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: Toddler
Top questions for your pediatrician at all ages
When you have your first baby, they unfortunately aren’t born with a handbook. Even if they were, every child is different and may not follow exactly what would be “outlined.” As a first-time parent you are going to have lots of questions and those questions won’t stop until your child is grown. You may first start asking questions about milestones your child should be reaching in their early years, but will eventually transition to questions on when you should bring up topics like the birds and the bees.
Less frustration, more communication: How to use baby sign language with your child
As parents, we’ve all been there – your baby is upset and screaming, and you just want to yell, “Tell me what you want!” Adding a few basic sign language words to your child’s vocabulary can help ease this frustration for both of you and encourage your child’s verbal development as well.
When to go: Emergency Room vs. Urgent Care
School is out for the summer – that means playground visits, pool days or play dates that could result in an unexpected injury or illness for your child. And of course, it always happens when your doctor’s office is closed. So, the dilemma every parent faces …do you go to the Emergency Room (ER) or Urgent Care?
7 ways to keep pools safe this summer
Multiple layers of protection are needed to prevent drowning. Drowning continues to be the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children aged 1 to 4 years and they are more likely to drown in a home swimming pool. Here are some important water safety tips to keep your young children safe around water.
6 most preventable childhood injuries
Most childhood injuries can be prevented and knowing how to prevent an accident is key to keeping children safe. We’ve all been taught the basics. Buckle-up in the car, wear a bike helmet and look both ways before crossing the road.
How parents can make a healthier environment for healthier kids (on Earth Day and every day)
This Earth Day, your family might be spending time in local community gardens, planting trees with neighbors, or gathering to celebrate in the great outdoors. These are great ways to support Mother Nature, and there is still a lot we can do to combat the effects of climate change right where we are.
Why siblings fight and what to do about it
National Siblings Day is approaching, providing a chance for brothers and sisters everywhere to celebrate each other and their bond. But anyone who grew up with a sibling knows that fighting comes with the territory, but when our own kids get into it, it can be worrying. We wonder, “Are they creating lasting damage to each other?” or “Will they ever get along?”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The No. 1 rule about cleaning out earwax
Let’s set the scene - you look over at your kid and there’s a bunch of earwax in their ear. You may feel immediate panic to clean it out. There’s no way you can let them walk around like that. So, you run to get the cotton swabs you know you shouldn’t use. But, before you do anything, here’s the No. 1 rule about cleaning out earwax.
Ear infections in children: What you can do and when it’s time for ear tubes
Ear infections are one of the most common medical issues among young children and can be frustrating for both parents and kids. As a parent, we know you want to do everything possible to keep your child healthy. Here’s what to know about ear infections and when to talk to your doctor about discussing ear tubes.