Category: Family & Parenting

Is your due date just around the corner? Make sure your hospital bag is packed and ready with this handy checklist.

Here are all the must-haves (and some nice-to-haves) that should be on your checklist for the hospital or birthing centre. This list is a good starting point, but every hospital and birth centre does things differently, so ask ahead of time what they will supply and what you need to bring from home.

What to pack in a hospital bag: For you

• Slippers and socks
• Robe and nightgowns or pyjamas that can unbutton for breastfeeding
• Nursing bras
• Old underwear
• Contact list for sharing your big news
• Loose, comfy clothes to wear home
• Toiletries, including hair elastics
• If you plan to use the shower or Jacuzzi: a loose bra or top for you, swimwear for your partner
• Lip balm, moisturizer
• Your birth plan and any paperwork you’ve been asked to complete by the hospital and/or for insurance
• Nursing pads, nipple cream, maxi pads
• Camera/video camera, phone and chargers
• Flip-flops for the shower
• Pillows
• Snacks and drinks
• Change for vending machines, or in case you can’t use your cellphone
• Music, books or magazines, games, playing cards
• Notebook and pen
• Watch or smartphone with app to time contractions

What to pack in a hospital bag: For your baby

• A going-home outfit
• Approved infant car seat with the base properly installed in your vehicle
• A few sleepers and onesies, socks and a hat
• Cozy blanket and several receiving blankets
• Package of newborn/size small diapers
• Package of unscented baby wipes

It is no secret we all get that urge to sleep soon after eating a sumptuous daytime meal. Also called post-meal dip and postprandial sleep, that urge to rest can also be forceful after supper.

Yes, lying down on our backs after a meal always feels like the right thing to do.

Question is, should we, or shouldn’t we take a nap after a meal? Or more specifically, does the habit interfere with our digestive health in any way? And what does the science world have to say about it?

As expected, health experts offer varying opinions. Some point out how a nap after a meal is perfectly fine. In any case, many cultures around the world, and the Mediterranean region in particular, have siestas, as part of their afternoon routine, to cool off and rebuild.

Others beg to disagree. They say lying in a supine position soon after eating is bad for your gut health and can trigger unprecedented digestive troubles.

In particular, post-meal dip sleep is bad for those with type II diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), IBS, and other stomach conditions.

For this reason, we are advised to keep our heads up for a while to allow healthier digestion after food reaches the stomach.

How long we should stay upright depends on the food type we have eaten, quantity, and our overall health. For most people, half an hour to one hour will do just fine. For others, upwards of two hours is recommended.

What causes that sleepiness after a meal?

Science does not clearly explain what makes the body crave post-meal sleep, but this has not stopped doctors from giving their thoughts.

One doctor in Japan links post meal dip to blood circulation. Apparently, the activities of the stomach and the intestines go a notch high soon after a meal. This surge means the digestive system needs additional blood to get the job done.

As a result, other body organs are obliged to surrender their blood bounty to meet the demands of the abdomen. When these organs, including the brain, run short of blood for a while, the feeling of drowsiness and the urge to sleep kick in.

Besides blood, a combination of factors mentioned below could also be the reasons you want to sleep soon after eating.

• Eating too much food!
• Poor sleep at night and after effects of sleep debt!
• Too much carbohydrates and protein in your diet will produce more serotonin, which triggers sleep.
• General lack of physical activity.

Reasons why you should not sleep after eating!

– Digestive hiccups

The digestive system, also called the gastrointestinal (GI) system, is a complex mechanism that facilitates the extraction of important nutrients from the food we eat, to fulfill the energy demands of the body.

When we ingest food through the mouth, it flows down the esophagus, stomach, small intestines, and the colon. For this movement to be smooth, the body is better off in a vertical rather than horizontal position.

And yes, standing and walking is so much better.

While it is true the digestive system works by peristalsis, not gravity, this process will actually feel faster when we are in the upright and mobile position.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P5J4QPH76E

Walking is also good for the management of blood sugar levels, which usually spike soon after eating a meal laden with carbs and proteins!

In a study in 2016, a 10 minute walk

… after meals was associated with improvements in postprandial glycaemia when compared with advice to walk for 30 min/day in a single bout at an unspecified time. 

