When your toddler bawls over, kick in the air, and do the waterworks, you immediately know that a tantrum is beginning. By this time, a lot of parents feel frustrated or even humiliated, especially when their kids throw tantrums at a public place. In the end, they give in to the demands of their toddlers to stop this rude behavior. Tantrums happen because your child feels frustrated. He wants to exert a little bit of independence, but his physical capabilities is stopping him. Even parents like you sometimes contribute to your children’s tantrums when you do not give them enough attention.

Remain Calm

It is natural for parents to also feel frustrated or disappointed towards their kids when they go into tantrum mode; however, shouting in response or even hurting their child is not a good way to stop it. The tantrum will escalate and the child will feel resentful towards the parent. Instead, remember that children do what they do and they should not be punished harshly for it.

Step Away

It is a good idea to wait for the storm to pass. Meaning, you should wait until the anger, shouting, and crying of your child subsides. Going to your child while he does this may make him angrier. Aside from that, he will know that it is a good tactic to grab your attention and will do it often whenever he wants you by his side.

Do Not Bribe

Bribing will worsen the situation because your child will think that he is rewarded for the bad behavior. Furthermore, he can use his tantrums to manipulate you if you do this. It is important to let your child know that you are the parent and what you say goes. However, when your child stops the tantrums, you can reassure him by giving a hug and telling him gently why mommy or daddy made that particular rule.
Tantrums are caused by a lot of things. Sometimes they are as simple as a toy falling over, while there are instances when children are demanding something from their parents. If you feel that your child is using it to manipulate you, step back and wait for it to stop. However, if you think that your child wants some independence, then by all means give him the freedom he needs, as long as he is not hurt or harmed by his actions.

According to The Childhood Obesity Foundation, between 1978 and 2004 obesity increased in children ages 2-17 from 15% to 26%. The numbers are even more dismal for children ages 12-17 whose rate of obesity increased exponentially from 14% to 29% –  It is no surprise that inactivity has played a major part in this with the introduction of an increasingly digital — and sedentary — lifestyle. It is a challenge to tear kids away from their technology and get them moving, but what if the two weren’t mutually exclusive? What if you could get your kids active in a way that allowed them to stay up to date with technological advances. The tgoma game app for example, has paired with the world’s first smart trampoline to merge fitness and fun like never before introducing a way for kids to track their activity, set goals, compete, and compare high scores with friends.This not only encourages kids to get physically active, but it motivates them to stay on top of their fitness progress using the app.

While companies like Springfree Trampoline are on the forefront when it comes to technological advancements for trampoline gaming, they are also leading the pack in safety, setting new industry standards. The Canada Safety Council states that one of the major injuries on trampolines occurs when a jumper impacts with the springs – normally situated very close to their feet, making it very easyfor them to fall or get pinched. Springfree uses flexible composite rods positioned under the trampoline so the jumper never comes into contact with them. If you visit Springfree Trampoline Canada, you can browse the models and see just how revolutionary these changes are.

Additionally, Springfree brings a new standard, using a stronger mesh for the net, supported by composite rods that will not cause harm, but will instead absorb the bouncer’s weight and guide them back to the surface. In fact, this new generation of nets will guide jumpers back onto the mat, or if they are a larger adult, safely to the ground without tipping the trampoline itself.

When shopping,it is important to look for a trampoline that meets or exceeds industry standards. Products whose parts have undergone rigorous testing for quality assurance are bound to be much more reliable. One way to ensure the quality of your trampoline is to see which manufacturers are backed by industry awards that include but are not limited to: The Parent Tested Parent Approved Award, The US Family Choice Award, as well as the International Design Award.

Trampolines are an excellent way to combat staggering obesity rates in children and smart trampolines will not take away their freedom to be digitally connected. However, the safety of your children comes first and settling for a low quality trampoline means settling for many potential risks. Through learning more about a trampoline’s design, you can easily reduce the potential for injuries and safely install fun in your backyard for the whole family.

Your child’s first bike ride is a major milestone, especially when the training wheels come off. But before anyone flies solo or even swings a leg over the bars of that bike, the proper head gear must be in place. It is unlikely that you wore a bicycle helmet when you were a child. It wasn’t until 1987 that states and localities began adopting laws about children wearing bike helmets, and there is currently no federal law that requires them. While nothing can completely protect your child from suffering a concussion when they fall off their bike, a helmet can certainly help make a traumatic brain injury far less likely.

Understanding Bicycle Helmet Regulations

It’s important to know the different types of bike helmets that are available for children. Bicycle helmets are not one-size-fits-all. There are many different styles and brands on the market, and often your child will want a particular helmet because of its appearance – it’s up to you as the parent to ensure that the helmet is appropriate. Here’s what you need to know:

• Helmets do help: The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute reports that bicycle helmets can prevent most bicyclist head injuries.
• Helmets are affordable: You can certainly purchase a high-end bicycle helmet for your child, but it isn’t necessary. Most retail for around the $30 mark, and some can be purchased for less. Every helmet that’s sold in the United States has to meet the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standard and state as much on the helmet. In other words, impact performance is legally regulated, and this helps when you’re choosing a helmet based on price, fit, and – of course – style.
• Fit is everything: Regardless of cost, the most important element of a child’s bicycle helmet is the fit. Take your child shopping for a helmet and test out the helmets in the store, or ask for assistance from a salesperson to ensure that the head gear is on properly and securely so it will actually protect your child. The helmet should sit level on your child’s head and be securely fitted with the strap fastened.
• Outgrowing a helmet won’t happen too soon: Kids don’t outgrow bicycle helmets as often as they outgrow shoes, and you shouldn’t have to purchase a new helmet every summer. The foam pads that come with the helmets are often available in varying sizes so you can reduce the thickness of the foam as your child grows – changing the foam for proper fit will not compromise the effectiveness of the helmet.

There are other factors that can impact your child’s level of safety while riding a bicycle too:

• Watch for cars: Bike collisions with cars are the most common bicycle accident, and three-quarters of the deaths that result from bike accidents are because of head injuries.
• Set a good example: If you plan to bike right alongside your child, wear your helmet too so your child can see that everyone really does wear their helmets when biking, even grown-ups.
• Use the helmet for other activities: If your child decides to ride his scooter, skateboard, or inline skates, the CPSC says that bicycle helmets work well for these activities.

A brain injury can alter your child for life. While it may seem that getting cuts and scrapes from bicycle wrecks are a rite of passage for all children, traumatic brain injuries are not. A concussion could lead your child to end up with an aggressive personality, recurring headaches, balance issues, difficulty concentrating, and far worse. Buy your child a helmet, and make sure he wears it every time he rides.

About: David Christensen is a personal injury attorney who specializes in traumatic brain injury cases. He is also the founder of Christensen Law which has offices located in Southfield, Michigan and Ann Arbor, Michigan.