Five Daily Oral Health Practices to Teach Your Kids

 

Just because your child’s first teeth will eventually fall out does not mean you should shirk your duty to teach them the best oral health habits. The sooner they learn how to care for their teeth, the better prepared they’ll be for their final set as it slowly grows in.

 

Eating Healthy

While brushing and flossing are probably the first things thought about when asked about oral hygiene, eating healthy is just as important. Fast foods, sugars and other unhealthy snacks promote the growth of bacteria and can open up the mouth to serious problems like cavities and gum disease. Teaching your child healthy eating now will ensure that once they start making food choices on their own, they’ll make the right ones.

 

Flossing Regularly

This is arguably one of the most neglected aspects of dental health when, in reality, it should be one of the most important. Flossing allows your child to disrupt the growth of any harmful bacteria trying to eat through the enamel of their teeth. Dentists recommend teaching kids how to do this only when their primary teeth start growing in.

 

Brushing Properly

The best brush technique is with soft bristles and a pressure no harder than you would use to brush a tomato without breaking its skin. This is because brushing exists to merely wick away external bacteria. If there is too much pressure, damage is done to the teeth and gums. Also, remember to only use a pea-sized drop of toothpaste. That is all that is necessary to obtain a good clean.

 

Drinking Water

Saliva is a very important aspect of our mouths that is often overlooked. Made up from water, it keeps the mouth moist, fights germs, prevents bad breath and contains essential minerals and proteins that naturally prevent gum disease and tooth decay. By drinking enough water, your children are making sure their first line of defense is always strong.

 

Visiting the Dentist

Finally, teach your child that dentist visits are necessary for deep cleans and spotting any potential problems. They are also great resources to discuss your current methods of cleaning your teeth and if what you’re doing is enough. One visit every six months from your child’s first tooth eruption is believed to be the optimal schedule.

 

Take time to show your kids these healthy daily practices to guarantee they will have nothing but beautiful smiles as they get older. Good dental health habits can be life-long, especially with a good childhood foundation.

 

Informational Credit to Advanced Family Dental Care LLC

Categories: Child, daily, dental health, eating healthy, Gum Disease, health, health habits, Kids, nbsp, oral health, teach, teeth

Kids And Health: Simple Things You Can Do To Keep Your Kids Away From Illness

 

 

When it comes to protecting the health of your children, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Before resigning yourself to micromanaging your kids’ lives in an effort to keep them illness-free, consider easing up and instead doing the following simple routines that are guaranteed to keep your kids happy and healthy.

 

 

Take Your Kids To Regular Check-Ups

One of the easiest ways to keep your children healthy is to make sure that they see a doctor routinely, even if they don’t seem sick. Your child’s doctor will be able to point out any irregularities and address concerns that you may have about your child’s development. If there is ever a need, your child’s doctor will be able to recommend specialists. In addition, your child’s doctor will be able to recommend a vaccination schedule that is right for your child’s unique constitution. It is very important to find a doctor that you and your child are both comfortable with and stick with them as your child grows older.

 

 

Don’t Forget Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene does not just mean good looking teeth and nice breath. Without good oral hygiene, your child could suffer from gum disease, cavities, rot, infection, and so much more sickness that could easily spread to the rest of the body. As a rule of thumb, proper brushing takes about two minutes, minimum pressure, and pays very close attention to each tooth, front and back. In addition, children should be encouraged to floss every day, say the experts at Coquitlam Centre Dental Clinic. If mouthwash is used, brands with alcohol should be avoided as this can make the mouth dry and aggravate oral health issues.

 

 

Less Soda And More Water

When your kid complains about being thirsty, what do you give them? Juice, soda or milk? For a lot of parents, water is one of the last things on their mind when it comes to quenching their child’s thirst. This is why children all over the world are often very dehydrated. Staying hydrated keeps kidneys functioning as they should, boosts the immune system, keeps skin clear and quiets false hunger pangs.

 

 

Make Time For Play

It’s easy to resort to TV and video games when there’s some free time, but instead consider applying sun screen and play outside. Daily exercise will help kids fight off illnesses and maintain healthy habits.

 

 

Replace Prepackaged Snacks With Fruits And Veggies

From chips and cookies to sugary sweets, kids love snacks. We want our kids to be happy, but we also owe it to them to keep them healthy. For this reason, refrain from handing them prepackaged snacks full of sugars and chemical flavorings and give them fruits and vegetables that will boost their immunity and energy. Save the extra sugary candy for special occasions, instead of an everyday treat.

 

 

Make Sure They Get Enough Sleep

Kids never want to go to bed or take their scheduled naps, but it’s important to stick to a strict routine as best as possible. Kids needs lots of sleep for their growing bodies and overall health. Getting them to bed around the same time every day gets them into a routine that is expected. If they don’t get enough sleep, they will be more moody and could have more health problems too.

 

Being a parent isn’t easy, but with these simple techniques, keeping your kids healthy has just gotten just a little bit easier.

 

Categories: health, illness, Kids, simple things

How Nutrition is the Key to Your Child’s School Success

Helping your child succeed at school is a big part of family wellness, but you may be going about things the wrong way. While helping with homework and meeting with teachers can help your children academically, you’re better off starting with their overall wellbeing. According to award-winning child nutritional wellness expert Dayle Hayes, MS, RD, ‘Experts in both education and health are beginning to realise that more attention to children’s bodies will also help their brains work better. Whether you call it the Learning Connection or the Wellness Impact, the message to parents and schools is clear: Eating smarter and moving more are essential for optimal performance and behaviour in the classroom.’ So what does your child need to succeed?

 

1. Breakfast, Every Day: Hayes notes, ‘Without fuel for morning classes, students cannot focus, concentrate and learn. At home or school (or even in a car or bus), breakfast changes everything. Any breakfast is better than no breakfast and a bowl of whole grain cereal with milk and fruit can actually be a good source of key nutrients. Even if your kids eat at home in the morning, your support for school breakfast is critical for those children who need it. One kid who is too hungry to learn can disrupt an entire classroom.’

 

2. Safe Routes to School: ‘Some of the hottest research on activity and brain function comes out of Dr. Charles Hillman’s lab at the University of Illinois,’ says Hayes. ‘Brain imaging and other tests show that a simple 20-minute walk can improve a student’s performance in both reading and math. Takeaway for caring parents? Walking (or biking) to school means your kids arrive with brains that are ready to learn. Concerned about their safety? Get your workout by walking or biking with them – or get involved in a Safe Routes to School group.’

