Peninsula Pediatrics

Category: Parenting Tips

Tips for a Safe and Healthy Halloween

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Halloween is just around the corner and whether it’s your child’s first or tenth Halloween, we have tips to ensure a safe, healthy, and fun celebration!

The holiday is an exciting time for kids to dress up in costumes, go trick-or-treating, enjoy candies and treats, and partake in the season’s festivities. But there are also extra risks to be aware of and precautions to follow. If you have a young child trick-or-treating, it’s important to have an adult accompany them. For older children, be aware of the route they’re taking and encourage them to stay in groups. They should also carry a phone with them that’s charged in case of an emergency.

Remind your kids about being careful on streets for oncoming cars and that they should always look both ways before crossing. Low visibility and distracted walking are common reasons for pedestrian injuries. It’s best to stick to sidewalks whenever possible and in well-lit areas.

As children are the most common victims of dog bites, teach your kids never to pet a dog at someone’s house or apartment without permission from the owner. It’s also important that they refuse to accept any candy or treat that isn’t properly sealed. Tampering is rare but it can happen. Double check the treats when your kids bring them home and throw out any unwrapped or suspicious candy.

Additionally, some treats can be choking hazards so keep a watch on your kid and let them know not to walk or talk while eating. Babies and toddlers should never be given any hard candies, popcorn, gum, jelly beans, or gummy bears.

For children with food allergies, extra precautions are necessary. Even a small amount of an allergic ingredient can result in a medical emergency. To avoid this, always read the ingredient labels on the treats your child receives. Some of the common allergens found in Halloween candies include peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, soy, and wheat. If your child does have any food allergy, make sure their teacher at school knows as it’s common to pass out Halloween treats in class.

While candies and sweet treats are always fun to indulge in on Halloween, you’ll still want to limit the amount your child consumes. Candies are high in added sugar and have empty calories. Consider only allowing your kids to have 1-3 candies in a day.

For a safe Halloween, there are essential things to keep in mind for your children’s costumes. They should only dress up in costumes that fit well. Avoid long capes and clothing that extend past their feet as those can cause them to trip, especially if they’re trick-or-treating when it’s dark. If they’re carrying accessories like fake swords, make sure they’re not sharp to prevent potential injuries. When it comes to any makeup or face paint, stick with non-toxic options and do a test patch on your child first. Some makeup can cause allergic reactions or infections.

Be careful with decorative contact lenses as these can be dangerous for the eyes and cause vision problems. Children should never wear any contact lenses without an eye exam and prescription from an eye care professional. For more info about the risks of decorative lenses, check out this guide from the AAP.

Part of Halloween fun is participating in festive activities and making decorations, as well as watching scary or Halloween-themed movies. Before letting your child engage in an activity or watch a film, assess their appropriateness as it relates to your child’s age. For example, small children should not be allowed to carve pumpkins or light candles. You can have them decorate pumpkins with markers and use glow sticks instead of candles. For films, check the ratings as some movies might be too frightening or violent for children and lead to nightmares.

While most kids enjoy Halloween, some kids, especially toddlers, can feel scared from the spooky stuff. Talk to them about how Halloween is all about pretend, but if they’re still uncomfortable, let them know that it’s ok to not be involved if they don’t wish to. They may also feel differently next year when they’re older!

Suicide Prevention and Mental Health

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The suicidal rate among children and adolescents has increased in the past few years. School pressures, social media, upsetting news in the media, discrimination, and bullying (including cyberbullying) are some of the contributing factors for depression and anxiety among youth. We know many families have concerns about their child’s emotional well-being and we always recommend paying close attention to the signs of mental health conditions so that you can take the appropriate actions.

While all kids will experience their bad or moody days at times, long periods of sadness and withdrawal could be a sign of mental health struggles. There is usually a range of symptoms that indicate depression or anxiety, such as changes in sleep and eating patterns, loss of interest in activities your child used to enjoy, academic struggles, or signs of substance or alcohol abuse. Often, your child will show more than one sign that they’re dealing with mental health challenges. 

If you do notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to start a conversation with your child right away. You might feel hesitant to bring up the topic of suicide in fear that talking about it might lead to your child having suicidal thoughts. However, it actually lowers the risk and sends the message to your child that you are there for them, and that they have a loving and caring adult they can turn to. 

