Tips to Help Manage Childhood Stress

It’s something that isn’t talked about enough, but children get stressed out just as much as adults. That may seem impossible, given that children aren’t dealing with the workplace, marriage or families. However, they are dealing with the pressure of school, peer pressure and the pressure that comes with new children joining the family.  Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on childhood stress.

Pressure can lead to chronic stress in children. Stress can negatively impact their routines and sleep patterns. Unfortunately, children can become cranky, exhausted and unable to manage their day or their emotions properly.

 

 

childhood stress

 

 

 

Stress can lead to a number of issues  besides sleep issues. Children can become anxious.  They may want their parents to sleep in bed with them again as if they were a toddler. Poor sleep leads to more stress.  It’s a vicious cycle for your child to have to cope with.  A good way to help reduce the production of cortisol, the stress hormone, is to help your child manage their sleep cycle.  As an adult, you know that insomnia comes with feeling stressed out.  So, imagine your child feeling that very same way?  Below, you’ll find tips on how to manage childhood stress.  Our tips will help your child’s body get back into a good sleep routine, and slowly eliminate childhood stress.

 

childhood stress

 

  • Set The Mood – Some people like to sleep with the lights on.  Some people like it dark.  Sit with your child and ask them how they like to sleep. Without knowing their comforts, you can’t provide them with the right space for sleeping.  Invest in blackout blinds.  Also, learn the best mattress with Mattress-Guides.net/.  You can create a sleep space that is comfortable and relaxed with the right mattress.  Involve your child in the selection of the mattress.
  • Set A Bed Time –  Routine is key for children.  But, for those who can’t sleep they need a routine that’s going to help get a good night of sleep.  Strive to kept the same bath time, story time, and bed time routine until it sinks in. The body and brain learn to expect what comes next.
  • Set An Alarm – Next, with a bedtime routine comes a morning routine. If your child is to be in bed at 8 p.m., set the alarm for 7 a.m. the next day. If the bedtimes and wake up times are consistent, you get the body into a pattern that works.
  • Set A Screen Limit –  Blue light technology has an effect on the brain and how children are able to function.  So, if your child is staring at a screen within two hours of bedtime, you need to put a stop to it.  Children need time to allow their brains have time to switch off and unwind.  Kids need their melatonin production to stay consistent.

Finally, sleep is so important in order to to set up the day.  So, manage childhood stress by implementing the rules above and you’ll quickly notice a difference.

 

Thinking Beyond Sunscreen: 3 Ways to Protect Your Skin at the Beach

 

protect your skin

 

The 2018 summer season is expected to be hotter than normal in most parts of the country.  As a result, families will be finding ways to cool down and seek some relief from the scorching heat.  One way to do this is to go to the beach.  Not only do kids have fun playing in the sand and surf, but adults get to relax and work on their tan.  Additionally, they may take a dip every now and then to cool off.   However, while you’re having fun in the sun, it’s important to protect your skin.  Especially,  if you’ll be staying all day at the beach.

While most adults take active measures to protect their skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, there are other things that you can do to care for your skin and keep it healthy while you’re outdoors.  You’ll need more than a bottle of sunscreen to protect our skin though.  So, here are the 3 things to bring to the beach to care for your and your children’s skin.

A Sweat-Proof Sunscreen Stick

Getting excited children to sit still while you reapply sunscreen can be a challenge.  As a result, stashing one or two sweat-proof sunscreen sticks in your tote bag is a must before heading to the beach.  With just a few swipes, you can get the entire face protected.  Furthermore, it stays on longer than conventional sunscreens.  This is ideal way to protect your skin if you’re going to play watersports or beach volleyball.

Apart from helping to avoid getting sunburn, applying a good coat of sweat-proof sunscreen also prevents you from getting Actinic Keratosis.  Actinic Keratosis is a pre-cancerous condition that appears as small, red, and flaky patches on the skin.  If you’ve been spending lots of days in the sun and see this type of spots, you can get professional treatment to restore the health of your skin. Skin care is important throughout the year, but when the sun’s out, the risks increase.