 

3. Active Recess Before Lunch: Hayes points out, ‘Physical activity at recess is good for kids brains (and their bodies) for the exactly the same reasons as walking or biking to school. However, recess before lunch has been shown to have some other very important benefits. When children are active before coming to the cafeteria, they eat better and behave better. Studies show that they actually eat more entrée, vegetables and fruits – and drink more milk. When kids rush through lunch so they can run out to play, lots of food goes into the garbage can and students are short-changed on afternoon fuel. Breakfast helps children learn in the morning, but lunch is just as necessary for afternoon classes.’

 

4. Comfortable Cafeterias: ‘Sadly, many cafeterias are not pleasant, positive places to enjoy a meal,’ laments Hayes. ‘The good news is that they can be. All they need is a bit of bright décor and adults who are trained to encourage appropriate conversations rather than just patrolling between the tables and telling everyone to hurry up and eat. Parents can help create Comfortable Cafeterias by eating with their children and making positive, pleasant mealtimes part of a local wellness policy.’

 

5. Smart After-School Snacks: ‘Since children are all-day learners, they need regular refueling throughout the day, including after-school snacks – for sports, homework and academic enrichment programmes,’ Hayes explains. ‘Many snack foods (candy, chips, soft drinks, etc.) do not offer the lasting power that kids need…Fruits and veggies are always good, but protein power is even more important. Yoghurt, string cheese, nuts, nut butters, sliced deli meats, beef jerky, hard cooked eggs and hummus can all be incorporated into at home or on-the-go smart snack routines.’

Categories: after-school snack, breakfast, Children, comfortable cafeterias, hayes, Kids, nutrition, safe routes, School, school snacks

What To Do When You Need Quick Help With Kids" Injuries

One thing to do when a child is injured is call 911. The child can also be rushed to the nearest hospital if the adult believes that the child’s condition won’t deteriorate. The adult can also call the child’s pediatrician and ask what can be done. The adult will need to be calm and give as much detail as he or she can. This includes giving a number where the adult can be reached, the exact location of the accident, the type and gravity of the injury, the gender and age of the child and whether there are any hazards in the area like downed power lines or icy roads.

 

There are two things to do when dealing with an injured child even before an ambulance is called:

 

• The helper needs to find out what’s wrong with the child

 

• The helper then needs to treat the injuries according to their severity. A life threatening injury needs to be dealt with first. Three other things that need to be seen to are:

 

• Airway

 

The child’s airway needs to be cleared. If the child is talking to the person or crying, that means his or her airway is clear. If the child is unconscious, his or her tongue might have fallen back in his or her mouth and blocked the airway. The adult should open the airway by lifting the child’s chin and tilting back his or her head. This moves the tongue from the back of the throat and clears the airway.

 

• Breathing

The helper needs to see if the child is breathing normally. If the child isn’t breathing, the adult should start CPR.

 

• Circulation

The helper will need to see if the child is bleeding from the injury. If the bleeding is severe, it needs to be treated at once. Direct pressure should be applied to the wound with by a sterile dressing held by the helper. The injured limb should be raised above the level of the child’s heart and the child should be helped to lie down. The legs too should be raised above the heart to lessen the risk of shock.

 

Fractures need to be stabilized and secured by slings, bandages and padding.

 

Lost teeth aren’t as gruesome as they appear, and if the tooth is reimplanted within an hour of being knocked out, it can be saved. Place a knocked out tooth back in the socket or have the child hold the tooth in his or her cheek or under his or her tongue. If the tooth is filthy, it can be put in a cup of milk. A chipped tooth can be temporarily fixed with dental cement until the child sees the dentist.Dr. Eli Markovich DDS can help with any of these dental problems that your child may run into.

 

The helper should also note whether the child was conscious or not and then pay attention to any change in consciousness while they wait for help. Some injuries, like head injuries, can be very serious but hidden. The only sign of them is a change in the victim’s consciousness.

 

The helper should examine the child from head to toe to make sure that there are no injuries that have been missed. If the child is unconscious but breathing, he or she should be put in a recovery position. This is where the child is gently rolled on his or her side, one knee is drawn up and a hand placed under the cheek to keep the airway open.

Categories: Adult, airway, airway nbsp, Child, helper, injuries, Kids, nbsp, Quick

Stay-At-Home Mum? Try These Exercise Tips

As a stay-at-home mum, you’ll understand that your days are pretty packed on a regular basis. From changing nappies and preparing meals, to nursing and running around after your little ones, it’s hard to find time for yourself let alone find time to exercise in between it all. Stay-at-home mums work just as hard as those who head out to work each day, and because of this, it can be hard to get out of the ‘no time to exercise’ trap. Luckily, there are ways to combine the two and weave workouts into your daily routine. Regular workouts are important to your wellbeing and mental clarity, so if you’re desperate for fitness but can’t seem to find time in the day to head to the gym, being creative with your time is the best way to get around the problem.

Exercise with your kids

If your kids are old enough, it can be fun for both of you to exercise together. Why not go cycling in your local park or rollerblading? Hiking makes for a really great family activity that young and old alike can enjoy, and will also keep you all in shape too. Alternatively, why not create a fitness course in your garden with push-up stations and skipping ropes for a really great activity that kids will love.

Invest in a jogging pram or a ‘child trailer’ for your bike

When you’re adding the weight of your child and a piece of equipment to your workout, you know you’re going to feel the benefits! All that added effort will result in you toning up even quicker, as well as meaning you won’t need to ask for a babysitting favour in order to do your workout. They’re relatively easy to find and not too expensive, which may work out more cost effective than some other options.

Join a gym with childcare facilities

If you would really like to join a gym in order to stay motivated and benefit from the facilities, why not join a gym with a creche or kids club? It means you can enjoy a full exercise session without worrying about your little ones, and some gyms even offer kids exercise classes which they’ll love!

Opt for parent-baby yoga classes

Yoga is a really relaxing and child-friendly exercise – many locations offer the chance for mother and baby to enjoy the benefits together with strength and stamina-building classes available. Yoga helps to reduce stress, increases flexibility and gives you yet another chance to bond with your baby.

Try an at-home exercise DVD

If you’d rather workout in the comfort of your own home, you may benefit from a DVD option. There are so many exercises available in this format, from Pilates to aerobics and even kickboxing, so why not play around with a few different types? It can be a fun and cost-effective way to mix up your routine and will mean you can fit in exercising around your daily routine.

Improvise!

If you miss a workout, don’t worry about it – sometimes it’s more about making the effort. After all, something is better than nothing. Why not head out into the garden with the baby monitor attached to your jogging bottoms while your baby is enjoying a nap for some lunges and a few minutes on the skipping rope? The most important thing is to make exercise a priority and ensure that you don’t get caught up in excuses – it’s important for your health that you make time.

