parenting Archives - Page 7 of 8

Helping Your Child Get Used To Being At A Child Care Centre

September 8, 2017 by admin

If your child has just started at child care, remember that things can go wrong on the first day, and your child will likely protest when it’s time to say goodbye. Many kids experience nervousness and anxiety when starting child care for the first time, but there is quite a bit you can do to make the transition as easy as possible for both you and your little one.

Helping Your Child Adjust to Child Care

You can begin preparing your child by talking to him or her in advance, telling then where they will be going and what they will be doing during the day. You could also take your child to visit the day care centre a few times before you have to leave them for the first day. Show your child where he or she will be going and answer any questions that have as openly and honestly as you can to reassure them that everything will be okay.

On the first day, try to arrive around 15 minutes beforehand to help your child settle into some sort of activity before you have to get to work. This way, they’re less likely to protest your leaving if they’re already having fun.

If your child is bound to be anxious, send a familiar object like a favourite blanket or stuffed animal to help him or her adjust to the situation. Child care centres in Sydney or in your local area are always happy to accommodate these kinds of things.

Here are a few more tips to make your child feel at ease:

Try to make enough time so that you won’t be rushing to sing in and get your child settled with an activity.
Be sure to take note of your own body language when you say goodbye to your child. If you feel uncertain, you could be showing your own anxiety to him or her.
Try to resist the temptation to just sneak out the door when your little one is not looking – it could well create problems for you both. If your child fears that you are going to disappear each time you drop them at school, they may be unwilling to let you out of their sight.
If you think your child is going to react very strongly on day one, see if your partner or a friend could drop them off.
Ask the teacher if they can provide insight about any problems. For example, your little one may not like other children or is just having a hard time settling down for a nap.
Do your best to stick to a routine and avoid making any changes while your child gets used to the new arrangement.
Accept that it’s time for your little one to adjust to his or her new school routine and that some children may take longer than others.
Try to be alert to any underlying problems. If your little one has yet to settle into the new arrangement, it may be time to talk to the teacher. It could be something as simple as a personality clash and your child may do better in another classroom.

Remember those tips and your child will be able to adjust in the child care centre easily.

How to Handle the Most Common Kid Sensitivities

August 15, 2017 by admin

Watching your child grow and develop is one of the most wondrous things a person can experience. Children are extremely resilient during the early developmental phases, yet vulnerable at the same time. Parents have to watch out for a number of sensitivities that don’t cause older kids trouble but commonly affect youngsters.

Below is an overview of some of those sensitivities and what you can do to relieve them.

Skin Sensitivities

Compared to our sun-beaten skin, babies and children have very sensitive epidermis. They can experience a number of skin sensitivities, even if they don’t have an allergy.

Some of the most common skin sensitivities include:

Eczema – Eczema is extremely common among children. Estimates show that around 10% of kids worldwide have it. The condition, which can develop in infancy, can cause the skin to be dry, itchy and easily irritated to the point a rash forms.

Contact Dermatitis – A number of irritants can affect a young child’s sensitive skin. Even tight clothing that rubs against the skin can cause problems. When they do come across irritants it can cause contact dermatitis. Some of the most common causes of contact dermatitis include dye chemicals, nickel, mouthwash and toothpaste ingredients, poison ivy and cosmetics.

Heat Rash – Little kids seem to run hot, which can show up in the form of a heat rash.

Dryness and Chapping – A child’s skin may look smooth and soft, but it can easily dry out. And it’s not just from the wind and cold. When kids wash their hand a lot or frequently lick their lips it can dry out the skin.

Hives – Most cases of hives can be chalked up to virus sensitivity. Even a small stomach bug can cause red, bumpy hives in young children.

The clothing you buy can make a difference. If a child suffers from contact dermatitis or dry skin, clothing items like seamless socks for kids, pants without tight waistbands and clothing without tags are often recommended.

Moisturizers that contain soothing ingredients like oatmeal are also recommended for a number of skin sensitivities. Of course, keeping your kid’s skin hydrated will help prevent dryness and chapping.

Sun Sensitivity

In addition to irritants, allergens and the environment, the sun can also affect children more so than adults. They haven’t had time to build up a tough exterior to ward off burns, but that isn’t the only problem created by the sun.

