Mom.me

Goodnight blog

2009-11-03T19:14:21Z

It can be said that I've taken this blog from the cradle to the grave.

I had the idea to launch Mom.me in the spring as a spot for parenting advice, family events, product reviews and musings.

It grew to include a column in our Living Here section on Tuesdays, when the focus is on family.

But to be honest, as my workload grew (I also write stories for our Family and Food & Wine sections, as well as blog on Appetizers and 21Q), so too did the amount of time I was missing with my own family.

The irony was painful.

I decided to take some of the very same advice I had passed along here and in my column.

Cathy Greenberg, a sociobiologist and co-author of "What Happy Working Mothers Know: How New Findings in Positive Psychology Can Lead to a Healthy and Happy Work/Life Balance," (John Wiley & Sons Inc., $19.95, 256 pages), had told me in an interview for this blog that we moms (and many dads too) lack the courage to say no because we're afraid to compromise friendships and relationships.

It took about a month for Greenberg's message to penetrate my stubborn skull.

I confessed to managers about being overwhelmed, to the late nights and ridiculously early mornings in front of my computer, to the fact that something had to give.

That something is this blog.

The great news, however, is that I will continue to write my column for the Family section. I also will continue to post items on our entertainment blog, 21Q, and food news and recipes on our Appetizers blog. You can also find my writing in the Family and Food & Wine section.

So thank you, dear blog readers, for your following and support. Without this experience, of which you were a central part, I wouldn't be traveling down this new path.

Please be sure to e-mail me if there is a story or idea that you think I should explore for my column. Your input is appreciated, and central to ensuring that my work is reflective of issues and topics that you are interested in learning more about.

Best to you all.

Spooktacular tips for Halloween revelers

2009-10-29T14:57:05Z

In the flurry or excitement to take children trick-or-treating on Halloween, basic safety precautions can sometimes be overlooked.

Here are some tips for parents, children and homeowners from Sacramento Police Officer Laura Peck.

Click the link below to see her advice.

SacPDHalloween.doc

Reader tips, tricks for stretching food budgets

2009-10-27T14:00:00Z

It's a dreaded question in many households: what's for dinner?

The routine query seems even more trying now, as many of us struggle to do more with less.

A few weeks ago, I solicited readers' tips on stretching food budgets while still cooking meals that the family would enjoy. What I got in return was some great advice.

Judy Lane, of Gold River, wrote me in an e-mail that years ago, before her now-grown children were born, she started planning her family's menus, checking recipes for truly needed ingredients and verifying pantry items before heading to the grocery store.

She shopped just once a month, making weekly trips as needed for produce, milk or things that couldn't be frozen or stored. She also remained flexible, cooking dinner a night in advance if the family's schedule warranted.

"I always incorporated several 'go to' family favorite recipes each week and most always tried something new," she said. "The effort cut 25 percent off the grocery bill and reduced the number of hours in the grocery store by a couple of hours each week!

"Menu planning is a task that even small children can help with and they are more likely to eat what's prepared when they've had a voice in that decision-making process."

Lane admitted she has strayed from the exercise over the years, but when she returns to planning her grocery bills go down.

Follow the link below to read more advice from fellow readers.

]]> Karen Harrison, a Woodland mother of three, had a great idea this summer - her family ate through their freezer (figuratively speaking).

She vowed to use the freezer like a grocery store, "shopping" from its contents and making a meal from what she uncovered, minus freezer-damaged goods.

"I found some interesting items," she wrote me in an e-mail. "Elk meat from my father-in-law, sausages that tasted great, lots of ground beef, frozen pesto that I made the summer before and forgot to eat, hot dog buns galore, and fish my husband lugged all the way home from Mexico."

Then Harrison moved on to the cupboards.

"I discovered 'good intention' items - bulgar, lentils and brown rice, for example - that encouraged me to plan meals around those items as soon as I buy them. I learned to look before I headed out of habit to the store to buy food for dinner ... I also learned that no family needs four kinds of maple syrup sitting at the far back of three separate shelves."

I decided to take her suggestion to task in my own kitchen. You know something's got to change when you go to retrieve a waffle from the freezer for your child and wind up needing your kids' owie ice pack because a pork roast you can't remember purchasing impaled your foot.

I vowed not to buy any more meat or items for the pantry until we get through the food we have. So far, I've used a family-pack of chicken thighs for slow cooker chicken adobo, made a fabulous tri-tip and have made side dishes using boxes of rice and stuffing from the far reaches of our pantry.

