Rob T. over at Science-Based Parenting blog just posted a review of tonight’s Dateline NBC special, Dose of Controversy. He says that although Matt Lauer interviewed several people to refute the claim that vaccines cause autism, including reporter Brian Deer and vaccine expert Dr. Paul Offit, in the end, Matt dropped the ball.

So they explained the controversy, and they had some good takeaways for parents, but all in all, Dateline failed to spend enough time pounding home the multiple studies that have shown no link between vaccines and autism.  Sure, they mentioned the conflicting studies in passing a couple of times, but then they spent an entire segment on an 11-year-old getting a controversial treatment at Dr. Wakefield’s Thoughtful House.  If they truly wanted to have their show be science based, they would have spent a segment on those other studies.

Head on over there and read Rob’s entire review.

Jen over at the fabulous Skepchicks blog has a new post on a topic dear to our hearts here at Rational Moms:

So here’s the question – what can we do to make skepticism more family-friendly? What suggestions would we have for conference organizers, such as the JREF, when it comes to reaching out to parents and their children? Or, do you think things are fine as they are?

There seems to be three schools of thought by the commenters. Our choices so far:

a. Make cons like TAM family friendly, by including some or all of the following options: provide child care, include workshops and presentations for children, and/or provide workshops for adults on how to be a skeptical parent, or raise skeptical kids.

b. Make a whole new con for families, or one just for kids and teens, like a TAM Jr.

c. Forget the whole thing, there shouldn’t be any kids at skeptical meetings.

So, I’m wondering how our readers feel about this? Your opinion might depend on several factors, such as whether you are a parent, whether your kids are young or grown, and even if you’ve ever been to a conference like TAM before.

I’m leaning between choices a and b. I love the idea of a huge meeting with other skeptics, where I get to meet some of the professionals in the field, make new friends, learn more about skeptical topics I am interested in, and also get to bring my kids and know that they are being cared for, entertained, and are learning about skepticism, critical thinking and science! That’s a dream vacation. Heck, I’d even be willing to help lead some of the activities for the kids!

However, does that mean TAM needs to change? Or would it be better to create a new conference for families, teens, and children?

I personally am all for raising skeptical kids. I want them to learn critical thinking and other skills to help them wade through all the woo-woo there is in the world. I absolutely can do some of this at home, in what I teach them and what I give them to read and to watch. I can also do this by taking them with me to Camp Inquiry. But I think it is time to offer more to our little skeptics.

So, how can we make skeptic’s meetings, and skepticism in general, family and kid friendly?

Input please!

A manufacturer is creating a doll that realistically simulates breastfeeding. The doll comes with a special halter top for the young girl to wear, with flowers placed where nipples would be. The doll is put in position to “latch” on, and suckling noises and motions are then simulated.

Videos of the toy in use can already be seen on YouTube. From the article:

Even pediatricians, child development and toy experts can’t agree on whether the nod to support breast-feeding in the Bebe Gloton (loosely translated as baby glutton) would be healthy for young girls.

“My take is that anything which reminds young girls that their bodies are something other, and more, than sex objects, is a very good thing,” said Dr. Ronald Cohen, medical director of the Mothers’ Milk Bank in San Jose, Calif.

“On the other hand, encouraging young girls to want to have babies at a very young age may not be so great,” said Cohen, who is also the director of the intermediate intensive care nursery at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University.

Breastfeeding is natural and should be encouraged. I know many children imitate breastfeeding on their dolls while watching mommy nurse a sibling. But, do we really need our four and five-year old girls simulating it so realistically? I’m not sure how I feel about this product. I’m curious to hear what other rational parents have to say.

If you are a rational mom, or a skeptical dad, or a critically thinking cousin, etc., you may be wondering how to find other like-minded people in your area. Happily a group called Grassroots Skeptics has created one central place to

make it easier for people to locate skeptical groups and skeptic-themed events happening near them.

Grassroots Skeptics has a website and they are on twitter and Facebook. They have teamed with the Skepchicks to promote their calendar of skeptical happenings. They have advice on how to find a skeptical group, how to start a skeptical group, and how to promote your skeptical group.

What a great idea, why didn’t I think of that?

TechSkeptic over at Effort Sisyphus blog has a very funny blog post up in which he suggests that vaccinations are an uncelebrated rite of passage that should be celebrated. He lists several of the milestones, and appropriate ways to celebrate each. Go read it right now, I’ll wait!

A large bell, canon, or gong is sounded and the all the guests cheer: “Chigee Chigge Chee! Hize Hize Hize! [child's name] is now immunized!”

A good time is had by all.

OK, are you back? I would like to add to his post that most children (should) get a round of shots at the age of 11-12, which include the Tdap (Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) and the MCV4 (Meningococcal) vaccines. I suggest this could be a chance for parents to celebrate their child’s impending teen years. A child’s “Tweenitiation” is a time for parents to sit down with their child and explain that they will soon change from the sweet, happy child of their past into a moody, gangly, pimply mound of hormones. But it is important for the child to understand that, while this happens after the vaccination is administered, it is not caused by the vaccination. This is a great opportunity to teach children about the difference between correlation and causation! Perfect gifts for a child at his/her Tweenitiation include “The Demon-Haunted World”, “Why People Believe Weird Things”, and “Flim-Flam!”.

I read about this a while ago and didn’t post a link.  But Science Based Parenting linked to this article today about PCBs in breast milk, so I guess it’s on my brain again.

Apparently a study shows that PCBs can cause developmental abnormalities in rats that are quite similar to autism.  And PCBs do show up in breast milk and are passed on to nursing babies.  This does not mean that nursing necessarily causes autism, but it does mean that more studies should be done on the effect of PCBs on human populations.  Happy reading.

Jessie had her baby boy yesterday and mom and baby are doing great.  So now Jessie is not just a rational pregnant lady but an actual rational mom!