Wordless Wednesday: Partnership Parenting | Natural Parents ...

(Read more about parenting and partners on our resource page and enjoy this week?s articles on the theme.)

From Shannon: ?We each have our strengths and weaknesses, and work together to raise our children. I would not be the mother I am without his support.?

Shannon blogs at Pineapples & Artichokes.

Jorje could not have survived the NICU without her partner, Elmo. Here you see a rare NICU visit together.

Jorje blogs at Momma Jorje.

Amy says, ?Sledding as a family wouldn?t have been possible without the incredible partnership of my Hubs! We took turns sledding with Abbey and holding Joe.?

Amy blogs at Toddler In Tow.

From Stefanie at Very, Very Fine: Papa takes the swing (co-sleeping) shift while Mama gets some time to herself.

From Lauren: ?Sam and I take an equal role in parenting our two kids. We don?t always have the same tasks, but we are both invested in the day-to-day of attachment caregiving as we balance working from home with raising a family. Here Sam displays his fatherly skills by climbing a (low) tree with our four-year-old while babywearing our newborn.?

Lauren blogs at Hobo Mama.

From Lani: ?Mama and Daddy baby wearing. We both have loved the closeness and ease of being able to wear ~B~ whether it was a newborn snuggle or a pre-toddler carry. At 21 months we still babywear.?

Lani blogs at Boobie Time.

Joella shares, ?Goodbye Kiss: When my husband gets home from work, it?s time for me to go to work. We coordinate our schedules to minimize the time Delilah spends in the care of others. ?

Joella blogs at Fine and Fair.

Jennifer says, ?From high school sweethearts to parents of three amazing children (this picture was taken last year, before we welcomed out newest addition), being partners has always been a part of our relationship. Our family enjoys many more outings to great places when we can work together! This was taken at Pike Place Market in Seattle, Wa. You can find more of our adventures from our oldest son?s point of view at Little View of a Big World and learn more about us at True Confessions of a Real Mommy.?

From Megan at The Other Baby Blog: ?Anabella needs kisses from Mama AND Daddy to thrive!?

Kat at Loving {Almost} Every Moment shares her hubby gardening and babywearing with their kiddos.

Kat and her hubby share the same vision for their family and she is very grateful he is so involved in parenting.

Amy of Peace 4 Parents is very grateful to be discovering the benefits of partnership parenting with her husband, Michael.

From Nada: ?My daughter couldn?t have asked for a better father. ?My husband is a wonderful provider, a caring man who treasures his little girl dearly. ?He hasn?t balked at cloth diapering, babywearing, cosleeping, or compassionate parenting. ?He is supportive, protective and caring. ?No other man has been his equal.?

Nada blogs at miniMOMist.

Luschka says, ?I love listening?to my husband and daughter spending time together, whether it?s cooking or playing or cleaning. The way they communicate makes me love being part of a family. ?

Luschka blogs at Diary of a First Child.

Charise says, ?To us, partnership parenting means spending happy time together as a family as much as possible.?

Charise blogs at I Thought I Knew Mama.

From Rebekah at Liberated Family: ?Parenting with my partner and best friend is almost always a joy and is more amazing and fun than I ever imagined parenting could be.?

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Tell us: What does partnership parenting look like in your family?

Source: http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wordless-wednesday-partnership-parenting/

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Iran calls new US sanctions 'psychological war'

In this Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012 photo, an Iranian vendor sells pistachio in Tehran's old main bazaar, Iran. A simple trip the store these days offers a crash course in life under sanctions. The price tags on many imported goods from South Korean refrigerators to Turkish crackers are sometimes double from last year. The money to buy them, meanwhile, has plunged in value against the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

In this Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012 photo, an Iranian vendor sells pistachio in Tehran's old main bazaar, Iran. A simple trip the store these days offers a crash course in life under sanctions. The price tags on many imported goods from South Korean refrigerators to Turkish crackers are sometimes double from last year. The money to buy them, meanwhile, has plunged in value against the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) ? Iran has dismissed the new U.S. sanctions on Tehran, with the Foreign Ministry spokesman saying Tuesday they are part of a "psychological war" meant to sow discontent among Iranians and insisting the measures would not halt the country's nuclear program.

