Category: Parenting

Your baby is only a few months old. They haven’t learned how to crawl, let alone walk just yet. But in the blink of an eye, they’ll be on their little feet, running around the house. They’ll be figuring out how to open doors, climb up shelves and play with all of your precious belongings like toys.

This is why you should start babyproofing your house sooner rather than later. You’ll want every room to be safe and secure, just in case your little one decides to tear through it.

Other than installing baby gates by stairwells and tethering bookcases to walls, what other babyproofing steps should you take?

Babyproof Your Windows

Toddlers are naturally curious. You don’t want that curiosity to draw them to an open window—especially if that open window is above the first floor. That could be extremely dangerous.

So, to make sure that your kid never tries to climb out of a window, you should add window stoppers to the frames. These will stop windows from opening wide enough for a child to crawl through. You will be able to open up the window just enough to let in a breeze.

You could also replace any of your awning, casement or single-hung windows with double-hung windows. Double-hung windows have two operable sashes. You can open up the top sash to let in fresh air and keep the bottom one shut. This window gap will be much harder for your child to access since it will be too high up for them to climb through.

As an added safety measure, move cribs, bassinets, chairs and other furniture away from windows. If they are too close to the windows, your child could easily make their way to the window ledges and climb up. Keep these areas clear.

Window Treatments

Your windows present another problem for little kids: window treatments. Certain window treatments that have long cords can be very hazardous to infants and young children. They can get these cords around their necks and severely injure themselves. Sometimes, the injuries are fatal. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 9 children under the age of 5 die of this hazard per year. To keep your child safe around windows, decorate them with cordless window treatments.

Curtains without any ties are usually child-safe décor options. Another potential issue with them is that children can pull or climb on them, which could cause the heavy curtain rod to tumble onto them. To avoid this issue, you should make sure that the curtain rod is properly secured to wall studs. You can also pick a shorter curtain style instead of long curtains that go straight to the ground. Shorter curtains will be less tempting for kids to grab and climb.

Babyproof Your Electrical Outlets

Your kid might find the electrical outlets around your house very enticing. After all, the outlets will be at eyelevel when they are crawling around on the floor. They will be tempted to stick their fingers—or worse, stick small objects—into an outlet when you’re not paying close attention. They could get an electric shock from this.

So, how can you prevent this from happening? You could use plastic outlet caps. These caps have prongs that will neatly slide into the slots of the outlet. This should stop your child’s fingers or any other objects that they’re handling from entering the slots. The caps are also easy for adults to remove whenever they want to plug in an electrical device.

Another option that you can consider is replacing your outlet covers with self-closing outlet covers. These come with built-in panels that automatically slide over to hide the outlet whenever it’s not in use. They won’t be visible to your child, so they won’t be health hazards.

Babyproof Your Bathroom

It may sound strange, but toilets can be dangerous for young kids. Since a toilet bowl has standing water in it, a small child could drown in it. Technically, small children can drown in an inch or two of water — so even if it’s unlikely, you should still be cautious about this household hazard.

What can you do to protect your child from this specific danger? Put a toilet seat lock on your toilet. This should stop your little one from opening up the lid and getting their head into the water. You won’t have to worry about removing the toilet lock until your kid is a little older and fully potty-trained.

On a lighter note, a toilet seat lock can help you prevent a situation that’s far less dangerous: plumbing damage. Lots of kids think of toilets as fun toys that they can play with. They want to throw everything from entire rolls of toilet paper to stuffed animals into the toilet bowl and flush them away. This innocent game can lead to some serious drain clogs and some steep plumbing bills.

Another great way to keep your little one out of your bathroom and away from the toilet is to install a childproof doorknob cover on the bathroom door. With this safety measure in place, young children can’t get a solid grip on the doorknob and open up the closed door. As long as you keep the bathroom door shut, your kid shouldn’t be able to wander inside the bathroom on their own.

Bathwater

Your kid’s skin is going to be extra sensitive to hot water. They could get a scald burn if they sit in a bath that’s too hot. Some parents try to avoid this situation by putting a bath thermometer in the tub to confirm that the water isn’t too hot for bathtime, but there’s a much better solution out there.

According to the American Burn Association, one of the best ways to prevent scald burns is to set your water heater to a lower temperature. The temperature should be at120° F. Not only can this prevent scald burns at bathtime, but it can also prevent scald burns when your child washes their hands or decides to play with the sink faucet.

