Category: Parenting

As a parent, you should be aware of the proper care of your baby’s teeth. From the moment that first tooth appears until they start to lose their baby teeth, parents need to know how to keep those pearly whites healthy and strong. From brushing techniques to preventing cavities, there is much that needs to be done for children’s dental health to remain at its best.

We’ll discuss everything a parent should know about baby teeth maintenance – from teething pains and bottle decay to losing those precious milk teeth! Read on for more information about caring for your child’s smile during these crucial early years!

When Should I Start Brushing My Baby’s Teeth?

As soon as your baby’s teeth erupt, you should start brushing them. They can become used to the sensation of having anything inside their mouth by simply cleaning the surfaces of their gums with a moist cloth. Use a soft-bristled children’s toothbrush and fluoride-free toothpaste as soon as the first tooth erupts (no larger than a grain of rice). You must clean their teeth twice a day for two minutes each, in the morning and at night. Did you know that 35% of toddlers experience primary tooth trauma (source: www.trusttwice.com)? By brushing often and taking care of your teeth, this problem may be avoided. Even though brushing your baby’s teeth might be difficult, it’s crucial to carry on as part of their daily dental care routine.

What Causes Teething Pain?

Teething is when your baby’s first set of teeth breaks through the gums. This process usually begins around 6 months of age and may cause mild to moderate pain and discomfort in the gums, cheeks, and jaw area. You can help soothe teething pains by giving your baby a cold washcloth or teething ring to chew on. You might also give them over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen (always consult with your doctor before giving any medications).

• Additionally, gently massaging the gums with your finger can provide some relief. Keep in mind that teething pain is temporary and should improve over time as your baby’s teeth come in.
• If you notice excessive drooling, fever, rash, vomiting, or diarrhea, contact your doctor right away, as these may be signs of an allergy or a more serious condition such as an ear infection.
• It’s important to make sure your baby isn’t biting down too hard on their gums while they are teething – this could cause damage to the underlying tissue and lead to infection. And ensure that your child is eating a balanced diet full of healthy foods to support proper dental development.

Bottle Decay

Another issue to be aware of is bottle decay which occurs when a baby’s teeth are exposed to sugary liquids such as milk or juice for extended periods of time (souce: www.webmd.com). This can lead to cavities and other dental problems, so it’s important to try and avoid prolonged exposure to these types of drinks. Instead, give your baby water in between feedings and after meals, and only allow them to use bottles for drinks when necessary.

What Are Some Ways I Can Help Prevent Cavities?

There are further steps you can take to aid in the prevention of cavities in your child’s mouth in addition to brushing twice daily for two minutes at a time using fluoride-free toothpaste. One of the most successful strategies is cutting back on sugary foods and beverages, as well as juice drinking (only give them 4-6 ounces of fruit juice per day). As soon as a child’s first tooth erupts, you should start scheduling frequent dental exams. For instance, your child has to go to the dentist for a checkup and cleaning every six months. You might discuss fluoride treatments or sealants with your dentist to assist prevent tooth decay. Additionally, make sure your youngster is receiving enough calcium in their diet while you’re at it. While brushing and flossing are important, it is also essential to remember the importance of a healthy diet in your child’s oral health.

When Should I Expect My Child To Start Losing Their Baby Teeth?

The majority of kids begin losing their baby teeth around age 5 or 6, and by the time they are 12 or 13 years old, they have typically lost all 20 of their baby teeth. Make sure your child is brushing and flossing often when they begin to lose their teeth to maintain healthy, clean gums (source: www.healthline.com). Additionally, make sure to speak with a dentist for additional guidance on how to deal with the pain if you detect any indications of difficulty when they lose their teeth. Even though your child’s baby teeth may ultimately fall out, it is still crucial to look after them and keep them in good condition.

