Category:

Pre-Teen

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Childhood Sleep Apnea: What Parents Need to Know

by LifeAsMama
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
  • young boy sleeping kid sleep apnea

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
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.

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Best Backyard Add-ons for Your Kids

by LifeAsMama
written by LifeAsMama

For a family with kids, younger or older, no backyard can truly feel like part of home unless it is adjusted to children’s needs and interests. If you want your child to fall in love with the outdoors and the endless variety of activities it offers, start by transforming your yard into a children’s fantasy world. Though the options are many, we can elaborate on a few favorites that certainly won’t let you down.

1 – Outdoor chalkboards and easels

Have you noticed that your child enjoys the magic that a paintbrush or a simple colored pencil can create? Don’t hesitate to get a couple of chalkboards for your yard so your son or daughter can continue to nurture their talent. Outdoor chalkboards (or canvas on an easel) are a highly convenient solution for parents who wish to keep their children entertained while also avoiding having a big mess inside the house. If you want to do something even more interesting, you can turn part of the fencing into a big chalkboard wall.

2 – Yard sandbox

If you think back to your own childhood, you are more than likely to reminisce of your own little sand haven you loved to play in. Not only do sandboxes help develop an outdoorsy spirit in kids, but they also have multiple other benefits. Set one in your own backyard and your children will get a chance to further learn and improve their social, motor, and practical skills, grow genuine curiosity and eagerness to explore their environment through direct physical contact, and also stimulate and enrich their own imagination. These add-ons are physically beneficial as well, as they help kids strengthen different groups of muscles, especially those in the arms and hands.

3 – Child-friendly swimming pool

Okay, this one probably should be the first item here—undoubtedly, almost every child wants to have a pool at home. Funwise and healthwise, it goes without saying that swimming pools are an absolutely fantastic add-on for a backyard. They are an endless source of entertainment, not only for children, but for adults, too.

It needs to be emphasized, though, that they do require a higher level of supervision and caution on behalf of parents, so children should not be left alone during their fun time in the water. Preferably, for extra safety, you could also add a fence around the swimming pool to prevent children from accidentally falling in if they do spend part of their time in the backyard unsupervised. Whenever we are talking safety measures, the best thing is to consult specialists and professionals. Exterior are a really wise choice if you want the perfect combination of adventure and safety in your children’s swimming pool.

4 – Swings

Swings sound like a great option for backyards with limited space and if you prefer to keep your child engaged in a single activity for a longer period of time. Even in a smaller area where there isn’t much room for running or playing sports, a nice swing can give your child a sense of freedom, movement, and spaciousness thanks to its dynamic nature. Even on a cold and rainy day, your little one will probably ask to go and play on the swing rather than stay indoors.

5 – Hammocks and silly spinners

If you have bigger trees in your backyard, you could also consider getting a sturdy hammock and/or a silly spinner. They are both excellent alternatives for standard swings, not to mention that they are just as much fun. If you are in a creative mood, you also have the option of making a silly spinner yourself instead of buying one. What is more, you can ask your child to contribute to the process of making the spinner, for example to paint it. This will only make your son or daughter enjoy it even more since they will know they helped bring this creation into existence.

6 – Slides

Slides are also a truly convenient add-on, being that both younger and older children find them a lot of fun. They also come in different shapes, sizes, and are made from different materials, so it is easy to find a slide which will be suitable to your child’s age and physical characteristics.

7 – Climbing tires

If you have some old tires lying about in the garage, here’s a great way to recycle them. Turn these eyesores into an attraction by transforming them into climbing tires. What makes them such an excellent addition to your backyard is that little kids in particular seem to find them irresistible when learning to walk and establish balance, while also strengthening their muscles at the same time. Climbing tires are budget-friendly and even more fun when painted in bright colors kids will easily fall in love with!

