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As a parent, when your teen discloses unexpected information, it’s hard to know how to respond quickly and effectively. New research out of Reading University published in the journal Experimental Child Psychology has shown that when parents use engaged and active listening, teens feel more willing to open up and talk to them. Key Takeaways Teens are more willing to talk to parents who are good listeners.Good listening involves trying to see things from your child’s perspective....

In the big 5 theory of personality, extroversion (often known as extraversion) is one of the five core traits believed to make up human personality. Extroversion is characterized by sociability, talkativeness, assertiveness, and excitability. People who are high in extroversion tend to seek out social stimulation and opportunities to engage with others. These individuals are often described as being full of life, energy, and positivity. In group situations, extroverts (extraverts) are likely to talk often and assert themselves....

What Is Poverty? Children rely on the adults in their lives to provide safety and security; unfortunately, this is often difficult for adults living in poverty to provide for their children. As a result, some children living in poverty face developmental challenges that may affect their well-being long term. Poverty Poverty occurs when people “lack the means to satisfy their basic needs.” A person living in poverty will often occupy below-standard living conditions....

Understanding the stages of pregnancy can be difficult because the dating methods used by doctors don’t exactly line up with the yearly calendar. Furthermore, pregnancy is divided into trimesters or three periods of time. A working knowledge of the key terms used in pregnancy dating is helpful in the treatment of miscarriages and other pregnancy losses. A due date, for example, is the estimated date of delivery (EDD, or sometimes EDC) or the date when a pregnancy reaches exactly 40 weeks from the last menstrual period....

Asking for help can be tough, especially when it comes to your kids. But the truth is you can’t be in more than one place at once. And the more kids you have, the more likely you are to be pulled in many different directions. Soccer practice might be at the same time as dance. And piano lessons might start before you get out of work. You may need to ask someone to help you shuttle kids from one activity to the next....

While you may think of a crib adorned with sweet baby bedding as the focal point of the nursery, that vision does not meet current safety standards to prevent SIDS and suffocation. The safest sleeping environment is a fitted sheet on a firm crib mattress, with no other bedding or soft objects in the crib. Before you buy a chic crib ensemble or put ​your baby to bed with a homemade quilt, be aware of these safety considerations....

Whether you are a first-time parent or have multiple children, chances are high you own a pack ’n play, travel crib, or play yard. While they are a very convenient, portable, and safe place for your baby to nap or play, these handy little inventions can get a little dirty, especially if they are used frequently or have gone through multiple children. To make matters worse, they are not always the easiest things to clean, especially because the majority of them are not machine washable....

When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the world took notice. When Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to his country’s nuclear readiness, the world grappled with fear and the possibility of violent conflict. As the conflict between the two countries continues to unfold, we’re left to deal with the unsettling emotions of uncertainty. Key Takeaways If the situation in the Ukraine is causing you fear and anxiety, those feelings are normal....

While it’s normal to have an occasional sleepy day, staggering through life looking for a bottomless coffee pot or regularly fantasizing about crawling into bed is not so sustainable. Ongoing exhaustion can take a toll on both your physical and mental well-being. We had expert weight in on how to feel less tired during the day for two primary scenarios: ongoing chronic fatigue and the occasional off-day. When Battling Chronic Fatigue If your fatigue is consistent, there are a handful of primary contributing culprits....

Sometimes the biggest challenge in learning a new skill or practice like meditation is learning how to fit it into your routine. Most everyone has those days when it is a feat to even have showered, let alone setting time aside to sit quietly and meditate. Here you will learn how to fit your meditation practice into your busy day—perhaps when you need it the most. Give the skills outlined below a try for one week....

Graduating high school and going to college is a major milestone for many teens. And while the transition is not always smooth, college students have an abundance of services available to meet their every need. But when your child graduates from college, the support of an advisor, professor, or dorm RA suddenly disappears, and mom and dad, or another loved one, become the “go-to” for adjusting to adult life. Which means, you will be working with your graduate to help them make decisions about applying to jobs, adopting a healthy routine, earning and spending money, and transitioning to life after college — all while getting used to them living under your roof as an adult....

