When deciding what type of program to send your child to, there are many factors to consider. There are daycare programs, home-based schools, and preschools. The educational approach and philosophy used by the school should be part of your decision. There are many different styles of teaching: Montessori schools are known for fostering independence, Waldorf schools for their creativity, the High/Scope method sets personal goals for kids, Bank Street focuses on child-centered education, and the Reggio Emilia approach follows a child’s natural development....

There are multiple ways to predict a baby’s weight via ultrasound, and the results can vary widely. It is generally not advisable to make decisions about induction of labor or a planned cesarean section based solely on estimated fetal weight. How Is Weight Predicted? There are more than 30 different algorithms used to predict the weight of your baby via ultrasound. Most use common measurements like your baby’s head circumference (via biparietal diameter), abdominal circumference, femur length, and others....

What can child care providers do to avoid “drop and run”? Establish a Sick Policy It is much easier to discuss sick policies and “no attendance” rules with a parent if a policy is already in place. When looking at prospective daycares, ask about the policies. Having a sick policy established and requiring parents to acknowledge receipt of it and understanding puts the daycare center administrators in a position of strength of not taking a sick child....

In these moments, it helps to know you’ve done everything you can to stay one step ahead of your fearless adventurer. As any experienced parent will tell you, baby-proofing is essential—especially in the nursery where your little one will rack up more than a few hours of unsupervised time. Corner posts. Corner posts over 1/16 of an inch high are a no-no unless they exceed 16 inches. Your child’s clothing could become caught on posts, resulting in strangulation....

Parents who lose a child need the support of their friends and loved ones. This support can come in many forms including offering a listening ear, connecting them with resources, providing a distraction, bringing meals, doing chores and errands, and just being there if and when they need you. Providing this extra support is not always an easy thing to do, but bereaved parents need family and good friends to lean on....

Aside from online bullying, workplace bullying, and even sibling bullying, bullying also can occur in families among adults. Any adult in a family can be a bully and any adult can be a target. In your family, the person bullying you might be a sibling, a parent, an aunt, an uncle, a grandparent, an adult child, or even one of your in-laws. If you’re faced with a bully in your family, here’s what you need to know to confront the situation....

Each state has its own laws on child support and custody, and you must understand your jurisdiction’s guidelines before preparing any agreements. In a child custody agreement, the parents draft an agreement that works to their satisfaction and present it to the court. The court will then either accept the child custody agreement, alter its terms, or reject certain provisions. Let’s explore the best ways to draft an agreement to avoid contention....

Interestingly, a family’s costs decrease with each additional child—what’s referred to as the “cheaper by the dozen effect.” In fact the USDA states that for families with one child, expenses averaged 27% more per child than expenses in a two-child family. The USDA bases these estimates on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure Survey, which draws a picture of an average American consumer. The top three costs the USDA names, in descending order, are housing (29% of the total cost), food (18%), and childcare/ K-12 education (16%)....

Juggling work meetings and deadlines with your children’s needs is undoubtedly challenging. It can leave you feeling like they’re being pulled in two different directions throughout the day. If you’re working from home while caring for kids, there are ways to maximize your time to allow you to shift more seamlessly from work mode to parenting mode. Create a Schedule Whether your children are younger or school-aged, it’s important to adhere to their schedules throughout the day....

Waiting until kids are close to entering puberty can be tempting, as you may wonder what a toddler or preschooler would even need to know about how their bodies will eventually change. However, it’s better not to wait, according to experts. “Conversations about puberty can start a lot earlier than we think,” says Hina J. Talib, MD, a New York City-based pediatrician, adolescent medicine specialist, and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)....

This can be especially true with the flu, where fevers often run high and congestion can impact your child’s ability to breathe. And when your young child can’t effectively communicate to you how they are feeling, it can feel impossible to know how to best help them. It also may have you wondering when you should call their healthcare provider. Ahead, experts share some best practices for treating your child’s flu and keeping them comfortable....

It’s also very commonly used for preimplantation genetic testing, or PGT testing. In fact, most clinics require it if you are doing PGT testing. The concept behind this stipulation is that with conventional insemination, all of the sperm attempting to fertilize an egg can potentially fray the lining of the embryo and give inaccurate PGT results. Overview Pronounced ick-see IVF, ICSI stands for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. During regular IVF, many sperm are placed together with an egg, in hopes that one of the sperm will enter and fertilize the egg on its own....

Parents who see early signs of giftedness in their children should learn more about when IQ testing is appropriate along with tips to encourage and support their child’s development at home, at school, and in the community. IQ Testing for Babies Children under the age of 2 cannot be evaluated with IQ testing. To be tested, children must be verbal and able to talk. Even if a baby is verbally advanced, IQ tests are not designed for children this young....

Ireland is enchanting and full of culture, history, and ancient legends. It is well-known for its lush, green landscape and traditional symbols, such as the shamrock and the Celtic cross. And, for a small country, Ireland and its people have had a big influence on the world making contributions to art, science, literature, and much more. So, whether you want to honor your heritage, or you love the charm, beauty, and mystery of the Emerald Isle, take a look at these 100 Irish names to consider for your new little one....

What Are Immersion Schools? Foreign language immersion schools are often public schools of choice. These schools may be very popular with parents and have waiting lists and lotteries to determine which children are admitted to the school. These are schools that are often sought out by parents. Some school districts have chosen to make a local public neighborhood school a language immersion school. In this situation, all children who live within the school’s boundaries may go to the school....

Traditionally, people were told that alcohol is a galactagogue—a substance that promotes the production of breast milk. However, research shows that alcohol may actually reduce supply. Yet the perception that alcohol is not a problem once the baby is born has been persistent, so parents often make poorly informed decisions about drinking and breastfeeding. Women’s Drinking Patterns Even though each person’s relationship with alcohol is unique, its effects on the body are well known....

And while there is a small tablet within Clearblue pregnancy tests, it is not Plan B. “What people found inside the pregnancy test wasn’t a contraceptive but a desiccant with the shape of a pill that is used to eliminate the moisture on the surrounding environment of the device and thus protect its integrity,” says Cristina Nunez, a pharmacist based in New York State. Ahead, we’ll break down some important myths vs....

We all know that staying organized is the only way to make it all go off without a hitch, but what’s the best way to do this? How can you make sure that every family member is on board and attentive to the schedule? And maybe most importantly, how can you ensure that you don’t overschedule, or take on more than you can handle to begin with? Here are some simple tips to keep everyone in your family on task and happy....

Pros & Cons LifeStance Health is a company that strives to meet these needs through affordable care for all ages by bringing together psychiatrists, psychologists, nurse practitioners, and licensed therapists. While many new mental health companies focus on an “anytime, anywhere” approach with telehealth, LifeStance also offers in-person options for patients who prefer to see their provider in an office setting. It also accepts many insurance plans, in an attempt to make its services affordable and accessible for those who cannot pay out-of-pocket....