Kids and Eating Disorders

Humans need food and water to live. Kids especially need to eat healthy food and enough of it  to grow and develop. But for some kids, they hear about food making them "too fat" or they start to worry about food and some kids stop eating right, eat too little, or try to make themselves throw up after they eat

Doing this can make kids get very sick without enough food, or if a kid keeps throwing up it makes our bodies stop growing and developing in a healthy way. If this goes on for a long time, kids can get very sick and need to go to hospital to be fed through a tube in their nose. Sometimes people can't stop their bodies getting so sick, and it can even lead to death. Why, then, would anyone do it? Well, there isn't just one answer  there are many.

Some say it's because there are lots of too-thin models and movie or TV stars. We see these people's bodies on TV, the computer, or in a magazine and might feel that we want to look like that too because they seem rich and happy all the time. A lot of us like the way that TV stars and sports celebrities look, or they wish their own bodies looked different.
But that's probably not the whole story. Most kids just enjoy looking at pictures of famous people and seeing them on TV, but it doesn't make them change their own lives. Some might start trying to eat healthy and exercise, or ask their parents if they can help them to be more healthy.
But some people go on a diet, which means they start eating less food  and sometimes dieting can get out of control. Some kids at school might start competing about how little they have eaten that day. Some brag about having a diet soda for breakfast. But this can be the start of unhealthy eating problems.

Imaginary friends

It is quite common for children of about three or four years of age to have an imaginary friend. This may be another child or could be a magical person or an animal. Sometimes the imaginary friends change as the child grows older.

Often children who have imaginary friends are only children, or oldest children in the family; but having an imaginary friend does not mean that your child is lonely. They are usually creative, imaginative children.

As the child grows older the real world takes over and by the time the child is going to school the imaginary friend usually just quietly disappears

Are imaginary friends a problem?

Imaginary friends are a part of normal development and rather than being a problem they can help children to deal with some of the stresses in their lives.
Sometimes an imaginary friend can help parents to see where a problem is.

• For example if the imaginary friend is afraid of the dark it is likely that the child is afraid of the dark and learning to manage her fears through the friend.
• If the friend is always misbehaving and getting into trouble it may be that the child is having too may rules or punishments.

Sometimes children can use their imaginary friends to avoid doing something they don't want to.

If your child plays happily with others and enjoys doing things with you and other children there is not likely to be any problem. If the child continues to choose the friend very often rather than doing things in the real world it is helpful to have a look at what is going on in his life and think about ways to help him enjoy doing real things as well.
 

What to do when baby lisp?

The lisp is manifested by the lack of pronunciation of words.

This is a common occurrence in children. A priori, there is nothing more worrying because until the age of 6 years, medical treatment is unnecessary. But if this problem is exaggerated and that person can no longer understand what the child wants to transmit, then it is essential to consult a specialist.
Medical examinations will focus on the mouth, nose or ears These diagnostics will detect any abnormalities in these organs. There is talk of a closer look at the tongue and jaw to see if there is a malformation or serous otitis which prevents small to hear.
If it is proved that the lisp from a bad position of the tongue, the speech therapist to teach the child to better position his tongue. And here, parents also have an important responsibility to encourage the baby to stop the bottle, or tototte his thumb that could aggravate the problem.

Bedwetting

Most children begin to stay dry at night around three years of age. When a child has a problem with bedwetting after that age, parents may become concerned.

Physicians stress that enuresis is not a disease, but a symptom, and a fairly common one. Occasional accidents may occur, particularly when the child is ill. Here are some facts parents should know about bedwetting:
Approximately 15 percent of children wet the bed after the age of three
Many more boys than girls wet their beds
Bedwetting runs in families
Usually bedwetting stops by puberty
Most bedwetters do not have emotional problems

Bedwetting beyond the age of three or four rarely signals a kidney or bladder problem. Bedwetting may sometimes be related to a sleep disorder. In most cases, it is due to the development of the child's bladder control being slower than normal. Bedwetting may also be the result of the child's tensions and emotions that require attention.
There are a variety of emotional reasons for bedwetting. For example, when a young child begins bedwetting after several months or years of dryness during the night, this may reflect new fears or insecurities
Sometimes bedwetting occurs after a period of dryness because the child's original toilet training was too stressful.
Parents should remember that children rarely wet on purpose, and usually feel ashamed about the incident

Parents may help children who wet the bed by:
Limiting liquids before bedtime
Encouraging the child to go to the bathroom before bedtime
Praising the child on dry mornings
Avoiding punishments

Internet Addiction and Children -Warning Signs

Timothy was twelve when his parents bought him a computer for his room, thinking it would be helpful to him with his homework, as he was entering junior high. Timothy took to the Internet immediately and soon discovered chat rooms and email. At first, Timothy's parents watched over his shoulder frequently to make sure he was using the Internet safely. After a little while though, they stopped monitoring his online habits. Soon problems arose, however. Timothy began to spend all of his free time in his bedroom, and was moody when asked to spend time with his family. His average grade dropped from an A to a D and he became irritable and angry when he was away from his computer. Timothy is a high risk for Internet addiction.