In conclusion…

For any parent who wants to inspire in their child an affinity and respect towards the great outdoors, smartly chosen backyard add-ons are the right call. Allow your little one to explore and grasp the world through a thought-provoking, inspiring, exciting corner of their own home where they will feel safe and taken care of.

About the Author

Ron Wolf is a freelance writer, hobby designer and DIY enthusiast.

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Easy Ways to Boost Your Kids’ Immune System

by LifeAsMama
written by LifeAsMama

As a parent, one of your biggest concerns is your children’s health. If you could, you would wave a magic wand to ensure they never got sick – but sadly, you can’t. The good news is, there are still things you can do to boost their immune systems – and most of them are easy!

We’ve compiled a list of some of the best and easiest ways to give your kids a boost in the health department without losing all your money – or your sanity.

boost-kids-immune-system

Let them get dirty! This may seem counterproductive, but hundreds of studies show that letting your kids be exposed to bacteria in things such as mud, dirt, and even on other kids will do wonders for their immune systems later on. While they may get sick at first, exposing them to the germs of everyday life will help train their bodies’ immune systems to fight off bacteria faster and more efficiently in the future. This isn’t to say you should purposefully expose your kids to dangerous illnesses, but when it comes to eating dirt or touching toys at daycare, relax and let your kid do what kids do!

Supplement with vitamins and probiotics. This is another cheap, easy way to keep your kids’ health in check with a simple pill or gummy each day. There are hundreds of different vitamins and mineral supplements for kids and teens, as well as probiotics that help keep their body systems operating as they should be by replenishing good bacteria that keep them healthy. Bonus: many vitamins come in fun flavors and shapes and taste more like candy than a health supplement, so you may find that your kids actually look forward to taking their vitamins each night. (Just be sure they don’t have access to them while unsupervised to prevent them from eating too many at once!)

boost-kids-immune-system

Make it a point to enforce a bedtime. Let’s face it: a tired child gets sick much easier than a well-rested child. This is because when their little bodies are run down, they are more susceptible to everyday germs, viruses, and bacteria. By enforcing an appropriately early bedtime, you can ensure that your kids will wake up in a better mood, more alert, and also in a better position to fight off sickness – and it will give you more quiet time at night!

Take antibiotics the right way. The rise of superbugs (infections that are resistant to antibiotics) are caused by 1) taking antibiotics when they aren’t necessary and 2) not finishing a dose completely. Antibiotics will not help a cold or sore throat unless there is an active infection such as a sinus infection or strep. Giving your child antibiotics they don’t need will not only not help them get better, but destroy the good bacteria in their systems and weaken their immune system’s ability to fight of what they do have now and in the future. In addition, if a doctor does prescribe your child antibiotics, be sure he or she takes the entire dose (even if she starts to feel better.) Often, children can start feeling better before the bacteria is completely dead. If the antibiotics are stopped, the bacteria can grow back stronger and even immune to said antibiotic – a scary position no one wants to put their child in.

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Encourage exercise. It’s no surprise that the immune system benefits from regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle. Exercise not only produces changes in white blood cells that fight disease, but the temporary increase in body temperature following a sweat session can help kill bacteria! You don’t have to take your kids on ten-mile runs to reap the benefits of exercise – simple games of kickball or jumprope with friends, or participation in sports can check this box for you and ensure your child’s heart and muscles are healthy, too!

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Don’t slack on fruit. Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins when it comes to the immune system – there is a reason people take vitamin C drops when they are starting to feel sick! Not only does vitamin C help kill microbes, but boosts the immune system as a whole. The best part is, vitamin C is found in nearly every fruit, with high concentrations in oranges, cherries, kiwi, apples, and more. Fruit is a classic kid favorite because of its sweet and juicy taste, so chances are, you won’t hear any complaints from your tot when incorporating more fruits into his diet!

