Dads Not Good With Teeth Brushing

A recent poll of almost 2,000 people has found that 68 per cent of us say it's our mum who taught us how to brush our teeth as a child

Image: Pixabay

The findings commissioned in a survey by the British Dental Health Foundation revealed we are almost four times as likely to be a self-taught brusher than we are to have been taught by our father.

Dr Nigel Carter OBE from the Foundation said: "Your child's oral health plays a key part in their early years' wellbeing, and your help and support will go a long way to ensuring they remain on the right path.

"Numerous studies have shown that children who learn good habits early are far more likely to carry them into adulthood and the ability to pick up a solid oral health routine is no different."

Less than half of parents questioned said they teach their children how to brush their teeth before the age of two, with 23 per cent showing them the dental ropes between two and five years old.

The survey was carried out to address the UK's attitudes and behaviours towards their oral health and comes as a new dental scheme in Scotland has revealed its helped save £5m per year in avoided treatment costs.

The programme called 'Childsmile' offers every child attending nursery free daily supervised tooth brushing.

Scotland's Public Health Minister Maureen Watt said: "We've made great progress since 2007 in improving access to NHS dentists - with 92 per cent of Scottish children now registered.

"The success of the Childsmile programme speaks for itself, saving millions of pounds and making such a difference to youngsters' oral health.

"This is a really tremendous example of spending to save. The Childsmile programme show's what can be achieved when we have a real focus on prevention - in particular in the world of public health."

Figures suggest the number of primary one children with "no obvious decay experience" has risen from 54 per cent in 2006 to 68 per cent in 2014.

The scheme is also designed to offer mums, dads and carers dietary advice for children to help prevent tooth decay.

Oral health disorders are the most common reason for child hospital admissions in Scotland, accounting for over 10,000 admissions every year.

As part of the programme youngsters are also given free toothbrushes, toothpaste and two fluoride varnish applications per year.

The British Dental Health Foundation recommends children should start visiting the dentist with their parents as soon as possible.

- See more at: http://www.dad.info/article/opinion/latest-news/dads-not-good-with-teeth-brushing#sthash.wSF3b25s.dpuf



This article is taken from DadInfo



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Supporting your child when parenting alone

Absent parents

Supporting your child when parenting alone

Parenting can be a little more challenging when there isn’t another parent around to help you share the load.  This can be because of a variety of reasons, perhaps the absent parent has died, is in prison, or lives in another country or you don’t know where the father is.  Sadly not all parents want to be involved in their children’s lives and dealing with this aspect of family life can be extremely fraught.

How to support your children if a parent is absent 

We know that some parents have a very small support network around them, especially if one parent is absent which can have a knock on effect whereby their extended family are also absent in a child’s life.

We do know that being honest with children as they are growing up helps them to feel confident about their own identity and gives them a sense of belonging, so this is important. There are naturally going to be times in a child’s life when they question why they don’t have another parent and perhaps feel that life is a little unfair if their friends have both parents in their lives.  For a parent it might not be an easy subject to talk about, but if your child wants to talk you might need to think about what you will say to them.

Only give your child age appropriate advice that you feel they will be able to understand, always leaving the door open for them to come back and ask further questions if they need to.  For example, bombarding a five year with too much information might be overwhelming and confusing so remember that you know your child best and are the best judge of how much information to give.

It might be painful to talk about what has happened, and it might even be difficult for you to understand why the absent parent has chosen not to be a part of their child’s life.  At the end of the day you might not be able to find answers to explain this but you should continue to reassure your child of how much he/she is loved and that the absent parent’s decision was in no way their fault.

We know that children will be curious as to what their mother or father may look like so if you do have any photos it might help to build a photo album or a scrap book for them.  This will help your child to gain a sense of their own identity as they then know what both parents look like and at least they will then have something to reflect on and share with their friends.

So what if your child wants to make contact when they are older?

By being honest with your child in the past you will have ensured that they know what has happened, but of course they may not understand why.  As they get older they may well choose to make their own contact with their absent parent and this might be something that you have no control over and could be extremely painful.

If the absent parent suddenly gets in contact what should you do?

