How to Help Your Children Communicate Better

The Importance of Effective Communication

Knowing how to communicate effectively is an important skill, and can help someone have a more successful, easier life. For young children, though, communication may not come naturally. Learning communication skills early in life gives kids an advantage, and as parents, we can help them develop these vital skills.

Helping Your Children Communicate Better

The first step in helping a child learn to communicate well is to make sure there are no barriers standing in the way. If you notice that your child is struggling, discuss it with your pediatrician to rule out any difficulties with speech or hearing, or issues like autism spectrum conditions or language barriers. Once any barriers to communication have been resolved, there are some simple steps you can take to boost your child’s communication skills.

• Talk to the child. This is one of the easiest ways to encourage communication, and you can start before the child is verbal. As you and your little one navigate the world, narrate what is happening, describing the scenery and whatever you are doing. Later, keep the conversation going, being careful to create an atmosphere of open conversation, where the children can say whatever they want to say.
• Encourage listening. Listening is just as important as talking, and perhaps more important, so this is something you will want to impress upon your child. The best way to do this is to be a good listener yourself.
• Encourage literacy skills. Developing strong reading and writing skills can vastly improve your child’s ability to communicate. This is another easy thing to work on with your children, by reading and writing with them from an early age.

Effectively Communicating with Your Children

To teach your children how to effectively communicate, you need to model effective communication skills. Communication can be verbal, and this is not just the words we say but also the way we say them. It can also be nonverbal, and this includes things like facial expressions, eye contact, hand gestures, physical touch, and personal space. You can sharpen these skills and better communicate with your children with some practice.

• Practice active listening to help your children feel heard. To show you are listening, use encouraging and affirming gestures, nodding and smiling. Get on the same eye level as your children and ask questions to encourage them to give more details and improve their own communication skills.
• Reflective listening shows children you care about what they are saying. Mirror what the child is saying, repeating the child’s statement with different words, giving your child space to express emotions in a judgement-free zone.
• Use clear and specific language. Be kind, to set a positive example, and do not use derogatory words. The conversations you have with your children should make them feel safe, loved, and respected.
• Avoid bribing your children with rewards. Instead, set clear and realistic expectation, praise good behavior, and calmly use consequences to encourage better behavior.
• Talk about feelings to help develop emotional intelligence. Listen to your children when they express their feelings verbally, considering their point of view and responding with empathy rather than judgement. When a child is expressing feelings in a nonverbal way, help put those feelings into words, to improve communication.
• Catch your children doing the right thing. Notice specific actions and give praise, to help build a child’s confidence and helps them identify the behaviors you want.
• Connect in light-hearted ways. Parenting is serious, but having fun with your children is important. Have light-hearted conversations, and find ways to relate to your children, paying attention to their interests and sharing jokes. Be careful to laugh with your child, but never at your child.
• Focus on behavior when you need to correct your child. When you are upset, avoid criticizing your child as a person, instead directing your comments at the behavior. Instead of saying “You are messy” say “I don’t like it when you leave your things on the floor of your room.”
• Set a good example. You are your children’s first teacher, and your actions are at least as important as your instruction.

Center for Vasectomy Reversal Likes to Help Families Thrive

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we love helping people start their healthy, happy families, and we pride ourselves on helping men improve their fertility through uncompromising, concierge-level patient care. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other fertility concerns. To learn more about the work we do or our discounts for active duty military and veterans, contact us through our website or call 941-894-6428.

Tips to Help Make Air Travel Smoother with a Newborn

Flying with a Baby

For even the most seasoned traveler, flying with a baby can be intimidating. Especially if it is your first time, or you are making an unexpected trip, the very idea of navigating airports, security, and a flight with a newborn can be extremely stressful. While you may not be able to control every aspect of your trip, you can be proactive and make the experience a little smoother and more enjoyable. By staying calm and planning in advance, you can improve your odds of a positive experience.

Some Things You Should Know About Babies and Flying

While most airlines will allow newborns to travel when they are only a few days old, it is recommended that you wait for at least four to six weeks to take your baby on a plane. In fact, most pediatricians recommend waiting until the baby is two or three months old, if at all possible. The reason behind this is that babies’ immune systems are not fully developed, and exposing these vulnerable little ones to the germs involved in air travel can be dangerous. If you are in doubt, talk to your pediatrician and make sure that your baby is cleared to fly. You may need a birth certificate and a doctor’s note to take a baby on a domestic flight, and if you are flying internationally, your baby will need a passport. If only one parent is taking the baby on that international flight, you will also want to bring a notarized letter from the other parent, granting permission for the travel. And while babies under two years old can fly on your lap, without a separate ticket, it is safer to buy a ticket for your newborn and bring the car seat.

Steps to Take in Advance of Your Flight

Aside from booking your tickets and gathering the appropriate documentation, there are some arrangements you should make before your flight.