If they are sick, let them rest. While no parent wants to see their child sick in bed, encouraging her to get up and continue daily life when she’s still feeling down or just starting to feel better may open a door for the same illness (or another) to come back. Rest is the most important thing for the immune system while it is hard at work, so letting your daughter take that extra sick day from school and watch cartoons may be your best bet. Only send them back to school when they are feeling better and no longer contagious – you don’t want to make someone else’s baby sick!

boost-kids-immune-system

Employ basic hygiene practices like hand washing. Hand washing, while being the best way to prevent the flu, is also a champ at preventing other diseases, as well. Most germs end up on our hands, and then in our mouths, nose or eyes, which is where they infect us. Keeping clean by hand washing, taking regular baths or showers, and brushing teeth are a great way to keep germs off and prevent illness. Be sure to teach your kids how to do all these things properly, and you’ll have a much healthier, happier family!

There you have it! These are doubtlessly the best, most efficient ways to boost your kids’ immune systems without breaking the bank. The best part is, most of these tips are beneficial for other reasons, too, contributing to healthier child in every way. Comment down below with your go-to tips for keeping your kids healthy, along with which of these tips you’re excited to try!

Dani Fogel. is a Communication Coordinator at Brandable, based in Los Angeles, CA. She works on the Queen V brand within the company’s Digital and Ecommerce department.

 

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How to Get Outside With Your Kids This Fall

by Jennifer Landis
written by Jennifer Landis

During the summer, it’s easy to get the kids outside. As soon as that fall air rolls in, though — and brings with it cold temps and rainy days — it can seem much harder to do so.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this colorful season with your children, both inside and out. If you need fresh air but don’t know how to get it, read on. We have five ideas for getting your brood outdoors this autumn and beyond.

1. Color Walks

As we know, fall has plenty of colorful foliage to stare at for hours on end. So, grab your kids and take them outside to check out the leaves and all the other eye-catching plants that grow during this time. Don’t just call it a nature walk — consider this stroll to be a color walk. Choose a particular hue, or let your child choose the shade they like best. Then, as you walk around, have them point out everything they find that’s that color. If you have a digital camera and trust your little one enough to use it, then they can take pictures of everything they see for even more color-walk fun.

2. Leaf Jumping

This one’s a classic, but it’s so much fun that it’s worth mentioning. Have your kids help you gather up the leaves in your yard. Not only will they burn off some energy doing so, but they’ll also help get the job done quicker. Having a few helpers will make the task simpler on you.

Once they’ve built a giant pile of foliage, let them go wild. Jumping in and out of the leaves just never gets old — join them for a few leaps and see. You can mix things up by fashioning your leaf pile into another interesting activity. For instance, some have built a leaf slide. They place their foliage mound at the base of a slide and zoom into it. You can also use your leaves to outline a small backyard maze. Regardless of how you play with the leaves, one thing’s for sure — your kids will love it, and they’ll never forget it.

3. Playground Games

When you play outside in summer, it’s often too hot to do anything but splash in the pool or run through the sprinkler. In the cool fall air, though, you can have your kids play and run in the yard. So, take advantage of the cooler temps and set up a group game. You might want to rely on some of your playground favorites. Something as simple as tag, kickball or red rover can do the trick.

There are so many benefits to organizing a playground-style game for your kids. Little ones who spend all their time indoors may be more susceptible to obesity, which remains an epidemic across the country. On the other hand, if they play outside, your kids will develop healthy behaviors that push them to exercise throughout their lives. Plus, such playground games give them the chance to build teamwork and social skills.

4. Orchard Visits

Fall brings us gorgeous foliage, but it also brings a slew of new fruits and veggies to be harvested. In some cases, farmers will open up their fields for the public to pick their own produce to bring home and enjoy.

For instance, a local orchard might allow people to come in and pick apples directly from their trees. You might hop onto the back of a tractor or pickup truck to visit a pumpkin patch. There, you and your kiddos can select the perfect gourd for your front stoop. All the while, your kids can run around and explore the farmland around them. At the same time, you’ll all be taking in some much needed fresh fall air.

