Now the decision rests mainly with the families, social workers, and agencies involved. What issues should you consider before making the final decision to adopt transracially? Here are some questions to ask yourself. How Will You Handle the Racism of Others? Despite the huge changes in our world, racism is still out there. Are you prepared to handle questions from people, sometimes total strangers, about your child’s heritage or parentage?...
Intriguing research has shown a link between the way a parent interacts with a child and physiological changes in kids. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Family Psychology looked at the link between parenting styles and inflammation and immune activation (which are risk factors for later illness) in kids. In the study, uninvolved parenting (not knowing where kids are or what they’re doing; not disciplining; not showing warmth or being involved in kids’ lives) was associated with higher immune system activation in kids....
It is a very uncertain time in many of our lives. Whether you’re pregnant (or trying to get pregnant) and feeling stressed, a new parent learning to care for a newborn amidst the chaos, or a more experienced parent now adjusting to a new schedule at home and just trying to make it through each day—we get it and are right here with you. We know the developing information about coronavirus (COVID-19) can feel overwhelming—especially for parents dealing with the new realities of social distancing while caring for their children....
Even though cramps can sometimes indicate problems, mild and transient cramping early in pregnancy is usually normal and not a sign of miscarriage. How Long Does Cramping Last in Early Pregnancy? Cramps similar to menstrual cramps can be common during the first and second trimesters. This normal early pregnancy cramping lasts from a few minutes to a few hours. The cramps are usually mild and may lessen with position changes....
What works and what doesn’t when it comes to potty training is entirely up to you and your child. Still, it never hurts to learn about the pros and cons of using various undergarments during potty training. Underwear Pros and Cons Cloth Training Pants Pros and Cons Disposable Training Pants Pros and Cons You may choose one method exclusively, which is often recommended so that it promotes consistency and eliminates any confusion....
For the best protection, you should also make sure that all caregivers and family members also receive a flu vaccine. They should be up to date on all vaccines, but especially flu and pertussis (whooping cough), as these are the vaccine-preventable diseases that adults tend to transmit to babies. Read the latest from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about the 2020-2021 flu season. Your baby can receive a flu vaccine at their well-child check-up or at a separate appointment....
“Even with all the knowledge and experience I hold, I am still taken aback by how difficult it is to manage in your own home and how easily knowledge goes out the window when it is your child who is experiencing thoughts of suicide and self-harm behaviors. It is a terrifying, confusing, and scary time,” Yoder says. Thoughts of suicide and self-harm are on the rise in adolescents, according to a new study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)....
Extrasensory perception, or ESP, in twins is assumed to be more common in monozygotic (identical) twins because they share a closer genetic connection. But dizygotic (fraternal) twins aren’t excluded from feeling a special mental connection with their twin. Anecdotal Evidence of ESP in Twins Many twins do seem to share an inherent understanding of their co-twin’s emotional state. While few studies are available to quantify or confirm this, twins often report experiences of enhanced emotional or physical connection, such as having a feeling of “something being wrong” when their twin is in crisis....
Even so, there is still a shroud of secrecy and confusion around the practice and the legality of surrogacy varies greatly from one state to another. To help demystify the process, we asked a diverse group of parents to share their reasons for pursuing surrogacy, what their experience was like, and the misconceptions that exist about the process. One of the biggest ones: The definition of the word surrogacy, which many of the families here found themselves explaining to friends and loved ones....
Filing Taxes After a Pregnancy Loss A loss of pregnancy is an extremely unfortunate situation that leads to a lot of despair and more questions than answers. After such a situation, the last thing anyone wants to think about is taxes, but unfortunately, they still need to be filed. After a pregnancy loss, you may be confused about exactly what you are supposed to do on the tax form when it comes to listing dependents....
OK, while that one might not be a realistic example, it does illustrate what a spoonerism is, how often they can happen, and how silly they can be. Everyone can find the humor in a spoonerism—and verbally gifted kids will be especially delighted by this play with language. If your child enjoys wordplay—or just likes to laugh (and who doesn’t?)—have them read some stories full of spoonerisms. And then encourage your child to create their own spoonerisms....
If you are a religious person, Gabrielle can be a great way to acknowledge your faith when naming your little bundle of joy. It’s not an on-the-nose biblical name, but one whose meaning connects deeply with your religion. How Popular Is the Name Gabrielle? Gabrielle is an old name and has been used across regions in Europe for centuries. Gabrielle became popular in the United States in the latter part of the 20th century....
Welcoming a new baby to the family is a fun and exciting time. It can also be very expensive as you add up the price of all the necessary gear. Given this, it makes sense that items that can grow with your child are invaluable to new parents. One such item is the Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat, which is immensely popular for keeping children safe and comfortable. To see if the car seat lived up to its excellent reviews, we took it home and had our two young sons, ages 1 and 3, use it....
For many parents, white noise is essential in creating a sound sleeping environment, but the Hatch Rest goes beyond the normal sound machine. It’s multi-functional, so not only does it offer several sound and volume settings, but it also has a time-to-rise feature and a night light. On top of that, everything can be programmed through an easy-to-use app, which means you never run the risk of walking in the room and disturbing the baby if you want to change the settings....
Good stress, or eustress, is positive and healthy. Bad stress, or distress, is the negative stress that you probably think of when you hear the word stress. This type of stress is harmful and can cause health problems. It can even affect your ability to breastfeed successfully. Whether you are in the throes of breastfeeding, or you are considering it for when your baby is born, it can be helpful to know how what triggers stress and how to manage it....
That distinct smell you notice emanating from your tween is associated with adrenarche, which is the medical term for the body changes your tween is experiencing, including the adrenal glands becoming more active. In fact, sweating increases in tweens, especially in the underarm and groin areas, because their glands are maturing and being stimulated by hormones. This increase in body odor can be a social burden to tweens who are already self-conscious and afraid of sticking out from the crowd....
Whether families learned entirely at home or in a hybrid setting that combined online and in-person learning, there are bound to be increased worries and concerns about returning to school full-time. That’s especially so as the coronavirus continues to spread. Worries are likely to run the gamut, and include concerns about adjustments, changes, and safety. With these issues in mind, how can families detach from one another and embrace the upcoming school year in healthy ways?...
