Even though it's summertime, children shouldn't be allowed to take a vacation from healthy eating habits, advises Dr. Sarah Armstrong, a pediatrician at Duke University Medical Center. "Routines go haywire, and with nothing to do after a few days in the pool, kids head straight for the refrigerator or snack bar, because they think they're [...]
Each child is different, but most children need to be given clear rules about behavior. Discipline needs to begin as soon as a child is pulling up and crawling. Young infants rely on their parents to provide a safe environment. Discipline should be age-focused. And it should teach age-appropriate behaviors. Things to keep in mind [...]
Temper tantrums are a way a young child lets out strong emotions before he or she is able to express them in socially acceptable ways. Although a child may seem totally out of control, these fits of rage, stomping, screaming, and throwing himself or herself to the floor are a normal part of childhood development. [...]
Determine the values you want your child to have as an adult, and tailor parenting methods that teach these principles. Teach by example. Try to structure situations so that the child's ability to comply will be fostered. Focus on why rules are necessary. Look for clues to what may have prompted the defiant behavior. Use [...]
Time-out is a type of discipline that is used to stop a child from performing a bad behavior "isolating" the child for a period of time. Time-out removes a child from the situation and gives him or her time to calm down. It also helps establish that the parent is in charge, and allows the [...]
Parenting and grandparenting can be an emotional roller coaster. Although you're filled with love for your kids and grandkids, caring for them can also be scary, frustrating and sometimes downright infuriating. But no matter how riled up you get, it's important to control your anger around youngsters. The importance of managing anger It never feels [...]
It’s not unusual for children to experiment with new clothing, hairstyles or attitudes as they grow. But sudden and extreme negative changes could signal drug or alcohol use. General warning signs Common warning signs of substance abuse include: Withdrawal from family and family activities Being disrespectful, verbally abusive, or physically abusive Lying about what they’re [...]
Summer vacation has officially kicked off as schools across the country close for the year, leaving many families with scheduling conflicts. While summer vacation equals fun for many students, it may lead to added stress for parents and caretakers. Finding day care options for children out of school and even planning family vacations can leave [...]
If you have a parent, grandparent or other close relative with alcoholism, you are at increased risk of having problems with alcohol. Many studies of children of alcoholics have found that they are about four times more likely to develop alcohol problems than people without a family history of alcoholism, says the National Institute on [...]
Many American children are affected by divorce each year. Those youngsters often feel trapped in the middle as the family splits up. If mommy and daddy don't love each other, they wonder, do they love me? Anger, fear, separation anxiety, a sense of abandonment, self-blame, sadness and embarrassment are common reactions for most children. During [...]