When my first son was born, I lived and died by routine, order, and predictability. (You can thank my love of control for that, along with a healthy dose of Type A personality.) I got lucky—my son also thrived on this lifestyle, so we managed just fine. Until my second son was born. That adorable but colicky, reflux-afflicted, and oh-so-sensitive baby threw my whole world into chaos. He didn’t sleep. He didn’t breastfeed well....
Some parents just want to get their kids prepped and to school on time, with both a packed lunch and their homework. Justin Baldoni, on the other hand, has greater aspirations for his kids Maiya, 6, and Maxwell, 3. “I want to prepare my kids spiritually and emotionally for all the things the world will eventually say they can’t do—for all the damage we can’t anticipate,” says the filmmaker and actor....
Soccer practice. Dentist Appointments. The monthly PTA meeting. Piano lessons. Tutoring. Field trips. Work conferences. Vacations. Oh, and don’t forget date night! The list of things that we modern parents have to keep track of and schedule could go on and on and on. Forever. We all know that staying organized is the only way to make it all go off without a hitch, but what’s the best way to do this?...
Morning sickness is nausea and/or vomiting experienced during pregnancy. About eight out of 10 women experience morning sickness during pregnancy, and for many, it is the first symptom of pregnancy. On average, most women find morning sickness to become less bothersome by somewhere around the end of the first trimester, but that change can also happen sooner or later. Symptoms Morning sickness begins shortly after your first missed period and usually lasts through the first trimester (12 weeks) before beginning to fade....
Puberty can be a tough transition for any child, but some children find it more difficult than others. In particular, children who begin puberty younger than their peers may experience even more challenges than average. Although it’s relatively unusual, some kids start puberty at a very young age, which for girls means before age 8. This condition is called precocious puberty. Here’s what parents should know if a child begins puberty at a very young age....
Parent-teacher conferences may seem unnecessary in preschool. After all, it’s not as though your child is being graded on playing or snack time. But these conferences are actually an important part of your child’s preschool or childcare experience. When you meet with your child’s teacher, you learn a lot about your little one, from their strengths and weaknesses to how they interact with other kids. Meetings like these are an important part of the overall, ongoing communication you have with your child’s care providers....
Higher education costs feel like they are constantly on the rise. On top of that, student loan rules and regulations are constantly shifting, meaning parents might not know what this means for the cost of college. While some students qualify for financial aid, scholarships, and grants, not all do. And even these aid mechanisms may not cover every expense, including the cost of living and housing. What can parents do to prepare?...
Substance/medication-induced obsessive compulsive disorder is the diagnostic name for drug-induced OCD. Obsessive-compulsive behavior is a group of seemingly uncontrollable and repetitive behaviors that are driven by obsessions. Obsessions are unwanted thoughts, urges or images that intrude on an individual’s consciousness. They are associated with compulsive behaviors which are actions that the person feels compelled to carry out often in response to, and in an effort to control an obsession. These behaviors can be body-focused, for example, picking at one’s own skin, or pulling out one’s own hairs....
Summer means lots of kids will be playing outdoors. As always, it’s important to keep kids safe while they’re having fun. Here are some great tips to keep in mind for kids’ safety. Post this safety checklist on your fridge or family bulletin board as a reminder of ways you can keep your kids safe and prevent injuries or accidents from intruding on your family’s summer fun. Practice Sun Safety When it comes to protecting your kids from the sun, sunscreen plays an important role....
Whether you’re dealing with stiffness from sitting at a desk all day or pain from a serious sports injury, neck massagers can be a remarkably beneficial tool. They’re also great for relaxation and recovery, which are vital components of any recovery routine. At-home neck massagers can relieve uncomfortable symptoms resulting from issues like stiffness, soreness, whiplash, postural issues, muscle strains, and ligament sprains, says Oluseun Olufade, MD, board-certified sports medicine and interventional spine doctor and assistant professor of orthopedics at Emory School of Medicine....
