Our kids have likely overcome their jitters associated with starting a new school year. Yet, a nerve-racking back-to-school component for parents is just on the horizon – the first parent-teacher conference. It’s natural to be a bit apprehensive as you enter this discussion. It can...
Enterovirus is a common family of viruses that affects millions of children every year. The subtype that has been making the news this fall, D-68, has been around for a long time but it is not the typical type that is seen this time of...
An estimated 1.9 million American children travel internationally each year and the number is increasing according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Children generally face the same illnesses and risks as adults including diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid, E. coli, malaria and yellow fever, and...
The common cold is labeled “common” for good reason. According to the National Institute’s of Health, there are more than one billion colds in the United States each year and you and your children will probably have a cold more than any other type of...
Toileting issues can cause anxiety and embarrassment for a child, and worry and guilt for a parent. If you are encountering issues with your child’s use of the toilet, you are not alone. There are steps you can take to address the issue and, most...
Bedtime doesn't have to be a bad time BEDTIME --This one word can cause much stress and frustration for so many parents of toddlers. We might expect our young whirlwinds to be exhausted at the end of the day and to easily and willingly drift off...
It seems like summer has just gotten started, and yet we are in the back-to-school countdown. The stores are filled with colorful school supplies and the latest fashions, but preparing for a successful start to school involves more than fresh notebooks and new shoes. Parents can...
“Just wait until she’s a teenager.” It’s a warning often teasingly extended to parents frustrated with their toddlers. Despite its bad rap, adolescence is an exciting and truly remarkable stage of life. Adolescence, ages 12 to 18, is a unique developmental period that presents both challenges...
They're nothing to sneeze at Fall in northern Illinois can be a glorious time. Soccer and football seasons gear up, apple orchards open for the season and pumpkin patches brim with fall fun. But for children who suffer from seasonal allergies, all of those outdoor activities...
Avoid turning mealtime into a battle Mealtime with young children can be an ongoing battle for parents. Children can seem to go for days without eating anything substantial. While it is frustrating to parents, it truly is normal for children to eat one good meal every...