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With minute-by-minute updates about coronavirus (COVID-19), it comes as no surprise that this flood of information is causing a lot of anxiety and worry in adults, as well as our kids. Key Takeaways How parents respond to and talk about COVID-19 impacts kids.Kids take their cues from parents on how to interpret and respond to the pandemic.Being calm, honest, and open is important when talking to kids about the coronavirus.Parents should focus on providing age-appropriate, fact-based information while promoting ways to stay healthy including handwashing, social distancing, and wearing a mask....

Generally and historically, pregnant people have been advised not to receive the vaccine that prevents human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV can cause genital warts as well as cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, and anus. The HPV vaccine, marketed under the name Gardasil, has been a major breakthrough in preventing the spread of HPV and is generally recommended for people ages 9 through 26—except in pregnancy. However, the practice of advising against vaccination during pregnancy has been implemented out of an abundance of caution....

A recent study out of the U.K. has shown that when recognizing emotions, children pay attention to what they hear more than what they see. This could have an impact on how children perceive the emotional currents in any situation. Key Takeaways Children recognize emotions through what they hear more than what they see.Being open and honest about all emotions helps children to learn healthy emotions. Where adults can take in the whole picture, children pay more attention to what they hear in a situation....

For many folx, therapy may be what first comes to mind if you’re thinking about the mental health space or are currently struggling with your own mental well-being. While therapy has several benefits, there are also reasons why therapy may be unavailable. For instance, if you’re in a crisis, you might need immediate support. It’s also possible that you’re not currently able to afford therapy or that it’s just inaccessible to you in general....

Social distancing and staying at home for months on end can take a toll on your mental health. Eager to help people find relief, scientists may have stumbled upon a free way to feel better: spending time in nature. Key Takeaways A survey of 3,000 Tokyo residents found that spending time in nature improved participants’ emotional wellbeing during the pandemic.Even people who simply looked at a green spaces from a window experienced psychological benefits, according to the study....

Based on the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 30% of all babies in the U.S. are born via Cesarean section. This makes a C-section one of the country’s most common inpatient surgical procedures. But it’s still major surgery, and it’s important to follow medical advice to promote healing during the recovery period. Key Takeaways A Cesarean section is major abdominal surgery, and your body needs time to heal afterward....

If you’ve been coping with infertility, you’ve probably heard a lot about being your own advocate. Yet being an empowered infertility patient means knowing all of your options, and choosing not to pursue fertility treatment is one of those options. What are some of the reasons not to pursue fertility treatment or in vitro fertilization (IVF)? Let’s take a look at some of the arguments against fertility treatment if you are unsure of your next steps, or if you simply are looking for reasons to help your loved ones understand the decision you have made....

Many parents are familiar with the scenario: Your preschooler is happily playing with some building blocks and attempting to construct a tall tower. After some effort, the building your child has so carefully constructed topples over. Rather than asking for your help in rebuilding the tower, they instead start throwing a major temper tantrum (as well as some of the blocks). How should you react to this behavior? How to React to a Temper Tantrum Certainly, you could scold them, or you could put them in a time-out, or you could even yell at them....

Ready to welcome twins to the family? There is so much to do—and so much to buy—to get ready for two babies. One of your first decisions will be probably about where they should sleep. (You’ll want them to do a lot of that in the first few months!) Cribs are often one of the first big purchases that parents of twins will make for their babies. They’re also one of the most expensive items for babies, costing anywhere from one hundred to over a thousand dollars—times two for twins!...

This holiday season may feel a little brighter than last since many people are vaccinated, however, the reality that we’re still in a pandemic continues to cause an array of complicated emotions. Key Takeaways While vaccines have brought some normalcy to the holidays this year, you still might be feeling pressures and stress of the season.There are ways to cope and protect your mental health during the holidays.Staying connected to loved ones, setting boundaries and managing financial strains can help you enjoy holiday festivities....

One of the most successful ways to address ADHD is through education. By learning about the condition, something that becomes a lot easier when you tap into the wealth of ADHD resources available, you gain a greater understanding of how it affects you or your child. You also become more aware of what treatment options there are and may realize that you are not alone in your challenges. There are many types of resources for ADHD....

When parents find out they are expecting a baby, joy, and excitement take over. When they find out they’ve lost their baby due to miscarriage, those feelings are replaced with anything from frustration and grief over the loss to anger and sadness. It’s natural to experience a range of emotions when you have a miscarriage. “Immediately, in most women, you’re going to have some kind of bonding to that positive pregnancy test,” explains G....

In turn, behavior usually results from the feeling, such as being sarcastic, giving someone the silent treatment, or being critical in return. Defensiveness refers to both a feeling and a behavior. The feeling is typically elicited when you feel as though someone is being critical of you, and results in shame, sadness, and anger. Purpose of Defensiveness Defensive behaviors have the purpose of distracting you from your feelings of being hurt and feeling shamed....

Swelling during pregnancy is a relatively common occurrence, from larger-than-normal ankles to feeling like your face somehow looks puffier. But while certain types of swelling might be expected, there are others that should never be ignored, as they can be signs of a larger and more serious problem. One such condition is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to even more worrisome complications. So how do you know if your swelling is normal or something to worry about?...

What Is Mental Health? Mental health is a term used to describe emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The quality of a person’s mental health is often measured by how adaptively they can cope with everyday stressors. Mental health allows people to use their abilities, be productive, make decisions, and play an active role in their communities. Having poor mental health is often confused with having a mental illness. But mental health actually refers to a person’s state of mental well-being whether or not they have a psychiatric condition....

Has your baby been fussier than usual recently? Have they been chewing on things or drooling a lot? If this sounds familiar, your baby might be teething. This simply means that their first set of teeth is about to start peeking through their gums. On average, this happens between the ages of 4 months and 1 year. Here are a couple of things you should know about how the teething process should go for you and your baby....

The right activewear should be stylish and comfortable, no matter what kind of workout you’re taking on. But if you have a larger chest, finding a sports bra that’s supportive, easy to wear, and still stylish can feel almost impossible. Thankfully, the best sports bras on the market are designed with large breasts in mind. Generally speaking, “large breasts” refers to anyone with a cup size of D or greater (although many picks on our list are available in A through C cups, too)....

Black baby names find their roots all over the world. Some popular names have ancient Greek, Hebrew (often Biblical), or Arabic origins. While others pay tribute to Jamaican, Haitian, or Egyptian culture. This list represents the many cultures that contribute to the vibrant and multi-faceted Black community in the United States. Read on to find beautiful Black names for your baby. Popular Black Baby Names for Girls Here are some of the most popular and unique Black baby names for girls along with their meanings, origins, and other interesting information....

Public health officials have a new worry to contend with amidst the coronavirus pandemic: Parties where people are deliberately trying to contract COVID-19 and gain immunity to the disease. Key Takeaways In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the country has seen the rise of so-called “COVID-19 parties,” in which partygoers attempt to contract COVID-19.These COVID-19 parties are extremely dangerous and can have deadly consequences—not just for those who attend.Depending on state and local ordinances, these gatherings could also be illegal....

If you’re hoping to avoid pregnancy using the withdrawal method—when the penis is pulled out from the vagina before ejaculating—then you may be wondering if it’s possible to get pregnant with precum. The answer is yes. you can get pregnant from precum. However, while It’s possible, it’s unlikely. In fact, while sperm aren’t typically in precum, sometimes they are found in the fluid. Plus, sperm can live inside of precum. So, while uncommon, there is a small possibility of getting pregnant from precum fluid....