Additional arguments explain how walking cuts down on instances of heartburn and acid reflux.

… the case against supine (lying position)

The supine position, especially on the right, back and stomach, can slow the peristalsis contraction, and trigger multiple gut problems.

With a BAD lying position, your body will spend more time digesting food and retain waste for longer hours, according to PubMed Central:

… the lying position significantly slowed gastric emptying compared to all other positions. Conversely, a decrease in emptying times of 51% and 35% occurred in the combined sitting-standing position compared to the lying and sitting position.

The normal time food stays in the stomach and the small intestines stretch from 6 to 8 hours, depending on factors such as sex, food type, quantity, and body position.

Once in the colon, food will take an average of 36 hours before excretion.

from the time you swallow food to the time it leaves your body as feces — takes about two to five days, depending on the individual.

Mayo Clininc

Anything that slows this journey is bad for you and gut health.

– Acid and bile reflux

When you lie down soon after a meal, there is the likelihood that stomach acids and other digestive juices may just find their way into the esophagus. This condition is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD.

What happens is that the esophageal sphincter muscles at the end of the esophagus open up, and allow stomach acid to flow backwards.

Unlike the stomach, the lining of the esophagus is not designed to handle the irritation from these acids. Continued irritation will lead to stricture, and ulcer.

Besides the pain and feeling of heartburn in the chest, these complications are breeding grounds for esophageal cancer, according to Mayo Clinic.

The esophageal sphincter can open up due to pressure around the abdomen caused by,

• hiatal hernia
• eating spiced food
• eating fried food
• taking in too much food
• obesity
• pregnancy
• medications for asthma and allergies

Smoking, second-hand smoking and alcoholism can also lead to the malfunctioning of the sphincter.

Other than the typical acid reflux, bile reflux can present with more severe symptoms. Pain in the upper area of the stomach can be intense and extend to the throat. It can also lead to vomiting of greenish-yellowish fluid, coughing, and weight loss.

Free tips to bolster alertness after mealtimes

Now that your body is all loose and ready to drop, what options do you have to charge it up?

• You should actually get up and walk around. Besides keeping you awake, this facilitates faster digestion.
• Don’t eat too much. Cut down on the quantity of food by half, and see what happens.
• Eat a balanced diet of proteins, vegetables and carbs. More veggies are recommended.
• And hey, eat early, 2 – 3 hours before sleeping or napping.
• Don’t mix your meal with caffeine and alcohol.
• Get better sleep at night to avoid sleep debt and disturbance the next day.

What if you can’t help it!

Let’s face it, sometimes you simply cannot get around the urge to sleep after eating. If this is your predicament, you can go ahead and nap, but do it correctly.

If you are to lie down, or sleep after eating, do it correctly by sleeping on your left. Avoid sleeping on the right and other positions.

Second, only nap for a short while, say 10 – 15 minutes, and then get up.

Even better, rather than heading straight to the couch or bed, you can use the table in the office and take a nap when seated upright.

There are over 49 million children in public schools and over 4 million in private schools. As the population grows, that number will continue to rise. Is your child getting ready to join all of those other students?

Choosing a perfect school for childhood education (from pre-k through the end of high school) isn’t easy. There are pros and cons to every school, so how can you make the right decision for your child?

We’re here to help. Read on to learn all about how to find the right school for your young learner.

For Early Childhood Education: Enrichment Opportunities

If you’re looking specifically for early childhood education programs, you need to consider the following factors, but you also need to consider something extra: enrichment (or education) opportunities.

Early childhood education centers are often glorified daycares. You want to make sure that you find one that has a legitimate curriculum and qualified teachers to guide your child. 

There should be opportunities for your child to learn social skills, basic life skills, and early academic skills. 

Types of Schools

When you’re choosing a school for your child, you need to decide what type of school your child will attend. There’s no one right answer. Many people think that the best schools for children are exclusively private schools, but this isn’t always the case.

Here’s a brief rundown. 

Public Schools

Once your child is in kindergarten, they’ll have access to public schools. Public school is the “default option” and it’s where your child can go to learn for free.

