Teething is one of those milestones that every parent both dreads and anticipates. As tiny teeth push through the gums, babies experience all kinds of new sensations — and parents, in turn, hear every myth and piece of advice imaginable.

While some teething tips are helpful, others are pure fiction. Let’s dive into the most common teething myths you should finally leave behind.

Myth 1: Teething Always Causes High Fevers

Many parents believe that a high fever automatically means their child is teething. In reality, while a slight rise in temperature can occur due to gum inflammation, a high fever (over 38°C or 100.4°F) is not typical of teething. If your baby develops a significant fever, it likely points to an illness unrelated to teething. Always consult your pediatrician if you’re unsure.

Myth 2: Babies Start Teething at the Same Age

Every child develops at their own pace. Some babies sprout their first tooth as early as three months, while others might not get one until after their first birthday. Comparing your child’s teething timeline to others can cause unnecessary worry. Just like walking and talking, teething has a wide “normal” range.

Myth 3: Diarrhea is a Symptom of Teething

Another persistent myth links teething to diarrhea. Although teething babies tend to drool a lot, which can sometimes cause mild loose stools, genuine diarrhea is not a direct symptom of teething. If your child has frequent, watery bowel movements, it could indicate a stomach virus or another issue needing medical attention.

Myth 4: Teething Makes Babies Sleepless for Months

Yes, teething can cause some sleep disruptions, but it’s rarely the sole reason for long-term sleep issues. Discomfort from teething typically lasts a few days around the time a new tooth breaks through. If your baby continues to have trouble sleeping, it might be worth looking into other factors such as growth spurts, separation anxiety, or changes in routine.

Myth 5: Teething Gels are Always Safe

Many over-the-counter teething gels contain ingredients that can be harmful if used incorrectly. Some gels include benzocaine, which the FDA has warned against for children under two due to the risk of methemoglobinemia — a rare but serious condition. Always consult your pediatrician before using any teething medications and consider safer alternatives like chilled teething rings or clean, cold washcloths.

Myth 6: You Should Rub Whiskey on the Gums

This old-fashioned advice is still whispered from generation to generation, but it’s dangerous and outdated. Giving alcohol to a baby in any form is unsafe and can lead to serious health complications. Stick to methods that have been proven safe and effective by pediatricians.

Myth 7: All Babies Teeth the Same Way

Teething experiences are as unique as the babies themselves. Some may breeze through with barely a whimper, while others seem miserable for days. Factors like genetics, personality, and overall health can influence how a baby handles teething. There’s no one-size-fits-all rule, and that’s perfectly okay.

How Long Does Teething Last?

Parents often ask how long teething last, and the answer is: it varies. Typically, teething starts around 6 months of age and continues until about age 2½ or 3, when all 20 primary teeth are in place. However, the active pain period usually only spans a few days before and after each new tooth erupts.

Safe Ways to Ease Teething Discomfort

Instead of relying on myths, here are some safe, pediatrician-approved methods to help soothe your little one during teething:

• Gently rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger
• Offer a firm rubber teething ring (chilled, not frozen)
• Use a cold, clean washcloth for chewing
• Distract with extra cuddles, playtime, or walks

Natural Teething Relief: The Role of Amber Jewelry

In addition to traditional methods, some parents turn to natural remedies like amber teething jewelry. Baltic amber, in particular, contains succinic acid, a substance believed to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. When worn against the skin, the warmth may release small amounts of this acid, potentially helping to soothe teething discomfort.​

At BalticProud.com you can find a variety of amber necklaces and bracelets designed for babies. These pieces are crafted with safety in mind, featuring individually knotted beads and secure clasps. While scientific evidence on the effectiveness of amber teething jewelry is limited, many parents report positive experiences. As always, it’s important to supervise your baby while they’re wearing any jewelry and consult with your pediatrician regarding teething remedies.

If you need even more helpful parenting insights, Baltic Proud is a great place to start. Visit their website for practical lifestyle tips, useful blog posts, parenting advice, and an opportunity to purchase natural remedies that can help babies go through this stage of life more easily.

Read more about baby teeth health.

Modern parenting feels like a minefield. Between screen time overload, post-pandemic anxiety, school pressure, and the nonstop emotional swirl of growing up, it’s no wonder today’s kids are struggling to cope.

But while the challenges are real, so are the tools. And it starts with one simple truth: kids are allowed to have big feelings. They just need help understanding them. Here’s how parents can help kids make sense of it all.

What Are “Big Feelings,” and Why Do They Matter?

Big feelings aren’t just tantrums or tears. They’re the intense emotional states kids experience when they don’t yet have the words, tools, or maturity to regulate what’s going on inside.

Think:

• Frustration after a tough school day
• Anxiety around performance or friendships
• Overwhelm from social media exposure
• Grief from a loss or change in the family

These are real emotional challenges. And ignoring them—or brushing them off as “kids being kids”—can lead to bigger problems later, including chronic anxiety, withdrawal, low self-esteem, or acting out.

Why Emotional Regulation Is a Skill, Not a Personality Trait

Some kids are naturally more expressive. Others are quiet processors. But all children benefit from learning how to name their emotions, self-soothe, and respond rather than react.

This is called emotional regulation, and it’s one of the strongest predictors of lifelong mental health. Studies have shown that emotional regulation skills developed early on can lead to better social relationships, academic performance, and resilience later in life.

The Silent Stressors Parents Often Miss

You might be doing everything right: listening, validating, supporting. But there are still hidden stressors that impact your child’s emotional health.

Here are a few common ones:

• Too much unstructured screen time (especially scrolling before bed)
• Overscheduled routines with no downtime to decompress
• Social comparison, even in young kids, especially through YouTube, games, or classroom dynamics
• Parents’ own unprocessed stress, which kids often absorb

Children are intuitive. They pick up on tension, even when we don’t say a word. That’s why it’s so important to model regulation ourselves, while creating space for them to process in healthy ways.

Signs Your Child May Need Outside Support

There’s no shame in seeking help. In fact, reaching out can be the most powerful move a parent can make.

You might want to explore therapy if you notice:

• Frequent emotional outbursts that don’t match the situation
• Difficulty bouncing back from small setbacks
• Social withdrawal or constant worry
• Changes in eating or sleeping habits
• Ongoing challenges at school

Professional support can offer kids a safe place to explore their feelings and help you as a parent feel more confident and connected, too.

Where to Turn: Trusted Help from People Who Get It

If you’re in Ontario and feel like your child could benefit from extra support, CASE Psychology offers compassionate, personalized mental health care for kids, teens, and families.

Their team of psychologists and therapists specializes in child and adolescent development, offering strategies that are evidence-based and emotionally attuned. Whether your child is dealing with anxiety, behavioural challenges, or just needs someone to talk to, CASE can help your family build healthier emotional foundations.

The Role of Schools in Supporting Emotional Development

Many schools are now adopting social-emotional learning (SEL) programs to help kids navigate emotional challenges in the classroom. These initiatives teach self-awareness, empathy, responsible decision-making, and stress management.

But these programs are most effective when supported at home. Talk to your child’s teacher or school counsellor about what tools are being taught in class and how you can reinforce those lessons in daily life.

5 Simple Ways to Help Your Child Cope Today

You don’t need to be a psychologist to support your child’s mental wellness. Try these small but impactful strategies at home:

1. Normalize all emotions
   Say things like “It’s okay to feel sad sometimes” or “Being nervous is part of trying something new.”

2. Use emotion wheels or charts
   These help kids identify their feelings beyond just “mad” or “sad.”

3. Practice calm-down routines together
   Breathing exercises, body scans, or movement breaks are powerful regulation tools.

4. Create consistent rituals
   Bedtime routines, family meals, or even a 5-minute morning check-in can build a sense of safety.

5. Model your own regulation
   Say out loud when you’re taking a deep breath or pausing to think before reacting.

Parenting Isn’t About Perfection—It’s About Presence

There is no such thing as a perfect parent. What matters is that you show up. That you’re curious. That you care. And that you’re willing to learn alongside your child as they grow.

Supporting kids emotionally isn’t a one-time fix. It’s a journey. One that requires patience, understanding, and sometimes outside support.

Final Takeaway

Big feelings aren’t a problem to fix. They’re an opportunity to connect. And when kids have the right tools to cope (and the right adults walking beside them), they don’t just get through hard moments. They grow from them.

The holiday season, birthdays, and special occasions often draw attention to gift-giving. For children, much of the focus can naturally shift toward receiving. But parents have the opportunity to balance this focus by introducing them to the joy of giving, helping establish a strong moral compass that will guide them throughout life.

Teaching kids to appreciate giving doesn’t come all at once. It’s a process that builds empathy, gratitude, and emotional awareness over time. Read on to discover practical tips for parents on how to encourage the joy of giving in their kids.

Model Generous Acts

Children learn by observing the adults around them. If you want your kids to understand the beauty of giving, start by modeling it yourself. Actively involve them in acts of generosity, whether it’s donating clothes to a shelter, baking treats for a neighbor, or sending someone a care package.

