While it’s normal to lose the average amount of height, some shrinking could be related to more serious health concerns. Always check with your physician if you’re losing a lot of height or have any concerns about your spine. As time passes, our spines lose bone density and the disks in-between our vertebrae get thinner and worn out; the result is a shorter spinal column. The arches of your feet also flatten out a little as the year’s pass. These things combine with less toned abdominal muscles and poor posture, leading to height loss and hunching.

Some good news for men: you’ll probably only lose 1.2-1.5 inches because you have more muscle mass, to begin with, while women can lose as much as 2 inches. Both sexes can stave off—and even prevent—shrinking by following some of these helpful suggestions.

1. Stand up straight

Start with the basics and remedy poor posture. Do you slump over at your desk, in your car, on the sofa? Stop right there and sit up straight, please. Good posture not only looks good from afar—it actually strengthens and builds muscles around your spine. As a yoga instructor, posture has always been extremely important to me, so I’ll share some simple suggestions here:

• Distribute weight equally between both feet when standing.
• Rest both feet on the floor when sitting at a desk or table.
• Let both hands hang at your sides when standing straight up.
• Don’t let your belly hang out; tuck it in.
• Keep your chin lifted, your head up, and your neck long.
• Splay your toes when standing up straight and press into the ball and heel of each foot.
• Pull your shoulders back and drop them away from your ears.
• Check your posture periodically in a mirror every day.
• Don’t slouch while eating dinner on the sofa.

2. Nourish your bones

After the age of 50, studies have shown that women need 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day. Remember that we can get calcium from leafy greens and some amazing veggies are mentioned in a Foods like kale, broccoli, tofu, almonds, and salmon are great sources of calcium. Greens like bok choy, collard and turnip greens, arugula, watercress, and spinach are all excellent sources of calcium, so vegans need fear not. You don’t have to go to the old 1950s American diet way and eat a pound of cheese every day. Balance is key, so enjoy a little cheddar or bleu with your dark leafy greens now and then.

The National Institute of Health recommends that we also take 60 IU of vitamin D daily until we hit 80; then we need to increase that to 800 IU per day. Getting plenty of sunshine every day is also a good idea. Almond, coconut, and rice milk are often fortified with vitamin D, as are many bowls of cereal and granola products.

3. Stop smoking and cut back on the drinking

Most of us know the major dangers of sticking with smoking, so just don’t do it. However, did you know that alcohol also damages bones and reduces estrogen levels? I’m sorry, party animals, but you have to slow it down. Booze makes it difficult for the body to use all of the calcium you ingest based on studies by the Office on Women’s Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They suggest that we only consume one drink a day. Try taking a few days off drinking every week, and see how much better you feel, right away. If a healthy liver isn’t incentive enough, think of how much taller you could be if you cut down on drinking right now.

4. Start a yoga practice

Yoga makes life better, period. It also leads to healthier bodies and bones with regular practice. Yoga is a weight-bearing workout in that you work against gravity in the poses. Resisting gravity via yoga puts healthy stress on our bones, forcing new growth. Yoga, walking, and racquetball all foster bone health, but yoga also promotes stress reduction and a calm, clearer mind. The best part is that yoga is low impact and will not put stress on the joints and cartilage in your body, so it’s a perfect addition to your plan for maintaining good bone health. Yoga also helps develop strong abdominal muscles, so your posture improves and you stand up straighter as a result.

According to Attachment Parenting International, attachment parenting is about “forming and nurturing strong connections between parents and their children.” The philosophy dictates that “parents treat their children with kindness, respect and dignity.”

Pregnancy and Birth

If you decide to practice attachment parenting, you should begin before the child is born by preparing emotionally and physically for the birth. Learn about healthy eating and exercise during pregnancy. Learn about the physical aspects of pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and emotional ones.

Explore the available options for childbirth, and create a plan for the birth, including a strategy for what to do if the baby or mother becomes distressed during the birth.

Feeding Your Newborn

Attachment parenting practitioners believe that feeding is an act of love, not just providing for a baby’s physical food needs. Breastfeeding is strongly encouraged since it creates a physical bond between mother and child, translating into a lifelong emotional bond. Here are some tips for feeding:

• Feed when the baby first shows signs of hunger, such as rooting or whimpering, rather than waiting for the baby to cry. Who should feed babies on demand, not on a ‘schedule.’
• Babies should be allowed and encouraged to suckle or comfort nurses, even when not hungry.
• If you must give a bottle, try to do it so that you mimic the act of breastfeeding. Hold the baby alongside your breast, maintain eye contact, and talk softly and gently. Switch the baby from one side to the other halfway through feeding.
• When you introduce solid foods to your baby, look for signs that the baby is ready, rather than going by the baby’s age. Breast- or bottle feed first, and then give solid food, paying attention to the baby’s cues on how much they want to eat.
• Once solid foods are introduced, your baby will begin to wean. Follow your baby’s cues and wean when they are ready. Remember that breastfeeding provides comfort and nurturing as well as nutrition.
• Infants and toddlers need to eat many small meals daily rather than three larger meals. Try to make at least one meal a family meal where everyone eats together. Never force a child to eat or punish them for not eating a certain food. Having only healthy foods available will encourage your child to develop a taste for healthy foods.

Nurturing and Caring

Proponents of attachment parenting encourage ‘responding with sensitivity when a child becomes distressed. This includes touching and holding the child, talking calmly and reading the child’s cues that indicate how he wants to be comforted.

Understanding that crying, in the case of a baby, and tantrums, in the case of a toddler or older child, represent real, strong emotions that a child may not manage because the emotions are too powerful. Focus on comforting the child, not punishing or ignoring them. Be sure to model appropriate behavior when the tantrum has passed.

Well-intentioned friends and relatives will often object to some attachment parenting techniques, especially regarding nurturing and caring. Formulate a response to those who insist that you are ‘spoiling’ your child, and use it whenever necessary. The amount of detail you want to go into when discussing your philosophy is up to you.

Nurturing Touch

Touch helps a child to grow physically, intellectually and emotionally. It helps children feel cared for, leading to confidence and better emotional development.

Skin-to-skin contact is the most effective type of nurturing touch. For infants, try these ways to increase nurturing touch:

• Breastfeeding provides frequent opportunities to snuggle.
• Massage soothes babies and helps them relax before bedtime.
• Carrying or ‘wearing’ your baby in a soft carrier provides contact and security.

