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The top gotta-have mom books
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Here are five of the top 10 books, divided into three categories: books for information or solutions, books for uplift/getting through, and books to give a new perspective on an old situation (maybe a little unusual or specific).

1. Books for information and solutions.

*The 5 Love Languages of Children, by Gary Chapman. An excellent resource for learning how your child needs to feel loved, not necessarily how you most readily show it. Although children need all five love languages, you can learn their primary and secondary ones.

This book helped me realize a few of my children valued time together most. With seven kids Ive learned to be creative: One child likes grocery shopping (we laugh, learn life skills and eat ice cream); one child likes to watch "Worst Cooks in America" together; and another likes to explain the intricacies of the game Magic (which I still dont understand). No matter what other love languages I touch on, I know their primary ones are being filled.

*Parenting with Love and Logic, by Foster Cline, M.D., and Jim Fay.

Based on a more logical approach with a good dose of love, this book focuses a good deal on natural consequences and affordable mistakes. Absolutely fabulous, it provides specific ways to respond to difficult situations.

Recently, Ive had to do this with two children who continually bicker. Using a positive/negative tally approach, its helped them to see how often theyre engaging (more than they thought) and how quickly they can stop it when the incentive is right.

2. Books for comfort or laughter.

*Lighten Up, by Chieko Okazaki. For years this has been my go-to for eliminating inappropriate guilt, understanding the ups and downs of motherhood and letting go of uber expectations.

*A Joyful Mother, by Linda J. Eyre. A close second was another of her books, I Didnt Plan on Being a Witch. Linda Eyre shares real-life situations with wise solutions. It addresses the roller-coaster emotions that can accompany them.

This book has helped me countless times. One particular experience was when my husband and I were deciding whether or not to have a caboose baby. I just happened to grab this book off my shelf and it opened to a page where she was making a similar decision. Her candor about the emotions and concerns facing that kind of question helped me make a clearer decision for our family.

3. Books for different ways to see situations.

*The Child Whisperer, by Carol Tuttle. Personality profiling isnt anything new, but Tuttle adds energy mapping to make a whole picture of your child. By understanding the why of what your child does related to their personality, you can eliminate labels like naughty or obstinate and instead better parent each child.

Its been called a respectful way of parenting. For example, a friend of mine was talking with another friend. Before sharing an experience about her daughter, my friend asked the daughter if she could the child seemed concerned and said no. Where another child would have likely laughed or joined in, this child felt it was a breach of loyalty. Because of awareness, a healthy respect and trust remained intact between daughter and mother.

Enjoy filling a motherhood need with one of these fulfilling, useful and comforting books.
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New Medicare cards are in the mail and scammers are on the prowl
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has begun mailing new Medicare Health Insurance ID cards. The program no longer uses Social Security numbers to identify people. - photo by Lois M Collins
The federal government is beginning to send out new ID cards to the 58 million Americans who benefit from Medicare. But since many of the people who will receive them don't know they're coming or why, scammers are already gearing up to take advantage.

An AARP survey shows as many as three-fourths of Americans 65 and older have no idea the cards are coming, so some individuals may be duped with claims that they're supposed to pay a fee or provide personal information that will be used, instead, to defraud them.

The new cards are the first reissue in years, and the most striking part of the redesign is that the cards no longer carry the beneficiary's Social Security number. Congress mandated the removal of that number as an identifier for Medicare beneficiaries by next April. Instead, the card has a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier number, an 11-digit combination of numbers and letters.

The new Medicare cards are now being mailed out in batches, starting with the Eastern seaboard and moving west. Most Medicare beneficiaries will receive their cards over the next six months, as long as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has their correct mailing address. Once the cards are in hand, people can share the new identification number with their health care providers. During a transition period, either card is valid.

The old cards, which used Social Security numbers as the personal identification number, should be destroyed.

AARP recently launched an education campaign to warn consumers about scams related to the new Medicare cards.

The membership organization's "Fraud Watch" consultant, Frank Abagnale reformed con man, scammer and the subject of the movie and book "Catch Me If You Can" tells senior citizens the only time they need to carry the actual Medicare card is to health care appointments. Otherwise, it should be left in a safe place. If they want to carry one in their wallet or purse, he says, make a copy and black out the first seven numbers.

Since the cards were announced, scammers have already:

  • Called seniors and asked for their bank account information so that money on their old card could be returned. There is no money on the old card and CMS never asks for personal information over the phone.
  • Offered to send the new card after Medicare beneficiaries pay a $25 fee to cover expenses related to the card. The card is free.
  • Said the card will be mailed out as soon as the older person verifies his or her Social Security number, mailing address and other personal information. CMS already knows the beneficiary's Social Security number and it's no longer being used in conjunction with health care.
AARP and the Federal Trade Commission will hold a free online seminar about the cards and the fraud attempts they have spawned on Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. EDT. Register at: www.aarp.org/FraudWebinar. CMS also offers a "frequently asked questions" guide to the new cards.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network says consumers can sign up for its Watchdog Alert emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling. Abagnale also hosts a weekly podcast for AARP, called The Perfect Scam.
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