parenting - Parenting Healthy

The best times of the year to shop for kids items

When is a good time to buy kids swimwear? Did you guess February? Probably not, but February is when most families begin thinking about summer plans and Moms are shopping 2 seasons early to spike the excitement of these summer plans. This is according to Zulily’s new, Best Time to Shop for Kids Trend Report!

The report gives other times of the year that are best for buying kids items. July is the favorite toy shopping month and November is the best time to buy nursery and baby gear. The reasons are explained in the report. Let’s take a quick look at what months are best to shop for kids items:

January: shop for athletic wear (yes, for your kids). Have you ever waited until March to find spring sports cleats? Too late! For sneakers, track suits and athletic apparel, start in January.

February: shop for swimwear (burr)! However, Summer planning has started, so get the swimsuits, sunscreen and sandals ordered so you can focus on just getting out the door come vacation time.

March: shop for luggage and bags. The trip is planned, the swimwear is ordered and now it is time for the bag check. Sales spike in April so jump on it and get ready to teach the kids how to pack a bag.

April: shop for camping gear. Many retailers like Zulily spike camping sales in April, May. You will want to start shopping early April and restock that camping gear so you are ready!

May: shop for your gymnast or dancer. May seems to be the best time to shop leotards and dance wear.

June: shop for Halloween. Seriously! Have you ever waited until September to find the popular costumes and have to redo plans? I have! June and July are great Halloween costume buying months.

July: shop for toys. Toys teach and with school starting soon, stock up on toys that bring out the thinker, doer and their imaginations.

August: shop for special occasion apparel. If there is an event happening at all the second half of the year, shop now! It is about to get busy, so now is the time to stop and plan special celebrations.

September: shop for kids coats. The best stock is before sales start dumping product fast in October.

October: shop for kids statement pieces. They have their own identities and we can express that in their clothing and accessories. As the Holidays near, stock up on essentials in October.

November: shop for baby and nursery deals. It seems as retailers are FALL-ing for babies this time of the year with new design releases and sales.

December: shop for bloomers. Think frills and lace and bottoms for the colder season.

I am a planner and when I find the right times to shop that offer me either the best deals or guarantee of in-stock items then I plan ahead. I don’t experience the stress of last minute rushes or the hassle of driving to multiple stores to find what I need when I create shopping plans. You can become a better planner as well with the Best Time to Shop for Kids Trend Report that is up to date with the best tips.

Keeping kids safe when they’re playing sports

March 11, 2022March 11, 2022 Erin Sluka

Playing sports and exercising is very important for your child’s health and wellbeing, but it’s only natural to worry about their safety. Some sports can be risky and no parent wants their child to get hurt. However, there are lots of things you can do to keep your children as safe as possible when they’re running about outside. And remember, a few bruises and scrapes really aren’t going to do much harm in the long run. If anything, these are a normal part of childhood and will help your child to learn what risks they can take while improving their coordination.

Buy the right equipment

One of the best ways to decrease your child’s risk of getting hurt is by buying protective equipment for them. While giving them a helmet during tennis wouldn’t be appropriate, it’s essential if they’re wanting to ride a bike or learn how to roller-skate. The right kneepads can also go a long way when playing sports like volleyball, especially if your child has a tendency to come home with grazed knees. Make sure you ask your child’s teachers or coaches whether they need any special equipment for sports.

Encourage rest

If your little one loves running about and wants to play sports every day of the week, make sure they’re getting enough rest as well. It’s easy for kids to forget that their bodies need downtime if they’re having a good time, so try to get them to sit down in the shade for a while and plan some calming activities at home during the evening.

Bring water

Having a bottle of water on hand is crucial in the summer, but it’s equally important to keep your kids hydrated in cooler weather when they’re playing sports. Make sure you tell them how important it is to stay hydrated and, if you’re sitting on the sidelines, call them over every now and again to encourage them to take a sip of water.

Take injuries seriously

Most of the time your child’s sprained ankle is nothing to worry about, but if the problem persists or the pain seems worse than usual, it’s best to get them checked out by a doctor. The worst thing you can do is try and pretend that nothing is wrong. Treating an injury early will increase your child’s chances of going back to normal as soon as possible. So even if you find admitting that your child could be badly hurt scary, you need to take responsibility and get them the treatment they need.

Educate your kids

Sometimes children get hurt because they don’t fully understand all the risks of playing sports. Make sure they know to try and avoid colliding with other children and how to fall properly to avoid injury. It’s also a good idea to point out obvious things like making sure their shoelaces are always tied. It might seem silly, but children often don’t realize things like this until it’s too late.

