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The Body Mass Index (BMI) has long been the go-to measurement of a person’s ideal weight range. But because kids’ bodies grow and change so quickly, BMI has never been the best way to measure a child’s weight or risk of obesity.
With levels of childhood obesity still on the rise, a better weight screening tool is definitely needed. Could a new kid-friendly BMI be coming to a pediatrician’s office in your neck of the woods? [Read more →]
Ever feel a bit lazy feeding your kids yet another serving from the cereal box? Turns out there’s really no need to be bowled over by breakfast guilt.
It’s spring, so parents may be fretting more about their children’s allergy meds than about the cold and flu season that is still months away. But considering that there have been recalls and warnings about the effectiveness and safety of children’s cough and cold medications parents might want to file away this advice from otolaryngologists, those docs who care for our ears, noses, and throats: [Read more →]
Which side of the spanking debate are you on? Do you think kids should be spanked when they misbehave? Is it a good way to discipline? Or do you consider it a form of child abuse?
I’m curious, and it is a fascinating and controversial topic. A few months back, reality show mom Kate Gosselin got caught by paparazzi spanking one of her sextuplets. She had to go public to defend herself. Then a couple of weeks ago, an Ohio woman was arrested at a Salvation Army store for spanking a stranger’s child!
I don’t feel qualified to speak about whether or not it is an effective way to discipline a child, since I don’t have kids myself. As a former primary-level teacher, I will say that I did occasionally feel moments of intense frustration in reaction to a student’s misbehavior - but I never, ever felt anything even close to an urge to swat at a kid (thank goodness!)
I can’t imagine ever punishing a child for doing something that is beyond their control or something about which they already feel noticeable shame or embarrassment. I was only ever spanked as a child when I acted especially naughty or insolent. I remember my parents being calm as this happened. They weren’t flying off the handle in a rage. I recall being warned that a swat on the bum was in the offing, as though my parents were telling me, “There is a line. And you are getting really close to crossing it, Little Miss. So think before you say another word.”
On the other hand (no pun intended), I have close friends who were raised by totally loving parents (or grandparents) who used spanking as their everyday form of discipline, punishment, or deterrent. And they all turned out to be healthy, functioning adults, some of whom have even said they’re thankful for the swats.
According to new research, though, my friends might have lost more with each spanking than just a few tears … [Read more →]
Throughout recent cold seasons, parents have had to get creative and crafty when dealing with kids’ cold symptoms.
With warnings against giving children over-the-counter cough and cold remedies, parents have scooped out spoonfuls of honey to cut coughs and hooked mini-bottles of hand sanitizers onto backpacks in hopes of preventing the seemingly inevitable 7 to 10 colds kids tend to get each season.
Good news: Moms and Dads may be able add now a new, natural weapon to their cold-busting toolkit. [Read more →]
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