Choosing A Dentist For Your Child

You should seek a dentist for your child who has expertise in treating young patients and who has a calm, loving approach. You might go online for reviews of nearby pediatric dentists or ask friends and family for referrals. Make sure the office has the most recent technology and takes precautions to protect patient safety (such as using single-use instruments and gloves). Set up an initial consultation with the dentist you’ve chosen to go through your child’s dental care requirements. When it comes to going to the dentist, your child is probably anxious, so be sure to highlight the value of excellent dental hygiene and how much fun it can be.

Good oral hygiene is essential for children’s dental health. Make sure you’re brushing your child’s teeth twice a day, limiting sugary snacks and drinks, and avoiding putting them to bed with any liquid other than water. You should also schedule regular dental checkups from the time their first tooth appears, and be sure to choose an experienced pediatric dentist who provides a gentle, caring approach. At the end of the day, your child’s smile is only as healthy as you make it – so do all you can to ensure that their teeth stay in tip-top condition!

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Animals can be a great way to teach preschoolers important life skills, such as empathy and respect for living creatures. From petting, a dog or cat to visiting a farm with cows and chickens, interacting with animals is an enriching experience for young children. However, kids must learn how to interact with animals in the right way so they don’t get hurt or scared of the animal.

Here are some fantastic ways you can teach your preschooler how to interact safely and respectfully with all kinds of animals.

Introduce Them to Animals in the Home

The first step is to introduce your preschooler to animals that live at home. Start with a pet, like a dog or a cat, and explain how they should approach the animal gently. This allows them to learn how each species responds differently and how to interact appropriately. Teach them simple commands such as sit, stay, and come when called for pets, and about appropriate touching for different types of animals. Try to teach biodiversity for kids by showing them educational videos that explain how different animals behave and interact with each other. And, of course, always supervise your child’s interactions with animals in the home.

Visit a Farm or Zoo

Visiting a farm or zoo is another great way to introduce your preschooler to different types of animals. They can learn more about the natural environment of an animal by seeing its habitat up close, as well as understanding their behavior better by observing them in action. Teach them to move slowly around the animals and be respectful when approaching them. Explain that it’s important not to startle or scare the animals, and always ask permission before touching any animal. This is also a great opportunity to teach your preschooler more about biodiversity.

Create a Sensory Bin for Pretend Play

Create a sensory bin filled with items like stuffed animals, toy figurines, sand, and water to let your preschooler explore different animals in a safe and fun way. This is a great way to get them familiar with how the animals look, move, and act while allowing them to use their imagination at the same time. You can also incorporate books or videos about animals into your sensory bin activities to enrich their experience further. For example, read a story about a farm and then let them explore the sensory bin with different animals.

Take a Nature Walk

Nature walks are an ideal way to get kids up close and personal with animals in their natural environment. Be sure to explain what each animal is, how it moves, and how it interacts with its surroundings. Encourage your preschooler to observe the animals from afar but also talk about what they see. Teach them why it’s important not to disturb or scare off any wild animals they might encounter and be sure to point out any danger signs too. Additionally, explain that some animals may not be safe to approach, like snakes or spiders.

Volunteer at an Animal Shelter

Take your preschooler to a local animal shelter and let them volunteer their time by feeding the animals, walking them, or even brushing them. This is a great way to teach kids empathy and responsibility while also allowing them to get up close with a variety of animals in a controlled environment. Talk about how each animal behaves differently from one others and why we need to take care of them properly. Show your preschooler how the volunteers play with the cats or dogs to help make them more adoptable – this can drive home the importance of respecting all living creatures.

Watch Wildlife Documentaries

Wildlife documentaries are a great way to introduce your preschooler to animals they might not otherwise get to see up close. Watching footage of different species in their natural habitat teaches kids about the importance of biodiversity and how each animal fits into its delicate ecosystem. Be sure to explain why it’s important not to disrupt these habitats or disturb any animals while watching the documentaries together. This is also a great opportunity to talk about endangered species and what we can do to help preserve them.

