Tag Archives: simply kc magazine

CONQUERING CHILDHOOD OBESITY: ONE EXERCISE AT A TIME

Posted on by
FacebookPinterestLinkedInStumbleUponDeliciousTumblrShare

SIMPLYkc Magazine – April 2012 issue

by STACEY HATTON

There has been so much damage to our eating habits from the offerings at fast-food chains over the last few decades.  And while one just can’t instantaneously revolutionize a country’s eating habits, some establishments are making some modifications. However, the essential changes must be a combination of altering what goes into the mouths of babes, the quantity of what enters those mouths, and assisting children to get off the couch or computer chair and start moving. We just need to get motivated and stick with it!

Present health risks for youth

The Center of Disease Control and Protection reports, “Obesity now affects 17% of all children and adolescents in the United States – triple the rate from just one generation ago.” This is not only a staggering statistic for the future of our children’s health, but there are risks at hand associated with obesity even at young ages:

  • High blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
  • Increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
  • Breathing problems, such as sleep apnea, and asthma.
  • Joint problems and musculoskeletal discomfort.
  • Fatty liver disease, gallstones, and gastro-esophageal reflux (i.e., heartburn).
  • Obese children and adolescents have a greater risk of social and psychological problems, such as discrimination and poor self-esteem, which can continue into adulthood.

(CDC report, April 2011)

What needs to be done?

Obviously something drastic and permanent; but change is not easy, especially when it comes to convincing families to change their entire lifestyle. “Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommend that children and teens get physical activity for at least 1 hour per day on most (or better yet, all) days of the week,” says the American Academy of Pediatrics. How many of us are squeezing this into our kids’ busy days? It sounds like a lot, but with 1440 minutes in the day, deliberate scheduling, repetition and/or breaking up the 60 minutes into 15 minute increments, the task can become manageable.

Julie a Physical Education teacher in an Olathe elementary school recommends, “Family activities can be as simple as taking a walk or bike ride after dinner or playing in the backyard, the playground at your local park or school.  The Wii has several games that the whole family can enjoy, especially when going outside is not an option.  My family especially enjoys playing Just Dance together and Wii boxing and tennis can really get your heart pumping, too!  Playing chase is a game most children enjoy, too, and can be a great workout for parents and children alike without requiring any equipment!  Shooting baskets or dribbling a basketball, kicking soccer balls, or just seeing how many times you can keep a balloon in the air are fun alternatives!  Hula hoops and jump ropes are fun right now for my early elementary school-aged kids and they think it’s really fun to see how good (or not so good) Mom and Dad are!  What I think is most important is to mix it up, especially with younger children!  If they enjoy what they are doing and having fun, exercise is an added bonus!”

Family Fun Activities

Needing help coming up with more ways to motivate the family to keep moving? Here are a few ideas:

1)      Cardio activities: tag, hide-and-seek, duck-duck-goose, dodge ball, basketball, soccer, tennis, badminton, walking, jogging/running, musical chairs, the Hokey-Pokey, Wii (“Fit” or “Just Dance”), dance-freeze (everybody dance until the music stops and then freeze in a crazy position).

2)      Coordination & Strength: tug-of-war, jungle gyms, swings, teeter-totters, ice skating, roller skating, swimming, bike riding.

3)      Family Contests: hula hoop, jump rope, obstacle course, three-legged race.

Walking School Bus

Fewer children are walking to school these days. Lack of safe routes, inconvenience, idleness, and time constraints are just a few excuses made by families, but just walking to school could make a big difference in the amount of daily exercise your child gets. A “walking school bus” is comprised of group of children walking to school along with one or more adults. It is best to start with a small group and then increase numbers if it’s successful and safe. The program leader determines the interest in your neighborhood. Checking with other parents, school officials, and law enforcement is also suggested. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend one adult for every six children. If children are age 10 or older, fewer adults may be needed. If children are ages 4 to 6, one adult per three children is recommended,” says National Center for Safe Routes to School. A detailed startup plan can be found at: www.walkingschoolbus.org.

White House Involvement

First Lady Michelle Obama faces this country’s childhood obesity epidemic head on with her program titled “Let’s Move!” It focuses on increasing physical fitness and improving nutrition for children. An element of the program is the HealthierUS Schools Challenge, where schools are required to meet higher standards in nutrition and physical activity. The goal is to reduce the childhood obesity rate to just five percent by 2030. For more information, check out: www.letsmove.gov.

