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Four Potential Challenges That Young Parents May Face

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Four Potential Challenges That Young Parents May Face

Having children at a younger age is not an altogether bad thing, but it can present some unique challenges. While you’ll have more time and energy to play with and enjoy your children, the reality of the impact of raising your little ones can take its toll on young parents.

Parenting is a wonderful, yet incredibly stressful job and it undoubtedly changes your relationship with your partner. With a fifth of new parents splitting up after welcoming their child into the world, you may also need to consider the lifelong consequences of single or
co-parenting for both you and your child. While there’s no rules around when it’s best to have children, as it’s a personal choice for
everyone, doing so at a young age means that you are likely to have spent less time with your partner pre-baby, less time building your career, and you’ll have less life experience.

In this article, we explore four potential challenges that young parents may face.

Putting Personal Goals on Hold

When you have a baby, your personal goals, wants and needs get pushed onto the back burner. Achieving your goals in your professional and personal life becomes much harder when you have to prioritize your little one, and arranging childcare if you want to do something alone isn’t always easy. Parenting with a partner is a game of compromise, where you should share the load evenly so that you both feel you don’t lose your personal identity.

As young parents, you’ll likely lean on your family members for support, but you need to be aware that your plans to travel the world, build a business, or even go out with your friends on a Saturday night may have to wait until your children have grown up.

Financial Struggles

The average cost of raising a child in the US is $233,610, and with the current cost of living crisis seeing our housing, electricity, food and fuel prices continue to rise well above the national minimum wage, this number is ever increasing. Young parents may not have had time to establish their careers and be in a financially stable position to raise their children, which puts pressure on their families and the government to support them.

Even if you continue to work once your baby has arrived, the cost of nursery can eat into your salary considerably and leave you little extra money left over to cover living costs. Niceties such as family holidays and days out are also very expensive, as holiday
companies put their prices up massively out of school term times.

Social Pressures

There can be a lot of social backlash when you have a child at a young age. Even if you feel ready, be prepared to face judgement and stigmas from society as a whole. Many young parents report losing friendships as their priorities shift away from those of their peers, as
instead of going out and partying you’ll be at home rocking your baby to sleep. If you are still a teenager, it’s also far more challenging to finish your education with a baby to raise.

Parents of all ages often feel a huge amount of pressure to be a ‘perfect parent’, but young parents can feel this much more intensely, and this can lead to serious mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.

Medical Risks

For teenage mothers, pregnancy and birth brings an increased risk of medical complications, including eclampsia, postpartum endometritis, low birth weight and preterm delivery. While complications can occur throughout pregnancy and birth at any age, these issues are well worth considering if you’re thinking about starting a family at a young age.

On the flip side, having a child in your late 20s to 30 increases your odds of conceiving and having less complications in your pregnancy and birth.

Accessing Support

There is plenty of support available for young parents, and you should never feel embarrassed or ashamed to ask for help when you need it. Raising children is a magical experience like no other, even if it does come with a never-ending stream of challenges. And despite the obstacles young parents face, many still go on to become extremely successful and raise happy families.

– Article and Resources Contribution by Lily Jones (successful business owner who had children in her early 20s)

Work with me personally! If you are looking to become healthier and gain more balance, peace, joy, and happiness in your relationships, family life, work life, all while effectively and efficiently handling your current day-to-day state of affairs, click here for more information on my personal coaching sessions. You can e-mail me at: info@doughaddad.com

To you and your family living a more healthy, productive, and fulfilling life!

Sources:

https://www.comparethemarket.com/life-insurance/content/a-guide-for-young-parents/
https://www.cgbabyclub.co.uk/love-dont-judge/younger-parents.html
https://www.lv.com/life-insurance/articles/cost-of-raising-a-child
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230628-why-couples-fight-after-having-a-baby

Asbestos in Your Household: Potential Hazards That You May Be Unaware Of

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Asbestos in Your Household: Potential Hazards That You May Be Unaware Of

Asbestos is known for being widely used in homes and buildings constructions before the 1980s, but what’s commonly overlooked is that just until 2022, it was found in the worldwide talc-based version of Johnson & Johnson baby powder, and children’s makeup brands as popular as Jojo Siwa’s had tested positive for it.

In this article, parents will be guided to recognize the potential asbestos hazards in the home, and most importantly, how to best assess those risks so that their living space can be safe for everyone, especially children since mesothelioma cancer and other asbestos-related diseases take around 20 to 60 years to develop so the safety measures applied right now can represent a vast difference in our kids’ adult lives.

