Is your morning routine giving you and your kids a meltdown? Wouldn’t it be great if you could get the entire family up, fed, dressed, prepared for the day, and out the door without it becoming a stressful nightmare? Everyone, especially children, need some time to make the transition from sleep into the busy activity of the day. And many children don’t like to feel pushed. Having a clear morning routine structure in place can give your children a sense of trust, safety and security. If they know what to expect, they’ll be able to easily move through their responsibilities and start off the day the right way. Use these strategies to rethink your idea of morning activities. You’ll be more likely to stay on schedule and also support your kids becoming more independent.   Is the Whole Family Getting Enough Sleep? If everyone in your house gets enough sleep, […]

For most of us, getting medical care right away for a possible brain injury, such as a concussion, is an easy decision. But teen athletes often have a tougher time identifying when they need to stop and get help. Research has shown that as many as 50% of concussions go under-reported in youth sports. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that: 69% of high school athletes said they had played while having concussion symptoms 4 in 10 of these said their coach didn’t know they had a possible concussion These statistics are significant given the amount of children involved in organized youth sports. Why don’t youth athletes report concussions? They didn’t know they had one: While headache is often an easily recognized symptom, dizziness and nausea can be overlooked or linked to something else such as dehydration. Fear of loss of playing time. Not wanting to let […]

Do you have one (or several) picky eaters on your hands? As parents, we’ve all been there. If you’re concerned about what your child does or doesn’t eat, the solution to your mealtime woes could be as close as your kitchen table. Benefits of Family Meals Family meals provide a multitude of benefits like: allowing parents to act as role models helping to create a supportive environment that promotes healthy eating teaching children about proper nutrition. Children of families who regularly eat together are also less likely to be obese, exhibit behavior problems, or use drugs and alcohol as they get older. Plus, they’re closer with their parents, which is always a good thing! Plan Ahead! Meal planning can make getting meals to the table much easier. But you might be asking yourself “Where do I begin?” or “How can I do it when I juggle so many other things?” […]

As originally posted on “Love What Matters,” written and submitted by mom, Marcella Stanley “‘I’m sorry, but I don’t think he’s going to make it.’ My husband and I sat flabbergasted, the tears instantly streaming while I struggled to breathe. A room filled with nearly a dozen people stared awkwardly at us as we faced every parent’s worst nightmare. This was not how this day was supposed to go. We found out exactly four weeks prior, at our 20-week ultrasound, that our baby boy had a form of dwarfism. The initial concern was that it was a lethal condition, due to the severity of his skeletal abnormalities and how early they presented in the pregnancy. However, my amazing local OB and maternal fetal medicine physicians researched, and after painstakingly detailed ultrasounds, determined our son likely had a non-lethal skeletal dysplasia. His limbs were awfully short, but his chest was average […]

Play is extremely important in children’s social, mental,physical and emotional development so choosing the right toys to give to them can be challenging. When giving the right toy to a child, think of the toys as learning tools that should match their age, help them develop social and motor skills, and be stimulating, safe and fun. Choosing a gift that is both fun and educational can be difficult and will depend on what age and stage the child is in. Use this guide to help you find the perfect toys for the children in your life. Toys for Baby (Age 0 to 12 Months) During their first 12 months, babies are developing new motor skills, so as they grow, play becomes more coordinated and involved. At about four months, babies begin to reach for and grasp objects, like rattles. From six to seven months, they can transfer that rattle between […]

The holidays are a time for fun and family, but they can also be hectic and even unhealthy. Check out the following tips to help your kids (and yourself!) make good choices for a safe and healthy holiday season. 1. Get Up and Get Active Kids get most of their physical activity during school and at after-school activities. While they’re off on the holidays, they run the risk of being tied to digital devices, video games or the television. And although they deserve some off time and to celebrate like anyone else, there are lots of ways they can get physical activity during their time off from school. Consider the following: Children and adolescents should do 60 minutes (one hour) or more of physical activity each day. That includes aerobic activity (like brisk walking or running), muscle strengthening (like gymnastics or push-ups), and bone strengthening (like jumping rope or running). […]