Transgendered Professor Let Go From Christian University for Being a 'Distraction'

woensdag 25 september 2013

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AppId is over the quota
by Jenny Erikson 12 hours ago

A professor at a California Christian University has finally found peace, but it comes at the cost of his job. H. Adam Ackley has been asked to step down from teaching theology and philosophy at Azusa Pacific University, because until this year, he was a she known as Heather Clements.

Ackley is in the third year of a five-year contract, but university officials have asked other teachers to take over his classes. He says the school has agreed to pay him through the end of the year, but not cover medical treatment for hormone therapy or “top surgery” through insurance.

Azusa apparently does not have an official policy on transgender issues, except to say, “Humans were created as gendered beings.”

Ackley said:

I did not get a sense directly from the individuals with whom I was speaking that they had a theological problem with transgender identity. I did get the message that it has to do with their concern that other people, such as donors, parents, and churches connected to the university will have problems not understanding transgender identity.

This is one of those tough situations that are becoming increasingly common in today’s culture. Ackley has struggled with gender-identity issues from childhood, and only made the switch this year after the American Psychiatric Association removed “gender identity disorder” from its list of mental illnesses. “This year has been a transition from being a mentally ill woman to being a sane, transgendered man,” he said.

While I applaud Ackley’s decision to live his life the way that he wants to, rather than conforming to societal or even religious norms, I also stand by Azuza Pacific’s right to ask him to step down. Agree with the decision or not, this is a private, religious school, and if they want their teachers to adhere to a particular code of conduct, then that’s their decision to make.

To force religious institutions to act in a way that is contrary to their beliefs tramples the First Amendment. One person’s right to his or her own lifestyle choices does not trump freedom of religion, even if a lot of people disagree with it. For example -- I love bacon cheeseburgers, but I’m not going to ask a kosher chef to make me one, even though I totally don’t understand how you can live a full life without knowing the insane deliciousness that is meat and cheese and bacon on a toasted bun with pickles.

Yes, H. Adam Ackley has every right to live as a man, and it seems like he’s already offering hope and inspiring others by being vocal about his faith and gender identity. But Azusa Pacific also has the right politely ask him to step down for making those lifestyle choices.

Do you think Azusa Pacific had the right to ask a professor to leave for being transgendered?

Image via idban secandri/Flickr

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jenny Erikson

is a conservative chick living in Southern California with her two daughters. She loves politics and hates laundry.

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Ian Somerhalder Reveals How He Really Feels About Not Being Cast as Christian Grey

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AppId is over the quota
by Maressa Brown 14 hours ago

Ever since Ian Somerhalder was left in the dust by confirmation that Charlie Hunnam is going to be the big screen incarnation of Christian Grey, the Vampire Diaries' star's fans have been livid. Feeling downright brokenhearted and disappointed, they feel like they want justice to be served. Well, they may finally be able to cool their jets now that Ian has spoken out about how he truly feels about losing the coveted role ...

Speaking to HuffPost Live, Ian clarified that while he is "unbelievably grateful for all the support and all the cheering and the love" from fans who were campaigning for him to play Christian Grey, he's got enough on his plate already.

Ian elaborated, "I'm on a TV show that shoots 10 months a year." Furthermore, he says:

It's so funny, you read these blogs: 'Ian Somerhalder angry, livid he's not Christian Grey' -- I mean, no, no, no, there's none of that.

Whew! I don't know about you, but an enraged Ian Somerhalder is not someone I'd ever want to cross paths with! Eek! No, but seriously, good for him for setting the record straight -- and handling the situation in a mature, chill, professional way. I wouldn't be surprised if the guy's a bit bummed, but he gets major points -- from fans and Hollywood insiders alike -- for taking the disappointment like a man!

What's more, he's reminding fans they can see him as much as they want thanks to his existing gig with the CW! Plus, if rumors are true that he could end up cast as Gideon Cross in the upcoming small screen version of Sylvia Day's Crossfire novels, we'll get to see much, much more of him. Even more than if he had been cast as Christian Grey! And really, what could be better than that?

How do you feel about Ian's reaction to the post-Fifty Shades casting buzz?

