Category:

Kids

Simple Hacks That Will Help You Raise Successful Kids

by LifeAsMama December 9, 2019

Raising children is never easy, especially if you truly want them to succeed. Sometimes, parents can get carried away with their ambition, which often results in misunderstanding and tears. If you’re an ambitious parent, that’s great, because it’s normal that you want your child to grow into a successful and productive individual. Yet, in order to avoid typical mistakes, here are some simple hacks that will help you raise successful kids smoothly and efficiently:

Smiling mothers sitting in park with their babies after the morning walk. Active moms with their kids spending time in park early in the morning.

Invest some effort to get to know your child

Your child is a person of their own, so it’s important to treat them that way. You might want them to play piano or ace basketball, but before you sign them up for lessons, you should take time to learn about your child’s preferences and abilities. There’s nothing more frustrating than having to spend afternoons practicing scales that don’t interest you in the slightest or training a sport that you’d rather watch. Knowing your child well can help you build a meaningful relationship based on love and trust, which will help you communicate any potential issues that might arise.

Show your child unconditional love and support

Now, unconditional love and support don’t mean you get to bury your head in the sand in case something bad happens, but rather being there for your child anytime they need you. If you want them to be hard-working and thriving, it’s important they know they can count on you no matter what. That way they’ll be more inclined to confide and tell you everything that you should know. Instead of instilling fear and obedience, you should be having honest and open discussions, as that is the best way to create a meaningful bond with your child and a great way to raise successful kids.

Happy loving family. Young mother and her daughter girl play in kids room. Funny mom and lovely child are having fun with tablet.

Don’t neglect the importance of additional hobbies and activities

Doing homework and other school-related projects is a must, but if you truly want your child to grow and learn, you should consider some extra hobbies and activities, such as swimming, dancing, karate, or painting. Kids need to learn how to express their creativity in a constructive manner, and some artistic hobbies can certainly help them there. Additionally, doing sports can help manage all that extra energy. Learning things outside of school can help your child become more self-confident and knowledgeable. Investing in language skills is always welcome, so hiring an expert English tutor will help your child do better at school. So, adding these activities into their routine can be of great help, but don’t forget to leave some extra time for fun activities such as playing with friends and watching TV.

Instead of being pushy, aim to show them the right way to be

The majority of pushy parents tend to do so because they regret their own missed opportunities. This is crucial to know because, in many instances, parents tend to push their children, not out of malice, but more because they truly believe that having a successful child will fill in their own emotional void. Instead of forcing your child to do ballet, practice violin or play football, it’s better to explain to them the importance of having skills because that can be useful for their future. Talk to your child and try to determine what hobby or activity would fit them best. If your kid isn’t a sporty type, doing sports will only make them frustrated and anxious. That’s why it’s better to lead by example: try to spend time with your kid doing fun activities such as baking, drawing, playing some sports or learning a new language. That way, your kid will become more self-assured and open-minded towards different hobbies and other pursuits.

Portrait of mother and daughter on the bed by the window. Mothers Day.

Bottom line

These tips will surely help you build a healthy relationship with your child and raise successful kids. Rather than pushing them into a certain direction, you should strive towards being supporting, loving and kind because that’s the sure way to have an ambitious and smart child who will do good in life.

About the Author

Chloe is a journalist from Adelaide and a regular contributor to Smooth Decorator. She loves everything related to decor, aesthetic and lifestyle topics. She is also passionate about photography. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world and take some stunning photographs of beautiful places. Beside all this, she enjoys drinking coffee and reading a beautiful book from time to time.

Happy family travel by car to the sea. People having fun in cabriolet. Summer vacation concept

Kids Travel

7 Important Tips For Traveling with Kids

by LifeAsMama December 6, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

Traveling is one of the best gifts you can give to your kids. It’s a great way to explore the world, meet new people and learn about geography, religion, culture and art. However, kids can be quite demanding, so traveling with your little ones without proper preparation can quickly turn into a cry-fest. Here are all the best ways to make traveling with kids easy, fun and fuss-free.

Make it simple

traveling with kids Happy beautiful family on a beach during summer vacation

Solo or couple travelers usually make their vacations fast-paced, but when you’re traveling with kids, you have to slow it down. Make sure you set realistic goals about what you can see and do at your destination. Cramming too many things into your itinerary will just make everyone nervous, exhausted and disappointed. A good rule is to organize a trip that’s suitable for the youngest child—if they can handle it, everyone can. Also, don’t forget to include plenty of stops, potty breaks, naps and snack stops into your day.

