October 24th, 2009 — children
Studies have shown that more than 1 in 5 children suffer from allergies and you child might just be one as well. It’s important to understand child allergies and to be aware of the triggering factors within your child.
Allergies are designed to protect us but sometimes our immune systems might take it a little too far and over-react to certain air-borne pollutants and food. When it occurs in young children, especially babies, they can be quite miserable indeed. The symptoms can be anywhere from a simple runny nose, to itchy eyes, stomach aches, rashes and eczema.
With child allergies becoming more and more common these days, we need to learn how to deal with it as part of live. Recent statistics are showing that the number of child allergies are on the rise and “Anaphylaxis”, a severe allergic reaction that occurs where the blood pressure drops and breathing becomes quite difficult is increasing as well.
While small children can be allergic to many things, food is by far the most common factor. Foods such as eggs, nuts, soy, wheat and dairy are normally responsible for allergic reaction, especially when ingested for the first time by the child.
The most common signs that your child is allergic to a certain type of food might be the break of our a rash, hives or eczema. Stomach upsets and vomiting is not uncommon either. These symptoms are considered mild and for other more serious reactions like breathing difficulties, call an ambulance right away – do not risk your child’s life by thinking that the reaction might subside soon.
Usually it is quite difficult to tell if your child’s reaction to a certain food will change as they grow older, but as seen in most cases, if the allergic reaction is mild it will generally remain that way. Overall, most children do outgrow these food allergies by the time they start attending school. However, there are certain allergies like nuts, that people normally never outgrow and become life-long sufferers.
Other allergens such as grass, pet hair, mold and dust mites might cause allergies in children as well. The most common symptoms are runny noses, sneezing and itchy red eyes. Child allergies can also spawn from bee stings or insect bites which can result in a mild rash to the more severe breathing difficulties. Do consult your doctor with regards to what to do should these events occur.
In conclusion, although it is not possible to actually prevent allergies in your children, you can help them by educating them on what the allergic triggers are, so that they know how to avoid allergens when possible.
Amy Chan is an author and publisher for several online blogs and websites which focus on children’s and women’s health, shopping and nutrition. She also does write-ups for business ideas and business equipment. In her latest articles, she tells you how you can streamline your business by utilising a portable barcode scanner like a pda barcode scanner.
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October 12th, 2009 — baby care, children
The world is a far more scary and complicated place than it was when you were a child. As a result, it’s imperative that you set adequate yet fair boundaries with your child. It’s a very important role in your parenting responsibilities. Children must make difficult decisions each day, and if they don’t have clear, firm boundaries set, they may not always make the wisest choice.Limits teach children proper restraint in social and individual activities and provide children with necessary structure and security to assist in healthy development. Setting limits also provide children with guidance before they have an opportunity to get into trouble, thus making them more successful with everyday life.A child’s age and developmental level needs to be considered when setting limits. All children have a need for independence and individualization; however, they also need structure, security and parental involvement. It goes without saying that the needs of a 2-year old vary greatly than those of a teenager.A toddler has a strong desire to explore and investigate, but parameters need to be set to ensure their safety while doing so. Teenagers need to be able to be an individual and be independent, but with strong parental guidance and influence, are more likely to make smart choices in difficult situations.Limits should be discussed and set prior to the situation. Though situations arise that weren’t planned on, daily situations should have set limits and expectations. A teenager who breaks curfew may have the privilege of going out with friends revoked until they learn respect for the rules. A child who misbehaves while playing with a friend may need to be separated from the fun until they can learn to properly behave.Children respond in a positive manner in an environment in which they know what to expect and what is excepted of them. A child will be more respectful towards rules and more willing to abide by them if the rules are clear and consistent. Additionally, it’s crucial that once a limit is set that they caregiver stick to it.A child is less likely to try and manipulate a caregiver into changing the limits when their experience has been that there’s no bending on the limits. And remember, you are the one who sets the limits and lays down the law. There’s no need to argue with your child. Be firm and consistent and they are less likely to challenge the rules and will accept the consequences.–
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July 14th, 2009 — children
Though we all worry about spoiling our child, rest assured that you cannot spoil your child with love. Love doesn’t spoil children. Love is imperative to a child’s healthy development, and it’s just not possible to love your child too much. They need caring adults to spend time with them, play with them, teach them, protect them, and enjoy life with them.
