Scooby-Doo-- good for you? The mystery gang has been deemed the healthiest of all cartoon shows, because of how much time its characters spend walking and running. A team of British researchers (in this case, people paid to sit around and watch cartoon shows for 200 hours, gotta love the irony there) reviewed a number of animated shows and found that the lovable, cowardly dog was the most active, even if he only does it all for a Scooby Snack at the end. Some think that Dora the Explorer, who also scored high marks, might be a better role model, since she manages to walk and run without all of the binge-eating afterwards. 

Do you find yourself swaying, even when you're not holding a baby? Do you routinely refer to yourself in the third person?  Catch yourself watching kids' TV shows, even when the kids are asleep? If so, you might be a mom. Becoming a mom leads you to develop some oddball habits that are unique to -- and often only recognizable by -- other parents. What mom habits have you developed?

What are you making for the school bake sale? How many rolls of wrapping paper have you committed to selling? Have you volunteered for the school's auction committee yet? Forget the homework, many parents are feeling overwhelmed just trying to contend with the volunteer and fundraising duties of the new school year. Schools are caught between a rock and a hard place these days. The economy has led to budget cuts, making fundraising activities more important than ever. However, families have been hit just as hard by the recession and have less than ever to contribute. Some, who are exhausted by all of the "asks," are starting to streamline their efforts. Whether it's cutting a check to the school at the beginning of the year, limiting oneself to one fundraising activity for the year, or simply taking advantage of some of the available online tools to help coordinate volunteer time more easily, many moms are looking for ways to participate without breaking the bank. How do you keep the volunteer and donation requests from getting out of hand?

Aah, the controversial school year calendar. Originally established to accommodate our agrarian lifestyles and crop harvesting, right? According to some, it's less about wheat-threshers and more about natural air conditioning for urban elites. Some people say that basing the school year around a harvest schedule is pure myth and that the real reason kids have the whole summer off is because in the pre-air-conditioner age, the urban wealthy liked to escape the heat of summers in the city. These families would retreat to cool, rural destinations during the hot months, necessitating a break from school. Today, some marvel that anyone's wealthy at all anymore, given the high cost of child care during those long, expensive summer months.

Dana Macario is a TODAY Moms contributor and Seattle mom to two sleep-depriving toddlers. She is currently developing an alarm clock that will start an IV coffee drip 10 minutes prior to wake-up time. Once properly caffeinated, she also blogs at www.18years2life.com.

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