Benefits of Raising Kids with Cat(s) at Home

Worry not! Having a furry, fluffy friend at home comes with many benefits for your children. Cats are known for their professionalism in providing emotional support and reducing anxiety. They are as helpful when it comes to kids as they are to us adults. Along with many mental health benefits, cats are known to boost the immune system, especially when children are raised with them. Having a fluffy companion to take care of teaches your kids responsibilities and empathy as they spend more time with them. 

Before Bringing a Cat Home

Each breed to its own, and if you have a chance to pick while adopting, choosing the right cat breed can be beneficial when bringing a feline friend into a household with kids. Some breeds like Ragdolls, Maine Coons, and American Shorthairs are known for their gentle and patient nature, making them more suitable cats for families. Preparing your home for the cat is equally important, ensuring your home is cat and children-friendly with safety essentials like safety gates, guards and socket covers is key to ensuring good and safe memories. Also, providing scratching posts, cat trees, and safe spaces for your cat to retreat when it is overwhelmed protects the well-being of your cat, allowing them to have a healthier relationship with the members of your household with less stress. 

Introducing the Cat to Children

When introducing a cat to children, supervising their first interactions is key for them to form a healthy, long-lasting relationship. Keeping their first interactions short helps calm the cat down and get used to children more easily, not causing undue stress. Before getting a cat, teaching your children to respect the cat’s space is just as important, for them to not disturb the cat when having meals, naps or using the litter box. Mutual respect fosters a positive relationship, preventing any negative interactions. 

Teaching Children About Cats 

Educating your children on how to handle and interact with cats is vital, for them to have a harmonious, healthy relationship filled with love. Showing gentle petting, or proper ways to pick up a cat supporting both the front and hind legs ensures your feline friend feels safe and secure. If possible, teaching your kids to read cat body language is also important for them to know when to or when not to interact with the cat. Signs of discomfort such as a swishing tail, flattened ears or hissing indicate that the cat needs space and children should not force interactions on them. Understanding these signals helps your little ones interact with the cat more appropriately.

Health and Safety

With regular vet visits and vaccinations, maintaining the cat’s health is vital for keeping both your little one and their feline friend safe and sound. Also, monitoring for any signs of allergies in your children and consulting a doctor if necessary ensures the well-being of both the children and the cat. Minimising the risk of scratches, keeping your cat’s claws trimmed (at a healthy length) and providing scratching posts for them is important. These health and safety measures might seem small, but they help create a secure and healthy environment for every member of the household.

Responsibilities for Your Children

Involving your children in the daily care of their furry companion teaches them responsibility and helps them bond with the pet. Feeding the cat, ensuring it has fresh water, and measuring out the correct amounts of food are easy tasks that your children can handle under your supervision and can make them feel good and involved. Older children can also be taught to brush the cat and check for any signs of health issues, such as lumps or parasites. Additionally, if the hygiene is supervised by you, older kids can help clean the litter box. 

Daily Care and Interaction 

Having a routine is always of benefit to everyone, and can be of great help when it comes to taking care of kids and cats at the same time. Cats are also known for thriving on consistency, so regular feeding, grooming or playtime schedules keep them in a good mood, making them feel sound. Teaching your kid how to play with cats, and engaging them in interactive play with the cat using toys like feathers and laser pointers without over-exerting the cat not only provides your cat with necessary exercise but also strengthens the bond between your little one and their feline companion. When they both feel like not playing but exercising, preparing them areas where they can spend cosy times together with soft blankets and plush toys helps them spend more time together, These activities make room for positive interactions, enhancing their relationship.

Facing the Challenges 

Both your cat and your children can encounter challenges while getting used to each other, and patience is key when integrating a cat into your household. Encouraging patience as the cat and children get used to each other, and teaching your kid about the cat as much as possible helps build trust over time. If you encounter any behavioural issues, they should be addressed as quickly as possible, and if the cat shows signs of stress or aggression, consulting a veterinarian or a professional animal behaviourist is advisable. Addressing challenges quickly, you can foster a positive relationship between your children and your cat, creating a safe environment filled with love for everyone. 

Choosing a baby monitor is an important decision for any parent. With so many options, it can be overwhelming to find the right one that fits your needs and provides peace of mind. Whether you’re a first-time parent or adding to your growing family, this guide will help you navigate the key features to consider when selecting a baby monitor.