Photosensitivity can also be an issue. The term photosensitivity is a blanket term for a number of sun allergies. Doctors aren’t sure why some people develop photosensitivity, although some types of sun allergies can be inherited. The most common types of sun allergies include:

Polymorphous light eruption (PMLE)
Actinic prurigo (hereditary PMLE)
Solar urticarial (occurs most often in young women and girls)
Photoallergic eruption (occurs due to chemical reaction after a topical cream or fragrance is applied to the skin)

The symptoms of sun allergies are similar, usually resulting in a red, itchy rash. If solar urticarial is the problem your child may develop hives.

The easiest way to prevent sun allergies is to limit exposure. But that doesn’t mean you have to keep your kid inside 24/7. Make sure they wear loose, lightweight clothing that covers the skin and avoid times when the sun is strongest. It’s also important to slather on broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 20 or higher.

Food Sensitivities

Getting kids to try new foods can be a challenge, but you may also have to contend with a sensitive digestive tract. A number of foods can cause adverse reactions in kids. The good news is many children outgrow food allergies as they get older.

Some of the most common food allergies among children include:

Nuts
Peanuts
Eggs
Milk
Wheat
Soy
Seafood
Strawberries

Many of the food allergies above can cause skin reactions. If you don’t want to find out about a food allergy the hard way, there are several skin tests that your pediatrician or an allergist can perform to discover sensitivities.

Anytime you buy prepared meals or go out to eat it’s near impossible to know what all is in the food you and your children consume. If you’re concerned about food allergies and sensitivity, the best thing you can do is prepare food at home as much as possible. You can even make homemade baby food as soon as you begin to wean your child.

Persistent problems that don’t improve with over-the-counter treatments deserve more attention. If your baby, toddler or child has a strong reaction to irritants, allergens, the sun or food schedule an appointment with your pediatrician as soon as you can.

Tips for Keeping Kids of All Ages Safe Both In and Out of the Home

July 26, 2017 by admin

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could place your child in a plastic bubble that would protect them from every danger or threat until they’re an adult? Unfortunately, keeping your kids safe is not that easy, and when you have multiples of varying ages, it gets even harder. From electrical outlets and exposed staircases to social media use and home invasions, there are a lot of things that are unsafe for your children both inside and outside of the home. Fortunately, there are things you can do to minimize the risks and keep your kids safe at all times.

Keeping Kids Safe in the Home

It’s a common assumption that the home is one of the safest places to be. Though it is safer than most, there are safety aspects that need to be considered.

Babyproofing – For those who have infants, one of the first courses of action to safeguard the home is to babyproof the house. This is the process of going around the entire home and locking, blocking, and securing things that could cause harm to a curious baby on the go. This includes locking medicine and kitchen cabinets, covering outlets, and installing gates at the top of staircases to prevent baby from falling.

Home security – Home security systems are a must to keep your home safe. While most might look at them as nothing more than alarms when burglaries happen, home security systems such as ADT monitoring are ideal for parents of children who spend time at home alone. With smart features like cameras and smartphone access, parents can observe teenagers and any company they might have in the home to ensure they’re safe and sound.

Pool Safety – For families who have a pool in the backyard, certain measures must be taken to ensure the kids have fun while being safe. Teaching pool rules such as no running and diving along with installing security features like a safety gate to ensure kids don’t try to enter the pool without your permission are all ways to make sure they’re safe and sound.

Internet Safety – Technology is not only for adults. Children use the internet all the time unaware of the many dangers that lurk there. Talk with your children about the use of internet. Discuss the importance of not disclosing personal information, not accessing inappropriate sites, and set rules as to when internet usage is allowed. Other measures include setting parental controls on devices and monitoring your child’s usage for any red flags.

Keeping Kids Safe Outside of the Home

The world around us is a lot more dangerous than the home. Here are some ways to keep your kids safe outside the home.

Stranger Danger – It’s extremely important to teach your children about strangers and steering clear of them. Give your children safety rules such as staying with an adult they know, sticking to a buddy system, not accepting gifts or bribes, and to know when and how to call for help.

Peer Pressure – When your child becomes a teenager peer pressure will become a huge part of their lives as they try to fit in with their friends. It is important to have a talk with your teen about being pressured into doing things they know are wrong. Try to encourage them to hang with likeminded friends and also set rules and curfews.

Travel Safety – Traveling with kids can be fun but it can also height security risks. Before a trip talk with your kids about being safe. Discuss things like staying close to mom and dad and where to turn if they get lost. Investing in ID bracelets or cards as well as installing location apps on your older children’s phones will also help in the event of an emergency.

