Tag Archives: kids summer

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Where To Go For Your Loved Ones Summer Injury

PediarticianUnfortunately injuries are far too common in the summer time, especially if you have kids. And sometimes it can be difficult to determine if your loved one’s injury warrants a trip to the emergency room or if it’s something you can take care of at home. You don’t want to overreact but you also want to get them the proper care. In order to determine the type of care that’s necessary, I have put together a guide of where you should go for your loved ones summer injury.

Minor injuries can be dealt with at an urgent care. They typically have shorter wait times and you get in and out pretty quickly. Injuries that can be taken care of at an urgent care include UTIs, minor burns, insect and animal bites and wound infections.

More serious injuries warrant a trip to the emergency room. If your child falls out of a tree and breaks a bone, especially if it’s a compound fracture, you must take them to the ER. Breathing issues, allergic reactions and chest pain should also be treated in an emergency room. If you feel as though your loved one has a concussion you should take them to the ER immediately Signs of a concussion include loss of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, headaches and ringing in the ears.

Injuries sustained during sports, such as a sprained ankle, should be taken to the child’s primary care doctor first. Your doctor can determine the severity of the injury and the next steps that should be taken.

It can be difficult to determine the appropriate type of care for a specific injury but these tips should help you make a good decision on where to take your loved one.

For more healthcare tips for you and your family, check out my workbook for dealing with caring for your children as well as your aging parents: Life in Sandwich Generation. Life in the Sandwich Generation is a workbook filled with information, tips and tricks for managing the demands needing to care for your aging parents, as well as taking care of your children. It details how you can involve your children in the process, how to learn more about your parents health and finances, while still making time for yourself and your spouse. You can find it here for only $10!

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Concerns For Your Kids While You’re Working

Happy School Children Playing Tug Of War With Rope In ParkWhen summer rolls around–and your kids reach a certain age–there comes a time when you’re able to leave them home alone while you’re at work. This can be really helpful, but it can also be really stressful. You’re depending on your child to be responsible for themselves, and possibly their younger siblings. So what should you do when your kids are old enough to be home alone but you still have concerns for their safety? These tips will help put your mind at ease while you’re away.

First, establish rules. This is extremely important. Don’t allow them to have friends over. Depending on their age, don’t allow them to use the stove. This way you don’t run the risk of them accidentally starting a fire. If they plan to go to the park or over to a friend’s house, they must call you before they go and when they arrive there. This way you know where they are at all times.

Second, have your parents or neighbors check in. If grandma and grandpa live in the neighborhood, ask them to stop by every once and a while. But make sure it’s not too often. You want to be sure your kids know that you trust them to be alone, but that grandma and grandpa are there to help with anything they need. If you’re close with your neighbors, ask them to keep an eye on the house. Are the kids coming and going when they’re not supposed to be? Are they having friends over when they aren’t supposed to? Also, let your children know that the neighbors are always available in the event of an emergency.

Third, give them chores to keep them busy. There are plenty of little things they can do around the house that don’t require adult supervision. They can fold laundry, put away the dishes or take the dog for a walk. This will prevent them from sitting around and playing video games all day and it will also help take a little bit of work off of your plate.

Fourth, enroll them in camp. This will get them out of the house and even allow them to make new friends. This way you know they have structure and supervision without hiring a sitter to be at the house with them.

Fifth, send them to the local park or swimming pool. The community that I live in has buses that pick kids up and take them to the pool every hour during the week in the summer. Your kids can walk or ride their bikes to the bus stop and it will take them to the park. This way they can meet up with friends and can be active and play outside. Check for offerings  in your area. Also, find what is within safe walking distance.

Sixth, use technology to your advantage. We live in the age of smartphones and GPS trackers. Make sure all of the tracking apps are active on your child’s cell phone or tablet. If your kids don’t have a phone yet you can pick up a GPS tracker at your local electronics store.

Leaving your kids home alone for the first time can be really stressful. Hopefully these tips will help make it a little easier for you.

For more healthcare tips for you and your family, check out my workbook for dealing with caring for your children as well as your aging parents: Life in Sandwich Generation. Life in the Sandwich Generation is a workbook filled with information, tips and tricks for managing the demands needing to care for your aging parents, as well as taking care of your children. It details how you can involve your children in the process, how to learn more about your parents health and finances, while still making time for yourself and your spouse. You can find it here for only $10!