Today's Parent | Parenting Resources… Articles, Advice, Help & Tips

Babies may be priceless, but raising one these days can be costly. When you add up housing, food, transportation, clothes, medical expenses, child care and education, the average American family spends more than $10,000 a year to raise one child, according to a recent U.S. government survey. That adds up to over $170,000 by age 17–before junior even heads off to college.

The prospect of all that spending–especially in these challenging economic times–can be daunting to any parent of a newborn. Here are some simple savings tips to get you through the formative years:

Register. What works for weddings–online and in-store gift registries–also works for babies, and will steer friends and relatives toward items you really need.

Resist the Clothes Horse Syndrome. Babies grow out of outfits and footwear fast, so stick with a beginner wardrobe of a dozen T-shirts and one-piece outfits. Also, choose sizes at least six months larger than an infant’s age to extend clothes’ lifespan, and consider neutral colors that can be shared among siblings of either gender.

Save by Buying “Value” Size Packages. Babies easily go through 5,000 diapers before potty training. That makes buying them–as well as baby wipes and formula–in bulk a no-brainer. But don’t skimp on quality. Bargain, or private-label, diaper brands might seem tempting, but branded diapers may offer more value for the money in terms of product performance.

Watch for Diaper Coupons. They turn up in Sunday newspaper inserts, online and often right in the store. You can also stretch your dollars by joining online consumer loyalty programs.

Rediscover Libraries. Reading to your kids gives them an early leg up, but they’ll outgrow those store-bought baby books as fast as those cute “onesies.” Instead, visit your local library for a free supply of children’s classics.

Use the Money You Save to Start a College Fund. Tuition at in-state public universities currently runs about $20,000 annually, while the average private university education costs about $35,000 or more. With college expenses growing by 6 to 8 percent a year, even setting aside a few hundred dollars a year can add up.

With instant messaging, texting and e-mail as primary sources for “written” communication today, many children are growing up without enough practice and understanding on how to structure their thoughts formally in written English.

A recent study found that 64 percent of U.S. teenagers use slang in their written schoolwork, including abbreviations like LOL (38 percent) and smiley face emoticons (25 percent). More alarming, only 56 percent of teens surveyed considered “good writing” to be essential later in life. Many parents, recognizing this, lament that writing, at least as they know it, is becoming a lost art.

Exposure to well-written literature, on a wide range of topics, can help children develop an eye for good writing skills. Students will begin to notice varied sentence structure, proper use of grammar, compelling and effective arguments and vivid descriptions.

Try the following tips for parents to encourage youngsters to develop their writing skills:

• Read essays, short stories and editorials. Reading shorter, well-written pieces broadens children’s knowledge of the world and exposes them to excellent, concise writing, similar to that required on standardized writing tests. The editorial pages of your local newspaper are a great resource. When selecting short stories or essays, children should choose works that interest them. Consult with your child’s teacher or librarian for help.

• Keep a journal. Writing requires practice. By writing daily or weekly in a journal, children become more comfortable with putting their thoughts down on paper. Read More

One of the most difficult yet exciting decisions a young person faces is choosing which college to attend. Once that decision’s been made, however, life does not exactly become Easy Street. Instead, choosing a major, becomes the next important step to take.

More and more, colleges seem to be increasing the number of courses and programs they offer. While this is a great advantage for those who want variety and a broader education, such a wide selection only makes choosing a major a more trying process. For those stuck at the collegiate fork in the road and wondering which path to take, consider the following before making the call on a college major.

· Personal interest. Most professionals will tell you going to work is a lot easier if you like what you do. The same can be said for going to class. Since many colleges don’t require you choose a major until junior year, you should take advantage of that leeway and pursue whatever classes interest you the most. Chances are, even ones you end up not liking will fill some sort of degree requirement, so you won’t be wasting your time (or money). If you find you genuinely like a certain class more than others, research that field and see if it might be right for you. In addition, choosing classes you like will make it easier to do well, boosting your grade-point average and keeping your folks happy.