Understanding Your Needs

Before diving into the features, it’s important to understand your specific needs. Every family is different, and what works for one may not work for another. Consider the following questions to help narrow down your options:

• The size of your home: If you live in a large house, you’ll need a monitor with a strong signal range to ensure coverage across multiple floors.
• Audio-only, video, or smart features: Some parents are content with just hearing their baby, while others prefer the added reassurance of seeing them or even tracking sleep patterns.
• Your budget: Baby monitors come in a wide range of prices, so it’s helpful to determine how much you’re willing to spend.

Types of Baby Monitors

There are several types of baby monitors, each with its own set of features and benefits. Let’s see the most common types: 

1. Audio Monitors: The simplest type, audio baby monitors allow you to hear your baby from another room. They typically come with a parent unit and a baby unit, offering clear sound quality. These are ideal if you’re looking for a straightforward solution and don’t need video or smart features.
2. Video Monitors: Video baby monitors allow you to both see and hear your baby. They usually feature a camera in the baby’s room and a handheld monitor or a mobile app for parents. Many video monitors offer night vision, zoom, and pan/tilt features, making it easy to keep an eye on your baby day or night.
3. Smart Monitors: Smart baby monitors take baby monitoring to the next level with features like sleep tracking, breathing monitoring, and smartphone connectivity. These monitors often come with a higher price tag but offer advanced technology that can provide additional peace of mind.
4. Wearable Monitors: Some parents opt for wearable baby monitors, which track a baby’s vital signs such as heart rate and oxygen levels. These monitors typically come in the form of a sock, bracelet, or clip that attaches to the baby’s clothing. While they can be reassuring, it’s important to remember that no monitor can replace safe sleep practices.

Key Features to Consider

When choosing a baby monitor, there are several key features to consider. These features can make a big difference in how well the monitor works for your family.

– Range: The range is how far you can be from the baby’s room and still receive a signal. If you live in a larger home or have thick walls, look for a monitor with a longer range. Most monitors list their range in metres, but keep in mind that the actual range may be shorter depending on your home’s layout.

– Battery Life: Battery life is crucial, especially if you plan to carry the parent unit around the house. Some monitors offer rechargeable batteries, while others require regular replacement. Look for a monitor with good battery life to avoid frequent charging or changing of batteries.

– Signal Interference: If you live in a densely populated area or have a lot of electronic devices in your home, signal interference can be an issue. Digital baby monitors tend to have less interference than analogue ones. Some monitors also offer DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) technology, which reduces interference and improves sound quality. 

– Two-Way Communication: Two-way communication allows you to talk to your baby through the monitor. This feature can be useful for soothing your baby without having to enter the room or for older toddlers who might need a little reassurance.

– Night Vision: If you’re opting for a video monitor, night vision is a must. This feature allows you to see your baby clearly in low light or complete darkness, ensuring you can keep an eye on them during the night.

– Temperature Monitoring: Some baby monitors come with a built-in temperature sensor, which alerts you if the room gets too hot or too cold. This can be a helpful feature for maintaining a comfortable and safe sleeping environment for your baby.

– Portability: If you travel frequently or want to move the monitor between rooms, portability is an important factor. Look for a monitor that is easy to set up and transport, with a compact design and a long battery life.

Setting Up & Using Your Baby Monitor

Once you’ve chosen your baby monitor, it’s important to set it up correctly to ensure optimal performance. Place the baby unit in a safe location, away from the cot and out of reach of little hands. Test the signal strength in various areas of your home to find the best spot for the parent unit. If you’re using a video monitor, adjust the camera angle to get a clear view of your baby.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for setup and use, and remember that a baby monitor is just one tool in ensuring your baby’s safety. Regularly check the monitor’s functionality, and don’t rely on it alone. Nothing beats regular, in-person checks.

Choosing a baby monitor is a personal decision that depends on your family’s needs and lifestyle. Whether you opt for a simple audio monitor or a feature-packed smart monitor, the goal is the same – to provide peace of mind and help you stay connected to your little one, no matter where you are in the house. With the right monitor, you can rest a little easier, knowing that your baby is safe and sound. 

Tantrums, which all parents face from time to time, especially increase during certain stages of development. Rather than focusing on and criticising negative behaviour in children, the first step is to appreciate positive behaviour.

If tantrums occur more frequently than expected for developmental stages if the child is causing harm to themselves or others, and if they persist for a long time, seeking help from a professional is advisable.

When a child is having a tantrum, becoming even angrier, shouting at the child, using derogatory language, hitting, or punishing them in any physical way is not appropriate.

What Do We Understand by Tantrums in Children? What Are the Causes?

