What fun it is to imagine your loved ones’ excitement as they open special holiday gifts. Yet many children end up harmed from gifts that are dangerous. About 225,000 children a year go to the emergency room due to toy-related injuries. As you create your...
This year, getting a flu shot is more important than ever. Yet many people avoid the flu shot. One of the reasons is fear of needles – needle phobia. Most children and up to half of teens are afraid of needles, according to a recent analysis. Steps Parents Can...
October is “Adopt a Shelter Dog Month.” With more time at home, many families would like to adopt a dog but aren’t ready for a lifetime commitment. Fostering is a great way to test the waters to see if a dog – and what type of dog – is right for your family. ...
Grandparents have a wealth of information about family’s health stories and may be the only resource for stories of deceased family members. “Knowing the health stories of family members can help identify your child’s risk of developing certain serious diseases and...
Parents and kids are feeling frustrated and stressed. For many, home is no longer a nurturing oasis but a breeding ground for discontentment and moody outbursts. Before the school year begins, set aside some time for a family reset. Begin with a Family Meeting. Begin...
Parenting is tough during the best of times but particularly challenging during times of health and economic uncertainty. Children and teens are feeling the stress of social distancing, health safeguards, and activity disruption. Many feel afraid and anxious about the...
We are all looking for ways to protect our families and ourselves from COVID-19. Currently, the only defense from this extremely contagious virus is prevention: wash your hands often, wear a mask, don’t touch your face, practice social distancing, avoid crowds, and...
Whether you are sheltering in place alone or with your family, the new normal of social distancing and isolation can be disconcerting and stressful. Below are a few tips that might help. Include your family as you implement these strategies. Everyone in your household...
As the weather becomes warmer, the risk of bug bites and stings increases. Although most bug bites are harmless, some can cause serious illness. The number of people who have contracted diseases from infected mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas has tripled in the past 13...
Many people think that art therapy is coloring in an adult coloring book or taking a craft workshop. While those activities have definite mental health benefits, arts and crafts projects are not the same as art therapy. What is Art Therapy? Art therapy is a...
Every 37 seconds someone in the United States dies from cardiovascular disease. Adopting a heart healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other chronic illnesses. A heart healthy lifestyle is not a “diet.” It’s a pattern of eating and...
Has your child set a physical activity goal for 2020? Many people think that kids just naturally get enough exercise. Unfortunately, this is not true. Only about 8% of children meet exercise recommendations. Not getting enough exercise can negatively impact a child’s...