Image via CWTV

Click the "Like" button below if you love vampires! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Maressa Brown

has enjoyed reporting and writing for a variety of entertainment and women's magazines and websites. More often than not, you'll find her blogging, hitting the gym, reading, researching something on her iPhone, laughing, chatting at an above-"normal" volume, or getting her caffeine fix.

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Pastor May Lose His Job for Being a Really Good Parent

dinsdag 24 september 2013

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AppId is over the quota
by Nicole Fabian-Weber 1 hour ago

Rev. Frank Schaefer, a pastor in South Lebanon, Pennsylvania, is about to go on trial before the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church -- all because he officiated his son's wedding six years ago. What's wrong with a pastor officiating his son's wedding? Ah, well, you see, Rev. Schaefer's son happens to be gay, and his wedding was to -- gasp! -- someone of the same sex.

The trial is set to begin on November 18, and if things go really bad, he could be stripped of his ministerial credentials and out of a job. Schaefer says that he knew when he made the decision to officiate his child's wedding, it could lead to trouble, but it was a no-brainer. "The love for my son took over the fear of losing my job with the United Methodist Church," Schaefer said. "It was a tough decision in some sense, but I just knew I had to make it. I had to follow my heart."

Beautiful. And also ... horrible. How could a church put a man on trial for loving his son? For putting his kid's needs before his own? Isn't that what being a parent, and being a good person, is all about? Selflessness? Kindness? Love?

The fact that a good person like Schaefer could be out of a job for deciding to stand by his child is sickening and, quite honestly, something that seems like it dates back to the 1800s. There ought to be more pastors like him, not less. This is a man who decided to deviate from the archaic, group thinking in order to put what's right and, more importantly, love first. People should look to him as an example, not as someone who did something wrong. 

Hopefully, Rev. Schaefer won't lose his job, because it sounds like the church needs him more than he needs it. And if he does, I'm sure he has faith that things will work out. At least he can rest easy knowing he has his family's love.

What do you think of this?

Image via Phil Whitehouse/Flickr

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Terrorists Storm Mall in Kenya Murdering Dozens, Hostages Still Being Held

zondag 22 september 2013

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AppId is over the quota
by Michele Zipp 1 hour ago

At least 10 terrorists believed to be part of Al-Shabaab, an affiliate of Al Qaeda, have stormed the luxurious Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya on a murderous spree with a reported mission of killing Westerners. The images coming out from witnesses of this massacre are terrifying and you should prepare yourself before viewing them. There is blood everywhere. An escalator filled with young people hands all in the air with a look that they aren't sure if the men with guns are trying to kill them or protect them. One mother with a look of sheer terror on her face lying on the floor trying to shield her baby and child. A family holding hands trying to escape. Another mother running cradling her infant in her arms as fully armored military try to keep the area secure. 

The standoff is not over and so far 59 people are dead, and over 175 injured. There are 30 hostages still being held inside the mall that has been terrorized for more than a day.

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta is grieving not only for his people, but his nephew and his fiancee were killed in the attack. "They shall not get away with their despicable, beastly acts," he said of the terrorists. "Like the cowardly perpetrators now cornered in the building, we will punish the masterminds swiftly and indeed very painfully."

It is believed 10 to 15 members of the Somalian-based Al-Shabaab group stormed the mall from different entry points and began their bloody killing spree. They have now all met up in one part of the mall and have with them about 30 hostages. There were over 1,000 people who managed to escape. This is the deadliest attack in the area since Al Qaeda bombed the US Embassy there in 1998, which killed 213 people.

The mall is a very popular weekend spot for shoppers and those looking to relax with a cup of coffee. It looks like any large mall found all over America with over 80 stores and a movie theater, and it's exactly the type of tactic terrorists look for -- striking fear in people and making them feel they cannot do everyday things like go out with their family on a weekend.

It has been reported that one of the terrorists is a white woman, and it was suggested it could be infamous Al-Shabaab-affiliated "White Widow" Samantha Lewthwaite. A CNN terrorist analyst feels that would be unlikely. "Typically these groups are misogynist. Their view is the woman should be in a home and shrouded in a body veil," Peter Bergen said. But officials aren't ruling anything out. 

The group responsible has sent out tweets, one reading: "The Mujahideen are still strong inside #Westgate Mall and still holding their ground."