Babyproof Your Finances

No matter how hard you try to prevent it, your kid can still get into trouble. Kids are tenacious that way. They can still manage to hurt themselves, even after you’ve put many, many safety measures in place. And they can still manage to damage your house when you’re not looking.

So, what can you do about this? Prepare your finances for these potential outcomes as soon as possible. Start building up an emergency fund (if you don’t have one already) so that you can afford to give your kid the medical attention they need when they hurt themselves. Your emergency savings could help you handle costs related to hospital visits, dentist appointments, prescription medications and more.

An emergency fund can also help you cover the costs of any household damages that your curious kid creates, like flushing their toys down the toilet and causing a huge plumbing clog. You can use the savings to cover urgent repairs for plumbing, windows, appliances and other household essentials.

If you don’t have an emergency fund on hand, you might not have enough savings available to cover an urgent medical expense or repair service out of the blue. In this case, you might want to look into an online loan for help — it can be one of the most effective options when you need cash now for an emergency. With an online loan, you could use the temporary funds to pay off the emergency and then follow a repayment plan right after.

You should only apply for a loan in an emergency. Do not use this borrowing option for everyday expenses, like groceries.

Don’t wait to start these babyproofing steps. Your kid will grow up and start exploring the house sooner rather than later. So, do them now!

Image Credits: Karolina Grabowska and Vladimír Sládekoo via Pexels.

Over the years, there has been an increasing prevalence of allergies in children. Last year, 27.32% of kids suffered from at least one of the three diagnosed allergic conditions: eczema, food allergies, and seasonal allergies. In some cases, allergies can be life-threatening.

This is why children need to learn more about their potential severity and how to help themselves or others with allergic conditions.

Here’s a parenting guide you can follow to raise allergy-smart kids who can identify the symptoms of different allergies and know how to respond to them.

Understanding Allergies in Children

Allergic reactions happen when foreign bodies, which aren’t typically harmful, enter the body. These foreign bodies are called “allergens.” They trigger the immune system to respond, thus resulting in allergic reactions. There are different kinds of allergies, with food allergies and seasonal allergies being the most common.

Typical symptoms of most allergies include manageable ones like stomach aches and rashes. However, some dangerous reactions may also occur. One of the most life-threatening could be anaphylaxis or difficulty breathing. Early signs of allergies in kids include frequent rashes and hives, sneezing and coughing, and stomachache after eating a specific food.

Medications could vary in different ages. For instance, for babies, Dr. Talbot’s Infant Allergy Medicine – Relieving Allergies with Care is safe and effective. Additionally, kid-friendly formulations like Zyrtec, Claritin, and Allegra are safe oral antihistamines for kids. However, before giving your child any medication, consult their doctor first.

Nurturing na Allergy-Smart Kid

To raise an allergy-smart kid, start educating them about allergies as early as possible. It’s important to use age-appropriate language when discussing allergies with your kids. For food allergies, you can talk to them about simple terms like “safe food” and “unsafe food” to eat. Label the food they are allergic to as “safe food” and the ones that trigger their allergies as “unsafe food.”

When talking to them, use “we” instead of “I” statements. For example: “This is how we take this medication.” You can also bring them to groceries and involve them in cooking meals so you can point out specific items that they shouldn’t eat.

Also, tell them to only accept food from trusted adults who know about their allergies and the safe food they can eat. Additionally, talk to them about their symptoms. Don’t instigate fear response to the symptoms and just describe them in clear terms. Don’t show them you’re anxious or stressed about their allergic reactions. Remember that kids may feel nervous when they observe the same feeling in their parents.

Of course, tell them what they can do if an allergic reaction arises. Teach them about taking medication or finding an adult if they feel sick. Moreover, you must also tell them about other people’s dietary needs, especially those with allergies. Tell them to ask if anyone has an allergy before offering a snack to their friends. Teach your kids empathy and respect for other allergy sufferers.

Building a Safe Home Environment

Building a safe home environment means allergy-proofing your home. Here are some effective strategies you can follow:

• Improve air quality

Ensure the house is well-ventilated. This way, you can control the allergens in the air and avoid allergic reactions in the family. Instead of using regular filters for your air conditioning system, use HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters to prevent pollens, bacteria, and molds from recirculating in your space.

In addition, during pollen season, close the windows, doors, and other entry points in your homes to keep pollen and outside allergens out of your space. You can also use air purifiers and humidity controllers to avoid molds and other allergens that thrive in humid spots.

