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Gestational Diabetes in Pregnancy
When a woman is pregnant, her body changes in a lot of ways. Besides the sudden change in hormone levels, there are also other biological factors that change, such as the blood sugar levels. Put simply, gestational diabetes is not uncommon.
Video: Gestational Diabetes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHS9yaFuVgc
What Is Gestational Diabetes?
As the name indicates, this is the type of diabetes that occurs in women at the time of gestation that is during pregnancy. Pregnancy causes the blood sugar levels to surge in some women which leads to gestational diabetes. In some women, the insulin levels might drop during pregnancy causing the blood sugar levels to increase. Blood sugar levels in the body are normally kept under control by the body’s natural insulin levels.
Gestational diabetes can occur in women who have normally never had diabetes, and it might get resolved after delivery. Women in their second and third trimesters are more prone to gestational diabetes
Causes of Gestational Diabetes
Fluctuation in insulin levels in the body is the main cause of gestational diabetes. During the process of digestion, , carbohydrates from the foods consumed are broken down to glucose (sugars) in order release energy. This energy is used by the human body to carry out daily activities. Under normal conditions insulin produced in the pancreas helps move this sugar to the cells and prevents rise in sugar levels in the body.
During pregnancy, a membrane called placenta is formed that is responsible for supplying oxygen and nutrients from mother to the delveloping baby. However, along with its normal function, placenta also releases several hormones that tend to interfere with the natural hormonal mechanisms of the mother's body. It is known to disrupt and interfere with the production of insulin as a result of which there is rise in blood sugar levels devoid of enough insulin to break it down. This is the scenario where a mother may develop gestational diabetes.
Another factor associated with gestational diabetes is weight. It is observed that obesity is closely linked to the body being insulin resistant. If the mother is overweight before conception, she may be a high risk candidate for gestational diabetes. Alternatively, keeping a check on weight gain during pregnancy is equally important.
Are You at Risk of Developing Gestational Diabetes?
One in seven women in India are at a risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy. But some women are more at risk than the others. Here are some factors that increase the risk of gestational diabetes:
High BMI: Those who were overweight before pregnancy are more at risk. Women gain extra weight during pregnancy, and already being overweight only makes it difficult for the body to regulate the blood sugar levels.
Rapid Weight Gain During Pregnancy: While the exact relationship between weight gain and gestational diabetes is not clear, experts opine that it is caused by an increase in insulin resistance by affecting the beta cells in the pancreas which are responsible for insulin production. The capacity of the beta cells to secrete insulin reduces, leading to gestational diabetes.
Family Medical History : A family history of diabetes type II, especially if a sibling or the mother had it makes the mother a promising candidate for acquring gestational diabetes in her pregnancy.
Previous Pregnancy History: If you've had diabetes in your past pregnancies, doctors keep you under strict vigilance and monitor you blood sugar levels regularly as the chances of it resurfacing is quite likely.
Age: People who are 25 years or older are at a higher risk of gestational diabetes. Infact, higher the age higher are the chances of susceptibility to gestational diabetes.
Other Medical Conditions: Women with PCOS or a history of PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) are susceptible to gestational diabetes as one of the symptomps of this disorder includes increased probability of insulin resistance.
Can I Lower My Chances of Getting Gestational Diabetes?
Whether you belong to the category of women who are at higher risk for gestational diabetes or not, you can definitely lower the risk of acquiring it. Working on your diet and exercise routines can help. Here are some steps to take:
Include more dietary fibre in your meals: This can be done by increasing the intake of whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits. Increasing the daily fibre intake by 10 gm can reduce the risk of gestational diabetes by around 26%.
Say no to unhealthy food : Cut down the intake of sweet foods and those that are carb-laden. Stay away from unhealthy nibbling to tackle hunger pangs.
Eating frequency: Eating frequent small meals would be a healthier choice than eating large portions in one meal.
Choose wisely: Include a variety of foods so that you get a fair share of all the required daily nutrients in your diet.
Include physical activity in your routine: Staying active can help reduce the risk of diabetes during pregnancy. Swimming and walking are the two most recommended choices for pregnant women. Mild exercises can be chosen based on your health and on how far along you are in your pregnancy. Always consult your doctor before finalising your exercise routine.
Keep a weight check: Maintaining a healthy weight before and after pregnancy is crucial in maintaining healthy blood glucose levels.
