Raising a Deaf Child

07/25/2023 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Dea fness used to be a huge barrier for families. Even going back fifty years, hearing parents who found out that their children are deaf had to make much bigger accommodations to keep their children going to school or ensuring that their children didn’t miss out on everyday experiences. Millions of parents today are raising deaf or hard of hearing children and it’s not so much something to be fearful of like it used to be.

Instead, some hearing parents start managing the impact of hearing loss by ensuring that they expose themselves to the deaf community as much as possible. Some parents who are scared to raise deaf children need to surround themselves with as much information and research as possible. The good news is that there are many different ways that you can raise a deaf child and get support with it, too. From help with speech therapy to the assistance available from audiologists and doctors, families with deaf children have plenty of support and if, as a family, you all learn signing, you will be a much happier family for it! So, what tips will help you when it comes to raising a deaf child? Let’s take a look:

Lady doing sign language, deaf, hearing loss, speech

Image source: Pexels

Find the right educational services. Deafness – no matter how mild – is a disability. If your child needs visual support, signing or technology like hearing aids to help them to hear or to mingle in society, then the right special educational services in your school district can help with their learning accommodations.
Join a signing class. Usually, doctors can tell if your newborn child is going to have a hearing deficit or be fully deaf. If that’s the case, you get the advantage of joining sign language classes. By the time they go to school, they’ll be able to sign with you and you’ll be fluent in your language in your family. It’ll help you in the wider deaf community, too, because then you’ll be able to communicate with teachers and other families!
Learn to communicate beyond signing. There are so many ways that those with hearing issues communicate beyond signing and as a hearing person, you have to educate yourself on this as much as possible. Not only will you be able to communicate more efficiently with your child, you will be able to spend time in the deaf community to adapt better.
Educate yourself on deaf culture. A good way to ensure that you are a parent going above and beyond is to adapt into the deaf culture. The best way to do that is to read books and learn about deaf history. Learn how deafness has been handled through the years and understand the reasons behind deafness. Speak to audiologists and other specialists in hearing matters to understand why your child is deaf in the first place. It can occur because of genetics, trauma and a range of other illnesses and issues, and understanding the trigger for your child can help.
Talk about it as a couple. You and your partner will be tackling your child’s deafness together. Even if you’re not in a relationship right now, you will need to think about discussing their future and the potential roadblocks that you may come across as a family. Once you have these discussions you can also lean on one another when times are tough. As much as you love your child and will pave the roads with gold for their future, it’s not the easiest news to hear when you are hearing parents and haven’t encountered deafness before.
Speak to a therapist. On the back of the point above, it can help to speak through any difficulties with a therapist who can assure you that your child’s future will still be as set as ever. If you speak to a therapist as a family, it’ll help you to accept and appreciate the difference your child has among their peers and they can give you tips and hints of how to adapt.
Teach their siblings to sign. As much as it will be helpful for you and your partner to learn sign language, you need to think about getting their siblings to learn how to sign, too. This will ensure that all of your children can and will communicate effectively.

Having a deaf child is not the end of the world, it just means that you need to make adjustments that suit the family as a whole and you move forward into a new world together.

Going Healthy, Health, Parenting, Tips

11 Things You Can’t Wait to Have Your Kids Checked For

07/22/2023 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

As parents, we all want our kids to remain healthy and fulfilled; one way we can ensure this happens is through regular check-ups. While it may seem excessive to some younger children, addressing health concerns early is key. Here are 11 items your kids need checked for that are worth doing so – from hearing loss to nutrition issues and vaccinations.

kid giving teddy bear a checkup, imagination, play doctor, role playing

Photo by Derek Finch on Unsplash

Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can have a dramatic impact on a child’s development and should never be overlooked. At your child’s annual exam, the doctor should perform an ear exam to ensure no hearing loss exists; early intervention for kids hearing loss is extremely crucial so any issues found can be quickly addressed and treated effectively.