• Communicate with the airline. You can book online, but the best way to make sure that you understand all of the airline’s policies ahead of time. Some airlines offer bassinets for long flights, so it is worthwhile to ask about that. Additionally, while lap babies fly free on some airlines, others charge 10 percent of the adult fee. Airlines also have different rules about the baggage allowance for babies. Clarifying the policies will keep you from being surprised at the airport.
• Make sure you have the right car seat. This is another area in which knowing the airline’s policies is helpful. Most airlines have specific restrictions on which car seats are approved for travel. Your car seat should also have the date of manufacture and indicate whether it is FAA approved. Be aware that car seats must be installed in a window seat or the middle seat, so that they do not block anyone’s exit from a seat. Car seats cannot be installed in an emergency row.
• Plan for your flight carefully. Choose a time to fly when your baby is most likely to sleep, and try to time it so that you can feed the baby during takeoff. This will reduce the pressure in the ears and make your baby more comfortable. Book a window seat, if possible, and plan to board early, so that you will have time to install your car seat.
• Plan for your stroller. It is not advisable to check your car seats and strollers if you can help it, so try to get a travel-friendly stroller that can fit in the overhead bin. Travel strollers can also make getting through security easier, because having baby in the stroller frees your hands for other things. If you plan to bring a travel system with an infant carrier, you will likely need to gate check it.

Essential Gear for Traveling with an Infant

One of the best ways to set yourself up for success is to make sure you have everything you need with you on your flight. Keep all of your essentials in your carryon in the overhead compartment, or in a smaller bag under the seat in front of you. You will need plenty of diapers and wipes, and an extra-large, wipeable changing mat for diaper changes along the way. Bring at least two extra, comfortable outfits for your baby, and make sure they are easy to take on and off. Remember to bring wet bags, too, for storing dirty clothes and diapers until you disembark. Bring burp cloths to keep your clothes clean, and hand sanitizer to keep your hands clean. Bring whatever your baby will need to eat, whether it is formula and whatever you need to prepare it, or breast milk and a pump. If you plan to breastfeed on the plane, you might want to bring a cover. Bring a few toys to entertain your little one, and a blanket or two because airplane temperatures can be unpredictable.

Managing Your Baby on the Flight

The most important thing to do on the flight is focus on your baby. Before you ever get on board, do a diaper change and have some play time, to help make baby sleepy. Be careful, though, not to let your little one get over tired before you try to get her to sleep. If you need to walk up and down the aisle to keep your baby from getting fussy, do it. Don’t pay any attention to people who make rude comments but accept help if it’s offered. Above all, remember that babies change quickly, and even if the first flight doesn’t go smoothly, there’s no reason not to try again!

Let Center for Vasectomy Reversal Help You Realize Your Dreams of a Family

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we love helping people start their healthy, happy families, and we pride ourselves on helping men improve their fertility through uncompromising, concierge-level patient care. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other fertility concerns. To learn more about the work we do or our discounts for active duty military and veterans, contact us through our website or call 941-894-6428.

Things to Consider When Looking for Daycare

Putting Your Little One into Daycare

It can be unsettling to leave your new baby in the hands of other people, but for most families, two incomes are a necessity. That means both parents must return to work, and someone must watch the baby. There are plenty of options available, from Grandma to nannies to babysitters, but the most common option in the U.S. is daycare. More affordable than a nanny and more reliable than a grandparent- no offense intended, Grandma! – daycare is the practical solution for many families.

Advantages of Daycare

Daycare can happen at a daycare center or at someone’s home, and it offers many benefits, both for the parents and the child. In a good daycare center, children get plenty of supervised socialization, under the watchful eye of nurturing, qualified caregivers. Daycare centers are reliable, open on a set schedule, and typically provide care from infancy through toddlerhood, and sometimes even into the elementary school years. They have set schedules and policies, and follow specific caregiver to child ratios, depending on age.

Drawbacks of Daycare

While daycare is comparatively inexpensive, it can still add up. If you have multiple children, a nanny may be a more cost-effective solution. Another drawback is that babies who attend daycare are exposed to more germs than those who stay home or with a family member, so you can expect your child to get sick more often. Of course, there is a theory that this strengthens the immune system and makes them less likely to contract illnesses in later childhood, but that is not always the case. Additionally, when your child gets sick, it increases your likelihood of catching the same illness, resulting in missed work. And while daycare centers have pretty reliable hours, they tend to run on the local school schedule and may be closed on holidays.

Comparing In-Home Daycare to a Center

Daycare centers are licensed by the state, and have different groups for different ages, much like a school. By contrast, in-home daycare is, as the name implies, run in someone’s home. Typically, an in-home daycare provider has children at home and is taking in other people’s children to facilitate being a stay at home parent. Some states require in-home providers to be licensed, but not all, so pay attention to your state’s laws while considering your options. And while daycare centers have a staff of trained and licensed providers, in-home daycare doesn’t require training. In a home, children are typically not separated by age, and there is often not a defined child-to-caregiver ration. What’s more, if an in-home caregiver gets sick, you will need to find your own backup, but because daycare centers have a full staff, there is always a sub at the ready. Still, many parents prefer in-home daycare, because there are fewer children, and that can mean fewer illnesses and more one-on-one attention.

