Letter to the Editor

Is Your Baby Sound Asleep, Safely Asleep?

In the past three years, there have been 237 sudden, unexpected infant deaths in Minnesota, says Marty Gerkey, a member of Washington County Child Protection Citizen Review Panel.

If you or a family member cares for infants, this is an important question. The way a baby sleeps can reduce the baby’s risk of dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. As a member of the Washington County Child Protection Citizen’s Review Panel, I have learned more about how safe sleep practices could lead to a reduction of infant deaths. In the past three years, there have been 237 sudden, unexpected infant deaths (SUID) in Minnesota. More than half of these infants were found in unsafe sleep environments. Our review panel has made safe sleep practices for infants a key feature of our work this year.  The American Academy of Pediatrics and other experts recommend the following safe sleep practices: 1.  Always place babies to sleep on …

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Parents Talk: What to Do with a 1-Year-Old?

We'd like to get out of the house and do a little exploring.

As I write this, my daughter, who recently turned 1 year old, is playing with the lid of a pot on my kitchen floor. Sometimes it's an ovenmitt. Other times it's the rolling pin. Lucy's always been a curious girl—I assume most babies are—and each day she gets a little more adventurous. This week, she took her first unassisted steps. Given that we're in the throes of winters, my wife and I haven't found much to do with Lucy that didn't involve stretches of carpet that she's all too familiar with. We've braved a few winter visits to the Minnesota Zoo, but Lucy was confined to her stroller. We'd like to get out of the house and do a little more exploring. What are some good winter options in the Twin Cities area to take a 1-year-old to? Or how…

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Moms Talk Q&A: When Should Competition Begin?

Competition is a fact of life, but how young is too young for kids to get competitive?

From getting into college, to getting a job, to sealing a business deal, competition is just a part of life. There's no debating that kids need to learn how to win, and how to lose. Competitive sports and activities are one way kids can start to understand and deal with that reality. This week in Moms Talk, we're asking you at what age it's OK for kids to start getting competitive and learning those lessons—and how parents should best use their child's winning, or losing, as a teachable moment. Moms Talk is part of a new initiative on Oakdale Patch to reach out to moms and families. Oakdale Patch invites you and your circle of friends to help build a community of support for mothers and their families right here in Oakdale by sharing your …

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Slawik: Great Things Happen When Government, People Work Together

Republicans' bills don't pass the fiscal responsibility test.

The weather is getting warmer and more spring-like every day as the terrible winter we’ve had finally ends. Our families are doing spring cleaning and organizing around the house, while the young ones get more and more excited about outdoor activities. As the calendar turns to the spring months, it’s also a signal to the Legislature that it’s time to get past our differences and get the session completed. I’m hopeful that we can adjourn on time, provided that our budget solution protects middle-class Minnesotans. At this point we’ve been hearing the omnibus budget bills authored by the Republican majority on the House floor. Unfortunately the bills don’t pass the fiscal responsibility test. In a letter to Republican leadership, Minnesota …

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Wiger: State Should Audit Autism Therapy, Standardized Testing

Citizens can submit their audit suggestions.

Accountability and openness are key aspects to a good government. One way our state government achieves this transparency is by publicly evaluating our programs, services, and government entities to ensure they are a true benefit to the state. The entity that conducts these evaluations is the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA). The OLA is a professional, nonpartisan audit and evaluation office that provides the Legislature, state agencies, and the public with reports. Through these reports, the OLA seeks to strengthen accountability and promote good management in government. The OLA is not just a tool for legislators; it should also be used by the people of Minnesota. I encourage you to visit the OLA website to see what they…

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