Most parents wish they could do more to protect
their children.

Even worse, kids bring these illnesses home and
infect their siblings, parents, and other family members, which can be
dangerous if there’s an infant or elderly family member in the home.

There are three reasons why school-age kids catch infections so easily: Their immune system is still underdeveloped, they’re in close contact with other sick and unhealthy kids all day, and they tend to have germy habits like touching their faces and sticking things in their mouths. To protect your kids at school, you must deal with these three issues.

Strengthen their
Immunity

Vaccination is by far the best way to boost
immunity. It not only keeps your kids from getting sick but also protects other
family members whose immune system is weak or compromised, which is why many
pediatricians are big fans of the flu shot!

However, there’s a timing challenge with the flu shot. It can take up to 12 weeks to build immunity after getting vaccinated, so ideally, you should get a flu shot towards the end of fall and beginning of winter. Getting the timing right sometimes means that parents must make a special trip to the doctor or pharmacy.

Encourage them to wash
their hands

Washing your hands is pretty basic, but it
works! You wouldn’t believe the number of kids who don’t wash their hands
despite knowing better. One study by the CDC found that 97% of kids know that
handwashing prevents illnesses, but most still need encouragement to do it!

Make sure your kids wash their hands as soon as they come home from school. If possible, set up a handwashing station right inside the door to help them remember; consider letting them choose a favorite soap.

Secondly, provide hand sanitizers for older
kids. They’re a cheap and easy way to kill germs when hand washing isn’t an
option. However, they’re not ideal for young kids because, apparently, children
love swallowing hand sanitizer! But if it’s the only thing you have, use it!

Teach them not to
share personal items

It might go against the golden rule of
‘sharing,’ but your kids need to know what to share and what not to share.
Teach them not to share personal items like water bottles and lip balms. If
possible, pack water bottles for your kids until they learn how to drink from
water fountains without putting their mouths on them.

Keep them home when
they’re sick

As much as possible, sick kids shouldn’t go to
school until they’re well. If they have a fever, keep them home until they’ve
not had a fever for at least twenty-four hours. Protect healthy kids, and any
children with compromised immune systems by keeping your lovable, cuddly,
charming little petri dish at home

The two lines of defense that usually never fail when it comes to protecting kids from illnesses are vaccinations and good hygiene. The latter is more challenging because you can’t follow your kids around all day, reminding them to wash their hands, cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough, and not stick things in their mouths.

It takes a while for certain habits to take hold – especially when a kid doesn’t like doing them or finds them unpleasant. But, keep teaching them until it sticks and be a good example when they’re home.

Photo by CDC on Unsplash

The post Keep Your Kids Healthy & Germ-Free at School appeared first on Lifestyle.

Many kids are anxious about going to the doctor, and a routine visit can turn into a major meltdown.

A big part of that fear is that kids don’t know what to expect. They’re afraid of shots (who isn’t?), and their imagination runs wild thinking everything is going to hurt.

According to child psychologists, parents can
help their kids manage their anxiety by explaining how the doctor’s appointment
will go. The more detailed the explanation, the less anxious the child will be.

Talk to
your Child

Ask your child why they are nervous and give
them a chance to share their worries. If your child says, “I’m scared,” help
them figure out exactly what it is that’s making them feel uneasy.

If they can’t pinpoint why they’re afraid, start
walking them through the process and ask them to stop you when something sounds
scary.

Validate
your Child’s Feelings

As a parent of a child who’s afraid to go to the doctor, your first instinct is to reassure them that everything will be okay. While there’s nothing wrong with that, make sure your child feels heard.

Start by validating their feelings by letting them know you understand how they feel. Share an experience of a time when you were nervous and how you overcame it.

Don’t
Make Promises You Can’t Keep

If your child asks, “Am I going to get a shot?”,
tell the truth.

Studies show that kids who aren’t expecting a shot get a lot more upset than kids who have had time to prepare.

Also, resist the urge to promise it’ll be painless. Instead, be open about what you know and don’t know. Emphasize that going to the doctor is how we stay healthy; and healthier people have fewer visits to the doctor.

Give
your Child Something to Look Forward to

If your child knows that you’ll be doing something fun together after the doctor’s appointment, they might be less afraid. However, don’t give the impression that they will lose out on the treat if they’re not brave.

The point is to give your child something to look forward to next time, not to reward or punish them. Don’t forget to tell them how well they did when you leave the doctor’s office.

When
all Else Fails

Some kids have latrophobia, which is an irrational fear of doctors and hospitals. They are not just anxious about doctor’s visits; they are deathly afraid of them.

In these cases, therapy is the way to go as it can help the child identify the cause of the phobia and overcome it eventually.

You want your child to have a positive association with seeing their doctor. Reduce their fear and increase their trust with these tips.

