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.
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Category: Holidays
The ultimate guide to road-tripping with kids
Everyone loves a family vacation or taking the kids to visit extended family. However, road-tripping with kids can cause anxiety, stress and overall be daunting. We’ve created a guide for how to get the best out of your road trip and how to keep your kids entertained.
How to celebrate Black History Month with your family
Across the calendar, heritage months pop up as an opportunity to lift up multiple cultures that at times may not have as much social representation. In the month of February, the United States honors Black History Month. While it is important to recognize the past contributions of the Black and African American culture, parents should consider celebrating Black History past, present and future.
New Year’s resolutions your whole family can enjoy
New Year’s resolutions are always made with the best of intentions – but when life gets busy, they can be hard to follow through. But what if you had your whole family as accountability partners? While you can create any resolution that makes sense for your individual family unit, here are 8 ideas to consider while you plan for 2025.
Stories that inspired us in 2024
What a year! As 2024 comes to a close, we, like most of you, are looking back on our favorite memories from this year and found ourselves being inspired by the stories shared by patients and families who came through Children’s Mercy’s doors. Take a look at 10 stories that inspired us, made us smile and brought us joy this year.
Modeling inclusivity this holiday season
Children notice what we do, how we respond, how we treat others and who we include. This time of year can be jam-packed with anxiety. Our schedules get full, sometimes we overload our resources and meanwhile children are watching. Be mindful that sometimes in moments of stress, it can be hard to remember kindness. But kindness is paramount, not just during these months, but all year, and for our neighbors as well our very own family.
Stuck on ideas for your elf? We’ve got you covered!
Elf on the Shelf is a newer family tradition that some families participate in during the holiday season, and one that can cause a little extra holiday stress for parents. But a reminder – this tradition is supposed to be FUN, and a way to spark even more holiday magic in your household.
4 ways to keep your Independence Day sparkling and safe!
Sparklers and fireworks are Independence Day pastimes. Unfortunately for some, this holiday can also include an emergency room visit due to a firework injury. By following a few tips below, you can make sure your holiday is one to remember – for all the right reasons!
Resolutions from real kids
The saying goes "new year, new me" and for many, the beginning of a new year can be the start of changes they want to include in their life. Whether 2024 is a time for re-invention, learning a new skill, striving toward a new goal or knocking a few things off of your bucket list, there is no age limit for creating a New Year's resolution.
How to enjoy a safe and festive holiday season
As the song says, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! You’re getting ready for holiday celebrations, decking the halls of your home with festive décor and preparing for the excited chatter of children opening gifts. Below, we’ve outlined safety tips in several areas, so you can ensure your memories of this holiday season are happy ones.
How school breaks affect kids’ mental health
There’s a lot for kids and teens to look forward to on a break from school. No homework, for one. But breaks are not without their challenges. Young people can exhibit increased mental and behavioral health symptoms when adjusting to a new day-to-day routine outside of school. Luckily, parents and caregivers can make a big difference in helping kids adjust and cope. Use a few tried-and-true tips to make upcoming breaks less stressful for your family.
7 tips for less stress this holiday season
The holiday season is here! While it’s an exciting time of year filled with traditions, treats and fun, this time of year can also cause stress and anxiety. The shopping, cleaning and planning can feel endless, and, while we want to celebrate with all of our friends and family, sometimes schedules and budgets won’t allow it. If you are struggling with making holiday decisions and talking about them with family, we hope you find these tips helpful.
Holiday traditions to start with your family
The holiday season is all about making memories. When you think back on the holiday magic of your childhood, you probably remember the traditions and time spent with your family over any gift or toy. If you’re looking for a new holiday ritual to start with your own family, Children’s Mercy employees have you covered! See some of the annual traditions our staff members look forward to each year.
Make holiday meals safe and fun for everyone! Tips for families with food allergies
No matter what holidays your family celebrates, chances are good that many of your gatherings involve special foods. While most of us look forward to these seasonal delights, for families of kids with food allergies, holiday gatherings can add pressure and anxiety to what’s meant to be a fun and festive time of year.
Raise "champions" of giving this holiday season
While children spend time sifting through catalogs and making wish lists during the holiday season, this special time of year is also perfect to begin teaching children the importance of giving back.
BEWARE! Or Be Aware of these Halloween safety tips
Keep kids safe this Halloween by avoiding the most common injuries that bring little ones to the emergency departments: falls, burns from flammable costumes, injuries from collisions with vehicles and eye injuries from sharp objects. Follow the tips below for a Halloween of all treats - no tricks!