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While for some kids that actually means that they are learning computer languages, creating websites, and even building robots, most others are simply using today’s technology to watch videos on YouTube, play MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role-playing games), or send text messages. Unfortunately, many of the things your kids can do online and with their cell phones can lead to a lot of trouble if they aren’t monitored. From watching porn and other inappropriate video and websites to sexting (sending inappropriate text messages or photographs) and chatting with predators, new technology can lead to new problems....

Then, suddenly, you have a baby, and even if your baby is everything you ever dreamed of, it’s a huge change to welcome a new baby into your life—not to mention the fact that you are likely functioning on very little sleep, your hormones are ebbing and flowing all over the place, your eating habits have likely changed drastically, and your emotional state is rapidly adjusting to the reality of parenting your baby....

How Pregnancy Happens Pregnancy naturally occurs when sperm cells enter the vagina and then travel through the cervix and uterus to the fallopian tubes, where an egg is fertilized. The average ejaculation typically contains anywhere from around 40 million up to 80 million sperm cells. Only one sperm cell is needed to fertilize an egg. So while it is rare and very unlikely, if any sperm gets into the vagina, you can still technically get pregnant....

Each stage of pregnancy comes with its own milestones, challenges, and safety precautions. Every prenatal appointment along the way ensures you and your baby stay on track and healthy. Here, we will break down what to expect at each round of prenatal appointments, including what your healthcare provider is looking for, what precautions you need to take, and which tests may be recommended. Your First Prenatal Care Appointment This is a big one!...

Your younger child is no longer enjoying pretending to be the baby and bursts out in tears. You come to the rescue, and suddenly your 4-year-old starts crying too. Later that night, they wake up hysterical about monsters hiding under the bed and insist on sleeping in your room. Most of the time, preschoolers tend to be sweet, imaginative, and cooperative. But they are still learning to get along with others, and they may struggle with emotional regulation....

Introducing Pre-Schoolers to the Written Word One of the best ways to get preschoolers on the path to reading is to introduce them to as many examples of the written word possible. When immersed and surrounded by all sorts of words and letters in different forms, kids not only become more familiar (and therefore more comfortable) with words and letters, they also begin to recognize simple words and what they can be used for....

The latest COVID-19 development is an unwelcome one—the rapid spread of a new variant, named Omicron. The Delta variant of COVID-19, first identified in India in late 2020, spread rapidly throughout the world. It had been the most dominant until Omicron came along. What Is the Omicron Variant? Omicron is the latest COVID-19 variant of concern. The first report of Omicron to the World Health Organization (WHO) was on November 24, 2021....

Communicating is the first step toward healing. To find a better sense of closure, meet with your doctor and ask whatever questions you need to ask. And not just about your loss but about what you and your partner can expect in the future. Here are seven questions that may help you get all of the answers you need: Generally speaking, the most common cause of a miscarriage in early pregnancy is a chromosomal abnormality, which is a genetic anomaly that the body recognized as being non-viable....

All these things can reduce your baby’s chances of SIDS, but without knowing its cause, we have not yet been able to completely prevent SIDS. Now, researchers have identified a biomarker that could help us understand the cause of SIDS and perhaps prevent babies from dying in their sleep. What the Researchers Found Researchers in Australia found that babies who died from SIDS had significantly lower levels of the enzyme butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) than babies who died of other causes....

A slower than expected fetal heartbeat referred to as fetal bradycardia can mean higher odds of miscarriage, but it also may be due to the pregnancy not being as far along as estimated. Miscarriage Risk The average baby’s heart rate is measured around 110 beats per minute (bpm) around 6 weeks gestation (the time of the first detection may be as early as 5 weeks gestation), peaks at 9 weeks (sometimes reaching levels near 180 bpm), and then gradually decreases as the fetus approaches term....

Rowan has also been thought to be inspired by the rowan tree, a small deciduous tree that fruits red berries. The name is strongly associated with the color red. If you have a little red-haired baby, then Rowan is a fitting name to give them. The use of the variation Rowena for girls most likely led to the decline of the use of the name Rowan as a girl’s name....

Are all or most of the other kids they go to school with up to date and protected too? Even with all of the new talk about vaccine choice, it can be difficult to find the vaccination rates and vaccine exemption rates of your child’s school. Sure, you might already expect low vaccination rates if you are sending your kids to a Waldorf school. Here are some sample vaccine exemption rates from 2018 and 2019 for Waldorf schools around the country:...

The name is well-known, largely thanks to Saint Sebastian: an early Christian saint who was martyred by the Roman emperor Diocletian. Saint Sebastian remains a favorite saint within the Catholic church, serving as the patron saint of archers, athletes, and those who desire a saintly death. How Popular Is the Name Sebastian? The name Sebastian has become especially popular over the past several years, jumping into the top 50 in the U....

However, older cribs, and even newer ones, that have been misused or not maintained well can be a safety hazard. Recent changes in crib safety standards also make buying a used crib difficult now, because it’s illegal to sell some types of older cribs. Before buying a used baby crib, check it over carefully to be sure the budget savings are not at the cost of safety. Don’t Buy Used Crib Pieces Look at a used baby crib while it is set up, so you can check it over carefully....

Risks of Staying Together Parenting experts point to a number of negative effects on children raised in a family characterized by frequent anger, frustration, and pain. At the top of the list is that kids learn dysfunctional parenting skills that they carry on to the next generation. Research also shows that children may lead less successful lives as adults when they are raised in a home with constant conflict, stress, and unhappiness....

Fortunately, by using simple childproofing measures, such as cabinet locks, doorknob covers, and gates for stairs, along with supervision, you can prevent many accidents and tragedies. Learn the best ways to childproof your living space to keep your little one safe. How to Childproof Your Home While all accidents can’t be avoided, doing your best to make your home safe will help to prevent many of them. There are many steps to follow in order to fully childproof your home, including the following:...

In fact, Pew Research Center reports that 60% of parents said that their kids began engaging with smart devices before the age of 5 while one-third indicate their child’s online activity began before age 2. Consequently, it’s never too early to talk to your kids about how to use devices safely. Not only do they need to know how to use the Internet, apps, and social media safely, but they also need to know how to identify when people are trying to take advantage of them or get personal information—which most often occurs through phishing and online scams....

Tips for Teaching Children to Share Use these tips to get kids to share: Set a good example. If you want your preschooler to learn to share, then you must share with her. If you are snacking on apple slices, offer her one. Does she love to color with your markers? Let her draw a picture with them. Put sharing into action by modeling good behavior. Share things with your spouse or partner and draw attention to the action....

To prevent your curious kiddo from touching what they shouldn’t, keep in mind your home layout and think ahead for sealing off certain areas or rooms. Before stocking up on babyproofing products, be sure to find products that are easy to use for adults while still being effective in protecting your busy tots. We carefully considered purpose, design, material, value, ease of assembly, and ease of use when reviewing products....