All-Natural Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera has long been used as a natural way to soothe sunburned skin.  But, it can be difficult to bring to the beach.  The good news is that there are lots of readily-available Aloe Vera gels available on the market.  And, most of them cost less than $5 for a small tub or tube.  However, check the ingredients list first to see if what you’re buying is the real deal.  Make sure that Aloe Vera is the very first thing that’s listed.  Also, keep in mind that the first thing on the list is the most potent ingredient.

If you truly want pure aloe gel, you can make your own by pureeing the flesh of several aloe leaves in a blender. Add a teaspoon of Vitamin E if you want your gel to have additional moisturizing properties. Pour into a clean plastic container with a screw top lid and place in the refrigerator—the watery mixture will turn into a gel after a few hours.

A Lip Balm with SPF

That cherry-flavored lip balm might taste good, but you and your kids may be better off choosing a formula with SPF.  Especially, if you’re spending a day at the beach.  However, you don’t have to pick a plain variant.  A balm formulated with mint will feel soothing on the lips.  Also, a lip balm with a hint of tint makes you look healthy and naturally beautiful too.  Each member of the family should have their own lip balm as any product that touches the lips can be a source of infections such as the herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores.

Keeping the entire family’s skin protected at the beach is a cinch.  So, make sure you have the right products on hand.  It’s imperative that you bring all three of these suncare staples to the beach to protect your skin properly.  You can have fun times under the sun without risking your skin health.

The Dangers of Trying to Be a Supermom

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on the dangers of  a supermom.  Are you the type of mother who tries to do and be everything for your children?  You nurture and love them, go to work to provide for them, and overlook your own needs?

Furthermore, you go broke to make sure they can have things they need and like.  You bend over backwards and do any and everything to ensure they’re shielded from danger.  Though this style of parenting may seem beneficial, it can hinder your child’s growth and development.  Most importantly, it will wear you down.

Super Mom Syndrome

 

Dangers of a Supermom:

 

 

The Supermom Syndrome

Being a good mother is one thing.  However, there are dangers of a supermom.  The supermom syndrome or complex is the belief that a woman can do it all.  We can, but it’s not accepting that we get tired or saying no is not okay that wears us down.  Below are a few consequences of trying to be a super mon and a superhero in your child’s eyes:

  • Exhaustion/Fatigue – After years of trying to do everything perfectly and without help you get exhausted. Most supermoms won’t say no when it comes to their children. They pile on responsibilities without taking a break. This will eventually lead to exhaustion and fatigue.

  • Substance Abuse – Unfortunately, some mothers become so bombarded that they try to hide the stress by abusing substances.  They use everything from sleeping pills and painkillers to drugs and alcohol.  Unfortunately, they try anything to numb the pain.  Furthermore, they pills give them energy and helps them to maintain a “normal” life.  Their only out is a rehab center that offers outpatient services in Seattle or a destination near their families to get clean or sober.

  • Self-Doubt – The more you try to do it all and fail, the harder you are on yourself. You begin to talk down to yourself and feel like a failure.

  • Social Isolation – Outside of the mom circle for kid-related activities you begin to isolate yourself from your friends and family members.

  • Loss of Identity – The dangers of a supermom can cause moms who focus solely on their children eventually lose sight of who they are as individuals. When the kids aren’t around, they have no idea who they are, what they like, or what to do with their time.

  • Resentment – When you dedicate so much of yourself to your family, you can start to resent them. You become frustrated by the things you’ve missed out on to be there for them. Unknowingly, you take this out on your family.

Wanting to be great for your kids is an excellent goal. However, believing that this greatness can be done without error or all on your own is dangerous. If you’ve been trying to be everything for your family, it’s time to take a step back and regroup.   Learn to eliminate the stress in your life by getting help through rehab, counseling, or by relying on others to help raise your children is ok. Then get back to loving and being there for the person who matter too – you.

Key Tips For Helping Your Child Get A Good Night’s Sleep

how to help your child get a good night's sleep

 

Do you may have trouble making your little one hit the hay at night.  Do you know the possible impact of having a poor night’s sleep?  If a child doesn’t get enough sleep, they could get cranky, have poor concentration or behavioral and memory problems throughout the day.

Here are key tips for helping your child get a good night’s sleep.