Kenyan officials have also brought in Israeli special forces to help. We're keeping a close eye on this story and hoping there aren't any more casualties.

Does this make you fear going to the mall or doing any other kind of every day things?

Image via RT/Youtube

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Michele Zipp

loves vintage and will defend skinny jeans to the death though she is highly superstitious and "death" is probably a bad word choice. She has a touch of the hoarding disease and enjoys sleuthing, the worst reality shows, and wearing high heels, even at the playground. She's an AP mom of twins, slightly crunchy but with a pedicure.

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Mom's Guide Dog Saves Her Baby From Being Hit by a Car

zaterdag 21 september 2013

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AppId is over the quota
by Mary Fischer 20 hours ago

Mom Jessica Crowley is thanking her lucky stars after her guide dog saved her baby's life by pushing his stroller out of the way of a car that was heading straight for it.

Jessica is registered blind, and her black lab, Jet, has been by her side for five years. While getting ready to cross the street pushing her son Jacob's stroller, she heard the screech of a car coming in their direction. And just before it hit, Jet broke loose from Jessica's grip and knocked the stroller out of the way. It did fall over and the baby wound up with a cut on his lip, but if it weren't for Jet's quick actions, something much worse could have happened.

Jessica says that Jet loves little Jacob as if he were her own, which is evident based on how she reacted when she realized he was in danger. Who says a dog can't have mama bear instincts -- even if a human baby is the one she's trying to protect? It's amazing how even though she's trained to assist Jessica, she immediately switched gears and came to Jacob's rescue.

I'm sure this mom keeps replaying what happened over and over again in her mind -- I know I would if my son had almost been hit by a car. And I don't know how I'd ever be able to give that dog enough love and praise to thank her for what she did -- though something tells me dogs do what they feel is right without expecting anything much in return.

What a blessing it is that Jessica had Jet with her that day. I'm sure every time she hears her sweet baby boy's voice, she's once again reminded of what a gem of a dog she has in her life!

Is your dog protective of your baby?

Image via Martin Pettitt/Flickr

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mary Fischer

is the writer behind The Mommyologist, and the mom of a future famous comedian. Her current loves include Pinot Grigio on ice and Harry Styles -- in that order.

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Being Cast as Christian Grey Is Already Turning Charlie Hunnam's Life Upside Down

vrijdag 20 september 2013

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AppId is over the quota
by Maressa Brown 12 hours ago

Charlie Hunnam may have yet to start shooting Fifty Shades of Grey but he's already being treated like Hollywood royalty. Apparently, Universal Pictures has supplied the up-and-coming mega-star with his very own "handful of bodyguards." Uh, whaaa?!

What's next, his very own bulletproof limousine? Air Force Fifty? Eesh. It's not like the guy was just elected to public office, so what's with the amped-up security? Well, reportedly, the studio is concerned that people are going to try to swarm the poor guy -- some reports say Hunnam is already being followed by fans hoping to score his John Hancock -- so the bodyguards are meant to prevent keep the adoring crowds in line. Whoa.

And it's not just hearsay. The Hollywood Reporter notes that extra security was hired for the 33-year-old during FX's Sept. 7 Anarchy premiere in Hollywood, and it was definitely funded by Universal -- NOT FX.

In other words, the studio is doing all that they can to keep their leading man safe and comfortable amid this overnight onslaught of attention. Aww! OR they're pulling this as a publicity stunt?! You know, fake it 'til you make it. Pretend the hype is at a certain level ... until it ACTUALLY IS. OMG, crazy.

More from The Stir: Charlie Hunnam's Sexy Promise Will Thrill '50 Shades of Grey' Fans

Either way, I worry this could eaaaaasily go to Charlie's head! The guy hasn't even read his first official line in front of Sam Taylor-Johnson's camera, and he has bodyguards. Oof. You've gotta be pretty mature and secure in who you are as a person to not suddenly get a HUGE ego over something like that, huh? Thankfully, from what we know so far, Charlie seems like he can take the heat ... Which I'm sure is one of the reasons Universal brought him on-board in the first place.

What do you make of this?!

