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  • Politics & Family: Agree To Disagree

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of family around the dinner table.

    Politics can be hard to discuss. Often, the conversations turn into arguments or people getting upset because the other person doesn’t agree. When we feel strongly about something, it’s normal to want others to see our side of things.

    Family gatherings are common during the holidays. And, sometimes politics or touchy subjects come up, even when we try to avoid them. How do you handle it when you’re trying to keep the peace?

    *Find common ground.Even if you disagree about something, there’s probably areas where you both agree. For instance, you may have different opinions on gun control. But, you both agree you want your kids to be safe.

    *Don’t attack.Using insults or strong language can damage relationships. Remember that words have the power to harm others. State your point without hurting the other person or showing disrespect by calling them names.

    *Be prepared.If you know that Uncle Tim always says something that offends you, be ready. Think about how you can take deep breaths before responding. Sometimes, it’s better to walk away or change the subject, rather than argue.

    *Know that you probably won’t change the other person’s mind.When we care about something, we want others to agree. We want them to support our views. But, it may be best to accept that no matter how good your argument is, the other person may not change their view.

    *Think about a positive goal.Use disagreements to learn how others feel about something. Be open-minded and listen to their side.

    *Find other things to do.Remember that family gatherings are supposed to bring people together. Plan a fun family game or activity. This can keep people away from having tense discussions.

    *Be okay with different views.You can care about someone and have different views from them. Tell yourself it is okay to agree to disagree.

    *End the discussion when needed.Sometimes, people keep arguing because they’re trying to find a resolution. But, a resolution isn’t always possible. Instead, tell the person you appreciate their views, but you think it’s best to move on. Ask them about their personal interests or job. Share a funny story. Do something to break the tension and stop talking about the disagreement.

    Source: American Psychological Association

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Planning For Your Child’s Expenses

    FINANCIAL HEALTH

    Image of piggy bank next to '529' blocks on top of books.

    It can feel like a dark cloud hanging overhead – the upcoming expense of your child’s college education. Whether your child is one month or 16 years old, it’s never too late to start putting some money away to invest in your child’s future.

    529 college savings plans

    A 529 allows you to save money to pay for your child’s college education tax-free. If the money is used on higher education, you won’t be taxed on the withdrawal either.

    Usually, the money must be used on tuition, room, board, or certain supplies required for college enrollment, or you may have to pay a penalty and taxes.

    Prepaid tuition plans

    When you set up a prepaid tuition plan, you “lock in” today’s tuition prices. In general, these plans must be used on colleges within your state to get the lower tuition rate.

    Savings accounts

    You can set up a savings account in your child’s name that you manage. This is called a custodial account. When your child is old enough, he or she can access the funds.

    IRA and Roth IRA accounts

    IRAs, or individual retirement accounts, are investment accounts that let you save without getting taxes taken out. With a deductible IRA, you must claim your money that goes into the IRA as tax deductible. Then, taxes are incurred when you withdraw the savings later.

    If you put money into a Roth IRA, your earnings are tax-free if you wait to withdraw them after five years – and if they’re used for college tuition.

    Coverdell education savings accounts (ESA)

    Coverdell ESAs are like an IRA for college. If the money is used for education, you won’t pay any taxes when you withdraw it.

    Because each family’s budget and needs are different, there is no single solution that works for everyone. Carefully consider the pros and cons of each option before you move forward.

    Before you begin saving for college….

    If possible, talk with a financial advisor before you begin. Some plans, such as a deductible IRA, may depend upon your income and other factors. And, an expert in the field can help you choose the best option for your situation.

    Ask questions. Be sure to ask the representative about:

    *  Fees and commissions to pay

    *  When and how taxes are incurred on the money you invest

    *  Interest you may earn

    *  Risk involved with investments

    *  Whether you can use the money for other things (if your child doesn’t go to college or gets a full scholarship, for instance)

    *  Whether the money must be used in-state

    Don’t forget about federal loans, which are an option for many families – especially if college is right around the corner.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Piggy Bank Smarts

    FINANCIAL HEALTH

    Image of hand placing a dollar bill into a piggy bank.

    Smart money management begins at home. Washington University researcher Michal Grinstein-Weiss found that teaching kids about money in childhood helps them better manage their mortgage loans as adults. The study was in Social Work Research.

    The professor offers 5 ways parents can teach their kids financial literacy:

    1. Discuss and explain basic finances around the dinner table, especially the difference between needs and wants.

    2. Teach kids how to save and set short-term goals (a new toy) and long-term goals (college). Kids will follow by example if they see you saving for something such as a family vacation.

    3. Open a savings account for your child as early as possible. Even if you bank online, visit the bank with your child to make a deposit because actions reinforce behaviors. Review monthly statements together.

    4. Teach kids budgeting and money-management skills. Help your child figure out how much money to save for how long to reach a goal amount.

