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Parents & Caregivers
July, 2008
Summer's in full swing - and so are family vacations. Whether you are headed to the beach, the mountains, a favorite campground, or abroad, read on for ways to make sure that vacation time is fun, healthy, and safe for the entire family.
General Health
Emergency Contact Sheet
The best time to prepare for an emergency is before it happens. Fill out this sheet and keep a copy in your wallet, purse, and in each family vehicle.
Raising a Summer Reader
Kids' reading skills don't have to grow cold once school's out. Here are some ways to make reading a natural part of their summer fun.
Active Vacations
If you think fitness is important for your family, an active vacation might sound appealing. But before you pack the hiking boots, bike helmets, and swim goggles, find out how to plan a trip that will be active and fun without being exhausting, especially for young travelers.
Elementary Schoolers
For Kids: Splinters
Don't let a splinter ruin a perfectly good day. Find out what to do if you get one.
Your Child's Growth
From the moment parents bring a new baby home from the hospital, they watch the baby's progress eagerly, anticipating every inch of growth and each new developmental milestone. But how do parents know if their child is growing properly?
News - "Mature" Video Games: Young Kids Are Playing, Too
Video games are a big part of many preteens' and teens' lives. And in a new study, two-thirds of boys and more than 1 in 4 girls report they'd played at least one game rated M (for "Mature") "a lot in the past 6 months."
Teens
For Teens: Fiber
Some of the best and most delicious foods have loads of fiber. Find out how to get your fill of fiber without sacrificing good taste!
Living With Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which a person's immune system mistakenly works against the body's own tissues. There is no known cure for lupus, but the symptoms of the disease can be controlled.
For Teens: Why Do My Palms Always Feel Sweaty?
Find out what the experts have to say about hyperhidrosis.
Fitness and Nutrition
Staying At A Healthy Weight
Here are some practical, everyday tips on making exercise and healthy eating work for you instead of feeling like it's the other way around.
News - New OTC Diet Pill Is Not for Kids
Although the new weight-loss pill Alli is safe and doesn't require a prescription, it is not designed for kids or teens - and can have side effects that are harmful to them.
Do You Know How to Feed Your Child Athlete?
All kids need to eat balanced meals and have a healthy diet. But should that balance change if your child is on a sports team or working out? Maybe. Read this article to find out more about feeding young athletes.
Emotions and Behaviors
News - Two Studies Look at Antidepressants and Pregnancy
Two separate but similar studies report that the overall risk for most types of birth defects is low when pregnant women take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) - the most common kind of antidepressant medication used to treat depression in the United States.
Q&A: When Should I Intervene During Teasing?
Squabbles between siblings are common and a natural part of family dynamics. But when should parents intervene?
My Child Is Stealing
Your child does homework on time, helps you clear the table after dinner, and even helps with housework on the weekends. So can it be true that this same child is stealing? Before you do anything, it helps to know a little about why kids steal and where to get help.
Allergies and Asthma
Exercise-Induced Asthma
Up to 90% of kids with asthma have symptoms when they exercise. It makes sense that cigarette smoke and pollen could trigger asthma symptoms, but why exercise?
Food Allergies
Food allergies can cause serious and even deadly reactions in kids, so it's important to know how to feed a child with food allergies and to prevent reactions.
Dealing With Asthma Triggers
Triggers are substances, weather conditions, or activities that are harmless to most people, but can lead to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath in those with asthma.
Diabetes
Eating Out When Your Child Has Diabetes
Dining out can be a learning opportunity for you and your child with diabetes. The key to eating away from home is making the effort to find out the nutritional value of what you're served.
Breakfast on the Go
You can make this breakfast the night before. It's great for kids with diabetes and it's also a good source of calcium.
Blood Glucose Record
If your child has diabetes, use this printable sheet to record his or her blood glucose levels.
See You Next Month!
We hope you enjoyed this month's Growing Great Girls newsletter. Please forward it on to your friends and family who are raising healthy and strong girls.
Important Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
Content last updated July15, 2008