 

  1. Unplug

Do you know that exposure from blue light emitted on screens can be harmful to your child? It can greatly disrupt sleep because melatonin, the sleep hormone, can drop. Exposure to these screens isn’t advisable for children with developing eyes and brains.  Same as with video games.

In fact, a study published in Pediatrics showed that children who play video games at least an hour before bedtime causes disruption of overall quality of sleep.

 

  1. Check your environment

Next, another culprit as to why your child may not be able to sleep is the environment. Itching, congestion, allergies and overheating are just a few examples. Have your little one tested for allergies if your child is coughing, sneezing or itching.

 

helping children get a good night's sleep

 

  1. Turn the lights off

Unfortunately, most kids are afraid of the dark.  However, complete darkness is one of the healthiest ways to sleep.  In fact, bright lights can disrupt the regulation of hormones, overall sleep quality, and even function of the immune system.

 

  1. Make bedtime extra special

Last, make a predictable bedtime routine for your child that they’ll look forward to. One of the best ways is cuddling them for a bedtime story. This would help them relax and sleep more peacefully.

Finally, maintain healthy sleep habits and be sure to follow these key tips for helping your child get a good night’s sleep and fall asleep fast.  Most importantly, you have to be consistent about these tips so healthy routines can develop.

 

 

About the author:  Sandra Wells believes that one of the best ways to express one’s creative spirit is through experimentation and using one’s imagination, and this creative flair is seen through her works. As a contributor to Betterbed, Sandra Wells brings about the comfort of healthy living and lifestyle through her articles, which she hopes could constantly be a source of inspiration for others. She likes to paint when she has free time off work.

Providing Care When Your Child Has A Long-Term Illness

Statistics show that 3.2% of children aged 5-11 years who missed 11 or more days of school were either ill or injured. This may seem like a small number, but this is only one age bracket.  Even a few days off can be something that a lot of families have to  make adjustments for.  For example, if both parents are working who will stay home and administer care.  There’s also the concern about the time in school that has been lost.  Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on children with long-term illness.

 

 

children with long term illness

 

 

Furthermore, a chronic or potentially debilitating condition can even be more concerning. The entire family’s life will be changed.  If you a have a child that has a long time illness, we have a few suggestions that may help you make the situation easier: 

Explaining The Illness To Your Child

Naturally, as a parent, your first thought is going to go toward your child’s health.  When you explain the situation to your child, be honest.  Especially, if the condition will require long term care.  Explain the sickness and the type of care that will be needed. Hospital stays and various procedures may be scary.  But, explain to your child that it’s necessary so they can get better. Depending on the age of the child, it may be important to remind them that their sickness is not their  fault.  

In some cases, you may want to consider getting professional counseling if your child is having a difficult time adjusting.  This is even more important if mortality is a concern.  In some cases, this can lead to acting out emotionally.  Depending on the severity of the condition, this can be normal.  Furthermore, you may want to see someone for yourself as well. Studies show that stress levels in parents tends to spike when it comes to dealing with children’s health.  This can stem from the child’s condition as well as the lack of control that goes with it.  

Home Health Care

When your child has a long term illness, parents must avoid getting overwhelmed and stressed out.  As a result, consider home healthcare.  In general, home healthcare encompasses a series of procedures that can be done in your home for an illness or injury. Home healthcare can include a variety of procedures, including:

  • Monitoring what your child is eating and drinking.
  • Checking your child’s vitals, like blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and breathing.
  • Ensuring your child is taking their medication and handling their health treatments correctly.
  • Teaching parents how to provide the needed care and making sure it done properly.
  • Coordinating care with doctors and hospital staff.

The intention isn’t to supplant hospital visits or appointments, but to take a little bit of pressure off of the family and patient themselves.  When you’re child has a long term illness, additional help is invaluable.  

Additionally, there are many resources you can go to for home healthcare assistance.  Providing care when your child has a long term illness is essential.  So, check out home healthcare providers, industry associations, and other experts in the healthcare field.  This includes sick children, the disabled, and the elderly. 

