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Your little one gets home from school and is scratching their head aggressively. Then you get the call that head lice is spreading…
It sounds like the beginning of a nightmare, but it’s very common! The most important part is understanding what you need to know to get through the next few weeks.
Remember the “terrible twos” and the frustrations that came with that period? If this is your first experience with a child going through puberty, get ready for the “terrible tweens.”
Continue reading “Supportive Tips for Parents During Their Child’s Transition Through Puberty”
Most of us have seen a child in a grocery store throwing a temper tantrum or being downright obnoxious and unruly. Do we immediately blame the parents for allowing this to continue, or do we have sympathy for their situation?
Continue reading “How to Tell If Your Child’s Aggression Is Normal or Needs to Be Addressed”
Many folks believe you can never be too rich or too thin. When in fact, sometimes too much of a good thing becomes, well, not so good.
The fluoride in toothpaste and much of our water supply protects us from cavities and decay, but too much fluoride can be a problem, especially for kids. If your kids are using too much toothpaste, it could be ruining their oral health.
So, how much is too much?
Continue reading “Kids Using Too Much Toothpaste? It Could Be Ruining Their Oral Health”
Just ask any parent if raising children today is challenging. Most of us know the answer, but that challenge can be exacerbated if you are raising a child with ADHD.
Continue reading “How Can the Five C’s Help Your Child with ADHD?”
The first thing to remember about your child’s potty training is that they are a child, and YOU are the adult, the parent, the older and wiser one. If you have ever observed another parent trying to unsuccessfully train their child to go to the potty, it might have been hard to tell who’s who.
Continue reading “6 Ways You May Be Inhibiting Your Child’s Potty Training Progress”
During the last few decades TV comedy sitcoms have showcased dysfunctional families, several of which have become big hits. However, it’s not so comical or entertaining if you happen to be, in reality, part of a dysfunctional family, especially for the children.
Continue reading “Easy Family Therapy Exercises You Can Do At Home”
Unless you are a hermit, live in a bubble, or plan to stay in the woods alone from October through March, you are susceptible to the flu.
Continue reading “5 Easy Ways To Avoid Catching The Flu This Season”
As parents, we often spend a lot of time worrying over the safety of our children. This is especially true for parents with kids that are involved in sports. But, what can you know about sports injuries and concussions that may help ease your mind just a bit?
Continue reading “What Parents Need to Know About Athletic Injuries”
Anxiety is a normal part of childhood and growing up, and it’s safe to say everyone experiences some level of anxiety through their lifetime. For a certain number of people, though, childhood anxiety may turn into teen and adult anxiety. In fact, we all probably know an adult whom we think of as a chronic “worry wart,” but does that meant they’re affected by anxiety?
As parents, learning how to manage childhood anxiety can be beneficial both for your children and the adults they will become.
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Positive or normal anxiety protects us from danger and can help us reach goals. It feels uncomfortable, but it’s temporary and will gradually go away. The heightened anxiety a child feels before a test at school or an adult experiences before a job interview can either drive us to do our best or cause us to fail miserably. Learning how to manage anxiety for life is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children.
Childhood should be a carefree and happy time for kids, but unfortunately, for many kids their life is full of worry and fear. If a child becomes fearful or anxious after watching a scary movie, that’s quite normal and usually is forgotten in a day or two. Being afraid of the dark, of strangers, or being separated from parents are mostly normal behaviors for young children.
Conversely, when a youngster is fearful of social events, school, getting on the bus, or just going outside their house, this is a more serious situation, and parents would be wise to take note.
Thinking they will “grow out of it,” or it’s “just a phase” might work for a while, but unless parents intervene and address their child’s fears. they may never be able to provide their child with the skills needed to deal with life’s challenges.
Try the following suggestions if your child seems overly anxious:
When your child worries all the time, constantly ponders about what might happen, has headaches and stomach ailments, and gradually shows a decline in grades, it may be time to seek the help of a professional. Your child may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. This can affect all phases of a child’s day to day life: eating, sleeping, and concentration in school.
Depression, eating disorders, and suicide rates are increasing and many believe these problems begin with anxiety disorders.
If you think your child is experiencing a high level of stress and anxiety, see your physician at PediatriCare of Northern Virginia for an evaluation and advice.