From the Editor’s Desk

It’s been quite a week for hot topics in the parenting world. Here are the 5 things that have got us talking around the office this past week:
1. Measles
Of course measles is still the number one news item affecting families, as the number of confirmed cases rises to eight in Ontario and 10 in Quebec. While tempers flare in the pro-vax and anti-vax camps—with posts like this one slamming anti-vaxxers going viral—a new Angus Reid poll suggests the majority of opinion is firmly in the pro-vaccination camp. It found that 74% of Canadians believe people who are against childhood vaccines are ‘irresponsible.’ Interestingly though, in Quebec where the number of cases of measles is highest, only 45% of people believe vaccines should be mandatory for school attendance. By contrast, in all other provinces, 61% to 71% said they believed childhood vaccines should be required for school.

We’ve read some great blog posts on the issue, including this insightful piece by Savvy Storyteller Rebecca Keenan at Playground Confidential. And we were also really moved by a post called “I’m Autistic, And Believe Me, It’s A Lot Better Than Measles.” Some things to think about on your way to find your family’s vaccine cards to make sure everyone is up to date.

2. Miscarriage
Also among the most read Savvy Stories posts this week was this moving post on pregnancy loss by Stacy Blair from 27th and Olive. The Grief We Can’t Talk About created a lot of conversation about why so many of us still feel compelled to hide miscarriage from the world. We encourage you to check it out, it’s a wonderful read.

3. Baby Food Guidelines
Our food editor Jan Scott is expecting her third baby any day! And a lot has changed since 2002 when she last fed a baby! Jan decoded the new infant feeding guidelines released last May, which turn on its head the old-school norm of starting baby only on fortified baby cereals, and instead suggest incorporating iron-rich foods such as meat, eggs and legumes as first foods.

4. Saying No to Gwyneth
We think we’ve had enough of Gwyneth Paltrow telling us what to do and that was never more clear than this past week when she announced to the world that she’s better than us at having reproductive organs. Our sister site thebabypost.com had a few choice words for the Goop founder in “Thanks, but No Thanks, Gwyneth.”
Now onto something a little less cray-cray:

5. Valentine’s Day
While we may not wish to steam our nether regions we can all get behind making Valentine’s Day a family affair. And since it falls on a Saturday this year, making Valentine’s Day crafts and treats is a perfect way to celebrate together—and stay warm inside, too. Check out our 30 Easy Valentine’s Day Recipes, Crafts and Projects.

Happy Valentine’s Day from our families to yours!

Your friends at Savvy HQ