Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
jeudi 22 octobre 2020
Dogs Don't Care If You Have a Favorite, Proving Once Again That We Don't Deserve Them
My family has two dogs - one big black labrador and a beagle puppy. "The boys," as we call them, have very different personalities, but share one thing in common: the lab and the beagle both think they are small dogs. Our big boy believing in every ounce of his fur he is a small pup leads to some frustration on my part. He's harder to control on the leash, and jumps up on people - he's sweet and well-meaning (if not the best trained dog ever - oops), but his front legs can reach my shoulders! I'll admit the smaller, easier-to-manage beagle has simply become my favorite dog because, well, he's easier to manage. And now, I worry the lab is secretly plotting against our family in revenge because he has noticed I kinda adore his little brother, but sometimes feel challenged by him. But it turns out I shouldn't be worried that the lab is petty like a human being might be.
Can dogs tell if you have a favorite?
"A pet's love is unconditional, where humans have a lot of conditions," Jennifer Frione, DVM, veterinarian and owner of Lakeside Animal Hospital in South Florida, told POPSUGAR. She adds, "That is why a dog has no clue you love taking car rides with their fur-sibling over them." Dr. Frione also reassures pet parents it's normal to favor one dog over another. "Just like human moms with their human kids, having a favorite can be natural when having multiple animals." But she is also quick to say, "This doesn't mean one pet has more value than the other."
Meanwhile, a dog isn't likely to seek out revenge against a pet parent for having a favorite - like peeing all over the house and then acting all innocent about the destruction (just my personal nightmare?). As Dr. Frione explains, "Dogs start to show behavioral issues not from being preferred over the other but because of boredom, stress, and anxiety." She elaborates, "These symptoms can come from being away from home more, less walks, less contact with their favorite human, or illness."
How can I be sure I'm treating my dogs equally?
Colleen Demling-Riley, dog behaviorist for Dogtopia, offers a few tips for maintaining a peaceful pet home. "The dogs in the house should have one set of rules that they all follow," she tells POPSUGAR. For instance, if one dog is allowed in the bed, all of them should be. But even if you end up giving an extra treat to one of your pups one day, Demling-Riley notes it is unlikely another dog will feel jealous like a human child might. "They don't take it personally, plot to get even, or fret over how unfair life is," she says.
Phew! At least I haven't offended my labrador or driven him to maliciously scheme against me. But I'll be sure to pet him as often as his (sorry) slightly more cuddly, less overbearing brother. It's only fair, and besides - I am deeply touched by the notion of how selfless and loving dogs are. If only we could all be like them!
Dogs Don't Care If You Have a Favorite, Proving Once Again That We Don't Deserve Them
My family has two dogs - one big black labrador and a beagle puppy. "The boys," as we call them, have very different personalities, but share one thing in common: the lab and the beagle both think they are small dogs. Our big boy believing in every ounce of his fur he is a small pup leads to some frustration on my part. He's harder to control on the leash, and jumps up on people - he's sweet and well-meaning (if not the best trained dog ever - oops), but his front legs can reach my shoulders! I'll admit the smaller, easier-to-manage beagle has simply become my favorite dog because, well, he's easier to manage. And now, I worry the lab is secretly plotting against our family in revenge because he has noticed I kinda adore his little brother, but sometimes feel challenged by him. But it turns out I shouldn't be worried that the lab is petty like a human being might be.
Can dogs tell if you have a favorite?
"A pet's love is unconditional, where humans have a lot of conditions," Jennifer Frione, DVM, veterinarian and owner of Lakeside Animal Hospital in South Florida, told POPSUGAR. She adds, "That is why a dog has no clue you love taking car rides with their fur-sibling over them." Dr. Frione also reassures pet parents it's normal to favor one dog over another. "Just like human moms with their human kids, having a favorite can be natural when having multiple animals." But she is also quick to say, "This doesn't mean one pet has more value than the other."
Meanwhile, a dog isn't likely to seek out revenge against a pet parent for having a favorite - like peeing all over the house and then acting all innocent about the destruction (just my personal nightmare?). As Dr. Frione explains, "Dogs start to show behavioral issues not from being preferred over the other but because of boredom, stress, and anxiety." She elaborates, "These symptoms can come from being away from home more, less walks, less contact with their favorite human, or illness."
How can I be sure I'm treating my dogs equally?
Colleen Demling-Riley, dog behaviorist for Dogtopia, offers a few tips for maintaining a peaceful pet home. "The dogs in the house should have one set of rules that they all follow," she tells POPSUGAR. For instance, if one dog is allowed in the bed, all of them should be. But even if you end up giving an extra treat to one of your pups one day, Demling-Riley notes it is unlikely another dog will feel jealous like a human child might. "They don't take it personally, plot to get even, or fret over how unfair life is," she says.
Phew! At least I haven't offended my labrador or driven him to maliciously scheme against me. But I'll be sure to pet him as often as his (sorry) slightly more cuddly, less overbearing brother. It's only fair, and besides - I am deeply touched by the notion of how selfless and loving dogs are. If only we could all be like them!
dimanche 13 septembre 2020
Sloane Stephens, Naomi Osaka, and Frances Tiafoe Support BLM During the 2020 US Open
The 2020 US Open commenced on Aug. 31 - minus the crowd. Though the atmosphere at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center grounds was quieter than usual, some players spoke up more loudly than ever in the face of racial injustice and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Naomi Osaka, who won the US Open women's singles title, brought seven different masks featuring the names of Black lives lost at the hands of police brutality and other acts of violence. "It's quite sad that seven masks isn't enough for the amount of names," the 22-year-old who represents Japan said in a post-match interview after the first round, "so hopefully I'll get to the finals and you can see all of them." She wore names of people such as Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Trayvon Martin.
