All articles tagged with #health and parenting
Ryan Libbey shares how a heartfelt conversation with his dad helped him navigate the challenges of new fatherhood, highlighting the importance of seeking support and open communication for mental health, especially among dads, and emphasizing that asking for help is a sign of strength rather than weakness.
The article reviews outdated parenting practices from the 1960s and 70s, explaining how modern neuroscience reveals their negative impacts on children's brain development, emotional health, and safety, and highlights the progress made in adopting healthier, evidence-based parenting approaches.
To reduce children's screen time, parents should model moderation by managing their own device use, establish device-free zones and times, and communicate openly about technology use, fostering healthier habits and stronger family connections.
Expert emphasizes the importance of early and ongoing conversations with teenage boys about social media, relationships, and emotions to help them navigate modern challenges and foster healthy development, especially in the context of social media influence, #MeToo, and changing societal expectations.
Charlotte, who became paralyzed from a spinal injury at age 20, defied odds to become a mother, navigating pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting with her wheelchair, and sharing her journey of resilience, love, and adaptation.
The article outlines ten foods that parents should avoid giving to children aged 0-5 due to potential health risks and choking hazards. These include items like whole nuts, popcorn, and certain types of fish that may contain high levels of mercury. The guidance aims to help parents make safer dietary choices for their young children.
A study published in Computers in Human Behavior suggests that excessive use of digital media by children as young as 2.5 years old is linked to long-term emotional and social issues, including increased aggression. Researchers recommend parents monitor and regulate their children's screen time to prevent future problems.
Parents need to address the rising trend of sexual choking among teens, a behavior influenced by graphic pornography and social media. Experts suggest open, non-judgmental conversations about sexual health, consent, and setting boundaries to counteract harmful norms and ensure teens' safety.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics suggests that parents' screentime can negatively impact their child's development, coined as "technoference." Researchers found that increased parental screentime correlates with fewer conversations and interactions with their children, potentially leading to long-term repercussions on social skills and language development. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for kids under 18 months old and encourages parents to watch kid-friendly programming with their children under the age of 3.
Puberty is starting earlier than expected, with girls showing signs at 8-9 and boys at 9-10. Moodiness is a key indicator, with girls often displaying emotions openly and boys becoming quieter or angrier. It's important for parents to understand that these mood swings are driven by hormones and to provide support and guidance. Distinguishing between puberty-related mood swings and mental health struggles can be challenging, but persistence, intensity, and other changes can provide clues. Parents should model calm behavior, acknowledge their own mistakes, and create a connection with their kids during this challenging time.
Daylight saving time can disrupt kids' sleep schedules, but parents can help them adjust by gradually shifting bedtime, adjusting light exposure, and being patient during the transition. Experts recommend waking babies up 10 minutes earlier each day leading up to the time change, using blackout curtains, and limiting screen time before bed. The history of daylight saving time is also discussed, along with the recent push to make it permanent in the U.S.
New fathers in Northern Ireland are encouraging men struggling with postnatal mental health issues to seek help, as they share their own experiences of feeling overwhelmed and helpless after the births of their babies. The group "Dad's Voice" in Ballymena provides a safe space for fathers to receive support through parenting, with members emphasizing the importance of seeking help and addressing their mental health concerns. Health professionals stress the significance of parental mental health for the wellbeing of the entire family, and while postnatal depression in men may not be officially recognized, it is crucial for fathers to speak up and seek assistance from healthcare providers.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics suggests that children should avoid screen time until the age of 3, as it may lead to developmental delays and atypical sensory behaviors associated with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD. The research found that babies and toddlers exposed to screen time were more likely to exhibit sensory processing issues, and each hour of daily screen time increased the likelihood of these problems. The study recommends that children 3 to 5 years old should have no more than one hour of screen time per day, and emphasizes the importance of parent training and education to minimize screen time for children under two, with the exception of video chatting.
A delivery driver on TikTok (@collectivetraumacorgi) has raised concerns after noticing that children's daycares are ordering large amounts of melatonin gummies, which are used to regulate sleep. The video has gone viral, prompting discussions about the safety and ethics of administering melatonin to children without parental consent. Melatonin's long-term effects on children are not well-researched, and there are potential side effects. This revelation has led to increased wariness among parents regarding daycare practices, with some considering testing their children for excess melatonin levels.
New research suggests that children of slightly anxious and depressed fathers may actually benefit from their fathers' mental health issues. A study conducted by Canadian universities found that kids with anxious and depressed dads had better attention spans, higher IQs, and more self-control. The researchers theorize that these fathers' struggles might make them more empathetic and attuned to their children's needs. However, the same positive effects were not observed in children of anxious and depressed mothers, whose mental health issues have been shown to have negative impacts. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between paternal mental health and child development.