It's not perfect. It's parenting.
2022
Stay safe this holiday season
The holidays are generally a time for people to reconnect with family and friends. But this year with respiratory illnesses still making the rounds and the threat of frigid winter weather, there are a lot of considerations for helping keep your family healthy and safe.
Info about the flu and tips for staying healthy
The first cases of seasonal influenza were reported earlier this year than our traditional “flu season.” We are expecting a severe flu season nationally this year. The Southern Hemisphere (including countries like Australia) have seen a worse influenza season during their winter months, which in combination with our earlier than normal rise in cases, makes us believe our season could be worse as well.
Raising kids who love to give back: How to nurture generosity in your child
The holiday season bombards us with messages about all the latest “must-have” toys and gadgets. One great way to break through the noise of commercials and wish lists is to find ways to donate or volunteer as a family.
Sleep for health and sports performance
An overlooked recovery strategy that is vital in supporting both a student-athlete’s health and sport performance, is sleep. Student-athletes should sleep between 9 and 11 hours per night to reach their peak athletic performance.
Lying to your child: Is it ever OK?
If you’ve ever stretched the truth to get your kids to behave, you’re in good company. According to a study published in the International Journal of Psychology, 84% of American parents they surveyed reported lying to their kids to get them to stop unwanted behavior or encourage good behavior. It’s safe to say that lying to children is common. Still, it could come with some guilt and you may wonder whether it does any harm.
Conversations about weight: A focus on overall health
Talking about your child’s weight may feel uncomfortable or challenging to bring up for a variety of reasons. But what if “weight” wasn’t the main focus of the conversation? While weight and height are important numbers to measure as your child grows, there are many factors that contribute to overall health. As a parent, you can be your child’s greatest advocate and help them form healthy habits at an early age.
Tips for a safe Halloween
Halloween is a great time of year for children. But before your kids head out to trick-or-treat here are some safety tips to help keep your ghosts and goblins safe.
Truths about the top 5 excuses for not getting a flu shot
The first cases of seasonal influenza have been reported. We are expecting a severe flu season nationally this year. To put it in perspective, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting early increases in influenza activity this year, higher than what we have seen in the last two seasons.
Getting teens to talk
If you have a teenager in your family, chances are they are less chatty with you than when they were little. Before, they used to tell you every detail of their day whether you wanted it or not, but now you ask about their day and they say it’s, “Fine.” A normal part of kids growing up is that they create some distance from their parents or caregivers, but that doesn’t mean it feels good to experience the distance. If you miss talking to your teen, don’t worry, there are things you can do to make conversation more likely.
Tips for surviving toddler behavior
The toddler stage (1-3 years old) is filled with joy, challenges and everything in between. Difficult behaviors often emerge during this time, including the dreaded “meltdowns” or as my old supervisor used to call it, kids “going boneless” during a tantrum at the grocery store. Here are some practical ways to think about and respond to challenging toddler behaviors.