Asbestos in the Home

Do-it-yourself home projects have been gaining popularity because TikTok videos and Pinterest boards have left more than one inspired. At the end of the day, with just a few bucks, a weekend, and a tutorial on loop, you can save plenty of money, right? That’s what you would think. But the truth is that if you have a home built before the 1980s you may be exposing yourself and your family to asbestos, therefore, to mesothelioma cancer, with simple things such as drilling into drywall to hang a painting and removing vinyl floor tiles, or more sophisticated activities, such as removing popcorn texture ceilings or cutting insulation on pipes. Even projects as fun as classic car at-home renovations can represent a risk since older brakes can contain asbestos.

Children’s Makeup

As of 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found that children’s makeup as popular as Claire’s JoJo Siwa Makeup Set and the Pink Glitter Palette with Eyeshadow & Lip Gloss, among others, tested positive for asbestos. But even after recalling these products, they have not officially announced any plans for discontinuing sales of all talc-based makeup products.

Baby Powder

As of 2022, Johnson & Johnson was still selling internationally its worldwide famous talc-based baby powder, even though it was removed from American shelves in 2019 due to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigation. It was found that it had been contaminated since the 1950s and that company executives had been aware of it ever since. The findings were so severe that the company has paid billions of dollars to plaintiffs. This goes to show that the only way we, as parents, can make sure we’re bringing the healthiest products to our households is to do our own research.

Asbestos in Toys

It’s important to keep an eye out for products imported from countries where asbestos regulations are not in place. Products such as crayons, chalk, and crime lab kits for kids have tested positive.

What can be done to best assess these risks and keep a safe house environment?

  • If your house was built in the 1980s or before, hire a professional to conduct an asbestos test.
  • If your home was built in the 1980s or before, do not attempt any DIY renovation projects, such as inspection, testing, repairs, or removals. Instead, hire a professional.
  • Do not handle any suspected or confirmed material that contains asbestos.
  • If a property or home demolition is needed, contact your local or state government regulatory agency.
  • Avoid brands associated with asbestos and talc contamination and only use talc-free products. You can find examples of such brands here.
  • Look for powders made from alternative ingredients, such as cornstarch, which is a natural and safe alternative to talc.
  • Beware of organic and “clean” brands. Many of them still use talc-based products that can lead to asbestos exposure.
  • Make your proper research on products that are imported from countries where asbestos regulations are not available, especially if those are talc-based products such as crayons and chalk.
  • Finally, if you have concerns about your child’s health, speak with your pediatrician. They can help you assess the risks and provide guidance on safe alternatives.

If you or someone you know may have been exposed to asbestos, it’s imperative that you contact your doctor. Cancer staging is a crucial part of the treatment so each moment counts. For more information about this, please click here.

– Article and Resources Contribution by The Mesothelioma Center

Work with me personally! If you are looking to become healthier and gain more balance, peace, joy, and happiness in your relationships, family life, work life, all while effectively and efficiently handling your current day-to-day state of affairs, click here for more information on my personal coaching sessions. You can e-mail me at: info@doughaddad.com

To you and your family living a more healthy, productive, and fulfilling life!

How to Best Prevent Screen Time from Becoming Problematic at Home

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How to Best Prevent Screen Time from Becoming Problematic at Home

Most parents have been met with the struggle of trying to pry a phone or tablet from the clutches of their child. However, as much of an uphill battle that it may seem, reducing screen time in the home is important, as excessive use can cause both physical and mental health problems, including eye strain, sleep disturbances, and bodily aches and pains. To best reduce the risk of these unwanted effects in both yourself and your family, we’ve put together a guide to some of our top tips to stop screen time from becoming problematic at home.

Lead by example

It goes without saying that if you try to control your child’s screen time without also limiting your own, you’re going to be met with some resistance. This is because kids generally follow the example of adults – and most will want to be doing exactly what everybody else around them is doing at all times.

While young kids may copy their caregiver’s behavior in order to try to emulate them, older children and teenagers may take an alternative approach – perhaps arguing that if you’re allowed to spend time on your screen, they should be, too. In fact, putting some limits on your own screen use is likely to benefit everyone, by not only encouraging your kids to comply with the new way of doing things, but also freeing up some time in your schedule for quality family time.

Implement structure

To avoid any confusion (or a relapse into excessive screen use), you may want to consider creating some sort of structural plan for when everybody in the family is allowed to be on their screens, and when they’re not. This should work really well for families who already make use of some sort of daily structure, such as set dinner times and bedtimes. Families who do things a bit more intuitively may want to start off slow – perhaps scheduling just an hour or so each day for no screen time in order to see how everybody adapts. For a top tip, make sure to schedule your break from screens at the same time for
everybody. This way, kids won’t get bored when they’re the only ones not allowed on their phones – or jealous of siblings who are allowed to watch television when they aren’t.

Introduce other activities

If you’re going to ask your family members to take some time away from their screens, you may want to also think about what they’re going to do instead – and try to make those alternative options as appealing as possible. With a partner, this may look like agreeing between you to have an hour or so to talk at the end of each day. For children, you may want to think about whether or not your home environment is an enriching and entertaining place to be without the need for screens – and add some games or toys, if not. You may also want to consider introducing your kids to an activity that they haven’t tried before, like a craft project, or a sport. You might find that as they become invested in a new activity, the desire to spend time at their screens decreases.

