Healthy Children

Simple tips to show your children that you love them on Valentine's Day and beyond.It seems straightforward to show love to your kids. But, every parent and every child is different.

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First, your words have an impact. Sarcasm and mocking can be upsetting to your child. Be positive and find kinder ways to communicate that don’t make your child feel inferior.

Second, express gratitude and respect for your child. “Please,” “thank you” and “you’re welcome” are important phrases for communication. They may just help you get that smart device set aside for family time by respectfully making requests.

Additionally, hugging is important. They’re great for expressing love and encourage physical closeness. Hugs can be calming for parent and child alike.

Schedule family times and be sure to keep them. Give your children the time they need. You’re cultivating the way they succeed in their future relationships.

Listen as Dr. Naveen Mehrotra joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how you can demonstrate your love for your child.

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The holidays and current events are a great opportunity to teach your child empathy and compassion.It’s your responsibility as a parent to teach your child empathy and compassion for others. This will help him have more caring and understanding for others throughout his life.

Empathy starts with understanding other people’s emotions and feelings. Kids have to get in touch with their own emotions and feelings first. You can’t understand emotions unless you communicate face-to-face. Talk through what could help others feel better so your child understands how others feel.

Expand your child’s experiences through travel and reading. Encourage community involvement.

Community Service

Show your child firsthand what other people experience through community service. Empower him to make changes in the world by doing something about it. Involve your children in altruistic activities.

Listen as Dr. Corinn Cross joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how you can develop your child’s sense of empathy and compassion.


Reading List:

Books on Food Donations and Soup Kitchens, Turkey Drive/Food Drives, Visiting Food Banks

*Maddi's Fridge by Lois Brandt

A young girl realizes her friend’s fridge is often empty. She tries to sneak her food from home. Eventually she confides in her mother that her friend’s family needs food.  Together they help the family and eventually organize a food drive. The book discusses food drives and food pantries. The Author’s Note discusses how 1 in 5 US children live in homes that are food insecure, meaning they run out of food before the end of the month. 

Uncle Willie and The Soup Kitchen by Dyanne Disalvo-Ryan

A young boy accompanies his uncle to work in a soup kitchen. He learns all about how soup kitchens and neighboring communities work together to feed those in need. A prologue gives some background and additional information about soup kitchens and who they serve – although this prologue is better read after the book so that children have an understanding of what a soup kitchen is and can absorb the additional information. 

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña

A young boy and his grandmother leave church and take a bus through a culturally diverse community. During the ride, the young boy laments that he isn’t out playing with his friends. Instead, he and his grandmother are going to work at a soup kitchen.  By the end of the book, he realizes how important what he is doing really is.

“Last Stop” is a simpler book than “Uncle Willie”. Unlike “Uncle Willie,” the reader does not experience what it is like to work at a soup kitchen. “Last Stop” is more about the journey. The beauty of the book however is that it illustrates that everyone has something to give. 

Books About Veterans, Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, Operation Gratitude

*The Wall by Eve Bunting

A very moving book about a young boy and his dad who travel to Washington DC to look for the grandfather’s name on the Vietnam Memorial. It helps children to understand the sacrifices these soldiers have made and illustrates that the men and women fighting for our country are someone’s parent, grandparent or child. 

Books About Families Who Need Homes and Furniture, Christmas (A Carpenter’s gift is an amazing Christmas story), Furniture Drives, Habitat For Humanity-Type Projects, Losing Homes to Fires

*The Carpenter's Gift: A Christmas Tale about the Rockefeller Center Tree by David Rubel

An amazingly beautiful and moving Christmas story about a young poor boy and his dad who drive to NYC to sell Christmas trees. They give the last tree to a group of men working at a construction site. Later those men show up at the boy’s home with left over supplies from their building and help the father to repair and insulate their home. The book’s epilogue discusses Habitat for Humanity and how the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center is donated every year to provide lumbar for homes for families in need. 

A Chair for My Mother by Vera ...

Have a happier holiday with these tips for your family.Holidays are joyful for many. There are a few things to keep in mind to keep your family happy and safe.

Safety

• Don’t let your tree dry out.
• Don’t leave your tree lights on when you aren’t home.
• Don’t overload outlets and extension cords.
• Be sure outdoor lights and power cords are intended for outdoor use.
• Stash guest belongings out of your child’s reach so no one gets into personal pill boxes.
• Hire a sitter if you have lots of toddlers at your large party.
• Make sure gifts are age appropriate and not flagged as dangerous.
• Fireplace embers can stay hot for days so put ashes in an ash bucket.
• Know that other people may not have the same safety practices when you go to visit.

Managing Expectations

It’s a tough balance to give your child the best gifts you can while instilling a sense of gratitude. Discussing the significance of the holidays in your family leading up to festivities can help. Focus on family traditions like cooking, games, singing and celebrating. This is time you can build traditions to carry you throughout the year. Talk about gratefulness and giving with your children.

It’s important for your children to realize that things cost money. Your family may not be able to afford the latest cell phone technology for the kids. Sometimes Santa leaves notes to redirect unrealistic requests, leaving a hand-selected gift instead.

Listen as Dr. Corinn Cross joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how to enjoy this time with your children safely and happily.

Love your child at their current weight while making lifestyle changes in your household.Are you concerned about your child’s weight? You don’t want to ruin their self-esteem by bringing something up that may not be a problem, but you also don’t want your child to endure the health risks connected with being overweight or obese.

Processed foods are dense in calories but not necessarily packed with nutrients. Today’s children aren’t as active as those in the previous generation because of technology and cultural lifestyle shifts. Environmental toxins are everywhere and hard to completely avoid.

If you’re concerned about your child’s weight, first look at the big picture. There is some time to think and plan to improve your child’s health. Don’t panic. 

Make a lifestyle change together, getting the entire household on board with exercise and nutritional adjustments. Start slowly with doable changes where the behavior will lead to little successes before selecting the next change to make.

Children facing obesity and are struggling with health problems that could be reversed may be candidates for bariatric surgery. This is not a quick-fix option. Discuss your concerns with your pediatrician.

Listen as Dr. Sarah Armstrong joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss concerns over weight and bariatric surgery.

Spend plenty of time in the car with your new driver to support safety and wise judgment under different driving circumstances.Let’s face it, your child learning to drive can be very stressful for you as a parent. You want them to gain independence while still keeping them safe.

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The most important investment you can make in terms of the safety of your driving teen is giving them a structured experience behind the wheel. The biggest single risk factor for teens is their lack of driving experience. Introduce them to safe but stressful situations while you’re in the car, like interstate driving and country roads. Be clear about driving restrictions for the first few months your child has a license.

Before that learner’s permit is in your child’s hand, you can be a good role model as a driver and avoid distractions.

Consider implementing the Parent-Teen Driver Contract provided by the AAP.

Listen as Dr. Brian Johnston joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss safe driving for teens.

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Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%