Resist the use of playpens, swings, and jumpers designed to keep a baby ‘occupied’ on its own.

For older children, you can try these techniques:

• Hugging, snuggling and massage.
• Tickling and wrestling will meet a more active child’s need for touch.
• Let children who are too heavy to carry sit on your lap.

Sleep

Babies’ sleeping habits can cause great concern (and exhaustion!) to new parents. Babies do not subscribe to the sleep schedule at night, awake during the day that most adults consider second nature.

Once a baby has grown enough so that their needs for food, security and comfort can sustain them over six or eight hours, they will only attachment parenting sleep through the night. The age at which this happens can vary greatly from baby to baby, and some babies will sleep through the night for some time, only to begin walking again as they go through a ‘growth spurt.’

The attachment parenting philosophy suggests that parents help children learn that naptime and bedtime should be peaceful, a time for slow connection and snuggling. Co-sleeping is one of the main tenets of attachment parenting.

Co-sleeping means that the parents and child sleep in the same room but on different surfaces. A baby might sleep in a bassinet or ‘sidecar,’ a small bed attached to the parent’s bed. An older child might sleep in a separate bed in the parents’ room.

The family bed, or bed-sharing, is when the child sleeps in the same baby bed attached to parents bed International recommends this only for breastfeeding families and urges precautions to avoid the danger of an adult rolling onto a attachment parenting sleep training.

Creating a nighttime routine will help everyone adjust to being a family and unwind from a busy day. Create a routine that helps your baby relax and feel comfortable about sleeping, regardless of the sleeping arrangement.

A bedtime routine will evolve as the child gets older. Try to keep some elements consistent while adjusting others based on the child’s needs. Make any transition to a solitary bed or room as gentle as possible. Many children need a snuggle before bed or have a parent lie down with them until they fall asleep.

Discipline

Attachment parenting subscribes to the philosophy that parents should treat their children the way they would want to be treated. This includes using positive discipline. Discipline should be loving, respectful and empathetic, not harsh or punitive. The goal of discipline is to help children to develop self-control.

When a parent develops a bond of trust with their child, beginning at birth, they create a foundation of discipline based on responding compassionately and consistently to the child’s needs.

Some of the tools a parent can use for positive discipline include:

• Using empathy and respect
• Understanding the unmet need
• Proactively heading off undesirable behavior before it starts
• Comforting the hurt child first in cases of physical altercations
• Stating facts rather than making demands
• Using affirmative language to make requests
• Allowing natural consequences
• Offering choices
• Showing sensitivity to strong emotions
• Understanding the child’s developmental stage

Children learn by example, so model positive actions and relationships with others. Demonstrate self-control and self-discipline in front of your child.

Over time, you will learn which discipline techniques are most effective with your child. Sharing ideas with other parents who practice attachment parenting may give you new ideas to try and may provide support for your efforts.

Schedules

Parents who use attachment parenting understand that creating schedules with the baby in mind is important. Design new routines that include the baby in activities you enjoy. Take the baby along on ‘date night.’ Take your morning walk with the baby in a sling.

Of course, there will be times you will need to be separated from your baby. Be sure you have a qualified caregiver who understands and supports the attachment parenting philosophy when that happens.

Take your cue from your child and respect their feelings about separation. Allow your child to cry or feel sad about the separation, and don’t shame or threaten them. Don’t try to sneak off when the child isn’t looking.

When you return, spend some time cuddling with and focusing on your child. This reconnection will make it easier for your child to separate the next time.

Think creatively when it comes to working schedules. If possible, come up with a way for the child to be cared for by at least one parent at all times. If that’s not possible, select a qualified caregiver who supports the attachment parenting philosophy and encourage your child to form an attachment with the caregiver.

Attachment parenting may help parents raise children who are happier, better adjusted and more empathetic. Providing guidelines for common parenting challenges may also create a more enjoyable home environment.

What Is Binge Drinking?

Who used the term binge drinking in the past to describe a period of drinking that took place over several days, i.e., a “bender.” Now, its more common use is to refer to a period where a large quantity of alcohol is consumed during a short period of time.

According to national surveys:

Binge drinking has become most commonplace among young adults aged 18-34

Men are more than twice as likely as women to binge drink

A whopping 90 percent of underage alcohol consumption in the United States is completed through binge drinking.

According to The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the threshold for a binge drinking episode is 5 or more drinks for a male drinker in less than 2 hours and 4 or more drinks for a female imbiber.

However, these numbers are not the only factor to be considered, as same-day drinking benders and the total amount of alcohol consumed in the sitting have yet to be factored into this study.

Health Risks

The onset of adolescence brings about the onset of more risk-tasking types of behaviors due to physiological changes. Binge drinking during adolescence has been strongly linked to alcoholism as an adult. 40 percent of adult alcoholics report that they partook in binge drinking during their teenage years. The peak of alcoholism takes place between the ages of 18 and 23.

New studies have found that neurocognitive defects can occur in those who drink excessively, in addition to working memory damage. The consumption of alcohol is the third leading cause of all avoidable deaths, with binge drinking making up a large number of these cases. This style of drinking is also a leading cause of:

• Alcohol poisoning
• STDs
• Serious injuries
• Suicide
• Meningitis

The excessive use of alcohol impedes several important functions of the brain. In addition to the effects above on memory, judgment and behavioral skills also suffer a decline. Motor skills, eye movement, and short-term memory occur.

In the case of binge drinkers, several detrimental effects on cognitive function also occur. Some of these include verbal memory lapses, impaired auditory memory, and struggling to handle difficult tasks involving either.

Causes Of Binge Drinking

Even though roughly 5,000 young people perish each year due to binge drinking and the health risks it poses, this has done nothing to curb the rise of the trend among adolescents. A 2005 MTF study showed that 75 percent of high school seniors, more than 66 percent of high school sophomores, and roughly 44 percent of eighth graders have all drank alcohol before. When younger people drink, more often than not, they drink to excess.

During these episodes, 2 to 5 drinks are consumed at one time. In the same MTF study, about 1 in 10 eighth and 1 in 4 10th and 12th graders reported that they had partaken in a binge drinking experience within the past two weeks. So why do young people drink?