Introducing your preschooler to a variety of animals is an important step in teaching them about respect, responsibility, and the importance of preserving biodiversity. With a little guidance and supervision, you can help your child learn about different animals in exciting and educational ways. And if you find that your preschooler loves animals, consider taking them to a summer camp or classes dedicated to animal science. No matter how you decide to do it, developing an appreciation for different types of animals is an important lesson for kids of all ages.

Some time spent in front of screens brings many benefits, whether it be for educational purposes or to connect with friends and help improve their social skills. Even gaming has been proven to help kids develop decision making skills and can encourage team play. Of course, moderation is the key to healthy computer time.

But there’s also a time and a place for screen time and research shows that it should not be at night.  Around 60% of children in the US use electronic devices in the hour before their bedtime and it’s greatly affecting their sleep.  Let’s find out just how bad it is to let your kids use electronics before they go to sleep.

Less sleep

The amount of sleep a child needs ranges from 8 to 14 hours, depending on their age. Screens at bedtime interrupt this crucial sleep for several reasons. The first is that technology is a distraction. A child can waste hours watching videos and playing games on a device when they should be sleeping.

Another problem is the blue light in the screens of electronic devices. Blue light decreases the production of melatonin which is needed to induce sleep. Scientists have found that children exposed to blue light at bedtime have melatonin levels that are between 70% and 99% lower than they are in a screen-free room.

Increased risk of nightmares

Nightmares are commonly experienced by children. The Sleep Foundation reports that 20% of 6 to 12-year-olds have them and younger children are even more likely to be affected by them. Giving children access to screens before bed could increase the number of nightmares they have. Nightmares are caused by many things, including stress, trauma, and sleep issues. The impact of a bad dream is different for everyone, although a racing heartbeat, being scared, and finding it hard to go back to sleep are usually experienced.

One study found that young children with a television in their bedrooms had more nightmares and sleep terrors than those who didn’t. Further research from Seattle Children’s Research Institute linked late-night TV viewing to an increased risk of nightmares. These studies may have only focused on TVs, but all screens, including smartphones and tablets, should be avoided by kids before bedtime.

Sleep disturbances

Sleep disturbances occur when a child wakes up during the night. Using screens before bed could trigger this, according to researchers. They say that youngsters using devices 1 hour before bed had more sleep disturbances than those that spent this time screen-free. The likelihood of disturbed sleep was even higher in children who used an electronic device in a darkened room. The same study also revealed that screen time at night caused higher rates of anxiety and obesity in children. Both of these conditions can further impact the amount of shuteye that children get.

Optimum sleep environment

So now you know how damaging screen time at night is to your child’s sleep, you must act now to prevent this problem from worsening. First of all, remove all devices from your child’s bedroom, such as televisions and game consoles. Portable devices, like phones and tablets, should be restricted and taken away from your child at least 2 hours before bedtime.

It’s important that your child has the chance to unwind before they go to sleep. A darkened room with comfortable bedding and blacked-out windows are a must. Your child may feel frustrated by the lack of entertainment in their room, so replace it with sleep-inducing items instead, such as books, comics, and magazines.

Sleep is essential for the health and well-being of your children. Make sure your children get a good night’s sleep night after night by restricting screen use at bedtime and setting good habits.

For homeschooling parents, the notion of being both your child’s caretaker and educator can be daunting at times, no matter how rewarding it is.   That stress becomes even greater when you’re in the middle of a divorce.   Divorce impacts everyone, and will affect your child in some ways, too.

However, you can’t let the stress and possible contention of your divorce cause a change or sudden “stop” in your homeschool curriculum.

By coming up with a plan to prioritize your child and their education over the stress of your divorce, you can stay positive, and end up actually looking forward to the experience as a distraction.

Let’s look at some tips you can use to effectively homeschool and co-parent while going through a divorce, so no matter what happens between you and your former spouse, your child’s education won’t suffer.

Staying Present With Your Little One

It can be a struggle to stay in the present moment when you’re going through a divorce. It’s one of the most stressful experiences an individual can go through.

