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Parents & Caregivers

March, 2008

Days are getting longer and in some areas, flowers are starting to pop up. Whether your town still looks like a winter wonderland or is dotted with daffodils, there's information that every parent can use in this month's newsletter.

General Health

Frequently Asked Questions About Casts
Getting a cast often comes with plenty of questions. Read on for answers to some frequent inquiries many parents - and kids - may have about casts.

Auto Safety
More children are injured in auto accidents than in any other type of accident, but you can protect your child by learning the proper use of car seats and booster seats.

In the News: Teen Girls Who Feel Less Accepted at School More Likely to Gain Excess Pounds
Girls' self-esteem and how they look at themselves in the social hierarchy of school can have a significant effect on their weight over time, say researchers.

Teens

News - Internet "Predators" Usually Look for Teens Instead of Kids
The image of Internet sex offenders as pedophiles pretending to be kids and scouring the Net for small children to abduct and harm just isn't true to life in most cases, says a new study.

A Parent's Guide to Surviving the Teen Years
You've lived through 2 AM feedings, toddler temper tantrums, and the but-I-don't-want-to-go-to-school-today blues. So why is the word "teenager" causing you so much anxiety?

Computer-Related Repetitive Stress Injuries
Whether it's typing a report or surfing the Internet, your child may be spending many hours at the computer. Learn the facts about repetitive stress injuries in our article for parents.

Backpack Safety
As practical as they are, backpacks can strain muscles and joints and may cause back pain if they're too heavy or are used incorrectly. Find out what steps you can take to help your child avoid back pain and other problems associated with improperly used packs.

Elementary Schoolers

Errands Survival Kit
To many kids, errands are boring, tiring, and just a big drag. But there are ways to make the errand-running easier on all of you.

Body Mass Index (BMI) Charts
For years, doctors used height and weight measurements to assess a child's physical growth in relation to other children of the same age. Now they have another tool: body mass index (BMI).

Teaching Your Child How to Use 911
Teaching your child how to use 911 in an emergency could be one of the simplest - and most important - lessons you'll ever share.

Fitness & Nutrition

Healthy Eating For Girls and Their Families
BodyWorks is a program from the U.S. DHHS Office on Women's Health designed to help parents and caregivers of girls ages 9 to 13 improve family eating and activity habits. The program focuses on parents as role models and provides them with hands-on tools to make small, specific behavior changes to prevent obesity and help maintain a healthy weight.

Family Meals
Shared family meals are more likely to be nutritious, and getting everyone together is a chance to reconnect. Here are some simple suggestions for making mealtime into quality family time.

Fats and Your Child
Like carbohydrates in recent years, fats have been wrongly accused of being "bad." Although some are definitely better than others, certain kinds of fat are actually good for you and your child and are an important part of a healthy diet.

Rainy Day Fun
Looking for ways to keep the kids entertained and off the couch when it's less than sunny outside? Check out a few quick-and-easy ideas to help prepare you for the many rainy spring days to come.

Emotions & Behavior

Preparing Your Child for a Move
Disruptive as moving can be for parents, the experience can be even more traumatic for kids, who may not be a part of the decision to move and may not understand it. Read about how to make moving less stressful for the whole family.

Help Your Child Get Organized
Most kids generate a little chaos and disorganization. But if you'd like yours to be more organized and to stay focused on tasks, such as homework, here are 3 steps that make it possible.

What Kids Say About: Handling Stress
Kids have their own stresses, and without good coping strategies, that stress can be overwhelming. In a KidsHealth KidsPoll, kids talked about what they stress about the most, how they cope with these feelings, and how they want parents to help.

Allergies & Asthma

Recipes for Kids With Celiac Disease
These recipes are especially for kids who need a gluten-free diet. Kids who need a gluten-free diet must avoid foods that contain gluten, which is a type of protein found in many foods.

In the News: Introducing Cereal to Infants: Delaying Past 6 Months May Increase the Risk of Allergy
Delaying the introduction of cereal past 6 months of age may increase a child's risk of food allergies, say researchers.

For Teens: What's a Peak Flow Meter?
Even if you're teen is breathing OK, an asthma flare-up may be just around the corner. How can you tell? You can use a tool called a peak flow meter. Find out what a peak flow meter is and what it can do for you.

Diabetes

Medicines for Diabetes
Whether your child is taking insulin or pills (or both) to control diabetes, it's important to learn how diabetes medicines work and how much your child should be taking.

Endocrine System
Although we rarely think about them, the glands of the endocrine system and the hormones they release influence almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies.

For Kids: Weight and Diabetes
Being at a healthy weight is a good idea for everyone, but it's even more important for kids with diabetes.

Preschoolers

Strategies for Feeding a Preschooler
During the preschool years, your child is no longer a toddler, is less likely to throw a tantrum, and should be more willing to cooperate. It's a great time to teach kids about healthy food choices in new and exciting ways.

In the News: Kids Under 5 at Highest Risk for Escalator Injuries
Escalators offer easy transport to the next floor on your shopping trip. But parents of young kids should use extra caution around escalators, researchers say.

Growth and Your 4- to 5-Year-Old
Kids who are 4 to 5 years old continue to learn in a very physical way, but are less frenetic - and more focused - than when they were younger.

Babies & Toddlers

Teething Tots
Teething can be a difficult time for babies and parents. Read this article to learn the facts on teething, including tips for baby teeth hygiene and relief of teething discomfort.

Weaning Your Child
Weaning is the stage in your baby's life when he makes the transition from breast milk to other sources of nourishment. Find out how to make this adjustment easier on your child and you.

Movement, Coordination, and Your 8- to 12-Month-Old
From scooting to crawling to cruising, during these months, babies are learning how to get around.

See You Soon!

Be sure to forward this newsletter to all of the parents that you know. Even though we focus on girls, these newsletters are filled with information for ALL parents--even if they don't have girls at home.

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

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