Eye Tests

Vision tests are an integral component of pediatric check-ups and can detect vision issues like nearsightedness and farsightedness that require glasses or contact lenses for correction. You should also have your child’s eyes examined for color blindness – something not uncommon among young children.

Nutrition

Children learn healthy eating habits early, so it is crucial that their doctor assess whether your child is receiving all of the essential nutrients during their developmental years. Your doctor may discuss food selection and portion size with you to ensure a well-rounded diet is being consumed by your child. You may be asked to keep a food diary so they can monitor nutritional intake more easily and suggest any necessary changes if required.

Vaccinations

Vaccines play a vital role in keeping kids safe from serious illness and disease, so it’s essential that they’re up-to-date with all necessary vaccinations. Your doctor will be able to advise which vaccinations would best benefit your child as well as answer any queries or address concerts you might have. Furthermore, booster shots could even be offered during their checkup if due.

Allergies and Asthma

It is vitally important for children’s wellbeing that allergies and asthma be monitored as these conditions can change over time. At their check-up visit, the doctor may ask about symptoms or triggers as well as recommend allergy tests if necessary. You may also be asked about family histories related to allergies and asthma to assess risk and ensure your child does not develop these conditions in future years.

Heart Health

While heart issues in children may be rare, it’s still essential that they get checked as early as possible. Your pediatrician will use a stethoscope to listen for abnormalities in your child’s heart rhythm; additionally they may take a blood pressure reading and check pulse rate; finally you may also be asked questions regarding activity levels and lifestyle habits of both your family.

Mental and Emotional Health

Pediatric care includes providing regular checks on your child’s mental health. Your physician can offer guidance in managing stress, anxiety or depression and can refer you to resources if needed. Furthermore, parents need to have open conversations with their children in order to monitor their emotional development – asking about school, friends, hobbies and family relationships can all help monitor emotional progress.

Physical Activity

Exercise is an integral component of leading a healthy lifestyle for children. Your pediatrician can provide advice on how to get your child more active during a check-up visit, as well as guidance regarding which forms of activity would best benefit their age group. They may also ask about your family’s diet and lifestyle habits so they are getting enough physical activity.

Screen Time

Too much screen time has become an ever-increasing problem among children these days, prompting many physicians to discuss it during check-ups and provide advice on limiting screen time in order to promote healthier habits and maintain mental engagement and activity levels. They may suggest taking regular breaks away from screens during the day in order to keep active mentally as well as physically engaged – or create a healthier home environment by creating “screen-free zones”.

Growth and Development

Your doctor will conduct an assessment to make sure that your child is meeting age-appropriate milestones, including speaking correctly, walking efficiently and socializing as expected. Should any issues arise during their assessment, your doctor may refer you to a specialist for further evaluation – making this checkup essential in making sure your child grows and develops normally.

Information About Recent Outbreaks of Disease

Your pediatrician can provide you with information regarding outbreaks or illnesses circulating in your area, answer questions about staying healthy and suggest prevention methods tailored specifically for your child’s wellbeing. Furthermore, they will advise when seeking medical help is warranted in case your child shows any symptoms that could indicate illness.

doctor using smart phone, kids, health, check-up, parenting, medical advice

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash Copy to clipboard

Be sure to bring your child in for regular checkups, to ensure they receive the care necessary for a healthy development and lifelong happiness. When meeting with their pediatrician, discuss any concerns or ask any questions, ensuring the best care possible so they can ensure your child lives a full life!

Going Healthy, Going Strong, Health, Lifestyle, Parenting

Getting Your Mojo Back as an Exhausted Dad

07/21/2023 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

You wake up to energetic and demanding children every single morning, which you wouldn’t change for the world. You make them breakfast, play with them tirelessly, try to keep the house in order and attempt to put them to bed after a busy and hectic day. There is no wonder that you’re feeling depleted as an exhausted Dad! Getting your mojo back could look different to everyone, so you need to think about where you would like to make improvements to your current lifestyle. Whether you want to get back into healthy cooking, or you need to start prioritizing sleep more often, there are a number of small lifestyle changes that will make a world of difference. Parents can often hit a brick wall when they are deep in the throes of parenting, but this is a sign that you need to take a break and think about yourself for a change.

