Being a kid isn’t easy business. Children and teens face new challenges and social pressures often. Not to mention, their growing bodies are changing rapidly, which may cause feelings of sadness or frustration due to the hormonal changes associated with puberty. With all of these stressors on your child’s life, it can be difficult to […]
Kids and vaping: What every parent should know
Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes or vapes, are increasingly popular amongst teenagers. Unlike adults who may use vapes to wean themselves off cigarettes, it is many teenagers’ first entryway into using tobacco products. Dr. Crystal Cole, an adolescent medicine specialist at Akron Children’s Hospital, shares her insight on three myths related to vaping. Myth […]
TikTok: A guide for parents
With so many social platforms popping up each year, it’s tough for parents to keep track of what’s what. So it’s no wonder TikTok has many of us scratching our heads over what this latest trend in social media is all about. The social network for watching, making and sharing user-generated short videos — often […]
Teens and sleep: 7 tips to help your teen sleep better at night
Sleep often takes a back seat to teenagers’ busy activity and social calendars. But what they may not realize is just like exercise and nutrition are important for healthy bodies, so too is a good night’s rest. “Teens are going through puberty and rapid body changes, and still growing and developing in a lot of […]
How to talk to your child about sex and reproductive health
While there’s no set age to begin talking with your child about sex and reproductive health, establishing a foundation early in life is a good idea. Start by teaching kids to use correct anatomical names for their genitals when they are toddlers. Also, teach them who should and shouldn’t be able to see certain parts […]
Social media’s impact on body image
The effects of social media on body image and disordered eating among adolescents are becoming clear, so it’s important for parents to be aware and take steps to blunt the negative influences. That’s the message from Dr. Crystal Cole of the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Akron Children’s Hospital. New studies are showing a pronounced […]