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Parents & Caregivers
August, 2007
Welcome to the first issue of the Growing Great Girls newsletter brought to you by girlshealth.gov! We hope to bring you the most relevant articles on topics that will help you nurture great girls and teach them healthy habits for years to come. Enjoy!
Teens
Helping Your Teen With Homework
Although teens need to feel independent as they grow older and become more mature, they also need their parents to continue to show interest and involvement in what they're doing, especially when it comes to school.
Living With Lupus
Lupus is known as an autoimmune disease in which a person's immune system mistakenly works against the body's own tissues.
For Teens: Starting High School
The transition from middle school to high school is an important and seemingly daunting one. Here are a few topics that commonly worry incoming freshmen and some things you might want to know about them.
General Health
Bonding With Grandparents
Although physical distance and parenting differences can come between grandparents, parents, and their grandchildren, encouraging a close relationship benefits everyone. Learn how.
Anesthesia - What to Expect
Here's a quick look at what may happen before, during, and after on the day of your child's operation or procedure.
Midwives
Choosing a health care provider to care for you and your baby during your pregnancy is a big decision. For some women with low-risk, uncomplicated pregnancies, midwives are an increasingly popular option.
Fitness & Nutrition
Vegetarianism
Vegetarian diets have become more popular, and many parents may wonder if kids can safely follow a vegetarian diet and still get all the nutrients necessary for growing up healthy and strong.
For Kids: Being Safe in the Kitchen
Cooking and baking are lots of fun - as long as kids stay safe. Find out more in this article for kids.
Fitness and Your 6- to 12-year-old
Kids who enjoy sports and exercise tend to stay active throughout their lives. And staying fit can help improve your child's self-esteem and decrease the risk of serious illnesses later in life.
Emotions & Behavior
How TV Affects Your Child
Television may seem like a good thing: your child can learn the alphabet on public television and you can keep up with current events on the evening news. But how does TV affect your child?
Preparing Your Child for a New Sibling
The arrival of a new baby can cause lots of sudden change in a family. Before the baby is born, parents typically spend a lot of attention and energy on preparations. After the baby arrives, much of the family's attention involves meeting the newborn's basic needs.
For Teens: How Can I Help a Friend Who Cuts?
Some people cope by cutting themselves. This article helps friends understand why people cut and gives some tips on what you can to help your friend â€" and yourself.
Allergies & Asthma
If My Child Has Asthma, Can We Keep Our Pet?
If your child has asthma, it's a good idea to consider whether your pet could be producing allergens that are triggering asthma symptoms.
Can Kids and Teens With Asthma Play Sports?
You might remember a time when kids who had asthma were discouraged from playing sports and told to take it easy. That's no longer the case.
Poison Ivy/Oak/Sumac Instruction Sheet
Mild rashes from poison ivy, oak, and sumac plants can be treated at home and mostly cause discomfort from itching, burning, or blistering. Severe, widespread rashes require medical treatment.
Diabetes
How Can I Help My Child Deal With Injections and Blood Tests?
Kids with diabetes get blood tests and insulin injections, and these tasks can be a challenge. Learn some strategies for coping with injections and blood tests in this article.
In the News - Therapy Helps Kids With Type 1 Diabetes Reduce Stress
Teens who participate in an intense therapy program may learn to manage their diabetes better with less stress, say researchers.
For Teens: Diabetes: Erika's Story
Erika's doctors diagnosed her with diabetes when she was 12. Erika had always been terrified of needles, but she managed to face her fears. Today, at 16, Erika says her life is pretty much like any other girl's. Read her story.
Elementary Schoolers
In the News - Behavior and Bullying Problems Linked to Toileting Trouble
Kids who frequently soil themselves tend to have more problems paying attention and are more likely to develop obsessions and compulsions, say researchers.
Precocious Puberty
Precocious puberty - the onset of signs of puberty before age 7 or 8 in girls and age 9 for boys - can be physically and emotionally difficult for children and can sometimes be the sign of an underlying health problem.
For Kids: Going Back to School
There's a lot of "new" in the first day of school. New teachers, new friends, new shoes, new notebooks, and sometimes, a new school. Find out more about going back to school in this article for kids.
Preschoolers
Stuttering
Many young kids go through a stage between the ages of 2 and 5 when they stutter. In many cases, this stuttering goes away on its own by the time a child is 5. But in some cases it lasts longer.
Naps
A good nap can keep kids from becoming overtired, a state that not only takes a toll on their moods but may also make it harder for them to fall asleep at night.
Your Child's Checkup: 3 Years
Find out what this doctor's visit will involve and what your child might be doing by the third year.
Babies & Toddlers
The Senses and Your 1- to 3-month-old
Your baby is experiencing the first sights, sounds, and smells of the world through all five senses. What are your baby's responses to light, noise, touch, and familiar faces?
Home and Away: How to Keep Toddlers Active
Toddlers don't like to sit still. They wriggle from your grasp and want to be free. That's tiring for you, but it's a very healthy thing for them.
Choosing Safe Baby Products: Strollers
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.
See You in September
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See you next month!
Important Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
Content last updated March 15, 2008