Washington ordered the new penalties on Monday, giving U.S. banks additional powers to freeze assets linked to the Iranian government and close loopholes that officials say Iran has used to move money despite earlier restrictions imposed by the U.S. and Europe.

The United States and its allies suspect Iran's nuclear activities are geared toward producing an atomic weapon. Iran denies the charge, insisting its controversial uranium enrichment program is only for peaceful purposes, such as power production.

Ramin Mehmanparast, the foreign ministry spokesman, said Iran's central bank has no financial transactions with the United States and would not be affected by the measures.

He told reporters in Tehran on Tuesday that the penalties are just "propaganda."

"Many of these (U.S.) activities are in the sphere of psychological war and propaganda, and they cannot affect our work," he said.

"When they impose sanctions on our central bank even though we have no transactions with them, it shows ... they think they are able to put pressure on our people. create concerns and social discontent," he added.

The new, stricter sanctions, authorized in legislation that President Barack Obama signed in December, will be enforced under an order he signed Sunday. The measures target Iran's Central Bank and its other financial institutions, intended to complicate the country's ability to conduct international commerce.

The U.S. and Europe want to deprive Iran of the oil income it needs to run its government and pay for the nuclear program. But many experts believe Iran will be able to find other buyers outside Europe.

Mehmanparast insisted the penalties will have no effect and would not halt Iran's nuclear program.

"When you apply the highest level of your power to impose sanctions on a nation and that nation continues on its path decisively, it proves you do not have enough power to halt it," he said, addressing the U.S.

"These measures will not have enough impact on Iran," Mehmanparast said. "These miscalculations will bear no fruit for the U.S. and Western countries."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-02-07-ML-Iran-US/id-c616187b35474a0584f50ea000c01718

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Intense Greek talks for debt deal continue

IMF chief debt inspector Poul Thomsen member of the so-called troika of Greece's creditors _ the European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund _ leaves the prime minister's official residence after meeting with Greece's Prime Minister Lucas Papademos in Athens, Greece on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. The troika demanded tougher austerity measures, private sector pay cuts and firings of civil servants. At stake is a new euro130 billion ($171 billion) bailout deal without which Greece will default before the end of March. (AP Photo.Kostas Tsironis)

IMF chief debt inspector Poul Thomsen member of the so-called troika of Greece's creditors _ the European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund _ leaves the prime minister's official residence after meeting with Greece's Prime Minister Lucas Papademos in Athens, Greece on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. The troika demanded tougher austerity measures, private sector pay cuts and firings of civil servants. At stake is a new euro130 billion ($171 billion) bailout deal without which Greece will default before the end of March. (AP Photo.Kostas Tsironis)

IMF chief debt inspector Poul Thomsen, bottom left, European Commission official Matthias Mors, right and Klaus Masuch of the European Central Bank, top center, representatives of the so-called troika of Greece's creditors _ the European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund _ leaves the prime minister's official residence after meeting with Greece's Prime Minister Lucas Papademos in Athens, Greece on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. The troika demanded tougher austerity measures, private sector pay cuts and firings of civil servants. At stake is a new euro130 billion ($171 billion) bailout deal without which Greece will default before the end of March. (AP Photo.Kostas Tsironis)

Prime Minister Lucas Papademos, arrives for his meeting with the leaders of the three parties backing Greece's coalition government, in Athens on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. They are meeting to consider demands by Greece's creditors for tougher austerity measures, private sector pay cuts and firings of civil servants. At stake is a new euro130 billion ($171 billion) bailout deal without which Greece will default before the end of March. (AP Photo.Kostas Tsironis)

The leaders of the three parties backing Greece's coalition government, George Papandreou, right, Giorgos Karatzaferis, left, and Antonis Samaras, 2nd left, meet with Prime Minister Lucas Papademos, 2nd from left, in Athens on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. They are meeting to consider demands by Greece's creditors for tougher austerity measures, private sector pay cuts and firings of civil servants. At stake is a new euro130 billion ($171 billion) bailout deal without which Greece will default before the end of March. (AP Photo/Kostas Tsironis)

ATHENS, Greece (AP) ? Parties backing Greece's coalition government will hold a second day of emergency talks Monday on a vital austerity deal with rescue creditors, after an intense weekend of negotiations failed to produce a breakthrough needed to avert bankruptcy in March.

