just parenting advice » Toddler

Kids Who Get Flu Shots Protect The Unvaccinated

Hong Kong Tran — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:06:46 +0000

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!]

Video: Five Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Kids Do

Hong Kong Tran — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:40:40 +0000

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]

Kids And Choking

Hong Kong Tran — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:00:11 +0000

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]

Kids and Pets

Miss Mona — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:30:48 +0000

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 Targeting Tots

Hong Kong Tran — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:40:36 +0000

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]

Snacks Even Your Kids Can Make

Hong Kong Tran — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:40:13 +0000

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?

Trail Mix
Fruit Salad
Cereal Bracelets
Sandwich Kabobs
Painted Toast

These are all things your kids can easily make. With a little supervision from you, your kids will be on their way to a much healthier lifestyle by starting with these simple snacks.

Check out the link below for all 10 snack ideas, and specific instructions on how to make them.

Do your kids know how to cook simple foods?

10 Easy Snacks That Kids Can Make [Modern Mom]

Kids And Makeup

Hong Kong Tran — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:38:54 +0000

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]

Killing Kids With Bad Food

Hong Kong Tran — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:31:00 +0000

Jamie Oliver won the 2010 Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED) award with his vision that diet habits in kids can be changed in the home and at school.

I wish for everyone to help create a strong, sustainable movement to educate every child about food, inspire families to cook again and empower people everywhere to fight obesity.

Diet-related diseases are the biggest killers in the U.S. today. But these diseases are entirely preventable, as Oliver repeats in his talk over and over again.

In watching the video below, you will learn…

How often Americans die as a result of the food they eat
How much children’s lives are shortened by diet habits
How to teach kids about food at home and in schools.

Oliver believes that we are all capable of making real, tangible change in the way we feed our children. Do you believe?

Watch the video and tell us what you think!

Jamie Oliver’s TED Talk: How We’re Killing Our Kids With Bad Food [Barking Robot]

Things You And Your Child Will Survive

Hong Kong Tran — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:34:19 +0000

Waves of panic seem to rise when it comes to parenting…

The smallest things that would normally be insignificant suddenly become the biggest problems.

That’s natural. That’s understandable. You want everything to run smoothly because you want the best for your kids. But somehow nothing seems to be right.

Guess what? You and your kids will make it! Shara Lawrence-Weiss from Examiner.com sheds some light on 10 things you and your kids will get through. It’s not the end of the world if…

You say no and you child begins to cry.
Your child isn’t invited to a birthday party.
You child falls and cuts himself or herself.
Your child sings nonstop.
Clothes don’t fit your child exactly right.
Your child says they hate you.
Your child develops an obsession with one movie…and one only…
Your child says something inappropriate in public.
Your child thinks you don’t know as much as his or her friends.
Your child eats a little of their own poop.

I’m not so sure about that last one, but as for the rest, there’s nothing you and your kids can’t overcome with some teamwork.

Were there ever situations in your parenting where you thought you would never get over?

10 Things You and Your Children Will Survive, Believe It or Not [Examiner]

Seven Secrets To Raising A Happy Child

Hong Kong Tran — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:40:09 +0000

With the bad economy, the increase in tuition fees, and the lack of jobs, it wouldn’t be surprise if your kids don’t turn out to be the happiest kids in the world.

Although you can’t really control what happens outside of your family, as parents you can at least raise happy children. What happens next is up to your kids.

But let’s start with some of the ways you can help raise your children to be healthy ones…

In addition to tips like giving your kids choices, being a role model for your kids, and respecting your children’s privacy, one “secret” that I think would really make your kids optimistic in the future is for you to be confident yourself.

Be positive about your job, and do not walk in the front door complaining about the economy and your coworkers and boss. Let your kids know that you will have a way to support yoursefl and them…When you need a new job, go ahead and look, but do not make it your child’s problem.

You are your children’s most influential teacher–they learn the most from seeing what you do, and seeing how you act and feel. If you feel unhappy about the situations you are in, don’t reflect that onto your children. Don’t make them feel unhappy for your unhappiness.

Following the seven steps at the link below will help you raise happy children for the future.

Are your kids happy? How do you make sure that they are happy?

Parenting: 7 Secrets to Raising a Happy Child [More4Kids]