Raising Creative Children » health & safety

Halloween May Be Harmful To Young Children

Lorelei — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:58:04 +0000

A Hungy Ghoul Goes to School

It’s that time of year again, when tombstones and ghouls invade the neighborhood, replacing the cheerful colors of the summer past with death’s darker theme in orange and black. I have not celebrated Halloween for twenty-six years, and I barely endured the holiday before that. When my children were very young, I thought I’d be a good mommy and do the deed. I sewed cute costumes for them. The kindergartner was a rabbit, the four-year-old a lion, and the toddler was a teddy bear. I bought candy for my husband to hand out to the neighborhood, while I trudged through freshly fallen snow with my small troop. My son wouldn’t keep his jacket zippered, though, because lions don’t wear jackets. The next day, all three were sick in bed, and my son wound up with pneumonia.

Personal views aside, just what is Halloween, and what does it teach our children? Is it really a harmless custom, allowing the children to dress up and engage in make-believe? Or could it be more sinister? If I were to write a lesson plan for Halloween, what concepts would the children be learning? Perhaps, my list might include…

A Mom Consoles a Child Who Just Learned She's Going to be Burnt at the Stake

Concepts Children May Learn from Halloween

People die and are buried in the ground.
We put tombstones on the grave to mark the place.
We write irreverent poems on the tombstones.
Ghosts and goblins haunt cemeteries.
Black cats are a sign something bad is going to happen.
Some people turn into vampires when they die, and drink blood.
Witches are ugly and cast spells on us.
Some witches eat children. (Remember Hansel and Gretel?)
It’s okay to knock on the doors of strangers and beg.
It’s okay to take candy from a stranger.

Now, is there anything on that list that you actually want your child to learn?

Research Suggests Halloween is Scarier Than You Think

Dr. Cynthia Dell Clark, Associate and Fellow of the Center for Children and Childhood Studies, conducted a three-year study on the effects of Halloween on young children. She writes that parents underestimate the effect of Halloween horror on young children. While we realize that it is all just make-believe, young children have a harder time differentiating between imaginary and real.

And Halloween is definitely getting scarier! When we were children, costumes were usually home-made. We dressed up like characters in books or cartoons. You might have met Superman, Snow White, and Rin Tin Tin knocking on your door. These days, vampires and zombies far outnumber the more benign beings. That young children even know what vampires or zombies are, is something I find unbelievably tragic.

The CDC reports that children are four times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other time of the year. Children have also been known to suffer eye injuries from their costumes, or burns from flammable costumes. Some face paints have been found to be toxic, yet masks pose a greater threat by obstructing the child’s vision.

Even if Your Child's Costume is More Cute than Creepy, She May Still Be Frightened By the Experience

When I taught in public school, children start anticipating Halloween as soon as the costumes and candy went on display – around the middle of September. The school encouraged it, with teaching Halloween songs and poems, writing and reading Halloween stories, and talking about what to be for the party. By the time the last week of October rolled around, the children were so wound up, that very little education actually took place. Finally, we dismissed them on Friday afternoon, so they could spend the weekend on a sugar-high, often with the non-custodial parent.

Then, right away in November, we began the cycle again with Thanksgiving songs and poems, Thanksgiving stories to read or write, and a Thanksgiving party to plan. When December arrived, no one had much enthusiasm or energy left to handle Christmas. Santa Claus got a little attention, Jesus got none, and we all looked forward to January when “life could return to normal”.

So before you do your share to contribute to the shaky economy by purchasing quantities of candy and costumes, just step back and reflect for a few moments. Is this something you really want your child to learn?

Relating Reading Material:

Photo Credits:
Top: photo by Dkprincess6
Middle: photo by Paul Stumper
Bottom: photo by Andre Chinn

Thumb Sucking during the Preschool Years

Lorelei — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 04:03:05 +0000

Many Children Suck Their Thumbs for Comfort

Thumbs are such cute little digits! They are not straight and boney like fingers, or scrawny and wrinkly like toes. Thumbs are nice and plump and rounded, and shaped almost exactly like a pacifier! They just naturally seem to fit in the mouth. Frankly, at times, I’m sorry that I ever gave up thumb-sucking, as it can have such a calming effect. Instead, many adults opt to rely on medication, alcohol or cigarette smoking to deal with life’s stressful bumps.