When you talk to your child about their mental health, avoid any judgmental or accusatory tone. You want to come from a place of empathy so that your child trusts you and feels comfortable opening up to you about their thoughts and feelings. The majority of kids who are suicidal will say something before making any attempt. It could be something along the lines of “I don’t care about life anymore, “I’m better off dead,” “I hate living,” or “I’m just a burden.” They may express feelings of hopelessness or being trapped. All of these should be taken seriously and never brushed off as teenage moodiness. 

Avoid telling your child to not feel a certain way or anything that might invalidate their feelings. Instead, show them understanding and compassion while helping them put things into perspective and offer ways to reframe their thoughts or beliefs. Let them know that you are there for them to help in any way and remind them that you love them even if you think they already know this. It’s reassuring to hear this in times of distress and can stop someone from trying to take away their life. 

Even after engaging in conversations with your child, it is beneficial to seek treatment if they’re struggling with depression or anxiety. There are different types of therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), as well as medications that can help. But it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider and mental health specialist before deciding on the appropriate treatment plan for your child. For more information on treatment options, check out this resource from Child Mind Institute. 

If you ever believe that your child is at immediate risk for suicide, take action to get them help right away. Call or text 988 for the Lifeline which provides 24/7 free and confidential support to anyone considering suicide. If there are any weapons, lethal tools, or substances that are easily accessible, remove them out of your child’s reach.  

Having a child who is suicidal or struggling with their mental health can feel frightening and worrisome. But remember, you and your child don’t have to go through this alone. We are here for you to provide the support, treatment, and resources your family needs. Call our office if you have any concerns.  

Tips for Back-to-School

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It’s back-to-school season and we got some tips and things to add to your checklist to ensure a healthy, safe, and productive year for your kids!

Firstly, we suggest preparing for the first day in advance, whether your child is starting school for the first time or entering a new grade. Many kids feel anxious about changes, like being in a new classroom and having a different teacher. Talk to them beforehand and share some of the positive aspects of school, such as making friends or learning their favorite subject. It’s also helpful to rehearse the first day or take your child to visit the school before they start so that they have an idea of what to expect and become more familiar with the environment.

If your child is going to a new school, see if there’s an orientation available that both you and them can attend. They can tour the school and meet their teachers prior to their first day. There are also many books available about starting school to read with them. Many of these share what to expect and feature characters who overcome their fears. It’s always best to prepare as much as possible for the first day, including reviewing your child’s schedule with them, knowing where their classroom is and what supplies they’ll need, and reading through the school’s guidelines. 

Before your child begins their first day, help them get back into their sleep routine for school. If your child developed a different sleep pattern during the summer holidays, they might have become used to going to bed later and waking up later. We recommend making the sleep transition prior to the start of the year so that they have the right routine once they’re back in school. Getting adequate sleep is not only important for your child’s physical and mental health, but important for their academic performance. Sleep deprivation can make it difficult for children to focus in school and can negatively affect their memory skills. 

As a reminder, grade-school children need 9-12 hours of sleep per night and teenagers need 8-10 hours. It’s best to maintain a regular sleep routine where children go to bed and wake up at the same times each day. Consistency will help your child sleep well through the night. We also recommend turning off screen devices at least one hour before your child goes to bed. The light from screen devices can cause sleep disruption or make it difficult for your child to fall asleep. 

In addition to making sure that your child is well rested, it’s also essential to start your child’s day with a healthy and nutritious breakfast. A well-balanced meal in the morning will give them the energy they need for school. 

If your kids will be taking the bus, review safety precautions with them like looking both ways on the street for any vehicles before crossing. They should also wait to board the bus until it completely stops and puts out the stop sign. 

A new school year might mean a new backpack for your child. You’ll always want to avoid a poorly fitted one as it can be unsafe for your child’s back and posture. Instead, find a backpack that has wide and padded shoulder straps and make sure to adjust them so that the bottom sits at your child’s waist. Kids should always wear both straps together to prevent muscle strain and backpacks should never weigh more than 10-20% of your child’s weight. 

Lastly, an important thing to remember for back-to-school season is keeping up with your child’s well checkups. We’ll make sure that their immunizations are up-to-date and can provide all of the necessary medical forms they’ll need for school and sports. Contact our office if you have any questions or to make an appointment.