Prime Minister Lucas Papademos will meet with negotiators from the eurozone and the International Monetary Fund in the afternoon and then with the leaders of the three parties backing his coalition.

The parties all publicly oppose steep cuts in private sector pay demanded by the eurozone and IMF, but their backing is needed for the government to reach a deal for the bailout, which must be approved by the Greek Parliament.

The new euro130 billion ($171 billion) bailout deal is vital for Greece to avoid bankruptcy next month as it cannot cover a euro14.5 billion ($19.1 billion) bond repayment due March 20 without the rescue funds.

The debt-crippled country has been kept solvent since May 2010 by payments from a euro110 billion ($145 billion) international rescue loan package. When it became clear the money would not be enough, a second bailout was decided last October.

Its implementation depends on the austerity measures but also on separate talks with banks and other private bondholders to forgive euro100 billion ($131.6 billion) in Greek debt, in exchange for a cash payment and new bonds with more lenient repayment terms.

Over the weekend, Greek officials held a conference call with eurozone finance ministers, as well as more talks in Athens with EU-IMF debt inspectors, senior bank negotiators, and Greek political party leaders, to try and hammer out a deal on the new cutbacks.

Greeks have already been subjected to a spate of austerity measures in return for the rescue loans, suffering significant cuts in pensions and salaries coupled with repeated tax hikes and an increase in retirement ages.

Angry at the prospect of new pain after two years of harsh austerity, Greece's main GSEE labor union and the ADEDY civil servants' union called a new general strike for Tuesday.

"Together with the GSEE, we have just decided to hold a 24-hour strike tomorrow, to be accompanied by a protest march in central Athens," ADEDY secretary-general Ilias Iliopoulos told the AP.

An ADEDY statement said the proposed new cutbacks would "intensify the vicious cycle of recession and drive Greek society to despair."

Greece is in its fifth year of recession, while unemployment has hit record highs of about 19 percent.

"The current policy of austerity ... is turning workers into pariahs, jobless people and pensioners into paupers and deprives our youth of any hope," the statement said. "This policy has already pushed Greeks beyond their limits and must be stopped at any cost."

An announcement from Papademos' office late Sunday said agreement had been reached to cut 2012 spending by 1.5 percent of gross domestic product ? about euro3.3 billion ($4.3 billion) ? improve competitiveness by slashing wages and non-wage costs, and re-capitalize banks without nationalizing them.

But the three coalition backers ? Socialist George Papandreou, Conservative Antonis Samaras and George Karatzaferis of the rightwing populist LAOS party ? differed as to what this would mean in detailed proposals.

Party leaders had undertaken to provide an initial response on the demanded cutbacks before their Monday evening meeting with Papademos, a Socialist party spokesman said. However, the prime minister's office said there was no formal demand for a response, while the conservatives and LAOS said they were not planning to issue one.

"We are in the middle of a major struggle. Right now, the developments are satisfactory," said Karatzaferis, adding that EU-IMF negotiators had backed away from a demand to ax annual salary installments given to Greek workers as holiday bonuses.

Rescue lenders are also seeking firings in Greece's large public sector, a drop in the euro750 ($985) gross minimum monthly wage, and cuts in lump-sum retirement payouts, as part of a long list of cost-cutting demands.

Also Monday, left wing opposition parties are planning two separate protest rallies in central Athens at 6:00 p.m. (1600GMT), against the proposed cuts.

___

Derek Gatopoulos in Athens contributed

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-02-06-EU-Greece-Financial-Crisis/id-d193ed9c3f00474e80daedb4deccfd07

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Stocks slip on Wall Street as Greek talks drag on

In this Feb. 3, 2012 photo, trader Joseph Tarangelo, center, works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Markets were in a jittery mood on Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, as talks dragged on between Greek political leaders over a fresh austerity package that is required if the debt-ridden country is to get a crucial bailout package. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

In this Feb. 3, 2012 photo, trader Joseph Tarangelo, center, works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Markets were in a jittery mood on Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, as talks dragged on between Greek political leaders over a fresh austerity package that is required if the debt-ridden country is to get a crucial bailout package. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

NEW YORK (AP) ? Stock indexes closed slightly lower Monday as talks dragged on between Greek political leaders over a fresh cost-cutting package required for the country to get more bailout loans.

