There are benefits and downsides to filing pro se. For parents who want to file for child custody but who cannot afford a lawyer, filing pro se is a viable alternative. In addition, when you file without a lawyer, you learn a lot about the legal system, which can equip you to be your own best advocate. Still, seeking child custody is a stressful process, and navigating the legal system can require a steep learning curve....
Parenting Twins Isn’t the Same as Parenting Singletons Some parents are horrified by the thought of instituting a schedule, preferring a more relaxed, less rigid approach. Many parenting experts that favor a “feeding on demand” model oppose the notion of schedules. This may even have worked great with your other children. But, nearly all parents of multiples will agree that it’s different when there are more than one. A different approach may be required in order to meet everyone’s needs more efficiently....
If you are wondering what causes a drool rash, read on. You will discover how you can prevent the rash around your baby’s mouth as well as help keep them more comfortable while their skin heals. Why Babies Drool Drooling starts around 3 to 6 months of age, when babies become “oral-centric.” Drool actually serves several important functions. For instance, a baby’s saliva communicates information about their health. When a breastfed baby is nursing, bacteria and other microbes in the baby’s saliva interact with the parent’s mammary glands, influencing the composition of the breast milk....
A child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health, particularly when it comes to dealing with stress, behavior, and academics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 5 children experience a mental disorder in any given year. And while not all mental health issues can be prevented, you can take steps to help keep your child as mentally healthy as possible....
Our parents used to engage in a few games, but mostly we played against each other. I wouldn’t want to kid anyone and say this was the miracle that solved our childish bickering—I’m sure we accused each other of cheating and wound up in a few hair-pulling war-games ourselves, but mostly I remember really enjoying the game. When my siblings weren’t around, sometimes I’d play by myself. I used to split the deck and play against an invisible opponent....
In adulthood, HSV can cause cold sores on the mouth, blistering on the genitals, and lesions elsewhere on the body. HSV can be transmitted to a newborn through skin-to-skin contact, resulting in neonatal herpes. If the birthing parent has an outbreak of HSV on the genitals at the time of delivery, this transmission can occur at birth. Less commonly, a newborn can also contract neonatal herpes if someone with a cold sore kisses them....
Recognize Age Matters It can be hard for parents to accept that their children are growing up and letting go of childhood traditions and notions. For many parents, it’s downright painful to think that their child has grown out of the Santa years and all the fun that’s associated with the belief in Santa and his little elves. 6- to 7-Year-Olds Although questions about Santa can happen at any age, many come up with school-aged children because of conversations with other kids....
“Ask yourself, what is my number one job as a parent?” suggests Becky Kennedy, PhD, a clinical psychologist and author of the upcoming book “Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be.” “My number one job is to keep my child safe,” she adds. “Safety is really the foundation for everything else.” With that, Dr. Becky suggests letting safety guide your feelings above all else. What will make you feel safe?...
However, breastfeeding is not, so simple for every new mom. From worries about not producing enough milk to sore nipples to difficulties getting your baby to latch and actually drink, learning how to breastfeed can be a major pain! Often new mothers feel shame or anxiety about not being able to breastfeed. However, these breastfeeding challenges are incredibly common and normal. If breastfeeding isn’t the right solution for you, there are plenty of alternatives available like formula feeding....
Can You Teach an Infant to Swim? While you can’t exactly teach your baby the breaststroke, there are water skills they can learn at a young age. At this stage, it’s less about teaching an infant to swim and more about teaching water survival, says Jessica Box, an instructor at SoCal Survival Swimming in Temecula, California. “Swimming and floating are motor skills, and they can be taught through repetitive exercises such as swim lessons, as well as gentle verbal encouragement," she explains....
Other causes of bleeding during early pregnancy include ectopic pregnancy and infection. Since these can be dangerous, it is important to know how to recognize implantation bleeding and to get medical attention if you experience bleeding in pregnancy. What Is Implantation Bleeding? Implantation bleeding happens during the very early stages of pregnancy. It appears as a smear of blood on your underwear or toilet paper a few days before or after the time when you can first test positive on a pregnancy test....
Twins occur when one fertilized egg separates into two embryos, creating monozygotic, or identical twins, or when two eggs are fertilized by different sperm, which results in dizygotic, or fraternal twins. While there is no real way to know ahead of time if either of these events will take place during conception, if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, here are some factors that may increase the odds you’ll find yourself eating for three....
What Is Gripe Water? Gripe water is an herbal supplement that contains sodium bicarbonate and a combination of herbs. These can include fennel, ginger, chamomile flower extract, passionflower extract, dill, cinnamon bark, caraway seed oil, lemon balm, clove bud oil, and cardamom seed oil. It can also contain lemon juice, agave nectar, and kiwifruit extract. Manufacturers market this product as a remedy to acid reflux, colic, gas, hiccups, fussiness, and even teething....
I was more hormonal than normal with massive anxiety out of the blue…to the point I needed to go on medication during the pregnancy. That only happened with my twins and not with my two following singletons. The doctor said looking back it was the sheer amount of hormones coursing through my body…way more than with a single baby. Then, there was the eerie feeling; the sense that there was more than one little guy in there....
For example, IVF may be the first option if a person’s fallopian tubes are blocked or if you will be using a gestational carrier and/or an egg donor. IVF also may be used in severe cases of male infertility or when previously cryopreserved eggs are being used. Still, even in these cases, IVF may come after trying to get pregnant and several fertility tests. The more you understand about what’s coming next, the more in control you’ll feel....
What’s normal? Events such as these shock, discourage, and scare many parents, but don’t assume that these indiscretions demonstrate that your kids haven t internalized your family values. These actions are not an indictment of your parenting. Your children are simply “being kids,” using risque language and stories to gain some sense of power over confusing areas of their lives. They are also developing a sense of humor and testing your limits all part of normal, healthy child development....
Let’s take a look at each of these points, along with some things to watch out for during your child’s language development, myths surrounding expressive language disorder, and the next steps to take in helping your child. Definition of Expressive Language Disorder Expressive language is exactly what it sounds like: the ability to express yourself using spoken or written language in a way that is understandable and appropriate. Most children are able to use words with relative ease by the time they are about 5 years old....
Lids from frozen-juice cans or baby-food jars (at least 10) Magnet strips Glue gun Green felt Felt in other bright colors Scissors Directions