• Regularly clean your home

Set up a weekly cleaning routine for your rugs, carpets, mattresses, and upholsteries. You can hire professional cleaners to get the job done for you. Investing in vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters can also ensure dust-free areas in your home. You can increase the frequency of cleaning during spring as tree pollen counts surge during this season.

• Control pet dander

Limit the spaces where your pets can enter. This way, your kids and other family members are less likely to develop pet allergies. You should also bathe your pets weekly to reduce the fur they shed.

Navigating School and Social Settings

You can tell school staff about their allergies if your kid is in school. Talk to the school nurse, teachers, and administrators. You should also prepare an allergy emergency kit that your kid can bring inside their bag. Besides the oral medication for kids with allergies, you can also include epinephrine, albuterol, H1 antihistamines, and H2 antihistamines in the emergency kit.

These medications can treat anaphylaxis if your kid or someone at school experiences difficulty breathing due to an allergy. Teach your kids how to self-administer age-appropriate medications so they know when and how to use them in an emergency. When dining out or traveling, always consider allergy-friendly restaurants and destinations.

Educating Extended Family and Caregivers

Get everyone in the family involved. Educate relatives, grandparents, and the babysitters. Give them clear guidelines on proper food handling. Also, teach them how to administer medications to your kids.

Takeaway

Your kid might feel isolated because of their condition. However, it’s important to note that 1 in 13 kids in the United States suffers from such conditions, specifically food allergies. As a parent, seek support from online communities where you can get information and advice on how to raise an allergy-smart kid. Within this group, you can also ask for restaurant recommendations and engage in discussions regarding allergies in kids.

Image by master1305 on Freepik

The digital landscape offers a wealth of knowledge and challenges. As a parent, you’re responsible for ensuring your children discern the real from the fake. Arming them with the right tools to challenge online misinformation is more crucial than ever. Here are some actionable ways to help guide your children.

1.  Teach Them to Question Everything

Teaching kids to be discerning online readers starts with fostering a questioning mindset.

Encourage them to probe deeper when they encounter new information. Rather than taking everything they read as the truth, they should challenge it.

Ask them to consider, “Is this information up to date? Can I trust this source? Who wrote this and why did they write it?” This approach aligns with the C.R.A.P. (Currency, Reliability, Authority and Perspective) Detection Test — a straightforward method to assess online content’s credibility.

2.  Instruct How to Spot Fake Social Media Accounts

Misinformation often finds its way to you through deceptive social media accounts, so teach your children to differentiate genuine profiles from fake ones. Tell them to examine profile pictures closely. A generic or stock image might be a sign of a fake account.

Next, encourage them to look at the account’s follower count in relation to its age. A user that’s only been active for a short time but boasts a large following can be suspicious.

Additionally, the content of the posts matters. Advise your children to read through several posts to determine if they seem genuine or are merely reposting sensational or controversial content without original thoughts. It’s also beneficial to check if the account interacts genuinely with followers, or if the comments seem automated or irrelevant.

3.  Encourage Lateral Reading

Lateral reading involves actively seeking out multiple sources to validate or refute the information they come across. Instead of solely relying on one article or video, prompt your children to open new tabs and compare facts from different outlets. Dr. Joel Breakstone — director of the Stanford History Education Group — champions this method, especially when debunking fake news.

To make this practice a habit, you could set up a family fact-checking challenge. Whoever successfully debunks a piece of misinformation could earn a small reward. This makes the process engaging, and instills a sense of responsibility and skepticism that will serve them well in the digital age.

4.  Train Them Look for Red Flags

When it comes to misinformation, the devil is often in the details. Take a lesson from the world of financial scams. Specific red flags can tip you off to a threat, such as spelling mistakes, public domain email addresses and unsolicited requests for personal information. These warning signs aren’t exclusive to financial scams and can be key indicators of fake news online.

How can you translate this into practical advice for your kids? First, teach them to scrutinize the language used in articles or social media posts. If they read something online, tell them to look at the account that posted it. An account with no profile picture or description could be a scammer or a bot spreading misinformation. On social media, kids may receive private messages from accounts like this asking for personal information to enter a giveaway or saying they need to click a link.

Misinformation can come from any source, however. On social media, it’s common for news stories or popular trends to go viral without any verification. Advises your kids to be careful about repeating stories they hear online or trying popular trends that could impact their health. Tell them not to take advice from someone online who is not a professional.

