The Importance of Teaching Your Children Good Manners

It’s no secret that raising children today is a tough job. With all of the influences they have in their lives, keeping them on the right path is never easy.

One area that will never be “out of style” when it comes to raising good kids is teaching them manners. Children who are taught manners at a young age, grow up to be kinder, gentler and more considerate of others than those who don’t.

The easiest way to begin teaching your children good manners is to lead by example. Say “please” and “thank you,” don’t interrupt others when they are speaking and practicing good table manners are the easiest manners to teach so start with these. Table manners are especially important – not only for meals at home but for meals out, as well. Children have a hard enough time remembering how to behave at home let alone how to behave in a public place like a restaurant, for example. Keeping the rules the same across the board saves any problems from arising.

Other good manners your children can learn:

·         Writing thank you notes

·         Making get-well cards for sick adults or friends

·         Saying hello and goodbye when appropriate

·         Sharing with and being kind to others

While teaching and explaining what good manners are, again, the best way for it to sink in for your kids is to lead by example – not by a “do as I say not as I do” approach. Your children watch adults and mimic what they see – especially when it comes to parents.

Finally, praise their good behavior every time they practice a form of good manners. Giving praise is a wonderful reinforcement for what you’re teaching – let your children know how proud of them you are.

Childhood Cancer – Signs and Symptoms

Few things strike fear into the hearts of parents more than the word “cancer” – particularly when it involves their children. While cancer in children tends to be rare, it can happen and there are things that parents should be on the lookout for.

Always be observant of any sudden changes in your child – either with their health, behavior or both. Keep in mind that these sudden changes don’t necessarily indicate cancer, but should be checked out by a professional. Here are several signs that you should look for. If you notice any or all of these, bring them to the attention of your doctor immediately.

·         Continued and unexplained weight loss

·         Headaches accompanied by early morning vomiting

·         Increased swelling and/or pain in the joints, back, bones and legs

·         Lumps or masses in the armpits, abdomen, neck, chest or pelvis

·         Excessive bruising or bleeding

·         Constant infections

·         White color behind the pupils

·         Persistent nausea with or without vomiting

·         Constant fatigue

·         Noticeable paleness

·         Sudden and persistent changes in vision

·         Recurring fevers of unknown origins

The chances that your child will develop cancer are slim, in fact, the odds of developing cancer before the age of 19 are 1 in 330. However, that being said, you should know that cancer is the second leading cause of death in children, only behind accidents.

As a parent, there is plenty you can do to stay on top of your children’s health in order to be aware of any situations early on. Be sure to take your infants to their regular check-ups with the pediatrician and make sure your older children are seen at least yearly, and more frequently if there is a problem.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions during the appointments and ask the doctor or nurse practitioner to explain what he or she is doing, what tests they are ordering, etc. 

Finally, go with your gut instincts if something just doesn’t seem right about your child’s health or behavior. It doesn’t mean perform a self-diagnosis, but nobody knows your child like you do. If you think there’s a problem – get it checked out, don’t second guess yourself. 

Keeping Kids Cool During The Dog Days Of Summer

Summer is the time of year for running around, playing outdoors, and staying active in the beautiful weather. However, all this running and physical activity in the heat of the day can put children, and adults, at risk for heat stroke and related types of complications.

Heat stroke is not just a slight problem; it can be extremely harmful and even fatal if not treated immediately once it reaches a severe stage. The good news is that parents can teach their children to recognize when they are getting too warm and take the right steps to cool off and enjoy the rest of the day.

The earliest signs of heat stroke, sometimes known as heat exhaustion, include symptoms such as:

• Weakness, fatigue and muscle cramps
• Feelings or nausea or even vomiting
• Dizziness and headaches

If the child is not cooled off at this point the symptoms progress to full heat stroke and include elevated body temperature, hot dry skin, lack of sweat production, rapid pulse, difficulty in breathing and agitation and confusion.

To help you child avoid heat exhaustion or the more serious heat stroke teach them to:

• Always ensure that children bring water with them and hydrate regularly throughout the activity. Children should be limited to water or sports drinks but not sodas, energy drinks or drinks containing caffeine.
• Wear a hat to help keep direct sun of the head, also wear lighter colored, loose fitting clothing to allow perspiration to evaporate and cool the body.
• Limit any intensive activity or competitive events in the hottest parts of the day or when humidity levels are high.
• Encourage kids to find games that can be played in shady areas of the yard or playground area.

Last, and most important, parents need to focus on never leaving a child in a car or leaving a vehicle unlocked so that children can get into the hot interior. The greatest cause of injury and death due to heat stroke is related to children being left in vehicles, often for as little as five minutes, resulting in a tragedy that could have easily been prevented.  

Baby Safety Tips For The Home

Bringing home a new baby is an exciting and magical event for any family. Preparing your home in advance for the big day helps parents to proactively provide built in safety for the new addition to the family.

There are a range of different baby safety products on the market today that can make Mom and Dad’s life a lot easier. However, there are also some simple and very traditional types of safety practices that will keep your infant out of harm’s way.

Before your baby is up and about crawling and playing look at each room of the home. General safety issues that can be put in place include:

• Baby safe latches on all drawers and cabinets in kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and storage areas to prevent injury if baby pulls the drawers or cabinets open or gets into the stored contents.
• Check all electrical cords and remove any that dangle or hang down. Cover all electrical outlets with spring loaded covers that automatically close when the cord is removed.
• Roll all cords for blinds or drapes up to well above the height that a crawling baby, toddler or infant can reach.
• Have a new crib and mattress for the baby that is designed to prevent the baby from getting hands or limbs lodged between the posts. The mattress should fit correctly in the crib and extend to the frame on all sides.
• Limit items in and around the crib and ensure any mobiles or hanging items on the crib are safe and secure and approved for use for a baby.
• Always have the correctly sized, approved car safety seat for your baby and do not travel with the baby in a vehicle when the child is not secured in the baby car seat.
• Avoid using any types of room freshening or air treatment products in the nursery or the home as an infant may be extremely sensitive to these products.

Last, and perhaps most importantly, never leave your baby unattended unless they are in a safe, secure location such as their crib. This ensures that the baby can’t get into anything that is potentially dangerous in the few seconds you step away.