When do Children Start Thumb-Sucking?

Some babies begin sucking their thumb in the womb. Most infants will suck a thumb of finger between birth and about six months of age. Parents may prefer to encourage the child to suck on a pacifier instead, as they think that it is less likely to cause dental problems, and it will be easier to break the habit one day. After all, you can’t just throw the thumb out, like you can do with the collection of pacifiers.

Why Children Suck Their Thumbs

Babies have a natural urge to suck. It’s part of their survival instinct, along with their instinct to cry. No one has to teach them these behaviors, it just comes naturally. When they cry, a basic need is met. They are fed, or changed, or held, or made more comfortable by adding or removing clothing. When babies suck, they receive nourishment from either a breast or bottle, but they also receive comfort. A parent or caregiver holds the baby (propping the bottle is not a safe or recommended practice) while feeding them, often rocking the child, and maybe singing softly. As the child is fed, the child becomes calm, and may even fall asleep. So some children, when they are anxious, suck a thumb to self-calm themselves. Even though they do not receive nourishment, they still feel comforted.

Is Thumb-Sucking Wrong?

Could You Say "No" to This Precious Face?

No! There is absolutely nothing wrong with a young child sucking his or her thumb! Doctors and dentists agree that it is best not to try to break the child of the habit before age five. After kindergarten, it may be a good idea to work with the child to help him or her break the habit themselves, but only if the child is willing. Most children quit sucking their thumbs on their own by the time they are seven or eight years old.

Won’t Thumb-Sucking Damage My Child’s Teeth?

Maybe. Not necessarily. The child can generally suck his thumb for four or five years without causing permanent damage. Some children are very aggressive suckers, so much so that they rub blisters on their thumbs and the roof of their mouth. They are more at risk for creating dental problems. Even then, sometimes the dental problem fixes itself as soon as the sucking stops.

Thumb suckers may also develop a lisp when talking, having difficulty pronouncing certain letters, like “T” or “D”. However, lisping also occurs among children who do not suck their thumbs.

Won’t The Other Children Poke Fun of My Child?

Preschool children are still in the learning stage when it comes to behavior. They won’t poke fun of a child for sucking his thumb, unless someone has taught them to do so. It is up to the parent or caregiver to teach the young child to respect the feelings of others. You can talk with your child about his thumb-sucking habit. You can encourage him to suck his thumb only at home, but in the end, you may not always be around him to remind him of the rule. It is at the times when he is away from you – visiting a friend or going to a new Preschool – when he is more likely to need the comfort his thumb provides.

But Thumb-Sucking is Such a Dirty Habit!

If you’ve read my posts before, you know how I feel about dirt. Children need it. They should be allowed to dig in it, roll in it, play in it, maybe even eat a little of it. That is how they learn. I also believe that young children need to be taught how to wash their hands, and when to wash them. If your little thumb-sucker’s dirty thumb bothers you, keep a bottle of handi-wipes around and periodically swab the offending digit.

My Friends and Relatives Keep Telling Me My Child is Too Old to Suck His Thumb

This Child Still Needs the Comfort Her Thumb Provides

How you raise your child is your affair. Telling friends and family to keep their opinion to themselves can be difficult, but it is better to hurt their feelings than your child’s. They are grown-ups, after all, and will get over it. If they don’t, you might suggest they try sucking their thumb, too.

Photo Credits:
Top: photo by Angie M. Photography
Middle: photo by Dawnzy58
Bottom: photo by Spiritinme

Computers for Preschoolers

Lorelei — Sun, 15 May 2011 19:46:00 +0000

Young Children Surfing the Internet

We live in a technological society. A generation ago might have seen a computer in the home, but today’s families may have multiple desktops, laptops, and handheld devices, along with cellphones, iphones, ipads, and ebook readers. Today’s preschool child can even get his picture books on a Nook Color. When is progress no longer a step forward? Could there be a time when we advance too far, that it hampers our natural development?

How Children Learn

All of the great philosophers, educators, psychiatrists and caregivers of young children agree that children learn best by doing. They explore the world through their five senses. They touch, taste, see, smell, and hear everything, to gain understanding. When a child has touched, tasted, smelled, heard, and seen something long enough, then he is no longer interested in it. We adults see that as a “short attention span”. Instead, we should praise the child for having discovered so much so quickly!

