Articles written by Sara Mcgrath - Page 4

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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 magazines

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Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting Tips Should good grades be rewarded with cash?: 11 of 29
What's the most important thing that we want our children to get out of schooling? An education, right? We want them to learn and gain tools for use in life outside of school. However, when we offer our children money in exchange for good grades, we give them the idea that grades are what we want them to get out of schooling ... More..
Pets & Animals > Dog Psychology What to do when your dog has separation anxiety: 7 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 from... More..
Health & Fitness > Allergies School districts should bar anyone from bringing peanut products to school: 23 of 59
As the mother of two young children with multiple allergies and as a person who suffered two life-threatening anaphylactic reactions myself, I understand the seriousness of the risk peanuts place to allergic school children and I understand a parent's desire to protect their children from that risk. However, I wouldn't suppor... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Diapering Why real diapers are better than disposables: 2 of 5
Before my daughter was born, I planned to put her in cloth diapers. I didn't do much research on the differences between cloth and disposables. Cloth just seemed like the natural choice. But, before I even gave cloth a chance, I changed my mind out of fear.1. I was afraid that using cloth diapers would be a lot of work.2. I w... More..
Health & Fitness > Pediatrics Has the widespread use of sunscreen contributed to vitamin D deficiency in children?: 2 of 5
Vitamin D deficiency can more accurately be called sunlight deficiency. In fact, Vitamin D is not actually a vitamin, but a steroid hormone produced in the body after direct exposure of the skin to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation in sunlight."Vitamin D" occurs naturally in only a few foods, including liver, egg yolk, and fatty ... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Pregnancy What types of fish are safe to eat during pregnancy?: 2 of 5
Fish and seafood provide pregnant women, as well as developing babies, with high-quality protein and essential Omega-3 fatty acids, which maintain skin hydration, support elasticity, and minimize stretching during pregnancy (see below for more on skin hydration). Unfortunately, nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Family: 17 of 41
"I run down the street screaming and crying," my sister says."Me, too," I say, "Like a lunatic." I smile, or try to. What's wrong with running out your pain under the moon? I rather appreciate the connection between la luna and lunacy. Don't we all need that cyclic opportunity to shed the old blood, or the bad blood, or whate... More..
Sciences > Archaeology The difference between anthropology and archaeology explained: 5 of 12
By definition, archaeology is a branch of anthropology. However, outside of North America, archaeology is often considered a related, but separate field from anthropology.Anthropologists study humans, their origins, behavior, physical, social, and cultural development. Archaeologists focus on historic and prehistoric humans, ... More..
Education > Early Childhood Ed How can parents who practice attachment parenting choose day care?: 4 of 9
When my children were young, I practiced attachment parenting (AP) and ran an in-home day care center. AP was part of my lifestyle and I applied the AP approach to caring for all the kids who came into my home.Any caregiver can embrace the approach and use the tools of attachment parenting. AP does not require an at-home mom.... More..
Education > Early Childhood Ed Will "universal preschool" for 3- and 4-year-olds improve academic achievement over the long term?: 11 of 24
"There is little standardized testing, few parents agonize over college and kids don't start school until age 7."This is how a recent article described early education in Finland where students are considered the "smartest in the world."According to a recent international test, Finnish students placed first in science and nea... More..