Image via Rudy Torres/Celebrity Monitor/Splash News

Click the "Like" button below if you're a fan of Fifty Shades of Grey! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Maressa Brown

has enjoyed reporting and writing for a variety of entertainment and women's magazines and websites. More often than not, you'll find her blogging, hitting the gym, reading, researching something on her iPhone, laughing, chatting at an above-"normal" volume, or getting her caffeine fix.

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Popular Actor Breaks Silence About Being Kidnapped

vrijdag 13 september 2013

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AppId is over the quota
by Rebecca Stokes 14 hours ago

If you've seen Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock or Star Trek: Into Darkness, it's hard to imagine him ever losing his cool. That's probably part of his appeal -- that and his drool-worthy British accent. It's also hard to imagine him living anything other than a very sheltered life. I mean, come on, his name wouldn't look out of place on a list of England's royals.

But not everything is always as it appears. Sometimes even the rakishly handsome British types experience experiences and that's part of what makes them choose to live exceptional lives. That's right. I'm getting deep.

Cumberbatch was shooting a miniseries in South Africa in 2005. It was there that he and two friends found themselves looking down the barrel of a gun. It's not the sort of peril you expect to find on a film set where presumably your every whim is managed. The group's car had broken down in a dangerous neighborhood leaving them sitting ducks.

He and his friends were attacked by a group of men. Cumberbatch found himself tied up and shoved into the trunk of a car. A million thoughts about his future and the possible outcomes of this attack ran through his head:

I was scared, really scared. I said: "What are you going to do with us? Are you going to kill us?" I was really worried that I was going to get ... tortured or toyed with in some way, some act of control and savagery.

Inexplicably and out of the blue, the kidnappers released their victims allowing them to flee to safety. Cumberbatch always projects an aura of stoicism in the roles he undertakes. You can't help but wonder if a lot of that strength coming from his performances is born from being a real survivor.

Do you think his past experiences have made Benedict a different kind of actor?

Image via Instagram

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rebecca Stokes

Rebecca is a writer who lives in Brooklyn with her cats. She is probably even at this moment spilling food on herself.

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Putting Your Baby on Facebook Within an Hour of Being Born Is a MUST

dinsdag 27 augustus 2013

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AppId is over the quota
by Mary Fischer 2 hours ago

It's no big secret that social media has kind of taken over our culture in every way possible. That's why it probably won't come as a shock to hear that most babies make their Facebook debut within an hour of being born.

The website www.posterista.co.uk polled 2,367 parents of kids ages 5 and under and asked them how soon their newborn's image was posted to one of their social media platforms after birth. The average time came in at 57.9 minutes, and not surprisingly, Facebook was the place where photos were shared the most, with Instagram and Flickr coming in second and third.

Huh, 57.9 minutes? I'm actually kind of shocked the average time is that long, considering how glued we are to our smartphones.

And I know there are plenty of moms and dads who are cautious about posting pictures online of their kids, but I honestly think that sharing baby's photos via Facebook is a good thing for new parents.

OMG. Do you know what I would've done for a Facebook account back when I had my son seven years ago? We were living out in Denver at the time of his birth, and all of our family and friends were back on the east coast. And that meant that on and around the day that he arrived, we were bombarded with phone call after phone call and email after email wanting to hear the scoop and/or obtain photos. To say it got pretty annoying and tedious is a major understatement.

I mean, we appreciated the fact that everyone was taking an interest in our son and it was understandable that they wanted to hear all the details on his birth. But considering how emotionally and physically exhausted we were, we groaned pretty much every time the phone rang or we opened our inboxes.

It would've been so nice to quickly upload photos and share them with everyone with one simple click. Maybe we actually would've had the much needed peace and quiet we were craving during that time.

If I could offer one piece of advice to today's new parents, I'd say SHARE AWAY when it comes to posting your baby's photos to Facebook, Instagram, whatever. You're not only doing yourselves a favor by gaining a little more time to bond with your newborn -- you're also making everyone who loves and cares about you absolutely thrilled in a matter of a few seconds. See? You can't get more of a win-win situation than that.

How long did you wait before sharing your baby's photos online?

Image via jencu/Flickr

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mary Fischer

is the writer behind The Mommyologist, and the mom of a future famous comedian. Her current loves include cosmopolitans, reality TV, and shoes that don't pinch her feet.