It’s a parent’s job to provide love, safety and encouragement. The process of growing up provides children with lots of challenges. Try to listen openly and understand their situation and communicate honestly with them when they have difficulties and letdowns in their life.
Set appropriate limits with your child and then adhere to them. Establishing limits with your child gives them a sense of safety and security. Sometimes parents do not set limits because they don’t want to fight with their children. They don’t want to cause bad feelings. They may beg a child to comply. Or they may make a rule and fail to enforce it. They may nag without ever enforcing the rules. None of these helps children. When your child fails to adhere or comply with the boundaries you’ve set for them, be firm yet kind in your response. This lets them know that you’re serious about the rule but dedicated to helping and loving them. Bear in mind though that each child is different and what works for one child may not work for another. For example, one child may respond well to the direct approach of telling them a specific time to be home, where another child may need a gentle reminder that it’s now time to come home.
Develop a firm but kind manner of making and enforcing your household’s rules and expectations. There’s no need to fear our children, and there should be no need to instill a sense of fear in our children in order to get them to comply.
April 8th, 2009 — baby grow
Communicating with our children can be a difficult task at times. We feel like they’re not listening to us; they feel like we’re not listening to them. Good listening and communications skills are essential to successful parenting. Your child’s feelings, views and opinions have worth, and you should make sure you take the time to sit down and listen openly and discuss them honestly.
It seems to be a natural tendency to react rather than to respond. We pass judgment based on our own feelings and experiences. However, responding means being receptive to our child’s feelings and emotions and allowing them to express themselves openly and honestly without fear of repercussion from us. By reacting, we send our child the message that their feelings and opinions are invalid. But by responding and asking questions about why the child feels that way, it opens a dialog that allows them to discuss their feelings further, and allows you a better understanding of where they’re coming from. Responding also gives you an opportunity to work out a solution or a plan of action with your child that perhaps they would not have come up with on their own. Your child will also appreciate the fact that maybe you do indeed understand how they feel.
It’s crucial in these situations to give your child your full and undivided attention. Put down your newspaper, stop doing dishes, or turn off the television so you can hear the full situation and make eye contact with your child. Keep calm, be inquisitive, and afterwards offer potential solutions to the problem.
Don’t discourage your child from feeling upset, angry, or frustrated. Our initial instinct may be to say or do something to steer our child away from it, but this can be a detrimental tactic. Again, listen to your child, ask questions to find out why they are feeling that way, and then offer potential solutions to alleviate the bad feeling.
Just as we do, our children have feelings and experience difficult situations. By actively listening and participating with our child as they talk about it, it demonstrates to them that we do care, we want to help and we have similar experiences of our own that they can draw from. Remember, respond – don’t react.
April 6th, 2009 — baby grow
Children are inquisitive by nature. When they are younger, it’s usually because they want to better understand something. When they are older, it’s because they want to better understand why you think something is important and why they should also feel the same way. Regardless of their age, it’s imperative that when setting forth the rules and expectations in your home, your child understands there is no room for questioning the rules you set forth and the consequences of breaking the rules.
Younger children usually do not understand a lengthy explanation of why it’s important that they be home from their friend’s home at a certain time or why they aren’t allowed to play ball in the house. But the one thing they do strive to do most of the time is to make their parents proud and happy. So when a young child asks “Why?” or “Why not?” when they are told they can’t play with something or someone or why they have to obey a rule you’ve set forth, simply explain to them that “because it makes me happy when you follow the house rules and do what I have asked of you.” You should avoid using the term, “Because I said so,” as that only adds to the child’s frustration and confusion.
Older children, adolescents and teenagers alike will probably require more from your explanation. When they question “Why?” or “Why not?” it’s best to directly, honestly and clearly state your reasoning. “I asked you to be home by 10 p.m. because we have to be at the dentist’s office first thing in the morning for your check-up and we can’t be late.” It is also a great opportunity for you to reiterate the consequences of breaking the rule. “If you are not home by 10 p.m., you’ll be grounded from going to your friend’s house for a week.” Be consistent, be firm, and be clear.
Though your child may challenge you by asking your reasoning why a rule has been put in place, it also shows their growth as an individual thinker. So try not to get angry or frustrated when they do so; realize it’s their way of understanding their world around them.