Children Should be Supervised While Using Computers

How then, do computers fit in the Early Childhood program? A child can touch a computer, certainly. He can see it, although most of the type on the screen is far too small, causing eye strain and potential damage to his young eyes. Some programs have sounds, although few children are listening to symphonies, but rather a series of silly bleeps and bops of whatever simplistic game a developer created who may not have any idea what really appeals to children. Computers don’t taste very good, and if your computer smells, then it might be time to replace it.

Game Developers May Not Be Qualified

Preschool teachers have gone to college. They have a degree, and they have learned something about the young child. They are qualified to prepare lesson plans for your preschooler, that will be educational and beneficial. There is no such regulation for computer software developers. They do not have the qualifications to teach your child. Depending on a computer game to teach your child would be tantamount to hiring a high-school dropout to babysit. The drop-out might do an excellent job, but it is unlikely.

That said, more and more young children are using computers! Public libraries and preschools have computers available for little children. Parents and grandparents are buying laptops and computerized toys. Even gaming systems have latched onto this growing market, creating video games for the younger set. So the question no longer is “Should Young Children Use Computers,” but rather… preschoolers are already using computers, therefore, “What computer and video games are right for them?”

New Games Page Added

Exercise Oxygenates the Brain, Boosting Clearer Thinking

I have added a new page to this blog, “Games”. In it, I will list computer games as I find them, play them, and rate them. The top table will list games that are acceptable, and rated on a scale of one to five stars, with three stars being the average. (I have yet to find a five-star game.) The second table lists the game sites that I would not let my granddaughter play, and why. I will continue to add to this page as time permits. If you have a favorite game, please share it in the comments section, and I will review that, as well.

As a final note – keep computer usage to a minimum. Certainly, no more than fifteen minutes a day. Then have your child go outside to play, to relax his eyes, and work his muscles. You will have a healthier child for it.

Related Reading:
Kids and Computers
Backyard Sandbox

Photo Credits:
Top: photo by Oleg1975
Middle: photo by Debora Austin
Bottom: photo by Randen Pederson

More Sleep for Better Health

Lorelei — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 22:21:58 +0000

A Healthy Child is a Blessing

How much sleep do you get? How much does your child get? Is it enough? Do you know how much sleep is enough sleep? Why is sleep so important? Once you realize how important this basic need is, you will want to ensure that everyone in your family is getting enough.

Lack of Sleep Linked to Obesity

There are studies that show new moms are able to get into their skinny jeans faster if they get plenty of sleep. There are studies that show a high correlation between infants who sleep only twelve hours a day as opposed to the required 14 or more, are twice as likely to be obese by age three. Not overweight – but obese! Obesity is a major health concern, as being obese increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, gallstones, respiratory problems and certain cancers.

Lack of Sleep Linked to Depression

There is a strong correlation between lack of sleep and depression, although it is not known if insomnia causes depression or is a result of it. Normal sleep is restorative. Lack of sleep causes fatigue, leading to increased tension and irritability. When you are fatigued, you exercise less, which creates a vicious cycle of inactivity and sleep disturbance with resulting poor health.

Lack of Sleep Linked to Heart Disease

Children Don't Sleep When They are Tired; They Sleep When They are Exhausted

People who get less than seven hours of sleep every night have higher levels of plaque in their blood. Too little sleep raises cortisol levels, which fuels inflammation and destabilizes plaque. When plaque ruptures, it can block a blood vessel. If it blocks a blood vessel in the brain, it causes a stroke. If it blocks a blood vessel in the heart, it causes a heart attack. Although sleep deprivation is not the only cause of heart disease, it is important enough that getting adequate sleep should be part of every heart patient’s total health care program.

Lack of Sleep Causes ADHD

A recent study found that children who got less sleep than their peers were twice as likely to have behavior problems in school, including aggression, inability to concentrate or focus – all behaviors of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The study also confirmed that while adults tend to act sluggish and groggy when they are overtired, children do the opposite. They speed up. The overactive youngster bouncing off the walls is not one that needs more physical exercise, but one that needs more sleep. This is a growing concern, as American children are getting on average one hour of sleep less per night than thirty years ago.

