The solution for some is to sign kids up for optional fee-based ballet, karate, soccer and gymnastics classes that kids participate in during the week while still in care. The instructor comes to the facility rather than the other way around. This type of option may not be for everyone, but it works for those who are very busy or have long commutes each day.

Choosing the Right Toy Cars for Your Toddler The best vehicles to choose are those that are safe. Small cars like Matchbox brand or others have parts that present a choking hazard to your toddler. Also, don’t choose cars that do things that your toddler can do for herself. Examples include cars that make noises and have motors that propel them forward. These features place limits on your child’s own imagination and can reduce the open-ended nature of her play....

It’s normal for babies to change positions and move around throughout pregnancy. But once it’s time for labor and delivery, head-down is optimal. If you baby is in the transverse position, a healthcare provider may be able to help turn them. If not, a C-section may be recommended. Learn more about the transverse position and what could mean for your birth. What Is a Transverse Baby Position? Baby position is the way the baby faces in the uterus—if the baby is facing your bottom, they are anterior, and if they face your belly, it’s called posterior....

A study conducted by researchers from University College London (UCL) and University College London Hospital (UCLH) assessed changes in women’s self-reported access to contraception and how it was impacted by COVID-19 in the U.K. A Closer Look at the Study The study, published in BMJ Sexual and Reproductive Health, analyzed data from 9,784 women, who are all participants of the ongoing Contraception and Pregnancy Study (CAP-COVID) based at UCL and UCLH....

Child’s Best Interest Barring domestic violence in the family, a special-needs child, relevant and special circumstances, or long distances between the parents’ addresses, joint legal custody is presumed to be in the best interest of the child. Suitable evidence must be brought before the court for joint legal custody to be denied. There are general factors leading to determining the best interests of a child, including but not limited to:...

But while many families get by spending much less on child-rearing, there are still expenses—many of them unavoidable and, yes, costly. Think medical bills, frequent clothing purchases for ever-growing bodies, tuition for schools, athletics, and extracurricular activities or hobbies. That said, not all baby items are safe to pass down from child to child. Certain items, like car seats, should be thrown away or brought to appropriate recycling centers once they’re no longer usable—these items pose a health risk when not in brand-new condition....

Postpartum insomnia doesn’t affect all parents, but it could happen to you for a variety of reasons, including hormonal changes or lifestyle changes. Experts share what you can do if you’re experiencing postpartum insomnia and when it’s time to see a healthcare provider for help. What Causes Postpartum Insomnia? Postpartum insomnia can arise for a few different reasons. One relates to hormonal shifts that occur after delivery. Once you give birth, your levels of estrogen and progesterone drop precipitously....

Some of these items simply make nursing easier and more comfortable; others are essential items to turn to if you encounter any breastfeeding challenges. As you’re probably learning, there are so many breastfeeding products out there, and it can be overwhelming to consider which you actually need and which may just sit in a closet collecting dust. Don’t worry—we’re here to help! Here is a list of the most useful items nursing moms might consider purchasing, why they’re helpful, how they are used, and in what situations you may find yourself needing them....

Knowing how to tell if your periods are irregular will help you understand your body better. Regular periods stay the same length month after month. Your cycle may be irregular, for example, if it shifts from 28 days to 31 days to 25 days. It might be shorter or longer than what’s typical. You may have no bleeding or excessive bleeding. Often, the term “irregular” may refer to a change in what’s normal for you....

If your approach to parenting is less about structure, routine, and rules and more about going with the flow and following your child’s lead, you may be a jellyfish parent. If this sounds a lot like your upbringing, you may have been raised by one. Floating along through life and wiggling through the hard stuff is what jellyfish are all about, but is this the best approach to raising your children?...

While RSV is typically seen during the fall, winter, and spring—the U.S. last saw a troublesome surge in the summer of 2021 as more people started getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Mask-wearing was also decreasing as COVID numbers came down. Once again, with life returning to more of a sense of normalcy, RSV cases jumping. RSV Symptoms In Kids RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms....

If your teen is failing a class—or they’re already failed the entire semester—take action. There are several things you can do to address the issue. Identify the Problem If your teen has a failing grade or is in danger of not passing, sit down and discuss the problem. Ask your teen for help uncovering the reasons they are not passing. Sometimes students who start out strong get sidetracked, while other students just aren’t motivated to stay on track....

Could VapoRub Increase Mucus Production? Dr. Bruce Rubin is the co-author of a study published in the journal Chest that says some babies or toddlers may experience respiratory distress from using VapoRub under the nose. In a press release, he notes, “The ingredients in Vicks can be irritants, causing the body to produce more mucus to protect the airway. And since infants and young children have airways that are much narrower than those of an adult, any increase in mucus or swelling can narrow them severely....

Qualities of a Childcare Provider As any established childcare provider will attest, being a good parent doesn’t mean you’re suited to being a childcare​ provider. Your temperament, organization, the physical environment you offer, the ability to work well with all types of kids, adaptability, and patience are a few things you need to consider. Do you have experience working with youngsters for an extended time? You might try that first to double-check your interest and then find financing options (if needed)....

Having your own small hospital bag containing supplies for your role in the labor and delivery process is also wise. Keep in mind that you are often at the hospital the entire time, sometimes even sleeping in the room with the birthing parent and baby. You also may want to take this time plan out a route to the hospital and make sure you’re keeping the car gassed up. Being prepared will help make this experience even more enjoyable....

Statistics on Estrangement On the website Estranged Stories, both parents and adult children can fill out surveys about their estrangement. The results can be surprising. The parents who are estranged are older than one might expect, with over one-third falling into the 70- to 80-year-old age group. When asked to describe the parent-child relationship before the rift, the most popular answer given by the adult children was that they maintained it out of “moral obligation....

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), “By age three or four months, infants are drooling and chewing on the things they put into their mouths. This is how they learn about the world around them.” First-time parents might also be fooled if they see tiny white or whitish-yellow dots on their baby’s gums. Often mistaken for the first tooth, these are often instead gingival cysts. They can occur on the roof of an infant’s mouth, where they are called Epstein’s Pearls, and on the gums, where they are called Bohn’s nodules....

Ages 3 to 5 are considered preschool age. But that doesn’t mean that every 3-year-old is ready to go to school. Many kids are better off waiting until they are 4 to attend school, and even then they may do better in a half-day program. Staring preschool is a developmental milestone, rather than being based on chronological age. If, in the end, you think your child isn’t quite ready yet, that’s OK....

Riding rear-facing until the limit allowed by your child’s convertible seat has big safety advantages that parents should strongly consider. Turning a car seat around isn’t a milestone to rush. It’s actually a step down in safety, so don’t be in a hurry to make the big switch. Learn more about when to turn your child’s car seat around—and why it’s best to wait as long as possible to do so....