Be flexible with dates

If your kids don’t go to school yet, always choose to travel off-season. This will provide you with huge savings on both accommodation and flights, but also ensure you have a fuss-free, quiet and private vacation. Even if you have school kids, see if they can miss a few days of classes in order to travel outside major school holidays. If this is your kids’ first vacation, it’s best to explore the destination when there are no huge crowds of yelling tourists around.

Consider taking your car

Happy family on a road trip in their car

Of course, if you travel overseas, you can’t really take your car, but if you’re hitting the next state or the neighboring country, you might want to consider having a road trip. This is not only a more immersive way to travel, but it’s also much more comfortable and flexible than a plane or a bus. You can make your own itinerary, stop wherever and whenever you like and enjoy a trip filled with privacy. Just be sure to grab good car insurance that will keep you covered in case of an accident, natural disaster and theft. And ensure you opt for a comprehensive insurance deal that also offers emergency roadside assistance—you never know what can happen on the road. Getting stuck in the middle of nowhere with your tired and hungry kids in the car is not a good experience, so be protected.

Consider renting an apartment

traveling with kids Family Members Making Selfie. Parents and Kid Sitting on Sofa. Portrait at Home. Family Concept. Smiling Parents. Child at Home. Little Daughter. Child in Hugging. People in the Room.

Sure, hotels are luxurious, but most of them are not built from families with young kids. There’s not enough floor space for play, neighbors will be able to hear every tantrum and you will be left without a proper fridge and microwave. So, consider ditching hotels and opting for rental apartments instead. These will provide you with more space and you will have all the amenities at your disposal when you’re traveling with kids. Picking something with a washing machine is also a great idea, especially if you’re staying for more than a few days.

Pack smart

Remember that young kids can’t really help with luggage, so everything will be in your hands. For that reason, it’s better to travel light than to drag pounds and pounds of unnecessary things behind you. In order to reduce your luggage, roll clothing, wear your largest and heaviest clothes on the flight and minimize toys and electronics. It’s best to pack a lot of neutral, comfy and versatile clothing items you can combine and wear on many occasions. Also, allow your kids to choose a few clothing items to prevent meltdowns when getting dressed.

Bring a few comfort items

When your kids get tired, sad or bored, it’s a great idea to have their favorite toy, some familiar reading materials and good music at hand. These activity packs will be life-savers on a plane or in the car, so everyone can stay busy and relaxed.

Have a small surprise up your sleeve

Kids love a good surprise, so when you notice everyone is feeling a little tired and nostalgic for home, it’s time to spice things up. “Forget” to mention a visit to the waterpark, theme park, Legoland or zoo, but you can also have a no-warning ice cream stop. Pick something your kids love and it will bring a smile on everyone’s face.

With these travel tricks, you will not only provide your kids with an unforgettable vacation but also teach them to love traveling. Soon, you’ll be a proper adventurous family!

About the Author

Mia Taylor is 33 year old blogger who writes about beauty, fashion and travel. She had always been passionate about fashion and over time she had developed a style of her own. Mia loves to mix and match and get inspire girls with her advice about outfit and accessories. She loves telling a story about her travels, providing beauty tips with readers.

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Teenage Boy Addicted To Video Gaming At Home

Pre-Teen Teenager

6 Things Moms Can Do to Help Boys Express Emotions Freely and Honestly

by LifeAsMama December 5, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

Raising teen boys is quite an experience, and it can be difficult to help boys express emotions. Many parents think that bringing up boys is easy because they don’t have as much drama going on as teen girls. This couldn’t be further from the truth. They do have drama, they just express it differently.

Unfortunately, society teaches boys that they have to be strong and stoic. They are discouraged from expressing any emotions that indicate vulnerability like fear, intimidation or sadness. Showing such feelings is considered a sign of weakness. The only emotions they are encouraged to express are anger and aggression so they learn to tamp down or ignore all other emotions.

However, suppressing emotions creates a whole new set of problems including depression, poor sleep quality, mood swings or even physical ailments. Additionally, it robs them of the ability to have rich emotional lives and to form deep connections and relationships with others.

To avoid this, it’s crucial for us to help our sons learn how to freely express their emotions. Here are 6 ways to help boys express emotions that:

1. Expand their emotional vocabulary.

help boys express emotions boy writing in diary

Starting from when he’s young, equip your child with a varied emotional vocabulary. Since babies and toddlers don’t have words for their feelings, they need to be taught. You can say things like, “You look happy today” or “You must feel sad” and eventually, your boy will learn to correctly identify and recognize his feelings.

2. Set a good example of emotional expression.

Many times we hide our emotions from our kids, especially negative ones because we feel that they’ll be overwhelmed. On the contrary, seeing you comfortably expressing a wide array of emotions, from sadness to joy, can encourage your son to be more expressive as well. It’s also important for him to see you handling negative emotions in healthy ways so that he can learn to regulate his own. So be careful how you act when angry or disappointed because your son is watching and he’ll take his cues from you.

