Raising children in foster care looks a lot like raising biological children. Children in foster care need structure, discipline, love, and guidance like any other child. They also have after-school activities, friends, and homework. But raising children in foster care presents a few unique challenges. And it’s important for foster parents to understand the challenges they may face so they can be equipped to help kids in foster care thrive....
But you can still see your child’s mental development through the ideas that he actualizes. An exciting development in the fourth year is your preschooler’s blossoming ability to make what he imagines actually come true. In his mind’s eye, perhaps he sees the color blue; then he puts a brush in the blue paint and applies it to paper. Voilá! Blue. Or he may come up with an elaborate game of make-believe....
Washi tape is one of our favorite craft supplies. It comes in dozens of different colors and patterns, it’s cheap, easy for little hands to use, and makes minimal mess — win! We’ve rounded up our favorite Christmas-themed washi tape ideas from around the Web! Star and Heart Ornaments We love this craft because even if you don’t have plain ornaments to decorate, you can easily use cardboard, cut into any shape you want....
If you are having unusual cravings, you are far from alone. Between 50-90% of people experience cravings during pregnancy. We reached out to experts to help us understand why these cravings happen, and what they may tell you about your body and your pregnancy. Why Do Pregnancy Cravings Happen? The truth is, no one knows for sure why pregnant people have particular hankerings. “While pregnancy cravings are very common, we don’t exactly know why they happen,” says Janine Higbie, MS, CNS, CDN, certified dietitian nutritionist of JH Wellness....
Although your children love their other parent, the transition between households might still be hard because it is a major change in your children’s reality. For children, every reunion is also a separation; every transition is bittersweet. Every “hello” is also a “goodbye.” Each “new” parent should give the children time to adjust to the transition and not get overly concerned with behaviors that seem unusual during the initial period after the change....
How the Exam Is Performed In early pregnancy, when most miscarriages occur, the ultrasound is likely to be transvaginal in order to get the best picture of the developing gestational sac and baby. In a transvaginal ultrasound, the technician or doctor will ask the woman to undress from the waist down and put on a medical gown. The technician will then insert a probe into the vagina to get an image of the uterus and fallopian tubes....
Imagine the following stereotype: toddlers don’t stop talking and run around until they drop. This idea of ‘a toddler’ is very ingrained in society. And it may be true of a lot of young children - to the point that if your child is often quiet or holds back from social interaction, you might wonder if there’s something wrong. But is there? Is It Normal for Toddlers to Be Quiet?...
What is Attachment Theory? Attachment theory, from a psychological perspective, proposes that humans are born with a need to form a close emotional bond with a primary attachment figure and demonstrates how the early caregiver-child relationship influences ongoing social and emotional development, self-regulation, and brain development. Research on attachment dates back to the 1950s. Harry Harlow, a psychologist, who studied attachment, conducted an experiment whereby newborn rhesus monkeys were separated from their mothers and given two surrogates....
Here are some more pool rules: If you have a pool cover, remove it completely before using the pool. A partially covered pool can trap a child. Don’t leave chairs or tables near fences that a small child could stand on to climb over. Remove toys from pools so kids won’t be tempted to reach in to retrieve them. Don’t allow tricycles or wagons in the pool area. Keep rescue equipment by the pool: a life pre-server, rope, shepherd’s crook, and a phone for calling rescue personnel if necessary....
You can buy bogus “wainscot” in large panels, but it looks as fake as it is. We used the real stuff: 1⁄4"-thick oak boards with a decorative bead down the center. Each board covers 3 1⁄8" of wall. An overlap along one edge covers the joint. Because wainscot can shrink with time, stain or paint all board faces beforehand so that the area revealed by shrinkage will resemble the face....
There are many different types of infant formula, and it can be challenging to choose among them. If your baby has digestive problems, the decision can be even more confusing. Here are some things to keep in mind as you consider whether lactose-free formula is a good option for your baby. What Is Lactose-Free Formula? Lactose-free formula is typically made from cow’s milk that has been refined to remove the lactose and replace it with a different form of sugar....
Characteristics Musical learning styled people enjoy school activities such as music performance and appreciation, band, choir, orchestra, and writing poetry or songs. The musically talented person enjoys being surrounded by music and can appreciate many different types of music and sounds. They may be avid collectors of music, join a band or choir, or enjoy playing one or more instruments. They may often be found humming or drumming out beats with their hands....
Types of Potty Training Methods People choose to go about potty training in many different ways. Here is a look at some popular methods: Brazelton Child-Oriented Potty Training Supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, child-oriented potty training is a positive, non-threatening approach that involves beginning potty training when your child shows signs of readiness (typically after 18 months old). The idea is for the child to instigate the trips to the bathroom and for the parents to talk about and encourage potty use by using praise, not shame or force....
What Causes Tay-Sachs Disease? Tay-Sachs disease is a genetic condition that occurs when a baby receives two defective HEXA genes - one from each parent. Tay-Sachs disease is dangerous because it affects the nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. When a baby is born with Tay-Sachs, they lack a certain enzyme: a protein that triggers chemical reactions in cells. A hexosaminidase A deficiency leads to a collection of a fatty substance - the buildup of this substance is called GM2 ganglioside, and this is what leads to the symptoms of Tay-Sachs....
Similar to other immunizations, the DTaP vaccine works by exposing your child to a very small dose of the bacteria, thereby prompting your child to develop immunity and protecting them from future infections. However, if your child already has one of these infections, the vaccine will not be able to treat it. If we stopped vaccinating against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, we would see a rise in these infections among children....
Understanding the ins and outs of donating and receiving breast milk can be confusing. We are here to break things down for you and help you understand what your options are when it comes to donating your breast milk to others, or receiving it for your baby. Donating Breast Milk Donating breast milk is a compassionate, altruistic act, though for many people who donate, it all starts with the question: “What can I do with all this extra milk?...
For the most part, the answer is a resounding yes. Exercising during pregnancy keeps you strong and vibrant, and helps you maintain a healthy pregnancy. Although running can be a high intensity exercise, it’s something you can continue doing in most circumstances. That said, because it can be such a rigorous, high-impact workout, it’s something you will need to be careful with, and make possible modifications along the way....
For this reason, many expectant mothers may question their abilities as a parent or start to wonder if they have what it takes. This can create high levels of anxiety, especially if they are also being bombarded with ideas, information, and suggestions on everything from breastfeeding and cloth diapers to what to eat and whether they should stay at home. As a result, it is not surprising that, while sometimes well-intentioned, the unsolicited pregnancy advice that others dole out without thinking can start to make an expectant mom’s head spin....