Scientists believe that the human brain continues to develop into its twenties, during which risk tasking stops seeming like a sound choice and functions become further refined. Teen drinkers fail to realize the consequences of their actions and tend to seek risks than their older counterparts do not.

The expectations that come with drinking large quantities of alcohol also play a role in teen binge drinking. Around 13, children begin to view drinking as a positive experience and a fun time.

Alcohol tolerance at these ages is also unusually high, shattering the myth that youthful drinkers cannot drink as much as their older counterparts. Adolescents tend to experience the positive aspects of drinking, such as lack of inhibition in social settings, while bypassing the negatives, such as hangovers and clumsiness.

Personality traits can play into these choices, as well. An anti-social or overly aggressive child can be more susceptible to binge drinking. Kids who struggle in social situations or have high anxiety can begin to view drinking as a way to relax.

Being the child of an alcoholic or having a lengthy family history of alcohol abuse will place a teen at greater risk.

Effects Of Binge Drinking On Teens

One of the most dangerous effects that haven’t been discussed is the proliferation of unsafe sexual practices between inebriated teens. Binge drinking leads to such risky behaviors and outcomes as:

• Teen pregnancy
• Date rape
• Unprotected sex

Who can also stunt brain development during the teen years with the use of alcohol? By binge drinking at a young age, motivation, addiction, and the ability to control impulses can all be affected. Not only will it influence those factors, but the balance can also suffer.

Alcohol can often act as a gateway to the use of other drugs. Combined with other drugs, such as heroin and marijuana, it amplifies the danger. The central nervous system can become compromised and slow the heart rate to far lower levels than normal.

Ways To Prevent Binge Drinking In Teens

The best way to stop binge drinking in young people is not to allow it to begin in the first place. As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Creating an environment that is intolerant to drinking is a good place to begin.

While no one would ever advocate that a parent never drinks for fear that their child will mimic their behavior, it’s in their best interest not to drink in front of their child.

A teen is far more likely to follow your example than your words. If a parent makes drinking alcohol appear fun and glamorous, they are more likely to heed what they see than hear.

Allowing your child to exist within a world wherein good choices are not emphasized will undo all of the efforts put in by the anti-drinking programs aimed toward teens. It is a given that a child’s parents, teachers, school administrators, and the like will deliver the right message.

But that message will be under constant attack from the media and peers. The media portrays the consumption of alcohol as glamorous, and peer pressure will always run rampant.

Communities do not often emphasize curbing teen drinking, chalking it up to a rite of passage, or sighing relief that their teen is not using harder drugs.

Youths are often quoted as saying it is easy for them to gain access to alcohol. Older siblings or acquaintances will purchase it for them, or they help themselves to their parents’ supply.

By sending these messages, it’s easy to see why teens can believe their actions don’t have serious consequences. Sending a consistent message goes a long way toward curbing teen binge drinking.

Research shows that to enact successful teen binge drinking prevention, one, if Who should use not all, of these strategies:

Changing of Social Norms

When youths see that alcohol use is tacitly endorsed by the parents and lawmakers in the community, it gives the impression that drinking is no big deal. This is where the responsibility falls on a community to band together and show a consistent zero-tolerance policy toward teen drinking. By not allowing access to alcohol and strictly enforcing drinking laws, the message is delivered: alcohol consumption for young people is not accepted.

Consistent Law Enforcement

Studies have found that while underage laws exist across the board, they are not often enforced. Lack of enforcement creates the sense among young drinkers that their actions are acceptable. Law enforcement is doing its part to help curb a disturbing trend by not continuing to take a lazy approach to underage drinking.

Make Sure Alcohol Is Unavailable

In all studies, one principle occurs: if kids cannot procure alcohol, they will drink less. Communities can help reduce alcohol availability to youths by more harshly punishing adults who are caught providing it to minors. In extreme cases, they can also reduce the number of establishments where alcohol is sold.

Amend Local Policies

Politicians can play a more prominent role in limiting alcohol use among minors. They can raise the taxes on alcohol, boost the minimum drinking age, strictly enforce zero-tolerance ordinances, and raise awareness of social host liability laws.

How To Stop Binge Drinking In Teens

So, you’ve found out that your teenage son or daughter is participating in binge drinking. This may seem like the end of the world; you may feel like there is nothing you can do to fix this issue. Luckily, you have options available to you. By recognizing that your teen has a problem, you’re informed enough to find a solution.

If your teen comes home under the influence of alcohol and you wish to stop this behavior, here is an outline for dealing with this serious issue.

Be Aware Of The Signs

If you smell alcohol on their breath or clothing, and all telltale signs of intoxication are present (slurring, poor balance, glassy eyes), it is time to intervene.

Research What Contributed To The Incident

Are their friends drinking routinely? Has your child started running with a different crowd? Do they have a regular drinking home or area? All of these questions

Let Your Teen Know They Have Your Support

If you come down like a ton of bricks, you risk pushing your child further down the rabbit hole of binge drinking. Chances are your teen already knows their behavior is wrong on some level and is acting out in some way. What they need in this situation is a friend.

Do Not Confront Them While Intoxicated

During intoxication, nothing you say will register in their memory. Your primary concern at this point is to keep them safe. It would help if you had the time to calm down; they need the time to sober up. Your message has a much better chance of sinking in when they are no longer intoxicated.

After staging your intervention, you’ll want to know that your child is sticking to the rules and is staying safe. Here are some tips for keeping tabs on your teen:

Spend Time With Them

Don’t just assume the problem is all better. Take the time to be around your teen and make yourself a regular presence in their life, even when friends are around.

Ask Questions

Find out where they’re going, who they are going with, and how long they plan to be there. This goes double for when they arrive home. Look them over, ask about what they did and find out if they are staying sober.

Keep Tabs

Don’t be afraid to call your teen, check in, and ensure they adhere to the conditions you’ve set.

Develop A Rapport With Fellow Parents

The old cliché “it takes a village to raise a child” comes to mind here. Be sure to be in contact with other parents; that way, you can compare notes with each other and help to keep a watchful eye on each other’s children.

No surefire formula or guideline guarantees that your teen never binge drinks. Often, parents can do everything the right way and still have to deal with this growing issue.