Of course, your children will always be your number one priority, but they won’t live a joyful life if they have an exhausted father who has lost a piece of himself during the process of raising them. Remembering who you are as a person will always bring you back down to the ground and allow you to see the whole picture again. Getting your mojo back is totally achievable, as long as you are willing to step out of your comfort zone and make a change.

Consider some of the following ideas and you will soon feel positive and ready to bring back the old “you” again, even as a busy Dad!

Enjoy Some More “Me Time”

As a dad, “me time” comes very infrequently and you need to carve out time in your schedule to make it happen. Although it may not seem important at the time, it’s a vital part of resting and recharging and it will ultimately make you a better parent in the long run. Whether you’re reading a book or going out for a run, your self care time needs to be enjoyable to you.

Take a Break from Work

Remember those vacation days you keep meaning to take from work? Now would be the ideal time to use them up! If you’re the type of person who often puts off taking work breaks, you will slowly but surely grind yourself to the ground if you don’t take time to reset your system every now and again. Taking a week off of work will not only give you the freedom to rest and do what you enjoy, but it will also help you to get your mojo back.

Get More Sleep

Getting more sleep as a busy dad is much easier said than done, right? Whether you’ve got toddlers climbing into your bed at midnight or babies co-sleeping in your bedroom, there are no words to describe how much you treasure your sleep. Although it can be tempting to stay up later and enjoy that TV show you are hooked on, it makes more sense to get yourself to bed early and enjoy an hour or two more of sleep. Prioritizing this will help you to think more clearly and make better decisions, which will ultimately help you feel more like “you” again.

Consider Hormone Testing

Lack of energy or motivation can stem from a variety of different things, but it could be a deep-rooted health issue that you aren’t even aware of. If you have recently experienced signs of fatigue, low sex drive, weight gain or a depressed mood, it may be a sign of male hormone imbalance. Seeking out medical advice from a professional can help you diagnose the problem quickly and find a course of treatment that is effective for you. Although this might feel like a huge step to take, it will be worth it in the long run when you feel more energetic, enthusiastic and positive about everything in your life again.

Focus on Your Relationship

If you have a romantic partner, your lackluster attitude towards life may be because you haven’t spent enough quality time with your other half. Now would be the perfect time to go on a date night, spend real time together and refocus on what’s important to you both as a couple. As parents it’s so easy to get swept up into the whirlwind of having children that you forget your true connection and why you chose each other as life partners. Think about some fun activities you can do together and enjoy spending quality time as a pair again.

Try Meditation

When you meditate regularly, it can actually increase your energy levels and give you more clarity on who you are as a person. Allowing yourself to sit with your thoughts and feel the silence around you is a beautifully powerful thing that not enough people know about. Give it a try for yourself and you will be grateful you discovered meditation!

Hopefully, you can use some of the following ideas to change your normal routines and rediscover who you really are as a person. For so long you have worn the dad badge with pride, but you can’t forget who you are as an individual. Whether you’re nurturing your relationship with your partner more, starting a hobby that you have always loved or simply starting a new and enjoyable morning routine, there are so many different options you can try. Don’t be afraid to take a step back, ask for help and allow some time for yourself to grow as a person. Once you are back on track again, you will be so grateful for all of the positive steps you have made.

All in all, being a dad is one of the most rewarding jobs you will ever do, but if you don’t have your unique mojo you won’t be the best parent you can be. Rediscovering your mojo again will help you to feel positive, energetic and joyful everytime you’re around your child which will benefit them immensely both now and in the distant future!