Common Signs and Symptoms
There are not many pronounced symptoms that can indicate gestational diabetes,and hence your doctor would suggest a complete health check up at around 24-28th week of your pregnancy as this is the period where women are most likely to be diagnosed with high blood sugar levels. In case you are already at risk owing to factors listed above, this screening is suggested much earlier. However, here are some signs that might come as a warning and if you encounter them, do seek a medical intervention immediately:
Feeling thirsty too often even after adequate consumption of water and other fluids.
Frequent urination.
Feeling excessively exhausted (pregnancy, the third trimester in general, can leave women tired, but unexplained tiredness even when your activity levels are less throughout the day might indicate a possibility of gestational diabetes.)
Dryness of the mouth.
Blurriness in the vision.
Frequent infections .
Several conditions that are common during pregnancy might be signs of gestational diabetes. Pregnancy and diabetes together can leave the pregnant
mother exhausted. Usually, screening for gestational diabetes is done during the second trimester. However, if any of the above-mentioned symptoms are more pronounced, you might want to discuss them with your gynaecologist to decide if you need to be screened for diabetes.
How Does Gestational Diabetes Affect Pregnancy?
Mother's blood sugar level usually restores to normal after their delivery. However , there are certain risks that are prevalant during pregnancy that you must be cautious about.
Preeclampsia: Gestational diabetes impacts are experienced by both the mother and the baby if the condition is not treated. One of the commonly associated side effect of untreated gestational diabetes is preeclampsia. This is a condition which is said to occur mostly in the final trimester. The two main characteristics of preeclampsia include elevated protein levels in the urine which can be found in a routine test and the rise in blood pressure. The condition worsens if not treated on time. The harmful effects include preterm labor and also miscarriage in some rare cases.
Stillbirth: The risk increases when the pregnant mother diagnosed with gestational diabetes carries the baby for more than 40 weeks. In this case the risk of stillbirth increases.
Developing type II diabetes: These are the mothers who are very likely to develop type II diabetes as they grow old.
All the above mentioned complications only indicate the risks that are associated with the untreated cases. Gestational diabetes simply increases the vulnerability to several conditions. But a proper diet and exercise routine can help in most cases.
How Gestational Diabetes Affects the Baby
Sometimes, the effects of gestational diabetes on the baby might be slightly more severe than on the mother. When the placenta interferes with the insulin levels, it in turn, gets affected by the elevated blood sugar levels. In most cases, women with gestational diabetes who receive treatment on time have healthy babies, but leaving the condition untreated might have some impact on the baby:
Macrosomia: Elevated sugar levels in the mother’s blood are passed on to the baby. higher sugar levels in baby’s blood causes baby’s pancreas to react by secreting higher levels of insulin. This sometimes leads to macrosomia, a condition where the foetus weighs 9 pounds or more. Such cases might call for a C-section. If delivered normally, the baby might suffer from minor injuries, birth trauma or shoulder dystocia.
Hypoglycemic baby: Babies might be born with low blood sugar, also called hypoglycaemia, due to the surge in insulin levels.
Breathing problems: Some babies born to a mother with gestational diabetes experience slight difficulties in breathing. Some even acquire respiratory distress syndrome where additional oxygen supply may have to be provided to the baby after birth.
Nutrient deficiency: The baby might carry low levels of magnesium and calcium which may cause spasms, cramps, jitters. These can be tackled with suitable supplements.
Risk of jaundice: These babies are at a higher risk of developing jaundice after birth. This can easily be treated but might make the baby feel weak. The baby may need immediate medical attention.
Type II diabetes: The babies might be at a higher risk of developing type II diabetes when they grow up.
Remember that these are only the extreme effects of the condition. In many cases, babies stay unaffected by mother’s diabetes. A safe option would be to identify the problem at the earliest and keep the blood sugar levels within normal levels not only to ensure your health, but that of your baby too.
Screening Guidelines for Gestational Diabetes
In most cases, gestational diabetes test is performed between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy. . Here are the two main tests that help find if the mother has high or low blood sugar during pregnancy. Follow-up tests and additional screening might be added as required based on the results.
Screening glucose challenge test (GCT)- non-fasting test
The patient who appears for this test is given an oral glucose solution. One hour later, a blood sample is drawn to evaluate the blood glucose levels. Higher levels indicate an inability to process the glucose consumed and the patient would be advised to take the OGTT.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Testing (OGTT)- fasting test
The patient needs to appear empty stomach for this test. A blood sample is drawn, and the patient is given an oral glucose solution. A second blood sample is drawn one hour later and the third one, after another hour. The test takes 2 hours to perform, and the patient is advised not to eat or drink anything in the interval. This helps ensure accurate results. If the blood glucose levels fall in the gestational diabetes range, the patient might be prescribed medications or put be put on a diet.
Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes
Right at the beginning of pregnancy, the doctor asks the mother-to-be a few questions regarding medical and family history to rule out the risks of gestational diabetes. Throughout the pregnancy, any warning signs are monitored and evaluated. If nothing appears abnormal, the routine GCT is prescribed at the right time. The test results help diagnose gestational diabetes.
Treatment of Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes can be easily managed by making simple lifestyle changes. . A fibre-rich, low-carb diet consumed as frequent small portions might help alleviate the blood glucose levels. Based on the results of the OGTT, the doctor might also suggest mild exercises. The blood sugar levels will be tested again after a gap to check for any difference. If the levels fall back to normal, you will simply be advised to continue your diet and exercises. The doctor might keep a check on your f the baby's health periodically. If the blood sugar levels don’t drop to normal, you might be prescribed medications or insulin shots to bring it down.
How to Control Sugar Level During Pregnancy
The simple way to control your sugar level is to work on your diet. Tweaks to what you eat and when you eat go a long way in improving your general health during pregnancy.
Gestational diabetes diet plan-
here is a sample of how your diet plan should ideally be like:
Breakfast
· 2 to 3 carbohydrate choices (30 to 45 grammes)
· protein (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, peanut butter)
· vegetable or fat, freely
Lunch
· 3 to 4 carbohydrate choices (45 to 60 grammes)
· protein (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, peanut butter)
· vegetable or fat, freely
Dinner
· 3 to 4 carbohydrate choices (45 to 60 grammes)
· protein (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, peanut butter)
· vegetable or fat, freely
Morning Snack:
· 1 to 2 carbohydrate choices (15 to 30 grammes)
· protein (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, peanut butter)
· vegetable or fat, freely
Afternoon Snack:
· 1 to 2 carbohydrate choices (15 to 30 grammes)
· protein (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, peanut butter)
· vegetable or fat, freely
Evening Snack:
· 1 to 2 carbohydrate choices (15 to 30 grammes)
· protein (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, peanut butter)
· vegetable or fat, freely
Source: https://www.allinahealth.org/health-conditions-and-treatments/health-library/patient-education/gestational-diabetes/healthy-eating-physical-activity-stress-management/basic-meal-planning/
Your dietician might however prescribe a personalised diet chart based on your test results.
Blood Glucose Levels for Pregnant Women
Ideal blood glucose levels differ for pregnant women who had diabetes before they got pregnant and for women with gestational diabetes. Here is a general guideline on blood sugar levels during pregnancy. Do remember that every pregnancy is different and your doctor is the best person to take a call on your health.
Source: http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/gestational-diabetes-guide/normal-blood-sugar-levels-chart-pregnant-women.
How Can One Prevent Gestational Diabetes?
.Being aware and equipped with all pre-requisite information is the first step towards prevention. Not only will it help you understand all the risk factors involved but alsoprepare you for what lies ahead. Talk to your doctor about your medical history to rule out any risks, and screen for diabetes at early stages, if required. Be stringent about the diet and exercise plan prescribed for you to maintain normal sugar level during pregnancy. Sweet cravings are common in some women but unhealthy snacks and a high-sugar diet will do more harm than good.
What Happens to Mom and Baby After Delivery?
In most cases, nothing! The mother gets back to her usual healthy self, and the blood sugar levels drop back to normal, and the baby is healthy and happy. But in the worst cases where the damage is severe due to very high blood sugar levels, late diagnosis, or if the mother’s body did not respond well to the medication, the effects might be seen on the mother and the baby. Subsequent tests might be scheduled for both to rule out the occurrence of type II diabetes in the mother and hypoglycaemia in the baby.
It is important to strive to maintain a healthy weight and to continue healthy diet and exercise habits after delivery too. This helps reduce the risk of developing diabetes in later stages of life and during the next pregnancy. Do not skip the follow-up sessions for yourself as well as for the baby after delivery. Continue breastfeeding while also ensuring that you consume a nutrient-rich diet. This will help achieve optimum weight and ensure the best health of the mother and the baby. Read more
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How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs at Home - Your Stepwise Guide
Bed bugs are troublesome to deal with. If you fail to eliminate even a single pregnant bed bug, your household runs the risk of getting infested with over 300 adult bed bugs and 1000 eggs in less than three months.
