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Unwrapping the Challenge: Navigating Children’s Anxiety During the Holidays

24

Dec

NewsHolidays, Parenting

Unwrapping the Challenge: Navigating Children’s Anxiety During the Holidays

Understanding and Managing Children's Holiday Anxiety The holiday season, often seen as a time of joy and relaxation, can also bring a unique set of challenges and stress, particularly for children. Stephen Whiteside, a noted clinical psychologist and the director of the Pediatric Anxiety Disorders Program at the Mayo Clinic, sheds light on this often-overlooked issue. Identifying Anxiety in Children Recognizing anxiety in children can be challenging, especially when they are unable to articulate their feelings. Signs such as reluctance to engage in activities they usually enjoy, becoming withdrawn, crying, or showing irritation over minor issues can be indicators of…

Melatonin Use in Children: A Rising Concern Among Parents and Pediatricians

16

Dec

By Marilyn Epstein

NewsMelatonin

Melatonin Use in Children: A Rising Concern Among Parents and Pediatricians

Rising Alarm: The Growing Trend of Melatonin Use in Youngsters As the quest for a peaceful night's sleep becomes more challenging for children, an increasing number of parents are turning to melatonin. This trend has raised concerns among pediatricians about the long-term safety and regulation of this widely-used supplement. Surprising Survey Results Lauren Hartstein, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Colorado, Boulder, noticed a significant rise in melatonin usage among children. Her team's survey of nearly 1,000 children across the United States revealed startling figures: approximately 6% of preschoolers and 18-19% of school-age children and pre-teens were regularly taking…

Transforming Futures: The Journey of HealthySteps in Healing Parental and Childhood Trauma

29

Nov

By Marilyn Epstein

NewsTrauma

Transforming Futures: The Journey of HealthySteps in Healing Parental and Childhood Trauma

Unraveling Childhood Trauma Through Parental Guidance: The HealthySteps Approach In the heart of Brooklyn, Teresa Cox-Bates sits in her living room, a testament to the transformative power of parenting support. Her journey, intertwined with the HealthySteps program, reveals a pivotal movement in addressing childhood trauma. Teresa's Struggle and Triumph The story unfolds with Teresa's recollection of her tumultuous childhood after her father's passing—days of scant meals and her mother's battle with alcoholism. Such adversities, termed Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), bear the potential to impair lifelong health. As a mother, Teresa aspired to shield her children from these hardships. Her involvement…

Striking a Balance: Portland Parents Navigate Childcare Amidst Teachers’ Strike

10

Nov

By Marilyn Epstein

NewsEducation, Teacher Strike

Striking a Balance: Portland Parents Navigate Childcare Amidst Teachers’ Strike

Amidst Portland's Teacher Strike, Parents Face Childcare Challenges As the teacher strike in Portland, Oregon, extends into its eighth day, parents in the city are grappling with the challenge of finding childcare for their children. The strike, which is a result of the teachers' union demanding higher pay and smaller class sizes, has left many families in a difficult position. The Community's Response In the absence of regular school, parents are resorting to various means to ensure their children are cared for. Guillermina Cruz, a parent in Portland, has become a de facto caregiver for many children in her neighborhood,…

Redefining the American Family: The Growing Divide in Children’s Success

22

Oct

By Marilyn Epstein

NewsMelissa Kearney, Parenting

Redefining the American Family: The Growing Divide in Children’s Success

The Two-Parent Privilege: Navigating the Impact of Family Structures on Children's Success in America In the United States, a significant shift in family structures has been observed over the past few decades, marked by an increasing number of children being raised in single-parent households. This change has sparked a conversation about the impact of family dynamics on children's success, fueled by economist Melissa Kearney's controversial book, "The Two-Parent Privilege." The Rise of Single-Parent Households Almost half of all babies born in the U.S. in 2019 were to unmarried mothers, a dramatic rise from just 5% in 1960. Kearney's book brings…

Vaccine Hunt: Parents Scramble for Pediatric COVID Shots as Winter Looms

19

Oct

By Marilyn Epstein

NewsCOVID

Vaccine Hunt: Parents Scramble for Pediatric COVID Shots as Winter Looms

Pediatric COVID Vaccine Shortages Frustrate Parents as Winter Approaches As the winter season approaches, parents across the United States are struggling to find the new pediatric COVID vaccine for their young children. Despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommending the latest round of COVID shots for everyone 6 months and older, logistical challenges and distribution issues are leaving many in a desperate search for vaccination. Anne Hamilton's Quest for the Vaccine Anne Hamilton, a resident of Los Angeles, experienced firsthand the difficulties of securing a COVID shot for her four-year-old son, Jimmy. Spending over two weeks in…

Kentucky’s Bold Move: Free Child Care for Care Workers Revitalizes the Sector

06

Oct

By Marilyn Epstein

News

Kentucky’s Bold Move: Free Child Care for Care Workers Revitalizes the Sector

Kentucky's Innovative Approach to Solving Child Care Worker Shortages Kentucky has adopted an inventive strategy to address the chronic shortage of child care workers, a problem that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This approach, already showing positive results, could set a precedent for other states grappling with similar issues. Free Child Care for Child Care Workers A year ago, Kentucky implemented a policy that provides free child care to all child care employees in the state, irrespective of their household income. Jennifer Washburn, owner of iKids Childhood Enrichment Center in Benton, Kentucky, praises this initiative, highlighting the benefit…

Broadway’s New Act: Free Babysitting Services Transform Theater Accessibility for Parents

23

Sep

By Marilyn Epstein

NewsBroadway

Broadway’s New Act: Free Babysitting Services Transform Theater Accessibility for Parents

Bringing Free Babysitting to Broadway: A Game-Changer for Parent Artists and Audiences Broadway, known for its lavish productions and expensive tickets, is now tackling an often-overlooked barrier for theater-loving parents: childcare costs. A nonprofit organization, the Parent Artist Advocacy League for Performing Arts and Media (PAAL), is spearheading an initiative to provide free babysitting services to parents attending Broadway shows. The PAAL Initiative PAAL's innovative approach was tested during a matinée of "Here Lies Love." Parents who purchased tickets for the show could leave their children at a nearby rehearsal studio, transformed into a child-friendly space by Broadway Babysitters. This…

Saving Smart for College: Navigating the Financial Future of Education

21

Sep

By Marilyn Epstein

NewsEducation

Saving Smart for College: Navigating the Financial Future of Education

Strategies for Parents Saving for College: Balancing Aspirations and Realities As the cost of higher education continues to soar, parents face the daunting question: How much should they be saving for their child's college education, and what's the best way to save? With many families grappling with this issue, insights from financial experts and personal experiences provide valuable guidance. Caleb Queern's Inquiry Austin resident Caleb Queern, a parent of a young child, encapsulates the concerns of many parents. He wonders not only about the amount to be saved for his child's future college expenses but also about the most effective…

Uprooted and Uncertain: Maui’s Children Navigate Education in Ashes’ Wake

20

Aug

By Marilyn Epstein

News

Uprooted and Uncertain: Maui’s Children Navigate Education in Ashes’ Wake

Maui's displaced children face uncertain school year after wildfires Wildfires tore through Maui in July, displacing hundreds of families and turning two schools to ash. Now, as the new school year approaches, parents grapple with an agonizing question: Where will their children learn? For Maui residents like Sarah Smith, whose two children were displaced by the flames, the answer is far from simple. Public schools are already overcrowded, and with two buildings gone, classrooms are bursting at the seams. Private schools, while offering smaller class sizes, come with hefty price tags and long waiting lists. Homeschooling and distance learning beckon,…