Family Time

It's second nature to plan an adorable nursery that's coordinated from the art on the walls to the crib to the changing table. But while there's an infinite supply of bedding sets that appeal to your taste in decorating, those sets might not be safe. In fact, the breathing hazards presented by soft, cushy bedding have caused organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics to recommend against using plush pillows, blankets and bumpers.

Creating a safe sleeping environment for your baby is easy, and you can rest easy - or as easily as new parents can - knowing that your baby is both comfortable and safe. Consider these tips to give your baby the best sleeping environment.

- Always place your baby on her back whenever you're laying her down to sleep. Since the National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched its "Back to Sleep" campaign in 1994, urging parents to put babies to sleep on their backs, deaths from SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) have been reduced by nearly half, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics in March 2012.

- Use a crib that meets current safety standards. While there might be sentimental value attached to a crib passed down through generations of family members, it's not likely to meet the most up-to-date ideas of safety. Even if you have a modern crib, it's important to pay attention to recalls - millions of drop-side cribs have been recalled in recent years. To see if your crib has been affected, check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website at www.cpsc.gov.

- In your crib, place a firm mattress that fits in place snugly. Try out the "two finger test" - if you can fit two or more fingers between the mattress and the side of the crib, the mattress is too small.

- Choose a bedding set that supports baby's safety. Quilt and bumper sets might be cute, but the importance of safe sleep for your baby should be paramount. A simple sheet is enough for your baby's crib, when combined with a comforting wearable blanket that keeps baby feeling secure.

- Don't dress baby too warmly for sleep, even if that's what you think is comfortable. Keeping baby's temperature at a safe level is important, so avoid overdressing and keep the room temperature at 68 to 72 degrees.

“B Is for Beer,” by Tom Robbins

Ages: 8 and up

Pages: 128

Synopsis: A children's book about beer? Yes, believe it or not — but “B Is for Beer” is also a book for adults, and bear in mind that it's the work of maverick bestselling novelist Tom Robbins, internationally known for his ability to both seriously illuminate and comically entertain. “B Is for Beer” involves readers, young and old, in a surprising, far-reaching investigation into the limits of reality, the transformative powers of children, and, of course, the ultimate meaning of a tall, cold brewski. - HarperCollins Publishers

“Chimpanzee,” now in theaters

Rated: G

Length: 78

Synopsis: A Disney documentary about a 3-year-old chimpanzee who is adopted by an adult male.

Violence/scary rating: 2

Sexual-content rating: 1

Profanity rating: 1

Drugs/alcohol rating: 1

Family Time rating: 1. A great film for the whole family.

(Ratings are judged on a five-point scale, with 5 being “bad for kids” and 1 being “fine for kids.”)

There's a common misconception among the American public that estate planning is only the domain of the elderly or the very wealthy. That's far from the truth.

If you haven't considered yourself as a candidate for estate planning, you might be underestimating the value of your assets. In fact, items like your home, your car and your life insurance are assets - and valuable ones at that. The unhappy result of failing to plan may be unnecessary fees, expenses and delays at a time when your loved ones are struggling to cope with loss.

The complex nature of planning your estate might put some people off, but in that situation, a professional accredited estate planner (AEP) can simplify the process. Working with a team of professionals ensures that your plans are streamlined, understandable and clear-cut, to avoid confusion down the road. The NAEPC makes it easy to find vetted professionals in your area with a search tool on its website www.naepc.org.

The most important thing to remember is that planning your estate well ahead of time - when you're feeling your best and when you're calling the shots - ensures that your goals will be accomplished. Visit www.estateplanninganswers.org for more information.

"Bliss," by Kathryn Littlewood

Ages: 8-12

Pages: 384

Synopsis: Rosemary Bliss’s family has a secret. It’s the Bliss Cookery Booke — an ancient, leather-bound volume of enchanted recipes like Stone Sleep Snickerdoodles and Singing Gingersnaps. Rose and her siblings are supposed to keep the Cookery Booke under lock and whisk-shaped key while their parents are out of town, but then a mysterious stranger shows up. “Aunt” Lily rides a motorcycle, wears purple sequins, and whips up exotic (but delicious) dishes for dinner. Soon boring, nonmagical recipes feel like life before Aunt Lily — a lot less fun. So Rose and her siblings experiment with just a couple of recipes from the forbidden Cookery Booke. A few Love Muffins and a few dozen Cookies of Truth couldn’t cause too much trouble, could they? Kathryn Littlewood’s culinary caper blends rich emotional flavor with truly magical wit, yielding one heaping portion of hilarious family adventure. - HarperCollins Publishers

“The Three Stooges,” in theaters

Rated: PG

Length: 1:35

Synopsis: The popular trio is resurrected by the Farrelly brothers in this new comedy.