American Sloane Stephens, who won the US Open in 2017 and lost against Serena Williams in the third round this year, came to her matches wearing masks with the phrases "Black Lives Matter" and "No Justice No Peace." Stephens posted a message on Instagram in response to pro athletes postponing their games at the end of August following the police shooting of 29-year-old Jacob Blake. The message, released a few days before the start of the US Open, read in part, "Unarmed Black people continue to be murdered and unjustly treated, and it is infuriating and devastating."
Stephens continued, "As athletes, we have unique platforms, and I believe it is our responsibility to use them wisely." She wrote, "People can't choose to support part of us, the part that entertains them on court or on the field, and ignore the part of us that makes us who we are while our brothers and sisters are persecuted."
Frances Tiafoe, also representing the US and who is ranked 82 in the world, used his platform to bring awareness to the Black Lives Matter movement as well before being eliminated on Sept. 7. He wore a "Black Lives Matter" sweatshirt and mask, and he wrote that phrase along with "Say Her Name," in reference to Breonna Taylor and other Black women subjected to violence, on his sneakers. "It's bigger than me y'all," he said on Instagram. "Doing it for my people, my communities."
Ahead, you'll see these players demonstrating and making their voices heard amid the hushed courts of the 2020 US Open.
vendredi 11 septembre 2020
Grab Your Pom-Poms, Clovers! Gabrielle Union Confirmed a Bring It On Sequel Is in the Works
There must be some Clovers in the atmosphere because Gabrielle Union just confirmed that a Bring It On sequel with the original cast is officially in the works, and we can't help but recite a mental cheer in celebration. Union revealed the exciting news during a virtual interview on The Late, Late Show With James Corden on Sept. 10, assuring Corden that Kirsten Dunst and the rest of the cast are definitely ready for a sequel.
"I think [we agreed] because we all got obsessed with Cheer on Netflix and it kind of like brought back the whole love of cheerleading, and we kinda want to see where these people would be 20 years later," Union said. So, does this means we get to see Isis and Torrance coach their kids as cheer moms?!
While the Bring It On franchise includes six films, this will be the first sequel that features the original cast. It's been over two decades since the original Bring It On first premiered, which means we are beyond ready to watch the Clovers and the Toros dance it out at Nationals and remind us why we fell in love with cheerleading in the first place. So get your pom-poms ready and check out Union's full announcment video here.
mardi 4 août 2020
Over 25 Warm Foods to Pack in Your Kiddo's Lunch Box This School Year - All Made in the Crockpot!
If you're tired of the same old song and dance that comes with making your child a PB&J sandwich every morning - and your child is equally as bored - it's time to switch things up. Put your slow cooker to use this school year for more than dinners and freezer meals, and whip up a batch of something your kid loves on the weekend to provide them with a hot food meal option all week long. All you need to do in the morning is reheat the food (not in a plastic container, though!) and pack it in an insulated lunch container that'll keep it warm until their lunch hour.
Check out some of our favorite slow cooker meals that'll fill your kiddo up just enough so they're ready for an afternoon of learning.
mercredi 22 juillet 2020
Virtual Doulas Help Moms Get On-Demand Care - Here's Everything You Need to Know
New parents often have to rely on books, family, and the internet to figure out life with their new bundle of joy. But there may be more than that now, as virtual doula services change the landscape of maternity care by electronically connecting new parents with certified doulas to provide support leading up to and throughout the fourth trimester. Here's what you need to know.
What is a doula?
A doula is a non-medical expert explicitly trained to provide physical and emotional support to a mother before, during, and after childbirth. Services include birth planning and labor assistance, like position changes and breathing techniques, and postpartum support for breastfeeding, postnatal body care, baby care, and the emotional ups and downs of being a new mom.
Traditionally, doula services are carried out in person, with doulas attending doctor appointments, assisting during the birth, and visiting mommy and baby afterwards at home. However, there is a growing number of doulas now offering their services virtually via videos sessions and texting, giving them the ability to support families regardless of location, time, or hospital restrictions.
What are a doula's qualifications?
Doulas are certified through birth work agencies like DONA International, Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association, Pro Doula, and Birth Arts International. Certifications include Certified Labor Doula, Certified Postpartum Doula, Certified Childbirth Educator, and Certified Midwife Assistant. Many have additional certifications or training in lactation, perinatal depression and anxiety, pregnancy fitness, infant care, and babywearing.
What are the benefits of using a doula?
Research has shown that using a birth doula can result in shorter duration of labor, decrease in cesarian births, and decrease in use of Pitocin or pain medication. Furthermore, doulas have proven to be particularly helpful for socially disadvantaged mother at-risk for adverse birth outcomes, resulting in a decrease in birth complications for mother and baby, decrease in low birth weight babies, and increase in the ability to initiate breastfeeding.
Nicole Williams, a birth doula and certified health and wellness coach in New Jersey, explains that doulas can help even the odds for black women, who are two to six times more likely to die during childbirth than white women, by listening to the mother and speaking up on her behalf when she feels like something is wrong. "There are times when these cries can go unheard and doulas serve as effective advocates and liaisons between the parents and medical staff," she told POPSUGAR.
Mandy Major, PCD, Co-Founder and CEO of postpartum doula agency Major Care, says the service fills an important gap in the system of postpartum care for new parents. "When you look at our current set up, you basically have established medical care on one side, like ob-gyns and pediatricians, and well-intentioned strangers in online groups on the other," she told POPSUGAR. "The former is not trained and/or on-call to help you with your day-to-day questions, and the latter is very helpful and useful but not always providing accurate information."
How do virtual services differ from traditional in-person?
Many doulas have been offering virtual services for years as a way to be more accessible to their clients regardless of distance or time of day/night. Hospital and social restrictions due to COVID-19, as well as an overall increased need for convenient support, has resulted in more families opting for virtual care over in-person.