3. Give your son the freedom to express himself.

Teenage Boy Working On Painting In Studio

Society is constantly ridiculing and judging teen boys who choose to express their feelings. Counter this by making your home a place where your son feels safe embracing and exploring all his emotions. Give him the freedom to be himself and don’t curtail his emotional expression by trying to dictate the feelings that he should convey.

4. Listen to him.

One of the simplest ways to encourage emotional expression and to improve communication with your teen is to listen to him without judgment. This means giving him your complete attention when he is sharing his feelings and not jumping in with comments, advice or suggestions. Paying attention to your son validates his feelings and sends a message that you consider what he’s saying important. This will encourage him to open up and share more with you.

5. Establish boundaries.

help boys express emotions Teenage boy sitting on rock

Encouraging your boy to express his emotions doesn’t mean condoning aggressive actions. Emphasize that while getting angry is perfectly okay, hitting anyone or insulting them isn’t. He is still responsible for his behavior regardless of whatever emotions he has churning inside him.

6. Teach him to cope with negative emotions.

Negative emotions are a part of life and it’s important for your teen to find healthy ways to express such feelings too. Left unchecked, negative emotions have the potential to wreak havoc in your teen’s life, making him lash out or leaving him overwhelmed. There are different ways for him to deal with emotions such as anger, grief, disappointment, etc. Some of these include talking things over with a trusted adult, releasing these emotions through physical activity or sports or even finding creative outlets like art or music to express himself.

As society does its best to turn our boys into men who are only capable of expressing anger or aggression, it’s up to us to counter this message and help boys express emotions. By teaching our sons to understand, embrace and freely express their emotions in respectful and healthy ways, we’re helping them take steps towards having well-balanced, fulfilling lives.

About the Author

Cindy Price is proud wife and mom to three teenagers. She would like to say she’s a parenting expert but she knows better than to do that. As a parent educator and writer for over 15 years, she’s well-aware how quickly parenting practices evolve. Family is her greatest joy and she hopes her writing can help make families stronger.

Kids

5 Ways to Ensure Your Child Is Getting Enough Physical Activity

by Jennifer Landis November 6, 2019

written by Jennifer Landis

For most of your child’s school day, they have to sit down and listen to their teacher. A good education has countless merits, so you want them to sit, listen and learn. However, you know the importance of physical activity for children too — not only do they need to burn off restless energy, but doing so can greatly improve their health as well. And improving physical fitness now sets the groundwork for a healthy future. Stronger muscles, improved endurance and aerobic fitness will stay with kids who engage in physical activity from an early age.

Of course, you can encourage such activity at home, but you want to make sure your child gets a bit of action at school too. Here’s how to ensure they get a break to stretch their legs.

1. Talk to the Teachers

Firstly, your child’s teacher can tell you how much time they spend on their feet during the school week. Find out when they have physical education classes and for how long. Apart from that, the teacher can let you know how long recess is and what your child tends to do during that outside time.

You might also want to chat with the school gym teacher. They can give you a better idea of what your child gets up to in gym class. The sessions might have a routine — stretching and warm-ups that lead into sports training, for instance. Find out how much your son or daughter participates as well. If they’re often choosing to sit on the bench, they might need to do more exercise after school.

On that note, keep in mind that the Department of Health and Human Services recommends that children get one hour of physical activity every day. If you find that your little one doesn’t get enough exercise at recess or in gym class, supplement the time with after-school activities.

2. Be an Example

It’s no secret that children often emulate their parents’ behaviors. If they see you avoiding exercise, they’re likely to follow suit. Instead, be a good example to your child. Be vocal about your physical fitness pursuits and how much you enjoy them. Seeing you on your feet will inspire your kiddo to get on theirs. Teachers can step into a similar role, and it’s one of the best ways to promote physical activity in schools. Together, you can both motivate your child to get up and get going.

3. Find Activities Your Little One Enjoys

Perhaps your child needs a bit more physical activity than what they get from gym class and recess. If so, enlist them in an activity that gets them moving with enthusiasm. The school itself might have afternoon intramural leagues — hone in on the sport(s) your little one enjoys so that they look forward to going. You can also find similar activities at local gyms and churches. Or, consider signing your kid up for lessons to learn a physical skill, such as swimming, dance or karate.

Don’t do any of this without finding out your child’s interests. They won’t want to go or participate if you enlist them in an activity they don’t like. But something that excites them? That’s the best way to get them moving.

4. Schedule a Play Date

Playing outside is more fun with a friend — your child will certainly agree with that statement. Reach out to other parents to set up playdates for both of your kids. You can take them to a local playground and get them moving that way. Alternatively, sign them up for an after-school activity to help them feel more comfortable thanks to the buddy by their side.

