Studies show that babies with October birthdays have strong minds and bodies
If your kiddo has an October birthday, they’re in great company. It should come as no surprise that people ranging from U.S. presidents to award-winning actors also have October birthdays because when it comes to sports and politics, health, and longevity, October babies seem to take first place no matter what they do. Wondering how you’ll celebrate your little pumpkin? Be inspired by 2023’s most popular birthday themes, party favors the kids will actually use, and unique birthday desserts you need to try.
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They’re Presidential
More U.S. Presidents are born in October than any other month of the year. Maybe someday your own POTUS will take their seat in the Oval Office like their fellow October babies Presidents Adams, Eisenhower, Carter, and Theodore Roosevelt.
They’re Award Winners
Politicians aren’t the only famous faces who are born in the season of pumpkin spice and everything nice. With several award-winning actors, like Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, and Julie Andrews born in October, you might want to start planning that acceptance speech for your young thespian now.
They Have Two Birthstones
The October birthstones are Opal, which is a whiteish stone that reflects rainbow colors, and Tourmaline, which is a deep pink stone.
Batter up! One study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine found that babies born in October and November performed better than those born in other months on tests of strength, stamina, and cardiovascular fitness.
They Live the Longest
While October babies have the highest risk of disease among all birth months, they don’t let that stop them from living very long lives. According to a 2011 study of over 1,500 centenarians (or people who live to be 100), babies born between September and November live the longest.
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They’re Taller
If their athletic ability leads to a basketball career, October babies are in luck. A study from Bristol University found that babies born in the autumn months, including October, were, on average, slightly taller than their peers.
People Born in October Are Either Libras or Scorpios
People whose birthdays fall between Oct. 1 - Oct. 22 fall under the sign of Libra, and those born Oct. 23-Oct. 31 fall under the sign of Scorpio. Libras are known for their obsession with balance and symmetry. They tend to thrive in creative roles since they are drawn to art and intellectualism and can thrive in almost any social situation. Scorpios tend to be incredibly intuitive. They hold their cards close to their chest, and when striving towards a goal, they're most likely three steps ahead of others.
A 2017 study from La Trobe University School of Psychology and Public Health in Melbourne found that babies who were in utero for an entire grass pollen season were at lower risk of developing allergies and allergic diseases, like asthma, later in life. In the United States, grass pollen season typically runs from May to August, which means October babies get a full season in the womb.
They’re Making History
October is a month of many history-making firsts. The tenth month of the year has seen the first sale of the Ford Model T, the swearing-in of the first African American Supreme Court Justice, the start of the space age with the launch of Sputnik, and of course, the birth of your future history-maker.
Here are a few unique traits that make babies born in this month special
Pumpkin spice lattes aren’t the only reason why September calls for celebration. Did you know that September is the most popular month of the year to be born? Yup! According to a study done by Reader’s Digest, nine of the 10 most common birthdays are in September. So get ready to party, and discover some other interesting facts about your September baby.
They’re happier.
Success is great, but nothing is more important than happiness. Time reports people born in the fall months are the least likely to suffer from depression. They are also the least likely to suffer from bipolar disorder, but studies disagree on whether it’s because there’s still a lot of fresh produce in the fall or short winter days haven’t set in yet.
People born in September are at the top of their class.
Being a September baby means higher rates of academic success, according to a study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Most September babies are the oldest kids in their class thanks to enrollment cut-off dates that often lead to these tykes getting a late start in school. That late start, also known as red-shirting, means that kids born in September are more mature, which was shown to have a significant impact on their cognitive development and test scores throughout primary school.
They probably make good co-workers.
People born in September fall under either the Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22) or Libra (Sept. 22 – Oct. 22) astrology sign. One strength of a Virgo baby is that they’re hardworking and analytical, and Libra babies are cooperative and diplomatic, all of which are good qualities in a teammate.
Academics aren’t the only thing September babies are successful at. Babies born in the fall are more likely to succeed in athletics as well. For the same reasons that they are successful in the classroom, being the oldest often gives them an on-field advantage in size and strength.
The birthstone for September is a sapphire.
One of the world’s most precious gemstones, ancient Greek and Roman societies believed this brilliant blue stone would protect those who wore it from harm and envy. In medieval Europe, the sapphire was also thought to have healing powers.
They tend to live longer.
People born in September and November are more likely to live to be 100. According to a study from the University of Chicago that analyzed data from over 1,500 centurions, most people who live to be 100 are born during these months. The reason for this, the researchers suggest, is that this group was less likely to suffer from seasonal infections early in life, which could impact life-long health.