· Do some self-assessment. Look back on your academic career and try to assess what courses have come easy, and what courses you with which you might have struggled. For instance, if you’ve always done well in English classes, perhaps pursuing a degree in English or education could be right for you. If math’s always been your strong suit, consider something in the school of sciences. Whatever you do, don’t lie to yourself. If years of schooling have shown you that you don’t much like science, perhaps a pre-med major isn’t for you, despite the glory of becoming a doctor.

· Know the requirements. If you’ve waited until your junior year to declare a major, that’s perfectly fine. However, it could be limiting if your goal is to graduate in four years. For instance, if you take one psychology course during your sophomore year and decide that’s the major for you, there might be a host of prerequisites to take before beginning to take any upper-level classes. This can force you to take more credits per semester (which can leave you overworked or exhausted) or even some summer classes to graduate on time. Before choosing a major, investigate all the requirements of that major first. Read More

When it comes to having a babysitter available, many families consider themselves lucky when a grandparent (or grandparents) lives close enough to look after the little ones-either during the day or to give the parents an occasional night off.

But do the child’s grandparents provide a truly safe environment for their grandchildren?

About one in three people over 65 have some degree of hearing loss; one in six of the “baby boomer” generation have hearing loss due to growing up with loud music. Many of these people are unaware of the problem or deny they have a problem.

Hearing loss in caregivers can add up to a potential danger for children in their charge. The ability to hear is a key component in assuring a youngster’s safety. The risks of not hearing a smoke or carbon monoxide detector, an intruder, or a child crying in the backyard could result in injury or worse. Plus, older children have been known to take advantage of an adult’s hearing loss and get “permission” to do something the adult wouldn’t agree to if he or she understood what the child said.

People with hearing loss who wear hearing aids, use assistive listening devices or employ other communication coping strategies can provide safe care for children. These people are aware of their limitations and take steps to ensure that their hearing loss will not endanger others.

The first step in assuring that grandparents or other caregivers can safely take care of your children is to ask them to get their hearing checked next time they see their doctor. If the problem is more obvious, have them make an appointment with a hearing health care professional (audiologist, ear-nose-throat physician, hearing instrument specialist).

Hearing well enables babysitters to contend with and call for help when necessary during emergencies such as a fire, severe weather or a carbon monoxide alert, and in performing such everyday tasks as driving and bicycling.

Every parent wants the assurance that the person caring for his or her child, even when it’s a loving grandparent, can provide a safe environment. Hearing well is an important element in child safety. With the newer modern hearing devices, there’s no longer any excuse for not being able to hear well.

To receive a free copy of the booklet “Your Guide to Better Hearing,” visit www.betterhearing.org or call the Better Hearing Institute hotline at (800) EAR-WELL.

Keeping your family healthier may be as easy as encouraging one simple habit: Washing your hands.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), students who wash their hands regularly are less likely to get sick and miss school days. Regular washing of hands reduces exposure to the wide variety of germs that children come in contact with every day. Washing your hands on a regular basis can also help protect your family against worrisome viruses such as the H1N1 flu or the Avian flu.

What kind of soap you use matters less than how thorough you are. For maximum germ-killing efficiency, follow these steps:

• Wet your hands in warm water and apply liquid or clean bar soap. When you are finished washing your hands, let the bar soap drain.

• Rub your hands together and scrub all surfaces carefully.

• Don’t hurry. Continue for 10 to 15 seconds. Scrubbing helps dislodge and remove germs.

• Rinse well and dry your hands thoroughly. Read More

With the winter season upon us again, the flu will be back and ready to infect all in its path. The flu is still a common cause of disease in the population, particularly to the young and old, as well to those with impaired immune systems.  The flu virus is usually acquired through contact with an infected individual and presents with stuffy nose, sore throat, a hacking cough, muscle aches, headaches and high fevers. Its incubation period, from exposure to onset of symptoms, is about 24-48 hours.

For most people, the flu is no more than a bad cold, and symptoms usually improve within 4-7 days. For some, the cough may last up to 2-3 weeks. Treatment is usually geared toward improving the symptoms: for fevers, acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) may be used and saline nose-drops may be given for stuffy nose.  Seek immediate attention if your child develops any other symptoms such as difficulty breathing, vomiting or earache; or, if your child does not improve as expected or if you have any concerns.