You can also simply let them loose in the backyard or playroom of your home and see what they get up to. Without access to electronic toys, they’ll probably get on their feet and play together in no time.

5. Plan Family Outings Too

As previously mentioned, you should lead by example when it comes to physical fitness. Make it your mission to plan family activities that take you outside. It can be as simple as setting your timer and taking a walk. Kids with a competitive spirit will love to race against time and see how far they can go in a half-hour’s time.

Of course, you can get more creative than that. Perhaps you can orchestrate an outdoor scavenger hunt, in which your child has to find pine cones, acorns, leaves and other natural materials. Or, buy a kite and head to an open field to run it and fly it in the sky. Not only will you improve your child’s physical fitness, but you’ll also make memories because you’re doing it together. As a parent, you already know there’s nothing better.

Get Moving Today

With very little effort, you can make sure your child gets the exercise they need to stay healthy and happy. Follow the above steps to ensure you’re both content with the physical activities in which your kiddo participates. The best news is that no matter what you choose, you’ll be setting your little one on a path to live healthily for years to come. Get everyone moving today and feel better tomorrow!

Family Fun Holiday Kids Motherhood

5 Steps in Planning a Road Trip with the Kids

by LifeAsMama October 28, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

Road trips are part of the fabric of American culture. A great, flexible and affordable way to see the country, many people favor long drives over air travel to get around. Of course, whilst road trips are fun and exciting some of the time, spending long hours and days cooped up in a car on the road can have its challenges. When you add the kids into the equation those challenges can amplify. However, with a little preparation and some ‘off-road’ thinking, you can anticipate and negate the problems commonly faced when you take your family on the road and maximize the fun.

Packing and Preparation

Being well prepared is key for any long journey. Gone are the days where you and your partner could just throw a bag in the trunk, jump in the car and GO. With the kids in tow, a much greater degree of preparation is necessary. As you aren’t limited by airline luggage restrictions, packing doesn’t need to be as restrained as you’re used to. Depending on how long you’re going to be on the road you should aim to pack one appropriately sized bag per passenger. That way you can factor in all gear for all types of weather, and various types of footwear to suit any terrain, meaning you can enjoy all the sites and attractions along your way. Make sure you pack at least one or two in-car bags full of snacks, cleaning wipes, extra layers and emergency supplies (more on these later). Also, give your car a good service before you set out.

Choosing Destinations

The key to a successful road trip with children is planning where you will end up each night. It’s important to remember that with kids you need to allow more time for everything – from packing up the car to visiting tourist attractions and stopping for restroom breaks. When choosing your nightly stopovers it may be a good idea to go for places that include breakfast so you can fuel your troops before you start – this will eliminate the need for an early stop and get you on your way more quickly.

And of course, the big question is where you actually want to go – the Coasts are ever-popular choices, packed full of stunning nature, exciting cities and towns and classic destinations. Whether you’re discovering the gems of the East, like Niagra Falls or taking in the splendors of the Sonoma Valley on the West. Choose what you want to see and do, and leave enough time to see and do it – there is no point in rushing through amazing attractions just because you need to keep on schedule. Getting the kids involved in the planning process is a great way for them to feel more involved, and make the days more goal-oriented – much better than being sat in the back seat feeling aimless for hours at a time.

Fun and Games

And talking of long highway journeys, it’s important to remember that children have a much lower boredom threshold than adults. While you may be content to gaze at the passing scenery and listen to the gentle hum of the engine for hours at a time, the little passengers in the back will be getting increasingly restless. Have a selection of car-friendly games and activities planned out. In the mornings the kids are going to have much more energy, so games with lots of interaction are best (‘I spy with my little eye’, or other classic car games are great). In the afternoons the chances are that everyone (except, hopefully, the driver) will be getting a little drowsy, so more relaxed pursuits such as drawing, reading or watching movies on phones or tablets can work well. If you want to add a bit of road trip education into the mix then getting the kids to read the map or the GPS and give directions (probably best to supervise unless you want to end up lost) is a great way to get them involved.

Emergencies

Back to being prepared. Make sure you have a well-stocked first-aid kit – bandages, plasters, gauze, antiseptic, treatments for poison oak or any of nature’s other miseries are all a must – and travel sickness treatment to alleviate everyone’s suffering. Make sure you take all medications for the whole family and keep them somewhere secure where only the adults can access. Keep track of where you are and make sure you have all the appropriate emergency numbers (the local coastguard if you’re by the sea, or the forest rangers if you’re in the wilderness, for example). As with any adventure – hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

Snacks and Meals

It’s almost a tradition to hit the junk food when you’re on a road trip. Outlets seem to be placed every few miles along the way, and it’s quick and easy. However, you don’t really want your kids eating fast food constantly, so planning healthy alternatives to munch on for the trip is essential. Choose fruits that aren’t too sticky and messy, such as apples and pears, and make sure you have a selection of nuts to nibble at. Sandwiches will replace burgers and hotdogs easily enough, and are easier on the wallet as well as the waistline.