All any parent can do in this situation is put their best foot forward, give their child the tools to discern right from wrong, and hope for the best. Trust that you’ve taught your teen properly. If they do slip up, provide a helping hand. If you cannot control their behavior, professionals are prepared to help you. Contact your family doctor, and they will aid you in deciding where to start.

Common Feelings During Grief

According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which operates out of London, England, the grief process is not a single feeling so much as it is a series of feelings that occur over time as the process continues. Sometimes, mental health professionals define “stages” of grief. According to PsychCentral, the “5 Stages of Loss and Grief” include:

1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance

Also, according to WebMD, grief is expressed in four ways: physical, emotional, social, and spiritual expressions. However, the grieving process isn’t always predictable and isn’t a set schedule of emotions that everyone experiences.

Further, preexisting conditions like anxiety and depression may increase the severity of the grieving process. In addition, children may experience an entirely different sort of grieving process than adults.

Bereavement in Infants and Toddlers

A common assumption among adults is that children don’t feel as strongly feel loss, grief, and bereavement as it is ingrown humans, but studies suggest that children experience grief due to a loss. A paper from the British Medical Journal (BMJ), archived by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, suggests that children already possess “complex behavioral systems” when born.

If a child loses their parent as a toddler, the child may experience several emotions during the bereavement, which include:

• Behavioral issues
• Despair
• Detachment
• Emotional problems
• Protest

In addition to the emotional trauma experienced by very young children, various behaviors may manifest during grief. The grief process for children may feature:

• Bedwetting
• Feeding difficulties
• Regression (for example, sucking a thumb again)
• Sleeping problems

The entry in the BMJ suggests that preparing a child for a loss or separation may reduce the severity of a child’s experience. Activities like attending a funeral or viewing a deceased parent may help the child cope with the situation.

Responses to Death by Children

How children react to death and other events that cause grief doesn’t always resemble what adults might experience. Unfortunately, caretakers and parents may have difficulty understanding how to comfort a child who grieves because of the differences in how the process manifests itself in children.

In a publication called “After a Loved One Dies – How Children Grieve,” the authors suggest that the way to help a child cope with grief is by encouraging them to express their feelings. Just as adults do, children may try to hide how they feel during the grief process.

Not all children will agree to share their feelings, and some ways children may express their grief may include specific physical activities. Children will engage in activities to express their grief because they need to be made aware that speaking about their emotional distress is an appropriate way to reduce the severity of their feelings.

According to “After a Loved One Dies,” some of the activities children may use to work through their grief include:

• Dancing
• Drawing
• Playing
• Singing
• Writing

It’s up to caretakers, parents, or guardians to recognize changes in how a child expresses himself to recognize that the child is in the midst of the grieving process.

Every Child is Different

Just as adults each have a grieving process unique to that person, children also experience grief in various ways, depending on their personalities. According to the National Cancer Institute, several demographic factors and other characteristics may change the way a child deals with grief.

Some of those personality factors and characteristics include:

• Age of the child
• The closeness of the relationship with the deceased
• Previous experiences with grief
• Size of the family
• Stability of family life

After the event, the grief process for a child requires careful observance of these personality factors. For example, a child who loses a grandparent he can’t remember meeting might not have as difficult a time dealing with the death as he would a sibling or parent with whom he shared his life.

Children and Pet Loss

The loss of a parent, sibling, or another human family member isn’t the only life experience for children that causes grief. Losing a pet causes grief for a child, just as it does a parent or adult. Sometimes, a human experiences grief after losing a pet is so acute that speaking with a mental health professional is necessary.

The Blue Cross, a pet charity in the United Kingdom, offers tips for creating a helpful and nurturing environment for a child after losing a pet.

• Notification: A child should learn about the pet’s death through a close family member. Learning about it from a stranger may make the situation more straightforward.
• Encouragement: A child’s feelings might not be immediately obvious. They should feel encouraged to speak and share.
• Clarity: The words used to describe the pet’s death should be clear and straightforward. Euphemisms are lost on young children. “Death” or “died” is better than “no longer with us.”
• Explanation: Parents or guardians should be prepared to talk about how or why the pet died. Honesty and transparency are essential to the child’s understanding.
• Professional help: If a child needs a long time to understand a pet’s death, Who may require professional help to help the child fully recover?

Sometimes, having a funeral or burial for the pet may help the child find closure and say goodbye. Allowing the child to take part in the burial by covering the pet at the burial or helping to make a gravestone is another way to help the child confront and conquer grief about a pet.

Explaining the Concept of Death to Children

One of the ways that parents may help a child process their grief is by explaining what death means. In addition to using simple language that uses direct words like “death” and “died” instead of euphemisms, children should be taught what death means and that it’s not just a holiday where someone will eventually return.

Although a child’s developmental level will influence whether they truly understand the concept of death, several lessons help children deal with their emotions. The Children’s Hospital of Orange County lists these important concepts.

• Universal: Death eventually happens to all living beings.
• Irreversible: Death is permanent and cannot be undone.
• Nonfunctioning: The body stops working after death.
• Cause: Explaining the cause of death.

It’s vital to note that a child may understand only some of these concepts, depending on their age. A very young child may know that everything dies but may not grasp that death is a permanent condition. However, Who shouldn’t shield young children from such concepts because of their age? Communicating with children about their grief is one of the most potent options a parent has during the grief process.

How Teenagers Deal with Grief

Infants and toddlers may not understand how to process grief, but older children and teenagers may also have problems dealing with the emotion and processes. The grief process for teenagers adds yet another layer of complexity to the grieving process and how older children and people who have not yet reached adulthood may deal with grief.

However, according to The National Center for Grieving Children & Families (NCGCF), teenagers respond well when an adult tries to help them work through the grief.

The NCGCF explains several principles at work when a teen grieves and suggests that grieving is a natural process for all teens and that each teenager will experience grief differently. Some teens may cry and show sadness. Other teens may approach the situation with laughter and humour.

Teens need to understand that there are no incorrect ways to handle grief and that the experience of a friend might not be the same as what a teen feels when faced with the same situation of loss or bereavement. Further, parents or guardians should explain that grief isn’t a straightforward process that’s over quickly. Grieving may occur for months or even years after the event occurs.

Communication is Essential for All

The grief process for children is just as complex and challenging as that of adults. Whether the family experiences an unexpected passing or the event is something for which the family may prepare, it’s essential to engage in consistent communication.