Ursula Sukinik, CD, CDT, CMA, CBE, CLC, Founder and CEO of Birth You Desire, says one of the most impactful benefits of virtual services is the ability to check-in with clients and see what's happening in real time without having to travel to homes or hospitals. Her agency adopted a virtual component ten years ago to be present with clients during medical procedures or tests (IVF, ECV, etc.), routine and non-routine doctor visits, early labor, and in the event of emergency situations, like snow and ice storms. "We can literally be with you at all times," she says.
Chelisa Clifton CLD, CPD, CBE, NCS, a doula in Cincinnati, offers both in-person and virtual services. She told POSUGAR the biggest drawback to virtual services is not being able to physically help with position changes during labor or allowing mom to sleep while she cares for the baby once they're home from the hospital.
However, she says a benefit to virtual services is that in her absence, she leans on the partner to be her hands, instructing him/her how to rub mom's lower back, cool her head, or reposition her for more comfort. "This not only provides the physical touch that's so important during labor, but also allows the couple to experience birth in a very empowered, intimate way," she explains to POPSUGAR.
Ursula has received similar feedback from clients that partners are enjoying being more involved during labor. "These same partners report that it is easier for them to bond with their babies due to being 'on' during the birth," she says.
How do virtual doula services work?
Service models and pricing vary per doula and agency. Most doulas offer different virtual birth and/or postpartum packages that include a set number of calls/video sessions. Some also offer unlimited text/email.
For example, Williams, in New Jersey, offers a straightforward fee per virtual session model, while Clifton's Full-Service Virtual Birth Doula package in Cincinati costs $600, and includes a combination of prenatal video sessions, text/email support, on-call phone support during labor, and a postpartum video session. With Major Care, you choose between three different care plans, starting at $4.90 per day, that offer a variety of texting and video postpartum support.
It is important to find a doula that meets your needs and brings you comfort. DONA International, Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association, and Birth Arts International all offer directories to help you find a qualified doula.
mardi 23 juin 2020
What to Give the 30-Something Women in Your Life For Holidays, Birthdays, and Beyond
Thirty-something women appreciate thoughtful gifts that are practical, pretty, and useful in some way or another. Whether they're kitchen mavens, badass working women, or just in need of a little appreciation, we rounded up the best gifts for the sisters, friends, and moms in your life who are in their 30s. From cute cooking essentials that will complement their kitchens to gorgeous jewelry that's still in your price range, these gifts are the definition of sweet and useful. Bonus: they're all affordably priced - we're talking $50 and under! Keep reading to shop our favorite picks and make her day, no matter how far away you might be from each other.
- Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes, Lauren Harano, and Hilary White
dimanche 31 mai 2020
6 Things a Personal Trainer Wants You to Know About Zoom Workouts
Joining Zoom workout classes from your childhood bedroom - detergent-bottle weights in hand - can feel intimidating and inconvenient. But, for Astrid Swan, an NASM-certified personal trainer and the chief curriculum lead for Barry's, being able to connect with clients while social distancing has been "a gift."
That's not to say Swan hasn't faced challenges - like learning the proper camera angles to demonstrate moves or recognizing when a client fakes a poor WiFi connection just to catch a break (yes, that really happened!). But her optimistic attitude stems from the many advantages she's found that Zoom training offers to both clients and professionals.
Months into teaching via Zoom, Swan has developed a unique perspective on the experience, and chatting with her has changed the way I view digital personal training as a client. Her point of view could help other skeptics feel more comfortable, too.
Trainers Can Reach New Communities
Being separated from her energetic work family and gym was the hardest roadblock Swan faced once Barry's temporarily closed its doors. But when the brand launched at-home Zoom classes, she felt her community come back together: "The energy was back!"
Now, Swan has connected to more people than ever before, thanks to her Zoom training sessions.
"[I] feel so lucky to continue to help people get their endorphins up, stress down, and goals achieved," Swan explains. "Also, with our at-home platform, I am able to train people from all over the world, and many first-timers who don't live in an area where we have a location."
Sitting and Watching Is Part of the Trainer's Job
As a self-described "hawk for form," Swan wants you to know that just because a personal trainer is sitting and staring at the screen doesn't mean they aren't prepared for your session.
"I am still able to achieve the call-outs, encouragement, and form corrections," Swan elaborates.
Zoom Training Means Fewer Opportunities to Make Excuses
In Swan's opinion, Zoom training means "no excuses."
"Time is always something we say we don't have enough of - but with Zoom, we don't have to worry about cutting the workout short because of [a] commute," she notes.
A messy room and makeshift weights are no excuses to put off a Zoom training session, either - almost everyone is experiencing similar conditions.
"Start today," she recommends. "We want you to get up and get moving!"
Clients Shouldn't Feel Camera Shy
"We want to see you. AKA: turn on your camera!" Swan urges.
Just like in-person fitness classes, everyone in a group Zoom workout is working to their own level - Swan is adamant that people aren't judging you.
"We love having you join our homes, and we love it if your pet or your child joins in! We understand it takes a minute to get used to the format, but also know, like any workout, you won't regret it when it is over," she explains.
Group and Personal Training Are Equally Rewarding
For Swan, both personal and group-training Zoom sessions are customizable to the clients.
Personal training allows her to get creative when working toward one person's specific goals, while group training offers more of a social experience.
During group sessions, Swan always checks to see if any expecting moms or people dealing with injuries need extra coaching or modifications. She also encourages people within the group to chat, even if it's to vent about how challenging the class was.
"At the end of group training, we unmute everyone, and it's nice to catch up on jokes, encouragements, and see how everyone is doing," Swan adds.