    5. Get kids involved in daily activities and decisions about spending. Take them grocery shopping and have them compare prices of different brands. Count out the cash during a sale.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Picky Eater?

    HEALTHY EATING

    Image of young child with a sad face looking down at a bowl of brussel sprouts.

    Is dinner time a war zone at your house? Do you fight battles with your kids over vegetables and mac and cheese?

    Picky eating is as normal as potty-training. Even the best of parents can have a difficult time getting their child to eat. In fact, picky eating is one of the most common events in children, often outgrown as the child reaches adolescence.

    But when eating behavior affects normal development, it could be something much more serious-a pediatric feeding disorder.

    “The difference between a fussy eater and a child with a feeding disorder is the impact the eating behavior has on a child’s physical and mental health,” said Dr. Peter Girolami, clinical director of the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Program at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore.

    Pediatric feeding disorders are more common than most think, affecting 1 in 10 infants and children. Some kids just don’t eat enough calories and nutrients to thrive.

    Common symptoms of a pediatric feeding disorder are these:

    *  A sudden change in eating habits lasting longer than 30 days

    *  Delayed development of skills needed to feed or eat foods with greater textures

    *  Weight loss or failure to gain weight

    *  Choking/coughing during meals

    *  Unexplained fatigue, loss of energy

    *  Disruptive behavior during mealtime, throwing utensils

    Early diagnosis and treatment is extremely important.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Physical Fitness And Sports

    BE FIT

    Image of older man ready to exercise.

    Along with healthy eating, physical activity increases your chances of living longer. Exercise can also help:

    *  Control your blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight

    *  Lower your “bad” cholesterol and raise your “good” cholesterol

    *  Prevent heart disease, colorectal and breast cancer, and type 2 diabetes

    And that’s not all. Being more active can:

    *  Be fun

    *  Help you look your best

    *  Improve your sleep

    *  Make your bones, muscles, and joints stronger

    *  Lower your chances of becoming depressed

    *  Reduce falls and arthritis pain

    *  Help you feel better about yourself

    For adults, most health benefits come with at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking. Extra benefits occur with more physical activity. Both aerobic (endurance) and muscle-strengthening (resistance) physical activity are helpful.

    Children need 60 minutes of play with moderate to vigorous activity every day. If this sounds like a lot, consider that eight to 18 year olds spend an average of 7.5 hours a day sitting. This includes using computers, video games, cell phones and watching TV and movies.

    Make exercise fun

    No matter what shape you are in, you can find activities that you enjoy. If you think of exercise as a chore that you have to do, it can be harder to stick with it.

    *  Choose activities you enjoy and look forward to. Do ones you enjoyed as a child.

    *  Set up a walking program with a friend, family member, or coworker you enjoy being with.

    *  Wear a pedometer to track your steps. Aim for a goal of 10,000 steps a day.

    *  Enjoy a sunny day and fresh air with outdoor activities.

    *  Play outdoors with your children and grandchildren.

    *  Use fitness facilities at your work.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Perfect Pumpkin Pancakes

    HEALTHY EATING

    Image of a stack of pumpkin pancakes.

    Pumpkin is one of the favorite foods of fall. It’s packed with nutrients like fiber, vitamin A and vitamin C. It’s also naturally low in calories.

    Don’t assume pumpkin is only for pies! Use this nutritious vegetable for a variety of dishes, like this one.

    Ingredients

    2 cups flour

    2 tablespoons brown sugar

    1 tablespoon baking powder

    1 ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

    1 teaspoon salt

    1 egg

    ½ cup pumpkin (canned)

    1 ¾ cup milk, low-fat

    2 tablespoons vegetable oil

    Directions

    1.  Combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt in a large mixing bowl.

    2.  In a medium bowl, mix well together egg, canned pumpkin, milk and vegetable oil.

    3.  Add wet ingredients to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Batter may be lumpy. (For thinner batter, add a little more milk).

    4.  Lightly coat a griddle or skillet with cooking spray and heat on medium.

    5.  Using a ¼ cup measure, pour batter onto hot griddle. Cook until bubbles begin to burst, then flip pancakes and cook until golden brown, 1 ½ to 2 ½ minutes.

    Repeat with remaining batter. Makes about 1 dozen 3 ½-inch pancakes.

    Pumpkin Pie Spice Hack

    If you don’t have pumpkin spice on hand, don’t worry- it’s just a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves. In this recipe, you can substitute ¾ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon each of ginger and cloves for the pumpkin pie spice. Remaining pumpkin puree can be frozen in an air-tight container for 1 to 2 months.

    Safety Tip

    You can be sure your skillet or griddle is hot enough for pancakes without burning your hand. Just sprinkle a few (3 or 4) drops of water on the surface. If they dance and sizzle, you are ready to cook. Be sure handles of skillets and pans are always turned toward the center or back of the stove, to prevent the pan from catching on hands or clothes and causing burns.