There is a lot in this world to protect your children from. While you may not be able to shield them from everything that happens in their life, you can set the foundation that will minimize their chances of being injured or harmed in any way. Talk with your children frequently about the importance of being safe in an age appropriate way. Set firm rules and consequences as well as put some of the safeguards discussed above into place and you should have a much easier time sleeping at night knowing they’re all safe.

You Should Know More About Autism

May 14, 2017 by admin

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Autism is one of the fastest growing and prevalent child developmental disabilities in the US today. It affects 1 in 68 children and 1 in 42 boys. The prevalence of the disease has launched several amazing charities including Autism Speaks and California based Special Needs Network, and Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center of Phoenix that are supported by amazing donors like Lloyd Claycomb who are dedicated to informing parents and assisting with information that can get them vital services for their autistic children. Here is some information about Autism that you will find helpful in understanding the disorder.

What is Autism?

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, is a lifelong developmental disability that is characterized by an individual having challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences.

The term spectrum is related to the wide variation in challenges and strengths defined by people who have autism. There is not one autism but many types, caused by different combinations of genetic and environmental influences. There are four main sub-types of autism recognized within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association.

Autistic Disorder, also known as autism, childhood autism, early infantile autism, Kanner’s syndrome or infantile psychosis.
Asperger Syndrome, also known as Asperger’s disorder or simply Asperger’s.
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, also known as CDD, dementia infantalis, disintegrative psychosis or Heller’s syndrome.
Pervasive Developmental Disorder (Not Otherwise Specified), also known as PDD (NOS) or atypical autism.

Individuals on the autism spectrum may vary enormously from each other but they all share the two core features of autism:

Persistent difficulties with social communication and social interaction. This will manifest itself as the individual have difficulty beginning or carrying on a conversation. They may not understand or be able to follow social rules such as how far to stand from someone when communicating or moderating the level of their voice. They may also find it difficult to make and keep friends.
Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Autistic people often develop an overwhelming interest in something. They may also create and follow inflexible routines or rituals, make repetitive body movements. They can also be hypersensitive to certain sounds.

It is commonly acknowledged that autistic people see, hear and feel the world differently than typical people. Often people feel being autistic is a fundamental aspect of their identity.

Autism has an onset during the earliest ages of childhood with its most-obvious signs usually appearing between the ages of 2 and 3. And manifests itself as developmental delays in the child. Although its exact onset time is vague, what is not is that the earlier the intervention, the better the outcomes for the autistic person.

If you suspect that your child or a child you know has autism spectrum disorder, you should contact a doctor or clinic in your area and have the child tested. It is important to go to a facility that understands the disorder so you can get the right testing and information about what should be done if the child is diagnosed with autism. Stay calm and know that there is support for you and your family.

Ways to Best Care For Your Autistic Child

May 4, 2017 by admin

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In the United States alone, one in every 68 children are born with ADS or autism spectrum disorder, a condition which can put a great deal of pressure on both parent and child. Thankfully, as a result of the hard work done by people like Chris Manente, there is more support out there for autism than there has ever been before and more charities who are dedicated to helping those with autism than have ever been registered in the past.

With this additional support for parents of children with ADS, living with a child who is suffering is not as complicated as it once was and research has given us lots of great information for how best to manage children with ADS. If you have a child who suffers from autism then here are some top tips on best caring for them.

Create a Safe Zone

Such is the nature of autism that there will be times when your child needs to go to a safe space in order to relax and calm themselves down. You should try and have a bit of fun with this and include your child in the design of their ‘safety zone’. Experts say that having a tranquil and calming environment for your child will help with the child and the parent when things get a little fraught.

Watch For Triggers

It is important as a parent that you keep an eye out for triggers which could cause your child to feel under pressure or bewildered which could result in a tantrum. Over the years you will be able to spot these triggers and intervene before things get out of control. Often it can be something as simple as hunger which your child feels that could cause them to get frustrated and watching out for non-verbal signs will help to ensure that you can avoid problems before they arise.

Keep It Routine

Experts often describe those suffering from autism as perceiving the World to be in chaos, your job as parent is to do your best to add some normality to this chaos. You can best do this with a strict daily routine that you will stick to each day. Don’t consider any part of the day to unimportant, whether it is the time that your child goes to bed, watches a program or takes a bath, ensure that each day, they do the same as the day before, this will greatly help your child to stay in control of their emotions.

Treat Them As A Child

Many professionals in the industry have been speaking recently about the importance of still treating your child as a child and not as a patient. You will of course need to treat them differently in some aspects but over and above everything else, they are a child who likes to have fun and learn just like any other child. It can be easier said than done, but try your best to avoid treating your child as anything other than what they are.