Lack of Sleep Causes Death

There, that’s pretty blunt! Lack of sleep causes so many health issues, that if you continue to deny yourself the restorative benefits of sleep, you shorten your life significantly. The study used 1.3 million people from all around the world, and found an unequivocal relationship between lack of sleep and premature death.

How Much Sleep We Need

A Daily Nap is Good for Mom's Health, Too

Adults need between 7 – 9 hours of sleep every night. Only one on four Americans gets enough sleep on a week night, while about fifty percent get enough sleep on weekends. Still, for you to achieve the full restorative effect of sleep, you need to get enough of it every night. A new bed won’t make you sleep better. Some people sleep just fine on the floor. It is all about habits. Establish a good sleep habit, and stick to it.

Infants need 14 or more hours of sleep per day. Toddlers and preschoolers need 12-14 hours of sleep. School age children need about 10-11 hours of sleep, with teens still needing at least nine hours of sleep per night. Count backwards from what time your child needs to get up in the morning, to find the right bedtime – but remember to add a half an hour for falling asleep. So, if your preschooler needs to be up by six, so you can get him dressed, fed, and ready to go wherever, and he gets 11 hours of sleep at night (and a two hour nap), count back eleven and a half hours, which makes six-thirty his bedtime. By going to bed at six-thirty, he should be able to be asleep by seven, giving him his necessary eleven hours.

Do the same for yourself. If you need to get up by five o’clock in order to get everyone up, dressed, fed, and off to wherever they have to be, and you need eight hours of sleep, count backwards eight and a half hours, giving you a bedtime of eight-thirty. Sound absurd? How many grown-ups do you know who go to bed before midnight? Maybe you’re already thinking, “How can I get all my work done, if I spend that much time asleep?”

But instead, maybe you should be thinking, “How much more productive will I be, if I am healthier? If I can concentrate better while I’m at work?” Imagine if you never had to take a sick-day off work because either you or your child was under the weather?

There are five basic steps for optimal health. Getting enough sleep is just the first step. I will cover each one individually over the next few days. This post is for your information. If you want to teach your child about health, check out the activities for Health Week.

Photo Credits:
Top: photo by Linda Aslund
Middle: photo by Brian Fitzgerald
Bottom: photo by Toshimasa Ishibashi

Sources:

Neihmond, Patti. “Lack of Sleep Linked to Later Weight Gain in Babies”. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. April 11, 2008.
Stein, Rob. “Scientists Finding Out What Lack of Sleep Does to a Body”. Washington Post. October 9, 2005.
Park, Alice. “Lack of Sleep Linked to Heart Problems”. Time Magazine. December 23, 2008.

Beating Cabin Fever

Lorelei — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:56:56 +0000

The January Blues Affects Children, Too

The January Blues is a milder form of depression often referred to as “Cabin Fever”. You and your child may begin to feel trapped inside your home – no matter how lovely it is. You dream of summer beaches, picnics, cook-outs, fishing, and spending time with your family. Guess what? You can do all those things in the winter, too! The main cause of January Blues (If you live in the northern hemisphere) is a lack of sunlight.

I always wonder at people who hate the winter but live where it snows. Seems to me they have two choices: Move someplace warmer, or learn to enjoy the snow. To continue to live where you are unhappy should not even be an option! For your own mental health, and that of your family, do something about this today. This article and the next will help you learn ways to break the chains that imprison you.

Get Outside and Enjoy the Weather

The first rule to enjoying winter is to dress warmly. You cannot enjoy yourself if you are shivering. I covered the importance of long underwear and layering in an earlier article, Getting Ready for Winter. Another tip is to try to stay dry. As soon as your clothing gets wet, you can get chilled. So don’t sit directly on the snow. Sit on a plastic sled or tarp, unless your stay outside will be brief.

The second rule is to get a minimum of 20 minutes of sunshine on as much skin as you can bare, daily, which seems to contrast with rule number 1. You do not want to get chilled, but if it’s not windy and you can take off your hat, scarf or mittens for a little bit, do so. Lift your face to the sun. Go outside at noon, when the sun is brightest – which is the opposite of summer warnings, when you need to avoid the sun’s more direct damaging rays. I was very fortunate in one home to have an inner atrium that was completely protected on four sides. It was a small space – about fourteen feet square – that was exposed to the sun but not the wind. I could sit out there in a swimming suit at noon in February! At least, some of the time. I don’t know why more homes aren’t built like that, other than the fact it was terribly inefficient to heat.

