So why, exactly, do people feel the need to attack a mother’s personal parenting decisions? Carly Snyder, MD, a reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist, HuffPost columnist, and host of the radio show MD for Moms, has a theory: “[People] who mom-shame are almost always doing so to reinforce their own choices due to a deep sense of insecurity and fear.” As inappropriate as it is to mom-shame, it is almost inevitable, especially with the prevalence of social media....
You can talk about anything and everything with a three-year-old. You no longer need to confine yourself to talking about the immediate present. You also can now talk about the past, about the future, about things in the realm of the mind (yours or your child’s). In short, you can talk not only about facts, but about ideas. Your child needs you to hold real conversations with him, though. When your preschooler starts to talk a mile a minute— stuttering, stammering, and repeating himself again and again as he struggles to find the right words—it may be tempting to just nod and say, “Uh-huh....
The ability to regulate big emotions is largely dependent on age and development. Experiencing things more intensely is also sometimes just part of who someone is. Big emotions can make life a little bit more difficult for these kids unless they learn how to engage in emotion regulation. While this is naturally learned over time, there are ways you can help your child cultivate emotional awareness and adopt healthy coping skills....
Of course, a Valentine’s Day celebration doesn’t always have to be about romance. Allowing your teen to host a party can be a great way to celebrate friendship. Hosting a party can also be an important strategic move for teenagers. Hanging out in a group can prevent a single teen from feeling bad about not having a date, and it can even help keep raging hormones in check. Keep the focus on celebrating friendship and everyone is sure to have a good time....
Providing your family with the gift of travel is invaluable. It opens young eyes and hearts, broadens horizons, and helps children learn through experience. Travel also allows for family bonding time which can create memories that will last a lifetime. Still, no matter how amazing the trip itinerary and despite the best efforts of everyone in the family, there will be times when your children get bored. Or need down time....
Homemade bubble solution also encourages kids to use the kitchen, measure ingredients, and perform a little easy math. And DIY bubbles also teach lessons about reusing and repurposing materials, which can spark your child’s imagination. Here’s how you can make your own bubbles at home. The Science of Making Bubbles There is science to the process of making good bubble solution. Water by itself has a high surface tension , which means plain water bubbles are small and quick to burst....
As the weeks go on, breastfeeding should become more comfortable. Of course, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, the tenderness gets worse, and your nipples can become painfully sore. Unfortunately, sore nipples are a common problem of breastfeeding. However, often with slight adjustments in breastfeeding positions and latch, you can alleviate sore nipples while breastfeeding. Sore nipples can develop for many reasons including a poor breastfeeding latch, not using a breast pump correctly, or an infection....
Whatever your reasons, as a new school year looms, you may be asking yourself, “Can I really homeschool my child?” For many parents, the surprising answer is yes. While there are some families that simply can’t make it work for a multitude of reasons, more parents than you’d think could educate their kids at home with the right tools, tips, and resources. We know it may feel overwhelming or confusing about where to start....
We’re here to help. We reached out to mental health professionals who offered advice about how to approach these conversations with family in an affirming, empowering way, as well as how to deal with any potential challenges that might arise. How to Approach the Conversation People who are childfree by choice usually have spent some time making peace with their reality. Studies have found that many childfree adults knew in their hearts that they didn’t want kids as early as their teen years....
Gone were the days of the monotonous cycle of eating, sleeping, and tummy time. She was totally on the move and needed more of both mental and physical stimulation. Living in a two-bedroom apartment meant her room was also doubling as a play space, so every inch needed to be thoughtfully curated and functional. I had to clear out large items taking up space, and replace them with educational and fun toddler must-haves....
More: I Drank Over the Holiday and Now I’m Pregnant. Is My Baby Okay? My Story Seven years ago, Wine Wednesday had become Wine All Week, and no amount of cuteness on social media would make me not an alcoholic. Somewhere between my twenties and having children, my drinking had gone off the rails. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports that high risk drinking among women has more than doubled since 2013....
Still, guns and gun safety is an important consideration for all parents. And it goes beyond your own home. If you own a gun, no doubt you keep it locked up in a safe place, with the proper gun locks installed and the clip emptied. But do you know how the parents of your kids’ friends store their firearms? Do you even know if they have firearms in the home?...
Please keep in mind that this article is meant only as an overview of your potential tax and legal liabilities. Consult a tax expert or lawyer for specific advice on what you are or are not required to file or pay if you hire an in-home childcare provider. The Employment Agreement Once you have settled on your preferred nanny candidate, it is advisable to formalize your professional relationship with an employment agreement....
Constipation in Breastfed Babies Babies who are breastfed can often go several days without a bowel movement. Even though their stool is soft, it may seem like they have many days of no stool followed by a “blow-out.” For an older infant or child, going 5 or 6 days without a bowel movement would usually be a problem. In an exclusively breastfed baby who is gaining weight normally, however, this behavior is usually normal....
Illustrate the difference between inside and outside with a box. Have your child get inside and explore the movements that are possible. Next have your child move outside the box, staying close to it. Alternate between inside moves and outside moves. Try moving only the hands inside the box, then only the hands outside the box. Repeat with feet, head, and one leg. Finish with all parts in or all out....
How to Ensure Sufficient Iron Intake in Toddlers Eating iron-rich, healthy foods is the number one way to prevent and treat iron deficiency. Foods that are usually considered to be good sources of iron include: Red meats, fish, and poultry Iron-fortified cereal Oatmeal Beans (black, kidney, lima, navy, pinto, soy beans) Tofu Greens (collard, kale, mustard, spinach, kale, turnip green) Iron-fortified breads Egg yolks Dried fruits (raisins, prunes, apricots) Natural peanut butter...
And while there’s nothing wrong with kids who don’t have imaginary friends, children who have imaginary companions shouldn’t be a cause for concern either. In fact, some studies show there are many benefits to having imaginary friends. The Purpose of Imaginary Friends All kids pretend their dolls can talk or that their toys possess magical powers. But some kids take their dramatic play a step further and invent an imaginary friend....
Microwaves work by using electromagnetic radiation to raise the temperature of water molecules in food, which generates electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Other sources of EMFs include cell phones and other electronics. There has been concern and debate over EMF exposure during pregnancy, and that EMFs may cause low birth weight or birth defects. However, there is simply not enough research on humans that has shown a direct connection between microwave EMFs and birth abnormalities....
The Test of Twelve