Sweating is a normal part of working out, but smelling bad doesn’t have to be, thanks to anti-odor workout clothes. Several workout clothing brands have invested in odor-resistant technology, such as infusing their textile blends with silver (yes, silver), a known antimicrobial. This inhibits those microbes, keeping you smelling fresh and feeling comfortable throughout your workouts. When looking for anti-odor workout clothes, consider the types of workouts you need them for....
There are many reasons why a nanny chooses to terminate a relationship with their employers. If you are aware of the reasons, it may be easier to avoid them and help lengthen and strengthen your relationship with your nanny. Your relationship with your nanny is important for your child’s growth and well-being, not only because you’re setting a good example of strong relationships but also because your child may already have a profound connection with your nanny....
People with social anxiety disorder (SAD) are intensely afraid of social and performance situations for fear of being embarrassed, humiliated, or judged negatively. The disorder is more than just shyness, and it requires diagnosis and treatment by a mental health professional. Whether you are fearful of just one type of situation (such as public speaking) or most social situations, social anxiety can severely affect your life. Symptoms If you are afraid of social situations, the fear can manifest with a range of symptoms, including:...
Although homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, the path to educating your children at home is vastly different depending largely on the state in which you live. Each state has its own laws, guidelines, and regulations. Consequently, these varying levels of regulation have led parents to label some states more homeschooling-friendly than others. In other words, these states make it somewhat easier for homeschooling parents to engage in educating their children with very little intervention and oversight, while other states have a much more hands-on approach with a lot of regulations and requirements and thus earning them the label of the worst homeschooling states....
Substance-induced mood disorder is a kind of depression that is caused by using alcohol, drugs, or medications. Substance/medication-induced depressive disorder is the diagnostic name for alcohol or drug-induced depression. Unlike the transient feelings of sadness that are normal and that everyone experiences, or even the temporary hangover or “crash” that often gets people the morning after alcohol or drug use, when substance-induced depression hits, it feels considerably worse for much longer....
A normal rate of growth is one that follows the curves on the standardized growth charts used by pediatricians. While charts have been used for the past 50 years to track children’s growth, they were updated to the current versions in 2000 to reflect greater ethnic and cultural diversity. Taking regular measurements of your child’s height, weight, and head circumference and plotting them on a growth chart are a good way to see if their growth is normal....
What Is Compassion? Compassion involves feeling another person’s pain and wanting to take steps to help relieve their suffering. The word compassion itself derives from Latin and means “to suffer together.” It is related to other emotions such as sympathy, empathy, and altruism, although the concepts have some key differences. Empathy refers more to the general ability to take another person’s perspective and feel the emotions of others. Compassion, on the other hand, is what happens when those feelings of empathy are accompanied by the desire to help....
The Economic Anxiety Index is a measure of how Americans feel about their personal finances and the economy. The Index is based on surveys of roughly 1,000 American adults aged 18+, conducted by telephone using live interviewers or online. Respondents are asked 12 questions from three categories: general anxiety, saving and expense, and job security. The Index is sponsored by Marketplace, a public radio program that covers business and economics news, and Edison Research, a research firm specializing in media and public opinion polling....
Simply put, feelings can be overwhelming. There are times in life when we feel we are in the throes of emotional turmoil but may not fully understand why. This is completely normal but can feel alienating. Perhaps you’re feeling angry, fearful, or sad. Maybe you’re feeling happy and optimistic but aren’t sure why. Even positive feelings can be confusing and lead to concern that something is too good to be true....
You’re congested, and you can’t stop coughing as you hold your nursing baby to your breast. Between the constant coughing and the baby, you have been up all night. This cough just won’t go away, but you’re not sure if the Robitussin that always does the trick is safe to take while breastfeeding. In fact, Robitussin is probably fine to take while breastfeeding as long as your baby is over 2 months old....
