Being a parent is hard work, often stressful even in the midst of joy. And if you’re not careful, the pressure and pace can drain you of energy (and patience) when you need it most.

 

For stay-at-home moms and dads trying to keep it all together, here are tips for conserving your health, energy, and sanity:

 

• Always eat breakfast. A cup of coffee isn’t a meal. Eat a solid, nutritious breakfast to give you the energy you need to face the day.

 

• Follow a routine. Don’t reinvent the wheel every morning. Have a regular plan for your days with the family so you don’t stress out trying to think of something new to do. Just don’t chain yourself to the schedule—be flexible when problems and opportunities arise.

 

• Drink lots of water. You can get dehydrated without realizing it, and suffer from headaches and fatigue as a result. Keep a bottle of water handy and drink from it throughout the day without waiting until you feel really thirsty.

 

• Get fresh air and exercise. Try to get out of the house for a walk once a day. If the weather is too cold or rainy, at least open a window to get the air circulating in your house and in your body.

 

• Eat healthy snacks. Don’t run yourself down by starving between meals. Some fruit or a few nuts can help keep you going.

 

• Connect with people. Get together with some other parents for a playdate. Even a quick session on Facebook can help you feel like an adult again. You need mature conversation to stay centered.

 

• Take a break. Give yourself permission to let the kids watch a video for a half-hour. You’re not a bad parent for taking time for yourself.

 

• Get your rest. Have a regular bedtime for yourself, not just your kids. Getting the sleep you need will help you stay healthy and calm

 

A nice smile is one of the best assets a person can have – but it’s an asset that needs taken care of from an early age. The good news is that there are some easy tips for parents to follow to make sure that their kids’ oral hygiene is up to snuff.

 

Children who are under the age of seven should always be supervised by a parent when brushing their teeth. They should brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste. The recommended level of fluoride for a child under the age of three is 1,000 parts per million, and for children over the age of three, between 1,300 and 1,500 parts per million (which is the same level found in adult toothpaste).

 

Parents should also cut down on their children’s level of intake of sugary foods and drink and take them for regular dental checkups.

 

Give your child a great smile!

Listening to music may make your children smart, according to many child development experts. Dubbed “the Mozart Effect,” thanks to a 1993 study in which college students’ scores on spatial and temporal reasoning problems improved after listening to the music of the famous 18th-century composer, the theory is backed up by studies of preschool and kindergarten children.

 

Hearing is said to be the most developed of the five senses in newborn babies; they often turn their faces to identify where a sound is coming from, and they appear able to recognize the voices of their mothers and other close relatives almost from the begin­ning. Music may stimulate the development of neural pathways needed for reasoning, as children “organize” the notes in their brains to understand melodies.

 

Here are some other ways music may help children learn and grow mentally:

 

• Memory. Listening to rhythm, melody, and lyrics can help children discover how to remember and form words and may encourage stronger reading skills.

 

• Concentration. Musical tunes that catch the child’s attention can reinforce the ability to focus on a specific activity or idea for a period of time.

 

• Coordination. Clapping hands or stomping feet in time can enhance children’s muscular performance.

 

To encourage a love and appreciation of music in your child, try these tactics:

 

• Get active. Encourage small children to dance, shake toys, stomp, or wave in time to the music. As they start speaking, urge them to sing along.

 

• Make music. Music lessons can teach patience, concentration, and self-confidence. And just letting your kids tap the keys on your piano can teach them about sounds and rhythm.

 

• Don’t push. Expose your children to a wide range of music, but don’t force any particular style on them. Let them discover and explore what they like on their own.