We occasionally highlight hipster kidswear here at ParentDish, and you can find a few sites dedicated entirely to raising fashion-forward youngsters surrounded by chic modern design. That's not to mention the seemingly endless stream of celebrities decking their kids out in designer threads, and supplying them with $1,150 handbags.

But can normal people afford to make their kids look cool?

The answer, according to The Budget Bambino, is yes. This is a new site in the same network as the popular style blog, The Budget Fashionista, and posts about everything from maternity wear to kids' room decor, all in an attempt to make your family "fabulous for less." Check it out!

OK, I'll say it: Christmas shopping. I know, Christmas comes earlier every year, and now here I am, talking about it before we've even hit Halloween. But be honest -- once Halloween is over, it seems like you blink and it's already Thanksgiving, and after that all the malls are crowded and you're fighting tooth and nail with hundreds of people to secure those must-have, last-minute gifts.

So think of this as a little advanced preparation. Besides, it's good news -- especially if you have a little gamer in the house who's been begging for a new Playstation 3 every since he or she didn't get one last Christmas.

It sounds like the price of the expensive system may finally be coming down. After a year of trying to charge moms and dads at least $500 to provide their children with the latest gaming experience, rumor has it the company will be knocking $100 off the price in time for the holidays. The move has already taken place in Europe and Asia, so, many analysts say, it's only a matter of time.

However, it's worth noting that the new, cheaper PS3 will lack some of the features of the more expensive models. Most notably, it'll have a smaller hard drive, and won't be backward compatible with the PS2 -- a big bummer if you have lots of old games from the previous system.

Nevertheless, $100 is a lot of money.

The Associated Press is reporting that a school shooting took place today in Cleveland. Shockingly, despite the fact that a gunman opened fire in the building, it appears one was killed.

Five people -- three students and two adults -- were injured, however, and were taken to the hospital. At this point there's no news about the severity of their injuries, but I imagine those details will come to light later this afternoon.

There's also no information yet as to why this might have have happened, or even the identity of the shooter -- but police have confirmed that the young man took his own life before he could be apprehended.

Currently SuccessTech Academy is secure, say police. That said, I can only imagine how terrified students, staff and families are after such a disgusting, seemingly random act of violence. Let's hope that everyone makes it out OK.

This is one of those pictures that sticks with you long after you see it. The vibrant colors of the setting sun as watched by a young girl nestled in her mother's arms is a magical moment. The silhouetted pair look as though they have found a jewel in the setting sun. A big thank you to Officially a Mom for this submission, it is a beauty!

In keeping with the theme of seasonal change, we would like to see how the changing seasons are affecting you and your family right now. What are you doing with your days? Where are you going? Do you find beauty in your backyard? Or are you planning a costume for the upcoming excitement of Halloween? Please share your images with us! And remember to check out our new feature of Image of the Month, maybe you will be the next winner!

If you'd like your own picture featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr Pool - We'll select an image every day to highlight. Remember: we're on the lookout for shots with interesting backgrounds, cool angles, or original composition. Be sure to read the intro on the main Flickr page for more information and limit your uploading to 5 photos per day.

Would you send your out of control teenager to a boot camp or wilderness program? Many parents do, turning to these tough love programs in desperate attempts to straighten out their wayward children. The theory behind these camps is that by breaking down a child's defenses and stripping the built-up walls of aggression and anger, the child can begin to heal whatever is broken inside of them. It isn't meant to be used as punishment, but therapy. Unfortunately, many of these children suffer at the hands of those who are supposed to be helping them.

An inquiry by the Government Accounting Office has found that in the unregulated world of boot camps, many children are suffering a level of abuse and neglect that sometimes ends in death. Researching data from 2005, the GAO found 1,619 incidents of abuse in 33 states. In looking at teen deaths in these camps since 1990, they found half of them were due to dehydration or heat exhaustion. Of the programs where children have died, many are still operating today.

Rep. George Miller, a Democrat from California, is pushing for regulations. "This nightmare has remained an open secret for years," he says. "Congress must act, and it must act swiftly."

