Category: Parenting

Every parent wants a healthy and fulfilling life for their child. Among the many things you can do to gift your loved one this type of life is to choose only the best pediatrician around to cater to them. But you may wonder: how do I separate the wheat from the chaff? The following qualities can help you choose right:

Credentials and Experience

How qualified is the pediatrician to handle your little one’s affairs? To find out, ask about the following:

• Board certification: Ensure the pediatrician is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) or a similar body if you’re outside the U.S. This certification means they’ve completed specific training and passed exams that validate their expertise in child health care.

• Medical school and residency: Knowing where your pediatrician trained can give you an idea of their medical education background. Top medical schools are often associated with rigorous training programs, but excellent pediatricians come from a wide range of schools.

• Fellowships or additional training: Some pediatricians undergo additional training in pediatric specialties such as pediatric oncology, endocrinology, or pulmonology (which could be particularly relevant if your child has asthma). This extra training can provide deeper expertise in specific areas.

• Licenses: Check that the pediatrician is licensed to practice in your state or region. This ensures they meet regional standards and are legally permitted to provide care.

• Professional memberships: Memberships in pediatric associations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) or its international equivalents, indicate that a pediatrician is committed to staying current with the latest advancements and standards in pediatric care.

These credentials are signs of a pediatrician’s dedication to their field and commitment to providing the best possible care for children. Consider asking about these qualifications during your initial consultation.

Office Environment and Staff

Hospitals might not be a comfortable place for your child. That’s why getting a friendly, child-centric pediatrician and hospital should be a top priority. Look out for the following:

• Child-friendly atmosphere: When you visit, notice if the office is welcoming to children. Are there books, toys, or a play area? Such amenities can make waiting times less stressful for both you and your child.

• Staff interaction: Pay attention to how the staff, including receptionists and nurses, interact with children and parents. Are they patient and kind? The first faces you see often set the tone for the entire visit.

• Efficiency and organization: Observe how the office operates. Is it well-organized? Do appointments run on time? An efficiently managed office can reduce wait times and improve your overall experience.

• Cleanliness and safety: Check for cleanliness. A clean environment is vital for preventing the spread of germs, especially in a pediatric setting.

First impressions do matter. If your gut feels like something is off, do not ignore it. Inquire.

Office Location and Hours

When it comes to office location and hours, the following should come to mind:

• Proximity: Choose a pediatrician whose office is close enough to your home, work, or child’s school. This can make it way easier to get to appointments without disrupting your day too much.

• Accessibility: Consider how easy it is to get to the clinic. Is it a simple drive? Is parking available? How about public transportation options?

• Office hours: Look for a pediatrician who offers hours that match your availability. If you work traditional hours, early morning, late evening, or weekend availability can make a huge difference.

• Emergency after-hours service: Does the practice offer a way to consult the pediatrician or a nurse after hours? Some practices have an on-call service for emergencies.

Convenience matters. You’ve got to think through the different scenarios here then make your decision.

Hospital Affiliations

The hospital that your pediatrician is affiliated with counts. When out scouting, you should focus on the following:

• Quality of the hospital: Check the reputation of the hospitals where the pediatrician can admit patients. You should specifically aim for hospitals with accredited pediatric departments.

• Continuity of care: It’s advantageous if the pediatrician can see your child in the hospital. This continuity helps in managing your child’s care since they are already familiar with your child’s health history.

• Insurance coverage: Health emergencies or even routine procedures can be quite a shocker when it comes to costs. That’s why you’ve got to make sure the hospitals are covered by your health insurance plan to avoid unexpected costs.

Quality is something you shouldn’t compromise on. In some cases you may find it to be a little bit on the pricier end (depending on the scope of your insurance coverage), or may be busier than other present solutions. But if it can guarantee your child’s health, that may be a very small price to pay.

Communication Style

How a pediatrician addresses your concerns should be a dealbreaker. Focus on the following:

• Clarity and patience: Does the pediatrician take time to explain diagnoses and treatments in a way you can understand? It’s important they are patient, especially when addressing your concerns or explaining health issues to your child.

• Empathy and understanding: Evaluate whether the pediatrician shows genuine care and empathy towards your child. A supportive and kind approach can significantly ease a child’s anxiety about doctor visits.

• Engagement: Does the pediatrician engage with your child directly? Pediatricians who speak directly to children, making them feel heard and important, can make the overall experience way better for the child.

How a pediatrician approaches your child can set the tone for the whole experience. Remember, your child may not be feeling too well by the time they go to the hospital. Or maybe they are just plain anxious.

A disinterested pediatrician, or one who doesn’t take the time to approach your child at their level, will only add to the anxiety and maybe make things significantly worse.