People born in September have strong bones.
A study conducted by Bristol University concluded that babies born in late summer and early fall had thicker bones than babies born during the rest of the year. Wider bones are thought to be stronger and less prone to breaking especially later in life, which is good news if you live to be 100.
There are lots of famous people born in September.
Every birth month can claim a celebrity or two, but September is flooded with famous faces blowing out their birthday candles. Keanu Reeves, Will Smith, and Beyonce are just some of the A-list stars born in September, but it doesn’t stop there. Some of your kid’s favorite authors and creative minds are also September babies, including Roald Dahl, Shel Silverstein, and Jim Henson.
End-of-summer kiddos may have these personality traits in common
Have you got an August baby in your life? A bun in the oven almost all done? You may be wondering what type of personality traits are common in August-born people. Are they curious? Will they be famous? Are they determined? Maybe all of the above! Here are some interesting facts about people born in August.
They’ll Probably Be The Youngest in Their Class
Since many schools have a Sept. 1st cutoff for kindergarten, your August baby may end up being the youngest kid in her class. This can be good or bad, depending on where your kid is at—socially, physically, and emotionally. Some kids struggle; others do just fine (and almost all end up catching up in the long run).
They’re Confident and Strong-Willed
The stars have a lot to say about August-born babies (though we always take these messages with a grain of salt). The Zodiac sign for people born in August is either Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) or Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22), with both signs being known for confidence, smarts, and a strong will. They’ll never back down from an argument, according to this online astrology site, so get ready to stand your ground, parents.
They’re (Slightly) Less Likely to Go to College
According to findings from the National Bureau of Economic Research, as noted in The Wall Street Journal, august-born kids may be at a disadvantage when it comes to college admissions. This is attributed to the fact that many schools have a Sept. 1 cutoff for kindergarten, so kids with August birthdays are the youngest in the class. The research found that August-born kids were 2.1% less likely than September children to attend college, 3.3% less likely to graduate from college, and 7.2% less likely to graduate from a selective college.
They May Be Misdiagnosed with ADHD
Studies show that kids born in August are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than those born in other months. But here’s the good news: It doesn’t necessarily mean they actually have ADHD: Research published in 2016 by the Journal of Pediatrics found that summer-born kids are often misdiagnosed with behavior problems when the real issue is simply that they’re younger and not yet ready for the rigor of the school day.
If you think your August babe is always smiling, you may be right. Research from Vanderbilt University found that people with summer birthdays are less likely to be depressed than people born in the cooler months. It could be because of all that vitamin D exposure in the womb. Still, researchers also theorize that a newborn’s “biological clock” may be permanently stamped by the summer’s long light cycle—and that stamp brings a sunnier disposition.
They Tend to Be Bigger
According to this Cambridge University study of more than 450,000 people in the U.K., babies born in August (and June and July) have higher birth weights—and may even grow into taller adults—than babies born in other months. The size difference was attributed to the fact that women who give birth in late summer are exposed to more vitamin D during pregnancy, which is beneficial to the baby’s growth and development. Interestingly, the study also found that girls born in the summer tend to start puberty later (which is linked to lower rates of breast cancer, teen pregnancy, and HPV). Hooray for sunshine!
They May Be More Likely to Get the Flu
A new study from a pair of doctor-dads concluded that summer-born kids are more likely to get the flu, based on the fact that their annual check-ups occur in the summer before the latest flu vaccine is available.
There Are Two Birthstones for the Month of August
Here’s an interesting August birthday fact: there are two birthstones for the eighth month of the year. Peridot is a yellow-gold stone known as the gem of compassion and represents peace and harmony. Spinel can be found in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, red, and blue. The gem is believed to inspire relaxation in those who wear it and is associated with energy and joy.
There Are a Lot of Them!
Your baby won’t be the only summer birthday party on your social calendar. According to the CDC, August is the most common month to be born in the United States (meaning that November and December are the most common months for conception). Blame it on the holiday spirit! Or the cold.
Whether they’re flopping onto the floor in protest, defiantly slamming their bedroom door, or giving you the silent treatment, kids are almost always expressing their feelings. But how they do it is what matters: Punching a sibling? Not so helpful. Talking about the fact they want to sock their sib? That’s progress.
From testy two-year-olds to temperamental tweens, here are some tips on how to help kids express their feelings at every age (according to experts):
Teaching Toddlers To Express Their Feelings (Ages 1-4)
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Take it from Goldstein: Toddlers are all about their feelings. “Kids under 4 all look like they have bipolar disorder because they’re driven by emotion,” joked the neuropsychologist, who sees more than 500 kids a year at his Salt Lake City clinic.