How do you deal with this?  Well, there might be an element of shock involved.  For years your child might have been carrying around a picture of what mum or dad looks like and now they are here in reality.  It’s not easy to take a back seat in a situation like this but here are some tips that we hope will help:-

• Your child might go through a rollercoaster of emotions if an absent parent gets in touch.  They might feel anger, upset or joy and it’s always a good idea to encourage them to talk about the way that they are feeling. 
• They might feel as though they want to throw themselves into this new relationship because they have so much to catch up on, but try to encourage them to take things slowly.
• Reassure them that there is no rush – they can take their time at their own pace.  Try to ensure your child doesn’t feel pressurised in any way.  If you start to feel that he/she might not be coping well with all these changes you might have to think about stepping in and reining things in a little allowing things to calm down.
• Try not to be dismissive or give your child the opinion that you are upset or don’t agree with them seeing their absent parent. It is natural as a parent who has put in lots of hard work to feel a little uneasy or upset about the arrival of an absent parent but try to keep these thoughts to yourself so they are not passed on to your child.
• Remember that it is really important that you look after yourself and get some emotional support to help you through this difficult time.  Friends and family can be great to talk to but if you feel that you need to speak or vent to a professional that you don’t know and who won’t make personal judgments, then do come and talk with us.

 This article is taken from Familylives

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The Smoking Ban and Our Children's Health

Thousands of children have been spared serious illness and hospital treatment since the smoking ban was introduced in England in 2007, research suggests.

The study, in the European Respiratory Journal, looked at 1.6 million hospital admissions of under-14s from 2001-12.

The law against smoking in indoor public places saw 11,000 fewer children being admitted to hospital with lung infections every year, it found.

Researchers said it showed anti-smoking legislation was improving child health. 

The University of Edinburgh study compared the figures for hospital admissions after the ban with mathematical predictions of the number of admissions that would have occurred without the smoking ban. 

It estimated that hospital admissions for children with respiratory infections fell by 3.5% immediately after the ban was introduced.

While the biggest effect was seen in the number of children suffering chest infections - which dropped by almost 14% - the number of admissions attributable to nose, throat and sinus infections also went down.

But these effects were more gradual, the study said.

There is a well-established link between second-hand smoke exposure and bronchitis, bronchiolitis, middle ear infections and respiratory tract infections.

'Significant reductions'

Dr Jasper Been, of the University of Edinburgh and Maastricht University, said: "This study is further demonstration of the considerable potential of anti-smoking laws to improve child health.

"Although our results cannot definitively establish a cause and effect, the rigorous analysis clearly shows that the introduction of smoke-free legislation was associated with significant reductions in hospital admissions among children."

Data suggested the ban on smoking in public places had also led to a rise in the number of smoke-free homes, reducing second-hand smoke exposure among children, the study said.

The ban is estimated to have reduced adults smoking in the home from 65% to 55%.

Professor Aziz Sheikh, co-director of the University of Edinburgh's Centre for Population Health Sciences, said: "The many countries that are yet to enforce smoke-free legislation should consider the substantial number of hospital admissions from respiratory infections that occur each year that they delay."

Less than one sixth of the world's population is currently protected by anti-smoking laws. 

It is estimated that about 40% of children around the world are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke.

Hazel Cheeseman, director of policy at health charity Ash (Action on Smoking and Health), said: "Back in 2007, the opponents of smoke-free legislation claimed that it would lead to more people smoking at home, placing their children at greater risk. 

"This research supports evidence from elsewhere that this fear has not been realised. 

"Without the ban on smoking in public places the NHS would be seeing more sick children at a significant cost to the public purse."

This article was taken from Dadzclub

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Understanding SEN and Getting Support

What are special educational needs

Understanding SEN and getting support

All children and young people may experience learning difficulties at some point. This is not unusual. For most children the difficulties are temporary and are soon overcome with help and encouragement from home and school.

The term ‘Special Educational Needs’ is used to describe learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for children to learn than most children of the same age. Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) are likely to need extra or different help from that given to other children their age. This help is known as special educational provision.

Children are not considered to have SEN just because their first language is not English, although some children for whom English is not a second language may also have learning difficulties.

What types of difficulties are covered by the term SEN?