Availability for Emergencies

Things happen when it comes to kids. That’s why you should plan for emergencies when choosing a pediatrician.

• After-hours services: Determine what the protocol is for after-hours situations. Can you call a dedicated number, or is there a nurse hotline? Knowing you have a plan in place can relieve stress during unexpected illnesses or other medical emergencies.

• Telehealth options: Check if the pediatrician offers telehealth services for non-emergency consultations after hours. This can be especially convenient for addressing minor concerns or getting advice without needing an in-person visit.

• Response time: Ask about typical response times for emergency calls or emails. Knowing how quickly you can expect an answer can help manage anxiety when urgent situations arise.

• Coverage: Find out if there is always a pediatrician on call, even when your primary pediatrician isn’t available. Continuous coverage ensures that professional advice is just a phone call away, regardless of the time or day.

Emergencies don’t choose a time. So, make sure you’re prepared for anything at any time by getting involved with experts who are prepared for anything at any time.

Patient Reviews and Recommendations

Other patients who’ve been to a facility can tell you a lot more than what websites, brochures, and even personal visits may be able to reveal. Look out for the following:

• Online reviews: Search for reviews on websites like Healthgrades, Google, or even Facebook groups dedicated to local parents. Look for comments about how the pediatrician handles various health issues, their approach to treatment, and overall satisfaction.

• Community feedback: Talk to other parents in your neighborhood, at your child’s school, or in parent groups. They can offer personal anecdotes and insights you might not find in online reviews.

• Consistency in feedback: Look for patterns in reviews. If several people praise the pediatrician’s ability to engage shy children, it’s likely a strong point. Similarly, repeated concerns about long wait times might be a valid red flag.

• Specific praise or concerns: Note any specific praises or concerns relevant to your child’s needs. For example, if your child is anxious about doctor visits, a pediatrician known for their calming manner might be ideal.

When most of the feedback praises a pediatrician or a hospital, the odds are high that it’s a good place. Do your own research and make an informed decision.

Philosophy on Health Care

What’s the pediatrician’s philosophy on care? Focus on the following:

• Initial consultation: Use your first meeting to discuss the pediatrician’s views on health care extensively. Ask about their approaches to preventive care, treatment options, and routine health checks.

• Vaccination policy: Since vaccinations are a fundamental part of child healthcare, understand the pediatrician’s stance. If vaccinations are a priority for you, ensure the pediatrician supports the standard immunization schedule.

• Approach to antibiotics and medications: Some doctors prefer a conservative approach to medication, while others might prescribe more liberally. Clarify their policies to ensure they match your comfort level regarding medicinal interventions.

• Handling of developmental concerns: Ask how they approach developmental screening and issues. Whether it’s language delays, behavioral challenges, or learning difficulties, ensure their methods and resources align with what you believe is best for your child.

• Holistic and alternative treatments: If you’re inclined towards a holistic approach, check if the pediatrician is open to integrating alternative treatments with conventional medicine. This might include dietary advice, natural remedies, or referral to specialists like chiropractors or acupuncturists.

Discussing these aspects can help you gauge whether the pediatrician’s healthcare philosophy sits right with your family’s health journey.

Closing Thoughts

Choosing the best pediatrician for your child can be the best investment you ever make concerning their health. Research all the options out there and settle for the one that meets your criteria and safeguard your little ones’ health.

Establishing a healthy night routine with your children is essential for their overall well-being, including physical health, mental clarity, and emotional stability. The habits you create around bedtime not only promote better sleep but also help your kids feel secure, calm, and ready for the next day.

A well-thought-out routine can also provide opportunities for bonding and creating special moments together as a family.

Start with a Relaxing Wind-Down Period

The key to any successful bedtime routine is helping your child unwind before sleep. Children, like adults, need time to transition from the excitement of the day to the calm needed for rest. To make this wind-down period effective, it’s important to minimize stimulating activities. Instead, try activities like reading a book together, engaging in quiet conversation, or even practicing gentle stretching or deep breathing exercises. Creating a consistent wind-down period signals to your child that bedtime is approaching, making it easier for them to fall asleep.

Establish a Regular Bedtime

Consistency is vital when it comes to bedtime routines. A set bedtime helps regulate your child’s internal clock, making it easier for them to get sleepy at the same time each night. By ensuring they go to bed and wake up at the same time daily, you can help them develop healthy sleep patterns. Ideally, children need between 9 to 12 hours of sleep depending on their age, so make sure to adjust their bedtime accordingly. Even on weekends, try to stick to the established routine to prevent their sleep schedule from getting out of sync.