Bed bugs are common household pests that are oval in shape and brownish in colour. They are parasites that live on the blood of humans and animals.
Immature bed bugs are known as nymphs. Nyphms shed their skin five times before becoming mature. They need a complete meal of blood before each shedding. These nymphs require a little less than a month to develop fully and produce three generations of offsprings in a year, under favourable conditions.
So, where do these pesky pests come from? Bed bugs can enter your home (and life) through clothes, luggage, couch, beds, and mattresses. They have a flattened body and can fit into any available space are hard to detect. They do not have nests but live in groups. Bed bugs initially hide in mattresses, headframes, box springs and places from where they will have easy access to sleeping people, and feed on them. They later spread to other places.
Bed bugs bite while you are asleep. They pierce the skin and suck blood using their beak. They feed for up to 10 minutes and crawl back, unnoticed. Bed bug bites may or may not swell, after a complete meal. The bites are painless but soon starts itching.
Bed bug bites might look similar to mosquito bites and so, it is difficult to understand a bed bug infestation. You will need to identify the bed bugs first.
How to Remove Bed Bugs?
These small bloodsuckers can create havoc in your life if not eliminated completely. It is not difficult to remove bed bugs. A little bit of patience and knowing what needs to be done, can help in removing these tiny pests.
There are both non-chemical and chemical approaches that you can take, and that depends on the extent of the infestation.
Here is how to get rid of bed bugs permanently:
1. Identifying the Infested Areas
It is cheaper (and easier) to treat bed bugs when the infestation is small as compared to a large one. Smaller infestations are difficult to detect, but nevertheless, you will need to put in the effort to ensure the infestation does not become a large one.
You can do the inspection yourself or hire a professional for the same. Some professionals even hire dogs to track bed bugs using their smell.
As already mentioned, bed bugs can easily squeeze into seams of couch and mattresses and even folds of curtains. And, these are the places where you will need to start your inspection from.
Some of the other places that you are most likely to find them are
Inside the cracks of headboards and bed frames
Near-bed spring and mattress tags
Between couch pillows and cushions
In between furniture joints
Underneath wall decor accents, paintings, and posters
In baseboards
Use a magnifying glass and a torchlight to inspect these places thoroughly. These are some of the signs that you need to be on the lookout for:
Living bed bugs that are reddish-brown in colour and about 0.25 inch long.
Bed bug droppings are nothing dark spots measuring the same as a period.
Crushed bed bugs on the couch or bedsheet that leads to reddish stains.
Tiny, pale and yellow eggs and eggshells.
Yellowish skin that nymphs shed.
If you find a bed bug, keep it inside a sealed jar containing rubbed alcohol. A lot many bugs look similar to bed bugs. If you are not sure of what you have caught, you can call an entomologist or exterminator for identification.
2. Control the Infestation
Once you are sure that it is a bed bug infestation, you will have to contain it so that the infestation does not become a large one. Using vacuum is one of the best ways of trapping bed bugs. Run your vacuum over all the possible hiding places like your bed, carpets, dresses, and others.
Now seal the vacuum content in a plastic bag and dispose of properly. Do not forget to clean the vacuum thoroughly.
Next, seal all your infected clothes and linen in a plastic bag until you can wash them. While washing them, select the highest temperature setting for the dryer and washer. This will help in eliminating the bed bugs permanently.
If there is something that cannot be washed, keep it sealed in a plastic bag. Open the bag only when you are sure that all the bed bugs have been killed. For furniture that cannot be cleaned, throw it away. Tear the cushions and pillows and paint the word ‘bed bugs’ so that no one else takes those home.
3. Preparing for Bed Bug Treatment
Treating bed bugs is not easy, and a little bit of preparation will only increase your success rate.
Ensure that carpets, clothes, linen, drapes, and furniture have been cleaned thoroughly or discarded.
Next, you will need to get rid of all the bed bug hiding places. Are there books, newspapers, and magazines lying at the same place (like underneath the beds) for over a year? It is time to throw them away. Be careful not to move items from an infected room to a clean one.
Glue down loose wallpapers and seal all cracks and open areas. Block furniture and baseboard cracks. Tape up loose electrical outlets. Shift your beds and couch at least six inches away from the wall and furniture so that the bed bugs cannot climb back.
