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  • Concerned about high fructose corn syrup in your child’s diet?

    Have you seen any Yoplait yogurt commercials recently? I have seen one where they are advertising that all their products are now free of high fructose corn syrup. As the advertisement goes, Yoplait has been listening to its customers who requested the change.

  • Setting an example for young athletes: Rob Valentino’s story

    Last month, many were shocked to hear of the death of a 16-year old high school student from New York who sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) while playing on his school’s football team. While it may serve as an extreme example of what can happen, this tragic story highlights the importance of education, awareness and treatment in preventing TBI deaths, particularly among young athletes.

  • 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.

  • Have a merry Christmas with these pinspired holiday activities for kids

    Even though Christmas is just a few days away, it’s never to late for some Christmas pinspiration! Yes, pinsperation. Our “Holiday Fun” Pinterest board has inspired us to share with our readers some fun ideas for Christmas crafts, activities, and munchies this year. So, put on some Christmas tunes and pick a few activities from the following list to get the whole family into the Christmas spirit!

    Pinspired Christmas Crafts

    Tissue paper wreath – Let the kids hang their own wreath on their bedroom doors with this super simple tissue paper craft! DIY Reindeer handprint ornament – Let the kids have some fun making their own ornaments, using their own hand prints and some paint. Super simple giant snowflake – This snowflake couldn’t be any easier – all you need is some paper and scissors! Puzzle pieces ornaments – Have a puzzle lying around that never gets used? Re-purpose it for this fun and simple ornament craft!

    Pinspired Christmas Activities

    Magic foaming snowman – Here in Florida, we don’t have snow. But don’t let that stop you from making a snowman! This foaming dough will allow kids to make snowman that will “melt” into an icy puddle of frothy foam! Jam jar snowglobes – These snowgloabes are super easy to make with just a few ingredients, but will make a huge impact as holiday decorations – handmade by your kids! Reindeer food – Don’t forget about Santa’s reindeer this Christmas! This pin will show you how to make reindeer food for when Santa’s sleigh comes by your house to deliver presents. Grow your own Christmas tree – Promote learning while having fun this Christmas! Check out this fun “grow your own Christmas tree” science experiment. Santa footprints – Do your kids believe in Santa? Leave behind Santa’s “footprints” for your kids to discover Christmas morning. This activity is even fun for the parents, too! Elf on the Shelf – It seems as if almost every family has an Elf on the Shelf this holiday season, but sometimes, it can be a lot of work for the parents! Check out this fun idea for “playing hide-n-seek.”

    Pinspired Christmas Munchies

    Peppermint Oreo cookie balls – Cookie balls and cake pops are all the rave this holiday season. Check out this yummy recipe that your whole family will enjoy! Christmas bark – This bark recipe is super simple to make, with only five ingredients! North Pole Cupcakes – These are a great treat to bring to classroom holiday parties. Reindeer Pops – Does your child have a December birthday? Hand these out as party favors! Sugar Cookie decorating ideas – A fun way to spend the afternoon baking with your kids.*Baking Tip – Put icing in condiment bottles for kids for mess-free cookie decorating!

  • You think your teen is depressed. Now what?

    On , we discussed the statistics behind depression in teens and the warning signs to look for if you think your teen is depressed. Let’s now look at some next steps in getting help for your child.

    Finding help through professionals

    Finding a good mental health professional is like finding any good healthcare provider. Some of them you might like, some you might not. Some of them might have specialties, like working with teens, adults, or couples, so you’ll want to ask questions to make sure this is a person that is likely to be helpful. Look for a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or a Psychologist.

  • The Christmas wish list: How to ensure you are buying safe toys for your kids this holiday season

    Every year on the night of Christmas Eve when my brother and I were younger, we would crawl out of our bedrooms and hide behind the couch that sat just in front of our family Christmas tree. We would wait there for what seemed like hours, hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa putting our Christmas presents under the tree.

  • We Love Isaiah: Little boy battles life-threatening brain tumor

    At 2 years old, Isaiah was diagnosed with a brain tumor wrapped around the stem of his brain. Follow his entire course of treatment as a patient of the Brain Tumor Program at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and you'll see why we love Isaiah.

  • 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!

  • Learning to let them fly

    Am I an overparent-er?

  • Music lessons provide benefits beyond the piano keys (or instrument strings)

    Growing up, a requirement in our home was that my brother and I choose one instrument to learn to play, and we were required to take lessons. For us, this happened to be piano lessons, starting at a young age. I began taking lessons when I was six years old, and continued to play for eight years. That was eight years too long, in my childhood mind. I hated piano lessons – the time required to practice, my teacher’s gnarly fingernails, and worst of all – piano recitals and competitions. Talk about having major stage fright! I was so convinced that my parents were being unjust in requiring piano lessons that I proceeded to write them essays on why I should be allowed to quit.  My wish was finally granted when I took up the clarinet in our high school band. It’s a musical instrument too, right? Well, guess what. Fast forward ten-something years later, and I wish I hadn’t quit. And the worst part of it all - my mom “told me so.”