I actually have some experience with wilderness camps and support anything that would ensure the safety of these children. Years ago, I sent my own daughter to such a camp and neither of us have any regrets about it. At the time, it was a gut-wrenching decision that filled us both with doubt and fear. But the experience was a turning point in her life and prepared her for the next step in her journey to becoming the person she is today.

Lying in the bed next to me, slowly facing the day, Jared says "I love you. You're my best buddy." I respond in kind, and then he asks, "Daddy, are you going to die?" He's serious, as I can tell from the little frown that holds his mouth captive.

"Yes," I tell him, "I will die someday, but not for a very long time, long after you're all grown up and has a family of your own."

"Are you going to turn into a baby when you die?" he asks, trying to hold back tears. I tell him no, and try to reassure him that he doesn't have to worry about that. I tell him to think about all the things we will do, like going camping and riding in boats. Then he asks if we can buy a houseboat.

I'm not sure where that came from, but I hit Google and do a quick search for houseboat rentals. They're bloody expensive, but I tell him that maybe someday, if we save up our money, we can rent one. He likes looking at the pictures and forgets all about the whole death thing.

I'm sure this won't be the last time this comes up, though. I'd love to hear how others have dealt with the issue with their kids and if anyone knows of any good books on the topic for his age level.

This story reminds me of something that happened to me as a child. I was playing in my mother's car with my best friend Karen. We were just messing around, not actually trying to go anywhere, when I accidentally hit the gearshift, putting the big blue Buick in neutral. The car rolled down the driveway, across the street and into the neighbor's yard, slamming into a tree. Along the way, Karen jumped out and ran away, leaving me alone in the runaway car. I was probably about seven years old when this happened and was lucky that the only damage was a dislocated tree and a dented bumper.

When a 6-year-old boy in Broomfield, Colorado got into his grandmother's car, he actually had the keys and a destination in mind: he was hungry and heading to Applebees. He got his booster seat from the back seat, placed it in the driver's seat and started her up.

His trip down the driveway went pretty well, but then he crossed the street, jumped the curb and ran into a transformer and communication box, knocking out power and phone service to dozens of homes. Nobody was hurt and no charges have been filed.

This kid is lucky. Not only did he escape without injuring himself or someone else, his neighbors were a lot more understanding than mine. "I have five children of my own, so I know you cannot watch them every minute they're awake," said Nancy Hollis, whose lost power after the accident.

I love sugar. There is no other way around it, I love it. My kids also love sugar, especially the youngest one, Devon. At just three years-old, he will do almost anything to avoid eating healthy foods if he knows there is even the slightest chance there will be something with refined sugar in his near future. But we all know that refined sugar is no good and should be avoided at all costs, especially for kids. Most people would say to just eliminate the culprit and be done with it. But here's the kicker, my kids are relentless and cleverly manipulative, even the wee one of the bunch. As a single mom, the three of them outnumber me and they know I am apt to give in to their demands once they reach an unbearable level. So the sugar has been keeping a steady place in our household, wreaking havoc as it dwells in my children's bellies and causing them to be cranky and always wanting more, more, more.

Recently I have made a vow to take charge of this addiction among my children and me. Junky cereals have not entered our home in over two weeks, instead I have been getting up 30 minutes early each morning and cooking bacon, pancakes and French toast. Sure that means syrup but it is an organic maple syrup these days. The high sugar juices are gone from the pantry, along with the sugary granola bars in lunch boxes. There is no more ice cream in the freezer. Gone is the ultra secret stash of chocolate chips. But is it working?

Several days into the process my youngest is starting to eat actual meals, though they consist of sandwiches and organic yogurt and organic crackers. The older two are not following me and constantly repeating, "Hey, Heather? Where's the ice cream? Cookies? Chocolate chips? Gatorade? Honey?" However, none of them have yet to graciously accept a turnip or brussel sprout into their lives. And the little one? He will eat a peanut butter sandwich but still no sort of meat. So while I am pleased with the progress thus far, there is still much grumbling and not all the junk has left the house. Next to go will be the chips. Just wait 'till the kids hear about that....

With kids ranging in age from high school to kindergarten, finding something on television the whole family can enjoy can be challenging, especially when years seem to pass in between new SpongeBob episodes. (I'm a Squidward fan.)

