This year, 4.3 million babies will be born in the United States, representing a 0.4 percent decline from 2008. While recessions typically lead to fewer birth rates, the latest research from Los Angeles-based IBISWorld shows that not only does parenting get pricier with time, but the impact of current economic conditions will further exacerbate the financial commitment.

“We can expect to see a surge in the boomerang generation [ages 18-24] returning home and continuing financial dependency on parents due to a scarce and competitive job market,” said Toon van Beeck, senior analyst at IBISWorld. “This phenomenon has become more apparent in recent years, with higher costs in tuition and rent making transitioning into adulthood increasingly difficult. Thanks to the recession, many parents will get prolonged time with their kids until their debt is paid off or market conditions improve.”

From the moment of conception to age 18, the average cost of raising a child is about $227,862—which translates to an average cost of $12,658 a year. A household yielding an annual income of less than $45,000 will spend roughly $156,469 on their child until they turn 18. Incomes between $45,000 and $75,000 spend $214,829, while households earning $75,000 and above splurge over $312,286 by the time their teen graduate’s high school. Afterwards, parents can expect to shell out for college tuition, along with additional financial burdens induced by a stagnant economy.

Also relative to the total average cost spent on a child is location. For instance, those who reside in the west pay the most per child in the nation – 8.1 percent above average – due to higher income levels and cost of living. In eastern regions, such as New England, a child is 4.9 percent more expensive, whereas raising a child in the south meets closest with average figures.

With housing encompassing the greatest portion (35 percent) of total expenses, expect to see adverse effects brought on by foreclosures and rising unemployment – especially in hard hit states like California and Arizona.

“We have already noticed an influx of middle-income families, particularly from California, relocating out of state in search of more affordable housing and employment opportunities,” said van Beeck. “The ability for parents to afford a better quality of life for their child is of utmost importance, and it entails sacrifices.”

Just because we’re in a recession doesn’t mean we have to look like it, right? Well that’s Coach’s “new bag.” The company has created a less expensive Poppy line to fit the times without cheapening it’s luxury image.

According to Lew Frankfort, chief executive at Coach, the average price of the Poppy collection will be be $260, about 20 percent less than the usual.

Main pieces from the new line were tested in nine Coach stores and 23 deparment stores this spring. Two bags that did better than expected were the Groovy and the Glam (pictured).

Economic abuse is often a “silent” or “hidden” aspect of domestic violence that many Americans are unaware of or are hesitant to discuss with loved ones. It’s a tactic commonly used by domestic violence abusers to control their victims’ finances to prevent them from leaving a dangerous relationship.

According to the poll:

70 percent of Americans know people who are or have been victims of domestic violence – - – but nearly the same percentage of Americans fail to see a connection between domestic violence and economic abuse.
Instead, when Americans hear the term “economic abuse,” 77 percent Americans think of Wall Street woes (e.g. corporate greed or irresponsible spending) and don’t associate it with something that could be happening in their own neighborhoods.
“Many people associate domestic violence with physical cuts and bruises, but bruises on your credit score and being cut off from access to money, create lasting scars that make it hard, if not impossible, for abuse victims to recover,” said Jennifer Kuhn, manager of the Economics Against Abuse Program at The Allstate Foundation. “For victims of domestic violence, economic abuse is much more personal – and dangerous.”

To better educate Americans about this often overlooked aspect of domestic violence, The Allstate Foundation provides the following signs to recognize economic abuse:
· Taking money, credit card or property from a partner without their permission
· Racking up debt without a partner’s knowledge
· Purposely ruining a partner’s credit score
· Forbidding a partner from earning money or attending school
· Being forced by a partner to hand over paychecks
· Cancelling insurance or credit cards without the partner’s knowledge
· Harassing a partner at work to negatively impact a job

The Allstate Foundation, in partnership with NNEDV, recently developed a Financial Empowerment Curriculum to help victims achieve financial independence. The Financial Empowerment Curriculum includes financial tools and information designed to enable survivors of domestic abuse to fully understand their financial circumstances, as well as engage in short-term and long-term planning (e.g., budgeting tools, step-by-step planners, tips, etc.) to accomplish their personal goals.

“Our goal is to raise awareness about how economic empowerment can lead to a safe and financially secure future,” said Kuhn. “With resources like the Financial Empowerment Curriculum, we’re providing tools to domestic violence survivors and others who may need financial guidance in these tough economic times.”

The user-friendly curriculum is available in a variety of formats, including hard copy, Spanish-language, DVD and downloadable versions at www.ClickToEmpower.org to help people of all incomes and earning power work toward long-term economic empowerment.

Janet Jackson speaks about Michael. Janet Jackson spoke on behalf of the Jackson family last night at the BET awards.

