Labor is broken down into three phases: early, active and transitional. Early labor is referred to as the latent phase. This is the least difficult phase of labor but often lasts the longest. Some women are in early labor for several days, while others remain in this phase for only a few hours. Though every woman experiences latent labor differently, latent labor is invariably the first step in the childbirth process....

People invest in higher education generally because of its promise of upward mobility. The idea is you pay now for training that will land you a high-paying job in the future. In today’s world, it often doesn’t work out that way. The cost of higher education has risen over the past 40 years, but grants for low-income students, called Pell Grants, have not kept up. College costs three times as much as it once did, while Pell Grants have remained about the same....

Plus, there is the sleep-deprivation to deal with, finding appropriate childcare, and deciding whether to continue breastfeeding. So, what do you do when you feel like your maternity leave is ending before it ever really got started? Maternity Leave in the U.S. With the exception of a few states, the United States does not have a national paid family leave policy. As of 2018, research from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) looked at 41 countries and found that the U....

Below are some interactive, sensory-stimulating, whole-body, whole-family summer activities. Some are cross-pollinating summer-long campaigns. Others you can do when you have fifteen minutes to spare. They are all designed to keep academic skills perking during those long breaks from school. Copy this entire chapter and paste it on the refrigerator before Harry can begin singing his old boring song. Age appropriateness is noted throughout.

But here’s the thing—being a perfectionist not only stresses you out to the max, but you might also be harming your child’s well-being. Fortunately, if you do engage in perfectionist parenting, there are some steps you can take to change your expectations of yourself and your child. Signs That You Might Be a Perfectionist Parent Some perfectionist parents are perfectionists in every aspect of their lives. They excel at everything they do—otherwise, they wouldn’t bother trying....

There are some cases when surgery can be avoided if a patient is pregnant, but this is not always the case. In fact, certain surgeries (such as a C-section) are often part of pregnancy. Here’s what you need to know about surgery and pregnancy. Surgery During Pregnancy In most cases, surgery during pregnancy is avoided whenever possible. This is done both to minimize complications for the pregnant person and the fetus....

What is Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease? Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a highly contagious viral infection that is most typically caused by either coxsackievirus A16 or coxsackievirus A6. The telltale signs of this condition are sores and blisters in the mouth and a splotchy red rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. However, the rash can be found anywhere on the child’s body....

Level: Easy Time involved: One to two hours Materials: Newspaper or plastic Empty dish-detergent bottle Scissors Thin wooden dowel or wooden meat skewer Exacto knife Sandpaper Four wooden wheels (You can find these in craft stores in the wood section.) Heavy jewelry wire Craft paints Paintbrushes

Babies under one should also not have cows milk due to the potential risk of iron deficiency anemia, which can harm brain and nerve development, and introducing it too early can increase the risk of obesity later. How Yogurt Is Different From Milk Yogurt is not just thickened, sweetened milk; rather, it is a fermented milk product. Even those who are lactose intolerant can sometimes tolerate yogurt. Additionally, milk proteins are broken down and made easier to digest during the fermentation process....

Differences in Closeness Some believe this difference is due to parents’ role as gatekeepers between grandparents and parents. In spite of strides in gender equality, mothers are still likely to direct their children’s activities. They may give heightened importance to contact with their own parents. Others hold that the relationship between a woman and her mother-in-law — the paternal grandmother of her children — is always going to be complicated. Possession, so to speak, of a treasured male, has been passed from mother to wife....

What Is Shaming? Wondering exactly what constitutes shaming a child? Here are some examples: Telling embarrassing or revealing stories in an attempt to manipulate the child’s attitude or behaviorTaking what should be a private conversation about behavior and consequences and making it public by sharing it with friends, family, or the world at large (via social media)Intentionally making a child feel bad about himself or herself, as a person, instead of focusing on the actual behavior you’re trying to change...

Schedules Make Potty Training Easier By the time your toddler arrives at their classroom, a potty training schedule is probably already in place. In most toddler child care settings, there’s an activity change every 15 to 30 minutes with little variation. While the bathroom door is usually left open, scheduled potty breaks and diaper changes take place throughout the day. Expectations vs. Requests Another thing that most caregivers learn in Toddler Behavior 101 is that you can get a toddler to comply a lot faster and more often if you phrase requests properly....

Effort: Easy - some sewing required Materials: Scarf Flowy skirt Long hair or a long wig Thin wire Instructions: Braid the wire into your hair, and stick the braids out in one direction as if they are being blown by the wind. Glue the wire to the scarf, wrap it around your neck, and have it going in the same direction as the braids. Poke the wire through the hem of the skirt and bend in the same direction as the braids and scarf....

Consider hiring a personal trainer if you fall into any of the following categories: You are completely out of shape and haven’t the slightest idea how to begin an exercise program. A trainer can acquaint you with all of the up-to-date exercise techniques and available aerobic and weight machinery. You are in a huge exercise rut and have been doing the same old routine for as long as you can remember....