(photo credit: Microsoft Stock Images)

Implement Calming Bedtime Hygiene Habits

Good hygiene habits are essential for children’s health and are a great way to transition into sleep mode. Bathing your child in warm water can be soothing and help them relax before bed. Brushing teeth is another crucial aspect of the routine that reinforces good dental hygiene practices early on. For older kids, maintaining their oral health is particularly important, especially if they are approaching a stage where they may need wisdom teeth extraction, or similar dental procedures. Proper bedtime hygiene sets a positive tone for long-term healthy habits.

Encourage Positive Conversations and Emotional Reflection

Nighttime can be an excellent opportunity to connect emotionally with your child. Before turning out the lights, spend a few moments talking about their day. This could be a time to reflect on things that made them happy or to address any worries or anxieties they may have. Simple questions like, “What was the best part of your day?” or “Is there anything you’re thinking about right now?” can foster open communication and emotional security. These conversations help children feel heard, which can reduce stress and promote more restful sleep.

A well-structured night routine promotes better sleep and creates lasting habits that contribute to your child’s overall health and well-being. From setting a consistent bedtime to fostering emotional conversations and maintaining proper hygiene, each step plays a role in ensuring your child gets the rest they need.

To learn more, check out this infographic:

A-Healthy-Night-Routine-With-Your-Children
Download PDF

When it comes to outdoor child safety, it’s all about being proactive and creating a fun yet secure environment for little ones to play and explore, The great outdoors is bursting with opportunities for kids to get active and engage in creative play, but some potential risks can lead to injuries or accidents.

By applying a few simple strategies to make your yard safer, parents can help ensure that their kids enjoy a whole lot of outdoor fun safely.

1. Install Secure Fencing and Gates

One of the best ways to promote outdoor child safety is to create a fenced-in area in your yard. Make this part of your yard safety checklist. A sturdy fence gives your kids a defined space to run around and helps keep them away from potentially risky areas like busy streets or neighboring yards. It’s essential to ensure the fence is tall enough to dissuade climbing, and that all gates have secure locks placed high enough so little hands can’t reach them without adult help.

2. Properly Store Hazardous Chemicals

It’s vital to childproof your garage and yard. Many garages and yards have potentially hazardous materials like lawn chemicals, cleaning supplies, and tools. Store these items securely to keep outdoor playtime safe. Parents can store chemicals in high cabinets or locked areas that kids can’t access. For example, maintaining lawn care products in locked cabinets helps prevent curious little hands from coming into contact with anything dangerous. Plus, ensure all tools are stored in a designated area away from play zones.

3. Cover Sharp Tools and Equipment

Leaving tools and equipment scattered around can pose a hazard to children. Make a habit of putting away sharp items like garden shears, rakes, and lawnmowers right after you use them to keep children safe. Using tool covers or designated storage is a great way to keep everything out of reach. Bigger equipment like lawnmowers can be stored securely in a locked garage or shed whenever possible. Doing so not only keeps kids safe but also reduces the chances of accidents if someone gets distracted.

4. Create a Safe Play Area

It’s beneficial to carve out a special spot in your yard specifically for play, free from any potential hazards. Consider removing anything sharp, like stones or broken glass that could cause injuries. Soft materials such as mulch or rubber mats make excellent ground cover to cushion falls. By using landscaping to create boundaries, kids can enjoy freedom while still staying within a safe area.

5. Educate Children on Safety Rules

While making the yard safe should be a part of your security plan, teaching kids about safety rules is equally crucial. Help them understand the importance of following these rules to avoid accidents. For example, explain why they should avoid playing with fire, sharp tools, or heavy equipment unless an adult is around. Regularly reviewing these safety rules empowers children to make wise choices while they’re having a blast outdoors.

6. Use Safe Alternatives for Pest Control

Protecting your kids against allergens and toxins is a big part of outdoor child safety. You might not realize that many chemicals used to eliminate weeds, pests, and rodents can be harmful to children and pets. To ensure a safe outdoor environment, consider swapping out traditional pesticides and herbicides for safer alternatives. Natural solutions like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils can deter pests without posing any risks to kids. By going eco-friendly, parents can protect their children, pets, and neighbors, and benefit the environment too.

7. Encourage Adult Supervision

Even with all the safety measures in place, nothing beats the importance of adult supervision when it comes to outdoor child safety. Parents need to be present while kids play, especially in areas that might have potential dangers. Checking in on them regularly can prevent mishaps and enable adults to address any safety concerns immediately. Plus, joining in on outdoor activities with them is a great way to reinforce safety while having fun together.

8. Create a First Aid Station

Accidents can happen even in the safest environments, so it’s great to be prepared. Proper preparation can go a long way toward promoting child safety at home. Consider setting up a first aid station in your garage or yard stocked with essentials like band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and gauze. Having some basic first-aid knowledge can go a long way in handling minor accidents when they occur. This proactive approach enhances outdoor child safety and gives parents peace of mind.

