Moms and kids
How to cure kickboxing?
One of my son’s friends likes to pretend he’s a kickboxer, and now he’s encouraged my son and the other boys to do the same. Although they’re only 8 to 10 years old, I really think they could hurt each other. I don’t want to make my son look ridiculous by padding him up before he goes out to play, but I also don’t want …
Attention deficit disorder & heredity
Is attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder hereditary? My sister-in-law has it, so will our kids have a greater chance of having it? Your sister-in-law’s children may develop attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, but that doesn’t make your kids any more prone to it – unless you also have a family history of ADHD. We still have a lot to learn about ADHD and the role of heredity. However, research …
Kids who want to sleep in your bed
After letting our children sleep with us, in the living room and with their aunt, they now fuss and make up excuses to avoid sleeping in their beds. What do you suggest to get them to sleep in their own beds? The reasoning against having children sleep in your bed is that it becomes very difficult to get them to sleep in their own beds …
What Can Parents Do When Children Whine?
My 3 and 4-year-old girls whine all the time. My husband and I are at wits’ end. They also have a problem with doing what they are told, and they always talk back. What can we do when the children whine? What Can Parents Do When Children Whine? The management of whining in 3- and 4-year-olds is similar to the management of temper tantrums in …
Are baby walkers safe?
I have heard that baby walkers can be dangerous, and that if a baby uses a walker too early, it might prevent his legs from straightening up from the curvature that he gets in utero. Is this true? If so, when is a safe time for babies to use walkers? Baby walkers are dangerous and should be avoided, but not because of their effects on …
Worried About Aggressive Behavior
My daughter is 19 months old and is becoming very aggressive. She’s hitting, pinching and pushing other kids at day care. I’m six months pregnant and worried about her behavior with the new baby as well. What can I do to help her temperament? Many children become more physical between ages 1 and 2. Because their physical abilities exceed their verbal skills, they become more …
Getting through divorce
I have two children, ages 7 and 5, who have to watch me go through a divorce. Can upset nerves affect their health? Divorce is a profound source of stress for both parents and children. Stomach aches and headaches in school-age children are common stress-related complaints, and may indeed become frequent concerns for children in this situation. Also, children who live in post-divorce households may …
Toddler speech development
Toddler speech development Both my neighbor and I have 18-month-old babies, but her baby speaks more words and enunciates them better than my baby does. My doctor told me not to worry, that my baby doesn’t have a hearing problem and he’s developing normally. Could my neighbor’s baby really be so advanced? In a word: yes. All children develop quite differently. If your baby can …
Children’s growth: what’s normal, what’s not
Growth rates: what’s normal? My five-year-old son is extremely puny, unlike his nine-year-old brother, who seems normal-sized. He is otherwise active and intelligent but he doesn’t seem to respond to any kind of dietary changes as far as growing is concerned. Are there any medicines that can help my son to be in the same growth range as other kids his age? Children come in …
Breast development in boys – is it a problem?
My son has a lump in his breast right behind the nipple. We were told it is nothing to worry about, that it is normal in 12- to 14-year-old boys. Is normal this breast development? Breast development in boys Your son is not alone. Fully 60-70% of male teens experience breast enlargement (gynecomastia) between 12-15 years of age. Breast tissue grows whenever the ratio of …
What to do if your child isn’t gaining weight
I have a one-year-old son who isn’t gaining weight. Can you suggest ways to boost his weight through nutrition? What to do if your child isn’t gaining weight More important than making a recommendation for improving your child’s weight gain is determining why he is not gaining weight. Your child’s length, weight and head circumference should be plotted on growth charts and compared to children …
Your baby motor skills – When your infant doesn’t roll over
When your infant doesn’t roll over My son is five months and two weeks old. He has not yet rolled over in either direction. My pediatrician says babies who sleep on their backs are commonly delayed in rolling over. He also says that this could affect his schoolwork in later years. My son is happy and seems bright and receives a great deal of attention. …