The key to a successful road trip is, at the end of the day, enjoyment. However, preparation ahead of time, and the ability to quickly address your little troopers’ needs, whether they be appetite, health, boredom related or anything else will mean less on-the-road stress and more road trip fun. For all of you.

About the Author

Bethany Seton is a real estate agent from Melbourne. For the last two years, she decided to leave her office job and follow her passion for writing and traveling. Currently, she travels with her laptop and writes for various blogs, hoping one day she will gather all the experience she gets in one book.

Baby Kids

102 Most Popular Baby Names Of 2019—So Far This Year

by Amber King October 17, 2019

written by Amber King

The year isn’t quite over, but baby fever is strong this season. We’re busy welcoming all the fall newborns, and some of the early 2019ers are already reaching some big milestones. With all those sweet babes to cuddle, we’ve noticed some interesting trends in this year’s most popular baby names.

2019 Trends

Nature-related names are attracting more attention, and names originally popular in generations past are making a modern comeback. There are even a few new names inspired by this year’s pop culture and last century’s literature. Who would have guessed that Ophelia and Atticus would end up on the same list as Maisie and Finn? One of our favorite trends in 2019 popular baby names is nicknames. Instead of assigning children full-on formal names that never get used, parents are opting to put nicknames right on the birth certificates.

popular baby names

To get an idea of what names parents are gravitating toward, we turned to Nameberry. This site updates their list of popular baby names on a monthly basis. The data is based on the number of views each name page receives during a given time. So while the list isn’t an official tally of given names this year, it’s an accurate predictor of what names you’re likely to see in upcoming nurseries.

So without further ado, here are the top 51 most popular baby names for boys and girls so far in 2019.

Girls

Olivia
Aurora
Luna
Evelyn
Charlotte
Isla
Amelia
Cora
Eleanor
Eloise
Maeve
Ivy
Ada
Genevieve
Lisann
Ophelia
Amara
Adelaide
Violet
Alice
Aurelia
Isabella
Lucy
Hazel
Iris
Astrid
Penelope
Elodie
Elizabeth
Maya
Clara
Ava
Chloe
Mia
Phoebe
Audrey
Adah
Freya
Maisie
Rose
Anna
Imogen
Willow
Arabella
Esme
Evangeline
Nora
Jane
Claudia
Anastasia
Adeline

Boys

Oliver
Milo
Asher
Silas
Jasper
Jack
Theodore
Finn
Levi
Aarav
Henry
Felix
Atticus
Oscar
Wyatt
Theo
Ethan
Leo
Liam
Jude
Aryan
Arthur
Ezra
James
Josiah
Benjamin
Aaron
Julian
Arlo
Zachary
Emmett
Sebastian
Jayden
Soren
Declan
Archer
Rowan
Eli
Thomas
Miles
Caleb
Tobias
Kai
Charlie
Cassius
Axel
Roman
Elijah
Atlas
Zane
Max

Did you end up choosing one of these popular baby names for your 2019 baby? Let us know in the comments!

Health Kids Little Kid Motherhood Toddler

How To Get Your Child Ready For The Dentist

by LifeAsMama October 14, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

Children should have their first dental appointment a few months after their first teeth come out. For most children this will be between 6 months and 1 years old. These very early dental appointments will usually just involve a quick check to make sure that the first teeth are coming through without problem, and will be more focussed on instructing parents on how to look after these early teeth.

The most important dental appointments for children occur at around the age of 3 or 4. This is for two reasons. Firstly, children at this age are starting to take responsibility for looking after their own teeth. Getting the right instruction and guidance from a dentist is vital at this point. Secondly, children can start to form meaningful associations, both positive and negative, with going to the dentist at this age.

Early negative experiences with the dentist can cause an avoidant pattern of behavior, as far as dental visits go. Avoiding the dentist in early adulthood is one of the biggest causes of serious dental problems down the line.

Therefore, in order to keep their teeth healthy throughout adulthood it’s absolutely vital that a child has positive early experiences with the dentist. Here are a few ways that you can make sure that this happens.

kid brushing teeth child dentist

Make sure that your child knows what to expect at the dentist

The reason why a lot of people dislike going to the dentist is that it’s such an unusual experience. Laying on your back with your mouth open while someone touches your teeth is not something that happens in any other setting.

