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  • Transforming lives through the Healthy Me initiative: Calvin’s story

    If you’ve watched any national health-related news the past several years, then it should come as no surprise that the increased rate of obesity in the United States is great cause for concern. Obesity in children and adolescents in particular poses risks for the country in terms of both national health and the economy.

  • The FDA wants to ban trans fats.

    On November 7, 2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it would like to ban trans fats in food.

  • Why I’m a different parent to my second child than my first

    My son was born three months ago, and already I’m amazed how different the experience has been with my second child than it was with my first. The first time around, I don’t think I could reliably recite my own name and address for the first few months. Much of that first year my brain felt like a mess of scrambled eggs- like someone had shaken up my whole life until I no longer could tell which way was up. I went to work, I took care of my family and life went on, but I lived in a fog of emotions and exhaustion.

  • Communicating with your child about the death of a family pet

    I am an animal lover. For years, my pets were my “furry kids.” I played with them, loved them, and took care of them. They were my babies, especially my favorite cat, Zip. Then, like many other parents, I had an actual baby, and my “furry children” sort of slipped off their high-status pedestals!  However, Zip was always special to me. She was a true member of our family.

  • Movies are more violent than they used to be

    My daughter’s fourth birthday is coming up soon. A few days ago as we were driving home from school, I asked her what type of presents she might like for her birthday. I knew the grandparents and great-grandparents would soon be asking so I’d better get some ideas.

  • New laws allow schools to give life-saving care to children with severe allergies

    On November 13, 2013 President Obama signed into law the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act, a law that will help schools become better prepared to care for children with severe allergies in the event of an emergency. Earlier this year, Florida also passed a law that allows schools to offer life-saving treatment to those children in need.

  • Over-the-counter cough and cold medicine: what you don’t know CAN hurt you

    Did you ever play tag when you were a kid? I remember running around the playground in a desperate panic to avoid whomever was “it." I would run like my life was in jeopardy and strategize about how best to avoid the awful fate of being tagged.

  • How do you know when you’ve crossed the line from effective parenting to control freak?

    Growing up, it seemed like most of the parents I knew were struggling simply to manage the basics for their kids. Perhaps it was where and with whom I was raised, but it stands out to me in stark contrast to my parenting peers today. We aren’t struggling for the basics, but we are certainly struggling.

  • Fighting a Fever without Fear

    Many parents worry when their child is having a fever. We know that fevers can be scary for parents, especially if it is your child’s first fever. It may be difficult to think clearly and make important decisions when your child feels very warm. Learning what causes a fever and how to take care of your child when it occurs can help relieve some stress and anxiety.

    What is a fever?

    Your child’s normal body temperature with vary based on age, activity, and time of day.  Infants tend to have higher temperatures than older children. Usually, our body’s temperature is the highest in the late afternoon and early evening. Each person has his or her own internal “thermostat” that helps to regulate their own body temperature, and this number is around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, plus or minus one degree. When your body detects an infection or illness in your body, your brain responds by raising its temperature to help fight the condition. Many conditions can be associated with fever, such as ear infections, croup, pneumonia, sore throat, influenza, urinary tract infections, meningitis, and many different viral illnesses.

  • I Don’t Need to Worry About Pornography and My Child, Right?

    Therapists are required to get continuing education to maintain our professional licenses and I recently attended a workshop on youth and pornography.  The information presented was not good news, but I was glad I attended because I found out my education in this area was definitely out of date!