On an otherwise quiet day, energy stocks were among the few to rise. Exxon Mobil, Chevron and Schlumberger each rose 1 percent.

President Nicolas Sarkozy of France and German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Greek leaders that they need to push through the measures or risk letting the country go bankrupt.

Greece is hoping the European Central Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Commission will release a second installment of $170 billion in loans. Without that money, Greece will likely default when a bond repayment comes due March 20.

In Greece, talks between the prime minister and leaders of parties backing his coalition government were postponed for a day, even as European leaders prodded the government to push through new spending cuts, layoffs and other austerity measures.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 17.10 points to close at 12,845.13. Travelers Cos. Inc. led the Dow lower with a 1.3 percent loss.

In other trading, the Standard & Poor's 500 index slipped 0.57 of a point to 1,344.33. The Nasdaq composite fell 3.67 points to 2,901.99.

Sam Stovall, chief equity strategist at S&P Capital IQ, thinks investors are starting to wonder if the stock market's recent stretch of calm trading is a prelude to a big drop. Trading has turned subdued compared with the wild swings of 2011. The S&P has closed up or down by more than 1 percent only three times this year. In December, that happened nine times.

"I look at it like a very-low-tide warning of an impending tsunami," Stovall said. "We're setting ourselves up for a decline, the sort of decline that would make you sit up and take notice."

Large gains in the market, like the Dow's 156-point surge Friday, are often followed by relatively modest moves as traders pull some of their winnings off the table. Since 1950, whenever the S&P rose by 1 percent or more in a trading day, the index has inched up an average of just 0.1 percent the next day, according to S&P Capital IQ.

Among companies making big moves:

? Boeing Co. fell 1.2 percent following reports that the company found a problem in its 787 Dreamliner. The aircraft maker said it was working to fix it and that there was no safety concern.

? Micron Technology Inc. fell 2.8 percent following news that the chip maker's CEO died in a plane crash. Steve Appleton, 51, was at the helm for 18 years, leading the only company he'd ever worked for.

? Verizon Communications and Coinstar Inc. edged up after the companies said they will launch a video-streaming service later this year, a challenge to Netflix. Coinstar is the parent of Redbox, a DVD rental company. Coinstar rose 1.8 percent and Verizon 0.8 percent.

? Humana dropped 5.4 percent. The health insurance company reported revenue that fell short of analysts' expectations. Humana also raised its earnings outlook for 2012 but that, too, was below analysts' forecast.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2012-02-06-Wall%20Street/id-96e97dc8792541399400090801a07ba6

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94% Pina

All Critics (72) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (68) | Rotten (4) | DVD (1)

Pina is a tribute of an artist by an artist, a friend to a friend. But its great genius comes from the mournful, as well as celebratory, reckoning of the performers Bausch pushed, collaborated with and inspired.

What might seem like a convenient bid for publicity - the first 3-D art-house film! - turns out to be the only logical way to showcase the action.

This meditation on movement and space, transportation and transcendence is not to be missed.

What the filmmaker has created is an inspired simulacrum - a jewel-box that contains more of Bausch's kinetic soul than film has any right to.

Crane and steadycam allow Wenders to get so close to the action that in the minimalist Caf? M?ller, one's illusion of being on stage is uncanny.

"Pina"is the best possible tribute to Bausch, and to adventurous image-making.

Wenders and the Tanztheater company have combined to offer a masterful tribute to Bausch's unique vision, one that's enhanced by 3D.

A spectacular show of movement and stagecraft.

Sans 3D, Pina becomes a more unified work of undisputed merits, a passionate, fitting tribute from one of Europe's preeminent filmmakers and documentarians.

Pina is as rich in imagery and emotion as any film released this year and in some cases moreso.

This seems like a ripping good idea. In practice, "Pina" turns out to have a few problems.

