Articles written by Sara Mcgrath - Page 2

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About me - Sara Mcgrath

I live near Seattle with my husband and three daughters. I spend time exploring the area, hiking and biking, gardening, keeping house, and playing with the kids and cats.

I've written for various websites including Suite101 and Examiner and also for print

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Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Father's Day: 18 of 109
Memorial Day passed by The day you died I'm still reeling From the enormity of loss And then comes Father's Day I feel it again That loss Still so fresh Bittersweet I feel like crying Tears of gladness Enormous gladness for having you As my dad More..
Health & Fitness > Nicotine Dependence Should smokers bear the responsibility for the health risks of cigarette smoking?: 4 of 24
I see a lot of propaganda for both sides of this "public health" argument. Some examples: "The Anti-Smoking Conspiracy: Attacks on smokers destroy your liberties, too." "Kills everything within 40 feet." (An anti-smoking flyer featuring a grenade.) "Anti-Smoking Nazis Sig Heil Their Agenda." "Non-smokers have rights, too." I... More..
Hobbies & Games > Video Game Culture & Community Video games and the cycle of blame for society's behavior: 3 of 16
According to the laws of the scientific method, in order to consider the questionable link between playing video games and acting out violently, we need to isolate the games and the players from all other possible factors. Unfortunately, possible factors abound in the home, at school, at work, and in the larger society. In a... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > After School Should parents raise their children without television?: 60 of 306
Should parents raise their children without television? "If students aren't taught the language of sound and images, shouldn't they be considered as illiterate as if they left college without being able to read or write?"-George Lucas I'm no fan of television, in general, but I don't think parents should raise their kids wit... More..
Health & Fitness > General Health (Other) Should fluoride be used to treat drinking water?: 1 of 5
As with all drugs, fluoride compounds carry side effects and risks beyond the proclaimed benefits. For this reason, consumers should have the right to choose whether or not to undergo treatment. Fluoridation of public drinking water constitutes nonconsensual mass medication of the populace and therefore presents an ethical a... More..
Pets & Animals > Dog Psychology What to do when your dog has separation anxiety: 4 of 18
I made a quick trip to the grocery store. I returned to the sound of my roommate's dog howling. I opened the door, and . . . oh no! The inside of my front door had been turned to sawdust. My plants were overturned. And, what was that smell? His name was Steel, and a steel door could not keep this dog from trying to escape fr... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Feeding & Breastfeeding Should women be allowed to breastfeed in public areas?: 24 of 105
Should women be allowed to breastfeed in public areas without scorn? This is a more reasonable question. Breast milk is indisputably the best nourishment for a baby. Why then would anyone question-not a woman's right-a baby's freedom to take the best nourishment available? The question of whether or not women should be allow... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Self-Help (Other) Learning through life's experiences: 12 of 51
Unschooling is a bit of a misnomer inasmuch as people equate learning with schooling or education. However, it is one of the most common terms used for learning through life's experiences. The unschooling approach to learning typically lacks a predetermined plan. That is one aspect of the lifestyle that appeals to many an ad... More..
Education > Homeschooling The case for "unschooling": 3 of 12
Let's talk about living and learning without school. In the absence of school, what do children do? They play. That is, they do what brings them joy. They do what calls to them. They do what they need to do to get from point A to point B. Oftentimes, that requires learning useful skills. Living is learning and when kids are ... More..
Health & Fitness > Sexually Transmitted Diseases Symptoms and treatment of HPV: 3 of 12
What are genital warts? Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which causes genital warts, is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a virus. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 50 percent of sexually active men and women will contract a genital HPV infection during their lives. Wh... More..