WebParenTips - The Online Parenting Newsletter vol.6 no.1, Jan 2005 

                  HUG AND BE HUGGED!

There was an item in the New York Times a while back
about robot researchers who designed a pillow called 
"The Hug" that combines wireless phone and sensing
technology with a soft cuddly pillow shaped roughly
like a person about to give a hug. 

Its use? To send long-distance hugs to grandparents.
The grandchild squeezes her pillow and speaks the
word "Grandma." Grandma's pillow lights up and plays
sounds. To activate the pillow and get her "hug" all
Grandma has to do is squeeze the left paw of the
pillow and say hello.

Not on the market yet but the fact that a prototype
of this device was made focuses on a universal need
of all people: to touch and be touched. Even people
in coma may respond to the touch of a loved one.

In our busy lives sometimes we parents forget how
much we need to stop what we are doing and hug
our kids. Maybe we need a new type of break, the
hug break. You can take a hug break any time of
the day. It doesn't cost anything and doesn't take
long. It provides us with a tangible and tactile
connection to the children we love. Plus it feels great!

Here is Dr. Heins' prescription for your home: 
Hug breaks p.r.n.(an abbreviation for a phrase that
means when needed) or at least three times a day.
This remedy will help revive just about all cranky or
tired family members. While you're thinking of hugs,
call Grandma and blow her some hugs and kisses
over the telephone.


Happy Parenting,
Marilyn Heins, M.D.


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Dr. Marilyn Heins is a Tucson pediatrician, parenting
columnist for the Arizona Daily Star, author of the book,
ParenTips, as well as a mother, stepmother and grandmother.

She is available for workshops and lectures to groups of
parents, teachers, and grandparents. See:

Dr. Heins' Lectures
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