Tips to prepare for a child's hospital stay

When my two year old was recently ill, it was all arms to battle stations as we fought temperatures peaking 41.5 Celsius (106.7 F), dehydration and sleeplessness. At the hospital I was informed it could be either pneumonia or meningitis. So when it was confirmed that we’d escaped the latter, I was so relieved I nearly didn’t register what the doctor said next. “He’ll have to stay in the hospital for the next five nights, so we can begin the antibiotics treatment and monitor him closely.”

A hospital stay with your loved ones can be unsettling and often traumatic. It becomes almost unbearable...

Read the full article in the May 2016 post of New Age Parents

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From hospital to home

"He is fine. It's just a common cold," said the ER doctor.

I wasn't convinced. After three weeks of lingering cold with little improvement, my son's temperature had skyrocketed to 106.4°F and alarmed me. He sounded hoarse, and all he could do was cough and cry. I described all these symptoms to the doctor and carefully asked, "Are you quite sure?"

"His throat does look red, but that's normal with a cold," the doctor repeated.

"Thank you, doctor," I said, trying to keep my cool. "Only, I'd feel so much better if you took a throat swab – just for my reassurance and peace of mind. I'm really worried it...

Read the full article in the April/May 2016 issue of Parents Canada

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2100 words
Nonfiction
Canada publication

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Scary Mommy

How to deal with noisy children... before the neighbours complain!

The doorbell rang just as my two-year-old emitted a piercing shriek of delight on finding a toy long thought lost.

"Your children make too much noise," complained the new neighbour. "They're too loud; they disturb us during our conference calls. Please can you tone it down a bit?" She was gone before I had time to draw breath.

With a mixture of embarrassment and fury, I shut the door and stormed back into the apartment screeching at my kids to shut up and mouthing impossible threats and punishments if they disobeyed. After a minute to collect myself, I reflected and questioned my reaction: did...

Read the full article in the Spring 2016 issue of Country Child

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975 words
Nonfiction
UK publication

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Words from the Wise

"Great article! Thanks for sharing :)"

Michelle Ang

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New Age Parents

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Country Child Magazine

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City Parent

How to deal with noisy kids... before your neighbours complain!

The doorbell rang just as my two-year-old emitted a piercing shriek of delight on finding a toy long thought lost.

"Your children make too much noise," complained the new neighbour. "They're too loud; they disturb us during our conference calls. Please can you tone it down a bit?" She was gone before I had time to draw breath.

With a mixture of embarrassment and fury, I shut the door and stormed back into the apartment screeching at my kids to shut up and mouthing impossible threats and punishments if they disobeyed. After a minute to collect myself, I reflected and questioned my reaction: did...

Read the full article in the March 2016 post of New Age Parents

or

Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

975 words
Nonfiction
Singapore publication

***********************

Words from the Wise

"Great article! Thanks for sharing :)"

Michelle Ang

Editor

New Age Parents

"I really like the tone and the points made."
Sarah Third
Editor
Country Child Magazine

"I enjoyed your humorous pitch, and it sounds like an interesting topic"
Dominique Lamberton
Associate Editor
Chatelaine

"This story is really well-written and is an important topic... Love the article."
Sarah Anne Mau
Managing Editor
Hawaii Parent

"This looks good and could be something of interest."
Anna Dixon
Deputy Editor
My Child Magazine

"I enjoyed your article."
Jane Muller
Editor
City Parent

Preparing for a hospital stay with an ill child

"Your son has pneumonia," said the doctor.
And I heaved a sigh of relief.

When my two year old was recently ill, it was all arms to battle stations as we fought temperatures peaking 41.5Celsius (106.7F), dehydration and sleeplessness. At the hospital I was informed it could be either pneumonia or meningitis. So when it was confirmed that we'd escaped the latter, I was so relieved I nearly didn't register what the doctor said next. "He'll have to stay in the hospital for the next five nights, so we can begin the antibiotics treatment and monitor him closely."
Oh.

A hospital stay with your loved...

Read the full article in the March/April 2016 issue of Calgary's Child

or

Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

940 words
Nonfiction
Canada publication

***********************

Words from the Wise

"Wonderful article"

Melissa Michta

Copy Editor

Calgary's Child

"It's a solid pitch...  well-composed and on-target for our readership."

Kim Shiffman

Managing Editor

Today's Parent

"I love your intro!"

Ashley Trexler

Editor

Lies About Parenting

"Great post"

Samantha Angoletta

Editor

Scary Mommy

"Interesting article"

Charlotte Piercy

Editor

Primary Times North Wales & Shropshire Magazine

"I'm sure many people would be interested to read it."

Joy Tibbs

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Today's Child

How to deal with noisy children... before the neighbors complain!

The doorbell rang just as my two-year-old emitted a piercing shriek of delight on finding a toy long thought lost.

"Your children make too much noise," complained the new neighbour. "They're too loud; they disturb us during our conference calls. Please can you tone it down a bit?" She was gone before I had time to draw breath.

With a mixture of embarrassment and fury, I shut the door and stormed back into the apartment screeching at my kids to shut up and mouthing impossible threats and punishments if they disobeyed. After a minute to collect myself, I reflected and questioned my reaction: did...

Read the full article in the January/February 2016 issue of Palmetto Parent

or

Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

975 words
Nonfiction
US publication

***********************

Words from the Wise

"Great article! Thanks for sharing :)"

Michelle Ang

Editor

New Age Parents

"I really like the tone and the points made."
Sarah Third
Editor
Country Child Magazine

"I enjoyed your humorous pitch, and it sounds like an interesting topic"
Dominique Lamberton
Associate Editor
Chatelaine

"This story is really well-written and is an important topic... Love the article."
Sarah Anne Mau
Managing Editor
Hawaii Parent

"This looks good and could be something of interest."
Anna Dixon
Deputy Editor
My Child Magazine

"I enjoyed your article."
Jane Muller
Editor
City Parent

Cursive handwriting -- Should it stay or go?

'Did you get the pasta?' I ask my husband as soon as he arrives home after work.

'What pasta?' He says dumping the grocery bag on the floor.

I roll my eyes and whip out the shopping list I'd written for him. 'Pasta. Look. It says right here. P-A-S-T-A. You didn't get it then?'

'That's supposed to be pasta? I thought it was paste. I got that new brand of toothpaste, two for the price of one!'

So, we're going to have leftovers for dinner tonight, but very clean teeth. Can I really blame him?

I remember filling out reams of pages practising my cursive writing in school. Beautiful exercise books and work...

Read the full article in the Education Guide 2015 issue of Carolina Parent

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940 words
Nonfiction
US publication

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