Zoom Training Is the Future
"I do think Zoom fitness sessions will remain popular because of the ease of just opening up your computer to start your workout," Swan says.
She notes the convenience factor for stay-at-home parents who can continue to time workouts around their kids' naps, and for working clients that can sweat between meetings and on lunch breaks.
And it doesn't hurt that the app has made adjusting to virtual training a breeze. Trainers can sync music to workouts, there's no cap to the number of people that can join, and it gives clients the freedom to customize their video settings.
Click here for more health and wellness stories, tips, and news.
6 Things a Personal Trainer Wants You to Know About Zoom Workouts
Joining Zoom workout classes from your childhood bedroom - detergent-bottle weights in hand - can feel intimidating and inconvenient. But, for Astrid Swan, an NASM-certified personal trainer and the chief curriculum lead for Barry's, being able to connect with clients while social distancing has been "a gift."
That's not to say Swan hasn't faced challenges - like learning the proper camera angles to demonstrate moves or recognizing when a client fakes a poor WiFi connection just to catch a break (yes, that really happened!). But her optimistic attitude stems from the many advantages she's found that Zoom training offers to both clients and professionals.
Months into teaching via Zoom, Swan has developed a unique perspective on the experience, and chatting with her has changed the way I view digital personal training as a client. Her point of view could help other skeptics feel more comfortable, too.
Trainers Can Reach New Communities
Being separated from her energetic work family and gym was the hardest roadblock Swan faced once Barry's temporarily closed its doors. But when the brand launched at-home Zoom classes, she felt her community come back together: "The energy was back!"
Now, Swan has connected to more people than ever before, thanks to her Zoom training sessions.
"[I] feel so lucky to continue to help people get their endorphins up, stress down, and goals achieved," Swan explains. "Also, with our at-home platform, I am able to train people from all over the world, and many first-timers who don't live in an area where we have a location."
Sitting and Watching Is Part of the Trainer's Job
As a self-described "hawk for form," Swan wants you to know that just because a personal trainer is sitting and staring at the screen doesn't mean they aren't prepared for your session.
"I am still able to achieve the call-outs, encouragement, and form corrections," Swan elaborates.
Zoom Training Means Fewer Opportunities to Make Excuses
In Swan's opinion, Zoom training means "no excuses."
"Time is always something we say we don't have enough of - but with Zoom, we don't have to worry about cutting the workout short because of [a] commute," she notes.
A messy room and makeshift weights are no excuses to put off a Zoom training session, either - almost everyone is experiencing similar conditions.
"Start today," she recommends. "We want you to get up and get moving!"
Clients Shouldn't Feel Camera Shy
"We want to see you. AKA: turn on your camera!" Swan urges.
Just like in-person fitness classes, everyone in a group Zoom workout is working to their own level - Swan is adamant that people aren't judging you.
"We love having you join our homes, and we love it if your pet or your child joins in! We understand it takes a minute to get used to the format, but also know, like any workout, you won't regret it when it is over," she explains.
Group and Personal Training Are Equally Rewarding
For Swan, both personal and group-training Zoom sessions are customizable to the clients.
Personal training allows her to get creative when working toward one person's specific goals, while group training offers more of a social experience.
During group sessions, Swan always checks to see if any expecting moms or people dealing with injuries need extra coaching or modifications. She also encourages people within the group to chat, even if it's to vent about how challenging the class was.
"At the end of group training, we unmute everyone, and it's nice to catch up on jokes, encouragements, and see how everyone is doing," Swan adds.
Zoom Training Is the Future
"I do think Zoom fitness sessions will remain popular because of the ease of just opening up your computer to start your workout," Swan says.
She notes the convenience factor for stay-at-home parents who can continue to time workouts around their kids' naps, and for working clients that can sweat between meetings and on lunch breaks.
And it doesn't hurt that the app has made adjusting to virtual training a breeze. Trainers can sync music to workouts, there's no cap to the number of people that can join, and it gives clients the freedom to customize their video settings.
Click here for more health and wellness stories, tips, and news.
lundi 25 mai 2020
These Moms Talking About Swimsuits Will Have You Nodding So Hard Your Head Will Fall Off
I Swimsuit Season So HardWhen I'm at the beach, I'm there to lifeguard, build sandcastles, supply treats, re-stand the umbrella every dang time it blows over, spray sunscreen, drink a beer, look for seashells, warm-up wet kiddos, force people to eat sandwiches and drink juice, blow up water-wings, and keep my son from publicly urinating. Basically, I've got a really fun job to do and I don't have time to let a piece of lycra throw me off my game. #imomsohard #baywatch #swimsuit #cutouts #doubledecker #brave #moat #onelife #liveit #momlife #reallife #mombod #beach
Posted by imomsohard on Thursday, May 18, 2017
Swimsuit season is here, and that means women can be heard collectively screaming "WTF!" in fitting rooms around the globe. Two such women - the hilarious Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley of the IMomSoHard video series - are brave enough to give us a peek inside their attempts to try on the season's "hottest" swimwear.
Their viral video begins with the two moms in stereotypical male Summer attire - oversize t-shirts and loose-fitting trunk shorts that let you "move around, no nipples coming out." Oh, sign us all up.
But, no, just as quickly, the women swap those practical duds for what they're expected to wear while navigating a beach day with kids. As Smedley, decked out in a ruffled teal monokini, points out, "Hmmm, I wonder if there's a way to make your butt look too big, to really accentuate your love handles and make your bust feel inadequate?"
As hilarious as the video is, what perhaps hit a nerve among viewers (it's been watched more than five million times and shared more than 76,000 times) is how ridiculous they make these unrealistic beauty standards really seem.
Hensley, in a moment of clarity, makes the point abundantly clear: "I want my daughter to love her life and to love herself and she's not gonna do it because I tell her to, she's gonna do it because I teach her to."
