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Let them know that war is terrifying, complicated and confusing. Share your thoughts and feelings about the causes of and possible solutions to terrorism. At the same let them know that there is no justification for killing thousands of innocent people. Discuss your feelings about terrorism, war, and the issues. You can research the history of the conflict together on the Web. If you plan to donate food, clothing or money to help the victims, involve your children in the process....

Tobacco use is the world’s leading cause of preventable death. The best way to prevent smoking-related deaths is to prevent children from picking up the habit. When your child is young, they still look to you as the ultimate authority on what’s right and what’s wrong—so start the discussion early, using these tips to get you on the right path. Focus on What Your Child Cares About As you know, the worst part about smoking is the many types of cancer, lung problems, and other health problems that it can cause....

Parents of toddlers need to keep one thing in mind when their child begins to have a tantrum: Your child cannot help it. Older children often use tantrums to show they mean business, to demonstrate how much they want something. But two- and three-year-olds do not yet have the capacity to manipulate in this way. When her frustration builds to a certain level, your toddler literally loses control. Think of your child as a pressure cooker: the steam of frustration builds and builds and builds inside her until it finally forces an explosion....

1. Print His Name as an Outline Learning to write his name is a proud accomplishment and a skill he’ll use throughout his lifetime. Make the task easier when you print his name as an outline for him to follow. Using a word processing program or graphics software, choose a large font, not a small size, and select the outline option. Type out your child’s name and print. With pencil in hand, he’ll focus on staying in between the lines while he follows the pattern of the letters in his name....

Whether the occasion is a holiday gathering, a family meal, or a simple trip to the grocery store, parents can use these social opportunities to instill good manners in their children that will become a habitual part of their lives into adolescence and beyond. Here are some great ways parents can teach their children good manners. Key Manners to Teach Your Child These are a few manners all kids should know....

It’s a time when a child should be armed with a code of behavior and a positive attitude about manners and respect for others. In brief, a child should know about etiquette. Unfortunately, etiquette is not one of the subjects that administrators include in the curriculum of most schools. Consider how life would improve for most students if elementary school provided that missing code of conduct in an orderly and systematic fashion, by an adult other than a parent and with the use of a textbook to give the code weight and authority....

Teaching your teen to drive requires considerable patience, empathy, and the knowledge of what is needed to best prepare her to become a skilled, responsible driver. Many parents understandably approach this taskwith trepidation and high anxiety. The following suggestions, facts, and tips will help you know what to doand what to expect when you and your teen put the rubber to the road. Although many kids still take some formal driver-education training before they get their driver’s license, the most influential training they receive comes from observing their parents’ behind-the-wheel skills, judgment, and behavior....

You’re right to be nervous. According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 27. Teen drivers are at risk for collisions because of their inexperience and immaturity. Newly-licensed drivers are especially vulnerable because they typically haven’t had enough practice to master the complex, split-second decision-making that driving a car requires. Adding passengers to the mix increases the danger....

When choosing a bug spray for children, you’ll first want to check the label to make sure the ingredients are kid-safe. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, insect repellents containing DEET and picaridin are safe to use for children two months of age and older. Lemon eucalyptus oil, commonly found in natural repellents, is safe for children age three and up. (To protect babies younger than two months, Dyan Hes, MD, Medical Director of Gramercy Pediatrics, advises, “Use netting over a stroller, crib, or play gym....

Picking the perfect goggles for young swimmers comes down to considering the pros and cons of the best options on the market. Leakage, fogging, and marks around the eyes because of a too-tight fit are some of the issues to consider before selecting a product that your swimmer loves. Stephanie Marioneaux, MD, clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), recommends parents look for polycarbonate lenses and UV protection for their child’s goggles....

According to Shelley Pasnik, director of the Center for Children & Technology, learning for young children is driven by human interaction. Kids need back-and-forth communication that encourages them to talk about what they’re seeing and get a response in return (also known as contingent engagement). It’s the social aspect of screen time that truly makes a difference in how children retain information. Of course, it’s still important to limit viewing in order for them to engage in more hands-on activities....

“My message to parents would be that we do not have sufficient evidence to support the idea that fidget toys will be helpful for all children with ADHD, autism, and anxiety. I would encourage parents instead to consider whether a particular fidget toy is helpful for their child,” Chelsea Weyand, PsyD, ABPP, at Akron Children’s Hospital, tells Verywell Family. “Additionally, I would ask parents to consider treating symptoms and not disorders....

Whether their interests lean towards STEM, sports, arts and crafts, superheroes, cars, or anything else, there’s a great gift for the five-year-old in your life. Once you’ve found something in their interest, consider the gift’s durability, ease of cleaning, and function. Nothing will top a gift that they can use again and again every day. We researched popular options with these features in mind. Here are our favorite picks for the best gifts for five-year-old boys....

Infertility is a complex disease that can result due to a variety of factors, including but not limited to: female egg quality and production, male sperm quality and production, disorders related to ovulation, hormones imbalances, conditions impacting the physical structures of reproduction, a person’s age, lifestyle, or other health conditions. Sometimes there is no clear cause of infertility, which we call unexplained infertility. Depending on the couple’s specific situation, infertility can be treated by medicine, surgery, or assisted reproductive technology, but many couples prefer to pursue other forms of treatment first....

However, you can’t toss just any pacifier into your cart—it needs to be newborn-specific. Jennifer Horne, a consultant relations manager and international board certified lactation consultant at The Lactation Network, tells Verywell Family that it’s important to purchase pacifiers for newborns with the “correct age range that is recommended on the packaging from the manufacturer.” Pacifiers come in a variety of different shapes, and some newborns may require a little trial and error to find the right one....

No matter how hard we work, chance and circumstances play a major role in all of life’s prospects. That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with promoting diligence and dedication! In fact, you might want to take another route and choose a virtue name for your baby, like Prudence or Constance. If you want a lucky name for your baby, you might find it in names whose linguistic roots mean fortune or luck....

Weighted blankets come in a variety of colors, styles, and sizes. These features are great to consider because it allows you to customize the blanket to your child’s preferences. Another important feature to look for is the ease of cleaning and drying. Some can be machine washed and dried, but others may need to be hand-washed and/or line-dried. We researched popular options with these features in mind. Here are the best weighted blankets for kids on the market today....

Portable Sitz Bath In the hospital, you may be given a portable sitz bath. This sits over a normal sized toilet. You fill a bag with warm or cold water and sit on the sitz bath. The water then flows over your perineum allowing for healing and cleansing. You can add medication or herbal preparations at will. Try Cold Water While you can use warm or cold water, the studies that have been done show that cold water provides more pain relief in the hour and half hour after doing the postpartum sitz bath....