Try not to be too restrictive

Unfortunately, if your approach to screen time is too restrictive too soon, it may become a whole lot more problematic. Children, in general, want what they can’t have – so removing technology from the home or cutting down on screen time too dramatically is likely to just make their phone or laptop that much more desirable.

To get the best results, try to make healthy screen use a collaborative effort, by talking with your kids, and prioritizing interactions with your family throughout the process. This way everybody will feel included, and can work together to stop screen time from becoming problematic at home.

– Article and Resources Contribution by Warren Cooley

Work with me personally! If you are looking to gain more balance, peace, joy, and happiness in your relationships, family life, work life, all while effectively and efficiently handling your current day-to-day state of affairs, click here for more information on my personal coaching sessions. You can e-mail me at: info@doughaddad.com

To you and your family living a more healthy, productive, and fulfilling life!

Six Ways to Help Your Children Learn Outside the Classroom

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Six Ways to Help Your Children Learn Outside the Classroom

Sometimes, children who are naturally creative and intellectually curious actually struggle in traditional classrooms. They might come to you with questions that their teacher can’t answer, have difficulty with typical homework assignments, or express a desire to learn about subjects that aren’t covered in their curriculum.

How can you help your child understand complex topics and develop a love of learning outside of school? Here are a few tips for to increase your child’s knowledge of the world and show them that education doesn’t just happen in the classroom. 

Turn to Educational Programming

Want to try an unorthodox learning method? Believe it or not, your television can be a great educational tool. Yes, there are great programs through PBS Kids and National Geographic, but there is a whole other world of educational programming your children can access. Streaming media devices have the advantage over cable and satellite of being able to offer a wealth of free channels you can use to enhance your child’s education. For example, your child can learn about math, history, geography, chemistry and even physics through the iEducation channel. Or, if your kiddo needs to work on their writing skills, Grammar Revolution TV helps them learn to diagram sentences through the use of puzzles. However, set a screen time limit of up to one hour a day and be sure to supervise it to ensure that it is age-appropriate and meets your standards.

Visit Your Local Library

Your local public library contains a wealth of knowledge. You can choose books to read to your child or help them find books that are suitable for their reading level. Plus, your library probably offers other free resources and fun classes that you and your child can take together. No matter which subjects your child is interested in learning about, you can find stacks of books, documentaries, and even educational magazines to help you answer all of their questions. Make visiting your library a regular weekend excursion to enjoy some extra bonding time with your child. 

Visit Museums

Is your child having difficulty understanding a topic related to science, art, or history? Perhaps a visit to a relevant museum will help them see the concept in a whole new light. There are plenty of engaging museums specifically geared toward children. While you’re there, your child can check out interactive exhibits, and on your drive home, you can discuss everything they learned. 

Do Arts and Crafts

According to Think Fun, doing arts and crafts can be an enjoyable and relaxing way for kids to relieve stress. Plus, giving your child the chance to get crafty at home, where they know they won’t be judged or graded, is a great way to encourage them to express their creativity. 

This can also provide the perfect activity for a rainy weekend afternoon. So, get out the construction paper, glue, scissors, paint, and any other fun supplies you can find at your local crafts store, and then let your child’s imagination run wild! 

Model Learning

Returning to school online to earn a teacher certificate can be an excellent way to model the value of learning to your children. By pursuing further education and professional development, you demonstrate the importance of lifelong learning and the benefits of investing in oneself. Earning a teacher certificate can also provide valuable career opportunities, allowing you to make a positive impact on the lives of students and contribute to your community. Additionally, by sharing your experiences with your children, you can inspire them to pursue their own educational goals and instill in them a love of learning that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Go Hiking

Explore the great outdoors! If your child likes hands-on learning, take them hiking, or visit your closest state and national parks. Look up native flora and fauna so you can teach your child about the local ecosystems. They can learn about animals, plants, and nature, all without cracking a book. According to Best for the Kids, spending more time outside can actually help improve your child’s concentration skills; when they’re outdoors, they’re focused on their surroundings, rather than being distracted by screens. 

Learning doesn’t have to stop outside the walls of the classroom. We all have our own unique learning styles, and not every child is suited to a standard classroom. As a parent, you can support your child in their individual learning journey by introducing them to new places, reading interesting books, and trying educational activities that you can enjoy together.

– Article and Resources Contribution by Jason Kenner

Work with me personally! If you are looking to gain more clarity, balance, peace, joy, and happiness in your life, all while effectively and efficiently handling your current day-to-day state of affairs, click here for more information on my personal coaching sessions. You can e-mail me at: info@doughaddad.com

To you and your family living a more healthy and fulfilling life!