Your child is far more likely to have a positive experience at the dentist if they know what it will actually involve. It’s therefore important that you talk to them about what happens at a dental appointment, and why they do what they do. Have your child touch their own teeth to see what it feels like.

Getting used to the sensation of having their teeth felt will make the experience much less unpleasant when it actually comes to visiting the dentist.

Have your child practice having their mouth open

This may sound strange, but the experience of having your mouth open as wide as possible can be strange and unpleasant to a child. It can work muscles that are not used to being used, and can make the mouth feel dry and scratchy.

The best way to get accustomed to having your mouth open for several minutes is through practice. In the few days that lead up to the dental appointment, have your child keep their mouth open for a minute at a time.

This will both get your child used to the feeling of having their mouth open as wide as possible, but will also make the actual dental appointment run much quicker and smoother.

Plan out what questions you want to ask the dentist

Seeing the dentist is a great opportunity for a child to ask any questions about their mouth and teeth that may be worrying them. This could include questions about baby teeth becoming wobbly or any discomfort that they may be feeling when teeth come out.

In the vast majority of cases issues that your child may be worried about will be perfectly normal, and the dentist will be able to put their mind at ease. This reassurance can help build a positive relationship between the child and the dentist which will lead to a proactive approach to managing and preventing oral health problems as they get older

It’s also well worth thinking about what you want to ask the dentist about your child’s teeth before you go to an appointment.

child at the dentist

How to handle suggestions for improvement from the dentist

Perhaps the largest reason why people don’t like going to the dentist is because they associate it with lectures about how they are not looking after their teeth properly. Such criticism can particularly affect a child, leading to feelings of shame around their teeth and promoting a pattern of behaviour where teeth are neglected because of this shame.

Of course, if a dentist is overly critical to a child and their parents, that is poor practice and you should seek out a different dentist.

However, if a dentist sees problems with a child’s teeth, it is their responsibility to suggest ways that these problems can be fixed. Usually these problems will boil down to a “brushing blindspot” namely a part of the mouth (usually at the back) which is being missed during brushing.

You should reassure your child that brushing is a skill that takes practice, and that they should not feel down if their teeth are not perfect. Work with your child to implement any advice from a dentist. When improvement is reported during your child’s next dental visit, praise and reward them for their hard work.

Treat your child after a dental visit

Going to see the dentist is a very healthy and responsible thing to do. It should be rewarded as such. Make sure that you do something fun with your child immediately after the dental appointment.

The more your child associates dental appointment with pleasant experiences (even if they only occur soon after the appointment), the more likely they are to be proactive about seeing the dentist in the future.

About the Author

Ron Baise is a dentist with over 30 years experience. He is currently an Associate Dentist and 92 Dental in London, England.

Baby Health Kids Little Kid Motherhood Pre-Teen Toddler

Childhood Sleep Apnea: What Parents Need to Know

by LifeAsMama October 14, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, 1 to 4% of children in the United States are diagnosed with sleep apnea and most of them are between ages 2 to 8 years.

What is child sleep apnea?

Child sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where a child takes short pauses in breathing while sleeping.

What causes child sleep apnea?

Pediatric sleep apnea is often caused because the muscles in the upper airway relax while the child sleeps. This makes the muscles susceptible and allowsthe tonsils and adenoids to restrict the airflow in the upper respiratory system. This causes sleep apnea in children.

It can be genetic and can also occur in children who have large adenoids and tonsils. If sleep apnea is untreated or undiagnosed, it can pose behavioral as well as physical problems in children.

girl sleeping child sleep apnea

What are the sleep apnea symptoms in children you need to watch out for?

A child with sleep apnea may have the following symptoms:

At night,

Regularly snore loudly
Pause, snort or gasp and may actually stop breathing. Their own snorts or gasps may awaken them from their sleep.
Sleep in abnormal positions or be restless throughout the night
Sweat profusely during sleep
Tooth grinding (bruxism)

During the day,

Difficulty in waking up
Wake up with a headache
Get cranky, irritated or agitated
Fall asleep or daydream
Breathe through the mouth and speak with a nasal voice

If you see these signs in your child, talk to your pediatrician or a pediatric dentist. Consulting a pediatric dentist may seem an unlikely suggestion, but it is the right way to go about it because pediatric dentists are probably the first in line to detect sleep disorders.

If a pediatrician or a pediatric dentist thinks you are showing signs of sleep apnea, a sleep study may be conducted.

How is sleep apnea medically diagnosed?

A test called polysomnogram may be conducted to assess whether a child is suffering from sleep apnea. The test is painless and requires you to stay overnight at the sleep clinic along with your child.

