It's time to get into the holiday spirit-parties, gifts and, of course eggnog and other alcoholic beverages. Therefore, this season offers an excellent opportunity to consider whether we are communicating the very best, healthiest messages to our children about drinking alcohol. After all, research continues to support the idea that kids and teens are more influenced by their parents that by anyone else - even peers.
A pilot project starting this Fall will have a number of family doctors and health care professionals gifting a board book to infants and giving their parents a written prescription to ‘read aloud to your child for 15 minutes a day.’ The doctor’s guidance will come through a conversation during the child’s checkup and via take-away information about why reading aloud is important to a child’s development. It will include tips and ideas to help make reading aloud a fun and effective daily family habit.
Looking for the thrill of a good horror flick this month? Forget Michael Myers. I have two words for you: public tantrum. There’s nothing like parenting a screaming child amid a staring crowd to inspire the thrill seeker’s sweaty palms and coveted Knot of Dread.
Sleep cures all. Half of all discipline issues could be prevented if parents could secure a full eight hours of sleep in a 24-hour day. Make sleep a priority. The meals, laundry and clutter will always be there, but a rested, content parent is the biggest asset for patience, calmness and joy in parenting.
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