    Serving size: 1 pancake

    Nutrition:130 Calories; 3.5 g Total fat; 0.5 g Saturated fat; 340 mg Sodium; 21 g Carbohydrates; 1 g Fiber; 4 g Protein

    Source: USDA Healthy Eating on a Budget Cookbook

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Pay Attention

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of kids in a classroom.

    Young children often have problems paying attention or concentrating. When are these problems serious enough for parents and teachers to be concerned?

    According to estimates from the CDC, 1 in 11 school-aged children are diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but research suggests that the warning signs often appear even before kids start school. As many as 40% of children have problems with attention by age 4. The most common mental health disorder diagnosed in the preschool years is ADHD.

    Dr. Mark Mahone, director of the Department of Neuropsychology at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, encourages parents to pay attention to their young child’s behavior.

    In preschool-aged children (3-4 years), Dr. Mahone recommends that parents look for the following signs that are linked with an ADHD diagnosis when children reach school age:

    *  Dislikes or avoids activities that require paying attention for more than 1 or 2 minutes

    *  Loses interest and starts doing something else after engaging in an activity for a few moments

    *  Talks a lot more and makes more noise than other children of the same age

    *  Climbs on things when instructed not to do so

    *  Cannot hop on one foot by age 4

    *  Warms up too quickly to strangers

    *  Nearly always restless-wants to constantly kick or jiggle feet or twist around when sitting. Insists on getting up after being seated for more than a few minutes

    *  Gets into dangerous situations because of fearlessness

    *  Frequently aggressive with playmates; has been removed from preschool/daycare for aggression

    * Has been injured (received stitches) because of moving too fast or running when instructed not to do so

    “If parents observe these symptoms and have concerns about their child’s development, they should consult with their pediatrician or another developmental expert,” says Dr. Mahone. “There are safe and effective treatments that can help manage symptoms, increase coping skills, and change negative behaviors to improve academic and social success.”

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Parkinson’s Disease 2

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of older man.

    Parkinson’s disease evolves gradually over time. Early signs may not be noticed. As Americans age, the number of people with this disease is expected to increase.

    Parkinson’s is a brain and nerve disorder. Brain cells gradually malfunction and die. The disease damages brain cells that make a chemical called dopamine. The resulting dopamine shortage causes movement problems, like those seen with TV actor Michael J. Fox, for example.

    Research suggests that eating right and exercising may help reduce or delay symptoms. Potential new treatments are being studied including deep brain stimulation, according to NIH in Health.

    The National Institutes of Health urges patients to find a clinical trial atwww.nih.gov/health/clinicaltrials.

    Know the signs of parkinson’s disease

    *  Movement problems such as shaking or tremor, especially in the fingers, hand, arm, or face

    *  Rigidity, stiffness, or slowness

    *  Problems standing or balancing

    *  Trouble speaking or choosing words

    *  Changes in handwriting

    *  Difficulty completing simple tasks or making decisions

    *  Inability to detect odors

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Parenting Afterthe Death Of A Child

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of father and young daughter talking.

    Direct and honest communication with surviving children who are experiencing the loss of a sibling helps the survivors cope with their loss, according to research by University of Arkansas communication professor, Lynne M. Webb. Webb has directed research concerning the after-effects of a child’s death, specifically how parents interact with surviving children.

    “Children respond best to direct, honest communication, even in hardships,” Webb said. “A parent’s first reaction may be to dance around the issue and conceal the truth to protect their surviving children, but children want an explanation.”

    That explanation can take many forms and parents can adapt their language to the child’s age level. Children desire an explanation of what happened to their brother or sister, Webb explained. They turn to their parents as the most credible source for that explanation.

    “It’s important that the parents, despite their grief, have direct, open communication with their surviving children so that they are not raising trust or emotional issues,” she said. “Parents can assist surviving children to express their grief in a healthy way by communicating directly and openly about the death.”

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Parenting A Teen

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of mother and daughter talking.

    It’s not easy parenting a teen. Your teen’s brain is still developing until about age 25, according to the National Institutes of Health. These are areas that control judgment, decision making, and impulse control. What’s a frustrated parent to do? NIH News in Health suggests these actions:

    *  Respect your teen’s opinions. Nonjudgmental communication shows your love.

    *  Be honest and direct with your teen when talking about sensitive subjects such as drugs, drinking, smoking, and sex.

    *  Respect your teen’s privacy.

    *  Have meals together.

    *  Help your teen make healthy choices and plan ahead for difficult situations.

    *  Meet and get to know your teen’s friends.

    *  Compliment your teen and celebrate your child’s efforts and accomplishments.

    *  Limit time your teen uses video games, texting, and instant messaging.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine