The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages parents to use discipline strategies, not physical or verbal punishments to stop unwanted behaviors in children and teens. Teaching children to recognize and control their behavior is an important job for their caregivers.

Twinkly lights, candles, holiday trees and plants, ornaments and other decorations are an important part of holiday celebrations. Besides being festive and fun, the decorations your family brings out every year can help children feel connected to family traditions. To help make sure your decorations are safe, the American Academy of Pediatrics, healthychildren.org, offers some tips:

In the past almost 25 years, more than a quarter of a million infants less than 15 months were treated for walker-related injuries in the emergency room. more than 90 percent sustained head or neck injuries. Recent (2010) federal mandatory safety standard regulations have decreased the amount of injuries by 22.7 percent, but the use of walkers remain an important and preventable source of injury among younger children. The American Academy of Pediatrics has called for a ban on their manufacture and sale in the United States.

Research done on the positive effects of energy drinks have not shown any positive effects such as improved physical performance, improved immune system or improved memory. Caffeine, the most abundant ingredient in energy drinks, is a drug and this drug when taken in excess can have fatal consequences. Children, adolescents and their parents should be aware of the lack of good effects from energy drinks and their potential harm.