5. Scavenger Hunts

What bits of nature can you find in your backyard or at the local park? Let your kids answer that question. Start by drawing up a list of common fall finds, such as pinecones, acorns and leaves — one in each color. See how many items your kids can knock off the roster.

If you don’t have enough variety in natural elements, then combine your scavenger hunt with a walk through the neighborhood. Make sure to add other autumn finds to your list. Some fall scavenger hunt lists for kids will include pumpkins, scarecrows, bales of hay and other decor. They may not come from nature, but your kids will have a blast scoping out their neighbors’ homes in search of the must-sees on their scavenger hunt list.

Fall in Love With the Outdoors

It’s cooler outside, and you might not be able to get out there every day. However, the above five activities will make your outdoor pursuits even more fun for both you and your kids. In fact, such memorable moments will remain with you for years to come — and we bet your kids will beg to do the same activities every year. You and your family will fall in love with the season and the time you spend outside together.

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How To Teach A Hyperactive Child To Channel Their Energy

by Guest Contributor
written by Guest Contributor

When asked the question, “Is your child hyperactive?” almost every parent would say yes. But before you start punishing your child for being hyperactive and before you fall into despair about it, let’s try and understand why your child is acting out with all that energy. Instability and inattentiveness makes it difficult for a child to focus, and you may often find them bouncing from activity to activity with limitless energy and ease.

The biggest hurdle with hyperactive behavior is that your child may have issues with paying attention and sitting still. Also, they may be impulsive and act before they think. But fear not mamas, all this can be handled. What you need to do as a parent is learn how to calm down your child and help them focus. Here are a few tips for when your child’s energy seems limitless, and you both need help.

hyperactive child

Limit Media Stimulation

We all experience a high level of media stimulate, and while it’s not good for anyone, it’s especially detrimental for small kids. Your job here is to limit the time your little one spends in front of a TV, computer, smartphone or any other form of digital media while they’re at home. This is important because  many research has shown that early exposure to television can probably lead to ADHD-like symptoms in children, so don’t put a TV in their room. Have designated time of the day for watching TV, playing games and browsing the internet, and always pay attention to what your child is looking at while online.

Sign Them up for Sports

Physical activity is essential for any child, and it’s especially good for those who are hyperactive. Your first step is to sit down together and talk about the sports they’re potentially interested in. Soccer, football, volleyball, cycling, swimming… Possibilities are endless, and you just need to find something they’ll enjoy. You can even consider signing them up for martial arts. There are so many different martial arts that offer lessons for kids. Certainly, there is no better way for your child to get rid of that excess energy than at such classes, and martial arts are great for teaching discipline, which is always a plus. There’s also the bonus lesson of learning how to take care of their equipment. You just need to make sure to get them a great gym backpack for all their belongings and teach them how to pack, unpack and take care of their things.

Spark Their Creativity

Sometimes, your child might be hyperactive because they don’t know how to express their feelings and creativity. That is why arts and crafts can help them stay focused and express their ideas, feelings and thoughts. Find out what they enjoy the most – it can be anything from painting to woodworking. Whatever it is, make sure to help them turn their creativity into something concrete. You can even sign them up for dance or music classes and teach them how to express their feelings through physical movement. Plus, they will learn something new, their brain will develop, and they will stay focused and channel that energy into something beautiful.

Outdoor Activities

There is nothing better than spending time in the  fresh air enjoying some physical activities together. By going outside to play soccer in your yard, going camping or even going for a light jog together, your child will manage to use the hyperactivity and turn it into something positive. Plus, you will get to spend some great time together. Also, if you go together for a camping weekend, you can teach your child how to set up a tent, light a small campfire, cook and whatnot. Those are all great skills to acquire, and you can go on a short hike through the woods. It’s really a win for the entire family.

