My Baby Is Sick... What is RSV?

When children are sick our mommy (and grandma) senses are on high alert, especially if the child is small. You take your baby to the doctor or the ER and he/she tests positive for something called "RSV"... what the heck is RSV? 

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a very common virus that leads to mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and older healthy children. It can be more serious in young babies, especially those in certain high-risk groups, such as premature infants, very young infants, or a child with health conditions that affect the lungs, heart or immune system. 

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and older healthy children. It can cause serious problems in young babies, including pneumonia and severe breathing problems. Premature babies and those with other health problems have the highest risk. A child with RSV may have a fever, stuffy nose, cough, and trouble breathing. Lab tests can tell if your child has the virus. There is no specific treatment. You should give your child fluids to prevent dehydration. If needed, you can also give a pain reliever (not aspirin) for fever and headache.

RSV easily spreads from person to person. You can get it from direct contact with someone who has it or it by touching infected objects such as toys or surfaces such as countertops. Washing your hands often and not sharing eating and drinking utensils are simple ways to help prevent the spread of RSV infection. There is currently no vaccine for RSV.

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Quick Facts

• RSV typically causes cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, and congestion. Fevers are common. The infection can progress to the lower respiratory tract to cause more severe illness such as bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) or pneumonia in otherwise healthy infants and young children.
• RSV is highly contagious through close contact with infected people, and it can live on toys and other surfaces for several hours.
• Most children will have an RSV infection by the time they are 2 years old, and most will get better on their own within 8 to 15 days.
• Every year, 75,000 to 125,000 children in the United States are admitted to the hospital for RSV infections.
• For most children, fluids are the best treatment. Bronchodilators, medicines prescribed to help reduce airway resistance, may ease breathing in some cases. Antibiotics do not work against RSV, but a healthcare provider may prescribe them for complications that develop because of RSV.
• Although deaths are relatively rare, RSV can be life-threatening for immune-compromised people, including premature infants, young children with heart and lung problems, and the elderly.
• Researchers are working toward a vaccine, but none currently exists.

What can I do, I feel helpless.

Having a small child that is sick can leave you feeling helpless, they are so pitiful and feel so bad.

Here are some things you can do to help them feel better:

• Give plenty of fluids. Avoid dairy - tends to thicken secretions and from my experience it will come back up a lot faster (yuck) If you breastfeed, continue to nurse.. breast-milk is healing and hydrating for little ones. 
• Use a cool-mist humidifier/vaporizer during the winter months to keep the air moist. (Be sure to clean the vaporizer regularly.) Cool mist, not warm (warm mist grows more bacteria faster)
• Blow little noses frequently (or use a nasal aspirator for infants). You need a really good nasal aspirator or "booger sucker", as the nurse at the pediatricians office or the ER for a good one. Keeping nasal passages clear will make small children feel much better, if they can't suck, they will be very unhappy. 
• Give non-aspirin pain reliever, such as acetaminophen. Aspirin should not be used because it has been linked to Reye syndrome, a disease that affects the brain and liver.
• Home remedies such as essential oils may help ease the symptoms, make sure to dilute these for small children and ask your homeopathic dr or pediatrician for recommendations. Use a diffuser at night and rub essential oil on child's feet to aid absorption (a little goes a long way with infants)  
• Plenty of cuddling with mommy and daddy will make them feel safe and soothe their fears. 

When to Call the Doctor or Visit the ER

Children may need treatment if they show any of the following symptoms:

• Great difficulty or fast breathing
• Excessive wheezing or high pitched noises
• Retractions, sucking in of chest wall or under sternum
• Gray or blue skin color
• High fever - greater than 101 or number your pediatrician has given you
• Thick nasal discharge that is yellow, green, or gray
• Worsening cough
• Extreme tiredness (especially during times they are normally active)
• No wet diapers in 8 hours or more
• Anything you think is abnormal, you are the best judge of your child

I hope this helps you as a parent, grandparent or nurse. Education can empower us and make us feel more in control of scary situations. 