Computers have long been used by both children and adults as reliable sources of information. Over 20% of children now have computers in their own rooms and through the Internet have access to an unlimited supply of information and interaction. However, the risks of addiction are very great among children who are exposed to the Internet without strong parental guidelines.
Excessive Internet use in children can lead to health problems like obesity, headaches and general ill health due to lack of physical activity. Children may become socially maladjusted and less able to communicate well with friends and family. Pedophiles can and do target children online. There is a high risk that children who use the Internet excessively will be exposed to inappropriate sexual content as well as scams. Excessive game play and use of online services can also result in children spending money without their parents' knowledge. Finally, a majority of popular online games depict excessive use of violence. Viewing trivialized violence in a virtual world, like television or the Internet has been linked to marked increases in behavioral violence among young viewers.

Warning signs for Internet addiction:
1. The Internet is frequently used as a means of escaping from problems or relieving a depressed mood.

2. Your child often loses track of time while online.

3. Sleep is sacrificed for the opportunity to spend more time online.

4. Your child prefers to spend more time online than with friends or family.

5. He/She lies to family member and friends about the amount of time or nature of surfing being done on the Internet.

6. Your child becomes irritable if not allowed to access the Internet.

7. He/She has lost interest in activities they once found enjoyable before getting online access.

8. Your child forms new relationships with people they have met online.

9. They check their email several times per day.

10. They eat in front of the computer frequently.
 
11. Your child develops withdrawal symptoms including: anxiety, restlessness, or trembling hands after not using the Internet for a lengthy period of time.

12.Your child is preoccupied with getting back online when away from the computer.

13. They have trouble distinguishing between the virtual world and the real world.

It is very important that parents identify Internet addiction in their children at an early age and set limits on their Internet use.


 

 

Dealing With Feelings My Emotions & Behaviors- Being Afraid

Have you ever been afraid? Everyone gets scared sometimes. Maybe thunder and lightning make your heart beat faster. Or maybe your mouth goes dry when your teacher announces a pop quiz, or your palms sweat when it's your turn to give your report in front of the class. Perhaps you get butterflies in your stomach when you see the bully who picks on you.

Everyday Worries

We all have fears from time to time. That's true no matter how big we are or brave we can be. Fear can even be good for you sometimes and even help you stay healthy. Fear of getting too close to a campfire may save you from a bad burn. And fear of getting a bad grade on a test might make you study more

What Happens When You're Scared?

Have you ever wondered why being scared makes your heart beat faster and makes you breathe quicker? The body's reaction to fear is called the "fight or flight" response. And people have had it since the beginning of time.

Here's how it works. Imagine you're a caveman or cavewoman living 100,000 years ago — and you come face to face with a hungry saber-toothed tiger. You have two choices: 1) Run for it (that's flight), or 2) pick up your club and battle the tiger (that's fight). A final choice (be eaten) doesn't seem like such a good one!

Today, you can apply fight or flight to that bully who confronts you and won't listen to reason. You have two choices: 1) Turn and walk away (flight), or 2) fight, even though you know fighting won't solve the problem.

What Is Anxiety?

Usually, our bodies go into fight or flight only when there is something to fear. However, sometimes this occurs when there doesn't seem to be anything to be frightened about. When you feel scared but there doesn't seem to be a clear reason, that's called anxiety

Dealing With Anxiety

Anxiety can be treated successfully. Tell your mom or dad if find yourself more scared than you feel you should be or if your anxiety becomes strong and is getting in the way of what you want or need to do.

Your parents might take you to a doctor, who can help find out if a medical problem is making you feel anxious, or to a therapist, who can help find a way to lessen the anxiety through talking, activities, relaxation exercises, or medication

Baby talk :)

It's a short piece of TV program. It shows us how little babies comunicates in early years of their lifes - for example we can indentify few diffrents sounds of baby cry - each mean something diffrent :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEFefKdSGWM

enjoy watching!