Coping Strategies for Holiday Meltdowns
Any honest parent will share that among the magic of holiday moments and favorite traditions come dysregulated feelings, big emotions, and exhausted children. December and...
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Back to School Smiles
Healthy Teeth Tips from Two Monterey County Pediatric Dentists With summer fun wrapping up and school starting just around the corner, keeping all your ducks...
Read ArticleBe Sun Smart: How to Protect Your Child’s Skin
When you think of summer, sunny days with kids splashing in the water and teens lounging in the sun come to mind. While these idyllic...
Read ArticleThe 3R’s of Back-to-School Mental Fitness
Whether your child is returning to elementary school, moving to middle school, preparing for their high stakes junior year, or moving into college, this back-to-school...
Read ArticlePelvic Floor Support for New Mothers
Pelvic floor muscles support the bladder, bowel and the uterus. They prevent incontinence of bladder and bowel, prolapse and are also important in sexual function. The pelvic floor can be weakened by pregnancy, childbirth, prostate cancer treatment, obesity and the straining of chronic constipation. We chat with Dr. Kyle Hartman of Monterey about treatment.
Read ArticleClasses & Groups for Monterey’s New Parents
Enjoying some time with other parents and their little ones is helpful as you integrate into Monterey life. There are a variety of groups and...
Read ArticleBirth Options for Monterey
For military mamas-to-be new to Monterey, finding out about your birth and postpartum options can be daunting. On top of the stress of moving and...
Read ArticleIntroducing Ethan
Meeting Ethan Echavarria you wouldn’t guess that he was a micropreemie born at 26 weeks and weighing a little over two pounds. At five years...
Read ArticleTips for Creating More Inclusive Sport Environments
From respecting physical and emotional boundaries to giving athletes with disabilities the help they request, inclusive sport settings treat each athlete with respect and care and make sure every athlete’s needs are met.
Read ArticleYour Child Receives a Disability Diagnosis: Now What?
There is no way to be prepared for the mix of emotions that are felt when your child is given a medical diagnosis, especially one you are not familiar with and especially when the diagnosis is defined as a disability.
Read ArticleNurturing Smiles: Your child’s first dental visit
A Seven-Step Guide to Preparing Your Child for Their First Dental Visit
Read ArticleMental Health is a Family Affair
Helping our children develop coping skills teaches them to manage stress and anxiety in a healthy and productive way.
Read ArticleEight Fun Ways to Inspire Healthy Eating
We’ve all been there: despite our very best efforts – and cajoling – our kids simply won’t eat healthy, home-cooked food. How about trying a new strategy in 2024 and making healthy eating a fun activity?
Read ArticleA Former Lifeguard Reveals 5 Secrets You Should Know
May is Water Safety Month. A former lifeguard offers insight on why parents need to keep alert when their children are swimming, even when a lifeguard is present.
Read ArticleTips for Sending a Child with Food Allergies to Camp
Mention summer camp, and kids get excited about activities, art, s’mores, and friends. But the prospect of sending a child to day camp or overnight camp can be overwhelming for parents of kids with food allergies.
Read ArticleResilience: One of the Foundations of Mental health
In the end, how challenges are handled determines how rewarding our lives will be– and even the lives of those close to us. Positively dealing with failure is important because disappointments and losses will always occur. Life is not fair.
Read ArticleThe Fight Against Vaping: What Monterey County parents need to know
“Vaping”–the practice of inhaling a vapor containing nicotine and flavoring via the e-cigarette–has put a new generation at risk. SB 793, on the ballot in November aims to protect our children from vaping.
Read ArticleFinding Quiet: Family Tools for Coping With Stress
While we don’t have control over outside forces like the pandemic, we can prepare for changes that knock us off balance. Taking time to bolster your mental health and coping skills before flexibility is needed is a great strategy for parents.
Read ArticleSummer Camp Health Checklist
Summer is almost here! Long days full of sun, free time, and camp fun. With COVID-19 restrictions easing up, now’s the time to make sure you’re prepared.
Read ArticleFive Ways To Help Your Child Develop Healthy Oral Habits
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and whether you’re a new parent or a veteran, getting your child to embrace their inner dental hygienist each day can be a challenge.
Read ArticleHow To Be A Fitness Role Model To Your Kids
Staying fit is critical to our health and well-being—including our mental health and happiness. We can help shape our children’s views on exercise by modeling healthy behavior and making fitness a part of our family’s routine.
Read ArticleSaying No to Alcohol
1 in 5 adults reports using alcohol to cope with pandemic stress. If “drinking like a mother” has become a problem for you, it might be time to reach out for help.
Read ArticleHow Loneliness and Isolation Can Impact Your Physical and Emotional Wellness
Feelings of loneliness and isolation can significantly impact our health, especially when these feelings occur for an extended time. Unsatisfactory social relationships or connections can lead to a host of problems for both body and mind.
Read ArticleMy journey to health
The devastating loss of my precious son led me to make drastic changes for my physical and emotional health.
Read ArticleFire Safety Tips for Kids
The goal of Fire Prevention Month (and Fire Prevention Week which is October 3rd – 9th) is to raise fire safety awareness, and help ensure your home and family is protected. It’s the perfect time to brush up on basic fire safety.
Read ArticleSeven Important Water Safety Reminders
In California, drowning is a leading cause of injury-related deaths among children under the age of five. For many children who live on the Monterey Bay, swim time may be limited.
Read ArticleSimple nutrition and health tips with a big payoff
If we could manage obesity, type 2 diabetes, lower our risks of heart disease, stroke, some types of cancer, macular degeneration, cataracts, cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s by consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables – then why aren’t we?
