Sunday, Dec. 5: Sleep In, Then Thank a G.I.

Sleep in, Mom

It's Sunday, maybe you caught up on some much-needed sleep? Not if you're a working mom, according to a University of Michigan Study which found that among couples with a child under one who both work, 32 percent of women reported sleep interruptions to take care of the baby, versus just 11 percent of men. The inequity decreased, but continued as the child aged. "Interrupted sleep is a burden borne disproportionately by women," said sociologist Sarah Burgard, a researcher at the U-M Institute for Social Research. "And this burden may not only affect the health and well-being of women, but also contribute to continuing gender inequality in earnings and career advancement." Yeek! Moms, go back to bed, or even better, draw up a contract for tonight. Burgard said, "For parents of young children, the best approach might be discussions and negotiations about whose turn it is to get up with the baby tonight."

Send a note to a soldier

There are 10 more days before the YMCA sends out its collected holiday greetings to American soldiers abroad. Today, if you'd like, take a minute to pen a card or a letter or have the kids draw a picture for our men and women stationed so far from home this holiday season and drop it off at the Y.

Avoid papercuts

If you buy a gift at Westfield Shopping Mall today from noon to 9 p.m., the nice folks at South Meriden Lions Club will wrap it for you for a donation.

Holiday recital

The local piano, voice, flute and violin students of Meriden music teacher Jeanne Caillouette will perform holiday songs at the Augusta Curtis Cultural Center on East Main, across from City Hall. The kids range in age from 5 – 14, and will be playing Christmas classics including: I'll be home for Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed-Reindeer from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Remember how far we've come

On December 5, 1955, African-Americans in Montgomery, Alabama began their year-long boycott of city buses after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on December 1. It was one of the first and biggest protests of segregation.