Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are 100% preventable. There is no amount of any kind of alcohol during pregnancy that is risk free

We have much to learn about nature. Maybe through our gut’s microbes our diets can nurture behavior.

More than most people want to know about these organisms that can cause so much trouble. It seemed that suddenly there was a new virus making babies, the elderly and the immunocompromised really sick. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was and is making the headlines.

Water is the most vital of human’s macronutrients. Without water we die and quickly.

The importance of a person or thing is the way it is; not because of what it is called.

Give children reasons for expectations. “I want you to be safe crossing the street. I expect you to hold on to my hand.” Many things seem so obvious for safe and respectful behavior.

Life expectancy has be getting shorter in the US not longer. Do you think the life expectancy of American young people will be getting longer or shorter?

Children are aware of the gun violence in schools and other public places. If they are concerned or feel threatened they should talk to a responsible adult about what they have seen and be rewarded for being a safety officer.

Children whose lives are disrupted by mental health symptoms will NOT just “snap out of it”. They can struggle for years. Treatment after an appropriate diagnosis may be a combination of medication, cognitive (talk) therapy and calming strategies. Adequate sleep is crucial for brain health. Call 988 immediately if your child is thinking of suicide. 988 can also give resources.

Ticks don’t jump or fly. They crawl up low bushes or grass in search of their victim. Then they clasp on with their back legs and reach up their front legs to grab onto a passing victim. Dogs are easy targets as are children. They can detect their victims by breath, body odors, body heat and vibrations.

Is syphilis a childhood disease? A disease of the newborn? Over the past decade, “there’s been about a 700% increase in the cases of congenital syphilis in the United States” from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of STD Prevention.

Humans can’t live without the sun which is the closest star to Earth. It radiates light, heat and solar energy which makes it possible for life on Earth. However, exposure to Ultra Violet Radiation (UVR) from the sun is the main environmental cause of skin cancer.

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.

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

The holidays are filled with festivals of light, sparkling ornaments, candles, music, holiday trees and plants, and many family traditions. When dealing with children in the holiday chaos, it is important to think about safety. The Academy of Pediatrics offers tips to make the holidays safe for the whole family. [Click Heading For Full Story]

Having imaginary friendships does not mean that a child is lonely or doesn’t have “real” friends. Imaginary friends are normal and beneficial. In this Keeping Kids Healthy, Dr. Sally Robinson shares the signs to look out for. Young children have rich imaginary lives and they can be very generous in sharing. [Click Heading For Full Story]