Zika Virus: What Do You Know About It #ZikaVirus

Just what do you know about the "Zika Virus", that mosquito- borne illness that is in the news all the time now it seems? Did you know that it has actually been around since 1947? Yep that's right, it started in Africa and spread to Asia and the Pacific islands, then to Latin American and the Caribbean where it is rapidly spreading now.

So what are the symptoms of Zika? 

• Most people don't know they have been affected with the virus at all, they will have no symptoms
• The most common symptoms can be fever, rash, joint pains, conjunctivitis (redness of the eyes) , muscle pain and/ or headaches possibly. 
• The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) for Zika virus disease is not known, but is likely to be a few days to a week.
• It is best to see your doctor or healthcare provider if you are pregnant and develop any of the symptoms above within 2 weeks of traveling to any of the affected countries/areas.
• Zika virus is usually a mild illness with symptoms lasting only a short time after being bit by an infected mosquito. 
• People infected with the Zika virus do not usually need any kind of hospitalization and very rarely are ill enough to die from the virus. Please to not present to the Emergency room in a panic because you think you have symptoms of the Zika virus. 
• There is no cure and no vaccine available yet, although they are working towards the vaccine. 

Prevention:  "Education is the key to prevention"

• There is no cure and no vaccine for Zika, so prevention is the best cure we have right now.
• Avoiding mosquito bites especially in areas that are know for outbreaks of the Zika virus.
• Prevent sexual transmission of the virus by using condoms or abstaining from sexual contact. 
• Wear long sleeve protective clothing and pants to keep bare skin covered, be aware that mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus usually bite more in the day-time hours. 
• Stay indoors in air conditioned rooms or keep screened doors closed to limit exposure
• Sleep under a mosquito net if you are in a heavily infested Zika area
• Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-diol. Choosing an EPA-registered repellent ensures the EPA has evaluated the product for effectiveness. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breast-feeding women.
Always follow the product label instructions.
Reapply insect repellent as directed.
Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.

• If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent.
• Protect children from mosquito bites (they need special care with chemical bug repellents)
• Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months old.
• Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol on children younger than 3 years old.
• Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs.
• Cover crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting.
• Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, and cut or irritated skin.
• Adults: Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to a child’s face.
• Be sure to check your yard often, daily even for standing water and keep it dumped out. Mosquito's can breed in a tiny little bit of water, like the size of a bottle cap (sneaky little boogers), so be a detective and get rid of them.
• Protect your family and your community, it's just the right thing to do!
• Be smart about planning a pregnancy if you are going to travel to South America or the Caribbean , talk to your doctor first. It might be a better option to wait or delay your travel plans.

Below is a great infographic I found that explains the Zika virus in detail (with a timeline) , symptoms, treatments and preventative measures.

Do you want more information about the Zika Virus? Here are a few links to visit and learn more. 

http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html

http://www.cdc.gov/zika/fs-posters/index.html

http://www.who.int/emergencies/zika-virus/en/

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/zika/en/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zika_virus

http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/13/health/cdc-zika-virus-microcephaly/index.html

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/zika-virus-symptoms-prevention

Please educate yourself and be smart this summer about mosquitos, they can carry numerous virus's and diseases. With some prevention and a dose of smartness we can be smarter. 

Have a great and safe weekend

Fireworks Safety :Enjoy Your Holiday Safely #safety #fireworks

Happy Fourth of July week! lets enjoy the holiday and be safe with some very simple tips for staying safe at home and while out watching fireworks. Proceed with caution and leave the fireworks for trained professionals. Sparklers are not to be given to children, notice the temperature at which a sparkler burns --1200 degrees F !! Sparklers are fun and pretty, but oh so dangerous.

SAFE HALLOWEEN : make it great!

 

Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Feel free to excerpt these tips or use them in their entirety for any print or broadcast story, with acknowledgment of source.

ALL DRESSED UP:

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
• Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.
• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
• Do not use decorative contact lenses without an eye examination and a prescription from an eye care professional. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as “one size fits all,” or “no need to see an eye specialist,” obtaining decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.
• Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.

CARVING A NICHE:

• Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.

• Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest.
• Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.

HOME SAFE HOME:

• To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
• Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
• Wet leaves or snow should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

ON THE TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL:

• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.

• If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.

• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.

• Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or-Treaters.
• Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.

• Remember reflective tape for costumes and trick-or-treat bags.

• Carry a cellphone for quick communication.

• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.

• If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.

• Never cut across yards or use alleys.

• Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.

• Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!

• Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

HEALTHY HALLOWEEN:

• A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.
• Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
• Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
• Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.

©2013 American Academy of Pediatrics

- See more at: http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx#sthash.Fdb2FMGW.dpuf

Be safe and have fun! Return home alive.

 

 

 

Speak Up, Speak Out! Stop This Problem! #worldwidechokinggameawareness

Today is a day, just like any other say yes? For some maybe for others no! If you have ever lost a child, no day is the same, you wake up with a piece of your heart ripped from you  that just can't be replaced.
No parent wants another parent to ever go thru the heartache of child loss, so today we urge you to wake up and educate yourself on something that 75% of kids already know about. Your kids!
The choking game has many names, it's all over YouTube, the internet, social media and your kids schools.
A high school trend...no, kids as young as 9 are dying everyday. So join us today on Worldwide Choking Game Awareness Day 2013 and Speak Up, Speak out, speak to Your kids today!

We don't want to add another statistic to our list......

A US & Global View Of Child Injury #prevention #safety

Condom Snorting Challenge ..yep the latest craze

YouTube is the place to learn the latest challenges for your kids. Believe it or not your kids are learning some down right dangerous crap on YouTube.
Like the "Cinnamon Challenge" " Chubby Bunny or Marshmallow Challenge" or the "Salt and Ice Challenge" all of these are dumb and stupid and can be found on YouTube with other such risky behaviors like "The Choking Game" that has claimed thousands of pre-teen and teen lives in the US and UK. 

This latest craze amongst teens on YouTube is putting them in real danger of choking and suffocating. As seen in the video below, 3 girls snort (yes, SNORT) condoms through their noses and attempt to pull them out of their mouths. After much gagging and choking they accomplish the disgusting feat. 

Not without a bit of vomit though. Yuck!

These videos are getting huge amounts of views on a daily basis and it can only be fueling the condom-snorting fire.

The Condom Challenge sounds simple, really, and it is -- simple and possibly fatal: To complete the challenge, a teen has to snort a condom up his or her nose and expel it through his or her mouth WITHOUT choking to death in the process. (If you choke to death, you lose! Ha, ha!) Not so funny huh?
Come on people, this is not only disgusting, it is just irresponsible and gross! If you think that snorting a condom up your nose makes you look cool, it does not!
As a nurse I can tell you that if you choke on this condom it is very hard to "fish" it out of your trachea or lungs, look at the diagram below and see how easy it is for that condom to go the wrong way and end up blocking your airway.

Please be responsible and be safe! 

Fevers, what do I do? Myths vs Facts

 

Some great info about fevers in your kids, think twice before rushing them to the ER please, have some common sense mom & dad!

ER visits are for true emergencies, a simple fever is not a emergency. Treat those fevers with antipyretic's (Tylenol, Motrin ) first for comfort.Keep them hydrated and follow up with your Peds doctor.

From the great app Wesley Kids:

http://wesleykids.com/wesley-kids-symptom-checker/fever-myths-versus-facts/

Misconceptions about fever are commonplace. Many parents needlessly worry and lose sleep when their child has a fever. This is called fever phobia. Overall, fevers are harmless. Let the following facts help you put fever into perspective:

MYTH: My child feels warm, so she has a fever.

FACT: Children can feel warm for a many reasons such as playing hard, crying, getting out of a warm bed or being outside on a hot day. They are “giving off heat”. Their skin temperature should return to normal in 10 to 20 minutes. Once these causes are excluded, about 80% of children who feel warm and act sick actually have a fever. If you want to be sure, take their temperature. The following are the cutoffs for fever using different types of thermometers:

• Rectal, ear or temporal artery thermometers: 100.4° F (38.0° C) or higher
• Oral or pacifier thermometers: 100° F (37.8° C) or higher
• Under the arm (Axillary or Armpit) temperatures: 99° F (37.2° C) or higher

MYTH: All fevers are bad for children.

FACT: Fevers turn on the body's immune system and help the body fight infection. Fevers are one of the body's protective mechanisms. Normal fevers between 100° and 104° F (37.8° - 40° C) are actually good for sick children.

MYTH: Fevers above 104° F (40° C) are dangerous and can cause brain damage.

FACT: Fevers with infections don't cause brain damage. Only body temperatures above 108° F (42° C) can cause brain damage. The body temperature climbs this high only with extreme environmental temperatures (for example, if a child is confined to a closed car in hot weather).

MYTH: Anyone can have a febrile seizure (seizure triggered by fever).

FACT: Only 4% of children can have a febrile seizure.

MYTH: Febrile seizures are harmful.

FACT: Febrile seizures are scary to watch, but they usually stop within 5 minutes. They cause no permanent harm. Children who have had febrile seizures do not have a greater risk for developmental delays, learning disabilities, or seizures without fever.

MYTH: All fevers need to be treated with fever medicine.

FACT: Fevers only need to be treated if they cause discomfort. Usually fevers don't cause any discomfort until they go above 102° or 103° F (39° or 39.5° C).

MYTH: Without treatment, fevers will keep going higher.

FACT: Wrong. Because the brain has a thermostat, fevers from infection usually don't go above 103° or 104° F (39.5°- 40° C). They rarely go to 105° or 106° F (40.6° or 41.1° C). While the latter are "high" fevers, they are harmless ones.

MYTH: With treatment, fevers should come down to normal.

FACT: With treatment, fevers usually come down 2° or 3° F (1° or 1.5° C).

MYTH: If the fever doesn't come down (if you can't "break the fever"), the cause is serious.

FACT: Fevers that don't respond to fever medicine can be caused by viruses or bacteria. It doesn't relate to the seriousness of the infection.

MYTH: Once the fever comes down with medicines, it should stay down.

FACT: The fever will normally last for 2 or 3 days with most viral infections. Therefore, when the fever medicine wears off, the fever will return and need to be treated again. The fever will go away and not return once your child’s body overpowers the virus (usually by the fourth day).

MYTH: If the fever is high, the cause is serious.

FACT: If the fever is high, the cause may or may not be serious. If your child looks very sick, the cause is more likely to be serious.

MYTH: The exact number of the temperature is very important.

FACT: How your child looks is what's important, not the exact temperature.

MYTH: Oral temperatures between 98.7° and 100° F (37.1° to 37.8° C) are low-grade fevers.

FACT: These temperatures are normal variations. The body's temperature normally changes throughout the day. It peaks in the late afternoon and evening. An actual low-grade fever is 100° F to 102° F (37.8° - 39° C) .

SUMMARY: Remember that fever is fighting off your child's infection. Fever is one of the good guys.

---

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Symptom Checker

Pediatric HouseCalls Symptom Checker

 

 

[Disturbing] A Deadly Game played the last time

Warning: The video in this post may be very disturbing if you have ever lost a child! Especially if you have lost a child to "The Choking Game" 

Yes what you witnessed in the video was the accidental death of a boy who played "The Choking Game" for the last time, little did he know that would be his last time. He thought he would film a webcam video to prove to others how well he could do this "game" and survive it. This was not his first time, it was his last!

How can we as parents and adults continue to let this happen, the boy in the webcam  thinks that he can show just how easy it is to "choke" yourself, to get this "buzz or rush" of a feeling that these stupid kids think is ok. As you can see, this boy was alone so when he begins to pass out he can not control his body any longer and thus DIES!!! Dead right there while his own webcam records his death! How horrible!
We as parents tell our kids not to drink, do drugs or have sex, those things right now are the least of our worries! Kids as young as 9 yrs old are dying all over the world playing this stupid game.
Hundreds of videos on all the online and social media sites like Youtube show children how to do things that you won't believe.
Have you as a parent, educator, or health care worker ever been to the website Youtube  have you ever searched for topics like " how to play the choking game"? Try it, you will be shocked at what you will find!

Lets make a pledge to be better educated and save our children! Visit www.Ed4Ed4all.com and let us help

Hard hits and hard knocks!

Taking part in sports and recreation activities is an important part of a healthy, physically active lifestyle for kids. But injuries can, and do, occur. More than 2.6 million children 0-19 years old are treated in the emergency department each year for sports and recreation-related injuries.

Thankfully, there are steps that parents can take to help make sure kids stay safe on the field, the court, or wherever they play or participate in sports and recreation activities.

Prevention Tips

Gear up. When children are active in sports and recreation, make sure they use the right protective gear for their activity, such as helmets, wrist guards, knee or elbow pads.

Use the right stuff. Be sure that sports protective equipment is in good condition and worn correctly all the time—for example, avoid missing or broken buckles or compressed or worn padding. Poorly fitting equipment may be uncomfortable and may not offer the best protection.

Practice makes perfect. Have children learn and practice skills they need in their activity. For example, knowing how to tackle safely is important in preventing injuries in football and soccer. Have children practice proper form – this can prevent injuries during baseball, softball, and many other activities. Also, be sure to safely and slowly increase activities to improve physical fitness; being in good condition can protect kids from injury.

Pay attention to temperature. Allow time for child athletes to gradually adjust to hot or humid environments to prevent heat-related injuries or illness. Parents and coaches should pay close attention to make sure that players are hydrated and appropriately dressed.

Be a good model. Communicate positive safety messages and serve as a model of safe behavior, including a wearing helmet and following the rules.

One of the most common injury related to kids sports are head injuries and concussions,especially for those contact sports such as football. Even with a helmet on a concussion can occur.

A concussion is also known as a mild traumatic brain injury. Although we usually hear about head injuries in athletes, many occur off the playing field in car and bicycle accidents, in fights, and even minor falls.

Kids who sustain concussions usually recover within a week or two without lasting health problems by following certain precautions and taking a breather from sports.

But a child with an undiagnosed concussion can be at risk for brain damage and even disability.

Anyone who sustains a head injury should stop participating and be removed from the activity or sport. Even without a loss of consciousness, it's important to watch for symptoms of a concussion.

Common initial symptoms include:

• a change in level of alertness
  
• extreme sleepiness
  
• a bad headache
  
• confusion
  
• repeated vomiting
  
• seizure
  

Someone with these symptoms should be taken to the emergency room.

Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion

Someone with a concussion may lose consciousness, but this doesn't happen in every case. In fact, a brief loss of consciousness or "blacking out" isn't a factor in determining concussion severity.

Other signs of a concussion include:

• headache
  
• sleepiness or difficulty falling asleep
  
• feeling confused and dazed
  
• difficulty concentrating, thinking, or making decisions
  
• dizziness
  
• difficulty with coordination or balance (such as being able to catch a ball or other easy tasks)
  
• trouble remembering things, such as what happened right before or after the injury
  
• blurred vision
  
• slurred speech or saying things that don't make sense
  
• nausea and vomiting
  
• feeling anxious or irritable for no apparent reason
  

Concussion symptoms may not appear initially and can develop over the first 24-72 hours. Anyone showing any of these signs should be seen by a doctor. Young kids can have the same concussion symptoms as older kids and adults, but changes in mood and behavior may be more subtle.

Call an ambulance or go to the ER right away if, after a head injury, your child:

• can't be awakened
  
• has one pupil — the dark part of the eye — that's larger than the other
  
• has convulsions or seizures
  
• has slurred speech
  
• seems to be getting more confused, restless, or agitated
  

Though most kids recover quickly from concussions, some symptoms — including memory loss, headaches, and problems with concentration — may linger for several weeks or months. Nearly 15% of kids age 5 and older have symptoms and/or changes in functioning lasting 3 months or longer. It's important to watch for these symptoms and contact your doctor if they persist.