During the sleep study, the following is monitored:

Eye movement and muscle activity
Brain waves
Oxygen levels in the blood
Breathing
Gasping and snoring while sleeping

What are the treatment options?

If your child is diagnosed with sleep apnea, there are a number of treatment options available. The doctor may choose the treatment option that is best suited for your child’s condition.

Surgery: A widely accepted treatment for childhood sleep apnea is the surgical removal of tonsils and adenoids. This procedure is known as adenotonsillectomy.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): This therapy requires wearing a mask while sleeping. A tube connects the mask to a portable unit, which then applies pressure to open the throat muscles and prevent them from blocking the air passage, thus allowing regular breathing.

Diet and Medication:Some children may suffer from sleep apnea due to obesity. Doctors may recommend diet and weight loss programs to correct the sleep problem.Medication may be prescribed, which may include antibiotics (if surgery was done) or topical intranasal application of corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory medication.

Oral Appliance Therapy: This therapy has emerged as an alternative to surgery and CPAP therapy. This therapy makes use of a dental device that works as a mouthpiece moving the bottom jaw and tongue forward to keep the upper airway open for the child to breathe normally. The oral appliance therapy can be worked out under the supervision of a pediatric dentist.

Bottom Line

Dentists can detect the early signs of sleep apnea. Therefore, you must involve your family dentist in your child’s healthcare program. Get a regular dental check-up done to ensure that your child receives the right treatment at the right time.

About the Author

Shen Chao is part of Dr. Joshua Hong’s Smile Clinic. While working for the Smile Clinic, he’s gained first hand experiences into the questions and concerns that dental patients have. He has been writing to inform people about various dental topics to help his readers improve their oral health. When he’s not working, you can find him on a hiking trail with his dog or having a Sunday cook-out with friends.

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Teach Them Right: The Benefits Of Having Pets For Kids

by LifeAsMama October 11, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

All pet owners know how much our furry little friends make our lives better. A pet near us means we will be healthier, happier, stronger, and more open to people and to life. Namely, a dog, a cat, a bird, a hamster, all of these are companions that give us unconditional love.

We all want the best for our children, we want them to grow up strong and healthy, adventurous and stable, curious and imaginative. We strive towards preserving that childlike wonder and innocence in the modern world, while still teaching them how to actually survive in it, how to not be lead astray by their own wonder and curiosity. The article below notes the benefits pets have for our children, both in terms of their physical and their mental health, their responsibility, and their empathy.

There are tangible, biological benefits to health and stress reduction

There are two very important ways a pet improves your child’s health. First of all, it reduces the stress your child feels throughout the day. Remember, just because your kid doesn’t have your obligations doesn’t mean he or she doesn’t have any stress. School, preschool, it can all be difficult for your child. With a pet, they get some comfort. Petting an animal lowers cortisol levels, the stress hormone.

The second way pets help is through lowering said stress hormone. Cortisol messes with our immune systems, it puts a strain on them, making us more susceptible to diseases and just getting sick. Furthermore, being exposed to a dog’s or cat’s germs form a young age means you are building up their immune system from an early age. You are essentially toughening them up through exposure.

Finally, they will just get a lot more exercise since they are going to walk them regularly, as well as playing and roughhousing. Anything that pries them, and you, away from a computer or smartphone screen.

boy with pet dog puppy

Responsibility and confidence

Many parents get their children a pet as a way to teach them how to be more responsible, surer of themselves. Namely, getting a pet means they have very strong, important motivation to actually learn how to be responsible. You can bury them in chores, bribe them, threaten them with curfews and lower their pocket money, but you can get much better, more organic results with a pet.

Namely, a pet is a living, breathing thing they love and care about. There is no better way to motivate them to learn how to be responsible then to care about their favorite member of their family.

On a practical level, this means they will get up at the same time every day (or most days) to walk the dog, or to feed the cat. They will clean up after their pets, taking care of bird cages, litter boxes, and hamster wheels. You can even send them to the pets store if they’re old enough.

On your part, you need to teach them properly, instead of them getting the animal, or themselves, into trouble. Talk to your veterinarian, and give very clear instructions when it comes to diet. Read articles from good websites, like, Totally Goldens, or maybe pick up a magazine recommended by your vet. Your child will most likely want to feed your pets as much as possible, just because they see that they like it. You have to explain to them why this doesn’t work. Or, they may not understand why walking your dog is so important, or why you can’t feed xyz to your pet.

Help children develop empathy

A pet gives unconditional love – they do not judge, they don’t care who you are, where you come from, who your parents are – a pet will love you and your child unconditionally. They give comfort, support, they listen intently… You, your kids, your family are the number one thing in their lives. They are the best, most loyal friends anyone can hope for.