9. Regularly Inspect the Outdoor Area

Outdoor settings can change due to weather, wear and tear, or seasonal shifts, so checking your yard regularly for any hazards is a good idea. Take a look for broken fences, fallen branches, or anything that might pose a risk. Keeping the play area tidy and well-kept ensures that kids can enjoy safe outdoor adventures.

Outdoor child safety ensures our children can enjoy their exploratory adventures without unnecessary risks. By implementing key strategies such as supervision, setting boundaries, and educating children about potential hazards, we can create safe and enjoyable environments for play. Encouraging outdoor activity remains vital for their development, and with the right precautions in place, we can help them thrive while fostering a love for nature and exploration.

About the Author
Katie Brenneman is a passionate writer specializing in education, mental health, family lifestyle and online safety. When she isn’t writing, you can find her with her nose buried in a book or hiking with her dog, Charlie. You can follow her on Twitter.

College applications are a stressful undertaking for most students. While school counselors will provide your child with the information they need to fill them out, support at home is just as important for success. As a parent, you can help guide your child through the process and ensure it goes smoothly in many ways.

Here are some strategies you can use as your child starts the college application process.

1. Vocalize Their Potential

Young people feel a lot of pressure when it’s time to apply to college. They worry about what might happen if every application gets rejected. How will that affect their future, and will it fracture your relationship? After all, the number of college applications is up by 21% compared to the 2019-2020 school year.

Remember to vocalize your teen’s potential by encouraging them throughout the process. Remind them how smart and capable they are. No matter what colleges they get into or how many rejection letters they receive, their future is bright. You’ll take some of their stress away by having their back.

2. Gather Necessary Paperwork

Every applicant must submit specific information beyond their high school and grade point average (GPA). Locate your teen’s social security number and your own. You’ll have to enter your information and work-related data if your family applies for financial aid. If you know where you’re keeping both identification cards, you’ll have an easier time dealing with paperwork.

3. List Preferred Colleges and Universities

There are so many colleges and universities in America to consider. That number skyrockets if your high school senior is also considering studying abroad. Encourage them to make a list of every school that catches their eye. Dream big — this step is just about collecting data.

Research each school afterward to narrow that list down. If your teen wants to go to Stanford, 12 students with 4.0 GPAs apply for every one spot available to rising freshmen. That’s a highly competitive application field. They may need to work with their school counselor to get their grades up if they have their heart set on a competitive school.

4. Look Into Standardized Testing

SAT and ACT test scores aren’t required by every school anymore, but they may be necessary for your high school senior’s preferred universities. Look up what tests they need and schedule them together.

Contact the high school counselor if you need help. They’ll connect you with local testing sites and dates, which happen throughout the year.

5. Schedule Applications Alongside Rest Days

Every application requires lots of specific personal information, plus an essay or two. It could take hours to finish a single form. Give your teenager some rest by scheduling time for only one or two applications per week. If they get started early in the fall semester, they’ll have plenty of time to submit multiple college applications before early fall deadlines and standard spring deadlines arrive.

6. Get Advice Regarding Financial Aid

School guidance counselors have financial aid resources available for families of high school seniors. Call or email your teenager’s school if you need assistance locating things like the FAFSA website, scholarships and grants.

They might also qualify for federal, state and private organizations’ programs that give rising freshmen college funding. Sports-related and hobby-related financial aid exist as well.

Look into every possibility to get the most support. Given how 87% of students get financial aid for college, there are many opportunities to help everyone who needs tuition and housing assistance.

7. Avoid Writing Things for Them

It’s tempting to write your teenager’s college entrance essays — especially if the deadlines are right around the corner — but let them handle this step. They’ll have to write plenty more essays in the coming years, no matter their degree.

This is their first baby step in becoming more confident in their writing skills. It’s also crucial that admissions board members get to know your teenager as an individual to know if they’d be a good match for the university.

8. Give Them Space to Take Responsibility

The stakes are high when college application season begins. Parents and high school seniors feel more stressed than ever. Although you might want to handle everything from finding information about SAT dates and researching universities, let your teenager take on most of the responsibility. Encourage them to also research college life so the can make informed decisions.

You’ll better prepare them for handling their college responsibilities and demonstrate how much you trust them with the process. If they know you believe in them, they’ll feel a bit less anxious about taking this next big step in their lives.

Get Ready for College Application Season

It’s never too early to start preparing your child for college application season. Talk about where they want to go and how much you love them. If they feel supported while you take each step toward graduation, you’ll both have a more pleasant experience.

Author bio:  Cora Gold is the Editor-in-Chief of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. She strives to live a happy and healthy life with her family by her side.
Follow Cora on Facebook and LinkedIn.