All Search Results
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How to childproof your kitchen
Childproofing is a very real concern in my home right now. I have a 5-year-old daughter and a very active 18-month-old son, and although I’ve experienced the challenges of life with a toddler before, I have to admit that it is very different the second time around. I used to secretly wonder why some parents attached every kind of childproofing gadget they could think of to every item in their house; now I know. My daughter got into some things (as every kid does), but mostly she was more interested in being with me than exploring the off-limits things around our house. My son, though, is a completely different kid. We’ve nicknamed him “Curious George” because like the fictional character, his adventurous spirit has the potential to get him into a lot of trouble.
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Should I teach my baby to sign?
We have posted previously on the “” and ways to sidestep the frustration that comes at that time of life. I often educate parents that it’s not a behavior problem; it’s a communication problem. Have you ever found yourself at the pantry door with a child who lays on the floor because the choices are too many and they know what they want, but they just can’t tell you? Parents report this to us all the time, and you are not alone. Unbeknownst to most new parents, children are able to understand language as early as 6 months, but the ability to speak requires complex fine motor skills that don’t develop until much later. The result is frustration and tantrums.
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The journey to healing through a bone marrow transplant: Zoe’s story
Zoe is a vivacious 10-year-old who loves to spend time with her family, especially her sister, Eva. You would never know that just two years ago, she was fighting for her life as she underwent a bone marrow transplant, the only treatment that could offer Zoe the chance to live a healthy, normal life.
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What about me? Providing support to siblings during a hospitalization
March is National Child Life Month. As a Certified Child Life Specialist in the NICU, I find this month quite exciting. It is a time for Specialists to continue to spread awareness of the need for patient education and support during trying times in the hospital, and most importantly, we celebrate the importance of play! But, patients are not the only family members that Child Life Specialists serve. We also provide education and support to siblings. Regardless of age, siblings can struggle throughout a child’s hospitalization for various reasons, and it is important to recognize ways that they can feel supported and have an understanding of what is going on with their brother or sister in a way that makes sense to them.
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How to empower your teen to find reliable health information online
Written by Anne Rosebrock, Library Services Team
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How to help your child cope with a serious illness
One of the most challenging times a parent may face is if their child is diagnosed with a chronic illness. Many emotions including anxiety, fear, anger, and even helplessness can overwhelm parents. Children often display complicated emotions of their own, which often mirror that of their parents. All of these emotions can challenge well-known and comforting family rhythms and routines.
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How to protect your children from sexual abuse
A few months ago the famous reality television family, the Duggars, made headlines when reports surfaced that the eldest child, who is now a husband and father in his late twenties, sexually abused several young girls (including several of his sisters) when he was a teenager. There are supporters of the family who say that the family did all of the right things, and there are critics who feel that more could have been done to address the abuse and support the victims. The show and the family have been loved by many for the strong family values they encourage. The idea that this family, a family that appears wholesome and “perfect” could be harboring a secret like this was shocking to many.
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Soothing your baby after shots with the 5 S’s
As a new parent, bringing your child in for the 2 month and 4 month shots can almost seem unbearable. Watching your child’s eyes fill with a flood of tears after being stuck with a needle can cause many parents to second-guess the importance of these vaccinations for newborns. Parents are not the only ones who are concerned; doctors are too, which has led to research studies to find a better method for soothing a baby’s pain.
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Watch your words: labeling your kids can have long-lasting effects
This post was originally posted in May 2014.
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Emerging from the darkness of her son's devastating illness: One Mother's story
By Donna Jones