When processing grief, the worst thing that can happen to a family is that the event isn’t discussed, and everyone keeps their emotions bottled up inside. Keep the lines of communication open between all family members to reduce the lasting emotional distress associated with the event.

When facing a daily onslaught, it’s sometimes hard to remember that the ‘terrible twos’ are an important stage of your child’s development. Your two-year-old is desperate to explore the world and do things her way but doesn’t have the understanding and the vocabulary to tell you. The result…toddler tantrums that exhaust you and leave your child upset and scared at the intensity of her own emotions. If you’re going through this stage (and rest assured, it IS just a stage!), then this survival guide will help you.

Look for the trigger points.

It probably feels as though your youngster throws toddler tantrums about anything and everything, but try making a note of what sets him off over a few days, and you’re likely to see a pattern. Once you know the trigger points, you can head him off with some cunning strategies. If your child gets angry about what clothes to wear, give him a choice of two outfits and do the choosing the night before.

If it’s about refusing to hang his coat up, buy a ‘fun’ coat peg, or if he hates tidying their toys, put some lively music on and make it a crazy game. Toddlers rarely resist a challenge, such as ‘Can we finish tidying before the music?’

Stay calm yourself

This is a difficult one because when you’re dealing with the tenth meltdown that day, it takes a superhuman effort to keep your cool and rise above it. But a volcano of emotions is scary for your toddler, and although you may think she’s too far gone to notice, how you react has a considerable effect. Keep a calm voice and speak reassuringly, even if you don’t feel too calm on the inside (you can always go and kick the wall out of sight when she’s calmed down!).

Try mindfulness breathing techniques to keep your heart rate steady and release stress. Acknowledge that your routine is disrupted or that your kid is rattling the windows in the local library, and try to accept the inevitable.

Ignore those around you

We’ve all heard horror stories about onlookers offering unhelpful advice or being downright critical, but unless you’re causing your actual child harm, how you handle their behavior is your concern. Onlookers fall into two camps: those whose child didn’t have tantrums (rare!) and those who feel your pain and probably think, ‘I’m so glad it’s not me anymore.

Hopefully, you’ll get sympathetic looks rather than accusing ones, but ignore any negative responses and focus on your child. Toddler tantrums are not deliberate, and your child’s not ‘being naughty’ – she’s just learning to deal with some big emotions.

Be ready to offer comfort.

When little Johnny is kicking his feet and chewing the carpet, there’s not much you can do except wait it out. But once the toddler tantrums have subsided, he will feel distressed and tired and need some big-time reassurance that the world hasn’t ended. He’ll need a cuddle, maybe a warm drink, and perhaps even a nap, so be ready to offer lots of love and comfort, even if you feel a bit frayed around the edges yourself.

Talk about it afterward.

Once everything has calmed down, talk to your toddler about what triggered her tantrum and how she felt. Keep it simple, such as, ‘You got angry because Mommy wouldn’t buy you candy, but screaming and shouting only makes you feel bad. By helping her to verbalize things in a way that’s easy to understand, you’ll find in time that she can tell you she’s angry rather than explode in a fury.

Believe it or not, there will be a time when you look back and laugh. Truly epic toddler tantrums will eventually become the stuff of family legend to be retold repeatedly.

Read More:- Ten Tricks To Help You Detect Dishonesty

Here are Common Mistakes Parents Make to avoid.

#1.Being inconsistent

Many parents set limits on sugary snacks or TV time and then cave in to their  children’s  pester power. They may also fail to follow through on the consequences of breaking a rule if the guilty child pleads with them. When parents don’t consistently apply regulations, children are less likely to follow them.

They may even deliberately test their parents to see how much they can get away with. So it’s essential to consistently enforce established rules, even when it’s a lot easier to let kids do as they please.

#2. Bribing

Bribing is often an effective way to quickly get children to do something they don’t want to do. But it’s a parenting strategy that can backfire. It can teach children to expect rewards for things they should be routinely responsible for, such as putting their toys away or  brushing their teeth .

Make a habit of praising children when they do what they’re supposed to do. This will help them to become motivated by a sense of accomplishment and self-sufficiency rather than material rewards.

#3. Sending mixed messages

It’s easy for parents to slip up and do something they’ve told their children is wrong. For example, you might warn them never to cross the street against the light and then jaywalk with them in tow when you’re in a hurry. Or tell them never to say a particular ‘bad word’ and then blurt it out when you hurt yourself.

To avoid sending mixed messages in these situations, explain to your kids that you weren’t acting on your best behaviour and knowing what you did was wrong.

#4. Using scare tactics

Many parents threaten children with scary consequences to get them to obey. For example: “If you don’t stop hitting your brother, I’ll call the police, and they’ll lock you up in jail.” Such idol threats can often stop lousy behaviour but may have negative psychological consequences.

In the scenario above, the child could learn at a young age to fear the police, or worse, fear that his parent might have him locked up. Therefore, avoid saying anything to your children to give them the impression you would allow harm to come to them.

#5. Yelling

Kids do all sorts of things that can drive parents crazy. If you find your child doing something destructive that you’ve repeatedly told them not to do, it isn’t easy to remain calm. In these sorts of situations, many parents lose it and begin yelling.

Ranting in a raised voice shows children that you are not in control of your emotions. This is not a good example to set if you want your kids to learn to handle their anger. Instead, take deep breaths, count to ten and address the situation when you’ve cooled down.

#6. Making comparisons

Parents often rebuke their children with comments such as ‘Why can’t you sit still and do your homework like your sister?’ Unfavourable comparisons between a child’s behaviour and a sibling, relative, or friend will make the child feel inferior and damage their self-esteem.

Recognize that every child is an individual with different strengths and weaknesses. Offer all your kids the help they need to catch up in areas where they may be struggling.

#7. Fighting with your spouse

It’s normal for couples to engage in the occasional heated argument, but these shouldn’t ever occur in front of the children. It can be scary for kids to see their parents fighting and expressing anger towards each other. In addition, if the argument involves parenting issues, children may feel they are to blame.

Save potentially contentious discussions until after the kids have gone to bed and try to communicate calmly and rationally.

#8. Breaking your word

Many parents casually agree to do things with their children and then don’t follow through because something else takes higher priority. Children tend to interpret simple statements of intent as solemn promises and be greatly disappointed when their expectations are dashed.

