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Things are different today than they were when we were growing up. No longer are parents expected to sit down with their child one day and have a “bird and bees” type talk about sex, filled with euphemisms and a hefty dose of discomfort. Now, with body positivity and sex positivity all around us, talking to our kids about sex can be positive and affirming—for our kids and ourselves. Still, you may not know exactly what sex positivity is, what its benefits are, and how to go about infusing it into your discussions with your child....

“When going to a water park, the same water safety measures apply as visiting a pool or body of water,” explains Florencia Segura, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician at Einstein Pediatrics in Virginia. As flocks of people start making their way to water parks in the summer, it is especially necessary to have a plan in place to keep your little ones safe while enjoying the attractions. We’ve gathered some of the tips you’ll need before heading to the water park, including safety precautions and items you should bring to make the most of your trip....

Keeping twins together at school is an emotionally charged issue that can often divide parents and teachers. Some parents have advocated for change at the state, and even federal, levels to ensure that twins can be in the same classroom. Here are a few cases to be aware of, as well as some of the pros and cons of having your twins attend class together. Pros and Cons of Schooling Together Parents understand the unique bond that many twins have and some are eager to avoid the trauma of separation, particularly in the early school years....

All the players sit in a circle with their legs crossed. The more players you have the better. One person is picked to be the leader and is responsible for getting the rhythm in motion. The rhythm is a slap on thighs, a clap, and two snaps of the fingers (first with the right then with the left). So the rhythm sounds like this: slap, clap, snap, snap. When everyone is slap-clap-snapping at the same time, the leader thinks of a category and starts when he or she has an idea....

Although pregnancy is a good time to delegate chores when you can (you need your rest!), nine months is a long time to go without vacuuming and scrubbing. There are a few new rules to follow while housekeeping to keep you and your baby safe. Avoid Fumes Avoid using harsh, abrasive chemicals. Try your hand at some green cleaning instead. This will protect you in pregnancy, but also prepare you for a shift in how you care for your home without harsh chemicals once your baby is born....

More: The Benefits of Yoga on Health and Self Confidence Parenting with chronic illness is challenging for many reasons. Many of these illnesses come with profound exhaustion. Parenting is a 24/7 job, and all parents feel tired. When you add on the level of fatigue that can accompany chronic illness, many parents feel like they are drowning. Another issue that parents with chronic illness can face is the fact that our physical challenges can often be described as an “invisible illness....

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 42.5% of the United States population 18 and older has been exposed to HPV. This means that many pregnant women have HPV. It is also very common to have HPV and not have any visible warts or other symptoms. In fact, many people (pregnant people included) with HPV have no idea they have it. Additionally, this highly contagious condition can be spread when no symptoms are present....

The issue: Parents and schools are not afraid of conflict and differences of opinion, but strive to resolve any differences in a “win-win” manner. Special education laws were designed to make sure that parents play an active role in the development of a child’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP). This whole process was developed to increase communication and collaboration between parents and school. It’s a very healthy sign when parents are able to take issue with professionals in the school about their child’s instruction or management....

The finding comes after researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health tracked more than 600 low-income infants in their first year of life. Previous studies examining the link between food insecurity and obesity have largely focused on adults. What the Study Found In a statement about the study, lead author Sara Benjamin-Neelon. PhD, an associate professor at the Bloomberg School’s department of health, behavior, and society, says that “one possible explanation for this link is that food insecurity is associated with lower-quality diets that promote obesity, although infants, especially in the first six months of life, should be consuming limited foods—mainly just human breast milk or infant formula....

Published in the journal Blood Advances, a new study shows that one of every two pregnant women has low levels of iron. While the deficiency is concerning, experts note that supplements and diet can help treat low iron levels, helping parents have healthier pregnancies. The Study Researchers studied close to 45,000 pregnant women who had prenatal tests performed at laboratories in Ontario, Canada. They looked at the tests given between 2013 and 2018....

However, the bigger concern should be whether or not those impacted by miscarriage will be able to get the proper obstetric care they need following a spontaneous abortion. Below, we detail the differences between an abortion, and a dilation and a cutterage after a miscarriage as well as why this procedure may be harder to access in some regions. What is Dilation and Curettage? Dilation and Curettage (D&C) is an outpatient surgical procedure that is conducted when a woman is experiencing irregular heavy bleeding or when excess tissue needs to be removed from the uterus....

There are two notable exceptions. First, as kids get heavier, most car seats require you to use the seat belt rather than the lower anchors of the LATCH system, as the seat belt is stronger. Second, car seats that feature rigid LATCH—rather than a lower anchor strap—are typically safer when installed with rigid LATCH vs. the vehicle’s seat belt. For most seats, it isn’t safe to use both lower anchors and the seat belt at the same time....

But the pandemic laid bare just how difficult managing two sets of competing responsibilities can be, as moms either left the workforce from sheer lack of options when it came to childcare or took on the responsibility of working from home while caring for children. Now more than ever, moms returning to the workforce deserve some credit for the host of skills they’ve gained from the trenches of parenthood. And many argue that it’s a title that even belongs on a resume....

The basics: Skating starts with learning how to balance on skates and move from point A to point B, usually in a “Learn to Skate” or basic skills program. Age kids can start: Toddlers of two and three years old can begin to skate, sometimes with a metal bar to hold onto for balance. Learn-to-skate lessons can begin at about age 4. Skills needed/used: Flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, balance and coordination....

That all began to change soon after his parents divorced. Fernando discovered he could not only take advantage of his parents’ separation, but he could get away with it. He could get any new toy he wanted, skip cleaning up or stay up past his bedtime. All he had to do was ask. Soon, his behavior began to change for the worse. His parents, it seemed, were too consumed by guilt and shame over splitting their child’s family up that they were quick to give into his every request and demand....

More: 6 Life Skills Every Teen Should Master Before College It’s a joyous occasion to have your child home again, but the parent and child dynamics of the past will certainly feel changed. Your teen has been experiencing a level of independence and freedom that can make coming home again challenging, no matter how happy they are to see you. Fortunately, with a bit of intention and consideration, you can absolutely still set boundaries and rules and live peacefully together during this winter break....

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