Not only are these little people feeling all their emotions in the biggest way possible—but they also don’t yet have the tools to express their feelings in a way we grownups deem appropriate. “Children have an experience; then they have an emotional reaction. Early on, it’s ‘‘I’m either happy or I’m not happy,” Goldstein said.
Add that to the fact most kids lack impulse control, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for big reactions like hitting, crying, and tantrums.
According to Bryana Kappadakunnel, a licensed marriage and family therapist and perinatal mental health specialist in Los Angeles, “Toddlers are up against an internal drive for independence, limited impulse control, and a streak of possessiveness—all of which makes this job tougher, but not impossible. With time, patience, and consistent nurturing, parents can actively teach their toddlers how to identify and express their emotions.”
Some tips to get toddlers talking:
Validate your child’s emotions. No matter how small things may seem to you, try to empathize with your child’s feelings. “You can say, ‘I can see that you’re feeling sad because your toy broke. It’s okay to feel that way,’” said Goldstein.
Read board books about emotions daily. Kappadakunnel recommends The Way I Feel, Todd Parr’s Feelings books, and Calm Down Timeas great books to teach little kids about emotions (and how to handle them).
Name YOUR feelings. The way you handle your emotions may be the best teacher of all. Say things like “I’m feeling frustrated!” and model the skill you’re going to use to help: “I’m going to take a deep breath and count to 5 before I do anything else.” This helps kids learn effective ways of dealing with their feelings.
Get on your child’s level (literally). If your child seems resistant, Kappadakunnel recommends getting down on one knee and speaking slowly and clearly to your child since “too many words at once can be overwhelming to toddlers.”
It’s OK if you don’t know what to say. If you’re feeling stumped on what to say to help your child, Kappadakunnel recommends saying, “Something feels really big inside. I’m here for you.”
If they can’t express their feelings in words, try this game. Abigail Wald, whose unconventional parenting advice and coaching program has helped more than 10,000 families, has a genius solution for young kids who have a hard time expressing their feelings. “Put up both your hands and say, ‘If you’re feeling like this, touch this hand; if you’re feeling like that, press this hand.’ This makes it a game; you’re making it fun to express themselves, and they don’t have to use words—they can speak in actions,” she said.
By around age 5, most kids have a basic understanding of what they’re supposed to do when asked to express their feelings, but their newfound sense of independence—plus a stubborn streak common among kids this age—might get in the way.
Some tips to get kinder/elementary-aged kids talking:
Find the right time. You might be ready for a heart-to-heart, but it doesn’t mean your kids are. Try to find a time when kids may be open to talking. Here’s a hint: It probably won’t be right after school when most kids need to decompress. Bedtime often works since there are fewer distractions, and kids are usually more relaxed.
Wait until your kids are calm. You can’t talk to a child (of any age) about their feelings when they’re mid-fit. Wait until the child is calm (you can even wait until much later, like bedtime) to bring up what they might have been feeling. For example: “I noticed earlier you were only upset when I dropped you off at school. What’s up?”
Regulate YOUR emotions in front of your kids. If you want your kids to deal with their emotions effectively, you should do the same—and do it in front of them! That means try not to lose your temper, and if you do, explain why and what you were feeling.
Resist the urge to negate their feelings. Often, our first response as parents when our children say something negative is to immediately say something to make the child feel better: Your kid says, “I don’t have any friends;” you shoot back, “Yes, you do!”
But Goldstein said parents should resist this urge to contradict their child’s feelings. “If I’m a child expressing my feelings to a parent and the parent shuts me down, the first thing I learn is that they’re not listening to me, and the second thing I learn is that I’m not going to tell them anything negative anymore because they don’t want to hear it.” Instead, he suggests saying something like, “Yeah, no one likes to feel that way. I can help you with it.”
Name the child’s emotion without telling them how they’re feeling: Help your child recognize what they’re feeling without telling them directly. Use phrases like “It seems like you’re worried,” or, “I think it upset you when Jonnie picked up your shovel.” Then wait to see what they say.
“We can help children understand that feelings give rise to action or behavior. Say things like, ‘You must have been very angry if you threw a block at your sister,‘ and follow up with, ‘Do you remember what made you angry?‘” said Ted Hutman, a developmental psychologist in Los Angeles.
Tell stories to relate with your child. It helps kids to know you can relate to their feelings—so Hutman recommends telling stories about times you’ve felt similar big emotions (you can do this long after your child has expressed an emotion). For instance, if your child is upset about how a friend treated them, tell a story about a time in your life when a friend hurt you—and how you handled it.