Finally, long term illness affects each member of the family.  You not only have to adjust the child’s lifestyle, but your own, your spouse’s and other children. This is a massive undertaking on an emotional level as well being a financial burden.  It’s okay to feel overwhelmed every now and then. What you want to do is combat this issue by getting plenty of help and support for your family.  We hope that you find our tips on children on long term illness beneficial.  

How To Eliminate Stress As a Parent

You’re probably used to feelings of stress and pressure as a parent. There is always something that needs to be taken care of, and everyone looks for you to sort it out.  And then there are the specific occasions that seem inevitably and unavoidably stressful whenever they arise. Here’s a few parenting tips on how to eliminate stress as a parent. 

 

how to eliminate stress

 

 

Make Special Days Memorable

The perfect example of this is your children’s birthday parties.  Kids need to be entertained and kept safe.  At times, this can be a nightmare.  Turn your nightmare into a dream, find the right kid’s birthday party place, schedule the day, and have fun.  Once you have that accomplished, then make the day memorable by making the party room unique and special.  It will become an  unforgettable day for your child and you.

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Plan for Your Party Guests and Chaperones 

Any situation in which you have to deal with lots of children can be stressful. You can address this by making sure that you have enough adults around to keep the kids in line.  Having chaperones to assist with the children will certainly make the day a lot less stressful for you.  Enlist assistants whether it’s for a birthday party, play date or a sleepover.  Remember, there is no shame in asking for some help.

Always Plan Ahead

Planning will help when you’re trying to enjoy time with your kids.  It will also help avoid stress.  Managing kids is always easier when there is structure in place.  You should know what you’re going to do and how you’re going to do it. That way, you will remain in control of the situation.  And your kids won’t take advantage of the chaos by causing even more trouble for you. You’ll then be able to make sure that you all enjoy the day.

Accompany Something Rough with Something Smooth

Trying to get your kids to do something they don’t want to do is always a struggle. For example, taking them to the dentist or even simply getting them to school in the morning can be difficult at times. When there is something rough that you have to put your children through, counter it with something smooth afterwards. By this I mean you should do something positive for your kids.  They will remember it fondly after they have to do something they don’t like. When they’re young, this can be really helpful. So, give it a try.

We hope that you have found our tips on how to eliminate stress as a parent helpful. Try implementing a few at your next event or into your daily routines when possible.

Get Your Kids Involved in Creating Clean Air

creating clean air

 

 

Kids usually don’t want much to do with cleaning the house. They’d rather be outside playing, and who can blame them? But the lessons they learn in childhood last a lifetime.  So, teaching children lessons in house cleaning can include the importance of creating clean air in the home.  You can teach them this lesson through different tasks.

For example, turning a chore into a fun activity can help eliminate the perceived boredom that comes with cleaning. Here are a few activities to teach kids about creating clean air in the home and keeping it clean:

Changing the Air Filters

Air filters are easy to change. Most are located in a safe and accessible spot.  This makes it safe in getting teens involved in removing and replacing them. They’re also a perfect teaching tool to show just how dirty the air filters can get.  Dirt caught in the filters is dirt that doesn’t make it into the rest of the home.  Change filters regularly.

While you may not want your children actually doing the task on their own, you can write the date of installation on the filter.  Additionally, mark the replacement date on the calendar. When the due date arrives, the kids can remind you to change the filter.  Furthermore, they can accompany you to see how much dirt was collected. It’s a simple, yet important task that gets everyone in on the action.

Turn off the Lights

Lights by themselves don’t do much in the way of generating pollution. It’s at the power generation level where the pollution occurs. The act of turning on a light bulb creates a power demand from the power plant. That demand requires fuel to generate the electricity. Encourage the kids to turn off the light when they leave a room for any length of time. It’s a great way to instill the idea of keeping the air clean without nagging. When kids are shown that their lack of action has a greater consequence to their world, they’re more likely to turn out the lights.

Energy producers are turning more and more to renewable sources instead of burning coal and wood. But this doesn’t change the need to turn out the lights. The less energy needed from any source, the better.

Open Windows at Night in Warm Weather

Air conditioning during the warmer months helps keep the home comfortable, but it also traps dust and other air pollutants inside.  Open windows at night and use fans to circulate the air. Air is cooler at night and helps the home exhaust the heat. If the AC gets turned on during the day, it won’t work as hard to cool down the home because the internal temperature is already low.

