1. Practice telling them “no” from an early age.
If your child is used to getting what they want all of the time, they will have a difficult time adjusting to things not going their way.

2. Remember to take it one day at a time.
You’re not going to get a child to change their behavior overnight. It will take time, just be patient.

3. Be sure they understand when their behavior is unacceptable.
It’s obliviously difficult to rationalize with a toddler, especially one who is kicking and screaming. But if they aren’t disciplined and aren’t told that their behavior is unacceptable, they will continue to do it.

4. Be mindful of how you word your questions.
Or, don’t ask them at all. Asking kids “Are you ready for bed?” is always going to be responded to negatively. Instead, tell them, “It’s time for bed.” Or pose it in a fun way and make it an activity. Make bedtime story time. This way they won’t protest going to bed as much.

5. Try to be understanding.
Part of the reason that this is such a difficult age is that children are frustrated with the stage they’re in. They’re independent enough to do a lot of things for themselves, but they are still limited in certain aspects, such as communicating. Since they can’t tell you what’s wrong they have to alert you in some other way, leading to a tantrum or an outburst.

6. Make sure they know there are consequences for their actions, whether it be a time out or a loss of privilege.
Be firm and stand strong. If you waiver the child won’t take you seriously. It’s also important that you and your spouse have the same philosophy when it comes to this matter.

7. Applaud their good behavior.
When they do something kind or they don’t protest nap time be sure to recognize that. Thank them for listening. This will encourage the same behavior in the future.

It is important to keep in mind that this is normal and it’s not your fault. This is very common that children go through this stage in their lives. Hopefully you find these tips helpful to surviving the terrible twos! They sure helped me.

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 the 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!

The post 7 Tips for Surviving the Terrible Twos appeared first on MyHealthSpin.

Sometimes, being a better wife and mom means putting yourself first. If you’re ill or run down, you won’t be able to properly care for others. It’s important to keep up with your doctor’s appointments and your self-care routine.

Ask your spouse for support. Whether it be with housework or in parenting policies, you both need to be on the same page. You can’t be a great wife or parent if you’re disciplining your children in a different way than your partner. As women we often think we need to do it all, and we don’t like it if things aren’t done our way. But the two of you need to work as a team.

Take priority in his interests, too. It will make him feel good if he knows you truly enjoy the things he does. Maybe your guy is a hockey fan but you just can’t get in to it. Make game night a family affair, order pizza and grab some popcorn. Even if you don’t understand the aspects of the game, you can still make it an event to enjoy with your family.

Set up play dates with women you can relate to. Whether you’re a working mom, single mom or stay-at-home mom, there are other women who are going through the exact same thing as you. Seeking support other moms can help  build you up.

Plan a vacation away from the kids. Even if it’s just an overnight getaway you need to spend some quality time with your spouse. This way the two of you will come home rested and recharged.

Practice patience. It can be easy to let the frustration of daily life get to you. And a simple accident, such as spilling their apple juice, or folding the towels in the wrong direction, sends you in to a tizzy. Remaining patient will help you to be a better mom and wife.

Spend 10 minutes every night catching up with your spouse. You can do this at bedtime or whenever during the day you both can make the time. Instead of scrolling through social media talk to your spouse. Ask them about their day, or what they have going on for the rest of the week. Use this time to reconnect. It will help to make your relationship stronger.

Become comfortable in your own skin again. Often time a healthy diet and a regular exercise regimen can fall by the wayside with you busy at home and work. This can lead to not feeling comfortable in our own skin, and when your self-esteem is lacking, your relationship suffers. Make your health and wellness a priority and you’ll feel better about yourself in no time.

I hope you’ve found these tips helpful on how to become an even better wife and mother.

For more healthcare news and tips daily follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.

The post How to Be an Even Better Wife and Mom appeared first on MyHealthSpin.

As the summertime nears and the flu season is upon us, this is a great time to make sure your kids are staying active but also remaining healthy. Keeping your family’s health records up-to-date, knowing your family health history, and taking some time out of your day to relax can sometimes make all the difference when you’re faced with those unexpected childcare situations.

How do you go about making sure your kids’ health records are updated? How do you gather your family’s health history? What do you do when faced with unexpected childcare?

Your questions are important. That’s why I have scheduled a FREE live webinar on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 2 p.m. EST to cover tips and tools for Busy Moms just like you!

Register HERE now.

Ready to get ahead of all your families healthcare needs? Tune into the webinar to learn:

• How to make sure your children’s health records are up-to-date.
• Keeping track of your family’s health history.
• Tips to taking care of yourself with a hectic schedule.
• What to do when faced with unexpected childcare.
• What health benefits are included in your healthcare plan.

You can bring your questions to the webinar or submit them in advance by email or on Facebook or Twitter.

The post Helpful Healthcare Tips for Busy Moms appeared first on MyHealthSpin.

As a single mother, raising two girls, I had to learn how to juggle both caring for my kids and work. Luckily, there are more people today understanding of breastfeeding in the work place, as it is much more common than twenty years ago.

Regardless, it’s still difficult to manage which is why I would like to share a few helpful tips from my own experience to hopefully make the process less stressful and more comfortable for you.

First, have a talk with your human resources department. Be open about your experience. I find that the more you can have an open discussion the more your employer will be receptive to your needs. Make an arrangement with your employer on how, where and when you can express your breast milk and try and be flexible.

Under the ACA, the federal law requires employers to give break time and a place for most hourly wage employees and salaried employees to express breast milk at work. The federal law however, does not require these breaks to be paid so make sure you ask your employer (also, check with your state law, they may provide more protection and coverage for breastfeeding than federal law).

Also, I found that having the right breast pump can make all the difference. Health insurance plans must provide breast feeding equipment and counseling (potentially at no cost). Talk to your doctor to find out which breast feeding pump is best for you (manual, electric, or rental).

Put together a mini pump bag filled with the following essentials, this will make it easier for you during the work week:

• Clean bottles.
• Breast pump.
• Power supply (for electric breast pumps).
• Paper towels.
• Extra clothing for you (just incase).
• Breast pads.
• Healthy snacks.

Finally, make sure you are comfortable with the overall process and remember, it is a normal and natural part of the child bearing process.

Looking for more healthcare tips? Tune in to our FREE live webinar on Wednesday, March 30 at 2 p.m. EST where I will discuss Helpful Healthcare Tips for Busy Moms. Register HERE today.

Check out my Periscope video HERE on breastfeeding in the workplace.

Follow us for more health care news and tips daily on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.

The post Tips For Moms: Breastfeeding in the Workplace appeared first on MyHealthSpin.