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Parents newsletter December, 2008

December, 2008

The holidays are here, but they're often accompanied by the stress of shopping, wrapping, and visits with friends and relatives. Take a deep breath - and check out these articles full of information about how to ring out the year with your wits about you.

General Health

News - Putting Lead in Perspective This Holiday Season
After a year full of unsettling toy recalls, many moms and dads are wondering what's really safe and with good reason. Although it's natural to be a little wary, the toys being sold in stores today are, if anything, safer than ever.

Making the Holidays Less Materialistic
It can be hard to look beyond all of the product-driven hoopla surrounding the holidays. Here are five ways to curb materialism and reinforce the real reason for the season.

Creating a Reader-Friendly Home
A home filled with reading material is a good way to help kids become enthusiastic (and proficient) readers. Here are some ideas.

Elementary Schoolers

News - Kids With Healthy Self-Esteem Less Materialistic
Many kids want to have all of the "it" playthings and clothes they see in ads, store aisles, or their playmates' toy bins. But a study of students ages 8-18 found that low self-esteem boosts materialism, whereas raising self-esteem makes materialism plummet.

For Kids: Gift Giving
Do you need presents for family and friends? You can make them happy without spending much money! Find out more in this article for kids.

Choosing Safe Toys
Toys are a fun and important part of any child's development. And there's plenty you can do to make sure all toys are safe.

Teens

For Teens: 5 Ideas for Eco-Friendly Holidays
Want to celebrate the holidays or other big event in an environmentally sound way? Here are some ideas.

For Teens: Getting in the Holiday Spirit
Preparing for the holidays can help you to learn about yourself. It's a chance to get in touch with what makes you feel fulfilled and the things that put you in a great mood.

News - Teenage Birth Rate Sees First Rise Since 1990s
After nearly 15 years of fewer teens having babies, the number of births by teen moms (ages 15 to 19) went up 3% in 2006 - the first increase since 1991, says a new government report.

Fitness and Nutrition

News - Parents' Perceptions About Kids' Weight Often Off
Being overweight or obese is a serious and all too common medical problem for millions of kids. But a recent survey found that many parents had no idea - or weren't at all worried - that their kids were considered obese.

Caffeine and Your Child
Although it's inevitable that kids will get caffeine at some time, it's wise to keep caffeine consumption to a minimum, especially in younger kids.

Strength Training and Your Child
Strength training can be a fun way for kids to build healthy muscles, joints, and bones. A properly designed and supervised program can improve endurance, total fitness level, and sports performance.

Emotions and Behavior

News - The Role Relationships Play in Obesity
It's known that genetics and lifestyle influence weight. Now, a study sheds light on the effects that family and friends can have on weight.

For Teens: 5 Facts About Goal Setting
Here are 5 practical tips on goal setting that can help make it easier to set and reach goals.

Teaching Your Child Tolerance
Teaching tolerance is important - the differences that come from living in a melting pot enrich our culture, bringing new ideas and energy.

Allergies and Asthma

News - Eczema Rise in Kids Worldwide: Is There an Environmental Connection?
A new study suggests that something - or things - in the environment could be greatly affecting eczema cases among some kids over the past 5 to 10 years.

What's an Asthma Action Plan?
An asthma action plan (also called a management plan) is a written plan that you develop with your child's doctor to help control your child's asthma.

Egg Allergy
Because eggs are used in many of the foods kids eat, an egg allergy can pose many challenges for parents.

Diabetes

For Kids: When Blood Sugar Is Too Low
Hypoglycemia is the medical word for low blood sugar level. It needs to be treated right away. Learn more about what to do when blood sugar is too low in this article for kids.

Type 2 Diabetes: What Is It?
With some practical knowledge about type 2 diabetes, you can become your child's most important ally in learning to live with the disease.

Definition: Glycosylated Hemoglobin Test (Hemoglobin A1c)
The glycosylated hemoglobin test shows what a person's average blood glucose level was for the 2 to 3 months before the test. This can help determine how well a person's diabetes is being controlled over time.

Preschoolers

Story Time for Preschoolers
Reading aloud to your preschooler is a great way to encourage learning development and to help prepare your child for independent reading down the line.

Vomiting
Most vomiting is caused by gastroenteritis, a viral infection of the gastrointestinal tract, and usually isn't serious.

Errands Survival Kit
To many kids, errands are boring, tiring, and just a big drag. But there are ways to make the errand-running easier on all of you.

Babies and Toddlers

Neonatal Infections
The vast majority of newborns enter the world healthy. But sometimes, infants develop conditions that require medical tests and treatment.

Introducing Toddlers to Music
Music seems a natural accompaniment in a toddler's life. It can kick-start learning, serve as an important cue in your child's routine, and offer lifelong benefits.

Choosing Safe Baby Products: Toys
Choosing products for your baby can be confusing with all the gadgets available. But there's one consideration that must never be compromised when picking out stuff for your baby: safety.