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.
Category: Health and Wellness
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wellness days for kids: taboo or to do?
Parents can take a deep breath: It’s healthy for kids to take a break from day-to-day life to rest and restore. One way to achieve this is to allow your child a wellness day. What is a wellness day? A wellness day, or mental health day, is taking a break from normal, daily activities to refresh and destress. The strain of academics, social lives and intense schedules can build up; children may need time at home to just be a kid.
Sports concussions: 5 things parents should know
When parents think about sports concussions, football immediately comes to mind. Some parents may argue whether kids should even play football because of the risk. But it’s not just football, concussions are relatively common in other contact sports (soccer, basketball, lacrosse, hockey and wrestling) as well. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 percent of all contact sport athletes sustain concussions yearly.
What constipation in kids looks like and what you can do
Did you know constipation in kids can look like a lot of other things? You may be surprised to learn constipation in kids is often underdiagnosed and the right diagnosis can help your child finally get relief. Here are some signs to look for when you suspect constipation and how to get unstuck.
Medication 101: What you may not realize about medicines
Here’s a fact that will knock your socks off – a medicine cabinet is one of the worst places to store medicine. It’s true! It shouldn’t even be called a medicine cabinet because storing medicine in the bathroom where temperatures and humidity can get high is one of the least stable places to keep medicine. Let’s run through a few other things you may not realize about medications.
Preventing heat-related illness for student-athletes
Preparing for the return of school sports can any student-athlete excited, but during these hot summer months as the temperatures continue to rise, it’s important to be aware of heat-related illnesses. You don’t have to just be a football player doing 2-a-day outdoor workouts to be affected by heat stroke and heat-related illnesses. Anyone can be at risk. Here are some steps to help keep your student-athlete safe from the heat.
When do you need a bike helmet? Your bike safety questions answered.
We all love the freedom and fun bikes can bring for children. It’s such a fun milestone for any kid when they move from training wheels to only using 2 wheels. Then, they can go on long family bike rides or zip over to their friend’s house. Even bike to school! As you start to hit the road, remember these bike safety tips.
Updated asthma guidelines and how they affect kids
In terms of updating asthma guidelines, not much has changed in over 13 years – until recently. With the recent 2020 National Institutes of Health (NIH) report, there’s a new way to help children who have asthma, and it may impact how your child is treating their asthma now.
ADHD: What parents need to know
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) has received a lot of media coverage over the past decade. Sometimes it gives families helpful knowledge and at other times it can cause confusion or fear about this common diagnosis. Here’s what you really need to know about ADHD.
Stick it to ticks this summer – easy ways to avoid, remove and treat tick bites
As we kick off the summer season, there’s a lot to be excited about—sunshine, family vacations and tons of outdoor fun. But one thing to remember as your family is outside more often is to check for ticks after playing, hiking or exploring tall grass or wooded areas.
Things to know about tonsillectomy
We’ve all been to the doctor where they check your vitals, heart, lungs and neck, among other things. But, what are they even checking in the mouth? It’s the tonsils! For kids, this is the part where they stick out their tongue and say “ahhh.” But, when their tonsils are causing problems, it may be time for a tonsillectomy.
Ways to steer clear of sickness from swimming
Swimming is one of the best highlights of summer for most kids. It’s a great way to beat the heat, stay active and have fun with friends. But one thing that is all too common during this time is catching a stomach bug. Here are some ways to keep the stomach bugs at bay while the kids play.