©2012, Hatton.  All rights reserved.

**********************************************************************************************
FacebookPinterestLinkedInStumbleUponDeliciousTumblrShare

TAMING TEMPER TANTRUMS – SIMPLY kc Magazine

Posted on by
FacebookPinterestLinkedInStumbleUponDeliciousTumblrShare

SIMPLY kc Magazine – March 2012 issue

TAMING TEMPER TANTRUMS

PARENTING: by Stacey Hatton

Do you have a screamer, floor writher, kicker, stomper, or a breath holder?  Or are you really lucky and have a child who can throw a tantrum better than Paris Hilton or the cast of Jersey Shore?  No doubt these episodes are challenging, but the facts are they are a prime time to educate your head-spinning youth on how to behave in public.  And the earlier you get your child to understand what acceptable behavior is, the better off the teen years will be!

Origins

Sometime during the second year of life, tots decide whether or not Mom and Dad’s rules are rigid.  They test boundaries and life gets louder and more frustrating for the entire family.  Boys and girls are equal in their frequency and levels of tantrums, and there is no clear cut off for when they will cease.  Depending on gene pool and behavior modification on the parents’ part, your children could have occasional or habitual tantrums!  Young children don’t have the equivalent emotional control that (most) adults have, so kiddos display their frustrations, lack of verbal communication skills, and desire for independence via tantrums.

Prevention

The best way to avoid temper tantrums is to spot one coming and head it off.  Sometimes they catch you off guard, but typically there are signs a meltdown is about to make a presence.  Often if the child feels he isn’t getting enough attention, he will try various tricks.  After all, why is it every time an urgent phone call comes in your perfectly behaved child will scream for all food groups and every item in the house which is too tall to reach? Distraction is an effective tool for moments like this.  Pull out those reams of paper and crayons, or a handful of pipe cleaners to make into fun creations. Take their focus off of you and keep refocusing it on something else before they melt.  It takes practice on the parent’s part, but it is an effective skill to master. Another way to prevent tantrums is to give the child control over small things.  Love and Logic is a parenting model developed by Jim Fay and Foster W. Cline, M.D. which recommends offering choices. “Do you want to brush your hair first or brush your teeth?”  Does it really matter which gets done first?  No.  But the child will feel as if their opinion matters. Also, knowing the limits of your child is important to preventing tantrums.  If your child has missed their nap for the last three days, they are hungry and you need to go grocery shopping for the entire week, odds are your child is going to flip out during this trip.

Management

Staying calm and collected when your child is heaving toys off store shelves is difficult – but essential.  “Having enough self-control for both of you,” says The Nemours Foundation, is the number one thing a parent must do during the tantrum.  Two tantrums are not going to help, and that behavior is telling the child yelling is appropriate. Ignoring tantrums is suitable at times, if your child is in no harm to himself or others; but keep him in sight.  “If a safety issue is involved and a toddler repeats the forbidden behavior after being told to stop, use a time-out or hold the child firmly for several minutes. Kids must understand you are inflexible on safety issues,” states Nemours. “Time-outs” are for more stubborn tantrums.  Place the child in the pre-designated area.  He should stay seated in the spot for the amount of minutes per year of age of the child. (i.e. 2 minutes for a 2 year old)  After he has calmed down, the adult explains why he was placed in time-out and has him apologize for his actions.  After a hug, he may get up from the time-out location. Grade–schoolers can be sent to their rooms to calm down from a tantrum.  No time limits are necessary, but they shouldn’t leave their room until they have calmed down.  This lets them practice their coping skills.  Remember: consistency with house rules for all age groups is crucial.

Older Children Tantrum Tools

Here are a few tips for youth to help them channel their anger in a healthy manner:

  • Walk away from conflict – This can allow the child to refocus and calm down, without elevating their emotions.
  • Label emotions – Teaching your children to express their anger by using the words “I’m mad because…” is an effective model.  It helps get their anger out and aids the parent in correctly understanding why the child is mad.  Make sure to tell the child you are glad they shared with you.
  • Let anger out safely – Ripping up old magazines, or newspapers.  If you have an artistic child, turning on favorite music and either drawing or writing about what is bothering them can be cathartic.
  • Increase physical activity – Children who have “hot” tempers might benefit from increasing their physical play.  Outside play with friends, team sports, or anything to get them moving and releasing endorphins is a great stress reliever.

