Maryland's Landmark Child Identity Theft Law Goes into Effect Jan. 1

Nation's first such law allows parents to protect children from identity thieves.

OUTSIDE BALTIMORE, MD -- On Jan. 1, 2013, the nation's first law allowing parents to "freeze" their minor children's credit at any time to protect them from identity theft will take effect in the state of Maryland. Currently, according to a recent Washington Post article, credit agencies are obliged to place a freeze of the credit of anyone with a credit history, but not those who do not have a pre-existing credit report, such as a minor.   A 2011 report from the Carnegie Mellon University CyLab found that more than 10% of the children surveyed had their Social Security number used by someone else, a figure 51 times higher than adults in the same study. The Huffington Post cited ID Analytics statistics that about 140,000 identity frauds …

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Home Is Where the Hope Is

“It is when our budding hopes are nipped beyond recovery by some rough wind, that we are the most disposed to picture to ourselves what flowers they might have borne, if they had flourished.” Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens, a brilliant 19th century writer, vividly depicted the harsh reality of orphan life in Victorian England. A common theme in many of his novels was the vital role hope played in determining the future of children living shoulder to shoulder with the specters of starvation and death. During Dickens’ lifetime a high mortality rate among street children was to be expected, as society’s ability to care for the abandoned, sick and poor was very limited. Today, orphans, as well as children with living parents unable to care for them, face a far less uncertain future than the poor street urchins described by Dickens. In the 21st century, government programs and non-profit organizations allow for the provision of many youngsters who…

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Behind the Cape

Cathy the Giver

Come on in and let me tell you about my other mom, my mother-in-law on this Mother's Day Special Edition.

A few months ago, I wrote a tribute to my mom.  I don’t exactly remember what prompted me to do so, but she deserved it.  Plus, I totally made her cry, which made it worth it.  Today, I’d like to honor my other mom, my mother-in-law.  Many of my friends don’t get along with their MIL’s.  Let’s face it, mothers and daughter-in-laws are always going to be at odds.  It’s like the law of physics or gravity or karma; I don’t know, one of those scientific-ish things.  We’ve taken their little boys away from them.  Of course I don’t think I ever realized what a big deal that was until I had boys of my own.  It’s just a different sort of bond.  I can’t explain it, nor will I try, and I certainly don’t understand it.  But let’s just put this on the…

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The Great Escape: Finding Our Identity

Parenting is a selfless, thankless job, but it doesn't mean you have to lose yourself in it.

The very first article I wrote for Patch was all about my identity.  Many of us get so focused on being a mom, we forget to be a woman.  The whole point of this column is to provide us with practical ways that we can get away from the monotony and chaos of motherhood and remind ourselves of our alternate identity. However, today, I want to go a bit more to the philosphical side of things.   Seeking our significance and measuring our worth solely on the basis of motherhood can be a very dangerous road to travel.  It can very rob of us of joy and true fulfillment.  Let's face it, the rewards of parenting are not exactly instantaneous.  In fact sometimes it can be downright defeating.  It's about plotting a consistent path of encouragement …

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Children Have Breakfast with Santa

Children at Trinity United Methodist Church had breakfast with Santa, decorated gift bags, and went Chirstmas shopping

Barbie dolls were the No. 1 gift on children's wish lists this year at the Trinity United Methodist Church's 10th annual Breakfast with Santa on December 4, 2010. Children like 3-year-old Breonna Brownwere able share their Christmas wishes with Santa and get their picture taken with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. They even walked away with an early Christmas goodie bag. But not all of the presents were for the children. With donated items and gifts from their thrift shop, the church put together a Secret Santa Shop with affordable items intended for children to buy for their family members. Items for sale included "Jiminy Cricket's Christmas" VHS for $0.75, Christmas mugs, jewelry, pins, ties, and Christmas stockings. The children could even get …

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