Categories: Baby, cost effective, Daily Routine, exercise, fitness, Home, home mum, Kids, mums, time

5 Ideas For Keeping Kids Comforted During Divorce Proceedings

Going through a divorce can upend your world. If children are in the picture, then there is even more potential stress and emotional upheaval added to the situation. The most important thing you can do is let the children know they are loved and will be taken care. Here are five ideas for keeping kids comforted during divorce proceedings.

 

1. Work Out Your Schedules

The younger they are, the more full of questions they’ll be about what is going on. Usually, these questions will deal with practical matters to them such as who will be picking them up for school and when they will be able to see the other parent. It might help to resolve these issues with the counsel of experienced child custody lawyers in Greensboro NC. If you have these matters worked out between you and your spouse, then you’ll be able to provide the much-needed answers for your kids. That will alleviate a lot of their fears.

 

 

2. Give Your Child The Chance To Talk

If your child isn’t asking about the divorce, that doesn’t mean it isn’t on their mind. This is very complex issue for them to process and it will take time to work through all the issues. Every day could present a new thought for them to wrestle with. Make sure you check in with your kids and give them the opportunities to express what they are thinking.

 

 

3. Ask Them What They Need

In some cases, it could be a simple fix like additional visitation or attention. You might not always be able to provide what your child needs during the divorce, but at least you’ll know what they are thinking.

 

 

4. Be A Positive Role Model

You’ll want to inform your child’s teachers or daycare providers about the situation. Whenever possible, do this in front of the child. This will show them that there is nothing to be ashamed of about the divorce. This can also help them open up more.

 

 

5. Don’t Add To The Pressure

No child should be asked which parent they want to live with. That is too much pressure. This is an adult decision that you should make with your partner.

 

 

Through this entire process, you need to constantly remind your child that you’re all still a family. Just because the living situations have changed doesn’t mean there isn’t love to go around. There is still plenty they can depend on and to look forward to.

 

Categories: Child, comforted, divorce, divorce proceedings, Ideas, keeping kids, Kids, kids comforted, nbsp, nbsp nbsp, thinking nbsp

Encourage Your Kids To Enjoy Exercise More With These Tips

The school holidays come around all too quickly, and all of a sudden you’re trying to think of ways to make sure your kids don’t spend the whole time sitting in front of the TV. Summer holidays, in particular, is so long that you need to have a few tricks up your sleeve to help keep them active. Times have changed from when kids used to spend the summer biking around their local area and playing football in the park; they now spend time playing video games and browsing the internet. While it may seem they’re safer, it doesn’t do anything for their health. We all need to get out of the house regularly to get some sunshine and some fresh air, and kids are no different. Here are some ways to get the kids up and out, so that they can keep fit, enjoy the sunshine and have fun all at the same time.

Limit their screen time

TV, video games and computers may have their benefits, but too much time spent staring at a screen can have a damaging effect. The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends that children under the age of two have no screen time at all, whereas children over the age of two don’t watch any more than one to two hours of TV or video games each day. If you offer your kids an alternative then they will be less tempted to spend all of their holidays inside.

Buy some basics

You may not have a full gym in your house, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep some basics in the house to make exercising easier. A few balls, such as a football and basketball, a skipping rope, and even a bike if you have the room, will be great essentials to give your kids the incentive to move more. Better yet, it gets them  outside.

Take the kids outside

Of course, you can exercise indoors. But getting the kids outside is likely to get them moving more and also gets them their daily dose of vitamin D. Why not take the kids down to the local park for a kickabout, or go swimming for half an hour? You can even use such activities as a reward for chores around the house – a 30 minute session down the park in exchange for taking out the rubbish in the morning or making their bed.

Give them things to do

Often, the problem for children is finding something that’s available to them. This is where buying things for the house, such as footballs, comes in handy. But if you put some more thought into it, it can be even more exciting for your kids. Why not make a scavenger hunt? At each station, give them a clue and an activity that they need to complete before moving on to the next location – this could be something like jumping jacks, push-ups or a lap around the garden. At the end, you could give them a reward to make it even more enticing.

Take up an activity

If you have the facilities nearby, why not set your kids up on a fun course? Dancing, karate or swimming are all great options, where they’ll have fun, keep fit and even make some new friends along the way.Check out the classes at your local gym or activity centre – you may even find that they have special summer classes available that are especially designed to keep kids entertained during the holidays.

Categories: exercise, fitness, holidays, house, Kids, Screen time, spend, time, Video Games

How to Deal with Empty Nest Syndrome when Your Kids are Gone

Your kids are often the culprits when it comes to your fragile mental health, but the funny thing is they hit you hardest when they’re no longer around. Whether your children go off to Uni, leave the country or move out to start a new job, Empty Nest Syndrome can have a huge impact on your wellbeing, as you can feel like they no longer need you, and that you no longer have an identity.

 

As a parent, your wellness is inextricably linked to your children. When they start their own lives, you can become derailed, especially if you’ve been staying at home and putting your own work and hobbies on hold in order to take care of them. You might think that mothers are more at risk to Empty Nest Syndrome than fathers, but actually studies conducted by Helen M DeVries, an associate professor of psychology at Wheaton College in the US, have shown that fathers are more affected by children leaving home as they are not prepared for it.

 

Preparation, then, is key, so what can you do to get ready? By reading this article, you’ve already begun, as you need to acknowledge that your child will not need you in the same way forever. This is difficult to accept as parents, but planning ahead can help you to cope. Think about the time when they will lead their own lives away from you, and make a list of all the things you will get to do when you finally get that time off. Remember, you are more than just a mum or dad; you are an individual with your own personality that existed long before you children arrived. Don’t wait for your kids to leave to get back to that – make sure you have your own activities, hobbies and friends now, as well as spending time as a couple.

 

So, are you or your partner showing the symptoms of empty nest syndrome?

 

1. Depression. This is the most common symptom of Empty Nest Syndrome, and is cause for concern if it lasts over a week. This may involve excessive crying, feeling withdrawn from your normal routines or friends, decreased energy, insomnia and a persistent sad mood.

 

2. Feeling useless. For parents who stay at home, it’s common to feel that there is now nothing for you to do, and you are superfluous.

 

3. Marital problems. When your kids are round, they’re the priority, which means that problems in your marriage may not surface until there’s just you and your partner left. Now you may find issues emerge, which you will need to focus on as a couple.

 

If you experience Empty Nest Syndrome, there are things you can do to get your wellbeing back on track. Start by seeking counselling from a professional. Not only does it help to have someone to talk to, but counsellors can help you to look at the situation in a positive way, and take positive steps as a couple to rebuild your lives. This may begin with keeping yourself busy, and reclaiming some of the activities and hobbies you used to love before your time became taken up by parenting. If nothing old springs to mind, try something new, creative and fulfilling to beat the empty nest blues.