These are some of the ways you can get your family to participate in tasks that keep the air clean in the home and atmosphere. Teaching kids to become energy and pollutant aware when they’re young helps them turn into responsible adults.

We hope that you found our tips on creating clean air beneficial, and you will implement a few ideas.

 

 

Motivating Children and Getting Them Out of a Funk

Today’s your lucky day.  I’m sharing parenting tips on motivating children.  Do your kids need a bit more motivation in their lives? These days, it can be hard for school age kids to stay focused on academics and household chores.  If there were tips that helped kids try harder in school, you’d want to know all about them, right?  

 

 

motivating children

 

 

A few tricks that worked for other parents

Every mom and dad wants their child to thrive. However, kids experience phases when they simply don’t feel motivated. Trouble is kids don’t always ask for help in such times. Fortunately, we’re going to tell you about some proven methods that are sure to help your kid feel more like themselves. Don’t expect a miracle, but do enjoy the results.

Kids who become frustrated easily may be especially reluctant to tell their parents what’s going on. Start a friendly conversation with your child, and be quiet when they speak. Listening is an important tool in your parental strategy.  All kids want to know that they are being heard. Let your kid know that they can talk to you about anything at any time. Doing so may help your kid have a more positive outlook on life in general, says Tutor Doctor.

 

Little changes and small successes

Creating a pleasant homework space where your kid doesn’t feel pressured may help them focus and enjoy schoolwork more.  Spruce up a cozy space and fill it with reference books.  Furthermore, decorate the walls with posters of their favorite music groups.  Stock the desk with plenty of office supplies.  Homework can be fun if your kid doesn’t feel pressured.

Don’t overdo it to the point of insincerity, but be sure to praise your kid often. Celebrating small successes like a B grade on an important test can help an unmotivated kid realize their past accomplishments.  It may also motivate them to even more important successes.  Praise often to encourage more of the same.

 

Optimism and artwork

If you approach life with optimism and forge ahead despite setbacks and disappointments, your kid may take a similar positive approach. Encourage your kids to persist in the face of absurdity.  Encourage them to laugh every time you can. Allow your child to fail gracefully. Doing so may help them move through life in a more balanced and happier way, say parenting pros at the Child Development Institute.

Encourage art in your kid’s life. Permit them to download a free coloring book app and watch their mood improve exponentially. Kids who engage in artistic and musical endeavors tend to fare better and may use their “blue mood” to create beautiful works of art.

 

 

motivating children

 

 

Give Them a Challenge  

Sometimes, kids get into a funk because they don’t feel challenged enough. They believe any school project given to them is easy.  Unfortunately, this means they will look for distractions once they have finished the work, which can impact behavior and affect others. The result is a total lack of motivation to do anything school-related.  Especially, if they are being reprimanded for their behavior.  

You can help them overcome this behavior by working with their teachers or coaches to give them a challenge. If they have shown an aptitude for more advanced material, introduce your kids to it. You can use a word finder activity if they seem capable of cracking word puzzles.  Kids who have a passion for advanced Math can tackle more complicated formulas ahead of their grade. Even if the initial activities are too challenging, you can adjust the difficulty until you find something suitable. 

 

motivating children

 

Everyone feels down in the dumps now and then. But, with your encouragement and our tips on motivating children, your kids may adjust and cope with life’s little disappointments.  If a “funk” lasts for more than a few days, consult your pediatrician or family doctor.

The Importance of Clean Air in the Home for Children

 

clean air in the home

 

We think about the importance of keeping the air clear in the outside world  We know that air pollution can harm our lungs and shorten our lives.  But, we don’t always think about the dangers of the pollution.  It can be harmful to the developing respiratory systems of children.  W must think about the importance of keeping the indoor air we breathe clean as well.  Here are a few reasons on the importance of clean air in the home for children:

Breeding Disease

If someone in a family has a cold, there is a good chance other family members will catch the cold as well.  This likelihood will greatly increase if the family home has a dirty ventilation system.  Recirculating old, diseased-filled air can affect the quality of air in a home. The damp and dark environs that prevail in a vent are the perfect breeding ground bacteria.  This bacteria is then blown by the air conditioning or heating throughout the home.  These diseases can last long past the time the original sufferer has recovered.  They can even re-infect family members months later.