Every person gets angry many times throughout their life. Therefore, anger is a common occurrence in every child, regardless of their temperament. Anger is an intense negative emotion that we frequently encounter and is not solely attributed to a single cause. Sometimes, anger episodes, which we also call tantrums, involve exaggerated and uncontrollable behaviours that can harm oneself and others, beyond simple annoyance or anger.

Considering this definition, we cannot say that anger has a single cause. Additionally, it would not be correct to claim that every anger episode has a serious underlying psychological reason. Failure to regulate oneself and expressing negative emotions inappropriately are among the most common reasons for tantrums in young children. Externally, frustration is the most common trigger for tantrums. Not getting what they want or being unable to cope with the current negative emotion can be reasons for getting angry. So, sometimes, children can express their extreme unhappiness through tantrums, or they can exhibit tantrums due to intense sibling jealousy. Additionally, familial factors can also lead to tantrums because we can list all situations that could disrupt the relationship between children and their parents and increase conflict. These include depression or chronic illness in the mother, low quality of caregiving, inadequate parenting skills, chaotic family structure, domestic violence, and so on.

In Which Age Groups Are Tantrums Most Common?

Tantrums can occur in children of all age groups. However, when developmental stages are examined, it is known that they mostly begin between 2-3 years old, increase between 3-6 years old, decrease during the school years, and reappear during adolescence in a different form.

The age of two is the period of individuation and independence. Therefore, in healthy children, around the age of two, stubbornness, power struggles, and opposition typically begin to manifest.

Especially in the preschool period before school, tantrums are more common, and since it is more challenging to work with a child’s anger during this period, more responsibility falls on the parents.

Regulation disorders, which we also call emotional regulation problems, are common from infancy onwards. Since their neurobiological maturity is not yet sufficient, young children cannot regulate themselves. Good examples of this include children becoming cranky when they are very tired or crying because they are hungry, even though their stomachs are full.

How Should Families Respond to Tantrums?

Teaching a child to control their anger is quite challenging, especially in the younger age group where verbal expression is limited, and emotional regulation is not yet developed. In this case, family attitude is particularly decisive in intervening in tantrums.

First and foremost, regardless of the child’s age, parents should maintain “calmness.” Then, they should be “patient” and “persistent,” and both parents and other caregivers should display a similar attitude during each tantrum.

In terms of preventing tantrums, “unconditional love” is undoubtedly necessary, and this is an indispensable parental attitude. In other words, we love our children not because they tidy their room or finish their meal, but unconditionally, without any conditions, and we need to make sure our child feels this. In opposite situations, sometimes when children fail to fulfil even the smallest condition, they may think that their parents do not love them, and they may even become more upset or afraid they won’t be loved, leading to more intense tantrums.

Another point is “respect.” Especially from the age of 2, we may need to respect that children have autonomy and have the right to express themselves, even in the simplest matters, such as having the right to choose.

For children aged 2-3, family characteristics are determinative in child behaviour. Because every child aged 2-3 may be temporarily stubborn, but if intense tantrums occur, it is necessary to examine the conflict between the child and the family. It should be considered that the child’s ability to stop themselves is limited, and empathy is undeveloped during this period. During this period, when the crisis begins, it should be remembered that their ability to stop themselves is limited, and empathy is undeveloped. Again, during this period, care should be taken to regulate important aspects of daily routine, such as regular sleep and eating habits. While habits like toilet training are being established, care should also be taken not to be coercive and to avoid serious conflicts with the child.

From the age of 3 onwards, children begin to socialise and understand social emotions, and others’ needs. Empathy skills start to develop around the age of 4. However, since this period still carries “self-centred” characteristics, children will continue to insist on their own desires. In this age group, parents should also approach children by taking into account that children’s judgment abilities are developing.

Talking about children’s feelings is an approach that can be applied to tantrums. In other words, the child may be experiencing negative emotions such as sadness, anger, resentment, fear, anxiety, or any other emotion. In this case, as parents, presenting the most appropriate emotion in the scenario to the child and ensuring that the child recognizes their emotion can reduce tantrums. Rather than focusing on and criticising negative behaviour in children, the first step is to appreciate positive behaviour.

When Should Professional Help Be Sought in This Matter?

If tantrums occur more frequently than expected for developmental stages, if the severity of tantrums is intense, if they cause harm to oneself or others, if they persist for a long time, if they occur in other settings outside the home such as nursery or preschool and pose a problem, families should seek help from a professional without delay. Sometimes, early-onset attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, intense impulsivity, attachment disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, difficulties related to sensory integration, childhood depression, or underlying developmental problems such as autism, intellectual disability, and many psychiatric disorders can lead to tantrums. In this case, it is necessary to consult a child psychiatrist, especially.

