Baby Blog: First Days of Parenting

Your assignment today is to log in to your Blogger account (or log into your Gmail account and then go to Blogger) and do a New Post called "My First Day as a Parent".  You should include the following items:

1. In the "If I Became a Teen Parent" assignment, did the response you received from your parent/guardian surprise you?  Discuss.
2. What responses to the flour baby project surprised you?  (i.e. What friends, family, or strangers said or how they acted)
3. In what ways should we have started this project differently?  (i.e. If we had it to do over again, how would you have started the project?)
4. What was the most surprising about the "Baby Costs" project?

If you already have a picture of your baby [or you and your baby] insert it into your blog.  If not, that's your homework.  :)

Research Project: Pregnancy, Infants or Children

On Wednesday I will be asking you to choose a research topic relating to pregnancy, infants or children.  I will not be giving you a list of topics because I want you to think of something that interests you.  No two students can have the same topic, so have a backup plan -- or get to me first with your topic.

I want you to begin researching your topic and keeping track of your sources.  I will be asking for references (we will use www.easybib.com to format them) and at least 1 related picture.  You can begin your research project in a new blog post which you can continue to edit, update and add pictures to as you work through the project.  When finished, you can post your project to the final location on the class blog.

Students will be added to a "community blog" where research reports will be posted for grading.  These research reports will be available publicly [and advertised to teachers for their feedback] so please take this assignment seriously.  This will be a 50 point assignment so it has a lot of potential to help your grade -- or hurt it.

Some of the topics that students chose in the past included child abuse, teen pregnancy, child autism, corporal punishment, infant vision development, adoption, Downs Syndrome, Goldenhar Syndrome, abortion, SIDS, effects of marijuana on unborn children, and more.  Sometimes it's better to have a specific topic (like a specific birth defect or nutritional supplement) than a broad topic (like birth defects or nutrition).

These will be resources out in the public domain.  People will be reading them and using them as informational tools.  Please take this assignment seriously.

Begin Baby Research: The First Year of Life

Even Sims Have Flour Babies!

This Research Project is due on Tuesday, 3/24 -- the day that you are required to bring your fully decorated, dressed "baby" to school for the first time.  We will do our first "Well Baby Checkup" on that day, then discuss the findings from your research on the topics below.  You will have Friday and Monday to research and compile your answers.

Open Microsoft Word and begin compiling information:
(Include links to online price sources)

UP FRONT COST:

• Prenatal Care: Including tests, diagnostic ultrasounds, doctor charges for the nine months of pregnancy. (Call physicians office)
• Prenatal Vitamins: Check Walmart, Kmart, or a local pharmacy for prices.
• Hospital Charges: Labor/delivery and anesthesia charges. (Call hospital)
• Pediatrician Charges: Well/sick visits and all immunizations. (Call pediatrics or physicians office)
• Nursery / Equipment: Crib, high chair, stroller, infant car seat, booster car seat, diaper bag, bottles, pacifiers, toys, baby/child-proofing supplies, diaper rash cream, wipes, shampoo, etc.

DAILY COST:

• Disposable Diapers (Kmart, Walmart).  Compare the same sizes from both stores and make a note of how many diapers are in each package.  Calculate how much each diaper costs and find an average price per diaper.
• Figure out how many diapers per day a baby uses (BabyStory, KidsGrowth, Babblesoft) -- Newborn / 1-3 Months / 4-6 Months / 7-9 Months / 10-12 Months.  Using the cost per diaper (above), how much will it cost per day (for each section) to diaper a baby.
• Figure out approximately how much [in ounces] baby formula a baby should use per day (BabyCenter) for a 6 pound baby / a 10 pound baby / a 15 pound baby / a 20 pound baby / and a 24 pound baby.  Compare that to the estimates for a Newborn / 2 month / 4 month / 6 month baby (KidsHealth).  On average, how many ounces (approximately) does a baby need each day?
• To prepare formula, you will mix one ounce of powdered formula with two ounces of water (to make 3 ounces of formula).  You will need to divide the total formula needed per day by 3 so you know how much powdered formula you need to buy.  Check out Amazon.com and find a good price for baby formula -- you might want to figure out the price per ounce to find the best bargain.  How much does each ounce of powdered formula cost?  
• How much is "baby food" (peas, carrots, applesauce, etc.)?  When do babies typically begin eating baby food instead of just breast milk or formula?  How much do they typically eat [up to one year old] per day?  What about "baby cereal"?
• What is your DAILY cost of a baby so far?  Add average costs of diapers, formula, wipes, baby food, cereal, etc.

ANNUAL COST:

• Annual cost of formula.
• Annual cost of diapers.
• Annual cost of baby food, cereal, etc.
• Approximate annual cost of baby clothes, shoes, coats, etc.
• What was your "Up Front Cost" (above)?
• What was the total cost of having this child for one year?

OTHER COSTS:

• Imagine that you are a single parent and you decide to take three months off work to have the baby and get him/her started.  Now your savings account is about empty and it's time to return to work.  How much will it cost to have your child in daycare/babysitting each day?  Each week?  For the next 9 months (about 270 days)? 
• What other costs might be involved in having a baby for a year?

GETTING HELP:

• What is WIC?  Who qualifies?  How can they help?
• What other resources are available for parents who need help being parents? 

If I Became A Teen Parent

Today you will be doing the first part of a worksheet called "If I Became a Teen Parent".  You will answer some questions about how your life would change if you received news that you were going to be a parent, and then you will take home the questions for a parent/guardian (or other significant adult in your life) to answer.  If you're brave enough, try telling a parent that you ARE having a baby and get a more realistic response.  :)

Some of you may already be on your own, may already have a baby, or have already lived this experience.  If you are willing, please share your experience.