It’s important to note that a fever is not necessarily a bad sign. Fever is our bodies’ response to infection: some of our immune responses are actually enhanced by a higher body temperature, so fever, by design, is beneficial.  Since our body temperature can range from 97 to 100.2 on a normal day, pediatricians only consider a body temperature above 100.5 to be a fever.

If you or your child is sick with flu-like illness, Centers for Disease Control recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to receive medical care or for other necessities. Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.  While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. Read More

As parents, we would like our children to appreciate what they already have. Unfortunately, many kids seem to constantly demand more and more. Why do they always ask for new stuff? And how can we best deal with it?

Just a few ideas for you to consider together with some practical tips:

• When your children ask you to buy them things, they are usually trying to fulfill valid emotional needs. For example, they may believe that owning a particular monster-shooting game will make them happy or popular, or that a new shiny pair of shoes will give them confidence. Of course, this does not mean that you should get them whatever they want – but you can help them find alternative ways to feel happy, popular or confident. Knowing there is a need behind their wants will also help you to keep your cool!

• When we reward our children with presents for good behavior, we unwittingly teach them to associate presents with being loved or being approved of. Once this association is established, our kids are likely to ask us to buy them even more stuff, so that they can experience this warm feeling of approval again. It is much wiser to reward children by noticing and mentioning what they do well, and by spending special fun time with them.

• Advertisers deliberately connect between their products and our emotional needs. They promote the illusion that once our kids own their products, they will instantly become cool. Companies spend a fortune on advertising because it works! The less your children are exposed to advertising in the media, and the more you educate them about the motives of advertisers, the less material demands you will get.

• Educate children about money. Play ‘money’ games with younger kids, and when they are older, give them pocket money so that they can learn to save towards a goal. Take your kids shopping with you and model comparing prices and showing restraint! They will learn a lot about money and possessions from observing your own behavior and attitude. Read More

Your child is approaching two years old and you are worried.  Grandma may ask when her grandchild will be speaking which just makes you worry more.  You compare your child to his peers who may be talking up a storm. Here are some simple tips to identify if your child’s speech and language is developing according to expectations.

• Have you heard your child babbling when he/she was growing during his/her first year.  Babbling is when your child plays with sounds.

• Have you heard your child repeat sounds over and over again which is “lalling”.

• Have you noticed that your child seems to have his/her own language that sounds like your native language but words are not identifiable.  This is jargon.

• Your child reacts to his name and follows simple oral directions, such as “Hold Mommy’s hand.”

• Your child looks at you when you are playing or talking with him/her.

Keep in mind that all children develop at different rates. If your child demonstrates these skills above, chances are that just being in a language rich environment will lead to speech and language development between the ages of two and three.  Peer interaction in a nursery school setting with a small class size will encourage communication skills.

Always make sure your child can hear clearly. Ask your parents when you developed understandable speech and language. Try not to compare your little one with others.

If you are still worried as your child approaches three, consult a certified Speech-Hearing-Language Pathologist for a screening.

Kathie G. O’Dwyer, M.S., C.C.C.slp is Owner/Director of Developmental Pre-School and Kindergarten.

To ensure a safe, happy and healthy holiday season, health officials offer these holiday health and safety tips:

Beware of Holiday Lighting – Take care when burning candles.  Be sure they are kept away from decorations or other combustible materials. Don’t leave children or pets unattended in a room with lit candles, and always keep candles, as well as matches and lighters, out of reach of children. Never display lighted candles in windows or near exits where air currents may blow them down or near curtains.

Test Tree Trimmings – When decorating with lights, be sure to purchase only those labeled by a testing laboratory. Never use candles to decorate Christmas trees. For outside decorations, use only those lights labeled for outdoor use. Don’t overload electrical outlets, and always unplug all lights before leaving home or going to bed. Never put electrical lights on a metal Christmas tree.

