Babble Wrap 01.12.08: The Secret Social Lives Of Babies

Welcome to Babble Wrap! We’re bringing you headlines and links to parenting and other big stories in the news every weekday.

The secret social lives of babies
Babies have their own social lives and enjoy group interaction as much as being with their mothers, a world-first study has found. The ground-breaking research could revolutionise the way child-care centres are set up.
Sunday Telegraph
Pint-sized eco-Nazis
“After coating Britain in CCTV cameras, the [British] Government is nurturing a battalion of child spies, an army of ethically minded Veruca Salts, to harry and hector the badly behaved adults of 21st-century Britain. Daily Mail
SAHMs up in arms about Bold and Beautiful TV schedule line-up – maybe
The daily routine of Australia’s stay-at-home mums has supposedly been thrown into turmoil by their favourite soap opera moving into the family rush-hour zone. Daily Telegraph
Report: Australian women can’t hold down paid jobs
There is a new push for paid maternity pay as a report reveals that Australian women are as educated as any in the developed world but rank only 40th for holding down paid jobs.
The Age
Barbie vs Bratz in the dollhouse stoushe
Mattel, the maker of Barbie, is facing off against MGA Entertainment in a Californian court for the rights to the Bratz brand. Already the combined lawyers’ fees have soared above $US100 million ($153 million).
WA Today
Reason not to live in America #2765
Two men pulled guns and shot each other dead in a crowded California Toys R’ Us store after the women with them got into a bloody brawl.
SMH