I hate reality TV that shows people doing anything for money. This includes: eating gross things, participating in dangerous challenges, and backstabby/rude/sleazy behavior, so network television can be rather limiting at times.

If you have cable, there are quite a few offerings that are educational and suitable for nearly all ages. Here are some shows we've enjoyed:

How It's Made (Discovery): Every episode is like going on a cool field trip

MythBusters (Discovery): Debunking urban legends (Pro: a lot of things are blown up. Con: Sometimes the myths involve damage to the human body and seeing a gelatin head getting shot at is disturbing)

America's Dirtiest Job (Discovery): Every episode is like going on a super filthy field trip. Also makes you appreciate those who do the dirty work.

Samantha Brown (Discovery): Charming Samantha travels the world and makes you wish you could.

Ace of Cakes (Food Network) I like the interactions among the workers (especially Duff and Geof) even more than the amazing cakes. It also shows what can happen when you pursue a dream, even if you are a hairy, stocky guy with a passion for cake decorating.

Globe Trekker (PBS) Like Samantha Brown only in super remote locations where there is no room service. Or rooms.

The Dog Whisperer (National Geographic) Cesar turns bad dogs good. Interesting even for dogless households because the explanations behind the animal behavior are fascinating.

Explorer (National Geographic) Nature stuff, always good.

Survivorman (Discovery) Guy gets dropped off in wilderness for a week alone. No film crew.

Man vs. Wild (Discovery) Good looking guy gets dropped off in wilderness. Has film crew.

While You Were Out (The Learning Channel) Someone leaves and comes back to a redone room. Everyone cries with joy, including viewers. (Caution: major inspiration for redecoration.)

Crocodile Hunter (Animal Planet) Steve Irwin's legacy, showing why animals are great.

Blue Planet (Animal Planet) Most amazing footage of nature ever gathered, and I'm not kidding. Downsides: seeing cute seals swallowed whole by a silent killer whale or shark is disturbing. Will also make you long for an HD TV.

Leave it to Beaver (TV Land) Classic little kidness that still applies today.

I Love Lucy (TV Land) The scrapes she gets into are still funny.

The Brady Bunch (TV Land) - You might have seen them all, but have you shared "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia" with your kids?

Everyday Italian (Food Network)-Giada makes cooking so easy, a kid could do it.

Tyler's Ultimate or Bobby Flay (The Food Network)- Because guys can be in the kitchen too!

Project Runway (Bravo) - Designers complete weekly challenges in a contest to win cash and exposure. Have had to limit younger kids viewing of this as there is some bad language (which is to be expected when creating an entire outfit from materials gathered at a recycling center in less than six hours, but still. Edit that stuff out and it'd be the perfect family show. Kids can really relate to deadlines and making something from nothing.)

What family-friendly television fare does your household enjoy?

Actor Nick Nolte and his longtime girlfriend, Clytie Lane have made a baby together. The baby girl, who was born last week in Los Angeles and who has yet to be named, weighed in at 7 pounds, 13 ounces. "They're very happy about the addition," a rep for Nolte tells PEOPLE. 66-year-old Nolte has a son, Brawley, from one of his previous three marriages, but this is his first child with Lane.

I've always liked Nolte's work, but in recent years his talent has been overshadowed by his penchant for getting drunk and making a fool of himself in public. Let's hope his new baby girl has a mellowing affect on him.

Last November, Nicaragua enacted a law making all abortion illegal, including in cases of rape or when the pregnancy endangers the life of the mother. For the wealthy, this is not a problem -- there are clinics in Miami they can visit or even in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, where they can bribe doctors to perform the procedure.

For the vast majority of the population -- the extremely poor -- this is not an option. So far, there have been 82 documented cases of women dying as a result of the law, with many more likely going unreported. The Guardian, in covering the story, notes the case of a woman who found out that not only was she pregnant, but it was ectopic -- the fetus was growing outside the womb.

She left the hospital and returned to her village where she asked two traditional healers to terminate the pregnancy. There was a lot of blood loss and the woman died, almost certainly with a lot of pain. And yet, it was her only choice, given the law and poverty she was faced with.

Of course, there are politics behind the law, and the catholic church. And yet, women die. While it would, of course, be best if they were to avoid getting pregnant in the first place, that is not always possible, especially when contraception is a big no-no as well. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I do know the situation, as it stands, is not a good one.

