This may sound like common sense, but Canadian researchers have recently shown that kids who get flu shots help to protect others who haven’t been vaccinated.
Dr. Mark Loeb, a professor of pathology and molecular medicine at McMaster University says…
There is an additional benefit in immunizing children and adolescents in terms of reducing the spread of influenza in the community. It doesn’t only benefit them, but it will protect their grandparents and older people in the community as well.
Many kids aren’t aware of their potential at spreading germs. In the U.S., the seasonal flu kills around 36,000 people each year. If your kids haven’t gotten their flu shots yet, take them to your doctor or local pharmacy as soon as you can.
Let’s all do everyone else a favor by getting vaccinated.
Did your kids get their flu shots yet? Did they get the flu this year?
Kids Who Get Flu Shots Protect the Unvaccinated [Yahoo!]
Gever Tulley, founder of the Tinkering School, talks about 5 things you should let your kids do…even if those things are a little dangerous.
1. Play with Fire
2. Own a Pocket Knife
3. Throw a Spear
4. Deconstruct Appliances
5. Drive a Car
These activities will help your kids grow up to be creative, confident, and safe. Throwing, for example, stimulates various parts of the brain, and it will help your kids develop visualization, analytical, and physical skills.
Take a look at the video for Tulley’s short speech. What do you think of Tulley’s suggestions?
5 Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Kids Do [TED]
Food is dangerous. We all need food to live, but it can kill us at the same time. And for younger kids who are still learning how to chew and swallow, food is especially dangerous.
According to a study in 2001 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 60% of the kids brought to the hospital due to choking actually choked on food.
A blogger for the LA Times argues that pediatricians and food manufacturers aren’t doing enough to protect children from choking. In other words, they’re not taking choking seriously.
And I agree. But the good thing about being a parent is you don’t have to wait for others to tell you that choking is more common than people assume. Take your own steps to protect your kids by being extra careful about what you feed them and what kinds of toys you buy them. And don’t forget that just because the item isn’t labeled as a choking hazard, doesn’t mean that it can’t choke your kids.
Do you think that pediatricians and food manufacturers should take choking more seriously?
Are You Sufficiently Worried About the Risk of Choking? Probably Not, Pediatricians Say [LA Times]
Let’s get one thing straight: kids hate being yelled at. So it’s no wonder that your kids don’t listen to you when you yell at them to do things like clean their rooms.
If you want them to listen to you, cater your demands to what they want to do.
Take a look at these 6 steps from Modern Mom to get a better idea of how to do that… More »
If you’ve never had a pet in the family, the idea of kids and pets can be an attractive one.
But before you decide to get your kids that cute puppy or kitten, there are 3 main things you should keep in mind…
- Are the pets age-appropriate when it comes to children?
According to Anne Vasquez on SunSentinel.com, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends smaller pets for children ages 3-5. If you’re going to get a larger animal, like a grown dog, make sure the animal is friendly towards kids.
- Pets can be teachers
A pet in the family is a great way for your kids to learn responsibility. Assign chores like feeding and socializing the animal. Quality time with pets will help your kids recognize trust, companionship, and compassion.
- Your current pet may not be used to a new bab
Pets need to get used to new additions to the family, too.
Do you have a pet? How do you kids get along with the pet?
Kids and Pets: What Parents Need to Consider [SunSentinel.com]
TV commercials aren’t just for adults. And although your kids may not necessarily understand every word in a commercial, the images and messages in commercials can be easily understood, even for a 5-year-old.
According to CafeMom.com, researchers at the University of Wisconsin and Michigan found that even kids ages 3-5 are subjected to marketing pressures, too.
I don’t think this is a new concern. A commercial isn’t a novel idea, and kids who watch commercials may be persuaded, but they grow up and realize that some of the products they see in commercials aren’t that great.
It’s all a learning experience, and I don’t think it makes sense that parents and researchers are realizing the effects that commercials have on viewers just now.
If you’re worried about your kids’ being influenced by commercials, why not just turn off the TV during commercials, or limit TV time altogether?
TV Commercials Are Targeting Your Tot [Cafe Mom]
We at Just Parenting Advice recently published a blog that features Jamie Oliver’s TED speech. Oliver emphasized the importance of home-cooked foods as opposed to the fast food that is making so many kids today obese.
It’s important that kids learn how to cook at an early stage so that they don’t rely on eating out when they get older.
Here’s a list of snacks that your kids can make. These aren’t recipes for food; however, they have to start with foods that they can handle. And what kind of child can’t handle snacks and munchies? More »
Do your kids have something interesting to say about practically everything? Do you get a kick out of what they say, and do you think others will, too?
Maybe it’s time for your kids start their own blogs.
I think this is actually an interesting idea, and there’s an innocence in children that will bring fresh perspectives to topics that pertain to parenting and to the real world.
Before you set up that blog account, read this list of tips from Radical Parenting so that your kids’ blogging experience will be both fun and safe. More »
The increasing number of young child stars these days greatly influences how your own kids feel about themselves and what they think about society as a space where physical beauty and looks dominate success.
Makeup products, for example, are being marketed to kids as young as 3 years old with Hannah Montana packaging. Kids see this and think it’s okay if they use these products–after all, they watch the show.
But it’s not okay.
Research has found that many cosmetics products contain many toxins that aren’t labeled on the packaging. Many of these toxins are linked to cancer. Some even alter hormones.
Is this what you want your kids using? Products that can adversely affect their health?
And what about the ethics behind kids and makeup? I personally don’t think it’s psychologically healthy for kids to wear makeup. They don’t need to hide anything, and as parents you should try to get your kids to understand that.
How do you feel about makeup and kids? Do your kids wear makeup?
Kids and Makeup: A Dangerous Mix? [The Boston Channel]
When I was younger I was in love with *NSYNC…you know, the boy band? I imagined myself getting married to one of the members. I needed their CDs, and just HAD to have their albums the same day they were released.
Thinking back, I probably didn’t NEED those music albums, although I certainly did want to be one of the first of my friends to buy their CDs…
Celebrities can really change the way your kids behave. You may find yourself asking, “Who are so-and-so and what have they done to my kids?”
Many kids go through their celebrity obsession stage. It’s not necessarily unhealthy behavior. It’s more amusing than anything.
Your young daughters may be in love with Justin Bieber, but so are all the other kids…so don’t worry about it. The phase will pass and you’ll be relieved of those songs that have been playing over and over and over again!
Who are your kids currently obsessed with?
Who Is Justin Bieber and What Has He Done With My Daughter? [Families.com]