 

Another important aspect of rebuilding your emotional health is to fill your lives with good friends, be they from relationships you may have ignored over the years, new relationships, or ones you just want to strengthen and grow even more. The house won’t feel so empty if you’re always inviting someone round for tea, or going out. While your children may not be here anymore, this doesn’t mean that they’re out of your lives forever. It’s not like the days when you left home; there is all kinds of technology to help you keep in touch with your kids, wherever they are. You might not want to be a burden, but your kids will actually appreciate the odd phone call or text – just try not to phone every day!

Categories: couple nbsp, Empty Nest Syndrome, Friends, hobbies, Kids, lives, nbsp, nest, nest syndrome, syndrome

Sex: How Do You Broach The Subject With Your Kids?

Talking to your kids about sex can be difficult and embarrassing for many parents. However, it is an important issue and something that every child needs to know about when they reach a certain age. These are some useful conversation starters to help you ease into the conversation without any worries or embarrassment for either one of you, so your kids stay well informed throughout puberty and beyond.

1 – Answer your child’s questions honestly

You may be surprised the first time your kids ask you about sex and sexuality, but instead of asking them about their reason for questioning, respond by saying ‘I’m glad you asked me about that’. By rewarding them for asking questions, they’ll feel more comfortable in asking again if they have any other questions in the future and it will strengthen the bond between you both.

2 – Introduce the topic yourself

You don’t have to wait for your kids to bring up the topic of sex – you can start the conversation yourself. Many parents put off talking to children about sex, assuming that the child will ask when there is something they want to know. But some children feel embarrassed or reluctant to talk about sex with adults, so they may not want to ask questions even when there is something they want to know. You wouldn’t wait for your child to bring up questions about other topics, such as personal safety or religion, so why sex? It’s a parents responsibility to discuss sex with their children, and its an important issue. You don’t need to cover all ground in one go, but bringing it up in little sections can make it more manageable and will keep your child informed.

3 – Be honest at all times

You won’t always have an answer to the questions your children face you with, but you don’t need to lie to them. If you don’t know, say so and explain that you’ll find out and get back to them with an answer. If you think you’ve misinformed your child, don’t hesitate to tell them and say that you’ve had a better answer now that you’ve had time to think about it.

4 – Discuss your feelings

There’s no doubt you will feel awkward discussing sex with your children, but it’s ok to explain to your kids why you feel uncomfortable. It’s a good idea to do this as it helps to explain to your child that it isn’t their questions making you uncomfortable necessarily, but that your parents didn’t discuss it with you so you feel ill-equipped, for example.

5 – Make sure they talk to both men and women

Many parents focus on informing their daughters about menstruation and puberty, but assume that their sons will pick it up as they go along. This isn’t always the case, and it’s important that both genders receive sex education from their parents. In many households, it’s also the job of the mum to talk about sex, but both parents should be involved. Children should hear the viewpoint of both men and women, as it teaches children that men and women can talk about sex together, which is an important communicative skill in adulthood. If your child is raised in a gay or lesbian household, it’s a good idea to ask for help from close relatives or friends of the opposite gender, so that your kids get the benefit of both viewpoints when they’re learning about this topic.

Categories: Advice, Child, Children, feel, Kids, Parents, Sex

Divorce Do"s and Don’ts: How to Take Care of Your Wellbeing

From psychological stress to the development of physically-harmful habits, divorce can wreak havoc on you health. However, an unhealthy marriage is equally damaging, so if you and your spouse do decide to separate, you need to make sure you do it right, and take care of your wellbeing in the process.

 

1. See change as an opportunity: It may be hard to see the bright side to divorce, but one silver lining is that it can be a great opportunity to begin new routines. You now have more time for you, your kids, your friends and your hobbies, as well as the ability to begin a new wellness programme. You could take up running, try yoga in the mornings, eat more healthy foods or even begin praying or meditating. This is a tricky time period, so choose pursuits that can help keep your mind and body healthy through it.

 

2. Tell your loved ones how you feel: You might not want to keep banging on about your problems, but you need to let it all out if you’re ever going to rebuild your emotional health. You don’t have to talk about your feelings with every family member or acquaintance to feel better (after all, some things are too private to post on Facebook). Still, you need to seek out close friends and family members whom you love and trust.

 

3. Seek out community support: While it is important to have the love and support of your family and friends, advice and consolation can be hard to take from people who haven’t been through it themselves. A lot of divorcees appreciate community groups made up of similar individuals, as it gives you a common purpose and reminds you that you’re not alone. Plus, it gives you a safe environment to let off steam to people who don’t know you or your ex. You might like to find a secular support network, but many religious groups also offer meetings for divorcees, so there’s something to suit everyone.

 

4. Be honest with your kids: You’re probably all too aware of how this change will affect your children’s wellbeing; divorce is hard on kids in terms of both short- and long-term wellness. This is why it’s absolutely crucial that you are 100% honest with them during this time, as well as after the transition. The circumstances of your divorce may determine how discrete you should be with regards to explaining the exact reasons you and your former spouse decided to separate. However, although it sounds like a cliche it’s important that you tell your children that the divorce has nothing to do with them, and everything to do with Mum and Dad. You should never neglect to tell your kids that they’re dearly loved and always will be, but this is especially important during this time. Finally, remember to keep your problems between you and your ex, and don’t try to get your kids to take side. Pitting your children against your ex will just damage their relationship with a parent, and cause them to lose respect for you over time.

 

5. Get your finances sorted: Spouses tend to divvy up the responsibilities, especially when it comes to financial wellness. If you don’t personally have a head for money and numbers, it’s time to educate yourself about the basics by looking online and talking to friends who know the score. Then, get your financial life sorted. You may have previously shared expenses with your spouse, and now that is obviously not an option. Taking the time to understand the financial implications of your divorce can be difficult, but it’s always worth the effort.

Categories: Child Wellness, divorce, Finances, Friends, Kids, nbsp, time

That’s Life: Should You Teach Your Children How to Fail?

In the game of life, sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose – but do your children need to know that? Many schools and clubs have policies in which “keeping score” at sporting events isn’t allowed, but does this set your children up for a shocking realisation later in life? According to Jeff Bogle, author of The Good Men Project blog, for the sake of family wellness,you’re your child’s future wellbeing, parents should let their kids fail.

Jeff notes a time in his teens when his driver’s license was suspended for a year. Jeff admits he was fully in the wrong, but his mother, who worked at the neighbourhood pharmacy, asked if Jeff wanted her to talk to the officer about the situation the next time he needed his prescription filled. Jeff says he didn’t want or deserve any kind of special, hush-hush treatment, as he holds a mantra based on a paraphrased quote from Frederick Douglass: without struggle there can be no progress.

