Help your child manage anxiety about school violence
With news of school shootings and other violence often reaching children, parents sometimes grapple with how to help their child cope with fear and stress. We asked Erica Lee, PhD, a psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Boston Children’s, to offer suggestions on how you can ensure your child feels safe and comfortable going to ... Read More about Help your child manage anxiety about school violence
Your child’s imaginary friend is more than a good buddy
You can’t hear stuffed toys talking. You can’t see pretend companions coming to life. But your child probably wouldn’t imagine spending a day without them — and that’s perfectly normal behavior. Boston Children’s child psychologist Keneisha Sinclair-McBride, PhD, offers insight on how imaginary “friends” help your child develop emotionally. Lots of children have imaginary friends Children usually ... Read More about Your child’s imaginary friend is more than a good buddy
Tips for teething: How to enjoy your child’s big moment
The emergence of a baby’s primary teeth (their baby teeth) is a joyful milestone for parents but it can also be an uncomfortable time for the infant. Their gums can swell and feel tender, possibly making them feel irritable and causing them to lose sleep. We asked Dr. Grace Anderson from Boston Children’s Department of Dentistry for ... Read More about Tips for teething: How to enjoy your child’s big moment
The art of showing up: Six ways to support a friend who has a child in the hospital
“Let me know if there’s anything I can do.” Nine little words spoken with the best of intentions but aren’t necessarily all that helpful for someone faced with having a child in the hospital. But why? “People really want to do good things,” says Annie Banks, a social worker with the Hale Family Center for ... Read More about The art of showing up: Six ways to support a friend who has a child in the hospital
Using germs against themselves: How vaccines work
Germs are all around us. When a germ (in the form of virus or bacteria) enters your body, it tries to make you sick. Some germs cause minor colds, but others can cause serious disease. Fortunately, your immune system is your body’s internal defense system. It protects you by creating immune cells (T cells) and ... Read More about Using germs against themselves: How vaccines work
Beyond COVID-19: Why kids need other vaccines, too
As you consider immunizing your child, it’s natural to have questions about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. But the detection of polio in New York illustrates how diseases that were once thought to have been eradicated can reemerge when vaccination efforts lag. While COVID-19 vaccines have understandably drawn attention during recent years, it’s important to remember ... Read More about Beyond COVID-19: Why kids need other vaccines, too
Many childhood injuries are preventable if you know the risks
As the seasons change, Dr. Lois Lee can predict that certain types of injuries will appear in the Emergency Department at Boston Children’s Hospital. “Some things happen every year,” she says. In the cold months, for instance, children come in with head and neck injuries and broken bones, from winter sport accidents. In warmer weather, ... Read More about Many childhood injuries are preventable if you know the risks
What to know about Enterovirus D68
By now you’ve seen the news: Several health care providers and hospitals across the United States during August 2022 identified an increase in pediatric hospitalizations due to a virus causing children to develop coughing and breathing problems that are often more severe than the common cold. That virus is Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) and it’s just ... Read More about What to know about Enterovirus D68
Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM): What parents need to know
If you’re a parent, chances are you’ve heard the recent news reports about acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM. As of September 2022, 13 cases of AFM have been confirmed in the U.S. according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and experts expect that number could rise. For reasons that are still unclear, outbreaks have ... Read More about Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM): What parents need to know
Keeping sports fun: Preventing burnout in young athletes
It’s easy to tell when a kid loves sports: Maybe they practice drills in the driveway until it’s dark and cold. Or they wake up excited on practice days and talk about practice at dinner. Even kids who keep their feelings under wraps may let their enthusiasm show in their laser focus. When the whistle ... Read More about Keeping sports fun: Preventing burnout in young athletes