Consult Medical Provider if: (Nemours Foundation)

  • Tantrums increase in frequency, intensity, or duration.
  • Your child frequently hurts himself or herself or others.
  • Your child is destructive.
  • Your child displays mood disorders such as negativity, low self-esteem, or extreme dependence.

Stacey Hatton is a pediatric nurse, mother of two and freelance writer.  You can find her humor blog at http://nursemommylaughs.com.

©Hatton, 2012.  All rights reserved.

******************************************************************************************************************

FacebookPinterestLinkedInStumbleUponDeliciousTumblrShare

Shopping for a New Babysitter

Posted on by
FacebookPinterestLinkedInStumbleUponDeliciousTumblrShare

previously published in Simply KC magazine August 2011 issue

by Stacey Hatton

The first time leaving your infant with a babysitter, how well did you fare? Comfort levels tend to wax and wane with how many referrals you have, age and experience of the sitter, or if they have taken a babysitting course.

However, there are many factors allowing you to have a pleasant evening away from the kiddos, as opposed to checking your phone every 30 minutes or your mind playing out various scenarios…like your children tying up the sitter and destroying the custom made drapes with your new zigzag scissors.

FINDING A SITTER

Since you want to find someone mature, and oozing with common sense, yet bubbly, and truly loves kids, word of mouth is usually where you begin. Recommendations from friends, coworkers, neighbors or those at your child’s pediatrician’s office or school can be a great place to start. Here are some categories of sitters you may consider.

Mother’s Helper

Since “tweens” aren’t developmentally ready for watching children solely by themselves, this job is a perfect warm-up job for them. Parents can mold their helper into a babysitter who will be perfect for their future needs.   A parent should be present in the home while the helper assists with responsibilities of caring for the children and household duties. Pay rates nationally start anywhere from minimum wage ($7.25/hr in KS and MO), closer to a regular babysitter rate. But many parents in the KC Metro, pay far less than this since the parent is present in the home while the helper is assisting. Rates vary on the responsibilities, experience, number of children to be cared for, and region of the country.

Traditional Babysitter

Finding a babysitter that thoroughly enjoys playing with kids and not just texting friends and planning the next “big party” is important. If they have taken a babysitting course, usually this is an indicator they are serious about this as a job and not just wanting to sit and watch TV and collect money at the end of the night.

Barb Dalbey and Sharon Hammer, the instructors of Babysitting 101 at Blue Valley Recreation Center are sisters, previous babysitters, and now parents. Certified in first aid and CPR, they discuss splinter removal, bee stings, and how to prepare a babysitter flyer. “We teach them how to unclog a toilet,” says Barb laughing. After the sisters had an unfortunate babysitting incident, where a child tried to flush all the stuffed animals down the bowl, they added water valve turn-off as part of the curriculum. Sharon says, “We also teach how to handle safety issues, like fire, and prevention of any accidents.”

Team of Babysitters

When my children were infants (14 months apart) bedtime was horrific. We could hardly do it as parents, so how could we get a teenager to do it? So instead of being locked in our home for years, we came up with a plan to hire teen friends from our church. They worked in the nursery so we knew they were good with kids and they were best friends and loved spending time together. They were going to hang out together anyway over the weekend and now they had someone to pay them to do it!

Pre-Interview of Sitter

Have a list of questions to ask the sitters made up in advance. Many sitters these days have taken a babysitting course, so they are prepared to answer these questions. It is important to know if they have any training in first aid, choking or certification in child or infant CPR.   The Kansas City American Red Cross has a Babysitter’s Training class and the Training Manager, Susan Seiter, says her, “students are taught the basic care of children of various ages, how to spot hazards, rescue breathing, and first aid, as well as basic child development and good decision making skills.”

A “practice run” during the another day is helpful, if you have a long event coming up or something out of town to make sure you are comfortable with the sitter. Asking your kids afterwards, is a good monitor too! Lastly, have emergency information and household rules out in an easy location for quick reference if needed.

Know Emergency Information

  • First and last name of kids and parents
  • Phone number and address of home (calling 9-1-1, they need to give these out)
  • Children’s birthdates
  • Health insurance company name
  • Parents cell phone numbers AND the number of the place they will be
  • Neighbors phone numbers
  • · Poison Control (1-800-222-1222)

Household Rules

  • Lock all doors.
  • Close blinds and lock windows.
  • Don’t open door to anyone.
  • Keep porch light on.
FacebookPinterestLinkedInStumbleUponDeliciousTumblrShare