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A Parent’s Guide to Teaching Kids Good Hygiene Habits

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A Parent’s Guide to Teaching Kids Good Hygiene Habits

For parents, it is easy to follow hygiene habits since they already know about the importance of good hygiene (whether that was through the easy way or the hard way). However, for kids, it’s difficult to teach them how to be hygienic. You need to keep your kids healthy and for that, we’ve created a simple guide. Let’s check the details.

Why is Good Hygiene Important?

Teaching kids good hygiene habits are important for several reasons:

  • Promotes health: Good hygiene practices help prevent the spread of germs and illnesses, keeping children healthy at every stage of growing children.
  • Encourages cleanliness: Developing good hygiene habits at a young age can help children learn the importance of being clean and tidy, which can carry over into adulthood.
  • Builds self-esteem: Children who practice good hygiene feel good about themselves and have more confidence.

Tips for Teaching Good Hygiene

The purpose of a guide on teaching kids how to use hygiene products and maintain good hygiene habits is to provide parents and caregivers with information and tips on how to effectively teach children about proper hygiene practices, including hand-washing, brushing their teeth, and covering their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. The guide can also help children establish and maintain good hygiene habits that can contribute to their overall health and well-being.

1. Washing Hands

Regular hand-washing is crucial in preventing the spread of germs and illnesses. Encourage your children to make it a habit to wash their hands frequently, especially after contact with potentially contaminated surfaces or activities. Remind them to use soap and water, and to scrub for at least 20 seconds. Drying hands thoroughly with a clean towel or air dryer is also important since moisture is the best place for germs and bacteria to thrive.

For promoting proper hand hygiene in your house, you can put some posters inside the washroom on how to use hygiene products. Your kids need to not only wash their hands properly but also know when to use hand sanitizers and wet wipes. They need to wash their hands: 

  • Before eating.
  • After touching frequently-touched areas. 
  • Before and after treating wounds.
  • After touching pets. 
  • After using the toilet.

Also, your kids will need to use hand sanitizers and wet wipes when the washroom is not at hand reach.

2. Brushing Teeth Twice a Day

Brushing teeth regularly is essential for maintaining good oral health and preventing tooth decay and gum disease. It is recommended to brush your teeth at least twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime, for two minutes each time. Using toothpaste can also help strengthen teeth and prevent cavities. 

Make sure to supervise your children while brushing and flossing to ensure they are using the proper technique and to help them establish good oral hygiene habits that will last a lifetime.

3. Covering the Mouth When Sneezing or Coughing

Covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing helps to prevent the spread of germs and reduce the risk of illness. Encourage your children to use a tissue to cover their mouth and nose, or to cough or sneeze into their elbow if a tissue is not available. 

Remind them to throw used tissues in the trash immediately and wash their hands after coughing or sneezing to further reduce the spread of germs.

4. Bathing Regularly

Regular bathing is an important aspect of good hygiene. It helps to keep the skin clean and free of dirt, oil, and bacteria that can cause skin irritation or infections. Encourage your children to take a bath or shower at least once a day, and to use soap to wash their bodies, including under their arms, behind their ears, and between their legs. 

Teach them to wash their hair regularly and to rinse thoroughly to remove soap and shampoo. Regular bathing can help your children feel fresh, clean, and confident, and promote overall health and well-being.

5. Avoiding Touching the Face

Touching the face, especially the mouth, nose, and eyes, can introduce germs and bacteria into the body, which can lead to illness. Encourage your children to minimize face-touching, especially after being in contact with potentially contaminated surfaces or objects. Remind them to wash their hands frequently, especially before touching their face, to reduce the risk of infection. This simple habit can help keep your children healthy and prevent the spread of germs.

6. Cleaning and Disinfecting Surfaces

Regular cleaning and disinfecting of frequently-touched surfaces can help prevent the spread of germs and reduce the risk of illness. Encourage your children to clean and disinfect their personal spaces, such as desks, keyboards, phones, and toys, regularly using an appropriate disinfectant. 

Teach them the importance of cleaning these items to keep them germ-free and healthy. Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces can be a simple but effective way to maintain good hygiene and promote overall health.

These were all the tips that you as a parent need to consider to teach your kids to take care of their bodies properly. If they follow the simple hygiene habits at your home, most probably they may follow them outside of the house as well.

– Article and Resources Contribution by Arnold Williams

Are you looking for inspiration for helping your tween and teen grow? Are you tired of feeling run down and want guidance on how to feel better and be healthier?

Work with me personally! If you looking to gain more clarity, balance, peace, joy, and happiness in your life, all while effectively and efficiently handling your current day-to-day state of affairs, click here for more information on my personal coaching sessions. You can e-mail me at: info@doughaddad.com

To your self-care!

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