We all know how important sleep is, not sleeping enough can lead to many different issues, whether it is mental or physical. But is it the same for kids? Kids seem like they have boundless energy. They do eventually exhaust themselves, but given the opportunity, they will still run around and enjoy themselves. But does lacking sleep cause children to suffer the same consequences as adults? Getting enough sleep is super important for everyone in the family. It helps kids grow, learn, and feel good. It also helps parents stay calm and handle stress. Making a good sleep routine is like building a strong foundation for your family's health. It makes everyone feel better, both physically and emotionally. When everyone sleeps well, the whole family benefits.

How Lack Of Sleep Affects Kid’s Mental Health

Studies suggest that kids lacking sleep aids in them having mental health issues. If kids don't get enough sleep for a long time, it can change how they feel. They might start feeling sad or worried more often. According to a 2024 study published in the Sleep Advances Journal, kids who have trouble sleeping are more likely to have problems like ADHD, which makes it hard to focus. Sleep is like a cleanup crew for the brain. While you sleep, your brain organizes memories and fixes problems from the day. If you don't sleep, your brain can't do its cleanup work, and this can make it hard to learn and control your feelings.

Good sleep helps kids learn to control their feelings. According to a 2017 study published in the Neuroscience, sleep helps them learn how to manage their emotions, which is important for dealing with life. When kids sleep well, they can handle stress and problems better. Even small sleep problems, like having trouble falling asleep, can make it harder for kids to handle everyday stress. Getting enough sleep helps kids build strong emotional skills.

When Kids Sleep Well, So Do Parents

Not getting enough sleep doesn't just hurt kids; it hurts parents too. Lack of sleep makes parents more stressed and less able to handle problems. When parents don't sleep well, they can feel angry, confused, and worried. A 2019 study published in the Sleep journal showed that parents lose a lot of sleep in the first six years of a child's life. It's hard for parents to take care of their kids when they are also tired. Parents need good sleep to stay healthy and happy. A well-rested child often means fewer nighttime disturbances, leading to more restful sleep for parents. Here are some ways you can create a healthy sleep schedule for kids.

Creating Good Sleep Habits

A consistent bedtime trains the body's clock, leading to deeper sleep and improved focus in school. Regularity builds a predictable rhythm for healthy rest.

Have a calming bedtime routine

Quiet activities like reading signal the brain to wind down. A soothing routine promotes relaxation, making it easier for children to fall asleep peacefully.

Limit screen time before bed

Blue light from screens disrupts melatonin, the sleep hormone. Turning off devices an hour before bed allows the brain to prepare for rest.

Make the bedroom dark, quiet, and cool

A comfortable sleep environment fosters uninterrupted rest. Darkness, silence, and a cool temperature help the body achieve optimal sleep quality.

Good sleep helps everyone

Adequate sleep regulates mood and reduces irritability. A well-rested family experiences less tension and improved emotional well-being overall.

Parents of young kids will often tell how difficult it is to handle energetic toddlers. They have so much energy and not a lot of places they can use it, causing them to be disruptive. But this Instagram mom has found the best hack to tackle this. The mom of two shared a parenting trick she uses to expend her toddler's energy in a productive way. In the video she makes a cardboard tool that her toddler can use to fold laundry. Not only did she involve her child, but she also reduced her workload just by a small bit.

The video quickly gained attention online, with many parents praising the creative idea. People loved how simple and effective the tool was, and how it made laundry fun for kids. However, some people expressed concern, saying it looked like "child labor." They felt it wasn't appropriate to ask such young children to do chores.

Should You Involve Kids In Household Chores?

Experts who study child development and parenting generally agree that the folding tool is a good idea. They believe it's a positive way to introduce young children to chores.

Using the tool is seen as a fun way for kids to learn new skills. Even if they don't fully understand the purpose of folding laundry, they are still learning how to follow steps and use their hands. This kind of activity helps with their development and they get positive feedback when they complete the task. The tool makes a task that could be boring into a game.

The activity teaches children about helping with household tasks, and also helps them practice using their small muscles. Folding and stacking clothes can be fun for young children, so it feels like play. Doing chores together also helps build a connection between parents and children.

How Does This Help Their Development?

According to American Academy Of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, kids as young as 3 can benefit from doing chores. Kids who help out around the house often feel better about themselves, learn to be responsible, and get better at handling tough situations. These skills help them do well in school, work, and with friends. Kids have different feelings about chores. Some love to help, while others don't. But there are lots of good things that come from giving kids chores that match their age:

• They learn how to manage their time.
• They learn how to organize things.
• They learn to be a responsible part of the family.
• They can feel successful, especially if they struggle with other things.
• They learn how to balance work and fun.
• They build a strong base for being independent.

How To Encourage Your Kids To Do Chores?

When kids start chores depends on their age and family. Here are some things you should consider.

Individual Readiness

Parents should start chores when kids show they can help. This means they follow simple rules and try things alone. Even little kids can put toys away or throw trash. Watch each child closely; each one learns at their own speed.

Age-Appropriate Guidelines

Some chores fit different ages. Young kids can put toys away. Older kids can fold clothes or wash dishes. Teens can cook or do yard work. These are just ideas; every child is different.

Flexibility and Positive Reinforcement

Pick chores that match a child's age and skills. This makes them more likely to succeed and have fun. Always praise kids when they do chores. Good words help a lot.

Parents are struggling to find the correct information on the on going avian influenza A(H5N1), which is commonly known as bird flu. As per the University of Michigan Health CS Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health conducted this survey where they asked parents if they were aware about the on-going bird flu and how to handle poultry products.

