When is a baby not a baby?  When it's an "infant simulator" like the ones now being used in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua to combat escalating teen pregnancy.  When I was in high school, people were sent home with 5-lb bags of flour to "care" for overnight.  Now, they're using babies almost as real as the real thing.  These new simulators are programmed to feel and act as close as possible to the real thing, with settings ranging from "easy" to "cranky", and even variations allowing for the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome.  I know, they're kinda creepy, aren't they?

But what's important is that they work.  With 20% of the babies born in Chihuahua being the children of mothers aged 19 or younger, it's a problem that hasn't gone away via other means.  Apparently this program, designed by Realityworks, Inc. has a good track record in helping to deter teen pregnancy and is being used in many countries.  It's hard enough being pregnant and rasing a child if you're not a teen.  I'm glad there's something out there that may help kids all over from making choices they will later regret.