Parenting

How to Help Your Children Avoid Pedestrian Accidents

March 4, 2022March 4, 2022 Erin Sluka

You may never be able to prevent every accident from happening, but there are steps you can take to potentially reduce the risk and make you and your children safer when out in public. The next time you venture out for a walk with your family, keep the following tips in mind to help your children avoid pedestrian accidents.

Use Sidewalks

The average New Jersey pedestrian accident lawyer assists with a wide range of pedestrian accident claims, but many would likely say that very few happen on sidewalks. Most vehicles will steer clear of sidewalks, which means they may be the safest place for you and your children to be when navigating your town or city’s streets.

If there are no sidewalks for you to use, one of the most crucial pedestrian safety tips you can teach your children is to walk on the left side of the road. Rather than having traffic approaching from behind, they can see it coming toward them.

Limit Your Distractions

It can be easy to be preoccupied when you’re walking along a busy street. You might be distracted by store displays, your phone, and the people around you. However, it can be crucial to make your children your primary focus. By staying alert of your surroundings, you can be on the lookout for any hazards that may pose a risk to their health and safety.

Make Yourself Visible

Driving conditions can change every day, and if you’re walking with your children or on your own, you want to be as visible as possible to vehicle operators. Wear light-colored clothing and even consider the use of reflective materials to make you more visible in low lighting. If you’re walking your children to school, shop around for backpacks with reflective features to further increase their visibility.

Teach the Importance of Stopping and Looking

Children don’t always understand when they’re in dangerous situations as they haven’t developed their danger awareness instincts yet. As a result, they may not think twice about chasing a ball onto the road or running across a busy street when they’re running late for school.

Teach your children about the importance of stopping and looking as soon as you start walking around your local streets with them. Each time you need to stop and cross a street, verbally state what you’re doing and why you’re doing it to help them understand why it’s a rule they must follow.

Use Crosswalks

In 2017, one in five children under age 15 killed in traffic accidents were pedestrians. While not all of these accidents can be prevented, you may be able to help your children be safer by teaching them about the importance of using crosswalks.

Even if they have to walk out of their way to access one, these dedicated walking areas may be easier for drivers to see than a child stepping out onto a busy road that isn’t safe for pedestrians.

Walking may be an effective way to get to your destination, but it can be dangerous for children who don’t know how to keep themselves safe. The next time you venture out for a family walk, keep these practical tips in mind.

Parenting

Helpful Tips for First Time Parents

February 3, 2022September 18, 2022 Erin Sluka

Bringing a child into the world can come with a mixture of emotions, ranging from sheer joy to panic. The desire to take care of and look after your bundle of joy and keep them safe at all times can seem overwhelming, especially if you are doing it for the first time.

However, with a little guidance and knowledge, you can easily settle into the role of being a confident parent and navigate the challenges that this new chapter presents. In this article, we have outlined some helpful tips to keep your baby healthy, happy and safe once they arrive into the world.

Holding Your Newborn

If you have never held a baby before, the prospect might seem daunting. As their muscles have yet to develop, babies are fragile and require support to their neck and head when being picked up and held. Make sure to always support this area with your hands or arm. Always be gentle when handling your baby, and do not be rough with or shake them, as this can cause internal bleeding or death.

Soothing

Comforting a crying baby can be a challenge, especially when you don’t know what the reason is. In many cases, you can soothe your baby by trying the following comforting techniques:

Gently rock your baby from side to side while softly singing or shushing them
Play some calming music such as a lullaby or something rhythmic which mimics the sounds of the womb such as a washing machine or clothes dryer. A white-noise machine that emits such sounds can also be played at a low volume until your child settles
Being held will also soothe your child and help them feel emotionally bonded to you. Cuddling and holding them close to you while you do your activities can help to calm your child. Comfortable baby carriers can make this much easier for you and your child
Your baby loves to hear your voice, so singing to them or gently cooing can help them to settle. Try reading a story to your child while gently rocking them and helping them to fall asleep
Distraction can often be a good ploy to soothe a baby. A cuddly toy or baby rattle can capture their attention and help them to quieten down

Diaper Changing

Whether you choose disposable or cloth diapers, make sure you are stocked up on additional supplies such as fasteners, wet wipes and diaper rash cream.

A full or wet diaper can cause irritation or rashes to your baby’s skin if left unattended so it’s a good idea to do a diaper check every couple of hours. According to experts, a baby‘s diaper will need changing every two to three hours or up to 12 times a day.

When changing your baby’s diaper, place them on their back and watch them at all times to prevent them from rolling away. Open up the diaper and clean your baby using wet wipes or a washcloth. Remove the old diaper and apply diaper rash cream before fitting the new diaper. With a little practice, this will become second nature.

With these three tips, you can feel ready for your new role as first time parents.