Knowing how to help someone with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be challenging. The symptoms of PTSD can present difficulties for friends and family members who want to support a loved one living with PTSD. If you know someone with PTSD, there are ways you can help. In fact, you can be very beneficial to their recovery, but only if you also care for yourself, too. How to Help Educating yourself as much as you can about what PTSD is and what your loved one is going through, including the symptoms they could experience, is often a good place to start....

A galactagogue or galactogogue (pronounced gah-lak´tah-gog) is something that can help a breastfeeding parent increase their breast milk supply. The word itself is a combination of the Greek terms “galact-” meaning milk, and “-ogogue” meaning leading to or promoting. Herbs are commonly used to boost low milk supply, but certain actions, foods, and medications can help you make more breast milk as well. Learn more about how to increase breast milk supply by using a galactagogue....

Group B Streptococcus (GBS), also known as beta strep or group B strep, is a type of bacteria that lives in the human body. GBS is usually harmless. In fact, you can have GBS and not know it because you don’t feel sick or have symptoms of an infection. However, if you plan to get pregnant, you need to know if you are a GBS carrier. If you pass GBS to your baby during childbirth, it could make them very sick....

There are many news stories and research studies about the dangers kids face when they spend too much time on their electronic devices. But there’s much less information about the impact screen time can have on adults, especially when those adults are parents. It’s clear, however, that many parents are overindulging in screen time. A 2016 survey by Common Sense media shows the average parent of tweens and teens spends more than nine hours per day behind a screen....

A lot of behavior problems and discipline issues stem from conflicts about a child’s allowance and chores. It’s easy to get into power struggles over these issues, especially with teens. Establishing rules, setting limits, and enforcing consequences about your child’s spending habits can help your child learn how to make healthy decisions about money for the rest of their life. Teaching Kids About Money Teaching kids how to be wise and self-disciplined when earning and spending money will not only prevent a lot of behavior problems, it also will be a skill that helps them for the rest of their lives....

Human chorionic gonadotropin, commonly known as hCG, is a hormone found in blood and urine throughout pregnancy. HCG becomes detectable in blood shortly after implantation of the embryo in the uterus (roughly three weeks into a four-week menstrual cycle). Increasing levels of hCG tell the body that you are pregnant, putting the womb to work creating a safe home for your baby to grow in. Why hCG Is Important When an embryo forms, it begins making hCG, which facilitates the production of other important pregnancy hormones like progesterone and estrogen....

The name Jason is a typically masculine name that is believed to have Greek and Hebrew origins. Jason is a classic and traditional Greek name. In Greek, the name means “healer.” This is from the Greek word “iaomai” which means “to heal.” The origin of the name can also be traced to Greek mythology. The story goes that Jason, a great Thessalian hero, led the Argonauts, a band of heroes in Greek mythology, on a quest for the Golden Fleece, in order to get back the throne from his Uncle Pelias, who overthrew Jason’s father as the king of Ilocos....

Kava (scientific name Piper methysticum) is a tall shrub in the pepper family that grows in the Pacific islands. Pacific Islanders have traditionally used kava in ceremonies to bring about a state of relaxation. The name kava means “bitter” in the Tongan language. The root of the plant is traditionally used to make beverages that have a mild to moderate sedative effects. It is also said to elicit feelings of euphoria....

Kwanzaa is a secular holiday that celebrates African American culture and community. This weeklong holiday runs from December 26 to January 1 annually and was created to be a celebration of life for African Americans. Kwanzaa is the perfect opportunity for families of all races, religions, and ethnicities to highlight the richness of Black culture and achievement in America—and across the globe. What’s more, The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa offer abundant inspiration for activities and celebrations that commemorate charity and unity and inspire personal growth in children of all ages....