Practice perspective-taking. Find opportunities to discuss how other people may be feeling, Hutman said. This can be done while you’re reading to your child (“How do you think this character felt when that happened?”) or when your child tells you about something that happened at school (“What do you think your friend felt when she forgot to dress up for Pajama Day?”).
Realize your child may already be expressing herself. Did your child storm off to her room and slam that door? Sometimes, that says enough. “If a child storms off, that may actually be a healthy response,” said Wald, founder of the Mother Flipping Awesome podcast and parent support program. “She may be a child who has big feelings, and storming off may actually be a loving and self-protective mechanism whereby they are not ready to talk—so you wait. It doesn’t have to get dealt with in the moment.”
Teaching Teens and Tweens to Express Their Feelings (Ages 9-14)
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Moody much? Teens and tweens run the gamut when it comes to self-expression: Some will gab away endlessly; others won’t say a word. But remember: Even ignoring you is a form of expression in itself. So get out your detective cap, look for clues into how your child is feeling, and figure out innovative ways to get them to open up.
Some tips for getting teens and tweens talking:
Tell your story. If your teen or tween doesn’t want to talk about her feelings, “that’s absolutely fine,” said Wald. “You can talk about yours. They will likely moan and groan and roll their eyes but they ARE listening,” said Wald.
Focus on solutions:
Want to get a teenager to open up? Make it worth their while. Make it clear that a conversation may lead to a desired change. Goldstein recommends what he calls the G.R.O.W. approach:
Ask your child, “What is the Goal—What are you trying to accomplish? “I want to stay up later.”
Ask, “What’s the Reality?” I have school tomorrow.
Ask, “What Options do we have?” Let’s write some things down, like, ‘If you go to bed every night during the week, you can stay up later on the weekends.”
Find a Way forward. Let’s pick a solution and see if it works better for you.
Set a timer. If you’ve got a kid who doesn’t like to talk, sometimes having a set time for talking (about anything!) works. Tell your child the conversation will end when the 5-minute timer goes off—and follow through. These short conversations don’t have to be deep—asking questions about the day works as a start.
Talk to them on THEIR schedule. “Just because we want to understand what’s going on with somebody doesn’t mean it’s the right time for them to share that with us,” Wald said.
Hint: Try to find a time to talk when your teen/tween is relaxed and not in the middle of something. This could be at bedtime (away from siblings), during a long car drive, or while walking the dog.
Change the scenery. There’s a reason child psychologists spend most of their sessions playing board games with kids: Children (and teens) are more likely to open up if they’re relaxed and having fun. So try mixing things up. Wald recommends going for a walk, taking a drive, or playing a game outside.
Recognize that not everyone likes to talk about feelings. For some people, talking helps. For others, it does the opposite. “I think we have to respect that this culture of talking about our feelings is not true for everybody. For some people, it feels as good as standing on a high wire if you fear heights. It’s not comforting; it’s almost traumatizing,” said Wald.
The stigma and the misinformation surrounding mental illness are staggering.
How many adults believe that depression is “just being sad”? That the weather can be “bipolar”? That you can call yourself OCD because you’re a little too organized? That suicide threats are never acted on? That mentally ill people are dangerous? That prayer, or sunshine, or positive thinking will cure all mental disorders?
We can’t do much about educating and informing the adult population that all those beliefs are false. But we can avoid raising another generation that buys into these misconceptions – if we start now with mental health education in schools.
Whenever someone proposes this idea, there are common objections. You want kindergartners to learn about schizophrenia. You’ll have impressionable kids thinking they have every disorder you teach about. Discussing suicide will give teens ideas.
Again, those are misconceptions. Mental health education in schools could look like this:
In kindergarten and grades 1-2, part of the health curriculum should be a unit about understanding emotions and how to deal with them. This is already being done when teachers tell kids to “use your words” or “use your indoor voice.” But more could be done in the area of teaching children how they can keep from letting anger, sadness, frustration, and other emotions cause them difficulties. Yes, this may involve techniques that resemble meditation and yes, these may be controversial, but the outcomes will be beneficial.
I also think that young children ought to be taught about autism. They will certainly meet autistic children in their classes at this age. Helping them understand the condition at their age level will, one can hope, lead to more inclusion and less bullying of kids who are “different.”
Older children can learn about mental illness in their science or health classes. This should be a unit that covers the basic facts: that mental illness is like physical illness in some ways, that treatment is available, that mental or emotional disorders will affect one in four Americans in their lifetimes, and that mentally ill persons are not generally dangerous.