Diagnosis

If a concussion is suspected, the doctor will ask about how the head injury happened, when, and its symptoms. The doctor also may ask basic questions to gauge your child's consciousness, memory, and concentration ("Who are you?"/"Where are you?"/"What day is it?").

The diagnosis of a concussion is made by health care provider based on history and physical exam. The doctor will perform a thorough examination of the nervous system, including testing balance, coordination, nerve function, and reflexes.

Sometimes a doctor may order a CT scan of the brain (a detailed brain X-ray) or an MRI (a non-X-ray brain image) to rule out bleeding or other serious brain injury. Concussions can change the way the brain works, but in most cases, imaging tests will show normal results.

Preventing Concussions

All kids should wear properly fitting, appropriate headgear and safety equipment when biking, rollerblading, skateboarding, snowboarding or skiing, and playing contact sports. Safety gear has been shown to reduce the occurrence of severe head trauma.

Childproofing your home will go a long way toward keeping an infant or toddler safe from concussions and other injuries. Babies reach, grasp, roll, sit, and eventually crawl, pull up, "cruise" along furniture, and walk. Toddlers may pull themselves up using table legs; they'll use bureaus and dressers as jungle gyms; they'll reach for whatever they can see.

All of these activities can result in a head injury that leads to a concussion. Be sure your child has a safe place to play and explore, and never leave a baby or toddler unattended.

The time you spend taking these safety precautions — and getting your kids into the habit of abiding by your safety rules and regulations — will help keep your family safe and sound!

Credit to : KidsHealth.org

Friday Funny: Momma visits the doctor

What's so funny when momma goes to the doctor? And do you think that nurses ever take their kids to the doctor? If you ask my kids, they will tell you the same thing in the funny below.

                                                            Source: lynnclancy.minervaplace.com via Lynn on Pinterest

 

                                                            Source: static.someecards.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Tips for Fireworks Fears

Tips for fireworks fears!

by Parenting Coach-Alison Astair

Kids have various levels of fear when it comes to fireworks.

Some children’s fears are so extreme that they look like they’re going to have an anxiety attack! Then again, some fireworks are so loud that it really is uncomfortable.

If you have a child that is more on the extreme end, you may want to avoid being outside while you watch fireworks.  You can generally find a place close to where the fireworks are and sit in your car to watch.  You may have children that want to be outside and some that want to stay in the car.  It’s great to take turns with your partner for this.  It will show the child inside the car that a lot of people like them.

This may sound a bit extreme but you can use earmuffs!  OK, it’s summer and it’s July!  But you can go to a sporting goods store and get the earmuffs that are used for rifle practice.

One thing that’s very important is to not belittle your child for being afraid.  Just tell them, “Some kids don’t like fireworks and some do.”  This doesn’t make them feel bad about themselves or feel different.  Don’t try to talk them into it.  When they see so many people enjoying them, they eventually come around.  It may not be this year but it does happen!

If you have a child with a milder fear but really wants to watch, you could give them some tips ahead of time of what they can do.  You could say:

• “Some people like to cover their ears with their hands.”
• “You could tuck your face into mommy or daddy’s neck and just peek at the fireworks or you could close your eyes too.”
• “You could shout, “bang” if it makes a loud sound.”

When children know things that they can do, it gives them some control. Practice some of these things before the fireworks.  Make it fun!

One thing that you don’t want to do is go “overboard” in comforting your child.  What I mean is don’t draw so much attention to a child with milder fears.  Don’t tell everyone that “he’s afraid.” You don’t need to be reinforcing that! Of course you can hold them and provide physical comfort but the less you say the better.  Make your own comments out loud about the beautiful colors and wondering what color will come next.  Eventually the child that is covering their ears and hiding finally stops!
Give it time and have fun!

You can find more of Alison Astair on her website here at Help Me Alison
and her facebook fan page here you can also find her on Twitter @AlisonAstair 


~~Leslie~ 
your blogging safe mommy