http://childparenting.about.com/ Get the latest headlines from the About.com http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hh http://www.about.com/ 118 20 en-us 2012-02-21T17:13:11Z Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:13:11 +0000 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/02/21/scary-report-energy-drink-use-among-elementary-kids.htm <img class="alignnone" src="http://0.tqn.com/h/childparenting/1/H/X/B/-/-/Getty_energy_drink.jpg" alt="engery_drink" /> <p>I recently read a disturbing article on LiveScience about kids as young as elementary school age <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.livescience.com/18539-3-dangerous-drug-habits-teens.html">consuming energy drinks</a>. According to the article, young children are downing these highly-caffeinated drinks as well as experimenting with caffeine strips to feel a buzz. As a result, many are ending up in school nurses' offices with heart palpitations. Even more scary, too much caffeine in younger children, who have smaller bodies, can lead to seizures, strokes, and even death.</p>...<p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/02/21/scary-report-energy-drink-use-among-elementary-kids.htm">Read Full Post</a></p> http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/02/21/scary-report-energy-drink-use-among-elementary-kids.htm Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:33:08 +0000 2012-02-21T18:33:08Z http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/02/21/when-and-how-to-limit-technology-in-kids-lives.htm <img class="alignnone" src="http://0.tqn.com/h/childparenting/1/H/W/B/-/-/About_videogame_boy.jpg" alt="boy_videogame" /> <p>Do you ever worry about the amount of screen time your kids are exposed to? While technology can be extremely useful in kids' lives (for research, entertainment, learning, and more), the fact is that too much screen time can have negative effects on kids' learning and development.</p>...<p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/02/21/when-and-how-to-limit-technology-in-kids-lives.htm">Read Full Post</a></p> http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/02/21/when-and-how-to-limit-technology-in-kids-lives.htm Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:13:11 +0000 2012-02-21T17:13:11Z http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/02/07/kids-physical-development.htm <img class="alignnone" src="http://0.tqn.com/h/childparenting/1/H/r/9/-/-/123RF_9_year_old_friends_article.jpg" alt="9 year old children" /> <p>The other day, I was marveling at how tall my son is getting. I'm a mere 5' and almost 1" and I noticed that when I don't have heels on, my 10-year-old is almost my height. Incredibly, some of the girls in his fifth grade class are actually taller than me. This, in essence, is a view of typical 10-year-old child physical development.</p>...<p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/02/07/kids-physical-development.htm">Read Full Post</a></p> http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/02/07/kids-physical-development.htm Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:54:08 +0000 2012-02-07T18:54:08Z http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/01/30/new-school-lunch-rules-to-improve-nutrition.htm <img class="alignnone" src="http://0.tqn.com/h/childparenting/1/H/U/B/-/-/123rf_school_cafeteria.jpg" alt="school_cafeteria" /> <p>Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced new rules to <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://blogs.usda.gov/2012/01/25/healthy-meals-and-healthy-kids/">improve the nutritional quality of school lunches</a>.</p> <p>Under the new guidelines, schools will serve only fat-free or low-fat milk rather than full-fat; offer more foods high in whole-grains; reduce saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium; tailor portion sizes to kids' ages; and ensure that kids are offered fresh fruits and vegetables every day.</p>...<p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/01/30/new-school-lunch-rules-to-improve-nutrition.htm">Read Full Post</a></p> http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/01/30/new-school-lunch-rules-to-improve-nutrition.htm Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:49:23 +0000 2012-01-30T14:49:23Z http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/01/23/curling-up-with-a-great-book.htm <img class="alignnone" src="http://0.tqn.com/h/childparenting/1/H/U/9/-/-/About_mom-girl-reading.jpg" alt="mom_girl_reading" /> <p>What is it about cold winter nights that make curling up with a good book so tempting? Maybe it's the fact that it's warm and cozy when we settle down to read, especially under a throw on the sofa. Or maybe it's the early darkness that makes us want to snuggle together with a good book while we read together or side by side.</p>...