Here are some other money-saving tips I've uncovered over the years

Only shop at the warehouse stores with purpose and a list. These stores are great, but can really strain your budget if you're like me and easily distracted by "deals" on things like kids clothes (they don't really need any more) and the latest DVD (ditto). Basics - eggs, milk, bread, flour, sugar, are a great deal - but only if you can get through it before the expiration date.

DIY frozen pancakes and waffles. Why pay for something you can do at home? There always seems to be an extra pancake or a forlorn waffle left on the serving plate at the end of a weekend breakfast. Stick it in a zip-top bag and freeze. The extras will come in handy as breakfast-for-dinner on a busy weeknight.

Shop the sales. This seems like a no-brainer, but it really works. Supermarket Web sites now have specials and sale ads online and some even have user-friendly features that help you make a shopping list based on that week's sale items.

Guest column: Halloween treats in moderation please

2009-10-23T14:00:00Z

Joanne Graham wants children to have fun on Halloween. She also wants to help ensure they don't wind up with stomach aches, cavities and too much sugar in their system to sleep (now that's a nightmare).

The dietetic internship program director at California State University, Sacramento just wants to help parents steer their kids toward some healthier choices.

That's why Graham, the dietetic internship program director at California State University, Sacramento teamed with the California Milk Processor Board to arm parents with some advice this trick-or-treat season.

Did you know a typical candy pail on Halloween contains about 9,000 calories worth of candy? Click the link below to learn more.

]]> By Joanne Graham

It's All Hallow's Eve - do you know what your kids are eating?

This Halloween, don't let your kids get tricked by the smiling Jack-O-Lantern bucket, which typically hides about 250 pieces of candy, amounting to 9,000 calories . The scary reality is that many children often eat their way through the entire bucket!

Because Halloween is the start of a string of holidays when overindulgence on food is at an all-time high, now is the perfect time to discuss the importance of making healthier food choices. That's why I've partnered with the California Milk Processor Board - the creator of GOT MILK? - to encourage children to keep sweets in moderation during Halloween and to choose nutritious treats like low fat or nonfat chocolate milk for strong bones.

A study in the September 2009 issue of Academic Pediatrics shows that severe childhood obesity in the United States has tripled in the last 25 years, putting children at risk for health problems. The authors reported about 71 million children in the nation ages 2-19 are obese, of which 2.7 million are considered severely obese. One key to prevention would be to maintain a nutritious diet not only during Halloween, but every day.

For Halloween, GOT MILK? has developed 10 tips and strategies with registered dietitians like myself to keep candy consumption in moderation during Halloween:

Plan Ahead. Make a plan prior to Halloween so that you can keep tabs on what your children will be consuming that night. Talk to teachers (many schools hold Halloween events), party hosts and neighbors to agree on the types treats to be handed out to children.

Negotiate with Kids. Talk to kids and set up expectations for Halloween day. Make sure that they do their homework and chores before trick-or-treating.

Dinner First. On Halloween night, before trick-or-treating, give children an extra-nutritious dinner. It will reduce their appetite for sweets and they will less likely be tempted to dig into goodies before they get home. A meal filled with lean protein, whole grains and vegetables are the way to go! Remember to serve a glass of low fat or nonfat milk with the meal for extra nutrition. Drinking milk is proven to strengthen teeth, prevent cavities, and boost calcium, vitamin D and potassium levels.

Non-Food Treats. Consider handing out treats like themed school supplies like coloring books or pens and pencils to school-age children as they will come in handy for class. Small toys are also appropriate in reducing the amount of candy children eat during Halloween. Plus, they're fun!

Power Trick-or-Treat. Make sure children get enough physical activity to burn off excess sugar and fat. Trick-or-treating can be a fun way to incorporate walking and exercise. Plan a few extra loops around the neighborhood. This process can tire out kids and prepare them to hit the sack when they get home.

GOT MILK? Chocolate milk after trick or treating is a great, healthy treat. Serving chocolate milk will ensure you don't deprive kids of the chocolate closely associated with Halloween, while still providing them great nutrition. If you want to help your kids sleep on Halloween night, a glass of warm low fat or nonfat milk prior to bed will do the trick. Milk contains tryptophan which helps people snooze.

Set Limits. Set boundaries with your child on how many pieces of candy they're allowed to eat on Halloween and while trick-or-treating. Allow your children to make their own selections, but tell them they can only pick a few pieces. Ration out the treats.