They may also lose trust in you. So if, for some legitimate reason, you can’t do what you said you would do, you owe your child an explanation and an apology.

#9. Being overprotective

Parents instinctively want to protect their children from physical harm and emotional distress. However, some go so far as stepping in to fix all of their children’s problems or not allowing their  kids  to take age-appropriate risks. Children need the freedom to learn their own l.com/diy-baby-clothessons, which they do by having new experiences, getting things wrong, and resolving issues for themselves.

#10. Spoiling

Many parents who try to juggle work and family responsibilities feel guilty for not spending more quality time with their children. They make up for it by giving in to their kids’ demands for expensive toys or trips to popular theme parks. Children who learn to play on their parent’s guilt to get what they want can become manipulative naggers. When children ask for something they don’t need, give them a chance to earn it by doing extra chores.

1. Discuss the new baby openly

When you announce the news to your children, welcome their questions, and try to give full, clear answers that help them understand why you are expanding the family. For example, your children might wonder if they haven’t pleased you, or they may have a powerful fear of being replaced. It’s important to be explicit that the new arrival won’t be a rival for your affections and that you have a limitless supply of love for all of your children.

2. Expose them to positive sibling bonds

If you have more than one child, it might be easy to explain how great it can be to have a new sibling. However, an only child might benefit from illustrative examples (such as fond memories of the fun you’ve enjoyed with your own siblings). Close sibling bonds in movies and TV shows can also provide some evidence that there are tangible benefits to having a brother or sister. The key idea to convey is that the baby will most likely grow into a fun playmate and close friend. Some children also respond positively to the thought that they can be a role model to their new sibling, teaching them, and influencing their development.

3. Reconnect them with their own early years

The needs and behaviors of newborn babies can be quite perplexing to children, so try to help them reconnect to the time when they too needed constant assistance. You can use photo albums, videos, and anecdotes to explain how they were once just as small and helpless. At the same time, children who are concerned about losing some of your attention may be relieved to consider that the new member of the family will also grow up to be more independent.

4. Set aside special time to spend together

Use actions as well as words to prove to your other children that they matter just as much as the new baby. One way to do this is by asking someone else to look after the baby while you do something fun with the other children. Knowing that you sometimes deliberately put them first will make them feel valued.

5. Help them make useful contributions

You can make your children feel important, responsible, and helpful if you find ways to let them assist you in caring for the new baby. Think of straightforward and risk-free things like fetching a bottle, helping you dress the baby or reading a story as the baby falls asleep. As you involve your older children in this way, be sure to note that you greatly appreciate the support and that the baby will too. However, don’t force this type of interaction too early—some children need some time to get used to the idea of the new sibling’s presence before wanting to help out with tasks.

6. Describe the other children to the baby

While hearing a description of their brothers or sisters won’t mean anything to a brand new baby, it can mean a lot to the children listening! Tell the baby all about how wonderful, smart, and fun your other children are, describing some of your hopes for their future shared adventures.

7. Talk to other relatives

Even if you and your partner display perfect sensitivity, your children might still become very stressed by the presence of a new baby if other relatives convey a different message. Talk to aunts, uncles, and grandparents about how they can continue to make older children feel significant. For example, they might send a card congratulating them on becoming a big sister or brother or make an effort to spend extra quality time together.

8. Try to keep irritation in check

Looking after a new baby can be exhausting, but it’s important to be patient if your older children make a noise that wakes the baby or does something that sparks a fresh round of crying. While it’s good for them to understand that they need to be careful around the baby, try to grit your teeth and take a deep breath if the disruption was clearly accidental.

9. Reward honesty with comfort

Finally, children may intuitively assume it is taboo to share some of their worries or resentments once the baby has actually arrived, so it’s helpful to let them know that they can ask or tell you anything that’s on their mind. When your children do confess difficult thoughts or feelings, comfort them with physical affection as well as reassuring words. A heartfelt cuddle can go a long way!

Read More:- Survival Guide for Toddler Tantrums

You have to keep a positive attitude while preparing for the many challenges that are bound to come your way.

On the other hand, it is rewarding to know that your support and help can significantly improve your loved one’s quality of life. Following are a few simple ways to help people suffering from dementia:

1. Motivate them to stay active

Dementia can trigger depression, anxiety, and a loss of self-confidence in a person. They may find themselves losing interest in their favorite activities and the will to stay involved. Even anger control won’t be easy for them. You can encourage them to maintain an active lifestyle in several ways:

• Involve them in the daily chores such as setting the table, washing dishes, folding laundry, dusting around the house, or gardening
• Help them maintain a social life, visit friends, go for a walk and encourage them to join a conversation
• Visit art museums in your community that offer special tours for people with dementia and their caregivers
• Do light exercises together or look for a local community center that offers special sessions for people with dementia
• Play board games, solve puzzles or do the crossword together to keep them mentally active as well

Incorporating various activities in their daily lives can help them stay positive and provide a structure to their day. It also instills a sense of accomplishment and raises their self-esteem.

2. Communicate and understand

Since dementia is a progressive disease, a person’s ability to rationalize and comprehend a situation decreases with time. They can feel disoriented and agitated as well as upset at times.

As a caregiver, you can help them vent out their frustration by listening to their worries patiently. Offer constant reassurance that they are appreciated, and their feelings matter. Here is how you can effectively communicate with your loved one with dementia:

• Use short, simple sentences and speak clearly
• Try to maintain eye contact as it shows that you care and are listening intently
• Maintain a relaxed body language, calm facial expressions, and an affectionate and friendly tone
• Allow them ample time to respond to your questions, and do not rush them into answering
• Try to not interrupt them while they are speaking as it can cause them to lose their train of thoughts
• Ask them their opinions and involve them in simple decisions whenever possible
• Allow them to take the lead when discussing their health and welfare issues with medical personnel. You can always fill out the blanks later
• If your loved one is angry, cursing, or shouting, try to remain calm. Assure them that you understand their dilemma and then try to redirect their attention elsewhere

The bottom line is to motivate them to communicate their grievances and needs and empathize with their situation.