4. Killing the Bed Bugs
There are different by which you can kill these insects.
Killing Bed Bugs at Home
How to get rid of bed bugs from mattresses and clothes is a common question that people have in mind.
You always do not need chemicals to get rid of them. Intense cold or high heat is enough to kill them.
Wash linen and clothes in hot water for over 30 minutes. Put them in the dryer with the highest heat setting for 30 minutes to remove bed bugs permanently. You can use a steamer on mattresses or any other probable hiding place. You can also pack the infested items in a plastic bag and keep it inside a car on a hot day. Or you can keep the bag inside the freezer for a couple of days.
Now that you have managed to kill all the bed bugs, you will have to make your house bedbug-proof. Bed bug-proof covers are available for box springs and mattresses. Cover your mattresses with these and zip up completely. The existing ones will die, and new ones will not be able to enter.
If the infestation is large, you will have to use an insecticide.
Chemical and Non-chemical Treatment Options
Want to know the way to get rid of bed bugs fast? You will have to make use of insecticides. Some of the available options include pyrroles, pyrethroids and pyrethrins, bug bombs and many more. Most of these can be harmful to human health, if not used properly. Read the label before using any of these. Let's take a look at them in detail:
Pyrethroids and Pyrethrins: These are among the most common chemicals used to eliminate bed bugs. However, some bed bugs have grown resistant to these chemicals.
Neonicotinoids: These are nothing but artificial nicotine. These work by damaging the nervous system of bed bugs. This chemical works on bed bugs that are resistant to common insecticides.
Pyrroles: They work by disrupting the bed bugs at the cellular level.
Bug Bombs or Foggers: These are very effective in killing bed bugs but cannot get into crevices and cracks, and so might not be a great option. Read instructions carefully before using a fogger.
Desiccants: These destroy the outer shell of bed bugs and the bugs eventually die. The results are slow, but the good thing is that bed bugs cannot get resistant to these.
Plant oil-based bed bug killers are also available in the market.
You will have to do the treatments every 10 days for at least three times to ensure that all the bed bugs are gone.
5. Keep Monitoring
Even after the bed bugs are dead, you will have to keep on monitoring as bed bugs are hard to eliminate. Even a single living pregnant bed bug can give birth to hundreds of more. So, you will have to make sure that there is not a single bed bug left in your property.
Make sure to check the infested areas and all the hidden areas for any bed bug activity every 6-7 days.
You can consider using bed bug interceptors for this purpose. You will need to place these interceptors under each leg of your bed and couch. These work by catching the bugs before then you can climb onto the furniture. You will have to keep doing this at least for a year, as bed bugs can be pretty persistent.
6. Retreat As and When Needed
Bed bugs are really hardy. Just the moment you think that you have eliminated the last living bed bug from your property, you will see one crawling under your bed. You will have to retreat if required.
As far as treating the bed bugs is concerned, you will have to try different methods to see what is working for you. What worked during the initial treatment might not work now.
If nothing helps, you will have to hire the services of a professional exterminator.
7. Take the Help of Professionals
If the infestation is quite large, you will have to hire an exterminator. Also, if none of your methods are working, it is best to leave it to the pros.
Professional exterminators and pest control companies have access to chemicals that you do not have access to. Also, they are trained to use these chemicals without causing harm to the surrounding environment.
They make use of insecticides that do not only kill the bed bugs in contact but insecticides that stay inside furniture cracks and broken electrical outlets to prevent future infestation. In short, they give you long-term results.
Some pest control companies resort to whole room heat treatment. They make use of special equipment and devices to heat up the entire room with the temperature being in between 135 and 145-degree F. Such a temperature range is enough to kill every living bed bug in the room.
Before treating your property, a professional exterminator will tell you what all you need to do to prep for the treatment. Make sure you follow all the instructions to ensure that all the bed bugs are wiped out.
You will be asked to stay out of the treated room unless the insecticides dry. Professional treatment can take up to a few days, depending on the level of the infestation.
8. Preventing Bed Bugs
Once you have managed to eliminate the bed bugs, you will have to ensure that they do not come back. Reduce clutter and do not leave clothes, paper, and magazines on the floor.