Exchange Program. Trade your children's Halloween candy for a desired toy to reduce candy consumption. Many schools, doctors and dentists have similar exchange programs. Donating the candy to a cause also teaches children about the importance of giving.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind. Bring candy to work or throw them away. Kids don't eat what they can't see.

Set an Example. Parents should also stay away from eating too much candy during Halloween. They need to be role models by consuming sweets in moderation.

What do you think? Are these tips something you might incorporate this Halloween? Post a comment below.

Time for a break

2009-10-22T16:25:57Z

It's been a whirlwind of work the past few weeks, so I'll be taking some time off the rest of this week and taking a scheduled vacation next week.

As a result, the posts on this blog will wind down. If you're looking for other blogs to fill the void (oh how I hope I make that much of an impact), check out the other blogs The Bee has to offer.

Want fashion and entertainment news? Try 21Q. Running the California International Marathon and want some advice or support? Check out our new running page. Food news? Head to Appetizers. Grocery shopping tips can be found at Shop Cheap.

Looking for a good parenting blog? Try the New York Times' blog, Motherlode, by Lisa Belkin.

See you soon.

Expanding pint-size palates one meal at a time

2009-10-21T14:00:00Z

Having trouble getting your toddler or preschooler (or teen for that matter) to eat something other than waffles and chicken nuggets?

Check out my story in today's Food & Wine section, where we explore daycares and preschools that are striving to expand childrens' culinary horizons through fresh produce and innovative meals.

The section is packed with recipes, but here is one we couldn't fit. For more extra recipes, check out our Appetizers blog.

Stevie's Speedy Enchilada Sauce
Cook time: 22 minutes
Serves: 8
Notes: This recipe is courtesy Chef Steve Magana of Sacramento Montessori School.

Ingredients
1/3 cup corn oil
2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons chili powder
One 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 1/4 cups water
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Sea salt to taste

Instructions
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in flour and chili powder and cook until lightly brown, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Stir in tomato sauce, water, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder into the flour until smooth, and continue cooking over medium heat approximately 12 minutes, until thick. Season to taste with salt.

Eating Suggestion:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a good amount of sauce in a casserole pan and roll some mozzarella cheese in a few corn tortillas and place in a casserole pan. Add more sauce over and top with cheese. Cover with foil and bake 15 minutes.

Per serving, sauce only: 102 cal.; 1 g pro.; 5 g carb.; 9 g fat (1 sat., 2 monounsat., 6 polyunsat.); 0 mg chol.; 94 mg sod.; 1 g fiber; 0 g sugar; 79 percent calories from fat.

Lure of TV fame can turn into grim reality for some families

2009-10-20T14:00:00Z

Some families are willing to go to great lengths for a crack at fame and fortune.

Take the Heene family.

Parents Richard and Mayumi Heene, of Fort Collins, Colo., are accused of staging allegedly stageda runaway balloon caper starring their 6-year-old son, Falcon.

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden is now saying the whole thing was a hoax, staged as a publicity stunt to land a reality TV show. One entertainment media outlet has paid the couple in connection with the balloon launch, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

The Heenes have a history with reality shows. They've already been featured twice on ABC's "Wife Swap."

The couple face possible state and federal criminal charges in connection with the hoax, as well as other sanctions.

Kevin Wehr, an associate professor of sociology at California State University, Sacramento, said he's not surprised that an alleged attempt at reality stardom was behind the Heene fiasco.

Society has become addicted to television, and reality TV has simply extended the fascination.

The problem is that reality TV isn't really what it claims to be: While we think we're watching real people, those people "are largely reading off scripts that are very similar to the shows done by actors," Wehr said.

"Because we see these people as 'real people,' there is a certain amount of voyeurism involved," he said. "I think this really leads to an increase in people behaving badly."

What's truly disheartening is how much time we all dedicate to these types of shows and the impact they have on our lives.

We talked about "Octomom" for months following the birth of her eight babies. (To summarize, the birth of her octuplets in January brought her total number of kids to 14.)

The same holds true for Jon and Kate Gosselin, the stars of TLC's "Jon & Kate Plus 8," who announced earlier this year that they were divorcing.

We ate it up.

The show's ratings skyrocketed, ranking No. 1 among the top 10 cable programs in the Nielsen ratings for the week of June 1-7 with 5.94 million viewers tuning in, according to online Nielsen information.