Do the Chores Together

After spending a day at school, and if your child comes back home filled with energy, bouncing off the walls, don’t just let them watch TV and waste time. Instead, you can agree to do the chores together. They can help you set the table for dinner, you can teach them how to vacuum and dust or you can even cook some meals together. There is plenty to do around the house and by including them, you will get to spend some great time together. Also, you can show them that chores can be fun, and you are teaching them about hygiene and responsibilities at the same time.

Yes, almost every child is hyperactive, and that’s not always a sign of ADHD. Often they just need some help with expressing themselves, or they are simply bored. To help them channel that energy, you should introduce new hobbies and responsibilities to them. You can easily try any of these activities, and you will notice the change in your child in no time.

Author Bio

Morgan Rose Elliott is an aromatherapist, yoga instructor, animal lover, a happily married mother of two. She enjoys reading biographies and writing poems, sunny days on the beach and any shape and form of vanilla. Crazy about the ’80s, her favorite band is Duran Duran and she is obsessed with Netflix original Stranger Things. Find her on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/MorganRoseElli1

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Your Child’s First Orthodontic Visit – What You Need to Know

by Guest Contributor
written by Guest Contributor

Getting braces has become a rite of passage for children. Every year, millions of children in America get braces or some sort of an orthodontic treatment.  

When your child is getting braces, it is a huge event for the whole family. Orthodontic treatment for children means that the parents also need to educate themselves on the treatment.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when it’s time for your child to get an orthodontic treatment:

At What Age Should Your Child Visit the Orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first check-up with an orthodontist no later than age 7.

This is the age when a child’s permanent teeth start coming in. If your child is at risk of developing any orthodontic problems, they can be diagnosed at their earliest stages. This can help the orthodontist predetermine the plan of action if your child will need orthodontic treatment.

Prepare Your Child For Their First Appointment

Walk your child through what will happen on their first visit to make sure sitting in a dental chair doesn’t scare them off. Talk them through the process of how their first appointment will involve a pain-free examination.

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What to Expect From Your Child’s First Visit

The first visit to the orthodontist will be a basic examination of your child’s teeth, mouth, jaw, and evaluation of treatment options if the orthodontist spots a problem.

The orthodontist will also take X-rays of the mouth to see how the teeth are positioned, and whether permanent teeth are going to come in. The orthodontist will also take impressions of your child’s teeth with a mold which will be the exact replica of your child’s teeth. This will help your orthodontist decide which treatment options are best.

Your child will not be getting braces on the first visit itself. The first visit is just an evaluation of whether braces are needed and if they are, what course the braces treatment should take.

What Will You Learn from Your Child’s First Orthodontic Visit

The first time you take your child to see an orthodontist, you’ll learn whether they need orthodontic treatment and what braces treatment options are available and best suited for your child’s needs.

The options include:

  • Metal braces
  • Ceramic braces
  • Invisalign

If your child doesn’t need treatment to correct an improper smile, then your orthodontist will schedule periodic visits to make sure your child’s permanent teeth are coming in properly.

Image by Marc Thele from Pixabay

Explain to Your Child What Braces Treatment Will Involve

If your child needs to undergo braces treatment, it will be great for your child to understand how braces or Invisalign can straighten crooked teeth, imbalanced jaw structures, and improve the smile so that your child becomes more confident.

It might be useful for your child to talk to a peer who is also going through braces treatment and using braces to correct an improper smile. Your child might be more open to braces treatment if it is easier to relate with their peers and stay enthusiastic about getting braces.

If your child is going through orthodontic treatment, remember that dealing with your child’s questions and doubts with patience is the key. The earlier your child sees the orthodontist, the lesser time treatment will take.

Author Bio:

Creating perfect smiles is what Dr. Satish Pai is committed to. An orthodontist by profession, he believes that a perfect smile is a powerful part of a person’s personality. When he is not working hard on perfecting his patients’ smiles at Putnam Ortho, he is busy writing engaging articles about everything related to healthy and perfect smiles. His other passions include golf, yoga and surfing. Spending time with his family always brings a smile on his face.

