A child with selective mutism may talk freely at home while struggling with expressing themselves in other environments, like at school. Selective mutism is more than just social anxiety or shyness. Children with selective mutism are physically incapable of speaking when put in certain social settings, such as in the classroom or on the playground. Significant social and academic complications can result from this disorder. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to support and advocate for a child with selective mutism....

More: The 25 Best Sensory Toys for Kids With Special Needs For most of us, sensory integration occurs without conscious thought or effort. Let’s say you’re ironing and chatting with your child. You stay focused on your conversation and hear all the fascinating details of the latest episode of Blue’s Clues. You may find that you’ve ironed an entire pile of shirts without even thinking. You certainly didn’t have to consciously consider how to apply the correct pressure to the iron, or figure out what to do when you came across a wrinkle or finished a sleeve....

Breast Milk vs. Infant Formula Breast milk is produced by a woman’s body specifically to meet her child’s nutritional needs. It provides everything a baby’s body requires for proper growth and development, changing in response to the baby’s needs. Not only is breast milk a complete source of nutrition and hydration, but it also helps protect babies from getting sick through antibodies that pass from mother to baby through the milk....

Despite the risks, social media fuels the challenge. Teens dare one another to try it, and many of them share their videos in an attempt to gain a piece of viral fame. What Is the Duct Tape Challenge? The duct tape challenge involves teens wrapping someone up in duct tape. They might bind their hands and their feet. Or, they may tape a teen to a chair—or even the wall....

One decision every expectant mommy makes, whether they’re having Baby 1 or Baby 5, is who they want with them on their journey through pregnancy, and at the birth. (Besides their partner, of course.) Do you want a doula? A midwife? Or the OB-GYN? There’s no right or wrong answer, it’s your choice; but it’s nice to have options on delivery day. Here’s a quick guide on the differences between these three and how they help deliver your baby–and beyond....

Determining the Best Interest of a Child Generally, the factors a judge will consider when determining the best interest of a child include: Child’s age: Young children generally need more hands-on care. Courts look at the bond between child and parent when evaluating child custody options. In addition, when children are young, judges frequently defer to the parent who has been the primary caregiver in the child’s life. Some courts also will consider the child’s wishes, depending on their age....

If your teen is failing a class—or they’re already failed the entire semester—take action. There are several things you can do to address the issue. Identify the Problem If your teen has a failing grade or is in danger of not passing, sit down and discuss the problem. Ask your teen for help uncovering the reasons they are not passing. Sometimes students who start out strong get sidetracked, while other students just aren’t motivated to stay on track....

More: Top Signs of Trouble for Grades K-8 Three education and child behavior experts explain what parents can do next after learning their child got into some trouble in school. Respect the educators who reached out to you about your child’s actions “At all levels of education, parents should be respectful to the school personnel reaching out regarding a child’s misbehavior,” says Collen Wildenhaus, a mom, teacher, and parenting blogger....

For those older than 35, the threshold moves down to six months of unprotected sex without a pregnancy to show for it. The threshold is also six months for those with a history of irregular menstrual cycles, known issues with their uterus or other reproductive organs, or a male partner with fertility issues. And if you’re 40 or older and want to get pregnant, it’s best not to wait on an assessment at all....

But babies don’t come with guidebooks—and their birth may not flip a switch in your brain that suddenly informs you how to raise them, down to the last diaper change and sleep training decision. The truth is, maternal instinct is largely a myth, and relying on instinct to guide you can potentially be harmful. If you don’t feel that becoming a mom has turned you into an instant expert, don’t dismay!...

Many people associate hot flashes with menopause, but they can also occur during other times of hormonal fluctuations, such as pregnancy or postpartum. So, do not be alarmed if you are suddenly feeling hot or are breaking out in a sweat after having a baby! Research has found that 35% of women experience hot flashes during pregnancy, while 29% of women experience hot flashes after delivery. If you one of those, here is what you need to know....

“Most experts feel you can pierce ears as young as 2 months of age,” says Dr. Joel “Gator” Warsh, a board-certified pediatrician and founder of Integrative Pediatrics. There are pros and cons to when and how to pierce your child’s ears. Keep reading to see what time might makes sense for you and your family. When Is It Safe to Get My Baby’s Ears Pierced? Most pediatricians will say that 2 months old is the earliest you can pierce a baby’s ears, though many may recommend waiting longer....

What Are Tree Nuts? Tree nuts, for the purpose of food allergies, include the following types of nuts (remember, peanuts are actually not a tree nut, but a legume). If any of these are present, a warning will be included on food labels stating that the product contains tree nuts. If your child has a known allergy to nuts, also be careful about cooking oils and additives that are in soaps, lotions and other things you might be putting on your baby’s skin....

If you’ve lost a child—whether through accident, illness or miscarriage—or your mom, the pain of that loss can be nearly unbearable on a day that celebrates the bond between mother and child. If you’re estranged from your mother, the impending holiday can increase that strain. The important thing to remember is you’re not alone, and there are things you can do to cope with your loss on Mother’s Day....

Why You Shouldn’t Wait Some years there haven’t been enough flu shots to go around. You may remember that in 2010 there was a shortage of vaccines available, leaving some parents scrambling to find a place to get their kids immunized. A scarcity of flu vaccine hasn’t been a problem since. However, parents who wait too long to sign up their kids to get a shot from the pediatrician sometimes find the doctor’s office has run out....

If the district has made a free appropriate public education (FAPE) available to the child, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) does not require school districts to pay for the placement of children with disabilities in private special education programs because it is the parents’ personal decision to do so. Parent placement of children with disabilities in private schools is typically referred to as a unilateral placement decision. The IDEA specifies that school districts are not responsible for paying for private programs when parents have made a unilateral decision....

More: This Is How One Parent Raises Their Gender-Neutral Child Nail Polish for Boys in the Media There has been a lot of press over the last few years of celebrities painting their kids nails and other male celebrities flaunting their own brightly colored nails. In 2017, Allure highlighted strong men who wear nail polish and why stigmas against them shouldn’t exist. Some of the celebrities mentioned in this article are Zac Efron, Hemsworth brothers, K-pop stars, and even YouTube influencers....

I raised a sweet, brilliant human being who cares deeply about other people, consumes information voraciously, and who her synagogue leaders describe as “a firecracker” and “destined to change the world.” She dotes on her pit bull mix, Cap, and loves playing League of Legends with her dad. She sings to herself while folding laundry, filling the house with “Jack’s Lament” from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” and needs to learn to leave the door to my office closed....

Your preschooler can create Spoon People using glue yarn, buttons, and a wooden spoon. Wooden kitchen spoon Glue Yarn Buttons Markers Directions

What Is A Yeast Infection? According to the Mayo Clinic, “a vaginal yeast infection is a fungal infection that causes irritation, discharge and intense itchiness of the vagina and the vulva — the tissues at the vaginal opening.” This is not a sexually transmitted disease, but rather, an imbalance of the natural components of the female reproductive system. What Causes A Yeast Infection During Pregnancy? What you may not realize is that both bacteria and yeast are always present in the vagina....