Showing posts with label Parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parenting. 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.


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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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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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Keep A Healthy Relationship With Your Child As A Weekend Parent

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Are you a weekend parent? Ultimately, it’s possible that your partner is the main care provider for your child due to your relationship ending. This means that you will likely only see your child at the weekends, some evenings or in the holidays. The reason for this is that courts don’t tend to provide equal custody unless you live close enough for the child to go to the same school while they are with you. This can be restricting because it limits how far away you can move from your partner and you probably don’t want to be close to someone that you have split from. 


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Keep Things Amicable 


First, you need to make sure that you work to keep things amicable between you and your partner. It’s important to ensure that your child doesn’t feel as though they are entering a battle ground when they see you or that they have to choose a side. This should start from the beginning because rather than heading to court for a divorce you can explore an option like family mediation. This will put far less of a strain on the relationship your child has with you and your partner. 


Make Your Time Together Count 


Next, you should think about the time that you spend together when they are in your care or at your house. It’s important that you make the time, however limited, count. This might mean that you should avoid going on your phone or another tech device when you are with your kids. It doesn't matter what you do as long as you are spending time that is focused on them or the both of you. 


Use The Tech At Your Fingertips


It’s important to use the tech at your fingertips when you are a weekend parent. You won’t always be able to see your child in person as often as you like. But there’s no limit on how often you can call them or speak to them. If you are comfortable with your former partner, then you can likely speak to them every day. That’s important as it ensures that you are a more active part of their life. It might seem unnecessary to ring them every day as very little is going to change in 24 hours. However, you can ask them about their day, make sure you keep up with their interests and be there if anything is wrong. 


Plan Activities 


Finally, you should think about planning out activities that you can enjoy together when your child is over or you are visiting. This will stop you from doing nothing for two days which can be dull for you and your child. Instead, you should think about engaging in lots of different activities. This could include everything from bowling to other sports or simple planning a movie night in the house. 


You might think that if you are only seeing your child on weekends or in the holidays then it could impact your relationship. The good news is that there are steps that you can take to guarantee this won’t happen. Here are some of the options we recommend. 


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PPD & Me: 5 Tips That Can Help You Manage The Situation

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Post Partum Depression is a very common issue facing new mothers and the symptoms can feel even worse in the post pandemic era. After all, we all (not just parents) have been more prone to bouts of sadness and a lack of energy. The truth is that there is no magic cure for the situation. On a brighter note, however, you can learn to manage PPD in a better manner.


The first step is to accept the situation and realize that it’s not your fault. You wouldn’t punish yourself for any other health complaint and should never consider ignoring PDD. Focus on the following responses, and you should see a noticeable improvement in the way you feel.


Focus on providing for your child


Becoming a parent changes your life forever. Even when you do not feel in control of personal matters, giving your child the best start in life will be a major triumph. Experts at Foryourlittleone can help you find the perfect baby products for the nursery and daily life. Aside from the right surroundings, you will want to master some nutritious meals for when your baby reaches the wearing stage. Remember that your childcare workers are available to answer your questions and provide any advice that you may require too. 


Establish a sense of organization


PPD can often leave you feeling all over the place. Therefore, restoring a sense of control should be one of the top items on your agenda. While it’s great to set long-term goals, learning to take each day as a new challenge is equally vital. There are many reasons to create a daily routine, but it will ultimately allow you to stay on the right track at all times. Likewise, you will find that a schedule is hugely beneficial for your child. It may help you with issues like establishing a positive sleep routine.


Talk


As a new parent, most of your time is dedicated to your child. While it is an amazing and beautiful thing, there is no doubt that it can leave you feeling a little lonely from time to time. Social activities with other adults will have a positive impact, and this should include time with non-parents too. Perhaps more importantly, you must also remember that keeping your PPD locked up inside will do you no favors. Mental health experts are available while even using forums like Whattoexpect can be useful. You will no longer feel alone on this journey.


Try to reduce stress


It would be impossible to eliminate stress from your life. However, high stress levels will continue to make your PPD symptoms feel worse. So, any opportunity to reduce stress should be grabbed with both hands. Gaining control of your financial health is a good starting point. Avoiding people and habits that trigger stress or responses that indirectly cause stress will help. If nothing else, it will free your mind and allow you to enjoy the moments where PPD isn’t in control. 


Live Healthily


As a new parent, your child will be the priority. Still, you must remember that a healthy and happy mom is a better mom. With this in mind, there should be no sense of guilt about taking care of yourself. Make time for meditation and exercise. Eat the right foods. And be OK with the fact that you need personal hobbies and daily activities that focus on you rather than your child. In many cases, your baby will still be involved. Even when they aren’t, the balanced lifestyle will allow you to become an even better parent while also reducing PPD.



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Is Your Family Ready For A Puppy?

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During these coronavirus days, we can begin to reflect on what is truly important in life. For some, the annual summer vacation, having lots of money put aside for a rainy day, and achieving that promotion at work becomes a lot less crucial to our happiness. Instead, we care more about the health of our family, ensuring that we are able to manage our finances astutely, and having the job stability that everyone craves at the moment. 