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3 Things Parents Must Tell Their Children When They Take Up A Musical Instrument

by Guest Contributor
written by Guest Contributor

All parents of musical children secretly twiddle their thumbs in hope they’ll become proud parents of a prodigy musician, playing in some well-respected conservatory. Of course, most of the parents end up with well-educated, strong-willed and in all ways promising children, but the expectations sometimes overpower reason and not rarely do we encounter young players frustrated and pressured to become something they’re not. This is why it is very important teaching fun, but also realistic and more serious sides of playing a musical instrument.

In the world of brutal competing and the survival of the fittest, it’s hard sometimes standing aside and letting things take their natural course, but for the sake of our children gaining healthy and positive associations to music, every parent must think twice when advising their kids once they’ve taken the road of music playing.

IT’S NOT ALWAYS GOING TO BE FUN AND GAMES

Children should learn to play music regardless of their talent and chances for professional success, since it brings amazing advantages to building healthy habits, improving social skills and self-esteem, boosting cognitive ability and much more. In fact, learning to play an instrument in any case requires a lot of dedication, regular practice, discipline and patience. These soft skills are valuable for building strong and independent personalities, but children being children have a hard time understanding this on their own.

It’s fun to learn new music. It’s fun to play in a group. It’s fun to perform and get standing ovations from an audience. But until it gets this fun and effortless, a lot of hard work and persistence need to be applied. Children are usually impulsive by nature and act in accordance with what they feel and experience at the moment. If your child likes their instrument and doesn’t really like to practice – you are in good company! It doesn’t mean they don’t want to play their instrument. Practice is a discipline that students learn little by little, by trial and error, and with feedback from their teacher. It’s a skill to be developed regardless of playing itself.

Explain to your child that even though it may seem hard and complicated in the beginning, in time they’ll be able to see the results of their hard work and gain a sense of achievement. Help your kid by staying determined and undoubtful about their practicing routine and soon they’ll get used to the tempo and feel the need to do it on their own. Make sure not to strain your child if you notice that the problem is not mere childish impatience, but real aversion to playing.  You have a chance to help your child understand and visualize the fruits of their hard work in the future and that it all eventually pays off.

FAILURE IS INEVITABLE AND IT TEACHES YOU VALUABLE LESSONS

With every long-term goal, a lot of work and motivation is required. With every true work, failure is a must and everyone experiences it from time to time. It’s very important letting your child understand that failure can be a good thing if it’s embraced and reexamined. The only way one can learn is through making mistakes and understanding what’s been done wrong. Nobody is perfect and should not strive to be. Telling your little instrument player that they’ll struggle sometimes and that it’s perfectly fine will make them more motivated, single-minded and feel supported in their journey.

There are no red pen marks for missed notes in music the way there are on tests — there is nothing to feel bad about when you play something “wrong” in music.  To become skilled at a musical instrument one needs to know what it’s like to sound off key.  They need to sound bad before they sound good; they need to work on things just beyond what they are capable of in order to get better and smarter, and that means they need to make mistakes.

HARD WORK BEATS TALENT EVERY TIME

With playing an instrument, as in other areas of life, there’s always going to be someone more talented, more naturally predisposed who’ll go through the process much faster and more effortlessly than your child. This, by all means, doesn’t mean that your kid is not cut for it or that it should be discouraged. In fact, this disadvantage may turn into a positive commitment, a driving force to fight the odds and excel.

Practicing a skill over and over, the right way, fires circuits in our brains that solidify that skill.  Sure, some people find some skills easier at first than others, but the people who practice that skill daily in order to carve it into their brain will always far surpass people who don’t practice enough.  Practicing a musical instrument helps children learn the universal truth that hard work trumps talent.

