Showing posts with label Parent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parent. Show all posts

4 Ways to Help Your Teenager With Their Mental Health

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Mental health is something that should be taken seriously at any age, but it's especially important to make sure that our teenagers are taking care of their mental health. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), one in five teens experiences a serious mental health problem each year. That's a lot of people who could use some help! In this post, we will outline four ways that you can help your teenager with their mental health.


Photo by Jesús Rodríguez on Unsplash

Talk to Your Teenager about Mental Health

This is the first and most important step. Mental health should be talked about openly and without stigma. Let your teenager know that it's okay to talk about their mental health, and encourage them to do so if they're feeling anything other than 100%. If your teenager is reluctant to talk about their mental health, try asking them questions about how they're feeling in general. How was their day? What's been on their mind lately? Just giving them the opportunity to open up can help them feel more comfortable discussing sensitive topics. You can also bring up mental health in the context of celebrities or public figures who have spoken out about their own experiences. This can help normalize the conversation and make it less daunting for your teenager.


Listen to Your Teenager

Once you've opened up the conversation, it's important to actually listen to what your teenager has to say. This can be difficult, especially if they're talking about something that makes you feel uncomfortable. But it's important to resist the urge to judge or dismiss their feelings. Really try to understand where they're coming from. What might be causing their mental health problems? What can you do to help them? Showing that you care and want to help can make a world of difference for your teenager. If you're not sure how to respond, there are plenty of resources available online or from mental health organizations that can help guide the conversation.


Encourage Them to Get Help

If your teenager is struggling with their mental health, encourage them to seek professional help. This could mean meeting with a therapist or counselor or even just talking to their doctor about what they're going through. It's important to make sure that your teenager knows that there's nothing wrong with getting help. In fact, it can be incredibly beneficial! It's nothing to be ashamed of, and it can really make a difference in their life.


Utilizing Coping Mechanisms

There are many different coping mechanisms that can help people deal with mental health problems. Some common ones include exercise, journaling, and spending time in nature. Encourage your teenager to find a coping mechanism that works for them. It might take some trial and error, but it's worth it to find something that helps them feel better. And if they're struggling to find something that works, there are always professional resources available to help. For example, using the acronym dbt accepts. DBT is a form of therapy that helps people learn to cope with difficult emotions in a healthy way. If your teenager is struggling to find a coping mechanism that works for them, DBT might be a good option to explore.


These are only a few of the many ways that you can help your teenager with their mental health. Just remember to be patient, understanding, and there for them when they need you.


Important Life Lessons To Teach Your Children

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It's crucial to raise your kids in a way that will enable them to stand up for themselves and be self-reliant. The first and most important role models in a child's life are their parents. The actions you take will be followed by your kids. And every parent wants their kids to grow up in a loving, honourable, and joyful atmosphere so they can adopt such qualities. They will become stronger, healthier and be more equipped to confront the world thanks to life skills. There are many life lessons that you can teach your children from cooking to physical activity.


​​Teaching them that they are deserving of respect and affection is crucial


Your child must be free to express their emotions. Give them all your love and respect, and encourage them to do the same for you. You are the primary role model that your child looks up to. Their future behaviour will be influenced by your behaviour and what you anticipate from them. 


A low-risk request is a good approach to practise: Your child want to don mismatched socks? Allow him! Even though you'd never wear a checkered shirt underneath a party dress, supporting your child's tastes and sense of style will help create the foundation for respecting this person's differences from you in the future. Your preschooler wants to stand outdoors and watch the water pouring down from the gutters as you are trying to get out of the storm. What does it look like to respect that difference? You may remark, "You're extremely thrilled about water today! ", fetch an umbrella from the house, wait inside with a large towel, or something similar. Let's take a bath for you. Staying outside in the rain is too cold.


Obstacles will make them more resilient


Your child must learn from you that difficulties make people stronger and provide opportunities for growth as people. You shouldn't jump to their aid, for instance, when they're having problems painting. Let them solve the issue on their own. They will improve their skills as a result. You can equip them with the means to address their own issues. They will become a better person as a result in the future.


They need to understand that you are what you think about yourself


In front of your children, you must never criticise yourself. Don't constantly complain about your 'laziness' or stupidity. Your child can begin to imitate you and adopt a pessimistic outlook. Create conscious goals for yourself and demonstrate to others how to attain them. She will comprehend things better as a result of this.


