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Raising kids is never easy. In fact, it’s often one of the most challenging—and frustrating—things you will ever do, especially because you are learning parenting skills as you go. No one goes into parenting knowing exactly how to handle everything that is thrown at them. But the best parents are always looking for ways to improve. If you want to learn more about parenting, you’ve already made the first step toward becoming the best parent you can be....

Fortunately, iron deficiency anemia isn’t as big a problem as it once was. The use of vitamins, iron-rich baby foods, and/or iron-fortified baby foods are recommended for full-term breastfeeding babies beginning at six months of age; premature infants may require iron supplementation sooner, as their stores at birth may be lower. Iron deficiency can still be a problem for some kids, especially toddlers who are picky eaters and consume too much milk and not enough iron-rich foods....

“Gifted” (or “Gifted and Talented”) is actually a diagnostic term that, along with terms like “learning disabled,” can help teachers craft appropriate educational programs and experiences for students who learn differently. The reality, however, is that the term is used differently in different places, and the criteria for giftedness vary. While giftedness is a real and significant learning difference, there are debates surrounding the use of the term. Some worry that the label can have a negative impact on the gifted child or others in their lives....

Klonopin (clonazepam) is a medication commonly prescribed for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia. It is intended for short-term use. This is because, after about several weeks, most people develop a physical dependence. When someone is dependent on a drug like Klonopin, it means they will experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking it or reduce their dose. Klonopin withdrawal symptoms can last for days to weeks and in some cases longer....

Mark your calendars because May 9 is Mother’s Day, the perfect day to spoil the moms in your life. Luckily, there are so many Mother’s Day Sales every year so you don’t have to break the bank to celebrate. As Mother’s Day has come and gone, we’ve stopped updating this post with sales and can’t promise the ones below are still available. Check back next year for updated deals. We have ideas for every mom on your list—from pregnant moms to techy moms and everyone in between....

There isn’t a single depression test or screening that determines if someone is clinically depressed. Unlike lab tests that diagnose some illnesses, a depression test is just one tool that a professional might use when screening for and diagnosing a mental health condition like depression. Depression tests are often in the form of a questionnaire. A physician or mental health professional may ask the questions orally or an individual may be asked to read and answer the questions on paper or on a digital device....

The term lends a scientific name and explanation to a problem that many people immediately recognize—that fools are blind to their own foolishness. As Charles Darwin wrote in his book The Descent of Man, “Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge.” Dunning-Kruger Effect The Dunning-Kruger effect is a type of cognitive bias in which people believe they are smarter and more capable than they are. Essentially, low-ability people do not possess the skills needed to recognize their own incompetence....

Every year, around 250,000 people in the United States are victimized by hate crimes—crimes based in bigotry and biases that terrorize people because of who they are or what they believe. Not only are these crimes usually targeted at minority groups, but they also rip apart the unity of our communities. With so much destruction left in their wake, what motivates someone to engage in this type of hate-filled violence? The reasons are complex and multi-faceted....

When it comes to the safest baby sleeping positions for infants, on their back is the clear winner, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The reason: This sleeping position has been shown to reduce the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Why Sleeping on the Back Is Safest for Babies While research is still underway, studies suggest that babies get less oxygen and get rid of less carbon dioxide when they sleep on their bellies....

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to perceive, interpret, demonstrate, control, and use emotions to communicate with and relate to others effectively and constructively. This ability to express and control emotions is essential, but so is the ability to understand, interpret, and respond to the emotions of others. Emotional Intelligence Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to perceive, interpret, demonstrate, control, evaluate, and use emotions to communicate with and relate to others effectively and constructively....

What Is Mild Depression? Mild depression involves depressive symptoms that are considered low-grade. While many of the same symptoms of more severe depression are present, including irritability, sadness, and lack of motivation, they are often more subtle and less intense. People with mild, low-grade depression may not even realize they are depressed. In fact, the chronic feelings of sadness and low mood they experience may have been around for so long that they feel normal....

If you feel stressed, anxious, or depressed, or just “off” in some way, but don’t know where to start when it comes to getting help, you are not alone. In 2020, for example, over 21% of American adults experienced mental health conditions, yet less than half of them (46.2%) received help. It can be difficult to start your mental health journey, but simply saying to yourself, “I need help” is a wonderful and empowering first step....

The Trump administration diminished some of the previous progress made for the queer community by continually opposing protections for queer people and undermining efforts to promote queer rights and equality—so the community as a whole was excited for new leadership in 2021. Key Takeaways Visibility and affirmation in leadership have helped change perceptions about queer people as leaders take concerns about queer rights seriouslyCultural changes, including the use of mostly online portals for socialization as the pandemic continues, has led to the normalization of pronoun introductions in Zoom and social media spacesDiversity in pop culture brings more Black, trans, and queer people to the forefront The Biden administration has shown support for queer people already, but cultural sociologist Carolyn Chernoff, PhD, says, “I’m skeptical of government protections and policies,” noting that these are only “a floor, not a ceiling....

Many women feel a huge sense of relief when they find out they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). For years, they may have blamed themselves for their shortcomings and their self-esteem has taken a hit. Constantly worrying about every detail of their lives may have led to emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion. After being diagnosed with ADHD, they finally have an answer, and they know that their symptoms are not their fault....

I grew up a pretty anxious kid. I hated school, mostly because I didn’t want to talk in class. I was convinced public speaking was the worst thing in the world. I would have never imagined I’d grow up to become a professional speaker. Now, I can stand on stage in front of thousands of people without much anxiety at all (usually). But conquering the fear of public speaking didn’t make all my anxiety go away....

Learning whether a child has developmental delays as early as possible is important in preventing further delays and helping your child learn. How is the Battelle Developmental Inventory used to assess children aged close to eight years and under for developmental delays? Many people are familiar with standardized testing and developmental tests for school-aged children and older, but we have learned that detecting, and addressing developmental delays is important as soon as they are suspected —when a child is still an infant, toddler, or young child....

Caffeine is so common in American society you can easily forget that it is an addictive drug. People consume caffeine not only in coffee but also in tea, chocolate, and energy drinks. The latter may have much more caffeine than coffee. While it may have some benefits, it is important to remember that you may also experience some troublesome caffeine side effects. If you experience some of these symptoms, it might be a sign that you are consuming too much caffeine....

Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Every Monday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, interviews authors, experts, entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and other inspirational people about the strategies that help them think, feel, and do their best in life. Meet Lauren Swanson Lauren Swanson is a board-certified physician assistant. In addition to her experience in family practice, she also has experience in urgent care, cosmetic dermatology, and neuropsychiatry....

Whether you’re raising an energetic child or you’re dealing with a strong-willed one, there are certain child behavior problems that are common at one point or another. The way you respond to these behavior problems play a major role in how likely your child is to repeat them in the future. Lying There are three main reasons kids lie: to get attention, to avoid getting in trouble, and to feel better about themselves....

Cup feeding is an alternative feeding method that is used to provide a supplement to a breastfed baby. If you and your child can be together and your baby is able to latch on well, an alternative feeding method should not be used. When possible, it is always best to breastfeed. However, cup feeding may be a good choice when: You have a premature infant who cannot yet breastfeed Your baby is unable to latch on to your breast You need to be separated from your breastfed child for a short period of time Your baby is not able to breastfeed or bottle-feed due to neurological issues Your baby decides to go on a nursing strike and refuses to take the breast You are weaning your baby and she refuses to take the bottle Cup feeding is not a new technique....