Middle schoolers can be taught some more specifics: the names and symptoms of some of the most common disorders, the kinds of treatments available, famous people who have succeeded in spite of mental disorders and ordinary people who live fulfilling lives despite them. Speakers from local mental health centers or the school guidance counselor would be helpful.
The topics of self-harm and suicide should be brought upat the middle school level. It is sad but true that children in the middle school age range are affected by both – if not directly, by knowing a classmate who is. And suicide is the third leading cause of death for children ages 10-14. Learning the facts may help students who need it find help before it is too late.
In high school, the focus can shift to human psychology; more detail about serious psychological conditions; and the possibility of careers in mental health treatment, nursing, or advocacy. Topics of self-harm and suicide should be covered in greater detail, with discussions of how suicide affects the families and loved ones of those who die by suicide, how to recognize possible signs that a person is thinking about suicide or self-harm, and what does and doesn’t work when a person shows those signs.
The details of mental health education in schools still need to be worked out. These suggestions come from my experience as a person with bipolar disorder, who began showing symptoms while I was a child. Organizations such as NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) provide resources that can help in understanding the need for mental health education among school-aged children.
Understanding mental health is as important for schoolchildren as understanding physical health. Why should one get all the attention and the other virtually none? Mental health education that begins early can help children and their families in ways that will resonate far into the future.
Most adults have little to no understanding of the realities of mental illness. It doesn’t have to be the same for the next generation.
Hi! I'm a freelance writer and editor who writes about education, books, cats and other pets, bipolar disorder, and anything else that interests me. I live in Ohio with my husband and a varying number of cats.
I have bipolar disorder. My husband is my caregiver. He didn’t sign up for this gig when we met, except for later vowing the part about “in sickness and in health” when we married. I could not negotiate life without him. I try to thank him daily.
My mother was my father’s caregiver when he was dying of multiple myeloma. She knew she was doing a good job of taking care of him, but she asked me to tell her that. She needed someone to tell her she was doing it right.
So this is for my husband and my mother, and for caregivers everywhere.
Thank you. Good job. We need you and we know it.
Some of you are unpaid caregivers who help loved ones for the necessity of it, for the obligation of it, or for the love of it. All of you deserve our thanks.
Some caregivers receive pay, and you deserve our thanks, too. There are many other professions or jobs you could be doing, but you chose to help those who needed it most.
All parents are caregivers, but the parents of special needs children are extra special. You share a task and a worth that few others recognize. You didn’t ask for the job, but you step up to it every day.
You work in homes, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, schools, and group homes. Your work matters more than most people realize. You help not just the sick, but the struggling, the frail, the dying, and the trying.
Respite care workers deserve recognition too. You allow caregivers to continue their work refreshed – give them a space to catch their breath and recharge their spirits. You are caregivers as well.
The care you all give is not easily definable. It involves the physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional needs of the medically, mentally, or emotionally fragile. It provides sustenance, both literal and figurative. It keeps the people you care for going, or helps them lay down their struggles.
Recently I wrote a blog post called “Caregivers Need Care Too,” specifically about people who care for the mentally disturbed. It talked about what caregivers need in return for the attention, care, support, assistance, and love they give.
In it I said that those who care for others need something from those they care for, and from the rest of society. They need appreciation, validation, time away to refresh and re-energize themselves, understanding, support, and recognition. Not all of the people you care for are capable of giving back, for whatever reason.
So, please accept this from me, one who has known caregivers and benefited from caregivers, and loved caregivers. Your work and your devotion do not go unnoticed, Even if the ones you care for are not capable of saying “thank you,” I say it for them.
You are appreciated. You are worthy. You are loved. You are respected. You make a difference. You have value. You are valued. Even if you never hear these words from those you care for, please accept them from me.
Hi! I'm a freelance writer and editor who writes about education, books, cats and other pets, bipolar disorder, and anything else that interests me. I live in Ohio with my husband and a varying number of cats.
Parents must remain ever-vigilant so that seemly innocuous video games don’t serve as a gateway to destructive adult behavior for their children.
According to watchdogs, a growing number of children face the risk of gambling addiction. The online gaming industry—fueled by in-app purchases— shapes children’s spending habits which will likely last well into adulthood.
However, parents can protect their children from the increasing risk of gambling addiction by keeping a watchful eye on their kids’ behavior. By remaining watchful for addictive behavior, parents can protect their kids from becoming lost in the world of online gambling.