The survey included 2,021 parents of children aged 18 and younger. While 43% reported that they were unable to find accurate information, 1 in 5 parents said that the media is actually making way too big deal about the virus. However 41% of the parents wish that the government was doing more to prevent the outbreak.

The survey also revealed that one-third of the parents took action to protect their family against the bird flu, while 22% were being more careful about the hygiene. Of them, 13% were cautious handling eggs, chicken and other meat products, 12% avoid contact with birds, and 10% avoided raw milk.

25% of the parents were concerned about possible transmission between animals and humans or human-to-human spread.

So, what can be done? How can you handle poultry safely?

Pasteurisation and cooking them at high temperatures can curb the threat. It is also important to handle your poultry products when you are buying and storing them.

Also, avoid drinking raw milk to kill avian influenza A(H5N1).

The meat juice can spill over and contaminate other food items, therefore it is extremely important to store it properly, in a way that it does not contaminate another food item. Always store it in a cool bag when you are transporting it and refrigerate and freeze the meat for the first two hours of buying.

You must also cook your chicken so the viruses do not survive on the chicken.

How To Handle Eggs Safely?

Flu viruses can infect chicken eggs by entering through the eggshell. The eggshells are smaller than the pores of eggshells, which means viruses can enter the eggs and the egg's surface will still be protected. However, it is still important to handle it safely.

As per the US Food and Drug Administration, cooking poultry, eggs and other animal products to the proper temperature and preventing cross-contamination between raw and cooked food.

Is It Safe To Eat Chicken?

Yes, chicken and eggs are still safe to consume, as long as they are thoroughly cooked. Cooking chicken to the internal temperature of at least 165°F kills bacteria, viruses, and other germs, such as H5N1. The most accurate method of assuring that food is cooked is to use a meat thermometer.

Safe food handling is crucial:

• Do not wash raw chicken prior to cooking since this can spread bacteria.
• Maintain a hygienic kitchen by disinfecting countertops and washing hands both before and after touching raw meat.
• Prevent cross-contamination by employing distinct cutting boards and utensils for raw and cooked food.

Reject suspect eggs that are small, soft-shelled, or deformed since these may be a sign of infection in hens, though infected birds usually discontinue laying eggs before the situation gets worse.

The outbreak of bird flu has added substantially to the cost of eggs. Millions of birds have been slaughtered to avoid spreading the virus, and as a result, egg shortages have spread throughout the nation. Although it has impacted supply chains, it has not rendered store-bought eggs unsafe. If you buy eggs, check for pasteurized eggs to provide an additional level of security.

What Should You Avoid?

Raw or undercooked chicken

Raw or soft eggs

Raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products

Cross-contaminated foods

Meat from unregulated sources

Children should completely avoid "slushy" ice drinks. It contains glycerol, which has the possibility to make kids very sick. Researchers have also recommended that the right age is to wait till the kid is 8 year old. The researchers studied cases of 21 two-to-seven-years-old in the UK and Ireland who needed emergency treatment soon after drinking a slushy product. These are bright colored drinks which appeal to kids because of their attractive colors.

These drinks mostly contain naturally occurring sweetener glycerol, instead of sugar to stop the drink from freezing solid and give the slushy effect. As per the Food Standards Agency (FSA), kids under five should avoid these drinks and kids under 11 should not have more than one. The advice comes in the backdrop of young kids being intoxicated by glycerol and causing them shock and hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar. This could also lead to loss of consciousness.

Two-year-old Arla and four-year-old Albie are among several children who ended up in the hospital after drinking slushies. A study published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood examined 21 cases where children required accident-and-emergency (A&E) treatment within an hour of consuming the drinks. These cases were recorded mostly between 2018 and 2024.

What is Glycerol Intoxication Syndrome?

Doctors found that the children suffered from glycerol intoxication syndrome, a condition that affected them in various ways:

Most lost consciousness and showed signs of low blood sugar and high acidity levels.

• Four children needed brain scans.
• One child experienced a seizure.

Despite these severe reactions, all affected children recovered and were discharged with advice to avoid slushies in the future.

Why Are Parents Unaware?

Professor Ellen Crushell, the study’s lead author from Dublin, warns that the 21 cases could be just the "tip of the iceberg." Many children may experience milder symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, but never seek hospital treatment.

Paediatricians in the UK and Ireland highlight the difficulty in determining how much glycerol is in slushy drinks. Since recommended intake levels are based on a child's weight, parents may struggle to assess the risk. Other factors, such as how quickly the drink is consumed and whether it is taken with a meal or after exercise, also influence its effects.

Should Age-Based Guidelines Be Introduced?

Dr. Sally Anne Wilson, chair of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s Safer Care Committee, suggests that age-based guidelines might be a better way to regulate slushie consumption. Since children's weights vary, setting an age restriction could simplify safety recommendations.

“There’s definitely an argument for increasing the minimum age,” Dr. Wilson told BBC Breakfast. This approach would help parents make safer choices for their children without needing to calculate safe glycerol intake.

Why Are Slushies Causing More Issues Now?

One possible reason for the rise in cases is the lower sugar content in slushies. Many parents opt for these drinks because they appear to be a healthier alternative. However, in countries without a sugar tax, slushies contain more glucose and often no glycerol at all. This suggests that the reformulation of slushie drinks in some regions could be contributing to the problem.

What Are Authorities Saying?

Rebecca Sudworth, director of policy at the Food Standards Agency (FSA), says the organization is reviewing the study’s findings.

The FSA continues to advise that slushie drinks should not be given to children under four years old, and retailers should ensure parents are aware of this guidance.

While glycerol intoxication symptoms are typically mild, excessive consumption can pose a risk, making awareness crucial for parents