If you’re looking for a delicious dessert this 4th of July, look no further. Here’s a recipe for Red, White & Blueberry Cheesecake Bars, less than 200 calories a bar, from www.RecipeGirl.com:

1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
½ stick (4 Tbsp.) butter, melted
1½ packages (12 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup lowfat milk
2 Tbs cornstarch
2 Tbs fresh lemon juice
zest of one lemon
3 large eggs
1 cup fresh raspberries (more or less, as desired)
¾ cup fresh blueberries (more or less, as desired)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch pan with aluminum foil. Spray lightly with cooking spray.

2. In a small bowl, mix crumbs and melted butter. Press mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

3. In a food processor (or with an electric mixer) blend cream cheese, eggs, milk, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and lemon zest just until smooth. Do not overbeat.

4. Pour the cream cheese mixture on top of the crumb crust. Scatter raspberries and blueberries on top.

5. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until touch to center feels slightly firm and set.

6. Cool completely before cutting. Use foil to lift cheesecake out of pan and onto a cutting board. Use a thin, sharp knife to cut into clean-looking bars (wiping blade clean with a paper towel between cuts). Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Servings: 16
Yield: About 16 bars

Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Calories 197
Calories From Fat (51%) 101
Total Fat 11.33g
Saturated Fat 6.44g
Cholesterol 66.97mg
Sodium 128.77mg
Potassium 85.81mg
Carbohydrates 20.17g
Dietary Fiber 0.91g
Sugar 13.19g
Net Carbohydrates 19.26g
Protein 4.32g
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With the same artistry and precision that sustains his namesake line, Gilles Montezin introduces his first bridal collection. The brand has long captured the hearts of women and loyalty of luxury retailers and stylists across the country—namely Kleinfeld, Saks Fifth Avenue, Patricia Field, and Sarah Jessica Parker. With this bridal collection Montezin also introduces a dynamic waist slimming construction, “Le Cinch™”.

Having built countless bustiers and corsets as a costume designer at The Opera Bastille in Paris, Montezin has an unmatched eye for tailoring. With a strong emphasis on cut and shape came the discovery of new boning and bodice construction methods. Coined by the designer himself, “Le Cinch™” is an abbreviated interpretation of the traditional corset that nearly doubles its predecessor’s figure enhancing effects. The dresses are less confining and achieve the perfect hourglass silhouette with unprecedented comfort. The slenderizing effects of Le Cinch™ offer a bride an instant reduction of two to four inches from the waistline! The collection is available in sizes up to 18W. Larger sizes are available via special order. Dresses range from $4,000 – $7,000 retail.

“I’m not looking to make a ‘statement’,” said Gilles. “Whether ready-to-wear or bridal I’m looking to make woman’s dreams reality; I’m looking to make women feel and look amazing!” Most recently Gilles’ work was featured in ELLE Sweden, Women’s Wear Daily, and on Sarah Jessica Parker in the film Sex and the City.

Gilles Montezin’s new bridal collection has not been posted to his website yet, but to view some of the collection click here. Or to view his is ready-to-wear line, click here.

Reusable bags are a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to paper and plastic bags – if you can remember to take them with you to the store. Many times, the store-branded, 99-cent bags are either left at home or are too small to hold everything. Introducing Joey Totes (www.JoeyTotes.com) – bags with a built-in pouch that are easy to remember because they’re convenient to bring along.

Joey Totes were designed to make it simple for people to get in the reusable bag habit. Each bag stows into a tiny storage pouch that is sewn directly into each Joey Tote, so it’s impossible to misplace. Better still, each pouch can also store at least one other tote (two for the “Big Joey”), so all of the bags are conveniently kept in one place that’s still small enough to easily fit into a purse or coat pocket.

Great for use at the mall, the beach or even the gym, Joey Totes are made from rip-stop nylon, hold up to 40 pounds each and are machine washable.

There’s another professional golfer in the Woods family, but this time it’s a female. Tiger Woods’ 18-year-old niece, Cheyenne Woods, made her LPGA debut this week in Rochester, New York.

Daughter of Earl Woods junior, Tiger’s half-brother, Cheyenne shot a three-over-par 75 at the tournament Thursday. She’s behind leader, Sandra Gal from Germany, by 11 strokes in the Wegmans tournament and surprisingly didn’t recieve a pep talk from her uncle Tiger.

“I talked to him about a month and a half ago when I got the exemption and he was really excited for me to be playing in this,” said Cheyenne. “He was just excited and looking forward to how I would do.”

Paint company, Glidden, will send you a FREE quart of paint. It’s as easy as it sounds. Pick your favorite paint color and the company will send you a quart of Eggshell finish paint within three to four weeks.

To pick your paint, click here.

Parent magazine is giving away FREE two-year subscriptions! No strings attached, no bills – just an offer complimentary of BedBathStore. To sign up for your FREE 24-issue subscription, click here.

Parents is America’s leading magazine devoted to serving people who are raising children. This magazine is designed for women ages 18-34 with growing children. Its editorial focus is on family formation and growth including the daily needs and concerns of modern mothers. It also regularly features information about beauty, food, fashion, home, age specific child development, health, pregnancy, marriage, finance, child care, education and discipline.

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