And if that doesn't make you nod your head so hard that it up and falls off your body, here's her kicker: "I really want a revenge body, but I'll take a f*cking attitude."
Preach, mamas.
dimanche 17 mai 2020
Virtual Learning Is Putting a Serious Strain on Teachers and Parents of Children With Special Needs
For Jamie Croshaw, remote learning has been incredibly difficult. As a mom to a 6-year-old daughter, Emma, and a 3-and-a-half-year-old son, Jackson, who has cerebral palsy, autism, as well as other medical needs, Jamie initially thought she could handle stepping up as her children's teacher. But now that she's seven weeks into social distancing, Jamie is at her wit's end.
"When we received notice that school was going to be doing remote learning, we thought how hard can it be?!" Jamie told POPSUGAR. "Boy, were we wrong. Suddenly overnight, I had to become a kindergarten teacher, a special needs preschool teacher, and a physical, occupational, and speech therapist. Plus, I had the regular duties of being a stay-at-home-mom and wife."
For Jamie, the struggle of homeschooling two kids set in immediately. Although she was hoping to get the hang of distance learning as time went on, her frustration only grew. And she's certainly not alone. In the US, 1 in 5 children have learning disabilities such as ADHD and dyslexia, and 7 million kids have individualized education programs (IEPs), a document that's developed for each public school child who is eligible for special education.
"The first two weeks of remote learning was done by packets that came home from the school. They were completely overwhelming - just tons of papers with no instructions - and I didn't even know where to start," she shared. "By the third week, they started doing Google Meets with the kids - this was when the stress really set in. Trying to explain to two children that this was the new way of learning and why they were seeing their teachers and friends on the computer instead of face-to-face was complicated to say the least."
Jackson, in particular, had difficulty with all the changes. "Trying to explain to a toddler with special needs who relies on structure and a schedule was impossible," she said. "He became very aggressive when it was time to do his therapies. He'd start hitting and punching me, screaming, and getting upset to the point where he was hyperventilating."
Understandably, seeing her son struggle took an emotional toll on Jamie. With no clear end in sight to social-distancing orders, she dreaded what the next day would hold.
"Every night, I'd dread going to sleep, despite being exhausted, because I knew that would bring morning, and we'd have to start all over again."
"Every night I'd dread going to sleep, despite being exhausted, because I knew that would bring morning, and we'd have to start all over again," she explained. "Jackson wasn't benefiting at all from the therapy because his sessions were nothing more than me fighting with him to attempt to do anything. I started getting very depressed, and I felt like I was failing my kids. Many nights I would cry off and on for hours because of it. I was sick over it."
Faced with a tough decision, Jamie spoke with Jackson's teacher and case manager on the child study team at school. Although she knows Jackson's teachers and specialists are doing everything they can to help, she opted to discontinue Jackson's treatment for the time being.
"It just wasn't worth the stress it was causing all of us," she said. "At this moment, Jackson isn't receiving any services. We try to implement things throughout the day when we can. I worry what September will bring when school is hopefully back in session. How much will he have regressed? He has a lot of challenges socially, and not being able to be around any other kids except his sister is really going to set him back."
Mom of three Jasmine Zinser-Craddock has had a similar experience with her 7-year-old son, who has ADHD and Asperger's syndrome. As a psychotherapist, Jasmine has been juggling her client's appointments with homeschooling. Although her husband has also been working from home in entertainment advertising, he's been unable to step away from his desk to help with the children.
"It's completely overwhelming," she told POPSUGAR. "My 9-year-old daughter is essentially left to her own devices throughout the day. I also have a 17-month-old daughter, so I primarily can only help my son when the baby is napping."
Like Jamie, Jasmine is also struggling to help her son adjust to the new circumstances. And because Jasmine didn't have the support of her son's team with her, it's made making substantial progress extremely difficult.
"Initially, the expectations by the school felt impossible. Even if I could take the whole day to just sit with him to do the work, I was dealing with major meltdowns and tantrums," she explained. "He was so difficult and resistant. My son has a one-on-one paraprofessional who sits with him all day long in school. I can't possibly re-create that at home while also trying to do all the other things that need to happen."
"Preserving my relationship with him and our collective mental health is more important than the first-grade curriculum."
Although Jasmine points out that the expectations have recently become more reasonable in her son's school district, she's resigned herself to the fact she simply can't accomplish everything. "Some days, we just won't get to math, or he won't do all the reading," she explained. "He has speech therapy once a week as well as other auxiliary programming, like occupational therapy. His therapists send work for us to do with him, but I'm not really doing any of it. There just aren't enough hours in the day."
For Jasmine, mental health needs to take a front seat, despite her fear of her son falling behind. "Preserving my relationship with him and our collective mental health is more important than the first-grade curriculum," she said. "But I do fear that because of his more specialized needs that he will fall further and further behind the other 'typical' kids."
Why are students with special needs particularly struggling?
Although many children throughout the US are struggling with the transition to remote learning, kids with special needs are at an even greater disadvantage. Talia Haim Campbell, the director of special education at Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School in New York, says that several factors may make distance learning especially challenging for kids with special needs.
"One of the facets to unlocking confusion for students with disabilities is multimodal learning," Talia explained. "Not all students access information in the same way: some need to see it, some need to touch it, some need to sing it or chant it. Although that's oversimplifying multiple modalities, we're essentially forcing students to learn exclusively in one way - with technology."
Talia also explains that for children with special needs, the thought of doing something hard can be incredibly overwhelming, especially if they're not in the proper setting.
"We avoid the things that are challenging for us because it doesn't feel good. That's natural," she explained. "For a student with a special need in reading, they must choose the challenge of independent reading over far more exciting things at their very fingertips, like video games or whatever may be in the refrigerator."