When feeling down and discouraged, tell your child that success depends on the amount of invested work. This will be a valuable life lesson in general. Furthermore, it’s useful to zone out and don’t think about other people’s performance at all. Playing for the sake of your own pleasure and sense of accomplishment will teach your  child to appreciate their work even more and enjoy it regardless of how they would be ranked or judged.

There are not many subjects taught in school that have the potential to give our children the life skills they need to be successful beyond their school lives. We as parents are obliged to guide them through misfortunes and help them learn as much as they can from what life throws at them. Our children can learn how to have grit, motivation, problem-solving skills, flexibility, and character by tackling the obstacles and challenges music playing inevitably carries.

About the Author

Simon Dupree has discovered he has a passion for music from a very young age. Ever since then, music has been an essential part of his life. When he is not practicing, he’s probably behind the keyboard writing for Music Groupies.

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adjust to braces
KidsPre-TeenTeenager

5 Easy Ways to Help Your Child Adjust to Braces

by Guest Post
written by Guest Post

So, your kiddo got braces––now what? Your preteen or teenager is already going through lots of changes, and, as a parent, it has been your job to guide them through it all, including adjust to a brand new set of hardware. Here are some tips on getting them prepped and handling their new accessory like a pro.

adjust to braces

1. Pump Them up Beforehand

The first way you can ease into an orthodontic treatment is to play up the exciting parts of the process. You might be struggling to think of positives, but there are plenty. For one thing, your child gets to choose the colors of their rubber bands.

For more benefits, check out your orthodontist’s website. Perhaps they have a high-tech office, where your child can watch TV or play video games while they’re getting their braces adhered. Or, maybe their appointment is during the school day, and they get out early — don’t worry, we won’t tell their teachers. No matter what exciting facets of the appointment will be, highlight them, so your child doesn’t become overly focused on the way their smile is about to change.

2. Prepare Them for Dietary Changes

Not quite as fun is the fact that braces require young ones to change the way they eat. Both you and your child will have to work with the necessary restrictions of those with mouth-based metallic hardware.

Start with the most notorious braces-breaker of all — popcorn. For one thing, the small bits of husk can get stuck between teeth or behind braces, and they’re almost impossible to remove. On top of that, accidentally biting into an unpopped kernel can be disastrous, causing brackets and braces to pop right off. Ouch.

To that end, you’ll want your child to steer clear of any foods with extra-hard elements. Everything from chicken wings to nuts and seeds to hard candies is off the table. Sticky sweets, such as caramels and taffies, can get stuck to braces and pull out hardware. If that’s not enough, the sugar can get stuck behind the orthodontic treatment, which can damage your child’s teeth. As much as it will pain them, candy is a big no-no.

3. Teach Proper Hygiene

Now that your child has metal covering their teeth, a simple tooth-brushing routine won’t be enough to keep their mouth clean. It’ll be up to you to ensure they’re correctly cleaning each morning and night.

Once braces are in the picture, kids should even learn to brush differently. Your child will have to hold their soft-bristled brush at a 45-degree angle to gently brush their teeth. Flossing between teeth and under wires will be a requirement, too — food will be very likely to get stuck in these places a brush can’t reach. You might also consider investing in a water pic to flush crumbs and bacteria from similar areas, although this device is not a substitute for flossing.

4. Ward off Pre- and Post-Application Pain

Your orthodontist will probably recommend some sort of pain medication to help your child ease into wearing their new braces. And, at first, it could hurt — metal wires and brackets are pulling their teeth into new alignment. So, be sure to build up your pre-teen’s pain tolerance with the recommended over-the-counter pain reliever. After the braces arrive, you can extend the same treatment to help soothe any lingering aches.

Be sure to bring home plenty of bracket wax, too. Even with the best orthodontic treatment, your child is likely to experience some rubbing, which can damage the inside of the mouth. Placing a small amount of wax over the hardware will smooth it over and prevent mouth sores. So, be sure to get instructions on how to do this before leaving the orthodontist’s office for both you and your child, so you’re both adept at applying it.

