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: Safety tips
What every parent should know about preventing child abuse
Everyone deserves to be respected, nurtured and loved. But many children and teens face a different reality. Caring adults need to be aware of the signs of child abuse and how they can help prevent it.
Attending large events following a tragedy
Our community is still processing the events of the post-Super Bowl parade. A day meant for celebration quickly turned into a nightmare for families who were in attendance, or even watching it on TV. As your family considers attending large events – sporting events, concerts, shows – that you once enjoyed, planning these activities now comes with extra concern.
Penicillin allergies: What parents need to know
Antibiotics in the penicillin family are among some of the best treatments for common childhood infections. But, penicillin is also the most commonly reporting drug allergy. Keep reading to learn answers to frequently asked questions about penicillin allergies you may want to know for your child.
Burn awareness tips for the whole household
Whether it’s in the kitchen or another part of your home, follow these tips to keep your children safe from potential burns.
Safe sleep tips so the whole family can get good zzz’s
When expecting a new baby, you’re prepared to get less sleep. But be sure to also prepare a safe sleep environment for baby – so when they are sleeping soundly, you can too. Safe sleep goes beyond the newborn stage, with standards to follow for toddlers and “big kids,” too.
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.
Cold weather car seat safety
Statistics show that motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among children in the United States. Most of these deaths, due to children either being unrestrained or improperly restrained, are preventable.
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.
Preparation for successful sitters
Being a good babysitter starts with being prepared. While the babysitter themselves is responsible for some of the preparation, there are several important steps parents can take to set the babysitter up for success. Experts from Charlie’s House have outlined a few topic areas you should go over with each babysitter you hire.
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!
COVID-19, RSV and the Flu: What you need to know
Viral respiratory season is quickly approaching. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory viruses seem to circulate in new patterns, so being prepared is important! According to the American Academy of Pediatrics last flu season a record number of children under the age of 4 years old were hospitalized. Here’s what you need to know to help keep your family safe and healthy.
Keeping kids safe while safely storing firearms
Conversations about firearms are tough conversations to have with a child. However, gone are the days of only teaching kids about gun safety to keep them safe. Telling your child not to touch a firearm if they find one is no longer enough. Now, firearms are the leading cause of death among children and teens in the United States. The best way to keep your children safe is keeping firearms stored safely.
Everything parents need to know about food allergies
Food allergies are a concern for many parents – especially those of younger children who are being introduced to new foods on a regular basis. But it can be hard to determine what is a food allergy versus a food intolerance.
By bus, by bike, by car...oh my! Get to school safely - no matter how you travel
School is back in session! Ensuring all kids make it to and from school safely is everyone’s responsibility. We recommend sitting down and speaking with your kids this back-to-school season to make sure they know and are following these safety guidelines.
Beat the heat! How to bring your summer fun indoors
We know it’s a parent’s dream to spend as much time outside with the kiddos as possible. Summer is all about enjoying the outdoors from sunup until sundown. However, there are certain barriers that can limit you from doing just that. Whether it’s extreme heat, rain showers or even nap times, for some families spending time indoors to wind down is inevitable.