Being human, we all make mistakes


They need to learn that everyone makes errors occasionally and that we all have terrible days. We become preoccupied with problems, or the only thing that matters are the differences in opinion. 


Be kind and merciful to others


Teach your child to support others in the face of a mistake or difficulty. You must let your child observe your positive friendships. Show them, for example, how to seek emotional support after a difficult day and how to be aware of the emotions and difficulties of others.


Do you make fun of unrelated people? Do you criticise your friends or family while they aren't around? Do you occasionally behave degradingly toward your partner, pets, or even your children? Apples don't generally fall too far from the tree. Your words won't have much of an effect on your child's behaviour if you tell them to be kind while exhibiting negative, nasty behaviour. Children don't follow instructions; they act on what they observe. Set a great example for your youngster.


Some families like making fun of one another, but some kids can't handle harsh mocking. Some parents may not realise their mocking is harsh, but if your child cries and storms off in response, there's a good possibility they are feeling humiliated. Would you want your child to make fun of their peers the same way you do? Children frequently take it out on their peers, despite what some parents may believe they are doing when they "toughen up" or play with their kids. Children pick up on playfulness through the example that their families set. Children will believe that cruel taunting is acceptable elsewhere if it is accepted at home.


Effort pays off


There are obstacles to overcome at every turn since life is not all fun and games. Show your child that you do numerous things not just because you "enjoy" them but also because you want to gain anything from them in the long run. Give examples of your less favourite work that you nonetheless complete in order to live the better life you desire.


Never stop learning new things


Even as we age, we continue to learn. In life, there are countless opportunities to learn. We gain so much knowledge from our personal experiences. To encourage your child to learn new things as well, you must actively pursue your own lifelong learning goals.


Children are naturally curious as babies. They are eager to learn new things and are like sponges, taking up new knowledge and abilities. However, this innate desire of learning is frequently LOST along the way. Many kids end up detesting and even dreading learning new topics in school. Research has consistently proven that children learn best through hands-on experiences. Students learn best when they move, touch, and experience. For instance, research indicates that students are more likely to provide an accurate response when they act out a mathematical word problem than when they do not. Help them in any way you can with their school work, whether that's hiring a tutor or helping them with practice tests


Show others gratitude


When someone is good to your child or their family, you must teach them to say "thank you." Teach your child to contribute to the home or the community, even if it's just by doing the laundry. Above all, you should frequently reassure your children that you will always be there for them if they need you and will assist them as needed. Ask your child to keep an optimistic outlook so they can easily overcome obstacles they encounter in life.


For toddlers and preschoolers, the concept of gratitude might be challenging because it is high-level. In their earliest years and developmental phases, they are inherently self-focused. But as kids mature in gratitude, they learn to appreciate the wants and sentiments of others. How can we instil gratitude in our kids? One option is to discuss being grateful with them. not just for stuff, but also for deeds of kindness done by others.


Teach children to express gratitude to those who help them. That can be a friend who gives them a birthday gift, their server at a restaurant, their brother or sister who helps them pick up toys, etc. Inform your children of your gratitude for them. When telling your kids they are loved and special, be precise. I enjoy it when you assist your brother tie his shoes, for instance. 


Discuss your feelings of gratitude. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, such as by offering a blessing before meals or keeping a journal of family thankfulness. Support a cause or charitable organisation. Talk to them about the significance of your deeds of kindness, whether you are donating clothes or toys, taking part in a food drive, or baking cookies for a new neighbour. Be dependable. Gratitude is a skill that takes time to develop, just like any other.


Cleaning and upkeep of the home 


There is always little maintenance around the house that children may help with because they love to be your big helpers. Simple jobs include instructing them on how to put the garbage in bags or change the toilet paper roll. Children who are older can learn how to unclog a drain, change a vacuum cleaner bag, and change a light bulb.


Parents occasionally question whether or not they should assign their children chores. After all, managing the home should be their responsibility. And given that they will have to worry about duties for the rest of their lives, don't kids need a chance to "just be kids" for the time being? Most children also have extremely full schedules. They barely have time to tidy the house or mow the grass as they dash from one activity to the next. Giving your child tasks could be one of the most crucial things you ever do, despite your worries.