Get in Front of the Problem
Studies show that 70% of teens check their cell phones as soon as they wake up. So, what’s a parent to do in a world where kids do everything on their phone? The answer is to guide kids in developing habits that reduce their chances of developing addictive behavior.
Today, it’s challenging to separate kids from their mobile devices. Many parents introduce children to smartphones at an early age because it’s an easy way to track their kids’ location. However, it’s not as easy to control what kids do with those devices.
Parents can set an example for their kids by limiting their own screen time. For example, you can specify non-digital periods, where no family members use digital devices and participate in group activities. Shari Harding, an expert in mental and psychiatric health and professor within the online master of nursing program at Regis College says, “The key here is to look at the big picture: how much time is being spent on video games and is it excessive? Is it to the exclusion of other important things, like homework, socialization, exercise, family time together?
Are there other signs that your child might have mental health symptoms they are struggling to cope with such as anxiety, social anxiety, or depression or stressors such as poor school performance for which they are seeking an escape through gaming,” says Harding.
Children learn by watching their parents. Even when they don’t realize it, kids are developing their smartphone habits by observing how their parents use their devices.
Accordingly, parents shouldn’t check their phones while driving, exhibit poor digital citizenship—such as cyberbullying—or let their devices distract them from human interaction.
Parents should also evaluate how much time they spend on their devices. They should also consider whether what they do with their devices is beneficial for themselves and their family.
The Thin Line Between Gaming and Gambling
Gambling is everywhere. It’s in tourist destinations and, in some states, even local convenience stores—and it’s been growing increasingly popular online.
Gambling addiction is a severe problem. Financial ruin due to gambling addiction can lead some people to commit suicide.
In the United Kingdom, the number of 11 to 16-year-olds that physicians diagnose as problem gamblers have quadrupled over the last two years to 55,000 youths. Also, researchers estimate that 70,000 11 to 16-year-olds are high-risk candidates for developing a gambling addiction.
The UK Gambling Commission estimates that nearly half a million 11 to 16-year-olds spend approximately $20 gambling every week. Also, gambling enterprises in the United Kingdom have exposed 60% of 11 to 16-year-olds to advertisements through social media as well as 66% through television.
Still, parents are responsible for protecting their kids from gambling addiction. Accordingly, they must talk to their children about the risk of gambling. It’s better to talk about it now—before it becomes a problem.
For some, gambling is a safe, enjoyable activity. For others, however, the insatiable need to wager irresponsible amounts of money in hopes of winning more leads to severe adverse outcomes. Also, people who suffer from gambling addiction typically feel anxious when they’re not betting.
In the United States, 2 million adults meet the criteria for gambling addiction, according to the National Council on Problem Gaming. Gambling can affect anyone, regardless of age, sex or socioeconomic status. Not all gambling addicts exhibit external signs of a problem, and 71% of people with a gambling problem do not seek help, according to the Journal of Gambling Studies.
Researchers link compulsive gambling with conditions such as bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and attention deficit disorder, according to the Mayo Clinic. Gambling doesn’t cause these conditions, but it can make them worse.
“In any addictive-type behaviors, there can be a ‘transfer’ of the addiction from one thing to another, such as from video games to overeating to alcohol or vice versa,” says Harding.
With each generation, people become more entrenched in technology. In a world where wagering is the only difference between video games and gambling, parents must help children find a balance between the digital realm and the real world.
Of course, gambling operations should assume the responsibly of mitigating gambling addiction. Academics should also make an effort to discuss the risk of gambling with students. Ultimately, however, the responsibility is on parents to protect their kids from the dangers of the world.
Gambling is a serious but often hidden, social ill. For parents who want the best for their children, now is the time to speak up to prevent kids from making bad decisions that can follow them for a lifetime.
Sarah Daren has been a consultant for startups in industries including health and wellness, wearable technology, and education. She implements her health knowledge into every aspect of her life, including her position as a yoga instructor and raising her children. Sarah enjoys watching baseball and reading on the beach.
The demands of modern society have inadvertently paved the way for the prevalence of depression amongst the global population. Initially, it was presumed that the adult population is more susceptible to this mental disorder due to the excessive stress levels that they have to deal with. Statistics provided by the Depression and Bipolar Disorder Alliance states that approximately 15 million American adults suffer from various depressive disorders throughout their lifetime. This accounts for up to 6.7 percent of the adult population.
