Swine (H1N1) Flu: How to Talk to Children About H1N1 Flu
A parent\’s job is never easy, but it gets a lot harder during times of stress. Like now, for example. The swine (H1N1) flu virus is going around. Naturally, you want to protect your kids. What should you tell them about this disease? How do you help keep them safe without scaring them? Here are [...]
Swine Flu: Protecting Your Child at School
Sending your kids to school, possibly exposing them to classmates sick with swine (H1N1) flu, can be scary. But knowing how to protect your child can help ease your anxiety. Rest assured that your child\’s school has plans in place for reacting to an outbreak of swine flu or any other emergency. You can also [...]
Step-by-Step: Treating a Child With a Fever
You took your child\’s temperature so you know he has a fever. But what does that mean? And what should you do about it? 1. Understanding fever in children A fever is usually the body\’s response to infection or illness. By raising the body temperature, the immune system makes the body a less inviting place [...]
How to Find Out if Your Child\’s School is Asthma-Friendly
Your child has asthma and the first day of school is approaching. You want to know: Does the school have an asthma action plan? Is the school asthma trigger-free? Is there a teacher or school nurse present to give your child medication? Answers to these and other questions help determine how "asthma-friendly" your child\’s school [...]
Online Harassment: Are Cyberbullies Targeting Your Child?
Has your child become withdrawn? Does he avoid school, bring home bad grades and steer clear of his friends? There could be hundreds of reasons why, but if you notice that he\’s upset after spending time on the Internet, "cyberbullying" could be the cause. In a 2004 survey of 1,566 children in grades four through [...]
Diet and Exercise a Must for Kids
More and more children in the U.S. are becoming overweight and obese. They are eating unbalanced meals made up of high-calorie foods and they are not exercising enough. Instead of playing outdoor sports, kids are watching TV or playing computer games. As a result, an alarming number of children are not only gaining weight, but [...]
Healthy Snacks for Kids and Grown-ups
The word "snack" usually conjures up images of cookies, chips and even candy. But snack food doesn\’t have to mean "junk food. "What\’s more, nutritious, well-planned snacks can be a vital part of your meal plan. Why not think about snacks as nutritious, planned "mini-meals" and not just junk food? Most growing children need more [...]
Tips for Handling Halloween Leftovers
Halloween candy. Tons of it. It won\’t be long before the constant battles and negotiations with your kids begins. Are you dreading the hoard of candy that will end up in your house this Halloween? In addition to the kids\’ supply, there\’s always a pile of leftover treats that didn\’t get passed out. And there\’s [...]
Kids and Team Sports: How to Play it Safe
It\’s that time of year. The kids are in school and team sports are in full swing. Your child is having fun, learning the concept of teamwork, feeling the physical and mental benefits of exercise and making new friends. Yet, it is estimated that each year, more then three million children are injured while playing [...]
Advice for Kids With Asthma
You brush your teeth, get dressed and eat breakfast every day, right? Well, taking care of your asthma should be part of your routine, too. Because that\’s part of taking care of yourself. Don\’t worry. Taking care of your asthma isn\’t that hard. It really just means doing two things: Taking your medicine Avoiding triggers [...]