"Families likely have their own tools to support their child with frustrations, but those frustrations may manifest themselves differently when the child is given academic work."
In a classroom setting, however, these distractions are tamped down. "Schools and classrooms are built to eliminate those distractions: we put all the exciting things in the front of the classroom, we gain proximity when a student seems distracted, cell phones are put away, and students are seated away from their best friend, worst enemy, or otherwise distracting student," she said. "The classroom is a vastly different learning environment; plus that student with a reading disability has at least one - sometimes even three or more - teachers there to personally engage them when they start looking around for something more appealing."
Lastly, Talia points to the added emotional component that comes with virtual learning, which can be difficult for students with moderate to severe disabilities, who are used to having more support.
"Families may not have adequate training to support their child with frustrations like a school does," she explained. "In school, we have a toolkit we've developed for children and their needs. For example, my classroom may have a sensory corner where an overwhelmed student can curl up in a fort and choose from their choice board - whether they'd like to chew beads, touch a weighted bean bag, or use a brush to help soothe them."
She continued: "Families likely have their own tools to support their child with frustrations, but those frustrations may manifest themselves differently when the child is given academic work," she said. "This additional challenge is compiled with the fact that the family may also be working from home and may not be able to dedicate the one-on-one attention that the child needs."
What does distance learning look like for special needs teachers right now?
Rest assured, teachers are just as concerned about their students with special needs as parents are. They too have been struggling with the transition to home-based learning. Joanne, a special needs kindergarten teacher from Pennsylvania, has always considered herself a hands-on educator, especially when it comes to giving children extra support and when it comes to developing IEPs for students.
"In a traditional classroom setting, I go into general education classes to help modify the curriculum. I also pinpoint any students who are struggling but haven't been identified as needing formal services," Joanne told POPSUGAR. "With online learning on most days, I participate in two 30-minute morning meeting Zoom sessions in homerooms that my caseload students are in and rotate classes each day."
"I cried for the first two weeks of online learning. I was overwhelmed and really missed my students, colleagues, and established routines."
Additionally, Joanne has been working with the school's physical, speech, and occupational therapists to give children with special needs small group instruction once a week. "To address academic IEP goals, I email an individual matrix of activities to each student's parents to complete each week," she explained. "I list each IEP goal and an activity for each day of the week to support each goal and update each matrix weekly. For example, if a student has 10 IEP goals on their sheet, they have to complete 50 activities that week."
Examples of the weekly goals include things like watching educational YouTube videos and completing picture-sorting activities. If this seems like a tall order, that's because it is. Although Joanne says that most of her parents are doing their best to complete the weekly matrixes, having a child with special needs complete 50 weekly activities can be incredibly difficult.
This requires parents to update Joanne on their child's progress, whether it's through texts, a phone call, or a Zoom meeting. So far, the system has been working out well, as many parents have preferred matrix-style learning to the three hours of live or videotaped lessons created by general education teachers. However, Joanne can sense the parents' overwhelming frustration most days.
"I am working harder now than ever before. I cried for the first two weeks of online learning. I was overwhelmed and really missed my students, colleagues, and established routines. Overall, my job is 10 times harder online. Parents are stressed beyond belief because many of them are trying to work from home as well as help their children," she explained. "The parents cry some days because their children refuse to do anything. I also FaceTime students whose parents are really struggling due to intense behavior needs."
"Parents and teachers have truly been asked to do the impossible."
Recently, Joanne went as far as to help a family rid some distractions from their house. "I drove to a kid's house, honked my horn, and the mom brought out a scooter, a baseball, and a bat," she said. "I drove away with this student's possessions. His mom will give me the green light to bring his things back when the student is more cooperative."
Although Joanne is doing everything in her power to help her students, making true progress given the circumstances sometime seems insurmountable. "I have ups and downs emotionally," she explained. "When I see a student doing well and parents provide me with evidence, I feel OK. When parents are stressed, I feel it, too! It just doesn't seem fair. It is much easier to pull this off with older and more independent kids. Parents and teachers have truly been asked to do the impossible."
How concerned should parents be about their children's regression?
Understandably, parents in the special-needs community are concerned about their children regressing. Talia says that this anxiety is valid, as children with special needs typically need more reinforcement to retain important concepts.
"Some days I have to talk parents off the regression ledge, assuring them that ALL of the students might regress."
"For students with special needs, learning and holding on to new information is paramount. Students with disabilities need even more time to regain what they've lost over school breaks, compared to their peers," she explained. "This lapse of targeted instruction will absolutely lead to significant gaps. Students that are performing below grade level have to learn more than a year's worth of knowledge to begin closing that gap. When that gap becomes too wide, they may reach a level of frustration that is too much for a child to manage. These regressions, depending how vast, have the potential to lead to students requiring more restrictive environments, such as a smaller class or a specialized school."
Liz understands this frustration well and has often caught herself wondering just how much catching up her son will have to do. "I was just thinking, 'Oh my gosh, he's going to fall behind. He's already behind in reading and writing,' and then the pandemic happened," she explained. "I'm going to just keep on reading and writing with him in small spurts," she said.
Although the thought of regression is scary, Joanne is encouraging parents to take it day by day, rather than considering holding their child back for a full academic year just yet.
"Some days, I have to talk parents off the regression ledge, assuring them that all of the students might regress," she explained. "Another year of kindergarten may not 'fix' their kid. All of our staff members assure parents that teachers will meet students where they are upon our return to school. This is especially true for kids in special-education classes. They have IEP goals that are worked on. If they didn't master certain goals, they might continue to do so in the new year or the goals will be revised. We are all experts in differentiation."
Are there any silver linings parents should focus on?