Every year, when I start reading poetry with my first graders, I am blown away by how naturally and profoundly poetic they are. They see the world with a succinct, exquisite wonder that grows jaded with age, and the way they string words together on the page (which is often limited by their ability to form letters and spell words) is disjointed in just the right way to make anything they write into a poem.

Often however, the children tell me that they've only ever read poems at school, and that certainly they have only written them there. Few children come to first grade with a ready repertoire of poems, and fewer have ever written one themselves. But poems are an amazing, deep way of communicating for children. Through poetry they share the way they see the world without the structure of a story that adults so often impose upon them. When children write poems, the delicate threads of sorrow, or belief, or wonder shine through.

Each year I read Ten Second Rainshowers: Poems By Young People to my class. They are stunned when they discover that the authors are children just like them. Then they take up their pencils boldly, and string words together across the page, spelling the shape of their longing, or wonder, or grief.

Do you read poetry to your child? Do you help him or her to write poems? If not, I highly encourage you to start. Even with little ones--ask your child to tell you a poem, and take dictation. Be playful. Remind your child there are no rules for poems. Just write some words and see what happens. You'll be amazed.

I've always had healthcare paid for by the companies I've worked for, and truthfully, I didn't really know what Canada's healthcare system looked like for those of us who didn't have extra insurance provided by their employers. I knew that our government health care system proclaimed free Universal care, but until I started as an independent contractor, I didn't realize that Universal healthcare did not cover things like prescription drugs, ambulance rides, and trips to the dentist. Without a company paying for my extra insurance, I realized that I was responsible for covering most anything that goes beyond basic care. Our system is closer to the system in the US than I previously thought.

So it was with much interest that I read this article about Governor Schwarzenegger's proposed health bill for the State of California, that aims to provide healthcare insurance to the 7 million people in that State who do not have it. Schwarzenegger proposes to lower medical costs by legislating that individuals and businesses must offer some form of health care insurance, and insurance companies would not be allowed to reject applicants based on age or medical history. Low income citizens would be subsidized by the State.

Interesting. It's my opinion that fundamental healthcare is a right, not a privilege, and this has become even more important to me since becoming a Mom. I don't think any parent should make the choice between bankruptcy and emergency medical care for a child.

I'm interested to see what happens next.

Have you heard? Blog Action Day was created as a way for bloggers to unite on a single important issue. This year, the environment is the chosen topic, due to increasing concerns such as global warming and pollution. On October 15th, every participating blogger will post about the environment in their own way with the aim of increasing awareness to create a better future for all of us.

My family tries to do our part regarding the environment, whether it be recycling, our choices of household products or supporting environmentally-conscious retailers. On my personal blog, I have decided to write about our decision last year to rid our home of toxic household cleaners and the non-toxic, environmentally-friendly alternatives we currently use. I must admit, it was definitely trial and error, but we have found some great alternatives.

Here at ParentDish, my main focus this week will be introducing eco-friendly products for your home and children.

Interested in participating in Blog Action Day? View the promo here.

David Hasselhoff, of Knight Rider and Baywatch fame (not to mention star of ...interesting music videos) and recovering alcoholic fell off the wagon last night.

"David had a brief relapse and immediately recognized the importance of addressing it with the assistance of his doctors," his spokesman told in TMZ in a statement. "He is doing fine and will be back home in the morning."

Hasselhoff has had a long history of alcohol abuse. In 2002 he entered a rehab clinic, but was arrested for a DUI in 2004. Part of his sentence included AA meetings twice a week for six months and to spend six months in a DUI program. This past May, his 17 year old daughter Taylor-Ann filmed a heartbreaking video of Hasselhoff obviously drunk and lying on a bathroom floor attempting to eat a hamburger. She can be heard saying, "Tell me you are going to stop, tell me you are going to stop."

Addiction is a horrible thing, but the misery is compounded when there are children involved. Hasselhoff was awarded primary custody and full legal custody of daughters Taylor-Ann and Hayley, 14, a month after the cheeseburger video, so one can only imagine what sort of hot mess the ex-wife must be.

Get well soon, Hoff. You can do it.