FabSugar

Child Slavery in the US? Wealthy Immigrants Bring "Hired" Help

LibertySugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 11:00:42 PST

Well, this is just great. Behind the gated and planned communities of Southern California housewives aren't just employing children as drug dealers, they're smuggling children into the US to work.

As affluent immigrants move here from Africa, where the rich think nothing of employing children for little to no money, many bring children with them to employ for meager wages ($30-per-month meager). The US State Department found that in the past year, children from at least 10 African countries were sent to the US and Europe to work as maids.

To learn about one former child slave who found justice, if that's even possible,

read more. The family that brought Shyima over when she was 10 from Egypt was reported by a neighbor. After a long court battle - where the couple tried to claim her as their child - they pleaded guilty to forced labor and slavery. They were ordered to pay $76,000, which hardly seems like enough but is the amount she would have earned at minimum wage; sentenced to 22 months (wife) and three years (husband) in prison; and deported upon release. Shyima was adopted, finished high school, and at 19 now wants to become a police officer. If it's possible to call Shyima lucky, it could be said. Because child slaves are cloaked behind the curtains of private homes, her case is an exception. Tasks like sorting laundry, taking out the garbage, and ironing shirts can easily be mistaken as chores, so nobody can even estimate how many children are enslaved. And since none of it is considered abusive (at least not physically), cases are rarely prosecuted. People who keep child slaves not only see themselves as employers but also as benefactors, giving poor children opportunities. Sure, if you call 12-hour work days and no education in a nice American home an opportunity. And many in Africa, including Shyima's parents, do. Source

Do You Care Where Your Clothes Are Made?

FabSugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:14:22 PDT

Source

Fab Flash: Gap and New Child Labor Claims

FabSugar — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 13:00:22 PDT

After efforts in recent years to rebrand itself as a more ethical and socially responsible company, Gap is once again being criticized for practicing child labor. Despite launching rigorous social audit systems in 2004 to weed out such practices, the system is still being abused by its subcontractors.

After an article in yesterday's The Observer said children in India as young as 10 were beaten and made to hand-sew clothes, often for no wages, the company has made moves to bar thousands of clothes en route to stores. Gap said it was unaware that the clothes were made by underage workers and has stopped all work from the sweatshop in Delhi so that a full investigation can be conducted.

This newest revelation adds fuel for those campaigning to stop Gap from outsourcing its labor to the developing world, which is increasingly popular for Western fashion chains.

Source

Labor Pains: 7 Ways to Ease the Pain of Labor

BabyCenter — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:37:43 PST

We're excited to share this post from our partners at BabyCenter! Every week, we will be bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle stories from the experts at BabyCenter, including this post from Nancy Johnson Horn about tips for easing labor pain.

I remember going into labor over 6 years ago with my first child. When my water broke 11 days early I couldn’t remember a thing, other than "pick a focus point on the wall" and breathe.

But there’s more you can do to make labor go a little smoother. Recently, I spoke to Hope Garland, an Affiliated Bradley Instructor, www.blossombirth.net, who recommended these amazing tips. So, if you’re weeks or days away from childbirth - don’t panic, just print out (or bookmark it on your smartphone) this post so you can reference it when you go into labor.