Children may have difficulties in one or more areas. Here are some examples:

• Thinking, understanding and learning: these children may find all learning activities difficult, or have particular difficulties with some learning activities such as reading and spelling.
• Emotional and behavioural difficulties: these children may have very low self-esteem and lack confidence. They may find it difficult to follow rules or settle down and behave properly in school.
• Speech, language and communication: these children may have difficulty in expressing themselves or understanding what others are saying to them. They may find it hard to make friends or relate to others. They may find it difficult to make sense of the world around them or to organise themselves.
• Physical or sensory difficulties: these children may have a disability or a medical condition that has an impact upon their learning. They may have a visual or hearing impairment.

What happens if a child has SEN?

The first and most important thing to remember is that all children with SEN are entitled to receive a broad, balanced and suitable education which includes the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (for children aged 3 to 5) or the National Curriculum (for children aged 5 to 16).

Most children with SEN have their needs met in a mainstream school or early settings, although some children with more complex needs benefit from the more specialist help offered in a ‘special’ school.

You should be told if the school thinks your child has or may have SEN and how the school will be helping your child. Your views are very important and so are your child’s own views. The school should make sure that you are involved in all decisions that affect your child because you have a vital role in supporting your child’s education.

What can I do if I think my child has SEN?

If you are worried about any aspect of your child’s development or learning, talk to your child’s teacher, the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator), head teacher or any other professional working with your child.

Further support

If you would like further information about SEN or just to talk to someone about your concerns, please contact us on our helpline on 0808 800 2222.

If you need legal or educational advice, please contact CORAM Children’s Legal Centre.

This article is taken from Familylives

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Cutting the Cord in The Delivery Room.

If you've just become a father for the first time and the midwife asks if you'd like to cut the umbilical cord, what's your reaction?

Some dads might jump at the chance of having that moment with their newborn, but others may be more comfortable letting the midwife and nurses do it for them. Neither way is wrong.

But what would you choose?

One father has shared his experiences on Reddit.

He asked the community:

"When my first daughter was born they asked if I wanted to, and I declined. They seemed surprised.

"It had nothing to do with lack of love and affection for my child, I'm just more comfortable letting the doctors and nurses do their thing. What's your opinion?"

He soon started getting replies including one from a dad who was writing on the thread just hours after cutting his child's cord.

1. 
   
2. 
   
3. 
   
4. boxofrain

   It was like cutting a goddamned bungee cord and I loved every second of it.

1. Astro1909

   exact same way i feel about it. you put the baby there you might as well make sure it can get out u know. i cant wait to do it in 2 months its probably the second thing I'm looking most forward to other than actually holding her in my arms for the very first time.

lantheria

1. i cut my daughter's cord, as i was hoping to. i was surprised at how tough the thing was, actually. it was like there was a guitar string in the middle.

1. 
   
2. fatbastard79

   I cut the cord and it was pretty cool. Like cutting through thick wet rope

1. jonathanrT
2. I cut my son's cord two hours ago. Seriously. It's a BOY! 

1. 
   
2. 
   
3. [Anon]

   
   

   My father told me it's like cutting the inner tube of a bicycle tire. He was not far off. It was also the first of many awesome things that I've gotten to do with/because of my daughter.

   
   

   
   

1.  Some others didn't see the appeal (or were too nervous to do it):

just_run

I was given the option, but chose not to. I don't really see the appeal.

1. [Anon]

   
   

   I cut on the first one didn't intend to but the doctor and nurses pretty much made me. During the second one things got complicated and scary and I was way too much of a wreck to even hold a pair of scissors.

1. hobbes9

   With both kids I was given the opportunity. First was a c-section, second was a very quick natural birth. With the second, I remember my words exactly.

   "No, no way. Definitely not. No."

   I got some funny looks too, but I think it was more out of amusement from my reaction.

1. 
   
2. RaisingMN

   
   

   I let me mother-in-law have the "honors" for both of my children. To me, gnawing through the cord with a pair of garden shears held no appeal. Staff didn't seem phased.

This guy was on the thread at the right time, but probably should've been by his wife's side instead..

1. [Anon]

   I'm waiting in the waiting room, a few hours away from cutting my daughter's cord!

Either way, it's completely down to you dads...

This article is taken from HuffingtonpostUK

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