Hello, and welcome to my new blog on parenting. There are many blogs for skeptics and many others for parenting, but I hope to engage those who fall into both camps. Let this be a resource for Moms and Dads who want to double check the scientific facts of a product’s claims. Let this be a place for guidance for those parents who don’t fit into traditional categories. Let this be a home to the many who like to teach their children the qualities of logic, scientific inquiry, and churchless morality.
I will do my best to give scientifically accurate information and to interpret research fairly and responsibly. I will try to understand both sides of an issue before passing judgement. I will respect that I may be wrong on matters that I don’t completely understand and will promise to correct any mistakes authored in my posts. I expect commenters to adhere to the same principles, to be open to the possibility that they are in error, and to understand that they should attack the argument and not the person.
I have many ideas for future posts. I welcome advice and tips for topics. I look forward to hearing from my visitors. Please let me know what you think about parenting as a skeptic, and what you want to see from this blog.
Hope to see you around here often!
Colin
Ticktock
philosodad
Rob T
Jason
September 20, 2009 at 6:12 am |
Just wondering if you guys are looking for other contributors – have done some research on colic (for my first two week old son) and would like to write about the research if you guys are interested.
I’m a dietitian and exercise scientist – and heard about your site from the Skeptics Guide to the Universe Podcast at Dragoncon – keep up the great work
October 9, 2009 at 11:05 am |
Skepticdad, help!
My mom, and others, tell me not to get the H1N1 vaccine. My doctor, and others, tell me that I should. I’m pregnant, so I’m definitely on the CDC list. How do I separate fear from science?
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/07/why-are-we-afraid-of-the-new-flu-vaccine/
Thanks, guys! Keep battling for truth and science!
October 9, 2009 at 11:24 am |
I have a friend from college staying with me this week. Her sister is pregnant and came down with swine flu. I’m pretty sure she would tell you to get the vaccine. Pregnancy not only increases the chance of getting swine flu, but also increases the chance of death once you do have swine flu.
Here’s a good article on the topic:
http://skepticalob.blogspot.com/2009/10/extraordinary-death-toll-of-h1n1-in.html
and this from a communicable disease expert:
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=2040
It would help me to know what their specific concerns are.
The CDC has a page here:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/pregnant.htm
Another thing that is happening is that these well-intentioned family members are priming a whole bunch of fear in pregnant women. And if only a fraction of those fearful women have autistic kids (say 1/100), then we will have another round of accusations and paranoia that will further jeopardize vaccination rates.