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'Teen Mom 3' Star Briana DeJesus Isn't Afraid of Being Criticized

dinsdag 20 augustus 2013

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AppId is over the quota

When MTV aired its 16 & Pregnant episode featuring Briana DeJesus, they weren't just showing the life of one Florida teenager. Briana has a sister, Brittany, who also got pregnant in her teens. But while Briana chose to carry her daughter Nova to term, her sister had an abortion. Their story showed two very different choices with two very different consequences, and now we get to see the two paths these sisters have taken on Teen Mom 3.

Briana has joined the cast of the show premiering on August 26, and so has Brittany, albeit in a supporting role as she is not technically a teen mom because of her choice. Briana sat down with The Stir to talk about what she has been up to in the year since the show was taped and why she isn't worried about Teen Mom haters:

On her decision to join the Teen Mom 3 cast:

I did 16 & Pregnant for a reason; I had a story to tell. My sister had an abortion; I decided to keep my baby, and my episode basically shows the viewers you have choices, and every choice you make, there's still gonna be hardships.

After 16 & Pregnant aired, I had such positive feedback, and MTV decided people really liked my story. I'm pretty sure people still want to see me grow, so they offered me the position, and I was like, might as well go with it.

On her fears about the viewers criticizing her:

I know myself, and I know I'm responsible, respectful. I know I'm a good mom.

On her sister, Brittany, being forced to open up about her abortion for the show:

That was hard for her; that's a sensitive topic that she doesn't really like to talk about. I'm glad that she was able to open up, and now she's the best sister, the best aunt to Nova. She's so supportive. I thought she would be very sad to see me with Nova and grow, but she's actually happy for me and Nova. She's happy for herself that she can still watch a baby grow up.

More From The Stir: 'Teen Mom' Star's Breastfeeding Experience Brings Her to Tears

On being compared to the other Teen Moms:

I don't like that. I feel like I'm Briana, that's Katie, and Alex, and Mackenzie. I don't feel like ... we're the same, but we're different in so many ways.

On her relationship with ex-boyfriend (and father of her daughter) Devoin Austin: 

Devoin is Devoin, still the same old Devoin. He's still up and down; he doesn't know if he wants to be a father or not. There are days where he'll try and then there are weeks where I won't hear from him. It came to the point where I was like if you're not going to put your full attention and your all into your daughter, you're wasting my time and you're wasting her time.

Kids need structure, and if you don't have any of that, there's no reason for you to have kids.

I don't need him. I have my mom, my sister. Nova's going to be OK. I'm going to teach Nova when she grows up that you don't need a man; you can do this on your own, and it's a living proof when she sees those videos.

On the strong women in her life, helping her:

I don't know what I'd do without my mom. My mom is like my lifeline. If I didn't have my mom, where would me and Nova be?

My mom supports me, but she doesn't raise my child. What she put through my head when I told her I wanted to keep her was "I will help you when I can, but this is your child, and you need to take care of her. I'm not taking care of her." Still to this day, she doesn't overdo it.

She's a busy woman and it's not my mom's responsibility to take care of my child. It's my child, my responsibility.

Did you watch Briana on 16 & Pregnant? What are you looking forward to seeing on Teen Mom 3?

Image by Jeanne Sager

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Being Honest About an Emotional Affair Is the Quickest Way to Ruin Your Marriage

dinsdag 13 augustus 2013

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AppId is over the quota
by Kiri Blakeley 10 hours ago

Most women say that an emotional affair is just as devastating -- sometimes even more so -- than a purely physical encounter. One therapist says that you should inform your spouse if you're thinking or fantasizing about another person. Err, what?! I'm a HUGE believer in honesty, but what would be the point in telling your partner you've got a crush on your coworker?

Tammy Nelson writes:

Preventing emotional infidelity may be as simple as (and this is actually harder than it sounds) telling the truth. In order to avoid an affair, you and your partner have to accept that it is natural and normal to be emotionally and physically attracted to other people. And if you find yourself fantasizing about this other person, tell on yourself before it goes any further.

Hey, there's admitting you have a crush on Robert Pattinson and then there's admitting you have a crush on Don, the dude from accounting.

