Most everyone has heard the phrase “you are what you eat”. Some of the first recorded versions date back over 200 hundred years in the French and German literature stating that the food one eats has a bearing on one’s state of mind and health.

It seems that children, particularly teenagers, need to re-establish human-human connections. Mobile phones are here to stay as are electronic devices. We all need to be aware so they do not become a problem.

A child with a history of chronic lying should be seen by a mental health professional. Chronic liars often have had difficulty establishing a true conscience that tell right from wrong. They may also have other behaviors that are harmful and socially inappropriate that can interfere with school and relationships.

Routines can be important for children who find it hard to understand or cope with change.

Keep the gaming device in a central location where there is a lot of traffic and aski children what games they like and why, ask who they are gaming with and if any stranger has contacted them, and be aware of the games’ content and use parental control.

Call the crisis hotline of 988 if being a parent is too overwhelming

The saturated fat in whole milk, coconut oil or salmon is different from the saturated fat found in pizza, French fries and processed meat products

Children (and the entire family) should have a variety of foods from five major food groups daily. Each group supplies important nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. The five food groups are vegetables, fruits, grains, protein foods or dairy products.

Many things have changed since almost all of us have become accustomed to the many electronic devices that surrounds us today. The first electronic “device” occurred in 1745. We know such names as Ben Franklin, Volta, Ampere, Morse, Edison, Hertz, Tesla, Marconi, and Einstein just to name a few that helped discover the power of electricity and expand its many uses. Since that time, 278 years ago, we are surrounded by electronic devices and are struggling to adjust to its changes to human development and cultures. As most readers know the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no devices except video conferences with family and friends before the age of two. This also implies that the family has limited access while caring for young children and supervised access for older children. So what is the parent supposed to do with their time? Do they know how to play with young children? Has the passing of generations of parents with devices helping with child care lost the knowledge of playing with children? Play that helps with exercise for babies during the tummy time can be placing yourself or a toy just out of reach of the baby. Or place toys in a circle around the baby to help develop the muscles to roll over or scoot. Or lie on your back and place the baby on your chest so the baby has to lift its head to see your face. Or while keeping watch have younger siblings play with the baby on the floor. If you are limber enough you can lie on the floor facing the baby and make faces or sing trying to make the baby smile or laugh. As they get older play “pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake” holding the baby’s hands and putting them through the motions, (words are easily available on the internet). As they get a little older hold the baby’s foot and wiggle each toe singing “This little piggy went to market” etc. You can sit in front of the baby and put a colorful hat on your head and say “Look! The hat is on my head”, then remove it and say ”the hat is off”. Then try it on the baby repeating the words and actions while encouraging the baby to reach for the hat. Think of all the things you are teaching, words and actions. As children age parents need to be involved and watch more from the sidelines trying not to control the action but say complimentary things or ask if you can color or build with the blocks. It doesn’t need to be complicated as you could blow bubbles and pop them, playing hide and seek, or tell jokes (why did the little boy throw the clock out of the window? He wanted to see time fly.) There is always riding tricycles and bikes, jumping rope, kicking or throwing a ball. Playing together can improve not only the child’s mood but the parents’ mood. Playing is not just for children.

Almost everyone, whether they have children or not, has heard about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The issue of “not focusing” can be associated with hyperactivity or without hyperactivity. The children with hyperactivity are distracted by everything. The children without hyperactivity are easier to overlook as they are not disruptive but they also have problems with focusing and learning.Read More.

Limiting screen time for infants and toddlers has the positive effect of limiting screen time for their caregivers so that there is much more face to face time. Shared screen time has less 2 dimensional effect but best of all is face to face time like peek-a-boo.

It has been said that water is the new gold. Water, water, everywhere…. Keep it safe.

If a parent notices any of the following, they should discuss these symptoms with their health care provider: Your child is extremely and consistently fussy, having problems breathing, has loud snoring, unusual awakenings or difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. It is important to notice if they have daytime sleepiness or behavioral problems.

Playing peek-a-boo requires the adult to stop looking at their phone or the TV and interact with their child. Play helps children learn language, math and social skills. Play is important for both children and their parents as the joy in those moments enhances their relationship.

Family resolutions can be made together to make the family safer, stronger and more harmonious. For family goals to work each family member sees their role and gets a reward for cooperation.