Children are known for coming down with every cold, flu or virus that comes along. Being near other kids during school or at play is almost a guarantee that something contagious will be following him home! It can be difficult to know when to take your child to see a doctor, and you don’t want to go for every little sniffle or cough. But there are tell-tale signs that can help you determine when an apple a day is just not enough and that only the doctor knows best!
You must be consistent when it comes to rewards AND punishments. If your daughter gets in trouble for coming home past curfew, but your son only gets a slap on the wrist, your daughter will see the unfairness and rebel. Treat all your children equally, both for good activities and bad ones.
Do not give an infant or toddler soda, diet or regular. Soda has acids in it that can harm your baby’s digestive system and cause them to throw up. Try stick with drinks that provide your baby with vitamins or nutrients, such as warm or cold milk, sugar-free juices, and water.
Never administer medication to your child for any “off-label” conditions unless the child’s doctor has given you specific written instructions to do so. Children do not always react to medication in the same way adults do. For instance, giving a child Benadryl to help induce sleep might actually have the opposite effect of hyperactivity.
TVs falling on children happens more than you would like to imagine it does. In the age of big screen TV’s, it is more important than ever to secure your television sets. The best place for a television is mounted to the wall, but if this is not an option, bolt it down to the entertainment center. Making sure your home is safe for your little ones is an essential part of parenting.
A significant issue that many parents and their children face as they grow up and start going to school is how to deal with negative peer pressure. Ideally, the best way is to nurture their self esteem so that they can fend off peer pressure. However, sometimes situations may arise that require more immediate solutions. In these cases, if the parent or child is unsure how to resolve the situation, there are hotlines like Boys Town that are accessible 24 hours a day.
As you have learned here, most colds and sniffles require little more than a day or two in bed and some hot chicken soup. But there are definitely times when your child needs medical attention. Educate yourself and learn what symptoms need attention. Your child will thank you for it!