When you consider your brood, you want them to be happy and fulfilled. The Covid-19 threat that is forever lingering in the air is forcing us to adjust to a new normal. This means homeschooling for many, working from home, and spending more time together as a family. As you are staying at home more, it makes sense that now is the right time to consider welcoming the patter of tiny canine paws into your home, doesn’t it? If you have the time and energy to dedicate to a puppy, this could be one of the most wonderful experiences you could offer your children. Dogs can be incredible companions, be playmates for the kids, and give your family something positive and innocent to focus upon. 


However, with a dog comes great responsibility. While you may assume that a pooch is ‘just’ a pet, you’d be mistaken. This creature will imprint on you, be endearing and capture your heart. A puppy isn’t like a kitten. Their eyes will draw you in and you will forge a tight and close bond. A puppy really is a new addition to your family. Take a look at whether your family is ready for a puppy.


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Time


Even though you are at home at the moment, there’s nothing to say that life will be this way forever. Welcoming a puppy into your home while you are working on your laptop at the dining room table seems ideal. But, what happens when you are having to do the usual nine to five in the office for five days a week? If your work doesn’t offer remote working as standard and you fear that your pup may be home alone, you need to consider whether this is fair. At the very least, you will need to think about those breeds that don’t suffer from as much separation anxiety. Breeds like miniature schnauzers make wonderful family pets, but they become such an integral part of your clan, they will be devastated to be left alone for hours at a time.


If you do have the time to dedicate to a puppy, think about the breed you would like. There are so many to choose from so thin about what you want from a dog. Does he need to be small? Does he need to not shed hair everywhere? Do you want a pooch that is easy to train? And don’t forget to consider suitability around kids. 


When considering the time that you need to dedicate to a puppy, think about him as a newborn baby. Yes, you really do need to be on hand twenty four hours a day. A puppy will need to go outside two or three times a night to do his business. He will need feeding small meals four or five times a day. He will need your constant love and attention. Play with him, hold him, and create that bond. The early weeks are important to foster positive behavior and that close bond that you yearn for.


Training


Some mutts are stubborn little things. They may be able to hear you calling them back when they are frolicking in the park, but if they are having too much fun, they will ignore you. This is why training is crucial. Don’t go it alone and head to a site like Puppy Trained Right to take a look at training videos and articles to help get your puppy on the right track. You need to think about dedicating enough time to training your pooch. Being young, they don’t have great attention spans. This is why it is important to do some training in ten or fifteen minute bursts.


To begin training, start with the basic commands of sit, down, stay and come. If you can hone all of these, you will have a well trained dog. Start early and make training sessions fun. Nearly every hound is food motivated so get tiny pieces of their favorite treat. This might be hotdog, chicken or cheese. Keep it to hand and let your pup know that it is there as a reward for excellent behavior. Your dog will be motivated to do well and please you in training sessions.


To make the sessions fun, play games. As your dog sits, give him some chicken. If you are looking for your dog to lie down, get him to follow you around the home before saying down. If you turn around and he is down waiting for the tiny piece of cheese in your pocket, reward him with it. 


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Commitment


A puppy requires commitment and dedication. However, he will help with your mental health, cheer you up when you are down, and make you laugh. This isn’t a pet that you can discard when times get tough. A puppy will challenge you as much as he pleases you. Sometimes, he may chew an expensive pair of shoes, he may pee on the new rug, or he might become poorly. You need to be there every step of the way. In the same way that all babies have different personalities, your puppy will also have his own sense of self. He might see himself as the leader of the pack, he might be super shy, or he may be fearful of traffic, other dogs or men with beards. There is no accounting for their quirks but they all have them!


Your puppy will grow into a dog that will be your faithful companion for the next ten to fifteen years. This is why you need to consider whether you can commit to that length of time. He will be by your side during family trips, vacations, and memorable events. It’s not unheard of for dogs to help walk people down the aisle, attend graduations, and be important members of a family.


Rescue


Remember, a pedigree puppy is only one route to securing a new member of your brood. You might wish to look into the rescue pups that are abandoned, placed into kennels, or rescued from puppy farms every year. Thousands of puppies are eager to look for new homes. If you can offer this sort of mutt a home, look in your local area and enquire.


Rescue puppies may be slightly older, but they can offer your family something unique. They may be more fearful of human contact and could require extra time and love to help them come out of their shell and become confident again. They don’t have the same price tag as a pedigree hound and can give back so much. If you aren’t fussy about the breed and it is the initial contact that is important, go rescue! If this is something that you could commit to, your whole existence could become more worthwhile and positive.


A puppy will bring love, warmth, happiness and contentment into your life. Your family will have a new member and you will be embarking on brand new adventures. However, a dog requires a wealth of commitment from you. If you feel like you can dedicate time, effort, energy, love and positivity to your mutt, you can enjoy the company of a faithful companion for years to come.


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