The couple and their set of twins and sextuplets have graced the covers of tabloids and dominated pop culture conversations ever since. And it likely will continue now that the show will shift to focus on single mother Kate and her brood on Nov. 2.

Wehr said our collective fascination with reality television has become a stand-in for actual relationships, making it an even more powerful medium.

"This really diminishes us as people," he said. "We're talking about the latest antics of (celebrities) instead of talking about real issues. These are fake issues."

There may be hope on the horizon, however.

The number of reality shows currently on television and their pervasiveness indicates that the bubble might burst soon, Wehr said.

"The way these things go in terms of the spectacle they represent is they become massively popular and then after a while, saturate the market and people tune out," he said. "My hunch is that we're about at that point with reality TV."

Let's hope so.

Reader review: Book about reading is right on target

2009-10-19T22:30:23Z

Jeanne Chasko, 58, holds reading in high esteem. Chasko is a mother, grandmother and substitute teacher who is looking for a job teaching elementary school.

Chasko recently read and reviewed "Reading Together: Everything You Need to Know to Raise a Child Who Loves to Read" (Perigee, $15, 279 pages), a book that author Diane Frankenstein wrote to help guide people toward appropriate books for kids and help connect children with reading.

Chasko enjoyed the book and found it to be a useful tool.

Follow the link below to read her review.
]]> Much of our social language is learned through conversation. The book, "Reading Together," embraces and encourages conversations about books with our children or students. For that reason and others, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is written as a practical guide for parents, grandparents and teachers and I found the format and content delightful.

The book is easy to read and informative - it took only about two hours to read through. It is written in a reference book style with a list of books at the beginning after an entertaining introductory chapter. The books are reviewed in three categories: picture books, books for second to fifth graders and books for fourth to sixth graders and beyond. Frankenstein gives a wonderful overview of the books. Each book is on a "story page", with the following information: subject, story synopsis, who, what, when, where, why, questions, quotes and more.

The author adds a "souvenir" to each book review - a quote from the story that one could use to remember the book. One could use her suggested quotation, or alternatively ask the child what that "souvenir" could be. I consider this one of the best tips I have heard in a long time. This tip could be extended to books that adults read for pleasure, for study, or for book groups.

At the end of "Reading Together," there are additional lists of books under various subject areas, such as: "hope", "stories passed from generation to generation", "nature's riddles", etc. This is a huge bonus and a valuable reference to have in the home or classroom. There is also a chapter called "Subject Conversations" which has ideas on how to talk about "bullies", "challenges", "courage" and more which can lead to deeper understanding in various areas of life. This chapter is another good tool for building literacy.

I would gladly recommend this book to other teachers, parents, grandparents and friends. The author uses copies of the book cover on each story page, as well as light-hearted line drawings which serve to keep each page fresh and interesting. It was a joy to read.

As a new grandma and the mother of two daughters who are nannies, I shared this book with them and they are going to use the ideas from this book with their charges. I also intend to share it with the women in my book club and other areas of my life. It is really for everyone who reads to children - men too, of course! My daughter with the baby was excited to use the ideas in the book with her two stepchildren, ages 5 and 7.

Bookstore holding fundraiser for children's literacy program

2009-10-16T21:11:50Z

Buy a book, support a local charity.

That's the crux of a fundraiser that begins today in Barnes & Noble stores nationwide.

The bookseller will be donating a percentage of all sales made today through Sunday to a Sacramento Children's Home "Reading to dogs" literacy program.

The program pairs children with calm, volunteer dogs who patiently listen as children read aloud to them, said Michael Kressner, the organization's spokesman.

Sacramento Children's Home programs serve 3,600 children and 2,200 families in the Greater Sacramento Area through emergency, educational and supplemental services.

Author Michael Milone will be reading his book "Nasha, The First Dog" at a special reading event at noon Saturday at the Barnes & Noble store located at Arden Fair mall.

To make a purchase that will help support the Children's Home, mention code 10041499 at checkout.

Availability of H1N1 vaccines for kids depends on medical group

2009-10-16T14:00:00Z

OK parents, here's the skinny on H1H1 vaccinations for your children: some pediatric offices in the region have them, others don't.

Kaiser Permanente has received 17,000 doses of the nasal spray version of the H1N1 vaccine for use in Northern California and began distributing a limited number of them to pediatric clinics earlier this week, Dr. Stephen M. Parodi, Kaiser's chief of infectious disease, wrote in an e-mail to The Bee.