While giving your children duties will undoubtedly relieve some of your stress, this is not the only reason you should anticipate your children helping out around the house. Children benefit from housework, according to studies. Kids who participate in housework feel more a part of the group. Family members' assistance is beneficial to them and inspires them to act responsibly as citizens. Children who complete chores develop responsibility and valuable life skills that will benefit them throughout their entire lives. There are different chores suitable for different ages, so make sure you don’t overload them. 


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How To Keep Your Child's Teeth In Great Condition

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How To Keep Your Child's Teeth In Great Condition

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When you become a parent, your child becomes the most important thing to you. You want to make sure they start their life on the right footing and protect them from harm. One of the ways to achieve both those goals is by ensuring you help them look after their teeth.

Giving your child's teeth the best care and attention means they will have a significantly high likelihood of developing adult teeth that won't cause them any problems in later life.

After all: the only reason you want your child to see an emergency pediatric dentist is if they've accidentally injured one of their teeth - not because they've started decaying due to a lack of care!

Taking the above points on board, the following tips and tricks can help you and your child protect their young teeth:

Regular Brushing

The most obvious way to help your child protect their teeth is by ensuring they stick to a daily tooth brushing routine. You might worry that they'll avoid brushing their teeth because they find the routine boring or annoying. But you can always make it fun!

For example, you can buy them an electric toothbrush with their favorite cartoon character on it, or you could hum a song with them if you brush your teeth with them simultaneously.

Avoiding Sugary Foods And Drinks

It's no coincidence that eating and drinking many things with high sugar levels can do bad things to teeth. The thing about sugar is that it erodes the enamel in teeth and can cause cavities to form.

The bacteria in your child's mouth can use sugar to create acids that attack enamel and can eventually cause other issues like further tooth decay and even tooth loss.

Whenever your child has something sugary, make sure they drink some water or rinse their mouth out with it afterward.

Consuming A Balanced Diet

A quick search on the Internet will reveal the many health benefits that consuming a balanced diet offers. Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, for example, will boost your child's immune system and increase the nutrients and vitamins their body needs.

Ensuring your child consumes a balanced diet will also help protect their teeth because the food they eat will help promote healthy teeth and gums.

Scheduling Dental Check-Ups

Another way to help keep your son or daughter's teeth in good condition is by scheduling annual or bi-annual dental check-ups. Doing so is an excellent way to check on your child's dental progress and can help alert you to any potential problems in the future.

If you take the above steps to help look after your child's teeth, dental check-ups will be the only reason they see the dentist each year!

Drinking Plenty Of Water

One final but essential tip to ensuring your offspring drinks plenty of water each day. Firstly, water will keep them hydrated, and it's a beverage with no sugar.

Secondly, water will help flush away any food debris or sugar from anything they've consumed. Lastly, water is readily available, and you should encourage them to drink it at school, when they visit their friends, or attend a birthday party.


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10 Home Appliance Hazards To Look Out For

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Today’s home appliances are much safer than appliances that existed 20 or 30 years ago. However, you still need to be careful as to how you use them. There are all kinds of unwanted accidents that can occur if you fail to maintain or operate appliances properly - this includes everything from food contamination to house fires. Below are just some of the biggest home appliance hazards to look out for.

Fridge filth

Failing to keep your fridge clean could lead to you getting very ill. Spillages, leakages and crumbs that aren’t cleaned away can often end up containing bacteria, which can breed over time. This bacteria can then end up contaminating other foods in your fridge. 

To avoid this, make sure to clean any spillages up straight away. On top of this, try to take the time to occasionally deep-clean the shelves of your fridge with a wet cloth. You can also prevent contamination by always sealing opened or unpackaged foods. It could also be worth keeping meats on the bottom shelf to prevent any juices dripping onto foods below. 

Dirty dryer ducts

Does your dryer have a duct vent? If so, when was the last time you cleaned it out? Over time, dryer ducts can collect build-ups of lint. This needs to be cleaned out, otherwise it will eventually cause a blockage. Heat then won’t be able to escape the dryer and this lint will likely catch fire. In fact, there are thousands of house fires every year caused by dirty dryer duct vents. 