On the other hand, the National Institute of Mental Health also published a report that highlights depression as a common mental disorder amongst adolescents. It is estimated that up to 3 million individuals aged between 12 and 17 suffer from depression in 2014. This represents 11.4 percent of the total US population within that age group. These statistics explain the need for immediate medical assistance to be made available to help those affected. As most children might not have the necessary abilities to manage depression on their own, it is vital for their parents to play an active role.
Here are few ways parents can help their kids.
Positive Diagnosis
Before diving into the variety of depression treatments, parents first have to identify the signs of depression that may hint that the child is suffering from depression. Most children suffering from depressive disorders are unable to seek assistance mainly because they are unaware of the severity of their condition.
They might attribute it as part of the growing up process and ignore its consequences. It should be noted that children who are depressed might not necessarily appear sad. Instead, parents should look out for other prominent factors such as anger, irritability, and agitation. Although these symptoms are associated with a child’s development, the persistent influence in a child’s behavior should indicate the presence of a deeper problem.
Communicate & Encourage
After identifying red flags that could hint at the development of depression, parents need to build a positive communication feedback loop with their child. This might not be as easy as it sounds. Ultimately, not many people can accept the fact that they are susceptible to mental disorders. Therefore, parents need to abide by a few guidelines to help them bridge the gap with their child.
First and foremost, parents should adopt a listening approach. It is essential that they do not start lecturing their child on the disorder as it creates a negative impression. Once they can get their child to share, parents should acknowledge their feelings and experiences. Some of their concerns might seem irrational or silly at times, but it is the result of the disorder and should not be dismissed immediately. At the end of the fruitful sharing sessions, parents might want to open up the possibility of seeking professional help for their child as well.
Focus on Physical Health
It is well-known that physical and mental health are intricately connected. The prevalence of depression can be exacerbated by a lack of physical activities, insufficient sleep, or inadequate dietary intake. In identifying their child’s depressive disorder, parents should not neglect to focus on their physical health as well. For instance, parents can prepare balanced nutritious and healthy diet plan for their child or encourage them to participate actively in outdoor activities.
Seek Medical Help
After helping their child to implement a healthy lifestyle and building a positive communication process, parents should suggest that their child seeks professional help. Rather than making the decisions for them, parents should include their child and allow them to choose the treatment options that they are most comfortable with.
Some might be open to consultation with a psychologist or psychiatrist, but others would prefer medication to help them cope with depression. Alternatively, memory supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and vitamin B-12 are known to aid in managing depression too.
The onset of depression in any child should not be taken lightly. As most children are not capable of identifying the possible depressive symptoms, every parent bears the responsibility of keeping an eye out for these indications. While the prevalence of such a mental disorder can be hard to accept, parents are advised to adopt a patient approach towards helping their child. Based on the step-by-step guide suggested above, parents have a higher chance of improving their child manage their mental disorder efficiently.
I am a health enthusiast and a passionate writer. My primary expertise is in beauty and skin care but I have also published articles on health, wellness and fitness. My sincerity and thoughtfulness resonate with readers and my enthusiasm is contagious.
Scientists have uncovered evidence that the month you are born can play a role in how your personality develops. No, we’re not talking about your astrological sign, but rather how the season of a birth can have an impact on how babies develop.
As Jeffrey Kluger reports in Time, multiple studies have shown the effects of seasonal changes on babies, both in the womb and as newborns. For example, for babies born during the winter, when cold and flu season is in full swing, viruses are more likely to affect maternal health and infant development. Another example found that mouse pups who were born in winter had a difficult time adjusting circadian rhythms as days grew longer in summer and had poorer eating habits and lowered activity levels.
Kluger breaks down the seasons and the typical personality traits that come with each one based on scientific research. Spring babies are more likely to be optimistic, but on the downside they are also the group most susceptible to depression. Summer babies also display similar optimistic personalities, but they are often prone to rapidly flip flopping from good to bad moods. Fall babies show the lowest levels of depression and the least likely to develop bipolar disorder, but they have a tendency to be irritable. Winter babies face higher levels of depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and schizophrenia, however, they also tend to be the most creative thinkers.
Does this breakdown fit your kids or your own personality? Share your thoughts in the comments.
When my son was 7, I had no idea what would happen if I told everyone that we were stuck in the Emergency Room for more than a week, waiting for an inpatient psychiatric bed to become available for him.
I didn’t know how friends and neighbors would react when my son was 8 years old and I shared that in our house, a tough parenting week meant needing to call 911 to have police assistance for everyone’s safety. Or that these days, I’m on a first-name basis with our town’s police captain.
This past week, I didn’t know what would happen if I decided to tell others that now, at age nine, my son has been pondering suicide for the first time.