Pack in the protein: If you were about to run a long marathon, would you eat only ice chips? No. You need to eat a protein-rich meal. It will give you the stamina needed for labor (plus many hospitals won’t let you eat once you check in anyway). Make a plan to either keep something in the fridge/freezer/cupboard or know where you can go to get your marathon meal.
Don’t fight gravity: Remain upright as long as possible. Walk around or sit up, but don’t lie on your back. (Yes, that’s really me in the pic, before I found out I should be walking around.)
Hydrate thyself: Pack (and use) a water bottle. If you properly hydrate yourself during labor, you’ll increase your energy output by as much as 30%. Also, if you can keep drinking water, you may not need an IV that will really restrict your mobility. That’s when the ice chips and clear liquids can also help.
Breathe using your abdomen: Normal abdominal breathing increases relaxation, which you’re really going to need. Chest and patterned breathing may fool your body into stress mode, and you don’t want that.
Take a virtual chill pill: You’ve got to stay relaxed. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. If music helps, bring a preloaded playlist on your iPod, locate a focal point in the room and breathe. Banish as much negative energy as possible. While it’s not easy, stay as relaxed as you can through contractions – it will let your body do what it’s supposed to do.
Move around during labor: There are a variety of positions for labor. Try to change positions so you’re not in one place for too long. Speak to the nurse about how you can be monitored and still move around. Bring slippers for those lovely grippy hospital socks so you can walk the halls.
Make sure you have support and loving encouragement: Having your husband, partner, or trained birth partner can make a big difference. That support will do more for you than any amount of medication!

Do you have any tips to make labor a little easier? What did or didn’t work for you?

More great stories from BabyCenter.com:
Quantity or quality time: Which matters more?
Five reasons you need the Origami Stroller - now!
The three greatest dangers for baby are . . .
Seven ways to spread the love this Valentine's Day
What do you say to pushy parents?

Source: Flickr User bradleygee

Link Time: Jessica Hart Launches a Line, Fifi Lapin Teams Up With Juicy Couture, and More

FabSugar — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:31:43 PST

Jessica Hart launches a line with Pencey - Stylelist
Lanvin gets made in the shade - Style.com
Victoria's Secret caught in child labor scandal - Fashionista
25 things that can be recycled into gift wrapping - The Budget Fashionista
Paula Patton covers Harper's Bazaar Arabia - Red Carpet Fashion Awards
A new book highlights the best in nail art - The Daily Beast
Isaac Mizrahi to start designing menswear - The Cut
Versace launches its Yellow Diamond fragrance - The Fashion Spot
26 gorgeous women's watches - Real Simple
Get a first look at Prabal Gurung's uniforms for Sephora - InStyle
Treat yourself: Merry Christmas to you for under $200 - Purse Blog
This 1987 JC Penney ad is so bad it's good - HuffPo Style
Fifi Lapin teams up with Juicy Couture for a cute collaboration - Fifi Lapin

The Most-Overlooked Tax Deductions

Kiplinger — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:50:44 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart Kiplinger story here on Savvy!

Every year, the IRS dutifully reports the most common blunders that taxpayers make on their returns. And every year, at or near the top of the “oops” list is forgetting to enter their Social Security number at the top of the tax form - or making a mistake when entering those nine digits.

But think about it for a minute: Do you think that’s the most common mistake . . . or simply the easiest to notice?

One thing we know for sure is that the opportunity to make mistakes is almost unlimited, and missed deductions can be the most costly. About 45 million of us itemize on our 1040s - claiming more than $1 trillion worth of deductions. That’s right: $1,000,000,000,000, a number rarely spoken out loud until Congress started tying itself up in knots trying to deal with the budget deficit and national debt.

Another 92 million taxpayers claim about $700 billion worth using standard deductions - and some of you who take the easy way out probably shortchange yourselves. (If you turned 65 in 2011, remember that you now deserve a bigger standard deduction than the younger folks.)

Yes, friends, tax time is a dangerous time. It’s all too easy to miss a trick and pay too much. Years ago, the fellow who ran the IRS at the time told Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine that he figured millions of taxpayers overpay their taxes every year by overlooking just one of the money-savers listed below

Make the Skies a Bit Friendly With These Holiday Travel Tips For Families

BabyCenter — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:33:09 PST

We're excited to share this post from our partners at BabyCenter! Every week, we will be bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle stories from the experts at BabyCenter, including this post from Kristina Sauerwein about making holiday travel as smooth as possible.

No doubt you've noticed the tinsel, twinkle-light Christmas trees in stores and heard carols on the radio. Although it does seem early to get decked out for the holidays, the season is rapidly approaching and it is not too early to plan holiday air travel.

