All posts filed under: Motherhood

Motherhood

Sleep and sleep training for babies and young children

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Sleep is an essential component of good health for people of all ages, but it is especially important for babies and young children. Adequate sleep is critical for a child’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development, and is essential for growth and repair of the brain and body. Despite the importance of sleep, however, many families struggle with sleep training their babies and young children. Sleep training refers to the process of helping a baby or young child establish healthy sleep habits, such as falling asleep independently, sleeping through the night, and sticking to a regular sleep schedule. Sleep training can be a challenging process, and can require patience, consistency, and support from parents and caregivers. One of the most important steps in sleep training is establishing a consistent bedtime routine. This may include activities such as bathing, reading, or singing, and should take place at the same time each night. A consistent bedtime routine helps to signal to the child that it is time to go to sleep, and can promote feelings of calm and …

Mental health and emotional well-being for both parents and children

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Mental health and emotional well-being have become increasingly important topics in recent years, particularly in the context of parenting and family life. Both parents and children can experience challenges and struggles in these areas, and it is important to understand the impact that these challenges can have on families and to seek help when needed. One of the biggest challenges facing parents is the stress and pressure that can come with parenting. Parents may struggle with feelings of guilt, exhaustion, and burnout, and may also experience difficulties in their relationships with their children and partners. To maintain their own mental health and emotional well-being, parents can prioritize self-care and seek support from friends, family, or mental health professionals. In addition to supporting their own well-being, parents also play a critical role in promoting the mental health and emotional well-being of their children. This includes providing a supportive and stable home environment, modeling healthy coping strategies and emotions, and being available and responsive to their children’s needs. Children’s mental health can also be supported through activities …

donate goods, money or your time

Donate goods, money, or your time

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It’s that time of year when giving back is a gift. We have put together a list of organizations where you can donate new or used items, money or your time. For more information, please contact the charities directly. BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK With more than 13 million children in the US at risk for going hungry, this Kentucky-based group helps feed elementary school students in more than a thousand schools across 45 states. A $130 donation can feed one child on the weekends for the entire 38-week school year. CARDS FOR HOSPITALIZED KIDS This organization collects cards for children. Everyone is encouraged to make all types of cards, regardless of age, location or artistic ability. It is an easy, yet meaningful way to make a difference. Contact them directly for more details. CHILDREN INCORPORATED This organization has been helping children in need in the U.S. and abroad since 1964. For $30 a month, you can sponsor a child, and the money will help fund their food, clothing, healthcare, and education. You can also make a …

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A Generation of Autism, Coming of Age

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via When Children With Autism Become Adults – NYTimes.com As the explosion of children who were found to have autism in the 1990s begins to transition from the school to the adult system, experts caution about the coming wave. “We estimate there are going to be half a million children with autism in the next 10 years who will become adults,” said Peter Bell, executive vice president for programs and services of the advocacy group Autism Speaks. Services for adults with autism exist, but unlike school services, they are not mandated, and there are fewer of them. Combined with shrinking government budgets, the challenges are daunting. “We are facing a crisis of money and work force,” said Nancy Thaler, executive director of the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services. “The cohort of people who will need services — including aging baby boomers — is growing much faster than the cohort of working-age adults that provide care.” To help parents navigate this difficult journey, in January Autism Speaks introduced a free Transition Tool …

How To Organize Toys

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Here are great ways to organize your kids’ toys without getting overwhelmed. Don’t over-categorize Toys need to be organzied but they don’t have to be put away in alphabetized, color-coded bins. Kids simply love to dump things out and that’s just how they tend to want to put things away – dump everything back into a bin haphazardly. Kids don’t care if one bin is marked “trucks” and one is marked “cars.” If you love to label things, rather than making up a toy classification system on your own, ask your kids how they would like to see their toys categorized. You’ll be surprised by the different ways they view their objects and, even better, if they help you come up with the system, they are more much more likely to follow it. Tote bags are your friend Earmark a specific, lightweight bag (preferably with handles) that can be carried around the house and used as a depository for wayward toys. That way, when you or your child finds a toy that belongs elsewhere, it …

Minding Their Little Manners

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It’s never too early to learn good taste. There are many programs that teach etiquette classes to children, including many luxury hotels.   These classes generally teach the rules of conduct in a fun and engaging environment, with workshops hosted by etiquette experts.  The workshops host interactive meals to teach table manners, including how to fold and place a napkin. Pick up Munchkin Manners Book: “Munchkin Manners on Table Setting“ from the Elementary Etiquette Society. This guide will help your little ones practice dinnertime decorum.

Teaching Kids About Money

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The Great Piggy Bank Adventure  is a virtual board game that educates kids (and adults) on the importance of wise financial planning (like paying for college or saving for a family vacation). Kids will learn about important financial concepts and use these lessons to complete the game and achieve their dream goals. While The Great Piggy Bank Adventure is designed for kids from ages 8 to 14, adults are encouraged to play with kids and get involved in their financial education.