I’ve talked with so many moms of kids with mental illness or chronic conditions who say that they feel alone or unsupported. So I have wondered again and again along the way – if I ask for help, will I receive it?
And I’ve watched other women I love to wonder about this question, too, in their own lives.
We go through it as new moms – isolation, overwhelm, and care-taking exhaustion. Or as mothers grieving the loss of a pregnancy or a child. We feel it as mothers who are also daughters, caring for our own sick parents or mourning their deaths. We wonder – who can take care of us?
But mostly, powering through feels like the only option for most women.
I know one special needs mom who feels desperate for some help. I asked her whether she’s ever actually asked anyone for what she needs – help with a dinner now and then, a load of dishes, or some extra hands on deck during a medical crisis. When she said no, I asked why. Simple, she said. She’d feel like a failure.
We’re taught to be self-sufficient. So if we need help getting dinner on the table, or a ride to school for our kids, well, then, we’re not even handling the basics of our job description. Need to vent about how hard this mothering thing is? We’re not appreciating our amazing child enough. Medical bills piling up that we can’t afford? Deadbeat.
It’s hard to know sometimes who’s judgmental voices we’re hearing. I think more often than not, though, we’re only hearing our own.
Some moms quietly re-post those lists – “10 Things You Can Do To Help a Special Needs Mom” or “10 Ways to Help a Friend Who Just Had Her First Baby” or “What To Say To a Mom After She Miscarries.” And we secretly hope that someone will read the list, then read our mind, then know that number seven is exactly what we need. And we’ll never have to ask for it or admit that we needed it in the first place.
Maybe it’s because I was a professional fundraiser in that long ago lifetime before I had kids, but I’m pretty sure the difference between having help and going without it boils down to one thing. We don’t get what we don’t ask for.
Truthfully, sometimes we don’t even get what we do ask for. But if we can skip taking that personally, and keep asking others when someone says “no” – the chances are good that we end up getting the support we need.
I’ll be honest – I was way more comfortable being the charitable one before I had kids than I have felt accepting others’ generosity in the years since.
But here’s the thing. Motherhood has basically been kicking my butt since I started doing it. I’ve had to become an expert at the humility, grace, and gratitude it takes to just put myself out there, and say very openly, “I need help.”
You see, I nodded with total understanding when I read the article I Have a Difficult Baby. My first child was only soothed when he was bouncing on a yoga ball and contained in a Moby wrap while listening to the dulcet tones of a very loud vacuum cleaner for hours on end. The friends who fed me and bounced him were priceless.
Then in the four months after giving birth to my second child two and a half years later, I had an unexpected pregnancy, miscarriage and emergency appendectomy. One dear friend nursed my newborn, who had never even tried a bottle at that point, all night while I recovered from surgery in the hospital. Again. Priceless.
I somehow managed to run a successful business and homeschooled two kids for the next few years, until my son’s mental health reached a crisis point by age seven. By eight, he was diagnosed with the bipolar disorder that runs in my family and had been hospitalized five times in six months. Appointments, bureaucracy, therapies, and advocacy took over my life. And parenting a child with mental illness – well, that’s an experience that kicks everyone’s butt. Here’s what happened, though, when we shared our experiences and asked for help once again:
During that week we spent waiting in the ER, more than fifty friends, family members, and acquaintances sent LEGO kits to help my son stay occupied. As I opened up about parenting a son with bipolar disorder, I found lots of friends who are happy to be on call for our daughter during her brother’s crises. We no longer scramble to figure out her care in those situations, she feels less stress and my husband doesn’t have to skip out on work so frequently. My friends, family and business partners rallied around me, aware that I have been working overtime to support my kid’s mental health. In recent days, they’ve sent flowers, groceries, takeout and an enormous amount of chocolate. Their love sustains me as I support my son. Along the way, our isolation disappeared. People reach out to me regularly with stories about themselves, their kids, their parents, or their siblings. I’ve learned that mental health crises and hospitalizations, even pediatric ones, are pretty darned common. Just incredibly hidden.
No one reads our minds. We’ve had no fairy godmother who appeared on our doorstep to make everything easier. And in fact, things are still pretty hard a lot of the time! But frankly, I’m not sure I would have survived, let alone found my way to living out some of my own dreams recently if I hadn’t learned to ask for help and figured out how to let our community support us
Lauren Bellon is a writer and coach. A mom of two, including one child who has bipolar disorder, Lauren is a passionate voice for pediatric mental health advocacy and awareness. She blogs regularly on a wide array of special needs parenting, mental health, personal growth, and lifestyle topics on her website.