According to Jeff, his kids have ‘had explained to them the implications contained within the notion that with all efforts big and small – in the classroom, on the playing field, growing up – there are bound to be failures, but present in those moments of extreme disappointment and blood-curdling frustration, is the truth. The truth about themselves, about their passion (or lack there of) for the thing they are attempting to do, and about how the world sees them and how much weight to give the opinions of others.’

He continues, ‘It is right there, the falling hard off the bike and having a parent wipe away the tears and clean the cuts, before heading back out and trying it again, and again, and again, that the how, when, and where we learn the most about ourselves has its origin point. Take away struggle, disappointment, and heartache completely from childhood and you are left with what will become a fragile and incomplete adult.’ He adds, ‘I will pass down many personality traits and idiosyncrasies, some good, some bad – a love of dark chocolate mousse, an affinity for grilled asparagus, an appreciation for European football, among them – but nothing will benefit my daughters as much as those seven words.’

That’s Life: Should You Teach Your Children How to Fail?

Categories: Children, failure, jeff, Kids, life, Struggle, Success, time

Which Complementary Therapies are OK for Kids?

Recent studies have shown that more and more parents are turning to complementary wellness methods instead of medical treatments for their kids. Some do it to guard their children’s wellbeing against the side effects of medications, while others have lost faith in their doctors. Whatever your reason for choosing alternative therapies for your children, you should bear in mind that although some seem safe and effective for kids, others are inappropriate or downright dangerous.

According to Dolores Mendelow, MD, clinical assistant professor of paediatrics and communicable diseases at the University of Michigan Medical School. ‘There is a huge place for complementary and alternative medicine in paediatrics. In terms of complementary medicine, we’re using acupuncture, dietary supplementation, and herbal or botanical therapies. Parents can ask doctors if certain alternative therapies will hurt a child. It’s a good opportunity to open up a dialogue about this with your physician. And doctors need to learn more about them.’ It’s important to ask the right questions because all children are different, and so what affects your child may not affect another. That said, there are certain therapies that, generally, get the green light:

1. Honey for a cold: Dr Mendelow asserts, ‘Over-the-counter medicines like Sudafed aren’t helpful for the common cold, but honey and buckwheat are. However, if your child is younger than 12 months old, you should never give them honey. Another effective treatment for colds is eating elderberry fruit, or taking extracts of it, but if your child is on chemotherapy this should be avoided.

2. Acupuncture for migraine: When it comes to treating migraines, acupuncture has a good track record. This alternative therapy also has known benefits in easing nausea symptoms associated with chemotherapy treatments. If you’re considering acupuncture for your child, make sure you look for a practitioner who has lots of experience treating kids.

3. Cranberry for frequent urinary tract infections: Your child may be more prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs) if he or she has a habit of holding their urine. If your child’s doctor has ruled out an underlying kidney problem, cranberry juice or extracts can be a natural way to prevent the irritating infections.

4. Probiotics for diarrhoea: If taking antibiotics is causing your child to experience diarrhoea, probiotics can be especially helpful. You’ll find these beneficial bacteria in drinks, in foods like yogurt, and in supplement form.

5. Yoga and tai chi for stress relief and anxiety: There is a real connection between the mind and the body which, when tapped into, can do wonderful things for your child’s health. Asthma is a common condition amongst children and, if your child is afflicted by it, he or she may benefit from taking a yoga class. Alongside prescribed medicines, yoga can help asthmatic patients breathe better and remain calm during an attack, in addition to providing general stress reduction. Moreover, research shows tai chi helps reduce the risk of depression and anxiety in teens.

So those are the green-light treatments, but from which therapies does Dr. Mendelow advise parents to stay away?

1. High-velocity chiropractic treatments: In general, chiropractors are great as general practitioners, they do a lot of nutrition counselling, food avoidance, and gentle manipulation,’ Dr. Mendelow notes, but she also believes that forceful “crack the neck” kinds of therapy are inappropriate for kids.

2. Creatine: Bodybuilders often swear by this high-protein supplement but it can harm the kidneys. Therefore, if you have a teenager who has started to lift weights, make sure they avoid creatine.

3. Ma huang: You might turn to this Chinese medicine to control your child’s asthma or boost their athletic performance, but it can lead to heart palpitations and cardiac problems and is considered extremely dangerous for kids.

Categories: acupuncture, alternative therapies, Child, Child Wellness, dr mendelow, green light, Kids, Tai Chi, Therapies, tract infections, urinary tract, yoga

Kid Safety: Choosing the Right Toys

As a parent, it’s only natural to want your children to lead a safe, happy life. However, thousands of kids each year end up visiting the emergency room due to toy-related injuries. According to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), over 200,000 children under the age of 14 years old experience injury from dangerous toys each year. Although many of these do not require overnight hospitalization, these injuries have occasionally resulted in death for a small percentage of kids.

 

Toys make the perfect gift for kids on birthdays, special occasions and holidays. However, the wrong types of toys can cause choking or strangulation hazards or even damage your child’s hearing. Given the wide range of toys available on the market, what are the top concerns to watch out for?

 

Bigger Is Better

Toys with small parts can present a choking hazard, particularly to smaller children under the age of 3 years old. The best test to see if the toy is appropriate is to use a toilet paper roll tube. If the item can make its way through that, then it’s a definite safety hazard for your little one. Also, keep an eye out for toy warning labels, as well as toys made of materials that may be able to be crushed or balled up and swallowed.

 

Shop With Industry Leaders

Everyone loves a bargain, particularly cash-strapped parents. However, occasionally bargain toys can break, contain toxic materials or unidentified small parts, causing injury. Look for well-made toys from award winning companies like Baby Einstein who pride themselves on creating safely structured, age-appropriate toys for your tots. Also look for toys from companies that regularly appear on parent and government award sites and “best of” lists.

 

Magnetic Charm

It may come as a surprise, but toys with magnets can cause serious complications and risks in children if accidentally swallowed. Today’s magnets are not only powerful, but their shiny look can look like appealing candy to kids. Watch out for magnets used in jewelery and building toys, as well as colorful letter magnets used on your home refrigerator.

 

Lead and Toxic Worries

Although lead toys may be a thing of the past, vintage toys are still handed down and bought for today’s little ones. Surprisingly, the CPSC, PIRG and children’s health groups have discovered high levels of lead paint on recent toys (especially those made before 2009), vinyl lunch boxes and bibs, and in children’s costume jewelry. Try purchasing a home test kit to ensure your child is not be accidentally exposed. Also aim to buy wooden or cloth toys when possible.

 

Get the Right Gear

Active toys such a bicycles, scooters, skateboards and skates pose obvious dangers to today’s kids. Be sure to set ground rules for your children on where they can use these items, being sure to stress the importance of staying out of the street and avoiding road vehicles. Additionally, providing your kids with protective gear such as knee and elbow pads and helmets can go along way to injury prevention.

 

Stay on Top of Those Recalls

Hundreds of toys and games are recalled every year due to safety issues, so it’s important to check lists regularly against what’s in your child’s toy chest. It’s easy to stay informed using government sponsored sites such as Recalls.gov, which also offer an email service to provide you with alerts on the latest product call backs.

 

A child getting a new toy should bring laughs and smiles, not injuries and trips to the emergency room. Pay close attention not only to the toys that you buy for your children, but also what they receive as presents to ensure they are playing with high quality, safe and age appropriate toys. By keeping attentive to what your kids are playing with, you can ensure they lead a happy and injury free childhood.

Writer and mother of four, Melanie Fleury is always concerned about the quality and safety of the toys that her children play with. She has found that sticking with brands she trusts, like Baby Einstein, alleviates those fears. 

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/realityfaery/4257269900/

Categories: baby einstein, Children, Emergency Room, kid, Kids, lead, nbsp, Safety, Toys

Why Having Children Doesn’t Mean the End of Your Sex Life

Doesn’t it seem somewhat ironic that the thing you have to do to make a baby becomes the very thing you can no longer do once the kids arrive? Sure, it’s sex 24/7 when you’re newly married, but as soon as you’ve got a baby to take care of, you can feel like it’s bye-bye to bedroom fun for the next 18 years. However, having a sex life while being a parent shouldn’t be a mutually exclusive proposition; it is possible to still enjoy a healthy sexual wellbeing when there are kids in the house – just make sure you’ve got a good, working lock on that door!

 

1. Find the time: When you’ve got kids, even finding the time to clean your teeth in the morning is a struggle, let alone setting aside space in the schedule for getting intimate. However, a little re-organisation is in order if you ever want to spend time with your partner, even if your children are in the house. Going to bed at the same time can help to ensure you’re more in sync, especially if you go to bed a little earlier instead of watching TV all night after the kids are asleep. If you’re still feeling a bit weird about having sex with your kids in the next room, send them to family or friends for the night so you can have some proper alone time.

 

2. Protect your privacy: If you’ve got little ones, you might be reluctant to go to the loo or shower by yourself, let alone closing and locking the door, in case your children need you for some sort of emergency. However, once your kids have graduated to a big bed, it’s time to instill a greater sense of privacy and teach them to respect closed doors. Respecting other people’s space in general is an important life lesson to for your children to learn, and it can give you and your partner the opportunity you need to be together without the fear of unexpected interruptions.

 

3. Keep the noise down: Having to be q-u-i-e-t at all times can really cramp your style, but there are practical things you can do to prevent advertising what you are doing behind closed doors. First, pay attention to your bed: If it is hitting a wall, move it; if the squeaky springs are giving the game away, invest in a new mattress. When getting intimate with your partner, turning on a little music – in your room and/or your kids’ rooms – will go a long way to mask any noise you make. Putting your kids in front of the TV may also have the same effect – just make sure it’s an engrossing enough programme that they won’t notice you’re missing!

 

4. Sex when you have young kids: If you have a newborn sleeping in the cot next to you, having sex can feel a bit weird. It’s important to bear in mind that whatever you do and however loudly you do it, your baby won’t remember it. Nonetheless, there are some very simple ways to get around this issue. Move your baby/toddler into another room – it’s something they’ll have to do eventually anyway. If the baby’s already asleep and you’re reluctant to move him or her, try snuggling in another room in the house, you might enjoy a change of scenery!

 

5. Sex when you have older kids: If your kids go to bed at the same time of you, it’s harder to get your alone time and keep it secret. This is why it’s important to teach a closed-door policy as soon as possible, preferably from a young age. Make sure they know to knock first and wait for an answer before they come in – otherwise, they could be doing as much damage to their mental wellness as they are to your sexual health!

Categories: Baby, Children, closed doors, Kids, music, nbsp, privacy, room, sex life, time

Raising Cultured Kids: Enjoying Fine Arts

The introduction of fine arts into a child’s life can host a number of benefits from creativity to discipline. By sharing the love of drawing or painting pictures with your child, they’ll be allowed to develop their own unique methods of artistic pleasure from what they perceive in their mind. The fine arts can also encourage them to write, play music and develop a sense of accomplishment by producing material with depth.

 

Take Baby Steps

You can introduce the fine arts to your child by having them go with a theme that relates to their interests. If your child is fascinated by bold and brilliant prints, you can go online to the various artwork sites and have them pick out artwork for sale that they would like to hang in their room. A child who is fond of the ballet or flowers can find something spellbinding that catches their interest. You can also include other popular prints, so they can see the various styles and methods of painting.

 

Set Creative Time at Home

Whether your child loves to draw, paint or play music, you can set aside creative time at home each day. Dependent on their interests, you can dedicate a room in the home that allows them to put forth their efforts without being reprimanded for making a mess or exhibiting too much noise. You can also vary the activities, so they can get a chance to determine where their passions may lie.

 

Join a Group

The fine arts can build friendships when you sign your child up for group classes. If your child shows an interest in a pottery or painting classes, they may find it exhilarating to bounce ideas off other children in the group on how to make certain pieces.

 

Discipline and Respect

In order to succeed at what they love to do, your child will learn self-discipline and respect from the fine arts by practicing their muse. Artistic projects such as playing a musical instrument, drawing and painting can only get better with hard work and dedication.

 

Start Early

You can incorporate the fine arts into your child’s life as early as infancy. You’ll find an assortment of infant toys and gadgets that can introduce musical instruments, composers, colors, different languages, artistic projects and sounds into their lives early on through fun and entertaining forms of learning practices. Many of today’s well-known musicians and artists were exposed to the fine arts at an early age, and the impression it made lasted a lifetime. You can also take your child to various museums, art institutes and festivals to expose them to the various cultures.

 

Your local museum, musical soundstage and art shows will have a wide selection of offerings that can benefit a child when you expose it to them early on in life. A child with artistic tastes will also be well-rounded both intellectually and socially. You can make this a regular occurrence, so they can find pleasure from it during excursions and outings. It can also benefit them by choosing a rewarding career where they can display their talents as adults.