You can clean this vent yourself or you can hire a professional company like DUCTZ to clean it out for you. Dirty dryer vents aren’t the only cause of dryer-related fires - make sure to also keep your dryer well-ventilated and don’t place any flammable items too close to it. 

Toaster crumbs

Another appliance that is responsible for many house fires is the toaster. Toasters can accumulate crumbs at the bottom over time. If you don’t clean out these crumbs, they end up being recooked every time you use your toaster. Eventually, they could catch fire, at which point your toaster is likely to go up in flames.

If you use your toaster regularly, make sure to also regularly clean it out. Wait until it's cool, unplug it and then tip out any crumbs before cleaning out the inside with a cloth or a spare toothbrush. 

Stovetop clutter

Unsurprisingly, ovens are a major cause of home fires. One of the biggest dangers is kitchen clutter on or around the stove - items like letters, takeaway menus, recipe books or cereal packets could be at risk of catching alight. Even other countertop appliances can overheat and catch fire if you’re not careful. 

To be safe, keep the area around your oven clear of any items that could potentially be flammable. 

Unsupervised space heaters

Electric space heaters used to be a major source of house fires. This isn’t the case nowadays as fewer people own these appliances, plus many modern space heaters are a lot safer. However, they can still be dangerous if placed too close to a flammable item like a curtain or allowed to fall face-down onto a carpet or wooden floor.

The best way to avoid a space heater fire is to never leave these appliances unattended. You can then pick them up if they fall over and prevent a fire. As mentioned already, many modern space heaters are much safer and some even have automatic off switches that trigger if they fall over. 

Washer leaks

When it comes to washing machines, there are a few dangers to look out for. One of the biggest dangers is a leak. Water from a leaking washing machine can cause electrical fires, electric shocks and slip injuries. Damp caused by a water leak can also encourage mould growth, which could lead to unhealthy air quality. 

Leaks are more common with older washing machines. Once you notice a leak, get it repaired immediately. If leaks keep occurring, it could be time to get a new washing machine. 

Microwaved metals

There are a few things you should never put in your microwave. One material that you should definitely keep out of your microwave is metal. This includes tinfoil, metal bowls or a metal fork left on a plate. 

Metal reflects microwaves, which means that any food placed in a metal bowl will most likely not cook. However, the biggest danger is the risk of ‘arcing’ - jagged and uneven metal surfaces may cause sparks, which could lead to your microwave setting on fire. Try to stick glass or ceramic containers that are labelled as microwave-safe. 

Frayed cables

Over time, cables on appliances may get damaged. This can lead to wires being exposed, which could lead to a risk of electric shock or a fire. 

If appliances have frayed cables, consider getting them repaired or buy a new appliance. Cables are most likely to get damaged on older appliances, however a cable on a newer appliance can still get damaged if pests get hold of it or if it is yanked or bent too hard. 

Odd odours

Are your appliances creating an odd smell? There are a few smells that you should be wary of. Musty smells could be due to the presence of mould, while rotten smells could be due to spoiled food - this could be a sign that your appliances need to be thoroughly cleaned out. Burning smells are meanwhile never good - you should turn off any appliance if it is producing a burning smell, as it could mean it is overheating and a fire may already be imminent. A sweet chemical smell from a refrigerator could meanwhile be a freon leak,  which is toxic and should be repaired immediately. Gas smells from a gas oven meanwhile could be a sign of a gas leak - open the windows, get out of the house as soon as you can and call an emergency plumber to deal with the problem. 

This post at Domex lists a few of the smells to watch out for and how to get rid of them. In most cases, odd odours can be eliminated by simply cleaning your appliances. 

Wet hands

Handling electrical appliances when you have wet hands is an obvious but common mistake that many people make. You could get a nasty electrical shock, which in some cases could even be fatal. 

If you’ve just been doing the washing up or you’ve just cleaned your hands, make sure to dry them off before you start handling plugs and switches. 


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What Does Your Teen Actually Need From You?

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Parenting is the most magical thing you’ll ever do, but it does present new challenges once your son or daughter becomes a teen. This is a strange time in their lives, and it can leave you feeling a little useless from time to time. However, your teen still needs you in their life.


Knowing what your teen actually wants and needs from you can seem like a battle in itself. As long as you pay attention to the following features, stunning results should follow.


