conference call with katie couric

on tuesday, I had the opportunity to sit in on a conference call discussing the impact the recession has had on children. the call was led by katie couric. katie and the cbs network are focusing on how this recession is effecting the children of the united states. when I was presented this opportunity through philadelphia moms blog (organized by the parent group -- silicon valley moms group), I jumped at the chance. at first the slots were filled, but thankfully they were able to wiggle me in to listen. I did not speak and was more interested in listening to what katie wanted to focus in on and also hearing what other fellow moms thought about the current economic situation and how it is effecting our children.

katie's series is called 'children of the recession'.

we discussed how teachers are stepping up to provide prom dresses, backpacks, food, etc... shockingly, I found out that 20% of families are foregoing medical and dental care. sadly, we discussed how child abuse and neglect cases are increasing (which aired wednesday evening). this is something I just do not understand and breaks my heart into so many pieces.

and the topics that definitely hit close to home were how this recession is going to effect our children's future. we did not explore this topic as much as I wanted as we ran out of time, but we did touch on it briefly. families have been cutting back everywhere. we discussed one area that many polls are showing a cut back, which is the food (21% of families are now buying food differently due to the recession). more families are buying generic brands, which is fine, but there also are many turning to unhealthy cheap food alternatives -- such as fast food, and/or high fat/unhealthy cheap grocery food items. child obesity is already an epidemic and my fear is this recession will only worsen this problem. another issue hitting most of us -- public schools seeing increasing enrollments, but funding is being cut in half.

I would love to open up a dialogue to discuss how the recession is effecting you and your family. but also as bloggers, as women, as mothers, whichever category you fit in -- children are being affected and this should be a call to action for all of us. whether it be through your church, temple, community organization, family -- what can you do to help others? and what are you doing to help your children understand and learn from these tough times?

I'll start...

~ I feel so blessed that we (me, bub, double l and claire) have not been directly impacted by this recession. yes, I just found out my medical insurance will now charge a co-pay for lab work (which will add up during pregnancies fast since I am high risk and monitored closely). yes, my husband and I both did not receive merit increases because the companies we work for did all they could to avoid layoffs! oh and yes there is that dark cloud over our heads as we both work in industries that have been hit hard by this recession. but we are still standing, still living in this old house and still eating food and dressing our baby boy. we are saving and budgeting and counting pennies, but we are doing well.

~ I am looking for volunteer ideas for my brother and I. he is 13 and not going to camp this summer, so I want to help my mom keep him busy. volunteering is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done and I think it will be fun for us to do it together. any ideas that fall in line with helping under-served communities or children that maybe suffering from this economy???

~ we have also made an effect to give more and to more charities. charities are hit hard during economic crisis! Historically, our financial support was limited to our church's needs, our friends who had a student outreach ministry, but now will be going abroad as missionaries, special olympics and St Jude's. Starting late last year, I incorporated the march of dimes, and a couple local organizations (i.e. fire department) into our budget as well.

we need to be apart of the solution!