Planting a Garden with Your Kids

Growing your own fruits and vegetables with kids is a great way for them to study how plants grow from seeds (or seedlings) to mature plants that they can eat. Some kids who would never go near a fresh veggie from the store might be willing to try it once they have participated in growing it themselves. There is nothing like picking a warm tomato from the vine and eating it on the spot.

This is an opportune time for families to come together, spend time outdoors and re-connect for some “family time.”

“April in Southern California is the ideal month to plant summer fruits and vegetables,” says Brady Baer at the Laguna Hills Nursery in Foothill Ranch. “Kids love the little grape and cherry tomatoes and these will take about 75 days to mature.”

Even if you don’t have a garden area or a large yard, most summer vegetables can be grown in large containers. Here are some plants to try:

• Green Beans: Plant in full sun or partial shade. You can grow them from seeds sown straight into the ground or buy small containers at your local nursery.
• Melons: Plant in full sun. All melon varieties need a lot of space and sun—they work better if you live inland where it is warmer and sunnier.
• Bell Peppers: Plant in full sun. Try a variety of different colors.
• Cucumbers: Plant in full sun or partial shade. Many nurseries offer several different types of cucumber—Persian and burpless are only two. Kids will enjoy seeing the big yellow flowers that later turn into the cucumber.
• Summer Squash (zucchini, yellow crook neck, etc.): Plant in full sun or partial shade. If your kids don’t eat squash, at least grow some zucchini to make yummy zucchini bread.
• Tomatoes: Plant in full sun. A good nursery will offer many different varieties of tomatoes. Try some heirloom, some small ones like Sweet 100s, and some big beefsteaks.

All plants should be watered daily in warm weather. Have kids water in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is not its strongest. If you are not sure how to prepare and amend your soil for planting discuss it with the employees of a nursery.

If you have snails in your yard, you will need to take preventive measures or all of your plants (except tomatoes) will be devastated as seedlings. Copper sheeting placed around the plants will give out a charge that repels snails. Snail bait can be effective, however you may not want to use it if you have young children who might pick it up and eat it. —Cindy Morgan

What To Do With Your E-Waste

Americans have an insatiable appetite for new and better electronic devices. Kids especially, since there always seems to be the next generation of cell phones, computers and video gaming systems popping up.

On top of that, new technology makes hardware obsolete at a lightening’s pace. But when we bring in the new, we often do not know what to do with the old. Experts in the recycling industry estimate that every year Americans throw out approximately 400 million units per consumer of electronics.

When computers, televisions, cell phones and other discarded electronic waste (e-waste) are thrown out, they often end up in landfills where they leach mercury, lead and other toxic materials that can ultimately end up in ground water supplies. And even if you drop off your old electronics at recycling centers, you should know that very few dispose of the waste in an environmentally responsible manner.

An estimated 50 to 80 percent of e-waste is sent overseas where it is dismantled. Toxic chemicals released during the dismantling of old electronics poison the air, water and soil. Often children are responsible for dismantling e-waste and their health is adversely affected.
Tom Abercrombie, part owner of Irvine-based E Waste Disposal, says his company sends nothing to landfills. “We recycle 100 percent of items that pass through our facility,” he says. “You always want to make sure that your e-waste is being handled by a licensed and approved collector.”

California is one of only seven states that has banned the disposal of electronics in landfills. But if you cannot just throw the stuff away, and you prefer not to drop off at a recycling center or electronics drop-off event, there are options for your old cell phones, iPods, televisions and laptops. Look for take-back programs. Some computer companies like Dell have free programs, while others charge a fee for the service. Sony will also take back their televisions free of charge, and Apple will recycle your computer or iPod for free. Two southern California companies that comply with environmental safety standards for the disposal of e-waste include the Image Arts Foundation in Buena Park and the e-Recycling of California Corporate Office. Image Arts Foundation, 5741 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park. 714-521-5111 or www.computers2schools.org; e-Recycling of California Corporate Office, 7230 Peterson Lane, Paramount. 562-634-8372.

