It's not perfect. It's parenting.
Sometimes you need answers to the little everyday things that parents encounter. And sometimes, you just need someone to encourage you through all of the craziness and challenges of parenthood. Welcome to Parent-ish, a blog from the experts at Children's Mercy.
Toxic metals found in baby food: what you should do now
With the recent news that the US House of Representatives found multiple baby food brands were tainted with high levels of heavy metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury, it can send any parent into fear mode. We should be concerned, but not panic. Here’s why.
A parent’s guide to discussing white privilege
The process of evaluation and education related to white privilege is an important part of the journey to addressing racism and working toward a world where all children are safe and healthy.
5 harmless April Fool’s Day pranks to play on kids
Well, it’s that time of year again – April Fool’s Day. This year is a good time for some light-hearted, harmless pranks parents can play on kids.
Organic, dairy-free and vegetarian diets explained in under 180 characters
You’ve probably seen the new options for your morning coffee – oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, cashew milk and the list goes on. Meanwhile, conversations about organic and non-organic food options are ongoing. It can be overwhelming to understand nutrition and how to identify the best options for your kids.
How to plan for tornado safety with your family
Spring can’t come soon enough after months of winter cold and darkness. But with spring comes severe weather and tornados which can cause dangerous conditions and sometimes lead to injuries. What does your family need to stay safe during severe weather? Check out these tips for tornado safety.
Let’s talk about HPV
You may feel like you don’t need to read this because your child isn’t sexually active or isn’t a girl. Well, unfortunately, that’s not true. HPV causes cancer, affects boys and girls and is increasing in infection rates by 5% each year. Let’s talk about HPV and the cancer-fighting HPV vaccine.
The Importance of teaching kids about systemic racism
Institutional racism, or what is sometimes called structural or systemic racism, is what Solid Ground defines as “the distribution of resources, power, and opportunity in our society to the benefit of people who are white and the exclusion of people of color.” In that definition, every single person, even kids, is affected by systemic racism.
Is my child too short? And other things explained by a pediatric endocrinologist
Many kids aren’t as tall as their classmates, both boys and girls. Often, parents worry that height might affect their kid’s ability to play sports, how their friends treat them, their self-esteem and even how successful they might be in life. But are their worries justified?
Fun Kansas City kids activities during a pandemic
This past year has been nothing less than interesting with COVID-19 changing our entire lives. With worry and fear, how do we still enjoy our lives and still give our kiddos the experiences they deserve outside of virtual learning? By practicing proper precautions, it is still possible to have those experiences outside of the house!
Vacuna contra COVID-19: 6 datos que necesita saber
Hay mucha información circulando sobre las vacunas contra COVID-19 y es importante que las personas estén informadas. Pero con tanta información disponible, también hay información errónea. Es por eso que recurrimos a nuestros expertos médicos para aclarar las cosas. A continuación, se incluyen seis datos que necesita saber sobre las vacunas contra COVID-19.
Understanding implicit bias, and why it affects kids
We all want the best for our kids. But when someone makes assumptions about your child before knowing them, it may negatively impact them. And the reality is we all make judgments and assumptions about people to some extent even when we don’t want to.
Ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day during COVID-19
In school and at home, Valentine’s Day is typically a fun day to trade friendship notes, messages of love and eat yummy treats. During the coronavirus pandemic, it still can be fun with a few slight differences to stay safe.
Run it back season! Football traditions for a Chiefs win
The whole town is painted red for our favorite football team, the Kansas City Chiefs. A few of our employees are sharing their game day traditions and superstitions they practice to guarantee a Chiefs win.
How new parents can avoid social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic
Bringing home a new baby can be stressful for parents at any time, but COVID-19 has added a new layer of complication. But, with a little creativity, parents can still stay connected to their “village,” to each other and to themselves.
Testing food allergies early in children
Studies have shown that, for at least some children, early introduction of food can help children to avoid the development of food allergies. Here’s what introducing those foods can look like.