HaltonParents

Disasters and Tragedies… Can you ever be prepared?

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Cynthia Lindsay RN

I’m still in shock by the recent bombings in Boston. I’m so saddened and horrified that this senseless act has taken place… again. How do you even try to explain this tragedy to your kids? My 12 year old son just couldn’t understand why someone would do that? Really I couldn’t explain the unexplainable… We just talked… Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Children & Tweens, Keeping Your Baby Safe, Keeping Your Child/Tween Safe, Keeping Your Teen Safe, Keeping Your Toddler & Preschooler Safe, Parenting, Pregnancy, Prenatal Health, Teens, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged children, disaster, emergency, emergency preparedness, events, families, health, kids, parents, Services, tragedy | 1 Comment

Are YOUR immunizations up to date?

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Andrea Scott RN

I don’t know about you but since I’ve become a mom I can barely make sure my toenails are clipped. I like to think I’m doing alright with self-care – for the most part I’m eating healthy and exercising. I’m right on top of my daughter’s doctors’ appointments but I couldn’t tell you the last time I saw my eye doctor or had my physical done. Pumpkin has her 15 month well-baby check-up and varicella vaccination this week (note to self – book physical while there) and just like with everything else, I know her vaccinations are up-to-date. My own? Hmmm…

Here’s the thing about vaccinations. It’s so easy to feel safe from the seemingly obscure diseases. I mean, really, who do you know has been severely affected by a vaccine-preventable disease beyond the week-long itch from the chicken pox? Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Before Pregnancy, Children & Tweens, Keeping Your Baby Safe, Keeping Your Child/Tween Safe, Keeping Your Teen Safe, Keeping Your Toddler & Preschooler Safe, Parenting, Pregnancy, Prenatal Health, Teens, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged boosters, grandparents, immunization, meningitis, Physical Health, Services, special needs, vaccine, vaccine preventable disease | 10 Comments

How not to say the wrong thing

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Karen Hay, RN

Last week I posted a blog about how to help and support a family facing illness. That blog focused on what you can do.

Along with the challenges of not knowing what to do, you can face the challenge of not knowing what to say. And speaking from experience, people can say the darndest things!

I ran across this essay in the LA Times a few weeks ago that I thought was brilliant advice on how not to say the wrong thing. The essay discusses a simple “ring theory” with the philosophy of “Comfort IN – Dump OUT”. It really puts things in perspective. The great thing about this theory is you can apply it to almost any situation. The article provides some great examples. I hope you find it as enlightening as I did.

Read Karen’s Bio

Posted in Babies, Children & Tweens, Parenting, Parenting Your Baby, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Pregnancy, Teens, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged family, friend, help, illness, Mental Health, Physical Health, say, special needs, support | 1 Comment

Supporting a family who is facing illness

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Karen Hay, RN

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. Since then I have had 4 major surgeries and chemotherapy. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs and a lot of times I needed help, whether I liked it or not.

It was hard to be ill and concede I couldn’t take care of my family. It was really hard. Even though I was tired, weak, nauseous and in pain I still wanted to do it all. But I couldn’t.

Have you ever had someone you care about face a serious illness? A friend, a neighbour, or a colleague? How did you respond? Did you feel comfortable offering help? Did you know what would be helpful? Knowing what to do is not always easy. Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Children & Tweens, Parenting, Parenting Your Baby, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Pregnancy, Teens, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged cancer, family, friend, help, illness, Mental Health, parent, Physical Health, special needs, support | 7 Comments

“Brushing my kid’s teeth could be an Olympic sport!”

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Halton Guest Blogger

“My children do not want to brush their teeth,”

“My child will not sit still for me to brush,”

“My preschooler wants to brush his own teeth but doesn’t do a good job.”

Can you relate? Many of the parents I meet at our dental clinics and parenting groups also ask: “When should I start brushing my child’s teeth?” and “Should I use toothpaste with fluoride or without, and how much toothpaste should I use?” Continue reading →