Is Your Child Ready To Stay Home Alone?
You need a gallon of milk. When is your child old enough to stay home alone while you run a quick errand? Go out for dinner? Staying home alone is an important milestone for every child, and for every parent. When your child is able to feel safe and confident alone, that can be empowering […]
Is This True? Duct Tape Treats Warts
(This column is one in an occasional series that will discuss health tips that you may have heard, read about or seen on the internet.) Does elderberry syrup help prevent (or at least treat) the flu? Although there is no scientific evidence that I could find that elderberry syrup can help prevent influenza, a study […]
Dr. Graebe Launches Building Expansion
Nothing would distress behavioral optometrist Rick Graebe of Versailles more than for his practice to start a waiting list. A specialist in Vision Therapy, which is a kind of physical therapy for the eyes, brain and body, Dr. Graebe burns with a passion to help patients. The idea that people who need his services couldn’t […]
Your Postpartum Check-Up
Before you leave the hospital after giving birth, your care provider should let you know when to schedule a postpartum check-up. It may be two, four or six weeks away, but it’s an important visit to check on your physical and emotional health. So what should you expect? Questions about your mood. Postpartum depression can […]
Feel-Good Pregnancy Nutrients
If you’re like most expecting moms, you’ve already heard that a healthy, whole foods diet is best for you and baby, one that features plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains and lean proteins. However, many expecting moms are also battling nausea and indigestion, especially during the earliest stages. That can make the idea […]
Mom’s Book: This Special Path Is Not Easy
We settled into our chairs at a local coffee shop, sipping coffee as we met for the first time. I had read Heather Amos’ book, “I’m Not OK,” and had a broader appreciation and insight into the painful and lonely reality many parents face when their children have special needs. I had questions for this […]
Take It From Dr. Ison: HFMD Is No Fun
When I was a pediatric intern, I came down with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). I had a fever and horrendous blisters in the back of my throat (but luckily not on my hands and feet). It hurt to swallow my own saliva, let alone food or drink. It gave me a deep appreciation […]
Berea Schools Adopt Dr. Graebe’s Methods
When a colleague insisted that Literacy Coach Angela Baker of Berea Independent Schools attend an information session on Vision Therapy last spring, she had no idea it would spark a plan that would benefit her entire school district. Baker heard that a few students who had been patients of Dr. Rick Graebe, a behavioral optometrist […]
Healthy Treats During Pregnancy
Dessert often tops the list of pregnancy cravings, but your prenatal diet emphasizes protein and fiber over sugar and fat. Here are some options for healthy treats that will still satisfy a sweet tooth. If you’re craving popsicles: Make your own fruit pops. Store bought popsicles are loaded with sugar and artificial dyes. Blend your […]
Key Ages When Visual Issues Begin
The earlier a visual problem is detected, the better. And early detection works best when parents know the warning signs. There are critical ages when problems can surface, indicating that a child’s visual system is developing abnormally, according to Dr. Rick Graebe, a behavioral optometrist in Versailles. Dr. Graebe treats some patients with Vision Therapy, […]
Arm Yourself With Facts to Fight Hep-A
When I was in fifth grade, a friend and fellow classmate came down with hepatitis A. I knew that he enjoyed exploring the sewers around his home looking for lizards. Since there was no vaccine against Hepatitis A at that time, I had to have a big shot of immunoglobulin to prevent me from catching […]
Keeping Kids Active Without Team Sports
Children’s sports teams are popular. Soccer, baseball, football, basketball, lacrosse, cheerleading, gymnastics, track… the list goes on. When children are young, it is nice to offer them a chance to sample sports in a noncompetitive way. They may find a sport they really like or have a natural aptitude for. Children who enjoy team sports […]
Foster Care Review Boards Need Volunteers
Citizen Foster Care Review Boards in 30 Kentucky counties – including some in the Bluegrass area – are seeking volunteers to make a difference in the lives of local children in foster care and other out-of-home care. The boards need volunteers to review cases of children placed in care because of dependency, neglect or abuse, […]
Baby Safety Month: Product Review
By Katie Saltz September is Baby Safety Month. With three kids at home, I’ve tried many different products geared toward keeping my little ones safe and healthy. Here are a few of my top picks: The Stair Barrier Baby gates can be tricky to install if you have a stairway with banisters. It’s incredibly unsafe […]
Baby-Proofing Checklist
by Chante Perryman Bringing home a new baby is an exciting memory you will always cherish. But what happens once baby gets a little bigger and more mobile? Is the nursery baby proofed to keep them safe or does it need some attention? Here are a few quick tips to help you keep your little […]
Cooking Together Nourishes Families
Most people know that sharing dinner as a family is associated with positive mental and physical health outcomes for children of all ages. To be happy, humans need a sense of belonging, and there’s nothing like the warm experience of sharing a meal to remind children that they have a home. The more often families […]
When to Keep a Child Home From School
School is starting all over the U.S. Children are coming together in classrooms to learn… and to spread illnesses. Children in schools often get sick. Sometimes they need to stay home. There are three main reasons to keep a child home from school and some guidelines for when this should be done. 1) Children who […]
Mom Says Vision Therapy Is Worth the Investment
Jane Varakin of Richmond knew that her daughter’s eyesight was 20-20 – Eileen had just had her eyes checked. Then why did the second-grader avoid reading and tell her mom that things were jumping and moving around the page and looked double? “I knew she loved to learn but why was she not interested in […]
School Is Hard So Keep Home a Safe Place
Bowen got a pink slip today for misbehaving at school. He not only feels bad and discouraged, but he is afraid to go home because he knows a punishment will be added. Mom will look disappointed and give him more evidence that he is bad. He might decide to hide the pink slip and hope […]
Food Dyes Can Trigger Hyperactivity
Artificial food dyes are found in many of the foods that we eat and drink. They are manufactured chemicals that, by coloring foods and beverages, make them look more appealing to us. These dyes are also used to preserve the colors of certain foods or to make them look consistently the same across many batches. […]