Child | Child Health and Prevention

Don’t Let Debt Keep You From Caring for Your Child

No one ever wants to see their child, or a child that they love, sick or unhealthy in any way. But for many parents, this nightmare can become a reality. And what is a parent to do when the financial burdens of their child’s illness get too out of control for their family to handle? No child should ever be turned away from proper medical treatment just because his or her family cannot afford the bills and has debt piling up. If you are a parent that has found him or herself in this situation, or know of someone else in this situation, there are options out there that can help you fix financial troubles so that the child can get the medical attention he or she deserves.

When finances get difficult, many families think that bankruptcy is their only option. However, filing for bankruptcy can have severe negative effects for many years to come. Another option many families do not know about is using a debt consolidation service. Once all your debts are settled with the credit collectors, you will then have the opportunity to begin making positive impacts on your credit score and it will eventually rebound.

There are so many stresses that come along with having a child who is ill. The financial burden is one that seems so insignificant when compared to seeing your child struggling in pain. However, financial issues must be dealt with in order to properly provide for your ailing child. Make the right decision with your finances now so that when your child is feeling better, you will both be able to enjoy life to the fullest. Don’t be afraid to seek the help you need in difficult times.

Filed Under: Child Care, Health Tagged With: Child, Credit score, Debt, Debt consolidation, Family, Finance, Loan, Parent

Avoiding Negative Media Influences in Your Kids Lives

Almost all parents use the electronic babysitter at some point in their parenting lives, but rarely do they consider the impact of television, movies, and music on their kids. By thinking critically about the messages your kids are receiving from the media, you can weed out bad influences and raise morally sound children.

One of the first media sources your children notice is music. Even before they know what theyre listening to, the music you listen to affects them. It affects their growing vocabulary in particular. If the music you listen to has anything you dont want your kids to repeat, change it to something more kid-friendly. As they grow older, the messages in music are more important. Popular music often encourages irresponsible behavior, so try to find alternatives that your kids enjoy.

Television, a babysitter that parents rely on fairly often, is not created with childrenâ€™s best interests in mind. Producers want to make money at almost any cost. The shows on many popular networks sell harmful messages; characters may hate school, place too much importance on dating, or be mean to their friends for the sake of a laugh track.

Unfortunately, its impossible to avoid all negative influences in your kids lives. Their friends may be watching or listening to media that you dont approve of; however, you also dont want to alienate your children from their peers. Allowing some leeway in terms of what they watch may make them listen to you better. If they watch something that has a questionable message, discuss it with them to ensure that it doesnt make them question their own beliefs.

Using common sense is the easiest way of eliminating negative media influences. Temper your restrictions with the occasional bit of leeway for your kids; they will appreciate the kindness and respect your rules more.

Filed Under: Child Care Tagged With: Arts, Child, Children, Family, Home, Mass media, Parent, United States

Planning Play Dates for Your Toddler

Socialization with other toddlers is an important part of any totâ€™s life. However, it can be difficult to coordinate busy schedules to arrange play dates. Working around your schedule to help your toddlerâ€™s social life can be easy.

If you take your child to daycare during the day, look for kids that they enjoy playing with while they are there. When you go to pick up your toddler, talk to the other childâ€™s parents about setting up a weekend play date. If your kids are in daycare at the same time, it stands to reason that you probably have fairly similar schedules and could work something out.

For parents that stay at home with their toddler, there are still play date options. Join a â€œMommy and Meâ€ group or a reading group at the library. You will meet parents with kids close in age to yours, and since you are home during the day, you have more freedom when scheduling playtime for your kids. Not only is it a fun way for your toddler to meet other toddlers, itâ€™s also a chance for you to meet other adults you might connect with.

When you are picking places for play dates, there are several fun options. You could host playtime at your house. If you have a safe, enclosed area and donâ€™t mind picking up after, this may be the easiest option. However, if youâ€™d prefer not to clean up after two rampaging toddlers, take it outdoors! A local park is the perfect place to let kids burn off some energy while the parents sit and chat. When the weather doesnâ€™t allow for park outings, try the local mall or shopping center. They often have an indoor play area with toys and structures for kids of all ages. With a little creativity, itâ€™s easy to plan a play date your toddler will love.

Filed Under: Child Care Tagged With: Child, Day care, Daycare, Family, Home, Parent, Play date, Toddler

The Stress a Child Faces When Parents Divorce

When parents are in the midst of getting a divorce they often times do not think about the type of effect that it will have on their children. Sure, children claim they are OKI and they understand that it isn’t their fault, but many times those same children that are putting on a brave face for mom and dad are really dealing with some heavy emotional feelings.

As a parent it is your responsibility to put the divorce and bills aside and make sure that your child is not showing any outward signs of anxiety or stress from the divorce. Many children will not outwardly say they are anxious or stressed, but as a parent you should be able to tell from the way that they are acting.

The following are some signs that your child may be more affected by the divorce then they are letting on.

Decreased energy or lack of enthusiasm for activities. Many children will sleep a lot or appear as if they have a decreased amount of energy. They will also push a lot of their favorite activities to the side and not want to take part in them.

Changes in behavior. Children who are experiencing stress or depression from a divorce will sometimes experience extreme changes in behavior. Children who are otherwise quiet might start acting out, while children who are outspoken might become extremely quiet and withdrawn.

Crying or overly emotional. Children who are experiencing depression might cry at the littlest things or act overly emotional about something that doesn’t seem like a big deal.

If your child is experiencing any of these signs while you are going through a divorce it is a good idea to talk to them about their feelings. If you can’t work it out with them then you may want to consult a child psychologist.

Filed Under: Child Care, Health Tagged With: Child, Divorce, Parent

A Partnership in Raising Children

Raising children can be easier and more successful when there is a partnership involved. This is not to say that a single parent can’t do a wonderful job in raising a child. What this means is that where there is a two parent household, it takes both partners to raise the child in a more successful and loving environment. While raising children is sometimes thought of as a job for a women, a father figure is very important as well. Obviously, this dynamic changes in a relationship where there are two fathers or two mothers. However, in a household where there is a mother and a father it is important that both parents take the role of raising the child as their most important job.

Just as it is important that an infant bond with its mother, it’s also important that the father is involved in the rearing of that child as well. If the mother is not a present member of the family it is important that she bond with the baby as much as the father. Every two parent household, regardless of the gender, should take an equal responsibility with the child. This isn’t always easy since one or both parents may work full time jobs or even more than one job. This can be accomplished though with time spent with the child when it is possible. Even if one member works full time and is away from home often, time can be allotted to spend with the child to ensure that they feel the family dynamic as often as possible.

Raising a child can be the most important thing you ever do and it’s important to try to do this with the child feeling love from all members of the family. A single parent can do this as well but in a family dynamic where there are two parents involved in the child’s life, both parents should help out equally when possible.

Filed Under: Child Care, Health, Parenting Tagged With: Child, Parent, Single-parent

Downsides to Sleep Training

Although every parent waits for their baby to sleep through the night, it is not something to rush. Some parenting authors advocate sleep training, which involves teaching your child to sleep at night for long periods of time.

A main part of these methods is letting your baby â€œcry it outâ€. However, this can be very harmful for a developing baby. At a young age, most babies are incapable of going all night without eating. Their stomachs are small and empty quickly, so they need to eat frequently throughout the night. Making your child sleep while hungry can cause him to have growth delays and weight loss.

Furthermore, the early months of your relationship with your child set the stage for later attachment. If you tend to your child when he cries, heâ€™ll grow to know that his needs will be met by his caretakers. Keep in mind that babies do not cry intentionally; it is their only way of communicating their needs. If you let them cry alone in their crib, they might start sleeping through the night. It wonâ€™t be because they learned to sleep better; it will be because they think that no one will meet their needs.

Crying is hard for a baby, and it stresses them out immensely. This reaction increases the amount of cortisol in the brain. Frequent extended periods of crying can cause prolonged exposure to cortisol, which may keep the brain from developing in an ideal environment. Feeding, comforting, and rocking your baby to sleep sets the stage for healthy brain development.

If you are considering sleep training, be sure to do your research and ensure that it is the right choice for your child and your family. For some parents, it is simply too difficult to let their baby cry. If thatâ€™s the case, donâ€™t feel guilty! Everyone needs to do what is best for their child.

Filed Under: Child Care Tagged With: Child, Conditions and Diseases, Cortisol, Health, Sleep, Sleep disorder, United States, Weight loss

Tips on a Happy Family with Children

There are many ways a parent can try to be a success but there are a few tips that may help in that achievement.

Authoritative parents allow the children to know that you are the boss and that they are not in charge. This helps foster a better relationship when the kids know that you are the parent and they are the child.

Spending time with your kids is a good way to start. This means planning family outings, family trips and time spent on activities that foster togetherness such as sports activities, games you can play together or family dinners that must be attended. Everyone can’t work as a cohesive unit with everyone doing their own thing without regard to the rest of the family.

Including your children in family issues builds trust. If they are old enough to know that finances are hard, let them know that’s why they can’t go on a certain trip or that the family vacation is canceled for this year. It’s better to be able to discuss things instead of the child thinking that you just don’t want them to go or don’t care about it.

Letting your children know that you had similar problems and issues when you were growing up can help bond the relationship. Obviously things are different than when you were raised but some issues are similar such as dating. While times have changed, the basics have not.

Respect that you children may have different viewpoints than you or your spouse. They may have different religious beliefs, different ideas on politics or have issues with their sexuality that you may not understand. However, it is important for them to know that you support their decisions as long as they are safe ones. Remember that they may change their minds anyway.

Filed Under: Child Care, Health Tagged With: Child, Family, Parent

Raising Children with Confidence

Confidence is important in any society and usually starts at home, which is why it is so important to try to do the right thing in order to raise a child that will have confidence in themselves. There are a few tips to help you achieve that goal.

Be careful in what you say. Words can mean all the difference in how a child perceives themselves so it is important to choose wisely. Never use negative connotations to reprimand a child or punish them. It is more important to say something about being disappointed in what they did rather than calling them stupid for doing it.

Have respect for your children. This can seem hard at times but being respectful to a child gains respect for you as well. The confidence level in a child can rise significantly if they feel that they are being respected for their choices, accomplishments and viewpoints.

Use encouragement on a daily basis. We all have our fears and children are no different. Use encouragement to let your child know that you have faith that they can accomplish whatever goals they set for themselves. Having the right attitude and using encouragement can set the minds to knowing that they can do whatever they want to achieve in life.

Use good communication skills. Communicating with a child is as important as any other advice because listening is paramount in raising well adjusted and confident children. Knowing that you care enough to encourage them to win will give your child the lift that they need to succeed in whatever it is they are trying to accomplish.

Finally, be sure to accept your children for what and who they are. They have their own individual beliefs, style and viewpoints and it is important for them to know that you accept them fully.

Filed Under: Child Care, Health, Parenting Tagged With: Child, Communication, Parent

Transitioning Your Child to Daycare

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Children thrive on routine. When that routine changes as a parent returns to work, itâ€™s important to take precautions that ensure their continued comfort and happiness. Daycare is a very big change from being at home with mom or dad all day, so ease into the transition for a pain-free experience.

Choose a daycare that has a philosophy of care similar to yours. The way they treat the daycare kids should be similar to how you treat your child. That way, your child doesnâ€™t have to adjust to a new standard of care as well as new caretakers.

You also want to pick a daycare with a fairly steady routine. If the activities and order of activities changes from day to day, your child will never be able to relax. Instead, theyâ€™ll always be trying to anticipate whatâ€™s coming next. Itâ€™s a bonus if the routine they have is similar to the one you have at home. Then you wonâ€™t have to readjust your child on weekends and days off.

After picking a daycare, spend some time there with your child. For a few days, take your child for an hour or two and help them acclimate to the children and teachers. Encourage them to venture from your side and interact with other children. As they become comfortable, allow the teacher to take over the guidance of your child. They may be adverse to this change at first, but if they see that you are still there watching them, they will feel safe.

By following these tips, your child will be ready to go when the first day of daycare comes. There will probably still be tears, but theyâ€™re unlikely to last long after you leave. Soon, your child will be playing and not even noticing that you are gone.

Filed Under: Child Care Tagged With: Child, Childcare, Day care, Daycare, Family, Home, Mississauga, Murder

Discipline Advice for Younger Children

If you have younger children that don’t respond to discipline there are a few ways to tackle the chore of having them do as you wish. Many times, rewards and punishment do not work on certain children so there has to be another way to have kids that listen and do as you say.

One thing to remember is the task size. If you want your child to put up their toys before going to bed then show them what to do at first so they’ll know what to expect. Have a certain time that this is to be done each night such as an hour before bed or before their bath time. Once you have worked with them, use a normal but stern tone letting them know it’s time to do this chore. Keep it simple but reiterate what is to be done. Add disclaimers to their work such as the loss of items that are not put in the correct place.

Making sure your children know what is expected of them can mean all of the difference in how they react. Keep a matter of fact tone with them and keep the ritual fresh in their minds by having them do it daily or nightly. Remind them of the consequences if they do not complete the task like the removal of the toys for a week. This shows them a choice of doing what is expected or losing their privileges. Be sure to follow through with what you say. If you allow the children to slack on putting away their toys then you can’t expect them to do it properly each night. The same thing goes for punishments. If you threaten to take a toy away that is not properly put away then be sure to do it if your rules are not followed.

Filed Under: Child Care, Health, Parenting Tagged With: Child, Parent, Toy