Parent | Baby Talk

Parenting a Child with Special Needs

There are some important things to keep in mind if you are the parent of a child with special needs.

Diet plays an important role in mood and behavior. Ensuring that your child with special needs eat a diverse diet full of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and lots of lean protein will give him or her a strong immune system. Doing this also teaches your child how to choose the right foods to eat.
Teach your child with special needs the importance of maintaining a regular sleeping pattern. As with diet, sleep plays an important role with our mood, behavior and everyday functioning. A lack of regenerative sleep will only be detrimental for your child if they are already struggling.
Exercise is also important for children with special needs. Depending on the level of need your child has, you can get them involved in a number of different physical activities. If your child has a high level of need, then you are probably already aware of the various physical activities and therapies that are available. Try to get your child involved in a form of group physical activity. It will not only help them to stay healthy, but it will help to boost their self-esteem and confidence because they are able to socialize with other children.

Diet, sleep and exercise and three very important aspects of any child’s life. For a child with special needs they are equally, if not more, important to ensure that the child if ready to take on the world and the challenges it may present them with.

Filed Under: Child Behavior, Parenting Tagged With: Child, Parent, Physical exercise

Building Your Child’s Confidence and Self-esteem

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Here are some ways to build your child’s confidence and self-esteem.

Many children learn from their parents the behavior and modes of thinking necessary for good confidence and self-esteem. This is a form of parental modeling, where the child ‘models’ after the parent. It’s fairly simple. As a parent, if you project high levels of confidence and good levels of self-esteem then chances are your child will pick up these traits.
Play time is one of the most important ways a child builds his or her confidence and self-esteem. It not only provides the child with opportunities to learn and build intellectual confidence, it allows he or she to build self-esteem so that socializing with other children in a play environment is a pleasurable experience. Allow your child to initiate the play and always remain positive and encouraging.
Let your child know that he or she is special. This can be done a number of ways. For example, simply addressing your child by their name lets him or her know that they are an individual and special person. You can organize special days and outings involving something that he or she likes. You could visit a museum, or go roller skating, or even just have a lovely picnic in a park. This will let your child know that his or her interests and skills are valued by you.

Letting your child know in the ways above, and in many other way, that his or her confidence and self-esteem are important to you will pave the way for their success in future life.

Filed Under: Child Development, Parenting Tagged With: Child, Parent, Self-esteem

10 Ways to Encourage Your Kids to Talk about Drugs With You

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Drugs are a difficult topic to raise. This is especially the case if you are a parent wanting to educate your child about the dangers of drugs and what to do if they are in a situation involving them.

Your teen will probably encounter a situation where there will be drugs. One of the most effective preventative measures against teenage drug use is having a parent or adult around that the young person can talk to. If this adult figure is someone whom the teen can look up to and talk to freely, then it is less likely that he or she will turn to drugs.

Here are 10 ways to encourage talking with your teenager.

Be an active part of their lives. The more you are involved with what is going on in your child’s life, the more chance you will have of knowing if there is a problem.
Listen to them. Many teenagers give verbal clues that they need a parent or other adult to talk to.
Be a role model. Act in ways that you would like you child to behave.
Be honest with them. Honesty goes both ways; if you are honest with your teen they are more likely to be honest with you.
Pick you moment to chat. Choose a time when your teen is not distracted.
Be calm throughout.
Avoid conflict. Arguing will only cause your teenager to shut you out.
Keep on talking. Let your teen know that it is an open dialogue.
Set clear boundaries – and stick to them!
Focus on positives. One way to avoid negatives is to not acknowledge them.

Filed Under: Family, Medical, Parenting Tagged With: Adolescence, Drug, Parent

When to Get Your Child a Phone

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Maybe your children have been bugging for cell phones for years now. Maybe you’re just wondering what age is appropriate for a child to have a cell phone. It’s a difficult dilemma (and one without precedence) for many parents in America: when should you get your baby a cell phone? How young is too young?

According to an April 2010 study by the Pew Internet American Life Project, about 75 percent of kids aged 12 to 17 own a cell phone. In a similar study done in 2004, only 45 percent owned a cell phone. Cell phones are on the rise, and many parents are finding it increasingly difficult to say no to their cell-craving kids.

Safety is a Main Concern

Most parents cite safety as their main reason for getting a child a phone. As teens and preteens leave the house without their parents, many parents feel safer having a clear method of communication with their child. Gone are the days of pay phones and prepaid phone cards: cell phones make arranging pick-ups and drop-offs a breeze.

Smartphones vs. Standard Phones

Most experts advocate getting standard phones for middle schoolers to avoid risky or unsafe internet encounters. Standard phones also tend to have more parental controls. High schoolers tend to prefer smartphones, like the popular Blackberry smartphone.

Create Boundaries

If you’re considering buying your middle schooler a phone, make sure you go over clear safety guidelines and rules first. Make sure your child knows to never answer the phone if it’s a number they don’t recognize, and lay down clear rules about answering the phone when you call.

Filed Under: Child Development, Parenting Tagged With: Blackberry, Mobile phone, Parent