To help you avoid hassles and extra costs associated with holiday air travel, here are 10 tips from Christine Frietchen, Editor in Chief of ConsumerSearch.com, a site that helps consumers make informed purchasing decisions in everything from electronics to home and garden goods to health and beauty items to cars.

For booking air travel, start yesterday. This year is going to be tough for snagging the choice Christmas flights. With Christmas falling on a Sunday, there's already a scramble for Friday-to-Monday (or Tuesday) trips. Start looking and booking now.
Be as flexible as you can. It's hard during the holidays to be flexible, but if you can depart on Thursday, for example, instead of Friday, you can save $100 per ticket in some markets.
When booking flights with connections, be mindful of the connecting city. Winter weather in popular connecting cities like Chicago or Minneapolis can throw a big wrench in your plans. Though a nonstop flight might cost more, it could be worth it if the only connection options are dicey delay-prone cities.
Don't forget to check nearby airports. Although it can be a hassle to drive an extra 50 or 100 miles to a more distant airport, it can be worth checking. For a family, saving $50 per ticket will more than make up for the extra gas.
Check in at home. Most airlines now allow you to check in via computer or smartphone as well as print your boarding pass. If you don't need to check bags, that means you can head straight for the security screening line.

Keep reading for more holiday travel tips!

Lil Links: Bethenny Frankel Is Finally Cutting Herself a Break

LilSugar — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:32:12 PDT

Bethenny Frankel hopes baby Bryn isn't type A like her mama - Parenting
A healthy diet may reduce birth defects - Health
Mom makes ultimate sacrifice for child - The Stir
Mason Disick is one bow-tied lil boy! - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Johnny Knoxville welcomes baby Arlo - Celebrity Baby Blog
How letting go makes everything work better - FitPregnancy
Crazy places moms have gone into labor - The Bump
Motherhood can be scary for first-time moms - Momformation
Which gaming system is right for your family? - Babble
Newborn Halloween costumes that can be worn again and again - giggleGab

Candy With a Conscience: 6 Options For Halloween That Give More Than a Belly Ache

LilSugar — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:03:29 PDT

Shopping for Halloween candy presents a sticky situation for parents committed to living as greenly as possible. Eco-friendly or "green" is so vague - does eco-friendly candy mean candy that's good for earth, good for tots, or good for the people who actually pull the taffy? It can mean all of those things, which is why candy shopping can be confusing. Instead of making yourself crazy finding the perfect candy, pick one area that your family is going to focus on, and have some fun with it.

Keep reading for a selection of candy that's certified fair trade - meaning everyone in the chain to create the product for sale gets a fair payment, and it also means that working conditions are safe and that child labor or slaves are not engaged. Now that sounds sweet.

Have Fun and Do Good With Alternative Takes on Classic Halloween Activities

LilSugar — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:31:55 PDT

Having fun and doing good aren't mutually exclusive, and this Halloween is a great time to put that theory into practice. There's still time to participate in the following programs, which help parents, kids, and communities make Halloween about more than just a sugar explosion.

Don't have a Halloween costume yet? Not to fear. National Costume Swap Day is this Saturday, Oct. 8. Everyone wins: kids get a good-as-new costume and parents save money. It's recycling at its finest! Swaps are taking place all over the country; find one near you.
This Halloween, thousands of children will be reverse trick-or-treating. Instead of receiving candy at each house they visit, activists in training will give out fair-trade chocolate attached to an informational card to raise awareness of the child labor, forced labor, trafficking, poverty, and environmental degradation that is widespread on cocoa farms.
Trick-or-Treat For UNICEF has been going strong since 1950, raising money for kids in need all over the world.
Halloween Candy Buy Back is a triple-pronged improvement on the typical Halloween candy binge (also known as the dentist's worst nightmare). Participating dentists buy kids' Halloween candy - with cash, toothbrushes, coupons - and then send the sugar-laden confections to Operation Gratitude or other military support groups who get the candy to US troops.

Photo courtesy of National Costume Swap Day