Puberty Can Be Emotionally Overwhelming to Adolescents

Parents may have forgotten what it was like to go through puberty. According to Psychology Today writer David Schwartz LMFT, puberty can be emotionally overwhelming to adolescents. Your tween or teen may be experiencing emotional difficulty as their body changes. According to David Schwarts LMFT, adolescents start to experience a whole new world of feelings when they reach puberty. They start to have emotions, recognizing their own sexuality and longing for closeness with others of their own age. This can create an overwhelming sense of change and uncertainty. Many adolescents aren’t sure what is happening to them. Parents can help … Continue reading

Everything You Need to Know About Norovirus

Flu season typically reaches its peak between late January and March. There is a lot of focus on Influenza which can be prevented by getting vaccinated every year. The “flu” vaccine cannot prevent Norovirus. Here is a quick look at everything a parent needs to know about Norovirus. There is no vaccine for Norovirus. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine to prevent Norovirus. Part of the difficulty involved in making a vaccine is that Norovirus can mutate and that it is a virus that lives in the gut. Some companies are working on a Norovirus vaccine, but it isn’t ready yet. … Continue reading

How School Dress Codes Can Harm Your Daughter’s Education

Does the school your children attend have a dress code? Many of them do. Some schools opt for a specific, very limited, dress code. Others are a little less stringent. While a dress code might annoy your son, school dress codes can harm your daughter’s education. Here are some things for parents to watch out for. Ideally, a school dress code is designed to equalize students. Everyone has to wear the same type of uniform, with limited variations. (Typical variations include skirts for girls and pants for boys). Schools might choose to only allow clothing of specific colors. The goal … Continue reading

Why Your Pre-Teen Quit Playing Sports

One way to encourage your child to get a healthy amount of exercise is to make it fun. Sports offer kids the ability to exercise while having fun, the chance to learn how to play as a team, and a good way to develop athletic skills. Despite these benefits, 70% of kids quit sports by the age of 13. Here are some reasons why that happens. It stopped being fun. Have you ever watched kindergartners play soccer against another team of kindergarteners? What happens is both adorable and amusing. They sit down when they get tired, and start playing with … Continue reading

“Dads Don’t Babysit” Shirt Sparks Conversation

There are certain stereotypes about parenting that persist despite the fact that the world has changed. One of them is the concept that dads are not able to take care of their own children. One dad has gotten so fed-up about being called a “babysitter” that he has created a t-shirt designed to crush that stereotype. Al Ferguson is a British writer who is the founder of the Dad Network. It is a blog dedicated to the art of modern fatherhood. It is an online hub and support network for dads. You might be familiar with “mommy blogs” – but … Continue reading

Focus on the Candidates – Jill Stein

This blog is part of the series that focuses on the candidates who are running for President of the United States in 2016. This blog focuses on Jill Stein. Jill Stein is a member of the Green Party who is running for President of the United States in 2016. Previously, she ran an unsuccessful Presidential campaign in 2012 (with Cheri Honkala as her running mate). Health Care According to her official website, Jill Stein sees health care as a right. She wants to establish an improved “Medicare For All” single-payer public health insurance program to provide everyone with quality health … Continue reading

Focus on the Candidates – Bernie Sanders

This blog is part of the series that focuses on the candidates who are running for President of the United States in 2016. This blog focuses on Bernie Sanders. Bernie Sanders spent 16 years as Vermont’s sole congressman in the United States House of Representatives. He was first elected to the United States Senate in 2006, and then again in 2012 (with 71% of the vote). Bernie Sanders is an Independent who is part of the Senate Democratic Caucus. He is running for President of the United States in 2016 as a Democrat. Health Care According to his official website, … Continue reading

Focus on the Candidates – John Kasich

This blog is part of the series that focuses on the candidates who are running for President of the United States in 2016. This blog focuses on John Kasich. John Kasich is the 69th Governor of Ohio. He was first elected to that position in 2010, and he won re-election in 2014. Health Care According to his official website, John Kasich believes that “Obamacare” must be repealed and replaced. He wants to replace it with what he calls “A New, Conservative Vision”. That vision includes “having a primary care system that helps promote long term good health instead of just … Continue reading

Focus on the Candidates – Ted Cruz

This blog is part of the series that focuses on the candidates who are running for President of the United States in 2016. This blog focuses on Ted Cruz. Ted Cruz was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to an American mother and a Cuban father. Ted Cruz has since renounced his Canadian citizenship. He was Solicitor General for the state of Texas from 2003-2008. Ted Cruz was first elected as a Texas Senator in 2012. You might recall him reading “Green Eggs and Ham” on CSPAN during the government shutdown of 2013. Health Care According to his Senate website, Ted … Continue reading

Focus on the Candidates – Chris Christie

This blog is part of the series that focuses on the candidates who are running for President of the United States in 2016. This blog focuses on Chris Christie. Chris Christie is the 55th Governor of New Jersey. He was first elected in 2009. He won re-election in 2013. Health Care According to his official website, Chris Christie proposes expanding the existing sliding scale for Medicare premiums for higher-income seniors. “If you can afford to pay more for your health benefits you will, and if you can’t you won’t”. He proposes giving each state a set amount of Medicaid funds … Continue reading