Take Your Child Sledding

Go Sledding With Your Children

This is the most basic winter activity. As soon as a child sees the first snowflakes falling, he’s already dreaming of long sled rides, massive snowmen, incredible snowball fights, playing King of the Mound, or making Snow Ice Cream. Rediscover your own inner joy at the change of the seasons! Get yourself a snowsuit. Next time you take your child to the hill, don’t just stand there and watch. Hop on the sled with him and enjoy yourself! Don’t tell me you’re too old. Norman Vaughn is said to have competed in the Iditarod at the age of 100. Min Bahadur Sherchan climbed Mount Everest at 76, and Sue Oldham swam the English Channel at 61. Age is relative. You’re as old as you think you are. Play with your children, and discover your own fountain of youth.

Picnics Are Great in the Winter Too

Picnics are Fun Anytime of Year

Take a picnic! You can get fancy, packing charcoal briquettes and grilling hamburgers, or make it easy and pack thermoses of soup and cocoa. Bring a broom to sweep off the picnic table and slides. Roast marshmallows around the glowing coals. (Bring your own hand wipes, because the park bathrooms are usually closed.) Feed the ducks (cracked corn is better than stale white bread). Slides are just as much fun in the winter, and even slippery-er with snowpants on.

Take Up a Winter Sport As a Family

Discuss the possibilities in your area, and chose at least one as a family. There is a lot to chose from, including ice skating, snowboarding, cross-country or downhill skiing, mushing, snow shoeing, ice fishing, and winter camping. If its skating, get everyone skates. Once a week, minimum, head out to the skating rink together and practice. You can read picture books to your youngsters about ice skating. Watch skating movies. Get yourself a cute little skating outfit. Enjoy it!

Continue Your Summer Sports Training with a Club Membership

If you have a summer sport you really enjoy, such as cycling or swimming, you can keep that up, thanks to the spread of indoor gym facilities. We recently joined the YMCA in our city, which is very reasonably priced. They have swimming lessons all winter long, and plenty of open-swim times so we can practice between lessons. There are cycling classes, badminton classes, even family karate classes. The benefit to training all winter long, is that you’ll be in shape to enjoy your summer sport that much more once the snow melts.

Air Out Your Home Frequently

We make our homes air-tight to save on heating costs in the winter, but that can lead to poor indoor air quality. Periodically open a window for a bit to bring in fresh air. Vacuum often, replace furnace filters, wash sheets and bedding at least once a week and use dust mite covers, air out or clean mold-prone areas of the home, and keep plenty of houseplants. Not only will they freshen the air, but they might give you an emotional boost as well with their fresh, spring-like colors.

Take a Vacation Someplace Warm

If your blues get really bad, or happen every year about the same time, you might consider making a vacation to a sunny beach part of your family tradition. Whether you chose a condo in Miami, or a local motel with a heated swimming pool and water slides, do something warm, wet and wonderful together.

Houseplants Help Improve Indoor Air Quality

Fix Up the Cabin

Finally, if you just have to be stuck inside your “cabin” during the height of cabin fever, then fix it up. Make a change. Paint some walls or rearrange the furniture. Get rid of stuff to create more space. Sew some new curtains. Shampoo the carpets. Hang some new artwork. Anything you can do to spruce up your home will help you to enjoy the time you spend there. And if you’re happy, your entire family will be happier.

Credits:
Sad Boy: photo by Kevin Pack
Sledding: photo by Chris Sampson
Winter Picnic: photo by Timo Newton-Syms
Houseplants: photo by Jennifer Feuchter

Depression in Preschoolers – Could Your Child Be at Risk?

Lorelei — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 04:13:02 +0000

Young Children Can Be Depressed

Many people suffer depression in the winter months, and children are not immune. Some call it “Seasonal Adjustment Disorder”, a type of depression believed to be caused by the shortened days and a lack of sunshine. Others may be suffering from post-holiday stress. Any prolonged feelings of sadness, hopelessness or worthlessness should be treated by a health care professional.

Depression in Early Childhood

Prior to the 1980s, psychiatrists did not believe that depression could affect teenagers. They believed that teens were too “psychologically immature” to suffer from adult feelings of guilt and worthlessness. Now teenage depression is widely accepted. In the early 1990s some psychiatrists began to wonder if preschoolers could suffer depression, but it wasn’t until the Clinton Administration’s Conference on Early Childhood Development and Learning that interest in studying preschool depression increased.