As you model this behavior, narrate why you’re doing it in a way they’ll understand. For example, you might explain the effect of sending a greeting card by saying it helps show someone you care and can brighten their day. Explain how giving creates happiness not just for the recipient but for the giver as well. Children will naturally begin to adopt this mindset through your actions and enthusiasm.

Explain the Significance of Gifts

Helping your child understand why we give gifts allows them to see beyond the material aspect. Explain that gifts aren’t just about objects but about expressing love, gratitude, or appreciation for someone. Share instances of how the thought behind a gift can hold emotional weight, like when you receive something meaningful that resonates with your needs or feelings.

If they are making or choosing a gift, encourage them to think about the recipient’s preferences or needs. Ask them questions such as “What does Grandma love to do?” or “What would make your friend smile?” Guiding them through this process empowers them to see gift-giving as a meaningful expression.

Discuss and Acknowledge Their Emotions

It’s normal for kids to wrestle with the idea of giving, especially if it means sacrificing something they’d like for themselves. Instead of brushing these feelings aside, invite them into a conversation about it. Acknowledge their emotions and gently guide them to understand others’ feelings as well.

For example, if your child hesitates about sharing a toy with another child, acknowledge their feelings with empathy and explain how this can bring joy to others. Teaching kids to process their emotions while considering the feelings of others develops their emotional intelligence and makes the act of giving a more meaningful experience.

Cultivating Your Child’s Empathy

Sharing how it feels to receive a gift can be a powerful way to inspire empathy. Talk to your child about times they’ve felt joy when someone gave them something thoughtful. Help them recognize those moments and encourage them to imagine giving that same happiness to someone else. This understanding strengthens their sense of connection and teaches them the joy of selfless acts.

Give Back as a Family

One of the most powerful ways to teach kids the joy of giving is by making it a family tradition. Engage in activities such as charity runs, food drives, or creating handmade crafts together as a donation. Through these shared experiences, you’re fostering community for children and helping them see firsthand how their efforts can bring positive changes to a broader group of people. These experiences also provide invaluable opportunities for reflection, reinforcing the idea that giving is heartfelt and impactful.

Your concerns about your teen’s digital habits emerge at a critical moment. Research now reveals unprecedented impacts on adolescent mental health as social media, gaming, and constant connectivity reshape developing brains.

The digital landscape introduces unique challenges during this crucial developmental period—from cyberbullying to comparison culture to sleep disruption. Today’s digital engagement patterns fundamentally alter teen identity formation in ways previous generations never experienced.

The Digital Teenager: Screens and Mental Health

Screens have become deeply woven into adolescent life. Today’s teens form their identities simultaneously in physical and virtual spaces, creating new challenges for emotional regulation.

Research shows adolescents spend over 7 hours daily on screens outside schoolwork. This constant connectivity can disrupt neural pathways responsible for attention and mood stability. Parents often wonder what does porn does to the brain during adolescence, as early exposure through digital devices can alter reward systems and expectations about relationships. However, teens don’t need to abandon technology—screen balance remains key. Mindful consumption helps adolescents critically evaluate digital interactions and their emotional impacts.

Parents support teens best by modeling digital detox practices and creating tech-free zones. These boundaries strengthen adolescents’ ability to self-regulate while respecting their growing independence.

Social Media’s Mental Toll

Social media platforms create psychological pressure for adolescents who compare their reality to others’ curated “highlight reels,” triggering feelings of inadequacy. Teens seek validation through likes and comments, establishing unhealthy connections between self-worth and digital approval metrics. Cyberbullying and FOMO intensify these mental health challenges, keeping youth tethered to devices even when these connections cause distress.

The Highlight Reel Effect

While scrolling through filtered photos and achievement posts, adolescents routinely see what researchers call the “highlight reel” of peers’ lives. This curated content creates a comparison culture where teens measure their entire lives against others’ best moments.

Social media influence operates through three primary mechanisms:

1. Repeated exposure to idealized images triggers negative self-evaluation
2. Popularity metrics (likes, followers) become tied to self-worth
3. The invisible labor behind “perfect” posts remains hidden

Self-esteem issues emerge when teens believe their authentic experiences don’t measure up to peers’ seemingly effortless achievements.

Digital Validation and Approval

The dopamine rush of receiving likes and comments represents one of the most powerful reinforcement mechanisms in adolescent online behavior. This creates a cycle where teens increasingly measure their value through digital validation rather than internal achievements.