There are good public schools and bad public schools. Public schools run on government money and donations, so the quality of the school will depend on the area.

Always look at local ratings and reviews for public schools before you commit to one. Keep in mind that you may have to move to a different school district in order to find a “good” public school for your child. 

Private Schools 

Private schools are privately-funded. Parents have to pay for their children to attend these schools unless they receive scholarships. For parents with extra money to spare, a private school can be a great option.

Private schools tend to have smaller class sizes, meaning that children are able to get more one-on-one attention and teachers experience less burnout. 

Private schools can be either religious or secular. Some of them divide children by gender. Some private schools are even boarding schools. 

Montessori schools have been popular over the past few years. They’re private schools for young children that are often more accessible than conventional private schools. Check out the Montessori contribution to education for more information.

Charter Schools

Charter schools are technically still public schools, but they tend to use different teaching methods and may teach outside of a traditional K-12 curriculum. 

They often have smaller class sizes than public schools and they’re still free. That said, space is limited, and most children won’t be able to attend. Look into local charter school lotteries if you want a chance for a spot. 

Consider Your Budget

Whether your child is starting pre-school or they’re already in K-12, your budget is going to be a large factor. Parents who choose public schools often do so because they don’t have the funds for a private school (and that’s okay).

Remember that you’ll one day be paying for your child’s college. If that means that you have to choose public school now, you’re still doing something good for their future.

If you’re committed to private education bu you don’t have the funds for it, look for scholarship opportunities.

Check Out Class Sizes

Class sizes are crucial when it comes to the quality of your child’s education. 

When teachers have to manage large classes, they don’t get the opportunity to help children one-on-one. They have to teach to a broad audience.

These teachers also have less time to grade papers and give feedback. They may also experience more burnout which could impact their ability to teach. 

Many schools have large class sizes in 2022 but look for classes that are no larger than 25 students per teacher. Less than 20 students per teacher is preferable. 

Look Into Non-Academic Class Options

More and more schools are cutting out non-traditional classes, even ones that have been in standard curriculums for decades. You’d be hard-pressed to find a school with home economics in 2022.

This should be a consideration for you. If you consider it important for your child to learn life skills and have creative outlets, you need to choose a school that hasn’t defunded “extra” classes. 

Consider Extra-Curricular Activities

The “extras” shouldn’t stop at the end of the school day. What types of extra-curricular activities does the school offer?

Are there adequate clubs available for your child to participate in after school? Not only will this offer great enrichment, but it’s also great for parents who are unable to pick their children up immediately after school.

If your child is athletic, are there sports teams available? Is there tutoring?

These are all things that many parents don’t consider before they try to choose the best school. 

Extra Considerations for Children With Special Needs

If you have a child with special needs, you need to pay even closer attention to the school that you choose for them. 

For children who need a lot of extra care, it’s a good idea to either choose a special school for them or a school with a large special needs program. They’ll be able to prepare your child for adulthood. 

If your child has mild special needs, talk to each school about what they can offer. Some will have special helpers for children with special needs who will follow them to all of their classes. Others have separate classes for children who need extra support. 

Choose the Best School for Your Child

Childhood education is no joke. The decisions that you make for your child’s early childhood education and K-12 education may impact them for the rest of their life. Take this decision seriously and use this guide to help.

For more helpful articles about the top trending topics, visit the rest of our site. 

Who hasn’t said, “I’ll exercise tomorrow.” Or, “It’s too cold, too hot, too rainy, too windy to be outside?” Excuses are abundant whether you are a runner, walker, yogi, or still finding your exercise of choice. Your mindset might be procrastination or simply, “I’m too busy.”

If you think walking is boring, and that’s what’s keeping you from it, you may want to revisit this form of activity.

When I came across Annabel Streets’ 52 Ways to Walk: The Surprising Science of Walking for Wellness and Joy, One Week at a Time, I was happy to increase my already substantial commitment. What I learned was so inspiring; her scientific proof alone is motivation.

Whether you rarely walk, usually walk solo or with friends, push a stroller, or have young children or teens at your side, think about walking not only as exercise to keep you healthy but also to give your children important tools they will use for their lifetime.

“You actually can get more from life, one step at a time,” Streets says, and she proves it with ample evidence. She also provides mountains of tips on how to pick up your pace, walk in the wind or rain or use your sense of smell during a walk. You will want to follow in her footsteps when you understand why.

Why You Should Get Moving

Anyone of Streets’ well-researched facts just might get you off your couch or desk chair and out the door more often – and have you taking your kids with you. For instance, she explains why humming as you walk boosts natural immunity. Here are some of her key points and my ideas for what you can do as a family:

• We walk faster when we walk with a purpose. When we have a reason for walking (a place to be, a time to meet), we effortlessly pick up our pace. Our usual saunter becomes a brisk stride, which is good for your heart and lungs.

Try this: Instead of driving, consider walking with your child to a friend’s home, assuming it’s a reasonable distance. Or choose a destination—a store, a relative’s house, a park, the promise of a restaurant for breakfast. Young children typically are delighted to visit a new place or someone special to them.

• We can cut our risk of early death with just a 12-minute walk. Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that after 12 minutes of brisk walking, hundreds of beneficial metabolites begin circulating in our bodies. Those few minutes of activity decrease our chances of developing diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and inflammation.

Try this: Children are more apt to agree to a short walk if you make them the time-keepers—six minutes out, six minutes back. Let children monitor a watch or cellphone timer and set the pace to keep them engaged.

• When we walk in the cold, with our collar bones exposed, we burn through fat at an unprecedented rate. A flash of cold activates our reserves of brown adipose tissue, a rich layer of fat-burning cells that sit in pockets around our neck and shoulders.

Try this: Unwrap your scarf, but keep young children bundled up in cold weather. Most kids adore competitions, so drum up a few to spur them on: Finding a certain color leaf or rock, spotting birds, picking up litter (with gloved hands), racing you or a sibling a short distance to a tree or landmark that’s in view.

• An early morning walk helps us sleep better at night. Exposing our eyes to sunlight within an hour of waking reminds our brain that it is morning, enabling our daily internal clock to set in motion the cascade of hormones that will help us fall asleep in the evening.

Try this: If you can get your children out early in the day to walk with you, they might sleep better as well. As an alternative, try an early evening walk—before or after dinner. Your children might also enjoy singing while they walk or walking in the mud with you.

After two years of the pandemic, new approaches to walking were all I needed to get me moving again. Consider changing your route and even the people you walk with unless those walking companions are your children.

Copyright @2022 by Susan Newman

Who hasn’t said, “I’ll exercise tomorrow.” Or, “It’s too cold, too hot, too rainy, too windy to be outside?” Excuses are abundant whether you are a runner, walker, yogi, or still finding your exercise of choice. Your mindset might be procrastination or simply, “I’m too busy.”

If you think walking is boring, and that’s what’s keeping you from it, you may want to revisit this form of activity.

When I came across Annabel Streets’ 52 Ways to Walk: The Surprising Science of Walking for Wellness and Joy, One Week at a Time, I was happy to increase my already substantial commitment. What I learned was so inspiring; her scientific proof alone is motivation.

Whether you rarely walk, usually walk solo or with friends, push a stroller, or have young children or teens at your side, think about walking not only as exercise to keep you healthy but also to give your children important tools they will use for their lifetime.

“You actually can get more from life, one step at a time,” Streets says, and she proves it with ample evidence. She also provides mountains of tips on how to pick up your pace, walk in the wind or rain or use your sense of smell during a walk. You will want to follow in her footsteps when you understand why.

Why You Should Get Moving

Anyone of Streets’ well-researched facts just might get you off your couch or desk chair and out the door more often – and have you taking your kids with you. For instance, she explains why humming as you walk boosts natural immunity. Here are some of her key points and my ideas for what you can do as a family:

• We walk faster when we walk with a purpose. When we have a reason for walking (a place to be, a time to meet), we effortlessly pick up our pace. Our usual saunter becomes a brisk stride, which is good for your heart and lungs.

Try this: Instead of driving, consider walking with your child to a friend’s home, assuming it’s a reasonable distance. Or choose a destination—a store, a relative’s house, a park, the promise of a restaurant for breakfast. Young children typically are delighted to visit a new place or someone special to them.

• We can cut our risk of early death with just a 12-minute walk. Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that after 12 minutes of brisk walking, hundreds of beneficial metabolites begin circulating in our bodies. Those few minutes of activity decrease our chances of developing diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and inflammation.

Try this: Children are more apt to agree to a short walk if you make them the time-keepers—six minutes out, six minutes back. Let children monitor a watch or cellphone timer and set the pace to keep them engaged.

• When we walk in the cold, with our collar bones exposed, we burn through fat at an unprecedented rate. A flash of cold activates our reserves of brown adipose tissue, a rich layer of fat-burning cells that sit in pockets around our neck and shoulders.

Try this: Unwrap your scarf, but keep young children bundled up in cold weather. Most kids adore competitions, so drum up a few to spur them on: Finding a certain color leaf or rock, spotting birds, picking up litter (with gloved hands), racing you or a sibling a short distance to a tree or landmark that’s in view.

• An early morning walk helps us sleep better at night. Exposing our eyes to sunlight within an hour of waking reminds our brain that it is morning, enabling our daily internal clock to set in motion the cascade of hormones that will help us fall asleep in the evening.

Try this: If you can get your children out early in the day to walk with you, they might sleep better as well. As an alternative, try an early evening walk—before or after dinner. Your children might also enjoy singing while they walk or walking in the mud with you.

After two years of the pandemic, new approaches to walking were all I needed to get me moving again. Consider changing your route and even the people you walk with unless those walking companions are your children.

Copyright @2022 by Susan Newman

If you whipped out a bottle or walked your baby in a stroller, I was silently but viciously judging you.

When I had my first baby, I made plenty new-mom mistakes. I didn’t notice he had diaper rash. I let him sleep in his swing (a big no-no now, but we didn’t know it then). I didn’t get my postpartum depression treated quickly enough. I thought I was better than you.

You read that last part right.

My worst new-mom mistake? I thought I was the best mom. I thought I had found all the parenting answers. I thought they were one-size-fits-all answers. And I thought that if you disagreed, you were most likely on the way to irreparably damaging your bundle of joy.

You weren’t. I didn’t. And while I think I made the right choices, I know they were the right choices for us. Not for everyone. And I needed to shut up and take a seat.

I thought breast was best and I was smug about it

I’m lucky: I have great boobs. I don’t mean aesthetically. I mean my pregnancy DDs hefted up to size Fs and pumped out plenty of milk quickly, efficiently and painlessly. I made so much milk I could donate extra. That’s luckier than it sounds—my sons all have milk-soy protein intolerance, and required either a breastfeeding mother on a very strict no-milk, no-soy diet, or a Very Special Formula equivalent in cost to buying a designer dog every month.

If breast was best for me, then it must have been best for everyone. I mean, breast is best, amiright? I knew some women needed to supplement, and I felt that was very, very sad. And deep down, I believed that most of them just weren’t trying hard enough and ought to have visited a lactation consultant again, or latched their baby on more often, or looked for a hidden tongue-tie or lip-tie.

I was a very smug little breastfeeder. If you whipped out a bottle, I gave you a pitying look and probably decided my son needed to nurse, right then, with my boob in full view. I had no clue that nursing sometimes just doesn’t work out, or that some women simply don’t want to nurse, and that both are perfectly OK. Instead, I added my shrill little voice to the others screaming that they were robbing their baby of something vital.

I am so sorry.

I loathed your stroller

I’m lucky to have a strong back and a (mostly) able body. I babywore my son home from the hospital. I babywore my son around the house. In fact, I wanted to learn how to wear him better, so I started a local babywearing group, and soon I was backwrapping him.

My thinking was that this would mean he could eat and sleep whenever he wanted, without those strict “schedules” that babies with unmet needs required. He had constant human touch, which would make him better, stronger, faster, more compassionate and probably smarter or something. I thought your baby stared dead-eyed from his stroller, bereft of love or human contact because you were:

1. Too lazy to carry him
2. Too touched-out to carry him (excuses, excuses)
3. Too selfish to carry him

I genuinely felt sad for your baby. This is some real crap, right here. Strollers are a tool. They work. People use them. They won’t turn your baby into a serial killer. They don’t mean you don’t love your child. And maybe you do get touched out. That’s OK. Maybe you hate babywearing. That’s OK, too. Maybe you’re differently abled, and you can’t babywear.

I loved babywearing and saw what I thought were obvious benefits, so I thought everyone should.

I was also a myopic mommy who didn’t understand that what worked for me didn’t work for everyone.

I judged EVERYONE

Did it work for me? Then it must work for everyone. I thought I had all the answers. That stereotype of a long-haired, harem-pantsed, babywearing, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, attachment parent giving every other parent pitying looks because her child will grow up to be so clearly superior actually exists, and I know that because I was her.

If I could take back one thing from my son’s babyhood, it wouldn’t be a parenting choice. It would be the judgment I heaped on other moms. My heart sinks as I write this. How many women did I make feel smaller? How many did I hurt with my smugness or my sideways lectures?

I give myself some grace over it: I had just made a major life change from graduate student to mommyhood, and I approached mommyhood like graduate school—someone had to be top of the class, and it damn well was going to be me. I was used to a world with one right answer, and a world with more than one scared me.

It’s an explanation, not an excuse. I’ve forgiven myself for my growing pains into parenthood, even if they make me cringe. I only hope other moms forgive me, and that newer moms can learn from my mistakes. We all do things differently. And in the end, that’s OK.

When loving and giving goes to the extremes and crosses all known boundaries, something is bound to give way. Of the few problems that may arise is the likelihood of raising a self entitled child.

Self entitlement is a behavioral disorder more widespread than many of us are willing to accept. And yes, your self entitled child has become who he is probably because of your misunderstanding of what it means to love and give unconditionally.

By providing unmetered care and giving your child whatever he desires, you can so easily perpetuate bad parenting habits, and give a falsehood of what real-life really is.

What is child entitlement?

Your child is entitled when he thinks he deserves, and can have whatever he wants despite not having worked for, or even deserving of it. Your entitled child wrongly believes anyone around him owes him something or everything.

He will also have problems waiting in queues, being second best in class assignments, and not being praised when others are. As far as he is concerned, rules should be twisted to suit his wants and needs

This is how Urban Dictionary defines self entitlement:

The false feeling that someone inherently deserves something despite not having done anything to earn it.

Your child will want clothes, toys, gadgets, and other possessions, and will be disappointed and annoyed when his demands are not fulfilled fast enough.

And now with social media at the core of life today, the feeling of entitlement is manifested in the desire to be liked, loved, and followed by many people. The more of these your child gets, the more he senses importance and value among peers.

Entitlement can lead to an exaggerated sense of confidence and self-esteem, and a breeding ground for bullying.

What we should know, however, is that inside a self entitled teenager or child lurks hidden insecurities and inadequacies. These can contribute to troublesome experiences at school, work and personal life.

The consequences will manifest in inefficiencies at work, poor interpersonal skills, irritability, disappointment, anger and depression.

Below are the common signs you have a self entitled child

An entitled child is obsessed with the sense of ME (myself), as opposed to YOU and even US. Entitlement actually cements feelings of privilege, laziness, and liberty, at the expense of responsibility, work, and gratitude.

Your self entitled teenager or child will have the following traits:

• Self centered and believes everything is about him only.
• Thinks he is better than peers, though not as viciously as a narcissist.
• Believes that rules at home do not apply to him.
• Does not want to do chores at home and is therefore lazy.
• Wants to be given whatever he sees and what his peers have.
• Always feels entitled to have a candy when passing by the shops.
• Always demands unwarranted attention and is annoyed when ignored.
• Is never satisfied despite being given stuff here and there.
• Takes friendships and relationships for granted.
• Is quite manipulative of others in order to achieve what he wants.
• May not accept mistakes, and blame others when things go wrong.
• Wants someone else to save him from ugly mistakes and situations.

What parenting mistakes contribute to self entitlement in children

Self entitlement can begin to take shape early in life, and will develop throughout the teenage years. If untamed, the habit can become a real challenge during adulthood.

Below are common reasons that trigger entitlement.

