6 Ways to Keep Your Toddler Healthy - s post

Any parent will tell you that having a toddler will keep you extremely busy. In the midst of that hectic schedule, you’ll need to do everything you possibly can in order to keep your toddler healthy. But since they’re picky eaters, don’t ever want to sleep, and start a tantrum for no reason, sometimes this task becomes impossible. However, no matter what type of challenges your child may pose, there are certain things you should do to keep your child healthy.

1. Sneak them vegetables.

You know your child is a picky eater, but that doesn’t mean their health should suffer. Instead of giving in and giving your child cheese fries and milkshakes every day, you should consider sneaking them vegetables whenever you can.

·      For instance, if your child likes pizza, grind up some vegetables and mix it in with the pizza sauce.

·      Mix in some vegetables with a smoothie you give your child.

·      Add vegetables to pasta sauce.

·      Simply cut your vegetables into fun shapes to entice your child to eat them.

2. Take them to the dentist—early!

Most parents wait until your child is starting school to get them to the dentist, and this isn’t a good idea. When children are older, their sense of fear is larger and it could cause more chaos at the dentist’s office. Instead, you should start bringing your child to the dentist around their first birthday. According to Dr. Gol in Columbia, MD, “Children who see the doctor very early have better overall oral health because any issues can be found early and preventative measures can be taken.” By having your child see the dentist early, it will help them become more comfortable with the dentist in the long run.

3. Exercise with your child.

Child obesity rates are always rising, and even if you have a little one at home, it’s not too early to start exercising. Obviously with a small child this means doing activities that allow you both to move.

·      Get outside and play some games, such as catch.

·      Dance with each other.

·      Go on an outside scavenger hunt.

·      Ride bikes or scooters around the block.

·      Take your dogs for a walk.

·      Have a race.

Finding ways to be active with your child will not only help his or her overall health, but it can have a positive impact on your own well-being as well.

4. Visit the doctor.

Young children are more susceptible to disease and illness, and it’s important you keep your child healthy by bringing him or her to the doctor on a regular basis. Especially when your child is young, they will need to see their doctor about two times a year. When there, be sure to bring up any concerns you may have about your child’s health. Plus, this is the time to ensure your child is getting the vaccinations he or she needs in order to stay healthy and safe.

5. Teach them emotional health.

Toddlers don’t necessarily know how to show their emotions, and when you have a screaming child, it could make you want to scream. However, your child needs to learn their behaviors from you, and this includes emotional health. Be sure to teach your child the proper way to show his or her emotions. For instance, don’t let your child think that hitting is a good form of showing anger. Instead, teach them to try and share their feelings with you as a way to be emotionally happy.

6. Limit screen time.

While technology is an easy way to keep a child distracted, and with all the educational apps out there it may not seem harmful, but too much screen time can have some detrimental effects on your child’s health. Not only can it hurt their eyesight, but it can also make them less eager to get up and move. This sedentary lifestyle, along with the constant eye strain, can put your child at risk for some unhealthy issues as he or she gets older. If you want your child to have some screen time, be sure to either limit the time they spend or work it into a schedule you may have (or even use it as a reward for good behavior).

Your toddler is a very persistent and explorative person, and it’s up to you as the parent to keep him or her safe and healthy. By using these tips, you may be able to do just that and be successful.

Tips for Moving with Your Family

Moving to a new house is always full of possibilities. You have new design options to take, new memories to make, and a future ahead of you in your new house. Moving with children, however, can be difficult. Children thrive on routine, and there is nothing more disruptive to that routine than moving. They don’t want to leave their room, their friends, or their school, regardless of how good the move will be for your family. Thankfully, there are tips you can use to help make the move easier:

Bring Them in On the Decision

Children don’t like to feel like they have no control over their lives. Instead of letting them know that you will be moving after you choose your new house, however, let them know early. Bring them with you when you go house hunting and consider their opinions about your top choices. Even encourage them to pick out their room, what they’re going to do with it, and so on.

Show Them Around

When you have chosen a new home and have made an offer, go on day trips to your new neighborhood beforehand. Take your kids to the local park, show them the walk to school and generally just help them get used to their new neighborhood before they move. The more familiar they are with where their new house is, the more they will associate that new neighborhood with home after you move. As a bonus, this is also how you can ensure your children know how to get home.

Integrate Them Before the Move

If you really want to make the move smooth, however, integrate your kids before the move. This means signing them up to local sports teams and other after-school programs so that they can make friends before they move. This is the best way to make the move as smooth as possible for them, and is ideal if your new neighborhood is within an easy drive’s distance.

Hire Professional Movers

When it is time to move house, things can get stressful, which in turn will sour the experience for your kids. That is why you should forgo the stress altogether and hire Suddath Moving company who will pack, move, and unpack your house for you. This can make the entire moving process a breeze, meaning you can instead focus on making the day fun for your family.

Make the First Night Fun

Once you are all moved in and settled, it is time to make the first night fun. You need to make their first experience in the new house a great one, so order in your favorite food, and watch a movie the whole family loves. The more you as a family bond and have a great time together, the better.

Moving with children doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Simply bring them in with the decision making and introduce them to their new home before they move there. If your children have friends and a life at your new home before you pack up, you will have succeeded at successfully moving your family when the time comes.

Fun Ideas for a Teenager's Birthday Party

Planning a birthday party for a teen can be tricky, particularly if you’re hoping to have all the family there to enjoy it. For their birthday, most teens want to try something cool and exciting that they can share with all their closest friends, meaning that the birthday parties you used to throw them as a kid probably won’t make the cut any more. The good news is that there are several great ideas that you may want to consider, which are sure to put a massive smile on your teen’s face. We’ve listed just a few to get you started.

#1. Escape Rooms:

Has your teenager always wanted to try their hand at surviving in a zombie apocalypse, or getting out of a room that they’re trapped in with a dangerous killer? Thanks to this Indianapolis Escape Room, the whole family can join in on a terrifying, adrenalin-raising experience that they’ll never forget. You can choose from a range of interesting and scary storylines, such as surviving an airplane hijacking, or getting out of a haunted mansion.

#2. Pool Party:

If you have a pool at home or know somebody who’s willing to let you use theirs, a pool party can be a cool, cost-effective birthday party idea that any teen will love. If their birthday falls in the summer, why not consider throwing a pool party, complete with a barbecue, to celebrate their special day? Or, if your budget will stretch, you could turn the party into a fun weekend away and use the hotel pool for your celebrations before heading out to explore some of the best local attractions and activities. 

#3. Movie Night:

For parents who want to throw their teen a memorable birthday bash on a tight budget, a movie night could be the perfect idea. Thanks to streaming services such as Netflix or Hulu, you have access to literally hundreds of great movies right at your fingertips. If you have the space, equipment, and the weather for it, you could even set up an outdoor movie theater to give your teen and her friends the time of their lives. Don’t forget the popcorn bar!

#4. Karaoke Party:

A karaoke party is a sure-fire way to get everybody excited and coming out of their shell. Even if you don’t have access to a karaoke set, you can still have plenty of fun with a DIY karaoke playlist on YouTube and some decent speakers. For even more fun and games, you could turn it into a friendly competition and let guests vote for their favorite singer. Finish it off with an awards ceremony for the best performances!

#5. Video Game Party:

If your teen is hooked on video games, making this the theme of their birthday party is certainly going to go down well. Decorate your home or party venue with game-themed accessories and make geeky treats to go with the theme of their favorite games. To get everybody involved, you could turn the party into a fun gaming tournament complete with prizes.

If you enjoyed these ideas, we’d love to hear from you in the comments!