Tammy -- who has either never had a crush or has a VERY understanding husband -- goes on:

It is easier to talk about now than it will be later, after the emotional affair has developed into something more complicated. A word of advice: telling your partner means being honest about your feelings. It doesn't mean using specific details. Be open and honest about your concerns and let your partner know that you want to be clear about your feelings before they turn into something more.

It is normal to be attracted to someone with whom you have developed an emotional connection. But moving that relationship into something sexual is the next step, and it is potentially dangerous for your relationship. If you are in a relationship and afraid you might cheat, talk to your partner today and be honest about your feelings.

OMG, can you imagine?! Coming home and telling hubster you've got the hots for Don means you'll be lucky if you have a job tomorrow! Let's get real here. Let's talk about how else you can solve the problem of a crush without making your spouse nutty with unwarranted jealousy:

1. Be honest with yourself about why you have a crush. Are you developing a relationship with someone besides your partner because you truly can't talk to your partner about certain things? Or because you and your partner truly have lost the spark and magic? Then work on that. Be honest with your partner about the things you feel you've LOST, not that you think you've found this with someone else. If you haven't crossed the line into blatant emotional affair nor cheating, then you need to find out what is drawing you to that other person that might harm your marriage.

2. Yes, everyone has crushes. If you don't let crushes get away from you -- to the point where you are obsessing, or acting on it, or trying to act on it -- then is it really so bad? Can't you keep this thing to yourself? For god's sake, don't start emailing and texting flirty stuff, because that will always get found out. (Plus, you shouldn't do that anyway.) But if you're sitting there thinking, "Man, he's smokin'," can you not just do that and keep your trap and your legs shut about it?

3. Don't make a crush into an emotional affair. Tammy does bring up some good points. Like what behavior brings you into unacceptable emotional affair territory. Calling after hours, complaining about your spouse, etc. If you start doing that, there is something called self-restraint. Learn how to use it. Realize this crush will NOT solve all your problems. Or even a fraction of them. Talk to your spouse about your marriage. And get therapy or read books so you can figure out what is making YOU feel empty.

4. Ask yourself if you want to be free to pursue your crush. If so, then by all means, talk to your partner. In fact, break up with him or her if you plan on bringing your crush candies, flowers, and love notes.

Telling your partner that you are fantasizing or thinking about someone else is dangerous territory. Yes, it might be honest. But there is such a thing as too much honesty. Married people don't need to share every tiny thought that jumps into their brains!

The exception here would be if you are thinking about the same sex. If you are gay or think you might be, you really need to talk to your partner. Even if that means confessing about Don, the dude from accounting.

Should you tell your partner when you have a crush?

Image via iStock

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Toddler Dies From Leukemia 2 Days After Being Best Man at Parents' Wedding

dinsdag 6 augustus 2013

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AppId is over the quota
by Adriana Velez 2 hours ago

Remember the dying toddler who was going to be the best man at his parents' wedding last weekend? Logan Stevenson was losing his battle with leukemia and was expected to die within weeks, so his parents moved their wedding to this weekend so they could include him in the ceremony. They were just in time -- heartbreakingly, Logan died just yesterday. His mother, Christine Swidorsky Stevenson, announced via Facebook that Logan died in her arms at home. "He is with angels and he is in no more pain," she wrote.

Just a day or two before, Christine had carried her son on her shoulder as she walked down the aisle. He stood by his parents (and was sometimes held by his grandmother) for the 12-minute ceremony, wearing a tan pinstripe suit and orange shirt. Christine and her husband, Sean, knew time was running out for Logan. But I wonder if they knew how soon he would leave.

Logan was having trouble breathing by Monday, and a hospice worker came over to confirm that he was in his last few hours of life. The family gathered around. Logan was at home, surrounded by people who loved him, and comfortable. As awful as it is for a child to die so young, at least his death was peaceful and supporting.

Christine and Sean must be so glad they had the wedding when they did. And it's amazing that Logan held on long enough for the ceremony. It must have taken every ounce of his energy. Those memories will always be bittersweet, but they include Logan, and he will always be with them because of that. You can see photos of Logan Stevenson at his parents' wedding online.