What Are Some Mistakes Families Make in This Matter?

Not remaining calm and composed is one of the biggest mistakes. Punitive approaches are at the bottom of the list when managing child behaviour when trying to establish discipline. If we immediately apply this last step without the child understanding their emotions or understanding which event led to the tantrum, tantrums become even more unmanageable. It is not appropriate to punish at the wrong time or frequently.

When a child is having a tantrum, becoming even angrier, shouting at the child, using derogatory language, hitting, or punishing them in any physical way is not appropriate. Sometimes, families may say things like “I don’t love you,” “You make me sick,” “Go be someone else’s child,” and similar words, even though they may not have any basis in reality. This is a form of emotional abuse, and the child may become even more traumatized and experience severe tantrums as a result. Additionally, the relationship based on secure attachment between the child and the parent is disrupted, which may not have immediate negative consequences but can exacerbate problems during adolescence, a developmental period characterized by separation and opposition to parents.

Another point is “inconsistent attitudes.” Both parents should react similarly to a behaviour. Consistency should not depend on the situation. For example, if we allowed a tantrum yesterday when we were in a good mood, it is not right to react excessively today because we are tired. Our own behaviour should also be consistent. Children who already have imbalances in regulating their emotions can be provided with the best example and support as “persistent, consistent, and patient.”

What Are the Effects of Divorce on Child Psychology?

Divorce is a challenging process for most families. Especially, the uncertainty and the atmosphere of insecurity arising from this uncertainty affect the child in many ways. The tension between parents makes the uncertain situation the child is in even more stressful. For many children, divorce can be perceived as never seeing one of their parents again. When all of these factors come together, it leads to an increase in the child’s anxiety and stress levels.

In children who have not received adequate support and explanation from their parents, the level of anxiety can escalate to very serious levels. Parents are the most trusted support for children. Therefore, children in divorced families may feel more insecure about life. Due to this insecurity, withdrawal is very common among children in divorced families. They may feel intensely abandoned by one of their parents. Some children may express the feeling of abandonment as excessive aggression.

Depression is one of the most common disorders observed in children of divorced families. Due to depression, children may feel restless. This restlessness may cause them to show excessive emotional reactions to their surroundings.

What Are the Behavioural Responses of Children in Divorced Families?

Each child is unique, so behavioural responses may not manifest equally in every child. Moreover, when examining children’s behaviour, basic factors such as age and gender should be taken into account.

• One of the most common behavioural responses in children is the inability to control anger. They may exhibit sudden outbursts towards their parents due to their inability to control their anger. They may also subject their classmates at school to peer bullying. If they have younger siblings, they may also reflect this anger towards them through their behaviour.
• School performance may decline. This is because their study habits may be disrupted during the adaptation process to new conditions after the divorce. Another reason is that their high levels of anxiety and unhappiness may distract them. It can be expected that they will struggle to maintain their daily routines while coping with negative emotions.
• During and after the divorce process, neglected children by their parents may form friendships with the wrong people. They may engage in faulty relationships to fill the emotional void they experience after the divorce. If precautions are not taken for later ages, they may develop various addictions such as substance and alcohol use.
• The stress experienced by children can lead to eating disorders. Some children may show a tendency to overeat to fill the emotional void they experience after the divorce. In some children, loss of appetite may be observed.
• Depression is a common condition in children after divorce. Due to depression, children may feel bad about themselves. The desire for withdrawal and loneliness may be reactions due to depression. Those who start a new school may have difficulty adjusting to school. Especially, they may not want to leave the parent they live with out of fear of losing them.

Common Mistakes Made by Parents During the Divorce Process

One of the most common mistakes observed in parents is the effort to maintain a failing marriage. If despite all efforts, communication breakdown, arguments, and disagreements continue, parents should not insist on continuing this marriage. Many studies have shown that a chronic violent environment is more harmful to children’s mental health than divorce.

Divorce is an event that only occurs between spouses. Therefore, children should not be neglected due to the anger felt towards the divorced spouse. Because even if the spouses separate, they should not forget that they are still parents. Most parents do not pay attention to this issue. Another mistake that parents frequently make is using their children as intermediaries when communicating with their ex-spouse after divorce. They should not convey messages to each other through their children, such as “Tell your mother…” or “Tell your father to do this…”

Parents should continue to stay in communication with their children. Additionally, parents should refrain from speaking negatively about each other in front of their children. This can cause the child to take sides and distance themselves. Therefore, parents should avoid making negative comments about each other in front of their children.