 

 

Writer Melanie Fleury takes her children to museums on a monthly basis in hopes that they will learn to love artwork, artifacts and education. She has found that using websites like Artismo’s, that offer artwork for sale is also a great activity to do after a visit to the art museum to keep the love of fine arts continuing at home.

 

 

Photo Credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgroup/4508189985/

Categories: artistic projects, arts, Child, creative time, Cultured, fine, fine arts, Kids, nbsp, nbsp nbsp, play music

Is Your Child Being Bullied Because of a Food Allergy?

While food allergies are already a health concern for children, if your child does suffer with allergies their wellbeing may be under threat in other ways; bullying. This is according to a new study, published in the journal Paediatrics, which found that many children with food allergies may be bullied at school – sometimes with potentially dangerous threats to their physical health.

 

As a result of the study, which focused on 251 families at a New York City allergy clinic, the researchers found that about one-third of kids said they’d been bullied specifically because of their food allergy. More often than not, the bullying took place at school in the form of teasing. However, there were many cases in which bullies threatened their victims with the food to which they were allergic – waving it in front of them, throwing it at them or saying they would sneak it into their other food. Dr. Jay Lieberman, an assistant professor of paediatrics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Centre, in Memphis, who was not involved in the study, explained, ‘With food allergies, that kind of bullying does carry a theoretical physical risk.’

 

If a child with a food allergy eats the offensive food, their wellness can be affected by hives, swollen lips, stomach pain and even potentially life-threatening reactions in which the child can’t breathe and their blood pressure plummets. Fortunately, these severe reactions are rare, says lead researcher Dr. Eyal Shemesh, an associate professor of paediatrics and psychiatry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York City, as parents of food-allergic kids are usually vigilant about avoiding the culprit foods. She explains, ‘What really affects these children’s lives is everything that surrounds the allergy – the food avoidance, the anxiety,’ and the bullying.

 

If other children have to avoid bringing peanut butter to school, for example, they may resent the child who’s allergic. Even in small amounts, peanuts can cause a serious allergic reaction, even through simple skin contact with a peanut. Therefore, both Shemesh and Lieberman note the importance of parents, schools and doctors being aware that food allergies can make kids a target for bullying. When the researchers asked the children about their quality of life – including their emotional wellbeing and how they were getting along at school – children who were bullied reported a lower quality of life than their food-allergic peers who were not targeted.

 

The interesting distinction was that, among the kids who were bullied, those who’d told their parents reported a better quality of life. As to why that was, the researchers remain unclear. Shemesh comments, ‘I don’t know if the parents did something about the bullying. I just know they knew about it.’ Whether the parents called the school or otherwise helped their child, or the kids just felt better after talking with their parents, Shemesh recommends that parents ask their children if other kids have ever bothered them about their food allergy. He also advises educating all children on how serious food allergies are.

 

Dr. Mark Schuster, chief of general paediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital, agrees that education about food allergies – for kids and adults – could help. ‘When it comes to food allergy, people often roll their eyes,’ Schuster says. ‘They think that kids are just trying to avoid a food they don’t like. And they may not understand that food allergies can be serious.’ He adds that parents of the children with food allergies also need to be aware of the signs of bullying, such as your child not wanting to go to school, appearing down, and complaining of chronic stomach aches or headaches.

Categories: allergies, bullying, Children, Food, food allergic, food allergies, food allergy, Kids, Parents, Research, york city

The Importance of Sleep: Why Your Baby Needs To Rest

Every new parent knows all about sleepless nights. Midnight feedings and checking in on your newborn make most parents able to survive without much sleep for several months. However, your baby is different. Studies have shown that babies require between 14-16 hours of combined daytime and nighttime sleep during their first 6 months, and getting enough sleep is crucial to a child’s development.

 

Growth

While it may seem like your baby is growing up before your very eyes, they’re actually doing most of their growing during their sleep. A protein hormone secreted by the pituitary gland called growth hormone (or “human growth hormone”) reaches its height of secretion during your baby’s sleep cycle. Studies have shown that while there are many factors that affect the release of this hormone, sleep is actually the most crucial.

Eating & Metabolism

Hormones take charge of many different functions of the body, including regulating appetite and metabolism. Babies that don’t get enough sleep can sometimes either overeat or show a preference for high-calorie carbohydrates, thus making those dreaded vegetables even harder swallow in later life. Metabolism can also be affected, which can cause weight problems down the road.

Your Baby’s Brain

Sleep, or a lack thereof, can greatly affect your child’s mood and ability to interact with the world around them. Keep in mind, everything your baby encounters is new and interesting for them, so sleep is the time they have to process this new information.

 

How To Give Your Baby the Best Sleep

With all of these important factors to consider, it’s easy to see how parents can feel anxious about ensuring their baby gets the appropriate amount of quality sleep. Fortunately, there are some great tips and tricks to use that can help even the fussiest of kids achieve sweet dreams.

1) Getting Hotter (or Colder)

Nobody likes to be a sweaty mess when they’re sleeping, and your baby is exactly the same. Dr. Alan Greene, M.D., author of From First Kicks to First Steps, suggests that the optimal temperature should be between 65 to 70 degrees. However, be sure not to place them too close to a window or fan, as this may vary the temperature too much.

2) Silence Isn’t Necessarily Golden

When your child was in the womb, it was exposed to near constant noises from both your body and outside. Some noise is reassuring for a baby trying to get off to sleep, and there are a variety of items that can achieve this. Try a musical mobile, like those found at Kids II Inc, which not only offers soothing sounds but bright colors and shapes. White noise machines have also been shown to have great results.

3) Swing Out Sister

While you may feel like you need to tip-toe around your baby, movement can actually remind them of the womb. Swinging or rocking is a natural motion that seems to sooth even the most upset kids. Try a good, old-fashioned rocking chair, or there are also some great swings available on the market that will do the job nicely.

Trying to get your child to sleep can seem overwhelming to a parent at first, but a good sleep routine can be established with a little time and patience. Every baby is different in their needs and likes, so be sure to experiment with what works best for your little one.

With four kids, Melanie Fleury knows the importance of having a good nap schedule, for herself as well as the kids. She has used various methods to get them to fall asleep and stay asleep. From lullaby singing mobiles to swings and rockers, Kids II Inc offers a variety of options sure to soothe the fussiest baby.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanrocketship/2552416553/

Categories: Baby, growth hormone, importance, Kids, kids ii, sleep

Are Parents of Special Needs Kids Always More Special?

If you have a child with special needs, you might find that people treat you differently. Many people admire parents of children with special needs, as though it takes an extra effort on their part to maintain family wellness. However, for Eliana Tardio, the proud mother of Emir and Ayelen, both with Down syndrome, having a child with special needs doesn’t make a parent any more special.