Suggests thrilling new possibilities for the marriage of movies and dance.

Wenders, who so wanted to see the world through Pina's eyes, has done something even better. He's allowed posterity to see her world, and in a way as breathtaking as the work itself.

Even for someone who would rather count sheep than attend a ballet, these scenes are nothing short of astonishing, beautifully presenting dance's ability to depict words.

A milestone in dance and 3D filmmaking.

You won't hear the names Merce Cunningham, Martha Graham, Paul Taylor or Bob Fosse breathed herein.

An exhilarating experience, both in its celebration of Bausch's groundbreaking work and in the thrilling way that Wenders captures it on camera.

It's not an overview of Bausch's career or a statement on her art, but a celebration of her work and the dancers who bring it to life.

More Critic Reviews

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Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pina_3d/

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Career as a Music Therapist - ARTSANDENTERTAINMENTARTICLE

Music therapy makes use of the physical and mental healing properties of music to help treat a range of different ailments. Drum therapy came from the ancient traditions of shamanic drumming and is a specific type of music therapy. Drum therapy has been scientifically proven to promote healing and is not the new-age fad which may have previously been suggested.

Mongolian shamans and West African healers use drumming in their culture for healing. Some Native American groups have made their traditional drumming a part of alcoholism recovery programs. The drum is commonly used to unite people and bring about a trance-like state. Drumming is used by music therapists with patients who find it difficult or impossible to express themselves in other ways.

Modern researchers have turned their attention to drum therapy. Scientific studies have proven its effectiveness, and have verified that it boosts the immune system and provides exercise. Drumming can activate the body?s natural pain-killing endorphins. Using the aspects of drumming proven to give health benefits, researchers have developed the HealthRHYTHMS Drumming Protocol. Remo, the drum head manufacturer, supports the HealthRHYTHMS Drumming Protocol in partnering with music therapists.

Drumming enhances thought processes through rhythm which synchronizes the brain?s hemispheres and cortices. Because drumming activates so many different parts of the brain, it can help to overcome nerve damage, such as that suffered in a stroke. Drumming also reduces the damaging effects of stress. A study of nursing home employees who took part in weekly drumming sessions noticed a stress reduction of about 62%, plus a significant reduction in employee turnover over the following year. An additional study saw a reduction in student dropout rates, while yet another identified discipline improvements among troubled youths.

It is the job of practitioners to make their patients comfortable with instruments. Drum circles can contain participants of varying levels of musical experience, so the less experienced are brought along gradually. Drumming involves the layering of simple patterns in order to create a beautiful and complex tapestry, each individual plays an essential part. While the parts give each participant an opportunity to participate in teamwork, improvisation allows them to express themselves freely and openly. Just as drumming synchronizes the parts of the brain, it brings together the drummers in the circle. A profession as a music therapists can be very rewarding, it provides a different path down which musicians can progress.

Thinking of buying a djembe drum? The Djembe Drum Shop has a number of djembe drums, both modern and traditional, in various sizes and styles ? check out www.djembedrumshop.com.

February 4th, 2012 in Health and Fitness | tags: benefits, career, drum therapy, drumming, emotional, health, Health and Fitness, instruments, music healing, Music therapists, music therapy, patients

Source: http://artsandentertainmentarticle.info/2012/02/career-as-a-music-therapist/

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Kenya miltiary: some 100 Somali militants killed (AP)

NAIROBI, Kenya ? The spokesman for Kenya's military says an estimated 100 Somali militants were killed after helicopter gunships targeted a gathering of more than 200 al-Shabab fighters in Somalia.

Maj. Emmanuel Chirchir said Friday that the gunships targeted a meeting where close to 20 al-Shabab vehicles were gathered near Badhade.

The claim could not be independently verified. Al-Shabab had no immediate comment on its Twitter feed, the same microblogging site that Chirchir used to make Friday's announcement.

Kenyan forces moved into Somalia in October to fight al-Shabab after a rash of attacks on Kenyan soil.

Elsewhere, gunmen opened fire in the Kenyan town of Garissa on Friday, killing two people, government official James Ole Sereni said.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/world/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120203/ap_on_re_af/af_somalia_kenya

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