Are you surprised Logan died so soon after his parents' wedding?

Image via Morgan/Facebook

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Adriana Velez

is a staff writer who dabbles in food, parenting, news, entertainment, molecular biology, and anything else that that pops into her head. She lives with her elementary school-aged son in Brooklyn, land of urban farms and artisan everything.  

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Parents Freak Out Over '50 Shades for Kids' Being Required Reading at School

donderdag 1 augustus 2013

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AppId is over the quota
by Kiri Blakeley 2 hours ago

Nothing gets parents' knickers in a twist more than the idea their kids might get their knickers twisted with a little self exploration. Masturbation is an instinctual and natural act that causes no harm whatsoever, but still kids are shamed out of it. One group of parents in Queens, New York got so alarmed about an award-winning book that had some passages about masturbation in it that the book was removed from the required reading list. Didn't these parents ever read Are You There God? It's Me Margaret?!

The book, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, contains passages such as:

And if God hadn’t wanted us to masturbate, then God wouldn’t have given us thumbs. So I thank God for my thumbs.

Ooooooh. Horrors. One parent went so far as to compare the book to one that contains about a gajillion sex scenes, and you probably know what book I'm talking about it. Said mom Kelly-Ann McMullan-Preiss, who refused to let her son read the book:

It’s about ... masturbation — which is not appropriate for my child to learn at 11. It was like 50 Shades of Grey for kids.

Riiiight.

Who are these parents who read through their kids' summer reading lists looking for dirty bits anyway? Don't they have things to do?

I wonder how many of these parents would be fine with their kids reading a book about a kid who has a gun. Or who even give their kids guns!

But masturbation? Woah. Now that's some dangerous stuff!

Here's a clue parents: At 11, your kid is either masturbating, has heard about it, has considered it, or will start doing it within the next few years. And who cares? How exactly would this harm your child? No, it won't make your child any more sexually active than not knowing about masturbation.

Said the author, Sherman Alexie, about the taboo subject:

To pretend that kids aren’t dealing with this on an hour-by-hour basis is a form of denial.

As the book says, "Everybody does it. And everybody likes it."

But not some parents, apparently. At least not if their kids are doing the liking!

Do you think these parents overreacted?

Image via hpeguk/Flickr

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Kim Kardashian Speaks Out About Being a Mom for the First Time Since Baby's Birth

donderdag 18 juli 2013

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AppId is over the quota
by Sasha Brown-Worsham 11 hours ago

Kim Kardashian has been laying pretty low since her baby girl North West came into the world on June 15. The new mom and her partner Kanye West have (wisely) taken their time releasing statements about parenthood, preferring instead to just have some private time. Now all that is over.

Kardashian has released her first statement about her new role via her blog and the statement is shockingly... demure. In it, she says how much she loves motherhood and also implies -- in a VERY un-Kardashian like manner -- that she has chosen privacy for this short period.

Say what?! See below:

Hey guys,

These past couple of weeks have been filled with the most exciting experiences of my life. I’m enjoying this time to fully embrace motherhood and spend time at home with my family. I’ve been reading all of your messages and want to thank you all for your sweet thoughts and best wishes. It truly means everything to me. I am so blessed to have the support of my family and fans in this beautiful moment. Xo

With love,
Kim

She sounds like a true new mom, doesn't she? I think we all know new motherhood changes us, but I don't think ANYONE thought new motherhood would change Kim Kardashian quite THIS much. Is she a new person?

Only time will tell.

It is clear, though, she is a mom now. That means taking her privacy seriously for the first time in her life. It means protecting her baby and letting all those new mom hormones settle before going out in the world.

Those first few weeks of a new baby are a heady mix of hormones, exhaustion, and elatement. I can't imagine wanting to be in the public eye during that time and apparently, neither could she.

It will definitely be interesting to see what emerges as time goes on. Will she be back to old Kim? Or will she seek privacy? We shall see!

Do you think Kim K will be more private now?

Image via Splash

Click the "Like" button below if you're Krazy for the Kardashians! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sasha Brown-Worsham

can't decide whether she is a mother, writer, or runner, but is usually all three at some point each day. She has written for dozens of print magazines, newspapers, and websites. She rarely ever writes on bathroom walls.

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