Eliana notes, ‘Usually people introduce me by saying things like: “she’s a very special mom,” or “this woman is outstanding for the work she’s doing with her kids and her community,” but honestly, I don’t deserve to be thought of as more special for loving my own kids, that’s what every good parent does!’ She explains that love doesn’t see differences; the challenge for parents with special needs children is to learn to see positive stuff where others would only see challenges.

‘Yes, we get challenged in many ways, and if you look at it from the outside, you may be deceived, seeing some sort of superhero fighting for the rights of their kids,’ she says. ‘In reality, the only thing happening, is a regular parent doing his best to learn and cope with a life that was never part of the plan.’ Eliana comments that parents of typical kids can be just as special, adding, ‘The diagnosis of a child doesn’t make anyone more special, but the individual determination to learn from any experience that we must face during our lives is what sets us apart.’

If you’re a parents of children with special needs, you have to spend more time specifically looking out for their wellbeing, as your kids will need extra care and services. When your children’s conditions are severe, you may even have to dedicate your life to them. Eliana notes, ‘It turns out though, it’s not so different when you have a typical child. You may decide on your own accord to give him more or less attention as he doesn’t need you as much as a child with special needs, but when you decide to give that child unconditional love and the best side of you every day, you are also a special parent.’

 

Categories: Child, dedication, doesn, eliana notes, Kids, Parents, special, special needs

Why yoga has many health benefits for kids

Childhood is a time of growth, investigation and learning that will set your personality for the rest of your life. Of course, it comes with its own trials that can be difficult to overcome. Few of us would want to repeat the turmoil of puberty, for example! A good education will guide children through the early struggles of life, not neglecting the spiritual aspects. For children, an early introduction to yoga can pay dividends in terms of emotional and spiritual education; and give them the tools they need to grow into compassionate adults. Yoga teaches the virtues of self-awareness, self-discipline and self-esteem that are likely to become lifelong habits when assimilated at a young age.

 

Children have a lot of excess energy and an early training in how to direct it can help them enormously in their future life. At its worst, some children suffer from restlessness, which can cause serious behavioural problems if not directed constructively. Kids with developmental problems or ADHD can benefit greatly from chanting, since it’s a channelled outlet for their energy. ‘Om’ chanting, for example, is a valuable form of yoga therapy for kids and adults alike, and kids are usually the quickest to give it their all! Breathing exercises can also provide an indispensable means for restless kids to achieve a sense of calm and wellbeing, from the cellular level upwards.

 

Deeper personality changes can occur through the practice of Yoga Nidra. This is a deep and conscious relaxation process akin to hypnotherapy which helps the patient decide how they want to make changes to their life. It is a successful complementary therapy that has been credited with many successes. One Indian yoga guru claims he taught his junior patient four languages by using this technique!

 

Yoga is an excellent means with which to guide your child’s emotional development. Simple visualisations encourage them to look inwards, feel their heart and express love for others. Group yoga sessions foster a sense of teamwork and joint celebration of life, since it is pure fun and relaxation, without competition. It is a perfect arena in which to cultivate your child’s social wellness.

 

It is clear that the emotional benefits of a childhood yoga practice are numerous, and that’s before we’ve even touched on the physical benefits! When practicing yoga young, kids are assured good posture, flexibility and ongoing development. The deep, measured breathing exercises help to expand their developing lung capacity and minimise the risk of asthma, coughs and colds. There are multiple benefits in terms of metabolism, immunity and digestion too, as yoga maintains the whole system. If you want to guide your child’s development and introduce him to a method of wellbeing that will last a lifetime, you can do no better than introducing him to yoga!

Categories: complementary, Kids, yoga

The Perils Of Overreacting When Your Child Gets Injured

As every parent knows, parenting can be the most beautiful and rewarding job in the world. Watching your little ones as they grow, smiling when they smile and crying when they cry is incomparable to anything else life has to offer. However, is it also a huge responsibility and it can be, to put it mildly, a very stressful affair. There are no breaks, timeouts, or holidays. In fact, you will usually have your hands full during the holidays trying to keep the kids in line. If anything, you will be relieved when the holidays are over.

Kids simply need to be watched over constantly so as to make sure they don’t get hurt. Knowing that, every time we leave them with someone or send them to school, we cannot help but to be worried, which is quite natural for a parent. Also, the fear, although exaggerated, is by no means unfounded, seeing as kids generally are all thumbs, reckless and full of energy. But what, if any, legal actions can be taken against the school in case a child gets seriously injured while under teachers care?

As a parent, you should first determine the extent of real damage.

Children, especially small ones, are emotionally very fragile and their feelings easily get hurt, but actual physical injuries rarely go past little cuts and bruises. Be aware that a little cut on the finger will bleed a lot, but many times tears will be shed because your kid got frightened from the sight of blood, or just needs comfort and a hug. It is very important not to panic and to remain calm and confident. Don’t let yourself be dragged into the same emotional state, as you will only make things worse that way. Also, try not to lose your temper and swear to strike down those responsible with great vengeance and furious anger, at least not before you find out what actually happened.

Talk to your child calmly and confidently.

That way you will, in time, teach him or her to approach problems in similar manner. Always be aware that kids see and feel every little detail, especially when their feelings are hurt. If you lose your temper and swear to punish the culprits and later find out that, for whatever reason, that course of action is simply not appropriate, you will have no choice but to back down on your word. That is the easiest and quickest way to lose your child’s respect.

If, however, you determine that the injury your kid suffered in school is not just child’s play, so to speak, you should determine the exact circumstances. According to Greg Smith from Smith’s Lawyers, it is very important where exactly the accident happened. You can sue the school if it occurred on the school grounds, or under direct supervision of the school staff outside school. The type of activity your child was engaged in is also very important.

If he/she got hurt while being in conscious violation of the school rules, the school legally cannot be blamed. Another factor is the quality of supervision the kids had at the time. If the child got hurt while doing something clearly dangerous, like jumping over tables or sliding down a banister, you may try to argue that he or she should have been supervised. However, your kid, in all fairness, was doing something clearly dangerous, so you probably will not have much success in court.

In addition, school cannot be held responsible for injuries sustained during sports activities, or in case of a schoolyard fight, unless it was undoubtedly a case of bullying, which accounts for an assault. If both kids took equal part, it doesn’t matter who got the short end of a stick. However, some of these general rules may vary, depending on your local laws.

So, if your child storms in through the door crying, stay calm and try to determine whether a trip to the hospital is in order, and then what exactly happened. If, upon getting the facts, you are still not sure what to do, it is best to search legal advice.

Categories: case, Child, Child Wellness, Children, determine, Emotional Stress, Injury, Kids, Safety, School