The post When Your Child Is Afraid To See The Doctor appeared first on Lifestyle.

Physical activity is such an important part of
a child’s development. Sadly, less than 25% of American children get the
recommended 60 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity a day.

Most kids and teens have too much screen time
and too little physical activity. As a result, one-third of American children
are overweight or obese.

Raising fit kids in today’s society is no easy
feat. Many homes have limited space for kids to roam and play, and schools are
cutting back on physical education.

However, the benefits of physical activity on
a child’s development far outweigh the inconvenience of accompanying the kids
to the park or driving them to soccer practice a couple of days a week.

Why
Kids Need Exercise

Active kids are less likely to be overweight
or obese. They have more muscle strength and stronger bones, and are less
likely to suffer from high blood pressure, heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes.

Active kids also have higher test scores in
reading and math. This is because aerobic activity supports the development of
essential brain structures and neural connections.

Lastly, kids who exercise are less likely to
suffer from anxiety and depression. Frequent physical activity stabilizes their
moods and improves emotional response, making life a lot more enjoyable.

How
Much Exercise do Kids Need?

The amount of exercise kids need varies
depending on their age. School-age kids and teens need at least 60 minutes of
moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. Preschoolers, on the other hand, need
120 minutes of active play per day, whereas toddlers need 60 minutes of active
play.

What Kinds of Exercises are Suitable
for Kids?

When
adults talk about exercise, the first thing that comes to mind is the gym.
However, for kids, exercise doesn’t mean running on a treadmill or lifting
weights; it just means being physically active.

Play-based activities are totally adequate for kids under the age of five. This could be anything from dancing to music to playing tag as long as it gets them moving, increases their heartbeat and improves their flexibility. Play-based activities are fun, inexpensive and can involve adults.

Older kids require more structured exercise like a class or a team sport. This helps them to develop specific skills such as dancing, soccer, gymnastics or swimming. In addition, interaction with other kids improves their social skills.

How to Get Your Kids to Exercise

Getting
kids to exercise can be a real challenge. Many of them would happily forgo
physical activity in favor of more screen time!

The most effective way to get your kids to exercise is to adopt a healthier lifestyle yourself. Exercise regularly as a family and enjoy outdoor activities; be a positive role model for your kids. Also, make it fun so they keep coming back for more!

The post Raising Fit Kids & Teens appeared first on Lifestyle.

It can be tempting to let your kids stay up until they fall asleep, but science says that’s not a good idea. When children don’t get enough sleep, they become irritable and have a hard time controlling their emotions. Kids who don’t get enough sleep are likelier to be overweight and have behavioral and learning difficulties.

Regular bedtimes may not be easy to enforce but they are necessary for the health and cognitive development of your children.

What Time Should Children Go To Bed?

There is no hard and fast rule for bedtime because sleep needs and patterns vary from one child to another. However, if you know how much sleep your child needs and what time they need to be up, you can easily work out the appropriate bedtime.

Typically, toddlers need about 12 to 14 hours of sleep daily, whereas school-age children need 9 to 11 hours. These are only general guidelines but with time you will be able to figure out just how much sleep your child needs.

Regular Schedules And Bedtime Rituals

Kids thrive on routines, so doing the same things before going to bed each night creates the right atmosphere for sleep. Although every bedtime routine is unique, it usually includes taking a bath, brushing teeth and putting on PJ’s. The routine should be no longer than 30 minutes (excluding bath time), and parents should be vigilant about ending the routine when it’s time to sleep.

Turn Off The Screens An Hour Before Bedtime

The light from the TV, computer and phone screens interferes with melatonin production, so turn them off at least an hour before bedtime. Your kids will plead for “just one more show” or “just one more game”, but remember that an additional half hour of screen time can keep your child awake for two additional hours.

Create The Right Atmosphere For Sleep

Stress and high cortisol levels can interfere with sleep, so stressful and exciting activities probably shouldn’t be occurring before bedtime.

Turn down the volume, dim the lights and be boring! Young kids may not grasp the concept of bedtime but they can definitely tell when mommy and daddy don’t want to play. Start acting calm and “boring” at least two hours before bedtime so your kids will have an easier time falling asleep.

Make Sure Your Child Is Comfortable

Bedtime can make your child feel a sense of separation from the rest of the family, so the bedroom should be designed to make him or her feel safe and secure. A favorite blanket, teddy bear and soft, warm sheets will soothe your child, making him or her feel safer and in control.

Lastly, keep the bedroom cool and the child’s feet warm. This may seem contradictory but it helps to distribute blood and heat evenly throughout the body thereby inducing sleep.

For many parents, bedtime can be a real struggle but with these tips it should be less of a challenge. Experiment with one or two of these recommendations to help ensure your child gets the sleep they need.

The post Can’t Get Your Kids to Fall Asleep? Try This appeared first on Lifestyle.