Violence/scary rating: 3

Sexual-content rating: 2

Profanity rating: 2

Drugs/alcohol rating: 2

Family Time rating: 2.5. The cartoonish Stooges return to the screen in a decent family film.

(Ratings are judged on a five-point scale, with 5 being “bad for kids” and 1 being “fine for kids.”)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that somewhere between 50 million and 70 million adults in the United States have chronic sleep and wakefulness disorders.

According to the National Institutes of Health, sleep disorders account for approximately $16 billion in annual health care costs, and Cornell University psychologist and sleep expert James Maas estimates that sleep deprivation and sleep disorders cost the American economy at least $150 billion a year.

Sleep deprivation is not only costly, but dangerous too. After a review of national behavioral health data, the CDC found that one in 20 adults reported nodding off or falling asleep while driving at least once in 30 days. Short-term sleep loss can lead to slower reaction times, headaches, aches and pains, irritability, shorter attention span and hindered decision making.

Consider the following sleep tips:

- Think of a relaxing place: Go on a virtual trip in your mind by picturing a place from childhood. Trace the roads and paths of this region until you arrive at a certain place. Usually, you'll be sleeping before you arrive at your destination.

- Expose yourself to bright lights when you wake up: Exposure to bright light early in the morning, typically for 30 to 40 minutes, has been shown to promote healthy habits and a good night's sleep.

- Change your pillow: The ideal pillow is one that helps you maintain natural alignment between your neck, head and spine as you shift positions during the night. Because people tend to change sleeping positions at multiple times during the night, finding the right pillow is not always easy. A waterbase pillow is a good solution, because the water gently disperses and fills the region between your shoulder and jaw, to maintain proper cervical support - no matter what position you sleep in.

- Establish a routine: By keeping a regular bedtime, your body becomes trained to ritually wind down and speed up, thus bringing on sleep more consistently. Consider avoiding daytime naps, as they may alter your body's natural sleep cycle. Abstaining from naps helps to keep the body on schedule.

“The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict (Mysterious Benedict Society Series),” by Trenton Lee Stewart

Ages: 10-13

Pages: 470

Synopsis: Nine-year-old Nicholas Benedict has more problems than most children his age. Not only is he an orphan with an unfortunate nose, but he also has narcolepsy, a condition that gives him terrible nightmares and makes him fall asleep at the worst possible moments. Now he's being sent to a new orphanage, where he will encounter vicious bullies, selfish adults, strange circumstances — and a mystery that could change his life forever. Luckily, he has one important thing in his favor: He's a genius. On his quest to solve the mystery, Nicholas finds enemies around every corner, but also friends in unexpected places — and discovers along the way that the greatest puzzle of all is himself. - Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

The Three Stooges Collection, Vol. 1: 1934-1936, on DVD

Rated: Not rated

Length: 340 minutes

Synopsis: There’s a new “Three Stooges” movie, but if you want to check out the original comedy trio, start with this amazing collection. There are seven other DVD sets, but this is the very beginning.

Violence/scary rating: 3.5

Sexual-content rating: 1.5

Profanity rating: 1.5

Drugs/alcohol rating: 1.5

Family Time rating: 2.5: You know what to expect – cartoonish violence and madcap adventures.

(Ratings are judged on a five-point scale, with 5 being “bad for kids” and 1 being “fine for kids.”)

Most Americans are aware that identity theft is a significant problem, and that it's important to take measures to protect your identity. What people might not know is their children may also be targets of identity theft before they even become old enough to own a credit card. The Federal Trade Commission has identified child identity theft as a growing problem and encourages parents to do what they can to minimize the risks to their children. 

The most common way a criminal can steal or misuse the identity of a child is to get access to the child's Social Security number. The perpetrator then uses the Social Security number to open credit card accounts or loans, rent an apartment, sign up for utilities like cellphone service, or even apply for a job. Credit issuers often don't have a way to verify the age of the applicant, so if the criminal changes the age of the identity associated with your child, it's possible that the issuer may approve them for credit, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center.

Once an account has been established in your child's name, it's easier for criminals to establish subsequent accounts until this fraud is discovered. If your child's identity is stolen at an early age and the theft goes undiscovered until she reaches the age where she begins to establish her own credit, it can be very difficult to discover how the fraud first occurred.

Parents can take a number of steps to help prevent their children from becoming identity theft victims:

- Store your children's Social Security cards in a safe place, such as a safety deposit box. Only give out your children's Social Security number when it's absolutely necessary, and provide alternate verification whenever possible.

- Teach your children to never reveal personal information to anyone, no matter how trustworthy that person may seem. People close to the family are often found to be perpetrators in child identity theft cases.

- If your child receives pre-approved credit card offers in the mail, you may want to check in with a credit reporting agency or Social Security. If you've been contacted by a collection agency regarding an account in your child's name, there's a possibility your child's identity was stolen.

- Consider signing up your family members for a credit monitoring and identity protection solution.