1. The YES parent:

What starts as a simple attempt to appease your child by giving him gifts and treats that he loves becomes a life-long craving and evil. When your child repeatedly asks for and promptly gets what he wants, he begins to believe that is how life is meant to be.

Whereas these constant ‘treats‘ and indulgence will lighten him up, they actually deny him the opportunity to learn that attainment of property, attention, and other life goodies should be through hard work, gratitude and empathy.

Yes, the ‘give it all’ type of parenting will definitely breed entitlement.

2. Hovering over your child:

Also called helicopter parenting, hovering over your child denies him the opportunity to discover and act independently, away from constant monitoring.

Hovering over your child manifests in paying close attention to his activities, assignments, playtime, and interaction with peers. It is also evident when you remove obstacles in his path, and provide too many scaffolds.

The anxiety and fear of the harsh realities and risks that exist in the world today can tempt you to become too involved in what your child does and feels.

This is bad for his physical and emotional health. Allow your child to interact with the world and discover on his own what awaits him out there.

3. Not following through:

Helicopter parenting aside, your inability to stick to set rules can also breed self-entitlement. When you tell your child not to use his smartphone during bedtime, and fail to follow this through, your child will rightfully believe smartphones are fine in the bedroom.

Also true, when you tell your child to do his homework, and fail to ensure he does it, is bad for his mental health.

4. Influence of social media:

Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook and other online social apps have become the ultimate platforms where your child will want to seek importance and value.

While the platforms are great in keeping families and friends together, they are also notorious for promoting falsehood about life.

It all starts with the pomp and entitlement exhibited by celebrities who belive they own the world. This quickly spirals down to your child who suddenly begins to think he can also become important through timeline persuasions. He may start by creating manipulative photos and content that don’t reflect what he is in real life.

Whether he succeeds or not can cause lasting consequences such as low self-esteem, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.

5. Narcissistic personality disorder – NOD

According to Mayo Clininc, NOD

is a mental condition in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of extreme confidence lies a fragile self-esteem that’s vulnerable to the slightest criticism.

Though research is not entirely conclusive, it is believed that genetics and neurobiology can trigger narcissistic personality disorder, which is a contributing factor to entitlement.

Characteristics inherited from parents and grandparents, and poor interlinking of the brain, thought and behavior, can make your child believe he is better than others.

6. Affluent parenting:

Most of the time, entitlement starts with you, the parent, and many times not because you have planned it, but because your child has all the resources he needs.

Perhaps it stems from the nature of competitiveness and materialism in the 21st century, which pits many parents against each other. The goal here is to outcompete each other in a bid to offer better parenting!

While it is true your child deserves the best in life, make sure this does not get into his head the wrong way. When he begins to worship materialism and other ills associated with affluency, he may just become a problem in the society.

What you can do to curb child entitlement

Teach your child

• to work for what he wants,
• take risks in outdoor activities and playtime,
• do chores and school work without your interference.

Let him take risks in life. Minor injuries and mistakes will make him develop grit, and teach him the importance of caution. This will also remind him not to repeat mistakes. He will also learn that life is not a straight line, because pitfalls await him every step of the way.

He must also respond affirmatively to instructions you give him. Every time you ask your child to do a chore, make errands, and eat on time, ensure they are done, and on time.

Never compromise with discipline and routines you put in place. Prompt response will teach him to be timely, respectful and responsible.

Teach your child to treat peers and other people the way he would want them to treat him. If he does not want anyone to bossy him around, there is no reason he should bossy his peers. This goes hand in hand with empathizing and respecting people, be they rich, poor, young, and old.

In addition,

• Learn to say YES and NO to your child.
• Teach him to work for what he wants.
• Don’t do your child’s task for him.
• Set clear expectations about life.
• Explain the consequences to easy life.
• Don’t fight with your child.

Finally, be part of your child’s life as he ventures online. Let him refrain from excesses in social media through photographic manipulation and false presentation of himself. He should be proud of who he is in real life lest he becomes self entitled.

When it comes to our health and wellbeing, pets are our greatest allies.

With just a purr or a tail wag, they comfort us and make us feel needed. Research has shown that just petting a companion animal increases the levels of feel-good hormones and relieves stress – so it’s no wonder pets have found a way into our hearts and homes.