5.  Show How to Verify Information

Encourage your kids to adopt a mindset of healthy skepticism. This means questioning the information they encounter while remaining open to discovering the truth. It’s a delicate balance but an essential one.

Drill the importance of not taking any information at face value into your children, especially from social media or unfamiliar websites. Show them how to use reputable fact-checking websites like Snopes or FactCheck.org to confirm the validity of a news story or viral post. Also, teach them to consult multiple trusted sources for any information.

For example, if they read a news article making a significant claim, they should cross-reference it with other reputable outlets. This practice helps confirm the information and provides a more nuanced understanding of the topic.

6.  Discuss Real-World Examples

When teaching your kids about misinformation, real-world examples prove invaluable. Instead of relying on hypothetical scenarios, turn to the digital content they interact with daily. Whether it’s a trending game, a viral TikTok video or a popular Instagram post, these platforms offer rich material for discussion. Encourage your kids to break down what they see and hear.

For instance, if they encounter a captivating YouTube video, prompt them to summarize its main points. Then, delve deeper by discussing the creator’s intentions. Was the video made to inform, entertain or persuade? Analyzing actual content helps children sharpen their critical-thinking skills and learn to discern the underlying motives in the vast sea of online information.

Equip Your Kids With Skills to Combat Misinformation

Don’t just warn your kids about the pitfalls of misinformation. Give them the tools to confront it head-on. Remember — a well-informed child doesn’t just passively consume information. They actively engage with it, question it and understand its impact. Start teaching your kids how to be savvy digital citizens today because an educated mind is the most effective weapon against misinformation.

Author bio:  Cora Gold is the Editor-in-Chief of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. She strives to live a happy and healthy life with her family by her side.
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Seeing the need of the hour, the United Nations (UN) made a universal call to transform the world in the form of 17 sustainable development goals. This 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aims to protect the earth and its inhabitants.

The current situation is still dire. Scientists and environmentalists believe that our precious world is “quite sick” due to ecological pollution. It has entered the danger zone, pushing past seven out of eight scientifically established limits of safety.

The massive shift from an agrarian to a manufacturing economy during the Great Industrial Revolution has impacted the environment. With climate change being a heated topic, every citizen must join hands to reverse the problem.

This includes children, as Harvard University explicitly conveys through its ‘Children are Citizens’ project. However, we need to make environmental concerns relatable to them.

It is not enough that your child learns about environmental issues in their eco-education classroom. They need to engage in real-world participation through their parents. Generally, a child is an observational learner, picking up behaviors through imitation. Since parents spend more time with their kids than other adults, they can directly influence them toward a greener future.

This article will discuss five important reflexes to inculcate in your child so they become an ecologically responsible citizen.

The Daily Economic Reflex: Saving Electricity and Water

According to the US Energy Information Administration, fossil fuel accounts for the largest energy generation source (60.2%). At this rate, the day is not far when our non-renewable energy sources will run out.

What’s even worse is that the US also leads in energy wastage (with electricity wastage being the second leading cause). In an age of heavy tech use, it’s vital to teach your child to conserve electricity (beyond switching off the lights).

You can start by cutting down your own screen time and engaging in fun board games. Teach your child why you choose to do so and encourage them to follow suit. Also, instruct them to unplug a device once completely charged.

You can even turn it into a fun game – ask your kids to compete against each other for the shortest screen time. The same goes for water conservation – who takes the least time to shower? Additionally, let them know the importance of watering plants with water left from washing vegetables, not letting the tap run as they brush their teeth, and so on.

The Must-Have Reflex: Reducing Waste

The three Rs of saving the planet may have become cliché, but they’ll never lose their relevance. The process of ‘Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle’ begins with minimizing waste. It is the easiest to do as there’s no need to reuse or recycle what you reduce.

Let’s use a different take to understand the waste generation scenario of the US. Statista revealed that the US waste management and remediation services market had a net worth of $140 billion in 2022. That is almost double the figures of 2010 ($78.82 billion).

This alone should give you an idea of how urgent the need for waste reduction is. But how can you teach this to your kids? Definitely not through statistics! You can start by letting them see the mountain of trash in a local landfill. As repulsive as that sounds, a strong mental image is a good motivator.