Prepare for Holiday Parties – Decorate only with flame-retardant or noncombustible materials. Avoid using candles during parties. Consider a party that is smoke-free.  After the party, check inside and under upholstery and in trashcans for cigarette butts that may be smoldering.

Keep Christmas Trees Fresh – Choose a fresh Christmas tree and secure it in a sturdy stand. Place the tree away from heat sources and exits, and water it daily. If you purchase an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as fire-retardant. If you plan to hang stockings on a fireplace, do not use the fireplace for fires.

Inspect Fireplaces – Have your chimney inspected by a professional prior to the start of every season and cleaned, if necessary. Creosote, a chemical substance that forms when wood burns, builds up in chimneys and can cause a chimney fire if not properly cleaned. Always protect your family and home by using a sturdy screen when burning fires. Remember to burn only wood – never burn paper or pine boughs, which can float out the chimney and ignite a neighboring home. Never use flammable liquids in a fireplace. If you are purchasing a factory-built fireplace, select one listed by a testing laboratory and have it installed according to local codes. Read More

Being a teen is tough. Most days your schedule is jam-packed with activities from the time you crawl out of bed to the time you face-plant onto your mattress at night. You’re balancing school, social life, homework, chores, and a host of extracurricular stuff that might range from sports to band practice to an after-school job. You really don’t have time to plan out your meals and count calories—but you still want to be healthy (and—let’s face it—look great in those trendy new jeans).

Is there any way to reconcile these health-conscious desires with a lifestyle that often necessitates greasy paper bags from the drive-thru window?

Absolutely, you just have to know—and act on—some basic nutritional facts when you’re ordering.

Fast food is part of the American lifestyle, and it’s not realistic to suggest that teens—or adults, for that matter—will never eat another burger or large fry again. The key is to simply know what your best choices are the next time you need a fast meal on the go.

As parents, we are all too aware that teens’ concerns about their bodies don’t always mesh well with their day-to-day diets. In the midst of the daily whirlwind that is the typical teenager’s life, a fast-food snack after the game or a quick combo eaten with friends is sometimes the only realistic option. Plus—let’s be honest—lots of fast-food fare is tasty! And the good news is it can be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle.

Read on for seven fast-food-savvy nutrition tips…some of which may really surprise you:

(Super)-Size does matter. We live in a society where bigger is better. Even in fancier sit-down restaurants, servings are often larger than what a healthy teenage stomach can comfortably consume. And while it’s tempting to go for the biggest package deal, the same thing is often true of “mega-sized” fast-food meals. Before you order the jumbo burger and the humongo gulp drink, think twice about whether you really need all that food.

Fast-food restaurants hook you in by promising a lot more food for just a little more money. They don’t care if your eyes end up being bigger than your stomach! So be discriminating. Are you really that hungry? Why not share your mega meal with a friend? Or just get smaller versions of the items you want. You’ll be consuming fewer unhealthy bites, but your tastebuds will be just as satisfied.

Fish and chicken don’t always deserve their healthful rep. You know what they say about assuming: don’t. This is especially true when it comes to choosing your “main course” at the fast-food counter. It’s a common (if not universal) assumption that white meat is healthier than red meat—but that’s not always the case. Since many fast-food restaurants bread and fry their chicken and fish, these choices often end up having as much or more fat and calories than a hamburger.

If you’re craving white meat, choose chicken or fish that is broiled, baked, or grilled. If you’re not sure how a certain menu item is prepared, ask! Actually, most fast-food restaurants have the nutrient content of their menu items either right in the restaurant or certainly on their websites.

Download the (nutritional) lowdown. Yes, it’s important to know what’s in the foods you eat—how many fat grams and calories, how much sugar, and, yes, how much good stuff like calcium and vitamin C. As mentioned, all fast-food joints provide nutritional info on their menu items. Stay on top of what’s what the high-tech, twenty-first century way. That’s right—there’s an app for this, too!

You can download apps that tell you the nutrition information on all of your favorite fast-food menu items. This can really help you make an educated decision the next time you visit the restaurant. Read More