3. Encourage healthy eating habits

People with dementia often begin to forget that they need to eat and drink. Moreover, the medication’s side effects can make them lose their appetite or leave a weird taste in their mouth that puts them off eating. However, not maintaining healthy eating habits can lead to irritability, sleeplessness, urinary tract infections, and constipation, amongst other things. Here is what you can do ensure a nutritious diet a stress-free mealtime:

• Eat your meals at the same time every day and set aside ample time to finish the food
• Plan five to six smaller meals throughout the day instead of the usual breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Encourage them to eat themselves, and if they find it challenging to use the cutlery, offer finger foods or pre-cut their food
• Offer soft food if they have dentures or sore gums, which can cause pain while chewing
• Assist them with eating only when necessary; otherwise, let them eat independently
• If they have trouble holding and drinking from a glass, give them children’s sippy cup or help them drink from a straw
• Sit down to eat together as this can prompt them to mimic your actions and eat well
• Turn off any loud noises, such as from the TV or radio that can distract them from focusing on eating
• Plan regular checkups with the dentist to treat the causes of any pain or discomfort while eating.

Mealtimes can be stressful and tiring but keep in mind that your loved one is not difficult deliberately. Dementia patients may not even realize that they are hungry or thirsty.

4. Help them combat sleeplessness

Dementia patients can often experience sleeplessness or restless sleep plagued by nightmares and hallucinations.

They can suffer from disorientation and agitation in the middle of the night because dementia affects a person’s “body clock,” causing confusion between the different times of the day. Here is what you can do improve the sleeping pattern:

• Encourage your loved one to remain active during the day and discourage napping
• Expose them to plenty of daylight to help their body register the differentiation between day and night
• Avoid giving them foods and beverages containing sugar, caffeine, or alcohol later in the day
• Plan quieter evenings with structured activities such as a leisurely stroll outside, listening to soothing music or playing simple card games
• Keep a night light on in the bedroom and a dementia-friendly clock that clearly shows whether it is day or night on the bedside table
• Make sure they are comfortable in their bed and use blackout curtains to remind them that it is night-time

Sleep disturbance in dementia patients can settle over time. However, you can always consult a doctor if the problem persists. Having a good night’s sleep is imperative for both you and your loved one, so you can have a productive day ahead.

5. Ask for support

Caring for people with dementia can be challenging, frustrating, and tiring. You can only help your loved one if you focus on your own mental and physical well-being. Therefore, never hesitate to ask for help and support whenever you feel exhausted. Here is what you can do:

• Join support groups for dementia caregivers where you can vent out your feelings amongst a group of people who understand precisely what you are going through. You might also learn some new tips and advice from these groups
• Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and maintain a social life. Ask a friend or relative to take over your responsibilities for a few hours where you can relax and recharge
• If your loved ones are sleepless at night, consider hiring a nighttime nurse or asking someone to take over for a few nights so you can catch up on your sleep.
• Use technology to assist in your duties. There are various apps for anger management, improving sleeping habits, and playing simple games that can keep your loved one occupied and give you a little break

Caregiving for dementia patients requires a lot of patience and effort. You need to be realistic in your goals and prepare for the bad days while appreciating the good days. As long as your loved one is comfortable and safe, you have done your job well.

#1. It reduces the risk of respiratory problems

Breastfed children are three times less likely to need hospital treatment for severe or life-threatening complications of respiratory infections. In addition, they are substantially less likely to suffer from wheezing, chest tightness and exercise intolerance that characterizes asthma.

#2. It strengthens the jaw

Breastfeeding improves your child’s likelihood of having healthy jaw alignment, and breastfed babies are less likely to need braces in later life. It is thought that these health benefits are explained by the repetitive mouth movements involved in suckling, which improve muscle tone and strength in the jaw.

#3. It may cut the risk of sudden infant death syndrome

Every parent dreads sudden infant death syndrome, especially because its causes are still not well understood. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recently released a report supporting a correlation between breastfeeding and a lower risk of sudden infant death.

#4. It can improve immune system function

Breast milk is a source of cells called lymphocytes and macrophages, both of which play a vital role in producing antibiotics that strengthen your baby’s resistance to disease. Studies on childhood immunity consistently suggest that breastfed babies grow up with more effective immune systems.

#5. It supports digestive health

Breastfed children vomit less frequently, and they tend to have more regular bowel movements (involving fewer episodes of constipation or diarrhoea). Even more importantly, breastfed babies are less likely to end up being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

#6. It helps to protect children from arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis can be devastating when it develops at a young age, causing long-term disabilities and chronic pain. Therefore, it is worth noting that breastfed children are around an impressive 60% less likely to suffer from juvenile forms of arthritis.

#7. It helps to soothe babies to sleep

The act of breastfeeding soothes many young children, and there is a sound chemical explanation behind this observation. Breast milk contains certain hormones that help make a baby feel calm, relaxed and ready for sleep.

#8. It cuts cancer risk

More evidence is mounting in support of the hypothesis that breastfed female babies are less likely to suffer from breast cancer in later life. Indeed, some studies report a 25% reduction in risk. Cancer researchers are exploring whether breast milk affords any protection against other forms of cancer, but the results are as yet inconclusive.

#9. It could boost intelligence

For some children, breastfeeding could lead to an extra eight IQ points and consistently better grades in school. This correlation has been noted for decades, but Who only fairly recently discovered that the link between breastfeeding and IQ seems to depend on a particular genotype. Since this genotype is fairly common, a large percentage of children stand to benefit from being breastfed.

#10. It reduces the risk of diabetes

Finally, a fascinating study conducted by Finnish researchers has found that a larger number of children given dairy products rather than breast milk typically develop type one diabetes. It is thought that ingesting cow milk antibodies in childhood explains this finding.

The other common option is to stuff the anxiety or frustration and move past it without evaluation. Still, it is healthier for the individual to learn how to deal with anger issues and be angry.

Without Learning How to Deal with Stress and Anger, Bullies Are Born

Teens who have grown up in dysfunctional households where they weren’t allowed to express their emotions often become bullies and turn to drugs and alcohol because they do not have anyone to trust. As a result, they never learn how to handle negative situations when they arise in the future. Coming from an alcoholic home where anger is common, children can’t turn to their parents when excessive emotions spring up.

They need someone outside the family to confide in and learn how to deal with anger issues. When there is no responsible adult the child can trust, they become emotionally unavailable adults because they have struggled with anger, fear, and depression their entire lives.