5. Boost Their Confidence Throughout

Having braces during a traditionally awkward period of life can make things even more difficult for your kids. You look at them and see how adorable they are, but they might face teasing at school because of their new hardware. If you notice your child starting to resent their orthodontic treatment, they could be getting grief at school.

The best way to stop bullying is to stay in tune with your child. A bully will typically work to make a child feel isolated and alone, so help your kiddo understand you’re in their corner — that will help them stand up to anyone making fun of their new smile. Be sure to remind your kid they won’t be the first or last one at school to have braces. Soon, the bully will lose interest in what will become a commonplace accessory.

You have all the tools to make your brood feel physically good while wearing braces by protecting their teeth, preparing them in advance and providing pain relief before and after the application. Building their self-confidence will complete the package, and they’ll be more than ready for the challenge of orthodontic treatment. They’ll also be deserving of the payoff for all their efforts — a smile that’s straight and healthy.

 

Author Bio

Jennifer Landis is a 29-year-old healthy living blogger who loves yoga, running, and dancing it out with her toddler! You can find more from Jennifer at her blog, Mindfulness Mama, or by following her on Twitter: @jenniferelandis.

 

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coping methods
Pre-TeenTeenager

​How To Help Your Teen Develop Positive Coping Methods

by Guest Post
written by Guest Post

The average teen is dealing with a lot in life and often more than we parents had to struggle with when we were their age. There are situations like bullying and the emotional trauma that can come from it. Body image issues are even more pronounced, thanks to social media and the near-constant, unrealistic views of perfection. Depression continues to be a growing epidemic among our youth.

All of this would be bad enough, but teenagers are trying to process it all with a brain that is still in development. They just don’t have the ability to naturally cope the way adults can and even we tend to struggle.

We’re highlighting four positive coping methods to help teens manage a menagerie of emotions and situations, such as like proper sleep and nutrition. As parents, we have the power to provide additional support and teach our kids to develop healthier coping strategies that they will carry through the rest of their lives.

coping methods

1. Encourage Problem-Solving

When children are young, parents tend to give them the all the answers with minimal, to no work on their part. At some point, they need to start finding those answers on their own. The next time your teen runs into a problem, sit down and brainstorm ideas with your child, rather than provide them with the solution. Let them take the lead and make the final decision, even if you don’t agree with what your teen chooses to do.

2. Let Teens Make Mistakes And Fix Them

You will always be there as a safety net in your role as a parent, but that doesn’t mean you should always be catching your teen every time they fall. Making mistakes at an early age—and having a chance to fix them—helps teens develop the strategies that will carry over into their adult life. Plus, the mistakes are happening during a time where the consequences are not as severe and serve as a great learning opportunity. As a parent, you are training your teen for the job of life they will be taking on, and learning from mistakes are part of any job.

3. Teach Your Teens To Prioritize

Prioritizing can be difficult for many adults, especially if they were never taught how to do it at a young age. Learning to prioritize is an important coping method to learn so your teen can manage pressure and their own independence.

4. Make Stress Relief a Daily Routine

A long day at school, a part-time job and homework, sports participation and more is part of the average teen’s day. When is the day ever done for your teen? They need some off time, so make that a part of your whole family’s day. Whether it is having a meal together, watching a favorite TV show or just giving them some space to breathe on their own, teach your teens to relax by example.

Remember, your teen doesn’t have coping skills, they have to be taught and there’s no one better to teach them than you!

 

Author Bio

Tyler Jacobson is a father of three and avid outdoor enthusiast. He’s learned a thing or two about parenting and has turned from a full time career in digital media to helping fellow parents of teenagers. He pulls from his own life experiences raising spunky, free-spirited children, as well as his work with various organizations that help teens be their best selves. During his free time, Tyler enjoys taking his family into the mountains to connect with a simpler side of life which he finds grounding and rejuvenating.

 

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​How To Help Your Teen Develop Positive Coping Methods

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