Moreover, let your kids accompany you for grocery shopping to teach them about intentional purchases. This includes preparing a grocery list and sticking to it. Choose fruits and vegetables in reusable bags rather than those available in plastic boxes. Additionally, take the opportunity to educate your children about environmental sustainability by discussing topics such as what is fast fashion and its impact on the planet.

If you’re tempted to buy something impulsively, resist the urge and let your kids know why you won’t need it.

The Solidarity Reflex: Donating Items 

The next on the environmental Rs hierarchy is reusing waste materials. This is a method of keeping waste from ending up in landfills. Reuse works best for items with great longevity and a slow decomposition rate.

The first thing that probably comes to mind is plastic. Does your child already own plastic dolls or other toys they’re bored of? Encourage them to donate unused ones to a local charity. Teach them how so many children are not as privileged as they are. Then, you can introduce them to the world of all-natural dolls and toys.

These include soft toys filled with organic hemp or cotton, bamboo or wooden kitchen sets, wooden cars and animals, etc. The same goes for clothes, as textile production is responsible for 8% of global carbon emissions.

If possible, invest in natural fibers like linen and cotton (while teaching your child why). If you have children only one or two years apart, let the garments go down the pipeline. If a child complains that they’re bored with a piece or there are visible spills and stains, sustainably upcycle it.

Some examples include tie-dye, adding or removing sleeves, patchwork, etc. Get your kids involved in the fun process!

The Eco-Conscious Reflex: Recycling What’s Recyclable

Despite reducing and reusing waste, there are times when you must resort to recycling. Providing your child with whatever they want, whenever they want, gives them the impression that resources are limitless.

Making recycling info for children available in relatable ways will help them lead conscientious lives. Start with something simple, say, waste cans or plastic bottles. Gather your kids and engage in a fun DIY project where you convert the waste into beautiful planters.

This will help them realize the multi-purpose of any object and awaken their inner crafters. Other examples of recycled projects include egg carton flowers, a recycled robot, tin can wind chimes, cardboard box organizers, etc.

Install different trash cans in your home for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. This will spark your child’s curiosity to learn more about each. If you want, invite your kids to help decorate each bin to segregate the waste.

Follow in the footsteps of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to pack your kids a waste-free lunch. You can also take them on a recycling scavenger hunt where they find items to turn into glamorous art projects. Have competitive children? Make this hunt a race!

The Green Reflex: Loving and Respecting Nature

It’s challenging to raise an eco-conscious child if they have little respect for nature. Creation, in all its glory, is healing to the body and mind. This is why it’s vital to let your kids play in the outdoors daily.

Not just play, allow them to hold the soil in their hands and feel its texture. Also, let them enjoy a few splashes in muddy waters. If they loved playing with leaves and flowers, let them bring home a few to play with later.

Teach kids that everything is connected.  The use of non-toxic products in the home greatly protects the environment outside, from time any product is created and manufactured in a production plant, to when they are disposed of down the sink or toilet drain, or into a landfill.

Sadly, an entire generation is apathetic or worse yet, scared of nature. There was a time when kids enjoyed holding bugs in their hands and chasing after butterflies. But all of this seems to be lost now. Repeated exposure to trees, blades of grass, insects, and farm animals will instill a deep sense of reverence for creation.

Furthermore, you can install a bird feeder on one of the trees in the backyard (preferably made using “waste” materials). Plant an herb or vegetable garden, and let your children take part in the process. Watching life grow from tiny seeds is nothing short of a life-altering experience.

On lazy days, just spend time on the patio gazing together at the sunset or watching birds chirp. This is sure to raise some curious questions from your little ones. The more you make nature a part of their childhood, the more they will love and revere it as adults.

A Final Word

Besides the reflexes mentioned above, you must also infuse the healthy reflex into your children. This includes choosing seasonal and organic produce as well as traveling smart. For instance – lead by example and make intentional statements while eating. It could be as simple as, “These strawberries are sweet, delicious, and good for the immune system.”

Help them understand nutrient labels, read books on healthy eating, and have fun with food by introducing healthy rainbow recipes. As for traveling, choose to walk or bicycle wherever possible and explain to your kids the reason behind this choice.

Allow them to accompany you to a run in the woods for exercise and forest bathing. Do not worry about the fact that they’re children. Every child is capable of making healthy and sustainable choices when given the right example.

Reverse socialization, where children help parents to make sustainable choices, is also a real phenomenon. Raise them right, and you don’t have to worry about them going wrong!

Additional Reading: Learn whether or not you can recycle or repurpose a mattress.