Chronic Illnesses

Communicable diseases can infest a building.  The air must be kept clean.   Additionally, indoor pollution can also exacerbate the conditions of children with chronic illnesses. This includes children who suffer from asthma, allergies, and other conditions where their lungs are affected.  Allergies can make people uncomfortable.  Furthermore, allergens that are allowed to thrive in the ducts of a house can become life threatening.  A good cleaning is required to remove them.  These same airborne particles will harm the underdeveloped lungs of a child with asthma.

Active Living

Keeping kids physically active is more difficult than ever in the days of smart devices, video game consoles, and Youtube videos. But, one factor keeping kids from exercising beyond the availability of these distractions is the quality of air.  Kids who live in a polluted household will likely feel more tired.  This has a cascading effect because the physical activities. A lack of physical activities leads to poor physical health.

Longevity

So what is the cumulative effect of all of these benefits on your children? As various studies prove, keeping the air clean is associated with a longer and healthier life.  In the long term, your efforts to keep the air clear for your kids will result in reduced chances of lung cancer and respiratory illnesses.  Furthermore, it will improve your child’s general health and a feeling of wellness.  If someone told you that feeding your child a particular meal would help them live a longer life, you would certainly jump prepare the meal for your child.  Keeping clean air in your house is exactly that kind of opportunity.

Last, having clean air in the home is not a huge expense.  Mostly importantly, it just requires you to make the effort to clean it up. Quality and quantity of life for your children is an awesome reward.

Caring For Kids In The Twenty First Century

 

caring for kids

Children really are a blessing. They are joyous and completely change your life with their energy, enthusiasm and wide-eyed wonder. They also produce some of the most terrifying moments of your life. Caring for kids can be overwhelming at times. It only takes them wandering away from you in a supermarket just once for you to never want to let go of their hand again.  One second they are there, and you turn away for just a moment, and they manage to completely disappear. When you eventually find them you want to hug them and shout at them at the same time. It is not really their fault. They, thankfully, do not realize what the potential dangers might be.

Another sometimes stressful thing about children is when they are unwell. All you want for a child when it is born, and for the rest of their life, is for them to be healthy and happy. The reality of life is that no one is always, at every moment, healthy and happy. Children are no different. There is reason to be optimistic though. We are living in the best possible time in history for healthcare. Scientists learn more and more everyday about how to help this ailment or solve that one and their understanding will only increase. Technology has played a great part in this too. Kids, as they grow and change, will have all sorts of things that go a bit askew. Fortunately, there are also ways to help them. Here are few to be aware of:

Running a Fever

Perhaps the most common, and for many parents, the most alarming problem is a child with a high temperature.  It causes such concern because everybody knows that it is a sign that something is wrong somewhere.  A high temperature is never good, but there are ways to bring it down without a trip to the doctor or hospital.  You can purchase over the counter medicine, a cool damp washcloth on the forehead, popsicles, ice cream or a few ideas. If the temperature remains at 104 degrees or higher consult your pediatrician immediately. The fact remains, it is difficult seeing them in pain, especially since they themselves do not understand it.

Developmental Progress

Aside from infrequent illnesses like fevers, another pressing concern while caring for kids is a child’s developmental progress.  Autism is in the news a lot because of claims that certain vaccines may have caused it in some children.  However, an issue that gets less attention is speech development. It can have a massive impact on a child’s entire life. Technology now allows children to get treatment with experts around the country through online calls. There are lots of helpful telepractice resources that you can read.  Treat speech development problems early.

SIDS

On a particularly positive note, science has helped reduce SIDS deaths (or crib death as it is sometimes known) by half by encouraging parents to put their children to sleep on their backs. It is not understood why, but children who sleep on their back rather than their stomach are at a reduced risk.

While parents will never stop worrying, there is more reasons to be optimistic now than ever before.  We hope that you found our tips on caring for kids beneficial.