Self-Care & Parenting
Parenting feels like a state of constant fatigue -- over-exhausted, over-worked, and over-stretched in both your personal and parenting obligations. It is hard to schedule time for self-care when more than half of all married couples with children have two parents working full time in America. But self-care is vitally important, for both parent and child.
Resources
Saying 'No' is Self-Care for Parents (NYT Parenting)
Burn, Baby, Burn
Parenting can burn more than 50,000 calories per month. Who knew having a baby would also provide you with your very own personal trainer? Learn more.
Resources
New study reveals you burn more than 50,000 calories a month parenting (Microsoft News)
How many calories are burnt by parenting (Wren Kitchens)
How many calories are burnt by parenting (Wren Kitchens)
Motherhood Needs No Comparison
Moms, you are enough. Don’t let the internet tell you any different. Listen now to learn more.
Resources
You Are Enough: How to Combat Comparison in Motherhood (Simple As That Blog)
7 things I'm done comparing myself to other mothers about (Motherly)
The Comparison Trap (Psychology Today)
7 things I'm done comparing myself to other mothers about (Motherly)
The Comparison Trap (Psychology Today)
Best Beverages For Child's Health Concept Milk And Water, They Do A Body Good
A panel of scientists recently released new nutritional guidelines for children. According to these guidelines, for the first five years children should avoid sugary drinks and consume primarily milk and water instead. Listen now and drink up the knowledge!
Resources
What Should Young Children Drink? Mostly Milk and Water, Scientists Say (The New York Times)
American Food Insecurity: Not A Thing Of The Past
Young children’s brains and bodies develop faster during the first five years than at any other time. They need healthy food to power that growth. But food insecurity is still a major issue facing many American families. Listen now to learn more.
Resources
Vision Screenings & Early Awareness
Look at this: According to the American Optometric Association, infants should have their first comprehensive eye exam at six months of age, an additional exam at age three, and another before entering first grade. Can you see why this is so important? Listen here to find out more.
Resources
Eye exams for children: Why they're important (All About Vision)
InfantSee (InfantSee)
Child's Vision (American Optometric Association)
InfantSee (InfantSee)
Child's Vision (American Optometric Association)
Make (Green) Space For Mental Health
Growing up near green spaces is good for mental health. In fact, the more time young children spend in nature the lower the risk of mental health issues later in life. So find the closest green space near you - whether it’s a community garden, an urban park, or a lush forest - and explore the benefits of Mother Nature.
Resources
Get The Lead Out
Baltimore City saw a 97% decrease in the number of children with elevated blood-lead levels over the last 25 years. But the threat remains, and there are still too many children with dangerously high levels of lead in their system. Together let’s get the lead out and create a healthier future for our children.
Resources
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (Baltimore City Health Department)
Baltimore’s Toxic Legacy Of Lead Paint (FiveThirtyEight)
Study Hopes To Help Lead-Exposed Children Before Learning Disparities Emerge (Huffington Post)
Lead Poisoning In Maryland Drops To Lowest Recorded Levels (CBS Baltimore)
Baltimore’s Toxic Legacy Of Lead Paint (FiveThirtyEight)
Study Hopes To Help Lead-Exposed Children Before Learning Disparities Emerge (Huffington Post)
Lead Poisoning In Maryland Drops To Lowest Recorded Levels (CBS Baltimore)
Birth Outcomes & Community Health
In 2017, the U.S. saw an increase in premature births for the third year in a row. Maryland’s preterm birth rates have followed this national trend. What can be done to combat our high infant mortality rate?
Resources
Born to Soon (March of Dimes)
Baltimore County program seeks to reverse poor birth outcomes in Cockeysville, Owings Mills (Baltimore Sun)
More babies in Maryland being born prematurely, according to March of Dimes (Baltimore Sun)
Baltimore County program seeks to reverse poor birth outcomes in Cockeysville, Owings Mills (Baltimore Sun)
More babies in Maryland being born prematurely, according to March of Dimes (Baltimore Sun)
Racism And Early Childhood Mental Health
Racism and discrimination affect people in many different ways. This is just as true for children. The effects of racism and discrimination on children are long-lasting and can be devastating. Teaching children to respect others and appreciate both our commonalities and our differences are key to becoming the egalitarian nation we profess to be.
Resources
Racism Can Affect Your Mental Health From As Early As Childhood (Refinery29)
Racial/Ethnic Discrimination and Well-Being During Adolescence: A Meta-Analytic Review (American Psychological Association)
Racial/Ethnic Discrimination and Well-Being During Adolescence: A Meta-Analytic Review (American Psychological Association)