Choosing the Right Daycare for Your Child

So, how do you determine which daycare is right for your child? Start by doing some research. Because many high-quality daycares have waiting lists, it is wise to start this process before the baby is born. Get recommendations from people you know, including friends, family members, and your pediatrician. Check the daycare’s accreditation, hours, and references, and if something seems “off”, cross it off your list. Visit the center in person to see if it meets your expectations, and pay attention to things like interactions between caregivers and children, sanitation practices, and safety measures. Before you make your final decision, drop by unannounced in the middle of the day to see how it truly operates, when no one is expecting you.  Finally, ask questions, to make sure it is the right fit for your family. These questions can include things like:

• What is your childcare philosophy?
• What is your child-to-caregiver ratio?
• How much experience/training do your caregivers have?
• Are the children always separated by age/developmental stage?
• What is your policy on illness?
• How do you handle problems like a defiant child or a baby who won’t stop crying?
• What is the daily schedule?
• Do you provide food, or do the parents bring it in?
• How involved are the parents?
• How do you handle parent communication?
• Do the children leave the center at any time?
• Are there cameras in the center to allow parents to observe?
• How do you handle security?

Come up with other questions, based on your concerns, and make sure the daycare you choose can answer them appropriately. Then, once you’ve enrolled your child, be sure to keep communication flowing, so that you and your child’s caregivers can have a cooperative relationship that is beneficial to all of you.

Center for Vasectomy Reversal Loves Helping Families Grow and Thrive

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we love helping people start their healthy, happy families, and we pride ourselves on helping men improve their fertility through uncompromising, concierge-level patient care. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other fertility concerns. To learn more about the work we do or our discounts for active duty military and veterans, contact us through our website or call 941-894-6428.

How Fighting with Your Partner in Front of Your Kids Can Impact Them

The Reality of Fighting with Your Partner

No matter how healthy the relationship, two people living together are eventually going to have disagreements. Parents are no exception, and the occasional squabble is to be expected. Fighting between parents becomes problematic, though, when it escalates into heightened conflict. Research indicates that high conflict parental relationships can have a negative impact on the children. Do you know how to handle your disputes in a way that is healthy for your family?

How Fighting Affects You

Whether you are physically fighting or just having a heated argument, it takes a toll on your body. Because of the well-documented fight or flight response that all humans have, your body will have certain physical reactions. Because your body will need more oxygen, your breathing rate will increase, and you may feel like you are choking or suffocating, or you may experience chest tightness and pain. The blood supply to your head may decrease, making you feel dizzy and lightheaded, and it may even blur your vision. You may experience dry mouth, nausea, and diarrhea because of increased digestive activity, and your large muscle groups may tense up, causing you to feel exhausted, with aches and pains. You might even tremble or shake.

How Your Fights Affect Your Children

When parents fight in front of their children, it negatively affects the children, too. It increases their stress hormones, disrupts the way they process emotions, hampers their cognitive performance, and increases their risk of depression. Seeing their parents fight makes children feel insecure and concerned about the stability of their family, and it can damage the relationship between the parents and children. Frequent or intense fighting creates a frightening stressful environment, and it can interfere with their normal, healthy development. Worse, parental conflict can cause long-term mental health effects. Children whose parents fight often may experience decreased cognitive performance in the long term and can limit their ability to form healthy relationships. It can lead to behavioral problems like increased aggression and delinquency and has even been linked to issues like eating disorders, substance use, and a negative outlook on life. There is extensive research to show that a high-conflict environment in childhood can lead to a host of problems in adulthood.

Mitigating the Impact of Conflict

So, what can you do to create a safe home environment for your children? People have disagreements, but it is important to manage your disputes in a way that is healthy for all involved. Start by trying not to fight in front of the children. If you find that a discussion is beginning to get heated, take a time out to regroup. Model effective problem solving strategies, and refrain from destructive practices like name-calling, insults, threats of leaving, physical aggression, giving the silent treatment, or just giving in. Rather, talk to your partner in a calm moment and agree to certain ground rules, like taking turns to talk, validating each other’s feelings and point of view, and being respectful and courteous. If you do argue in front of the children, talk about it with them. Reassure them that it is not their fault, and it is not an indication of bigger problems. Let them know you are still a strong family, and that people can love each other, even if they disagree. If you feel like you cannot control your disagreements and remain respectful, seek counseling to help you resolve your differences and find productive solutions.

Center for Vasectomy Reversal Wants to Help Families Grow and Thrive

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we love helping people start their healthy, happy families, and we pride ourselves on helping men improve their fertility through uncompromising, concierge-level patient care. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other fertility concerns. To learn more about the work we do or our discounts for active duty military and veterans, contact us through our website or call 941-894-6428.