We return the favor by scrutinizing pet food labels to ensure they get a healthy and balanced diet, provide them with toys to make sure they are mentally stimulated, and treat them to plenty of cuddles and tasty snacks.

That’s why it’s surprising that only 4% of American dog owners and 1% of cat owners purchase pet insurance plans and coverage.

But, if disaster strikes in the form of a medical emergency, just how prepared are you? The truth of the matter is that nobody is financially prepared for a $7,000 emergency vet bill.

The Average Cost of Pet Care

The average cost of routine care for a dog is between $200 and $400 per year, and the average cost for a cat is around $90 to $200 per year. 

But routine care is not why most people choose to purchase pet insurance. The cost of accidents and illnesses is another story.

If your dog or cat is involved in an accident, emergency room care can cost $1,000 and up. A torn ACL can set you back $3,000 to repair. If your pet develops a dread disease like cancer, it could cost upward of $5,000, and hip dysplasia in dogs can run between $3,000 and $7,000 per hip.

Why Pet Insurance is Worth It

If your pet is ill, but it may cost thousands of dollars to treat her, you may be faced with every pet owner’s nightmare: you may have to put her down to end her suffering because you can’t afford the treatment. Unfortunately, this scenario is so common that it has a name – economic euthanasia.

On the other hand, the average accident and illness pet insurance policy costs around $600 per year, and accident-only coverage only costs around $200 per year. Considering the average cost of pet care if something goes wrong, it’s easy to see why pet insurance is worth it – especially if a high bill would mean facing economic euthanasia.

The Bottom Line

If you can’t afford comprehensive pet insurance, consider purchasing an accident-only policy.

Even if your dog never gets hit by a car, swallows a foreign object, or gets attacked by another dog, most pet owners will tell you that the low cost of an accident-only pet insurance policy is worth it just because it offers them priceless peace of mind.

You’ll never have to worry about having to make the hardest decision a pet parent can make just because you can’t afford the vet bills, and you can rest easy knowing that if something goes wrong, you’ll be able to get the lifesaving care your loyal companion needs.

Oregon is known for its breath-taking scenery and natural beauty but it offers much more. Located in the Pacific Northwest, it’s a state that suits anybody and everybody.

The state of Oregon is one of the most desirable to move to in the whole of the United States. No matter which area of the state you choose to settle in, you will have no regrets.

There are plenty of amazing Grant Pass Oregon houses for sale for families of all sizes. Whether you’re moving by yourself, with a partner, or with a large family, you will be able to find the perfect property for your needs.

Here are four reasons why you should consider moving to the state of Oregon.

If you adore heading outside and being surrounded by the beauty of nature, there’s no state that compares to Oregon. It is known for its stunning outdoor scenery and peaceful nature trails. It’s home to several different lakes, mountains, and forests that are brimming with life.

Crate Lake is a popular destination in the central area of the state. It is the deepest lake in the whole of the United States, extending down by almost 2,000 feet.

Oregon also houses Alford Desert, which is found towards the Southeast of the state. It’s a stunning place that is perfect for the keen photographers out there. 

Oregon is one of the few states in America that does not have any sales tax, alongside Alaska, New Hampshire, Delaware, and Montana. This makes shopping much easier as you can calculate the exact amount that you’re spending before you head to the checkout.

With the lack of sales tax, you can enjoy buying pricier items without the added taxes. It will be much easier to track your expenses and save money if this is your aim. 

For those of you who enjoy spending time by the beach, Oregon is the perfect place for you. It’s got a stunning coastline that stretches around 360 miles and is accessible all year round.

You can enjoy sunbathing during the summer or take part in sports, such as surfing or longboarding. The whole family will have fun relaxing or playing all day by the ocean, breathing in the fresh air and catching a tan.

If you enjoy experiencing different seasons, with warm and cold weather, you will love the Oregon weather. The state receives a range of different weather conditions, including rain, snow, and sunshine.

Oregon experiences all four seasons but to a lesser extent as some of the other states in America. You’ll be able to feel the crisp and cool air during winter, and play in the snow with your kids. But you’ll also be able to enjoy long days out in the hot sun during summer time.