Use a bedbug cover to protect your couch cushions and mattresses. Keep them zipped so that the bed bugs are not able to enter. Wash linen, carpet, and furniture often. Clean your furniture on a regular basis as well. Seal cracks and crevices on the floor, around electrical sockets, and baseboards so that the bed bugs stay away. Look for bed bugs while staying in hotels or travelling by public transport. If you suspect bed bug marks on your skin, wash your clothes and bags immediately using the highest heat setting in your washer or dryer.
If you are purchasing used furniture, make sure to inspect it thoroughly.
In most scenarios, it is easier to hire professionals as they take care of all the requirements and ensure that the bed bugs are gone. But then again, with these methods provided. You can do it yourself!
Also Read:
Home Remedies to Consider for Pest-Free Home
Effective Ways on How to Get Rid of Lizards from Home
Cleaning Mixtures That Are Hazardous to Use Read more
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Positive Discipline : How to Discipline a Child in a Way That Actually Works
Let’s play a quick word association game.
I will say one word, and you will say the first thing that comes to your mind when you read that word. Don’t think for long. Just say the first word that occurs to you. OK, here we go.
Sky.
Night.
Discipline.
Chances are, when you read “sky” the first word that came to your mind was “blue” or “high”.
When you read “night” you might think of the words “dark” or “day”.
What about “discipline”? What did you think of when you read that? In my case, I would probably have gone with “punishment” or “set right”.
The idea of discipline being synonymous with punishment is ingrained in our psyche. The first thing we think of when we hear the word “discipline” is usually something negative.
However, did you know that the word discipline originates from the Latin word ‘disciplina’ which means teaching, which in turn comes from ‘discipulus’ which literally translates to pupil?
Yet, I can bet that very few who tried the little exercise above would have thought “teach” when they first read the word “discipline”.
For whatever reason, over the years, discipline has gone from meaning “to teach” to “to punish”!
Today we explore “positive discipline” an idea that focuses on reverting things back to the roots – when children do something wrong, instead of punishing them, parents teach and guide them to set the behavior right.
So, how do we go back from “to punish” to “to teach”? In small baby steps, of course!
Here are a few tips to get started, and by following some of these (pick a subset of the ones that work for you), slowly we can change our perspective about “discipline”
1. The core of positive discipline: There are no bad kids, just bad behavior.
Think about that for a minute and you will realize how true the statement is. This is the basic premise of the positive discipline concept. Once we as parents recognize that inherently our kids are not bad, they are just behaving badly, the rest of it will slowly fall in place.
For instance, suppose your child hits another child. The first thing you feel is probably embarrassment and shame, followed closely by a fear that your child may have a “mean” streak. If you go with that feeling and call your child a “bad girl” or “naughty boy” you reinforce the negative image of your child both in your own mind and in your child’s.
Your child may just be hungry/sleepy/tired or any of the hundred different stress triggers that may have made her act out. In other words, something in your child’s environment is influencing your child to behave badly. When we accept that it was just a behavior that was bad, and the child herself is fine. For instance, instead of screaming, “Why did you do that? I don’t understand how you can be so mean sometimes” you will be in a much better situation to say “That wasn’t the best behavior – we do not hit our friends”.
At this point, I have to admit, I have a pretty strong-willed child and this will likely just get a “back answer” from her (or the water works, if she is already feeling guilty about it), but in her mind (and my own), I have planted the seed that she is not bad, it was just bad behavior, and it becomes easy for both of us to deal with it positively using one of the other techniques below.
2. Instead of pointing out what the child did wrong, show the child how to set things right
Building on the example above, let’s consider the best case situation first where you catch your child before she actually hits. However, instead of saying “Don’t hit” or “NO hitting” try saying “Use your words” or “Ask nicely”. When you say “Don’t hit” it does not give the child any information of what she should be doing instead. Without that knowledge, she may just end up going with her original plan to hit or she may choose to go with some other option which is equally bad – like shoving the other kid.
Now, on the other hand, if you catch the child after the incident, convey that what she did was wrong and give her an “out”. For example, you could say “That was not a good choice, we don’t hit our friends. Do you want to say sorry and make Kaylee feel better?” and if your child is not ready to say sorry yet (mine usually needs some time), you can continue with “Until we are ready to say sorry, let’s sit here and read a book” (This is sometimes also referred to as).
3. Be kind but firm; show empathy and respect
Now, in her mind, what she did was right and justified. It can be very frustrating when she insists on some wrong behavior as being right (mine is 5, and she can justify her actions until blue in her face with “She started it, she didn’t share the toy”). As parents, instead of arguing back, we just need to stay calm and repeat what we said in a kind manner but very firmly. For instance, repeat “Hitting hurts, we do not hit our friends” and “Yes, sharing is good, but we do not hit someone even if they don’t share” and different variants of it, over and over without losing temper or raising voice.