To Know You Are There


Teenagers are unlikely to rely on your guidance in daily life quite like they did during the toddler years. Nonetheless, a close relationship between parent and child is still vital. Maintaining a strong relationship with your teen will give them a source of stability. It also provides an outlet for them to discuss any issues that they may face in daily life. 


Given that those issues could range from bodily changes to problems at school. Providing this platform is key. Even if your child doesn’t feel the need to open up that often, knowing that they can is an emotional safety blanket.


A Growing Level Of Independence 


While teens still need their parents, this is also a time of self-discovery. As such, they will require increased independence. It allows them to maintain popularity with friends, become more responsible over the years, and feel ready for adult life. It is particularly important if they plan to go away for college as they’d suddenly need to fend for themselves.


As well as giving them more responsibility, you should help them learn valuable life skills like how to cook. Meanwhile, paying for your child’s driving lessons can be priceless. Not least because it is a qualification that they can use for life.


A Responsive Approach To Problems


Teeneagers see their bodies undergo many changes. While many of them are normal, there are several situations that need outside support. Taking them to see a pediatric chiropractor for muscle issues that are beyond growing pains can work wonders. The realignment can combat pains. Ongoing exercises will promote a full recovery.


As well as physical damage, you should pay attention to signs that your child needs help with mental health problems. Whether it’s medication or therapy, treating anxiety at the earliest stage will be vital. Letting them suffer is never the answer.


A Chance To Thrive


Every family has a different living situation. The fact is that you can’t help the fact that you need your teen to help care for a sibling or change your financial situation. While you can’t shield them from the reality of life, they should be able to enjoy life to the full. After all, these are some of the most magical years in their lives. Or at least they should be.


Your teen may have more responsibilities than some of their friends. Even so, there should be time for them to play out or enjoy hobbies. Likewise, they deserve the opportunity to complete homework and other tasks. Time is the greatest gift you can give.


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3 Steps To Take When Your Aging Parents Need Help

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Image Credit: Beejees from Pixabay.

While everyone makes an effort to stay healthy, there comes a point where that’s almost as possible. As people age, their bodies start breaking down.

That can be seen in multiple ways, from cognitive decline to loss of mobility. Many people often see this with their parents. It can be an emotional and heart-wrenching time.

If you’ve found yourself in this position, you mightn’t know what to do when your aging parents need help. There could be much to take care of.

Though you could need to take multiple steps to help your aging parents, a few can be more important than the others.

What To Do When Your Aging Parents Need Help: 3 Top Steps

Figure Out Their Needs

The first thing you’ll need to do before making any decisions is to understand your parents’ needs. For some, it could be as simple as needing to have their meals cooked.

Others could need much more. You’ll need to tailor your decisions based on the help that your parents need. You should focus on multiple areas with this, including:

  • Safety

  • Medical Needs

  • Hygiene

  • Social Interaction

  • Cognitive Needs

Once you know what your parents’ needs are, you’ll be able to make much better decisions for the help they need.

Understand Care Options

You might assume that the only way that you can help your parents is by putting them in a home. You’ll have multiple care options available, however.

You should keep these in mind when making your decision. When you’re doing so, it’s worth ensuring that the likes of financial elder abuse, among other things, can’t take place.

That means understanding your options in detail and comparing them. The main options you’ll have are:

  • In-home help

  • Assisted living communities

  • Geriatricians

Many of these could be the right option for your parents.

Include Your Parents In Care Decisions

Everyone wants to be in control of their life. While your parents mightn’t have a say in needing help, they’ll still want to exercise some control.

You should do your best to give them this. Letting them have a say in as many of the decisions as possible is recommended.

Though this isn’t always possible, you should do it when you’re able. It could take you a while to get them involved in the discussion, as they could be resistant at first.

Once they’re involved, however, things will get much easier. Remember to ensure they feel comfortable and supported throughout the process.

What To Do When Your Aging Parents Need Help: Wrapping Up

If you don’t know what to do when your aging parents need help, it can be a confusing and emotional time. You’ll want to help but you wouldn’t know what steps to take.

While there’ll be multiple things to look after, some will be more important than others. You’ll need to keep them in mind when you’re helping your parents.

Each of the above steps will be vital during the process. As difficult as it may seem, it can be simpler than you’d think. Though it’ll be an emotional time, it’s something that’ll need to be done.


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