extends beyond immediate parentage and biology and we all help raise our kids together – the fact that on any given day, her son is with 3-4 different “primary” caregivers while various others work makes this gadget a life saver for all of us. It has also helped my 6 year old daughter learn a lot about babies and how often then need to eat and sleep and etc. And if it’s time to feed the baby and we are all around, she’s thrilled to let us all know so she can have her turn.

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