As we make our New Year’s resolutions for 2017, let’s keep in mind that our success spills over to our kids. How well we do with more exercise, eating more real foods and less processed foods, taking care of our mental health, and quitting nicotine directly affects our kids’ health. After all, research shows that: Parents who model healthy eating behaviors increase the likelihood that their kids will also make healthier food choices. Girls are more physically active when their moms exercise regularly. Children of parents who are depressed may score lower in school than those who have parents without a mood disorder. Laws that limit spaces where people (i.e., parents) can smoke have led to fewer asthma hospitalizations for kids. So here are some tips to keep going strong for ourselves and our kids through the entire 2017 year. 1. Make small, specific changes. Here are some examples: Healthy […]

This article originally appeared in STAT on December 15, 2016. When 6-month-old Asher Camp was diagnosed with type 1 spinal muscular atrophy, a leading genetic cause of infant mortality, his family measured his life in days, not years. They dreaded the future, wondering how much time they would have with their beautiful baby boy. Parents of children with type 1 spinal muscular atrophy aren’t guaranteed to see their baby’s first steps, first day at school, or other treasured milestones that make up a child’s life. Instead, they watch anxiously as developmental milestones are missed, as common colds require trips to the emergency room, and as hope fades for reaching the day when a cure becomes available. Asher got lucky. He was able to take advantage of a life-changing opportunity, the kind that needs to be available to all children. Just a month after Asher’s parents, Amanda and Jeremy Camp of Lakeland, […]

It’s enough to send parents running to lock their teens in their bedrooms: About 10 million 15- to 24-year-olds have a sexually transmitted disease (STD) — that’s half of the new STD cases reported each year. And in 2015, there were more STDs reported than ever. The top three most commonly reported STDs — chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis — were all at an all-time high, according to the annual STD surveillance report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). STDs are now more commonly referred to by the medical community as “sexually transmitted infections” or “STIs.” The Repercussions of Sex Before teens and young adults make that very adult decision to become sexually active, they need to understand that it can come with many very adult consequences, too. Pregnancy is often the biggest concern for sex-curious teens. Even though U.S. teen birth rates are at an historic low, […]

The holidays are supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but for many of us, they can be challenging. Family conflicts, strained budgets, and physical exhaustion can all put a damper on holiday cheer. Here are a few tips to help avoid these pitfalls, and keep your family happy and healthy this season. 1. Spend quality time together as a family. Quality family time increases children’s social skills, sense of self-worth, and improves family relationships. So use the holidays as an opportunity for your family to spend positive time together. Try doing fun activities like baking, decorating, or playing games. You could try an activity that you’ve never attempted before, perhaps like sewing or embroidering – check out these machine embroidery designs, there could be something that inspires you or scratches your creative itch. It’s a great activity to get to grips with alone or with others! […]

The hustle and bustle of the holidays is fully upon us. The family gatherings, the dinner parties, the shopping, the gifts, the … trash! Have you ever noticed how your trash cans are overflowing in the days following your holiday get-togethers? While there’s no need to radically change your holiday traditions, there are simple things you and your family can do to create eco-friendly holidays. You can “green” up your holidays and – bonus – save some green too! 1. Choose eco-friendly gifts. While out shopping for family and friends, why not shop with the environment in mind? Look for items made from recycled materials like glass, metal, plastic, or paper. Or give gifts that get used up, like soap, food, or candles. You can also give gifts that help people cut down on waste. Reusable grocery or produce bags and refillable water bottles come in a large variety of […]

There’s no getting around it: Screens are everywhere. Take a look around next time you’re at a restaurant, coffee shop, on the bus, at the park, or even in your own home. How many people — adults and kids — have their eyes on a screen instead of on the world around them? Of course there is a time and place for screen time. But as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) announces new recommendations for children’s media use, it’s a good reminder for all of us to get our own media use in check. New AAP Recommendations for Screen Time For children younger than 18 months Avoid use of screen media altogether, except for “video chatting” (e.g., letting Grandma and Grandpa see or talk to your little one). For children 18 to 24 months of age If you want to introduce digital media during this age, choose high-quality programming and watch […]