Research and therapists agree that there are different angles to confronting chronic anger, but the most effective is identifying and then healthily expressing emotions. Negative thoughts produce bad behaviors for teens and adults alike, and anyone raised in a dysfunctional environment must learn constructive ways to manage and release their anger.

How Does Untreated Anger Affect You?

Unmanaged anger does not “just go away” when you ignore it. Instead, the pressure builds inside an angry person, creating emotional, mental, and spiritual disorders. The anger can keep building inside a person until they explode. Here are the six stages of anger and how it affects the human body when locked inside.

• Pent-up anger blocks constructive decision-making skills, similar to building a wall.
• It contributes to strokes, hypertension, and heart attacks.
• If anger remains untreated, it spreads to every area in your life like a disease until anger is the primary emotion.
• Repressed anger leads to thoughts of revenge and retaliation.
• An antagonistic attitude will grow and alienate people around you.
• The final stage is a predisposition to violent behaviors. In adults, anger can lead to child abuse and domestic violence; in young people, it fuels bullying behavior.

What Is Anger?

Everybody gets angry sometimes; you would hardly be human if you didn’t, but problems arise when anger becomes a frequent emotion that continually gets the best of you. To understand how it can bring disaster into your life, it is necessary to understand the root causes. Then, when the major issues are identified and properly dealt with, the emotion will weaken its hold on you.

In Merriam’s Free Dictionary, anger is defined as a “strong feeling of unrest or upset because something appears to you as wrong.” It is also defined as being annoyed with a situation or person. This uncomfortable, negative feeling makes the individual want to hurt someone else, typically verbally or physically, because the feeling is hurting them.

For example, anger has made people throw things or use other demonstrative actions to express anger. In situations like these, anger has been stored inside, and anger management is needed. Everyone should learn how to manage their emotions in acceptable, healthy ways that promote positive emotional growth.

The Root Causes of Anger

Now let’s look at the root causes. There are over seven billion people on planet Earth and equally as many ways of expressing anger, but all generally stem from a form of fear.

Fear is the primary cause of anger. Fear originates in thinking that you won’t get what you want or you will lose what you already have. These two forms of fear are the driving force of anger. Security and protection are basic concerns for humans, followed closely by protecting our possessions.

When a car pulls up in front of you in traffic – an angry response follows because the invading car “took” your presumed “space.” One might honk the horn in response or give the best hand signal they can muster, but then it’s over. Road rage comes from someone who has repressed anger that has never been dealt with.

In our society, anger, at a lower degree, is an acceptable go-to emotion for both men and women. Because it can mask various emotions like frustration, embarrassment, and fear, many people hide under their anger, and it goes unrecognized or dealt with. Law enforcement sees the results of unmanaged anger in child abuse, street violence, and domestic violence.

Anger is the Star Emotion in Bullying

In teenage bullies, the underlying fear is multiplied because they have not matured enough to have learned many skills in managing their emotions. A child’s feelings are spontaneous, and that’s why they are so fun to be around. They laugh openly and express all their emotions, but if a young person grows up in a dysfunctional home, they don’t know what “healthy” looks like. Their fear suppresses it all: anger, fear, inferiority, and also their laughter and curiosity. As a result, bullying has become a common outlet to release emotions.

Anger Management: How to Deal with Stress and Anger

Some people have difficulty recognizing their anger, so they deny it. Other people avoid acknowledging anger by using different names, such as frustration, irritation, or annoyance. This allows them to bypass the truth. Therapists and counselors say that softer vocabulary works for some people because it enables them to deal with their anger. Emotions swept under the carpet turn into anger and must be dealt with.

Anger has different intensity levels, and it is healthy for an individual to identify them. For instance, the level of anger in getting a ding in your car is not comparable to being involved in an accident. Rage is anger to an extreme degree; the degree of anger should be equivalent to appropriate behaviors. When repressed anger is triggered, people can get angry over petty annoyances as if they were serious incidents. In such cases, their anger may even turn into full-blown rage. Anger management training will teach you how to deal with someone with anger issues.

Any level of anger should be dealt with immediately. When anger management is practiced, resentments and retaliation are not created in anger, and emotions are not repressed only to erupt unexpectedly. A magic wand would come in handy, but if you don’t have one, it is worth the effort to learn some anger management skills for your life. Unfortunately, healthy anger and fear management is not the norm. Looking around society, the evidence is everywhere, and bullying is just another result.

Six Steps in How to Deal with Anger Management

Professionals have several ways to treat anger, and most will agree that an individual cannot carry it around daily, let alone year to year. Unfortunately, there is no magic pill to make negative emotions disappear, but there are steps you can take to handle your emotions and clean up the emotional baggage. Here are six steps to evaluate and deal with anger.

1. Recognize your anger when it occurs, as in harsh words or a raised voice that triggers an unacceptable response.
2. Remember past behaviors, advantages, and disadvantages that accompany anger. Also, remember the benefits of practicing patience, endurance, tolerance, and acceptance.
3. Adopt a new perspective by reframing the situation. Seeing things from alternative points of view may cultivate compassion and help you acknowledge the law of karma; what goes around comes around. Use the situation as an opportunity for growth and to develop patience, or use the person as a teacher of a vital life lesson.
4. Let go of the triggers and impulsive urges to count to 10 and favor more intelligent courses of action.
5. Recondition. Review what you have learned so far—the entire dynamic—so that the healthier responses you have developed become automatic. Repetition is crucial.
6. Respond appropriately. Address the situation with your new behaviors, and correct the old habits patiently, appropriately, intelligently, and proactively. Then, again, let spiritual guidance lead you.

If you were raised in a healthy environment as a child, handling anger would be much different from that of someone raised in a dysfunctional home with alcoholic parents. Children do not express their feelings in this environment, so they grow into adults who never truly know how to deal with their own negative emotions. Their choice in childhood was to repress any frustrations, disappointment, or anger as a mode of survival. Only if they had someone to trust, such as an understanding coach or teacher, could they exhibit their emotions.

Professionals agree that learning to manage anger is a skill that everyone would benefit from. If anger is based on past issues, a therapist will bring more clarity to your emotions. Identifying emotions is the key for both adults and young people, and by participating in anger management, your life will be more manageable and worry-free in every way.