What Should Be Done to Protect the Child’s Mental Health During and After the Divorce Process?

• Dealing with uncertainty is much more difficult for children than for adults. Therefore, parents should explain the divorce decision together. Everything should be clearly stated in this explanation. The child should be informed about how their life will be from now on, where and with which parent they will live, and all possible changes in their life should be explained to the child at the very beginning.
• It should be emphasised that the reason for the separation is not related to the child. Because children may think that the reason for their parents’ divorce is because of their own behaviour.
• The child should be assured that they can always reach the parent they are separated from. They need to know that they can always call them or see them whenever they want.
• The child should also continue to meet regularly with the parent they are separated from. Spending one-on-one time during visitation is important for maintaining healthy communication between them.
• If necessary, the divorced parent should seek help from a professional during this process. They can seek support not only for their children but also for themselves to adapt to this process if needed.
• Parents should control their emotions in front of their children during this process. They should prevent sudden anger outbursts, resentment, or crying fits due to divorce from occurring in front of their children.

Gülnihal Şarman, medical doctor at Acıbadem Maslak Hospital, said that only 3-4 of 100 mothers of twin babies could feed their baby without the need for nutritional supplements besides milk.

Ms. Şarman said that home care program should be organized very well because the mother is exhausted. She point out that this fatigue also negatively affects milk production. For mothers to have enough milk, it is necessary to plan twin baby care at home.

Click the link to find more information about breastfeeding twins: https://en.bebek.com/breastfeeding-twins/

Twin Babies Don’t Know Each Other for the First 5-6 Months!

The behaviour of twin babies is also becoming the most important topic of daily conversation between families. Parents are very surprised in the first 5-6 months after babies are born; because babies act like they don’t know each other. But in the sixth and ninth months, they discover their hair, ears and catch each other. By the age of one, they become very interested in each other. Good communication between twin babies gets stronger and turns into serious teamwork at two. They are developing a language called twin talk, which they use among themselves and which only they understand.

What are The Home Care Tips for Twin Babies?

• Prepare very practical meals. 
• Stick the phone numbers of places where you can order ready-made food on the refrigerator. 
• Save time by shopping online. 
• Shop in bulk. 
• Help mom gets out and seek support from someone you trust to take care of the babies.
• Make a plan and division of labour among people who support the baby’s care, such as mom, dad, grandparents, grandparents and aunts.
• Keep a logbook for the first 3-4 weeks. Sometimes the same baby is always fed, and the other baby cannot show his hunger. For this reason, the number of feedings, defecation times, urine, whether they are fed orally or with a bottle should be noted. 

Why Twin Babies Need to Be Watched Carefully?

Stating that there are other important points about the care of twin babies, Ms. Şarman underlines that families should closely monitor the development of babies:

• From time to time, families can compare whether one of their babies is smaller than the other. Babies should be considered as two separate personalities from the moment they are born. Making comparisons can damage family relationships.
• Suppose that one of the infants has a retardation in development compared to the other. In this case, these should be recognized early and necessary interventions should be initiated without delay:
• If a one- or two-month-old baby has a rigid body, the risk of brain damage is high.
• If the baby is unable to hold his head by three or four months of age, you should consult a doctor immediately.
• Some babies may be born prematurely. For example, an eight-month-old baby born two months early is actually six months old. If this baby cannot reach and hold the toys around and does not show interest, it is necessary to try again.

Do Families Need to Have a Plan B for Themselves If the Risks Start to Increase During Pregnancy?

• A full-fledged hospital with infant intensive care should be determined where twin births can take place. The choice of the hospital becomes even more important, especially if the birth will occur below the 32nd week.
• If the medical doctor determines it that serious warnings have started, the mother should meet the intensive care team, see the centre/hospital where she will give birth, and introduce herself to the team.
• The team must organize the organization according to the babies to be born. If it is going to be a very risky birth, experts need to adjust themselves to work at the highest level, the number of nurses must be adjusted, and open heaters must be reserved for babies. Babies born extremely prematurely stay in those beds for weeks.
• Communication with family members is also essential. It is important to talk to family members every 15 days. Neonatal medicine begins before babies are born.
• Families also need to be prepared financially and have an idea about the costs. If the hospital they choose is too expensive, families need to make other plans themselves.

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Have a nice and headlthy day!