Read ArticleWhat to Look for When Choosing a Pediatrician
It’s important to find the right pediatrician: If you choose well, you’ll have a great physician for your kids for years to come. But what should you look for when you’re looking?
Read ArticleWhat you need to know about the Coronavirus Vaccine
In California, 327,00 doses of the Pfizer vaccine were received in mid-December (when this article was written). Of those, 3,000 were bound for Monterey County. here is some info about the vaccine that is of importance to your family.
Read ArticleThe Dad Bod in the New Year
Turn your “dad bod” into a “rad bod” with these fitness tips from our “Father’s Day” columnist.
Read ArticleCalm Down: Mindfulness for your Family
“For children, mindfulness can offer relief from whatever difficulties they may be encountering in life. It also gives them the beauty of being in the present moment.”
Read ArticleStress Busting for Kids
With the Coronavirus dominating our lives, many kids are feeling emotional effects of the uncertainty. How can we help our kids get through these stressful times so they can learn to calm themselves down?
Read ArticleBack to School Health Reminders
Even though school won’t start in a classroom due to the Coronavirus, I want to make sure my daughter is healthy and ready for school. I turned to the medical experts to learn more about immunizations and check-ups.
Read ArticleTime to Jump In: Water Safety Tips for Parents
For many children who live on the Monterey Bay, beach time doesn’t usually include swim time and pool time may be limited. Whether your family’s water time will be at a pool or by the beach, consider the following suggestions for water safety.
Read ArticleChoosing and Fitting Your Child’s Bike Helmet
The most important way to keep your child safe on their bike is by wearing a properly fitted helmet every time they get on a bike.
Read ArticleMonterey’s Medical Moms
We’re highlighting four Monterey-area mothers who work in the medical field. We truly appreciate everything they do for their patients, their families, and our community.
Read ArticleLooking on the Bright Side During Times of Uncertainty
Many of us are really struggling as we adjust our lives during this COVID-19 coronavirus scare. We can look to positive psychology for some guidance. The science points to several ways that we can focus our energy in a more constructive way.
Read ArticleSetting the Example: 5 Coping Strategies for Parents
Dr. Susan Swick, the Physician in Chief of Ohana Center for Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health in Monterey offers helpful tips for parents coping with the current health crisis.
Read ArticleAvoid Spreadable Viruses with Proactive Tips
The Coronavirus has started a panic. Without a vaccine available currently, your family’s health merits concern. The first place to start is with the guidelines posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Read ArticleRethink Your Drink: Extra Sugar Causes Long-Term Health Problems
Rethink Your Drink is a state-wide initiative to educate parents on the importance of creating healthy dietary habits that include eliminating unnecessary added sugars like those found in sugary drinks.
Read ArticleSet the Stage for a Positive Dental Visit for Your Child
A negative experience at the dentist as a child can result in continued anxiety over routine dental care into adulthood. So, learn how to prepare for your child’s first and subsequent visits to the dentist to ensure a positive, successful experience.
Read ArticleShould you say NO to screen time for your toddler?
Researchers now say the right choice for children under two is zero and children under five should be limited to no more than one hour per day.
Read Article“Is there a gun in the house?”
Be SMART program members in Monterey County are spreading the message about safe gun storage in an effort to keep kids out of harm’s way.
Read ArticleSummer Fun: Staying Active
Keeping active as a family brings you closer together, sets an example to your children to prioritize their health. To help Monterey parents stay active this summer, here are eight helpful tips.
Read ArticleHealth Screening Guide for Men
It is very important that men see the doctor for regular checkups and routine preventative care. Below are some guidelines for what men can do to be healthier regardless of age.
Read ArticleTalking About Postpartum Depression
The month of May is an excellent opportunity to acknowledge the importance of maternal mental health and the one in five women who experience such disorders like postpartum depression.
Read ArticleMeet Waylon, Heart Warrior!
Waylon Fanning was just three days old when he was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot–a serious heart condition that will require several surgeries to correct. Waylon’s mom, Kara, shares her family’s story.
Read ArticleSelf-Care Ideas for Busy Moms
Whether it’s a short 5 minutes in your car to eat a snack by yourself or doing yoga on the beach, you are allowed to pause and breathe. Here are 22 self-care ideas that are also budget-friendly.
Read ArticleCar Seat Safety
Child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers. Read on for safety and car seat installation tips and locations in Monterey County where you can have your car seat checked.
Read ArticleLatch Onto Breastfeeding
In honor of National Breastfeeding Month, we talked with Monterey-area experts who offered some advice on breastfeeding.
Read ArticleKids & Anxiety: Advice From An Educational Psychologist
Tips for parents on helping children cope with new situations and new fears.
Read ArticleHurry Up Healthcare: Emergency Room or Urgent Care?
When faced with a medical emergency—or a situation that could become one—what’s a parent to do? Head straight for the chaotic, costly hospital emergency room? Or a local urgent care center?
Read ArticleKicking Kids: The Benefits of Martial Arts For Children
Many parents enroll their child in a martial arts class because they want the child to be involved in a year-round physical activity. Then, they learn that the benefits of martial arts training go far beyond the physical.
Read ArticleA Guide to Yoga for The Entire Family
When considering what type of exercise format would be beneficial to try this year, chose one that is great for everyone, including kids! Yoga not only improves flexibility but also builds muscle strength.
Read ArticleEight Sleep Tips for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Pantley offers valuable ideas for helping almost every toddler or preschooler get into a healthy sleep routine. These tips can bring improvement not only in your child’s sleep, but also in her daytime mood, growth health and outlook as well.
Read ArticleOur Favorite Medical Apps for Parents
A phone app doesn’t replace the advice of your physician or nurse, of course, but it can be a helpful tool when it comes to minor symptoms or ailments. Here are our favorite medical apps for children and their parents.
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