This showing of unconditional love can teach your children how to be loving back, they help them build empathy. Furthermore, caring for a dog or a cat or whatever pet you have teaches them to be empathic, to put the needs of someone, or something, else in front of their own needs.

They also get the opportunity to practice their verbal skills even when they are not in the company of other people. Young children will get to talk a lot more, they will communicate to their pets, explain things to them, in general, keep their minds occupied.

Conclusion

A pet can do wonders for your children’s development. It teaches them what unconditional love is, what it looks like. You can also help your kids develop empathy, as well as work towards improving their verbal skills and communicative skills. They will become more confident and responsible by taking care of the pets, and they will also be healthier due to lower stress and regular exposure to their furry best friends.

About the Author

Kimberly Anderson is a simple girl that has a weak spot for dogs, cappuccino and sleep. She’s also a writer and everlasting enthusiast who believes that there is nothing better starting your day with a hot cup of coffee.

Baby and mother sleeping together in bed

Baby Health Motherhood

The Link Between Depression in Mothers and Their Baby’s Sleep

by LifeAsMama October 11, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

It’s common for newborn babies to not sleep through the night, as do their parents. However, research shows that the first six months of life are extremely important in the development of sleeping patterns (circadian rhythms) for the future. New studies show that babies whose mothers suffered from depression before they were pregnant or during their pregnancy are much more likely to having erratic sleep patterns in their first six months than other babies. We’ll explore in this article exactly what this link means for newborns.

mom happy holding baby sleep

The Background to the Study

This latest study comes from years of studying the link between sleep and depression and circadian rhythms, and finding that they were closely interlinked. At first, the research focused on adults and teenagers, before they moved on to looking at the link in newborns. This research is based on studies of sleep between two groups of newborn babies and their mothers. One group is comprised of mothers who suffered from depression during their pregnancy, and the other group is made up of women who have never suffered from depression in the past or present.

The Study Details

The women in both groups wore small devices on their wrists called actigraphs which evaluated how much sleep they got at night, how much light exposure, and their daytime routine including activity and naps. They started wearing them during the last trimester until their babies were eight months old. Two weeks after the birth of their babies, each child also received a small actigraph to wear for eight months.

Impact on Circadian Rhythm

The study showed quite conclusively that babies who were born to depressed mothers had nearly zero or zero evidence of an innate 24-hour circadian rhythm after birth, whereas the babies born to mothers without depression had this. This continued throughout the length of the study. As Nancy Kruger, a psychology writer at Australian help and Oxessays explains, “if sleep is constantly disrupted and there are no clear circadian rhythms, these individuals grow up to be much more likely to also develop depression. This is why it’s so important for all babies and new mothers to get the best sleep possible.”

Napping Patterns

One key connection found that babies born to moms who were depressed tend to nap more during the day, take more time to get to sleep at night, and also wake up much more often throughout their sleep. This is like insomnia in adults but starts much earlier. This creates more sleepless nights in parents but also means that those children may be more likely to suffer from depression later on in their lives. Researchers did reassure families that babies born to depressed mothers will not necessarily follow in their footsteps even if depression runs in families, while also warning non-depressed parents that they should still closely monitor their baby’s sleep.

Mom and baby sleep depression

The First Months

It’s very important for babies to be trained in the fist few months to sleep when it’s dark and be awake when it’s light out, so that their circadian rhythm can develop properly. Young babies that are two months or younger need 11 to 18 hours of sleep, so napping is also recommended, and for the next ten months 11 to 15 hours of sleep is required. Then, infants between the ages of 1 and 3 need 12 to 14 hours. That’s why it’s important to establish rituals around bedtime to help children understand the difference between nighttime sleeping and daytime sleeping, such as night clothes and day clothes.

Building a Schedule

It’s also important to build a sleep schedule around bright lights during the day to get your body’s circadian rhythm to associated light cycles with sleeping. Make sure you’re not shining the light in their eyes and they’re protected from direct sunlight. By four months old, the sleep schedule should be much more regular and centered on nighttime sleep with fewer breaks. In fact, Georgie Prince, a health blogger at Academized and Paper Fellows, adds that “during this time, it’s also important for the new mother to sleep on a regular schedule as well. The post-natal period is a high-risk time for depression in new mothers, even if they have no prior background of depression, and lack of sleep is a contributing factor.”

By making sure you’re monitoring your baby’s sleep patterns and building a natural schedule for sleep from the earliest age, you’re giving your child the best possible chances to have normal sleep patterns later in life and prevent depression.

About the Author

Ellie Coverdale, a health writer at Ukwritings and Essayroo, shares her insights on psychology and health in families. She is interested in the links between families and physical and mental health. You can also find her work at Boomessays. In her free time, she practices yoga and meditation.

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