The vaccinations are being given only to certain high-risk groups as directed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state Department of Public Health guidelines.

Patients are asked to call Kaiser's flu information hotline at (800) 573-5811 to determine if they are eligible.

Kaiser anticipates that it will receive more vaccinations, including the injectable form, in coming weeks.

Belong to Mercy, UC Davis Health System and Sutter medical groups? Follow the link below to learn more about vaccination availability with those providers.

]]>
Mercy Medical Group officials anticipate their vaccination allotment should arrive by today, said Melissa Jue, a Mercy spokeswoman. Officials also are in the process of determining who will be first in line for the vaccination.

UC Davis Health System pediatric practices also haven't received their vaccinations yet.

"Parents already are calling our pediatric clinics to inquire about the H1N1 vaccine, and should continue to do so," said David Ong, a senior public information representative for the group.

The health system plans to notify patients when the vaccination becomes available, although the method of communication hasn't yet been determined.

UC Davis also plans to follow CDC guidelines to determine which patients will be eligible first.

The state received its first allotment of H1N1 nasal spray vaccines last week, and most of the 400,000 doses went to pediatrician, OB-GYN and family practice offices, my colleague, Anna Tong, reported in a recent story.

The nasal spray vaccines are aimed at healthy kids ages 2 to 9 years old and caretakers of babies 6 months old and younger.

According to the CDC, children 6 months to 9 years old should get two doses of the H1N1 vaccine, while people 10 years old and older should get one dose.

Here is the CDC's list of target groups for the H1N1 vaccine: pregnant women (they can only get the shot form of the vaccine), people who live with or take care of babies 6 months old and younger, health-care and emergency medical personnel, people 6 months to 24 years old and people 25 to 64 years old who have medical conditions that put that at higher risk for flu-related complications.

Seasonal flu vaccinations are already available, however. For more information about seasonal flu vaccines and how they may impact H1N1 vaccinations, check out this previous blog post.

Online videos offer free, clever costume ideas

2009-10-15T20:27:04Z

Want some cute Halloween costume ideas for kids?

Check out these instructional webisodes featuring Michaels creativity guru Jo Pearson.

Pearson shows viewers how to make an adorable owl costume out of just a T-shirt, felt, yarn and hot glue.

Seriously.

Here's the link to the online videos. Speaking of Michaels, the company's stores also are holding free adult mask making demonstrations and a Halloween T-shirt event from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 25. On Halloween, the stores are holding a free family event from 10 a.m. to noon. Children will receive a free trick-or-treat pail, candy and get to participate in a coloring activity, make a Crayola pencil topper using Model Magic Fusion and decorate a Halloween frame.

For more costume and fall decor inspiration, go to Michaels Web site or check out my story from earlier this week.

What's for dinner: Mashed sweet potatoes a sweet, savory side

2009-10-14T14:23:50Z

Sweet potatoes and autumn dinners seem to go hand-in-hand.

Instead of our typical baked sweet potatoes, I decided to try mashed sweet potatoes this weekend. Not only was it a delicious accompaniment to our at-home date-night dinner of spiced filet mignon with blue cheese butter (total cost of dinner was $25 - much more affordable than going out and having to get a sitter), but the kids loved the potatoes the next day. For theirs, I eliminated the cayenne and nuts.

The potatoes would also be delicious alongside a simple herbed chicken breast.

Follow the link below to get the recipe.

]]> Mashed sweet potatoes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 to 15 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients
2 large sweet potatoes (orange flesh), skinned and cut into big rounds
1 tablespoon cream cheese (can use regular or light)
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
Salt to taste
Pinch cayenne (optional)
Glazed pecans (optional)

Instructions
Fill a large saucepot with water to about half-way and set over high heat. Bring to a boil and add the sweet potatoes. Boil potatoes until fork tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Be careful not to overboil, as they will get mushy. Remove potatoes from water; place in thebowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.

Insurance company that denied fat baby coverage asks for take-back

2009-10-13T20:56:34Z

Turns out the insurance company that denied medical coverage for a chubby Colorado baby has changed its mind.

The Associated Press has reported the following:

Rocky Mountain Health Plans said Monday it will no longer consider obesity a "pre-existing condition" barring coverage for hefty infants.

The change comes after the insurer turned down a Grand Junction 4-month-old who weighs about 17 pounds. The insurer deemed Alex Lange - called by his parents a "happy little chunky monkey" - obese and said the infant didn't qualify for coverage.