Free Public Drop-off for Your E-Waste

April 5 at The District at Tustin Legacy, NW corner of Jamboree Road and Barranca Parkway in Tustin. 866-548-8100. Donate your old computers, televisions, copiers, fax machines, servers, printers, phone systems, cell phones, non-lead batteries, home stereo equipment, and virtually anything considered office or consumer electronics. Proceeds to benefit the Earth Resource Foundation. —Cindy Morgan

Vote 2008: the Presidential Candidates on Family Issues

From universal health care to reforming No Child Left Behind, the Presidential candidates have big plans that could have a major effect on you and your children. Here is a quick look at each candidate and their stance on five key family issues:

HILLARY CLINTON

Education Clinton says schools are struggling because they have not received resources promised by the No Child Left Behind Act. Schools should be rewarded when progress is made and given more flexibility in determining solutions for their problems. Other reforms include quality preschool for all children and a plan to make college more affordable.

Health Care Clinton believes the government has a moral imperative to provide quality health care to all Americans. Her plan is based on shared responsibility and choice. Those already insured could keep their plan. Those who are uninsured or want to change plans could choose from the same plans available to members of congress or a public plan like Medicare.

Family and Medical Leave Act If elected, Clinton would expand the Family and Medical Leave Act to cover more businesses. Clinton would also reinstate a regulation to have select states use their unemployment insurance to provide paid paternity and maternity leave. A Family Leave Initiative would encourage states to find individual solutions for the current lack of paid family leave.

Abortion Clinton supports Roe v. Wade. She believes abortion should be safe, legal and rare. Clinton also believes that every woman has the right to choose, while also working to reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies in America.

Marriage Clinton opposes the Family Marriage Amendment because the question of marriage should be left to the states. She believes gay and lesbian couples should have the same rights as all Americans, and civil unions are the best way to achieve this goal.

BARACK OBAMA

Education Obama says the No Child Left Behind Act has the right goal of ensuring all children reach high standards, but reforms are needed including a new testing model that provides better feedback on how to improve student performance. Other changes in education would include increasing support for teachers and making preschool available to all children.

Health Care Obama believes that every American has the right to affordable health coverage. His plan would allow Americans who are currently insured to maintain their coverage, while establishing a new public insurance program for the uninsured. Under his plan all children would be covered, and a typical family could save an estimated $2500 each year.

Family and Medical Leave Act If elected, Obama would work to expand the FMLA to cover more businesses and more purposes. Workers would be allowed to take leave to care for elders, to participate in their children’s academic activities and to address domestic violence and sexual assault.

Abortion Obama considers preserving women’s rights under Roe v. Wade to be a priority. He opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s decision.
Marriage Obama opposes the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would define marriage as between a man and a woman, and he supports civil unions between same-sex partners.

JOHN MCCAIN

Education McCain believes the No Child Left Behind Act was a major step in the right direction, but reform must go beyond this to provide more accountability. Schools should compete for the best teachers, and parents should be able to choose the school that will best educate their children.

Health Care McCain seeks to reform health care by promoting competition and innovation. A government-controlled system would only diminish the quality of care. Instead, individuals and families should be at the center of the system. Requiring providers to be open about care and prices would increase competition and make it easier for Americans to find better quality and lower costs.

Family and Medical Leave Act McCain has no plans for changes to the FMLA.

Abortion McCain believes that abortion is a human tragedy and Roe v. Wade should be overturned. He opposes the use of federal tax dollars to fund abortion. Once the issue is returned to the states, the government should find new ways to promote organizations that provide services to pregnant mothers in need.

Marriage McCain recognizes the right of the states to make decisions regarding marriage. He personally believes that marriage should be defined as a union between a man and a woman, and he opposes civil unions between same sex partners that confer the same status as traditional marriage. —Mary Beth Jacoby

Win “A PUP NAMED SCOOBY DOO” on DVD

The Parenting OC sweepstakes DVD giveaway has gone to the dogs this month with the entire first season of “A Pup Named Scooby Doo” on DVD.

Great for the little ones, this is a 13-episode collection with the entire Scooby Gang as kids.
Just e-mail contests@parentingoc.com, and in your e-mail say “Rooby Roo.” Include your name, address and phone number. The winner will be chosen in a drawing. The contest ends April 30 and the winner will be announced in our May issue. Go to www.parentingoc.com for details.

Congratulations to the winner of our March Sweepstakes Giveaway! Joslyn Smith of La Habra won a two-disc set of the Academy-Award-winning “The Golden Compass” on DVD.