For some parents, there is a silver lining if their kids have social or anxiety disorders. Although children with behavioral and academic challenges may be struggling with remote learning, some students who face social challenges have adapted to the home-based model.
"Kids who have anxiety about academics or social interaction with their peers are benefiting from homeschooling," said mom of three Liz Nissim Matheis, who's also a psychologist and founder of Psychological & Educational Consulting of New Jersey, in Livingston, NJ. "Those kids are doing great because that pressure is actually gone. Kids don't have to worry about getting to school on time, staying in their seats for a class period, listening to a teacher as part of the class, or asking for help. They also no longer have to navigate unstructured times on the playground or during lunchtime."
"You can sleep in. You can stay up. You can take breaks. You can have all the snacks you want."
For Liz, who has a 7-year-old son herself, having a more lax schedule benefits some children with special needs. "The work is harder in that now, you have a mom or dad who's providing the academic instruction, but you're not waking up early," she explained. "You can sleep in. You can stay up. You can take breaks. You can have all the snacks you want. For a lot of anxious kids, this has been a very nice reset for them."
Jessie Dello Russo, a director at SEARCH Learning Group in Warren, NJ, agrees that having parents be more involved in their child's day-to-day may have its benefits in the long run.
"Research shows that having parents involved as part of a child's clinical team helps to achieve the best possible outcome," she explained. "Traditionally, our students are with us 30 hours per week. When they go home, we want them generalizing all the good stuff they're learning and doing with us at the center with their parents and caregivers. Now, parents are working with kids toward their goals full-time. Empathy has also played a key role here - for our staff, families, and ourselves - because we truly need to understand each other's circumstances to provide the best services and really rely on each other to get to the other side of this."
"When else would we ever have this opportunity to connect with our kids as much as we are now?"
As a mom of two children with special needs, Liz agrees, saying that although the overall situation has been extremely challenging, she's learned a lot about her kids academically because of virtual learning. "When else would we ever have this opportunity to connect with our kids as much as we are now? I had never known how much my child can and can't do academically as I do right now," she said. "I'm really in tune with what their struggles are, and I'm not just hearing about it from their teachers. I know it. I get it."
For parents of special needs children who are just trying to get through each day, know that you're not in this alone. "The whole situation is very stressful," explained Jamie. "We're all doing the best we can to get through this. I have a new appreciation for the teachers and therapists. They have been amazing through it all, they are very dedicated to the students, and truly understand how challenging these times are."
vendredi 15 mai 2020
Experts Reveal How Many Steps You Need to Take in a Day to Lose Weight
Whether you track your steps with a wearable device or through your phone, knowing how much you've walked in a day can be an extremely useful tool for weight loss. Many of our jobs entail sitting for a majority of the day, which can be bad for your body and your brain. However, simply walking and tracking your steps every day can reduce health risks and may even help you lose weight. But how much do you actually need to move around to reap the benefits?
The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns against a sedentary, inactive lifestyle and recommends 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes a week of high-intensity activity. In other words, you need to be active for 30 minutes a day, five days a week. For additional health benefits, the CDC recommends doubling your goal and fitting in up to 300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity or 150 minutes of high-intensity physical activity.
Laura Arndt, an NSCA-certified personal trainer and the CEO of Matriarc, a health and wellness app for moms, helped us break the CDC's recommendations into steps. Arndt said a 30-minute brisk walk can get most of her clients "between 3,000 and 5,000 steps, depending on their speed and their gait. However, we shouldn't be sitting the remainder of the day, so the goal is to achieve another 5,000 steps through everyday activity."
Arndt recommends that her clients aim for 10,000 total steps a day but notes that isn't a realistic goal for everyone. "The best thing to do is have someone wear a fitness tracker for a week, see what their average step counts are over the course of the week, and have them aim to increase their step counts by 10 percent," Arndt said. "This gives them a realistic goal, but it also forces them to step up their daily activity."
If you're specifically looking to lose weight, the intensity of your physical activity plays a significant role as well. "How briskly you walk plays a large role in how many calories you actually burn when walking. Walking a very slow 10,000 steps may not be adequate to actually result in weight loss," Gregg Kai Nishi, MD, bariatric surgeon at the Khalili Center and the director of the Institute For Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery at K and B Surgical Center, told POPSUGAR. "Conversely, walking very briskly, even if less than 10,000 steps, may be much more beneficial in terms of weight loss."
But even walking a brisk 10,000 steps per day may not be enough to burn off pounds on its own. "In addition to looking at your step counts, strength training has scientific benefits for increasing your metabolism, burning calories, and therefore helping with weight loss," said Arndt. "The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn during rest and during activity." She encourages her clients to start or continue a strength-training routine a minimum of two days a week, including free weights or activities such as yoga or a bootcamp-style class.
Of course, increasing your activity won't result in weight loss if you aren't creating a calorie deficit. It's also important to take a look at your eating habits throughout the day. While walking 6,000 to 10,000 or more steps a day can promote several health benefits, keeping track of what you're eating and how many calories you're consuming will go a long way toward helping you achieve your weight-loss goals. Be sure to eat a daily diet that consists of a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein, and healthy fats in addition to getting an adequate amount of physical activity if you're trying to lose weight.
samedi 9 mai 2020
This Mom's "Drunk Dial" Thank-You Call Is Pretty Much How Teacher Appreciation Week Looks This Year
I Appreciate Teachers So HardIt’s Teacher Appreciation week! If social distancing has taught moms anything, it’s to appreciate teachers! Big shout-out to all the teachers this week and always! Virtual hugs, thanks, and cheers to you all! . #teacherappreciationweek #teachers #angelpeople #thankyou #whatyouredoingmatters #love #gratitude #askforaraise #presents #freevacations #allinclusive #monday #maythefourthbewithyou
Posted by imomsohard on Monday, May 4, 2020
It's Teacher Appreciation Week, and if physical distancing has taught parents anything, it's to appreciate teachers.
Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley, the comedy duo behind I Mom So Hard, put together a video that's a painfully accurate accounting of why we value the role of teachers now more than ever.
From navigating Zoom classes that start at 8:11 a.m. to harping on our kids' iPad time (by complaining, "don't you feel like you should watch a movie or TV or something?"), they perfectly reveal why most parents aren't cut out for homeschooling.
The best part of the vid? When Kristin drunk-dials her kid's teacher.
"Hi! I just wanted to tell you that I'm really so grateful for everything you've ever done," she says between gulps of wine while hiding out in a closet. "I regret saying or having any thoughts that teachers have a cush job because you guys get the summers off. I've got two students right now, and they're so mean . . . and they're mine. I don't know how you do it. I wanted to put in two weeks on Day 1."
She ends the desperate call with an even more desperate proclamation: "I love you. I, like, really, really love you."
And because we may not have it in us to craft a thank-you card between learning common core math and pretending to pay attention in conference calls, consider just sending this video to the teachers in your lives. They'll get the message.
I Can't Wait to Be Able to Give Mi Mamá a Hug Again
Image Source: Maria G. Valdez
The second Sunday of May hasn't affected me in the almost nine years that I've been living in the United States. In the Dominican Republic, Mother's Day is celebrated the last Sunday of May, so that's the day I would FaceTime my mom to find my family together having lunch and congratulate all the mamás there.
This year, however, something is different. American Mother's Day is coming at me hard. I hear my friends' plans of surprising their mothers by showing up at their houses to drop off flowers or presents, or just to see them in person - at a distance - and tell them they love them. I wish I could do that. I wish seeing my mom were as easy as driving to her house.
Yes, technology is great, and before this pandemic, that's how I'd join in the celebrations back home. But I also knew when I'd be back in the DR hugging and kissing everyone, telling them about my adventures in New York City, and, obviously, dodging the "Y el novio?" question young Latinas are bombarded with the minute we step into a room full of our relatives.
Image Source: Robert Vasquez Photography
Today, I don't know for sure when I'll be able to see my parents in person. I do know this will pass, and I do know flying will eventually become second nature to me again. But in the meantime, the uncertainty of the when is making me feel more nostalgic than ever.
I haven't seen my mother since January, when I was lucky enough to celebrate my birthday and her birthday - they happen to be in the same week - back home. We hugged tight and said our I-love-yous before I left for the airport, not knowing it would be the last time for a while we'd be able to embrace like that.
I miss her so much. Like most Latinas, I rely a lot on mi mamá. She's my rock, my confidante. She's the person I call when I need anything, when I need to talk to someone, when I need advice, or when I want to celebrate a milestone or accomplishment. She's been my biggest cheerleader and supporter throughout my whole life, even when I wasn't the best daughter.
When NYC started closing down, I called her and told her that toilet paper, paper towels, and any form of disinfectant were scarce in the city. In true Latina mom form, she found all three and shipped them to me the next day so that I wouldn't need anything. I still don't know how she did it.
Image Source: Maria G. Valdez
She's unstoppable and powerful, and she'll stop at nothing until she knows my siblings and I are taken care of. She reminds us to wear masks and gloves if we need to go outside for any reason and keeps us in check with the grocery items we need to get so we have just what we need throughout the week.
My mom is the type of person that will really leave a mark on your life if you meet her, and that mark is exponentially bigger on me, her daughter. That's why not being able to hug her, kiss her, or even see her in person is hitting me a little harder this Mother's Day, and I know I'm going to go through the same range of emotions on Dominican Mother's Day, as my Dominican friends and I get creative in order to surprise our moms.
Don't get me wrong, we'll most likely do a Zoom lunch and have a wonderful time, laughing, reminiscing, and planning for the future, but I can't wait for the time when I get to see my mom in person and give her the biggest hug of my life.
vendredi 8 mai 2020
Kelly Clarkson on Her Son's Progress With Speech Therapy Following Hearing Issues
Image Source: Getty / Taylor Hill
Parenting curve balls will hit you when you least expect them, and Kelly Clarkson and her husband Brandon Blackstock can absolutely relate. In a recent interview with People, Kelly revealed that her 4-year-old son Remy suffered a wax buildup in his ears when he was younger, creating speech and hearing issues for him, but he's recently made some impressive progress. "He had a speech problem because he had this ear problem when he was a baby; we didn't know," she said. "But way deep down in his ears, he got clogged up with a ton of wax where we thought, almost, he was deaf because he spoke as if he was underwater."
While the issue was only temporary, Kelly explained that the wax buildup set her son back nine months in terms of progress with his speech. So she and her husband have been working hard to help him improve everyday. "He's still [seeing] his speech therapist via Zoom," she said. "The big milestone for us is Remy getting to really find out his own personality and his identity, because it's been frustrating for him to not be able to really vocalize his emotion . . . The fact that he's making full sentences now and full-on engaging with us is really a blessing."
As a mom to 4-year-old Remy and 5-year-old River Rose, Kelly knows how difficult parenting can be given the current state of the world. As a special treat to expecting moms, Kelly is partnering with Carter's apparel company to host ShowHER Love, a virtual baby shower for moms whose baby showers have been cancelled amid the coronavirus outbreak. The event is exclusive to 100 lucky moms and registration is open through May 23.
Kelly is currently social distancing in a cabin in Montana with Brandon, his 13-year-old son Seth, River Rose, and Remy. "We've been in really close quarters and it's been kind of nuts, I'm not going to lie," she added. At the end of the day, Kelly is glad she and her family are safe, and she hopes to continue spreading positivity to her fans.
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