<p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/01/23/curling-up-with-a-great-book.htm">Read Full Post</a></p> http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/01/23/curling-up-with-a-great-book.htm Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:13:55 +0000 2012-01-23T18:13:55Z http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/01/22/fun-family-board-games-for-kids.htm <img class="alignnone" src="http://0.tqn.com/h/childparenting/1/H/B/B/-/-/iStock_family_playing_board_game.jpg" alt="family playing board game" /> <p>Winter is the perfect time to play some board games. While it may be cold and blustery outside, your family can gather together in the coziness of your home (preferably with some mugs of hot chocolate!) and play some <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://childparenting.about.com/od/familyhome/tp/Great-Board-Games-For-Kids.htm">fun board games for kids</a>.</p>...<p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/01/22/fun-family-board-games-for-kids.htm">Read Full Post</a></p> http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/01/22/fun-family-board-games-for-kids.htm Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:41:15 +0000 2012-01-22T13:41:15Z http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/01/14/best-ways-parents-can-feel-good-and-look-good.htm <img class="alignnone" src="http://0.tqn.com/h/childparenting/1/H/O/B/-/-/Getty_woman_running_treadmill.jpg" alt="woman_running_treadmill" /> <p>What are the top healthy habits for parents so that we can feel and look our best? Read my article on the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://childparenting.about.com/od/timeforyou/a/Best-Ways-Parents-Can-Feel-Good-And-Look-Good.htm">"Best Ways Parents Can Feel Good and Look Good"</a> for some ideas. Not surprisingly, regular exercise and eating a healthy and balanced diet are on the list, as is minimizing stress and getting enough sleep.</p>...<p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/01/14/best-ways-parents-can-feel-good-and-look-good.htm">Read Full Post</a></p> http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/01/14/best-ways-parents-can-feel-good-and-look-good.htm Sat, 14 Jan 2012 09:23:36 +0000 2012-01-14T09:23:36Z http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/01/05/can-childhood-stressors-lead-to-long-term-scars.htm <img class="alignnone" src="http://0.tqn.com/h/childparenting/1/H/C/B/-/-/Getty_child_stress_boy.jpg" alt="stress_boy" /> <p>Children who face adversities such as the loss of a parent, having a parent with a mental illness or addictive behavior, witnessing violence or conflict between parents, or being subjected to emotional, physical, or other abuse may grow up to be more sensitized to stress, says a recent <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/07/stress-we-face-as-children-stays-with-us/">CNN story</a> on the research of Dr. Rajita Sinha, director of the Yale Stress Center.</p>...<p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/01/05/can-childhood-stressors-lead-to-long-term-scars.htm">Read Full Post</a></p> http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/01/05/can-childhood-stressors-lead-to-long-term-scars.htm Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:07:24 +0000 2012-01-05T20:07:24Z http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/01/04/are-georgias-child-obesity-ads-a-solution-or-a-problem.htm <img class="alignnone" src="http://0.tqn.com/h/childparenting/1/H/N/B/-/-/Getty_obese_child.jpg" alt="obese_child" /> <p>Have you heard about the new controversial ads running in Georgia that are targeting childhood obesity? The print and TV ads depict overweight children talking about being bullied because of their weight and graphics that read, "Being fat takes the fun out of being a kid."</p>...<p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/01/04/are-georgias-child-obesity-ads-a-solution-or-a-problem.htm">Read Full Post</a></p> http://childparenting.about.com/b/2012/01/04/are-georgias-child-obesity-ads-a-solution-or-a-problem.htm Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:29:10 +0000 2012-01-04T20:29:10Z http://childparenting.about.com/b/2011/12/30/new-year-new-focus-on-fitness.htm <img class="alignnone" src="http://0.tqn.com/h/childparenting/1/H/L/B/-/-/iStock_women_walking_fitness.jpg" alt="women_walking" /> <p>Like many people, I am thinking about ways to improve my health in the coming year. Eating a healthy and balanced diet, managing stress, and getting enough rest are all important, as is making sure I get enough exercise.</p>...<p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://childparenting.about.com/b/2011/12/30/new-year-new-focus-on-fitness.htm">Read Full Post</a></p> http://childparenting.about.com/b/2011/12/30/new-year-new-focus-on-fitness.htm Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:07:55 +0000 2011-12-30T23:07:55Z