The sad truth is that preschoolers can be clinically depressed. Depression is characterized by feeling sad. According to an article by the National Institute of Mental Health, “Children who are depressed may pretend to be sick, refuse to go to school or cling to a parent.” I’m thinking – “And how is this different from any normal three-year-old?” As a preschool teacher, I often saw young children cling to their parents in the morning. Some would cry or complain of stomach aches, and they didn’t want to go to preschool! Since I doubt they all were suffering from depression, how can parents tell the difference?

Whether a child is just feeling sad or suffering from depression is a matter of degree. The blues will pass after a few days or up to a week. The term depression is for extended periods of sadness lasting two weeks or more. Other symptoms of depression may include:

Irritability or anger
continual feelings of sadness or hopelessness
social withdrawal
increased sensitivity to rejection
changes in appetite- increased or decreased
changes in sleep – increased or decreased
vocal outbursts and crying
difficulty concentrating
fatigue and low energy
physical complaints – stomach ache, headache, that do not respond to treatment
reduced ability to function during events, with friends and family
feelings of worthlessness and guilt
impaired thinking or concentration
thoughts of death or suicide

Teach Your Child Self-Help Skills to Promote a Positive Self Image

Recognizing depression in preschoolers is much trickier than the older child or adult. Preschoolers are more naturally buoyant. Their moods swing frequently throughout the day, and they are unable to express their thoughts and feelings. Often, the depressed preschooler is the “good” child, the “wheel that doesn’t squeak”. One four-year-old, who was later diagnosed with depression, was that good child. He was empathetic and obedient, but he didn’t seem to find much enjoyment. He didn’t run around like other children. He didn’t get excited about going to Disney Land, and said, “Mickey lies. Dreams don’t come true.” He didn’t like to do anything if he couldn’t do it perfectly and got very upset when he made mistakes. He was often bored, and complained that nothing was fun. He was often draggy, super whiny, and seemed like he was in pain. Again, this is a matter of degree, as many preschoolers will have days like this!

Preschoolers can experience feelings of sadness, even though they may not yet understand emotions. Depression affects the degree to which this sadness is expressed. Imagine two young children trying to tie their shoes without success. One preschooler struggles, then asks a teacher for help. The other preschooler, frustrated, throws his shoe across the room. He may hit himself, or degrade himself, saying things like, “I’m stupid.”

Depressed preschoolers are often misdiagnosed. They may respond to depression differently than adults, becoming restless, hyperactive or irritable, and misdiagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) or ODD (oppositional defiant disorder). The risk of depression in preschoolers is much higher if one or both parents are depressed.

Treatment for Depression in Preschoolers

Young children should NOT be given medication for depression. The drugs have not been tested for them. However, depression can have serious effects on their development if left untreated. A child with low self-esteem and low energy will not push himself to do well in school. Psychotherapy may be the best option. For preschoolers, this would be “play therapy”. Using toys and puppets, the mental health care professional can help the young child learn to express himself, and improve his negative emotions.

Take Care of Yourself, You Owe it to Your Family

It is important to realize that no one is to blame. Parents cannot blame their child’s depression on something they did or did not do. Preschoolers are seldom depressed about bad things or stressful events. Depression is a mental disorder that is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. The causes of the chemical imbalance are not fully known, but can be linked to certain personality traits, medical conditions, and diet. Children who are obese, or deficient in vitamins B 12 and folic acid are more at risk for depression.

To depression-proof your child, help him to develop a positive self image. Teach him how to express his feelings, and reassure him that negative feelings are “okay”. Teach him how to deal with his feelings. Make sure he has a well-balanced diet that is high in fresh raw fruits and vegetables, and that he gets adequate exercise to prevent obesity. Teach him that it is okay to ask for help. And most of all, if you believe that you may be depressed, get the help you need now, before it affects your child.

Photo Credits:
Top: photo by Mike Krzeszak
Middle: photo by Woodley Wonderworks
Bottom: photo by Nicholas Kennedy Sitton

Sources:
* “Depression in Children”, www.Medicine.net, accessed January 5, 2011

* “Child Depression and Adolescent Depression,” The National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed January 6, 2011.