parenting Archives - Talbert Zoo

Warning Signs of Teen Suicide

April 26, 2023 Cascia Talbert

Warning Signs of Teen Suicide Whether your teen is having trouble in school, dealing with a breakup or struggling with peer pressure, it’s important to recognize the warning signs of suicide. Teens who are thinking about suicide often give their loved ones and trusted friends signs they are struggling. As a parent, teacher or friend, it’s your job to pick up on these warning signs and get help. 1. Changes in personality or behavior If your teen or young adult suddenly shows impulsive, unusual behavior, this may be indicative of…

Can Aromatherapy Help Kids With Special Needs?

April 25, 2023April 25, 2023 Mallory Knee

Aromatherapy is among the most popular health and wellness trends, with many people incorporating it into their daily lives. But can aromatherapy help kids with special needs? We answer that question and more below. Aromatherapy, Explained Before we get into aromatherapy and children, what does aromatherapy mean? Aromatherapy is a word that gets thrown around a lot in health and wellness, but it’s definitionally using essential oils from plants for mental and physical healing. Essential oils and aromatherapy have exploded in popularity over the past decade, as many people use…

How To Reduce Sensory Issues for Kids During Car Rides

January 3, 2023 Mallory Knee

Many neurodivergent children struggle with sensory issues, especially those with ADHD and autism. This can make riding in the car difficult, as there’s a great deal of unfamiliar sensory input involved. However, never riding in a car isn’t a solution. Saying that your child can never ride in a car will limit them in the future. Instead, it’s important to learn how to accommodate your child. Here are some tips to reduce sensory issues for kids during car rides. Ask Them What They Need If your child is old enough,…

Ways To Help Your Special Needs Child Drink More Water

December 22, 2022December 22, 2022 Mallory Knee

Hydration is one of the most important components of staying healthy. The human body relies on water to function properly. When you don’t drink enough water, your body experiences symptoms like nausea, dry mouth, and headaches. Children are at a greater risk for dehydration than adults. They enjoy staying active and aren’t aware of how much water they’re drinking each day. If you have a special needs child who has difficulty consuming the proper amounts of water each day, take some time to review these helpful ways to encourage them…

Kids With Autism and Their Special Interests

December 14, 2022 Mallory Knee

If you have a child or family member with autism, you’re likely familiar with their special interests, even if you weren’t previously aware of the technical term for them. Here’s what you should know about kids with autism and their special interests. What Are Special Interests? Special interests are unique to individuals with autism. A special interest can be an intense passion or focus on a specific topic for an extended period of time. Now-outdated research described special interests as “restricted interests” and heavily discouraged them. However, special interests are…

5 Things a Mom With a Disabled Child Should Know

November 29, 2022 Mallory Knee

Raising a child with a certain type of disability is always challenging because the world is a complicated place to be in certain situations. Moms that deal with and live in unique circumstances that require special care and development for a child need to figure out how to make the best out of this. Figuring out things on your own as a mom can be challenging, but there are other moms who are going through a similar process and growing from the experience. These things a mom with a disabled…

The Best Ways To Help Your Child With Behavioral Issues

October 17, 2022 Mallory Knee

Raising a child isn’t easy, but it becomes much more difficult when you have to manage behavioral issues. Children may exhibit problems with behavior for various reasons, so it can be hard to pinpoint the correct strategy for managing their behavior and getting them the help they need. Read on to learn the best ways to help your child with behavioral issues. Stay Consistent One of the hardest parts about raising a child with behavior issues is that their moods can vary from one day to the next, and the…

How to Deal With Depression in Teens

July 27, 2022January 18, 2023 Cascia Talbert

If you’ve noticed that your teen seems depressed more often than usual, you may be wondering how you can help them deal with the condition. While you can’t fix everything for your child, you can help them understand that there is a better way. To start, reach out for support. Talk to a trusted family physician or consider consulting a pediatric therapist. You can also reach out to other parents, join a support group, or find a therapist for additional help. Make sure you spend time with your teen. Teens…

How To Set Up the Perfect Bath for Your Baby

July 26, 2022 Mallory Knee

Bath time is an essential part of your baby’s schedule, but many new parents are not sure how they should be setting those baths up. Every baby is different, which means every bath might be different too—and that’s okay. However, there are some bathing standards that should make bath time easy for you and your baby, even if you’re a nervous new parent or your little one has sensory issues. Keep reading to learn how to set up the perfect bath for your baby. Choose the Right Space The setting…

Tips for Helping Your Child With Sensory Issues

July 13, 2022 Mallory Knee

There is a lot to experience in the world. For children, so many new sights, sounds, smells, tastes, colors, and textures can be overwhelming, especially if they have sensory issues. Stimuli can be difficult to organize and process and can quickly result in overstimulation and panic. But there are plenty of ways you can help your child manage their sensory issues. Pay Attention This point may seem obvious because every parent needs to pay attention to their child, and you’re likely already doing some version of this. But through observation,…