Your teenager’s digital identity becomes entangled with quantifiable approval, making self-esteem contingent on others’ reactions. This pressure intensifies during adolescent development when peer acceptance becomes biologically prioritized.

Building emotional resilience requires helping teens disconnect their intrinsic value from online metrics. Ask them: “Would this matter if nobody could see it?” This critical thinking creates healthy distance between authentic self-worth and temporary digital validation.

Cyberbullying: Digital Harassment

Beyond likes lies a darker reality: cyberbullying represents one of the most damaging forms of online interaction adolescents face. Unlike traditional bullying, digital harassment follows teens home, creating inescapable torment with documented emotional consequences including increased depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

Prevention strategies must address this threat:

1. Develop digital empathy by discussing real cases and their impacts
2. Create clear boundaries around acceptable online communication
3. Establish support resources before they’re needed

When cyberbullying occurs, immediate intervention becomes critical. Teaching adolescents to recognize harassment while providing support empowers them to maintain psychological safety.

The Constant Connection

Bombarded by real-time updates from peers’ lives, adolescents face pressure from FOMO—fear of missing out. This anxiety stems from perceived necessity for continuous digital inclusion, where being offline briefly can trigger stress about missed social developments.

Research shows adolescents check devices approximately 150 times daily, driven by developmental need for social connectivity. This compulsive checking isn’t simply addiction—it’s a response to legitimate concerns about social relevance.

When teens disconnect, they risk exclusion from gatherings organized online or missing vital context for tomorrow’s interactions. This creates a bind where both connection and disconnection produce anxiety.

Gaming and Isolation Concerns

Your teen’s gaming habits may gradually consume their free time, leaving less opportunity for sports, in-person socializing, or family activities. When adolescents retreat into gaming worlds for extended periods, they create what psychologists call a “gaming bubble” that can weaken real-world connections. This withdrawal process concerns developmental experts during adolescence, when building diverse relationships forms critical neural pathways supporting emotional regulation.

Excessive Screen Time

When gaming dominates an adolescent’s life, it displaces essential developmental activities. Your teen’s habits directly impact time management skills and academic prioritization. As screens consume increasing hours, vital offline experiences diminish.

Research indicates three significant effects:

1. Sleep disruption – Late-night gaming interferes with developmental rest
2. Academic decline – Homework completion decreases as gaming takes precedence
3. Social skill deficits – Reduced face-to-face interactions limit communication development

Understanding these trade-offs doesn’t mean eliminating gaming entirely but highlights the importance of balance.

Supporting Teens in the Digital Age

Supporting your teen requires proactive strategies addressing both online and offline well-being. Establish open communication about digital experiences, set appropriate boundaries for screen time, and model healthy technology habits yourself. When concerning behaviors emerge, connect with mental health resources that understand adolescent development in digital contexts.

Open Conversations About Digital Life

Creating safe spaces for teens to share online experiences begins with approaching conversations without judgment. Demonstrating genuine curiosity about their digital world makes teens more receptive to discussing both positive and challenging interactions.

1. Establish privacy awareness by stating that conversations won’t automatically lead to device restrictions
2. Help develop healthy boundaries by reflecting together on how platforms affect emotions
3. Strengthen emotional literacy by encouraging verbalization of digital feelings

The goal isn’t monitoring everything but creating dialogue where teens feel empowered to process digital experiences.

Healthy Boundaries for Screen Time

When setting screen time limits, collaborate rather than dictate—teen input increases buy-in and teaches self-regulation. Consider family digital detox periods where everyone disconnects, demonstrating healthy habits through your behavior.

Remember that boundaries aren’t about restriction but creating balance. Effective limits acknowledge digital spaces in adolescent development while preserving time for offline experiences that build resilience.

Being a Digital Role Model

Your smartphone habits establish powerful behavioral patterns that teens absorb unconsciously. Research suggests adolescents whose parents practice intentional digital boundaries show improved self-regulation with their own devices.

The influence extends beyond rules—it shows in whether you check notifications during conversations or prioritize eye contact over screen time. Teens develop their relationship with technology largely by watching yours, not by listening to lectures about healthy habits.

A Balanced Approach to Teen Well-being

Balance forms the core of adolescent digital wellness. Digital literacy helps teens critically evaluate online content, while mindfulness practices encourage conscious technology engagement rather than automatic scrolling. These skills develop emotional resilience—the capacity to recover from negative online experiences without lasting harm.

When teens understand online safety fundamentals and identify potential digital risks, they make healthier choices. This balanced approach doesn’t eliminate technology but creates a relationship that enhances rather than diminishes mental health.