However, it’s important not to let it distract you from your child’s education. If you find your mind wandering when you’re supposed to be teaching, consider trying different techniques to improve your emotional intelligence and process bigger emotions.

You can actually use these techniques with your child, as well. Don’t forget, no matter their age or how they seem to be acting about the divorce, that they’re experiencing a major change, too. Helping to boost their emotional intelligence is a life skill they can carry with them and utilize well into adulthood. Some of the best ways to stay in the present moment and improve your emotional intelligence include:

• Journaling
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Mind mapping

You’ve probably at least heard of most of those techniques, but not everyone is familiar with mind mapping. It’s the process of creating a free-flowing diagram of thoughts that branch out from a central concept. It’s a great way to organize your thoughts and keep them from feeling so overwhelming.

Parenting and Educating

One of the greatest challenges you’ll have to deal with during your divorce is getting used to the changes it will cause. Unfortunately, your child will be dealing with those changes, too, especially if you’ve established a custodial/visitation arrangement with your former spouse.

Because your child already is getting used to certain changes, it’s important that you and your spouse are on the same page when it comes to their education. That includes things like:

• Keeping a daily routine (for school and play)
• Adopting similar teaching styles
• Covering the same curriculum and moving forward

It’s also important to make sure you’re actively communicating with your ex. While that’s not always easy, finding ways to effectively communicate without letting past hurts get in the way is essential for your child’s well-being and educational growth.

Keep the lines of communication as open as possible, and find what works for you. If you’re not comfortable with meeting face-to-face, consider texting, calling, or even using specific apps that are designed for co-parents, like OurFamilyWizard. Apps like these not only allow you to directly communicate with your ex, but they can help you keep track of schedules, making life just a little bit easier for your whole family.

Family Law Support

Throughout the process of dealing with the day-to-day turmoil that comes with any divorce, parents are often in need of support and guidance to navigate the complex landscape of family law. A family law attorney can provide relevant advice to ensure the best interests of the children are foremost, while working towards a fair outcome for coparents.

In addition to ensuring your child’s homeschooling schedule is uninterrupted, parents can be guided through the process to reduce stress for the entire family. From negotiating child custody arrangements to visitation schedules to child support, these professionals advocate to bring amicable resolutions with as little conflict as possible.

Valuable support resources may also be referred, such as therapists, counselors, and care groups to assist parents and children in coping with the emotional impact of the transition. This can empower parents to meet challenges with greater confidence and resilience so that their children may continue to thrive as students learning at home.

Giving Your Child What They Need

The best thing you can do for your homeschooled child as you go through a divorce is to give them exactly what they need to succeed. A large part of that includes maintaining a normal routine and keeping things as consistent as possible. However, because they’re dealing with so many changes, it might also include giving them a designated office space in your home for them to do their schoolwork.

Giving them a special space may not only help them stay productive and focus on their work, but it will provide an area where they can think and process their emotions.

This is especially important for teenagers who are trying to get through the more difficult years of school and prepare for college. Having a space of their own to get used to the changes and stay focused on their work can be extremely beneficial. It will also help them learn how to manage their stress and remain productive.

That doesn’t mean, however, that you should leave your child or teen on their own to figure things out. Now is the time to make sure they have what they need emotionally, as well as physically.

Even if it seems like your child is handling the divorce well, make sure you’re communicating with them regularly about their feelings. Take time out of the school day to talk about their emotions and how they’re feeling. Not only is it a positive way to show your love, but it’s teaching them a lesson that isn’t found in a book – emotional regulation and processing. That’s essential for them as they prepare for adulthood.

Going through a divorce is hard on the whole family, but it doesn’t have to disrupt your child’s homeschool routine. Keep these tips in mind to work with your ex, co-parent effectively, and ensure your child’s well-being and education are your top priorities.

About the Author
Katie Brenneman is a passionate writer specializing in education, mental health, family lifestyle and online safety. When she isn’t writing, you can find her with her nose buried in a book or hiking with her dog, Charlie. You can follow her on Twitter.