It also helps to show some empathy – for instance, “You really want the doll that she is playing with, but hitting is not the right choice.” Just by empathizing with your child that she really wants the doll, you can win half the battle.
4. Whenever possible, offer choices
After offering empathy, you can take it to the next level by offering her some choices. Choices give your child a sense of control. Not only is she not “bad”, instead of being “punished” she is given control… sometimes, that’s more than enough to snap a child out of a funk. This is one of the most common recommended by experts.
Simple choices like, “That was not nice, do you want to make Kaylee feel better by giving her a hug or by saying you are sorry?” or “Do you want to say sorry and continue playing with Kaylee or do you want to read a book with me until you calm down?” go a long way.
Remember to pick your choices carefully though, because once a choice is offered, and your child picks one, you need to honor it.
5. Treat mistakes as opportunities to learn
A child will often act out because she perceives it as the means to get to an end. When teach them not only that what they did is wrong but also empower them with alternatives, it will help them in the future from using it as a tool even when you are not around.
Try not to launch into a lecture though. If possible use examples and recollections from past behavior. “Do you remember last time when Tim hit you and how much it hurt? It made you mad/sad, right?” or “Remember when you fell off the chair and bumped your head? When you hit someone, it hurts the same way.” Read more
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Watermelon Pizza
This is one dish that doesn’t require any of your supervision. You just have to cut the watermelon wedges and hand it over to the kids. Get them to arrange the fruits, and in the process learn about the different kinds. Let them prepare their rainbow and eat it too!
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
4 People
5-10 Minutes
0 Minutes
Ingredients
1 watermelon slice, cut into round slice of about 2” thickness
1 cup strawberries, halved
1 cup raspberries
1 cup blueberries
1 cup grapes, halved
1 cup banana, sliced
1 cup kiwi, sliced
10 g shredded coconut
Method
Step 1
Cut the round watermelon slice into 4-6 wedges. Cool for 10-15 mins.
Step 2
Arrange the fruits on each wedge and sprinkle some shredded coconut on top.
Step 3
Keep in the refrigerator for chilling for 5-10 mins and serve.
Nutritional Information
Calories
144 K cal
Proteins
2.2 g
Fat
1.6 g
Carbohydrates
33.9 g
Cholesterol
0 mg
Sodium
4 mg
Potassium
496 mg
Tip -You can sprinkle whole or chopped nuts, crushed cereal or any syrup of your choice. You can also try savoury toppings like cheese and onions or olives. Read more
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Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
9 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
At which day should I take pregnancy test
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
6 hours ago
A. after 2 weeks. do ultrasound n necessary tests after consulting a specialist. without proper check up we can't advise or help you.. Avoid shirt cuts when it comes to health if mother n baby. ok.
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
8 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
when should I take pregnancy test?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
7 hours ago
A. after missed your periods you can wait for one week more ,then you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
8 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
but having regular cycles below 35 days. some time it will extended upto 40 days.
so when should I take pregnancy test at home?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
7 hours ago
A. If you have missed your periods you can wait for one week more or else you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication.
The best treatment to have Regular periods is by having a healthy lifestyle with regular daily walking or jogging along with mild exercise and meditation whenever possible. as medications will only act till you are taking them
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
5 hours ago
Q. Done my first routine blood test ..it shows thyroid border line.its my 6 week running as per USG.
but prior to that my thyroid level was always normal I did check up every year and got it normal .this time it shows borderline high in 6 week pregnancy.
is it something to worry.plz guide
Read moreDr Ghouse
Paediatrician
4 hours ago
A. it is better to follow your doctors advice for treating the thyroid deficiency. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
56 mins ago
Q. #asktheexperts
Best activity toys for 15 month old baby
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
53 mins ago
A. Toys which have light and also sounds so that is going to be a good option for you to use apart from the different kids have different interest some kids like to play with cars some like to play with something else so just have to try to figure out what your child likes to eat just check what your child is more inclined towards
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
41 mins ago
Q. how to gain weight 32weeks
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
39 mins ago
A. You need to have a lot of good proteins and that is what is going to be helpful have a balanced diet and good have good amount of proteins as well which is what is going to be beneficial and good weight gain for your child as well
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