To read more, click here to go to my previous blog post.

Event highlights growing trend of prescription drug abuse among teens

2009-10-13T15:00:00Z

Prescription drug abuse among teenagers is a growing problem, but one local youth organization is holding an event this week to help curb the trend.

The Vision Coalition of El Dorado Hills and its partners will be collecting old and unused medication at "Operation Medicine Cabinet" from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The event also will include education for parents and teens by law enforcement and emergency personnel, states a Vision Coalition news release.

Jon Daily, director of Recovery Happens Counseling Services, also will help parents understand prescription drug abuse and how to identify abuse and intervene.

"As adults, we think of drugs as illegal substances," he stated in the release. "However, kids think of drugs as anything that creates intoxication which includes many household medicines."

Two El Dorado Hills residents, both in their early 20s, died in the past 11 weeks from accidental overdoses of prescription medication, said DJ Peterson, the organization's executive director.

Prescription drug abuse has become increasingly prevalent among teenagers and young adults nationwide, according to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

"Abuse of prescription pain killers now ranks second, only behind marijuana, as the nation's most prevalent illegal drug problem," the office's Web site states.

Peterson said getting old or unused prescription drugs out of homes is critical.

"If we don't do something, more lives will be lost," he said.

Medication collection will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. and the educational talks will be held from 5:15 to 6 p.m. at the El Dorado Hills Community Services District Pavilion, 1021 Harvard Way, El Dorado Hills.

For more information about the organization or the event, to the Vision Coalition's Web site.

Be wary of posting kids' bath-time photos online, expert says

2009-10-13T12:00:00Z

Most parents just can't resist taking a bath-time photo of their baby or small child.

It's innocence personified - those sweet little faces beaming at the camera from amongst a tub full of bubbles.

We parents eagerly snap photos and file them away in our computer hard drives or photo albums, saving them for the day when we can show them to the child's spouse or our own grandchildren.

But an investigation and subsequent lawsuit in Arizona has spurred a national debate about whether it's OK to take such photos and what parents can do with them.

An Arizona couple was accused of sexual abuse last fall after they took photos of their kids that included bath-time shots to Wal-mart for processing.

Lisa and Anthony "A.J." Demaree's three young daughters were taken into custody for a month during the investigation. Neither parent was charged, but the couple is now suing Wal-mart and the state.

The photos were among 144 pictures taken during a family vacation. Seven to eight of the bath- and playtime photos showed a "portion or outline of genitalia," the Associated Press reported.

"This is a parent's worst nightmare," Richard Treon, the couple's lawyer, told the AP.

One of my favorite photos of my son is a bathtime shot. He was a little under a year old at the time and standing at the tub in nothing but his little fur-lined Robeez booties, his cute baby tushy facing the camera.

That photo has never been printed. It's never been e-mailed. I'm a little paranoid after years of crime reporting and obtaining a master's degree in criminal justice will do that to a person. But I can't put aside the fear that the photo might be misconstrued or fall into the wrong hands.

Now I'm beginning to think my paranoia may be a blessing in disguise.

Jim Harris, an FBI supervisory special agent who heads the Sacramento office's cyber crime program, said the average kid-in-the-bathtub photo isn't considered sexually explicit in the federal system and there aren't laws that prohibit digitally sending or printing such photos.

Parents should, however, exercise caution when e-mailing or posting their kids' bathtub photos on the Internet.

"I am always in favor of posting as little to the Internet as possible, particularly naked pictures of kids," he said. "There are folks who, even though the picture isn't designed to arouse sexual desire, find them to be arousing."

If you use photo sites, know the terms of service.

"If the company isn't promising anything, they shouldn't expect anything in terms of privacy," Harris said.

Fair Oaks grandmother Klorys Happe said she took bathtub photos of her three children all the time when they were little, their faces adorned with bubble mustaches and beards.

"It was innocent fun," she said.

Happe also cherishes a recent photo of her two grandsons - 2 years old and 6 months at the time - in a bubble bath.

The loss of frivolity in something as simple as a bathtub photo of a child is disappointing, but even more disheartening is the need to protect such photos.

"There are just ugly people out there sometimes that take advantage of innocents," she said. "I'd like to think it's pretty few and far between, but how do we know?"

What do you think? Have you refrained from e-mailing or printing bathtub photos of your kids or grandkids? Post your thoughts and comments here.