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Woman’s Hospital Mental Health Unit Opening in Baton Rouge

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Great news for Baton Rouge moms: Woman’s Hospital will open Louisiana’s first inpatient mental health unit for pregnant and postpartum women in September 2024.

Pregnancy and having a baby can trigger intense emotions, from excitement and happiness to being overwhelmed and anxious. Women face hormonal and physical changes and the new responsibilities of caring for a child that can contribute to these intense emotions and the chance for postpartum depression.

Woman's Hospital - Mental Health Unit in Baton Rouge

Woman’s Hospital Opening Mental Health Unit in Baton Rouge

Maternal mental health conditions are a leading cause of maternal mortality in the U.S. and affect one in five women, yet those conditions go untreated 75% of the time, Woman’s says.

“A perinatal mental health unit at Woman’s Hospital will be designed to address these issues as we strive to move the needle on maternal health and mortality rates,” Cheri Barker Johnson, Woman’s senior vice president of patient care and chief nursing officer, says in a prepared announcement.

The planned 10-bed unit, which officials say will be one of “several” of its kind nationwide, is scheduled to open next September.

Woman's Hospital - Mental Health Unit in Baton Rouge

Some eye-opening facts: Anxiety, perinatal and postpartum depression, and birth-related PTSD affect one in five women during pregnancy or childbirth, according to the CDC. Shockingly, 75% of these cases go untreated, and mental health conditions contribute to maternal mortality.

Rene Ragas, President and CEO of Woman’s Hospital, highlights their commitment to comprehensive perinatal care. “By meeting the needs of women experiencing pregnancy or postpartum-related mental health conditions, Woman’s Hospital advances our mission of improving the health of women and infants,” he says.

Postpartum Mental Health Statistics:

  • 1 in 5 women experience mental health conditions during pregnancy or postpartum.
  • 75% of these women do not receive treatment for their mental health issues.
  • Maternal mental health conditions, including anxiety, perinatal and postpartum depression, and birth-related PTSD, are among the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth.
  • Mental health conditions are a leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States.
  • Pregnancy and postpartum mental health challenges contribute significantly to maternal morbidity rates.
  • Access to specialized perinatal mental health care is limited, with only a few dedicated units in the United States.
  • Support and treatment for pregnant and postpartum women with mental health conditions are crucial for their well-being and the health of their infants.

This mental health unit is a vital step toward better maternal health outcomes, offering support and hope for moms in need. It’s a stride toward a safer and healthier future for mothers and their little ones.

“As the largest provider of maternity care for women in Louisiana, it’s our responsibility to address all aspects of perinatal health,” says Rene Ragas, president and CEO of Woman’s.

 

It’s a Family Affair: Set the Whole Family up for Back-to-School Success

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Let’s be honest, the back-to-school season is STRESSFUL. As moms, we carry the brunt of that stress burden. From uniform shopping to supply lists, new shoes to backpacks, moms are making lists and checking them twice. We are also attending to more than the logistics, which speaks to the emotional toll of this season. We hold space for the constant questioning of, “Which teacher will I get?” We offer comfort with each worry, “What if my friends are in the other class?” We pray for the teachers as they prepare for the new year. We speak praise and encouragement into our kids as they bravely walk through the doors on the first day.

Dads, too, (though less frequently discussed), face new stressors in this back-to-school season. As a mental health provider in the community for the past ten years, I have observed an acute spike in parental stress with the start of school. August involves many financial obligations (tuition, fees, sports registration, etc) that may feel burdensome. August also symbolizes the beginning of fall, which is quickly followed by the holiday season, which often carries further financial burdens, family stressors, and packed calendars.

Lastly, children especially feel the stress of back-to-school season. Gone are the summer days of staying up late and sleeping in. Gone are the accessible snacks, loosely structured days, and ample “downtime.” With school comes rigid schedules, early wake times, set meal/snack times, and increased social pressures within the classroom setting. There are academic obligations, sports and extracurricular practices, and carpools. There are new teachers, new classmates, and new teammates. So how can we set our whole family up for success?

Set the Whole Family up for Back-to-School Success

1. Set clear expectations: Communicate about financial obligations. Discuss schedules, wake times, and bedtimes with kids. Make a to-do list for yourself and check items off as you move down the list. Stress is defined as, “a state of worry or mental tension.” Reduce worry and tension for the whole family by getting organized and communicating clear expectations.

2. Hold space for grace: Making new friends is hard. Adjusting to new daily routines and sleep schedules is mentally draining. Being mindful about holding space for our children and partners allows us to approach each day with mercy. Many things will go well. Some things will go poorly. There may be overstimulation meltdowns. There will definitely be days of running late. Holding space for the moments that don’t meet our expectations allow us to move freely through those moments without getting stuck in shame, guilt, or frustration.

Refinery Counseling Center is a boutique mental health counseling office. We offer services for the whole family: moms, dads, children, teens, couples, and families. Check out our complete list of services and providers.

By Ally Bayard, LPC-S, CAS

Pictured: Paige R., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Refinery Counseling Center, works with parents to address family dynamics and relationship stressors during challenging seasons.

Refinery Counseling Center
Highland Office: 7336 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Health District office: 8032 Summa Avenue Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70809(225) 277-6454

RENEW Wellness Retreat

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Are you feeling exhausted after a whirlwind summer? 🌞🔥 Get ready for the upcoming school and holiday season with a well-deserved RETREAT! 🌿🧘‍♂️ Whether it’s a relaxing escape with your partner, bonding time with friends, team-building with colleagues, or a soul-renewing solo experience, nothing nourishes the spirit like a RETREAT! That’s where RENEW Wellness Retreat comes to the rescue! 💫🌟

Imagine… old porches, historic buildings, and lush gardens, savoring delicious food, engaging with inspiring speakers, and connecting with friendly people. Choose from a variety of fitness classes like Stretch and Mat Pilates. Enjoy demonstrations and tours, from plants to historic inns. And the cherry on top? No need to catch a flight to experience it all! Just 80 picturesque miles away lies a charming southern gem and historic river town – Natchez, MS, where RENEW Wellness Retreat will take place. 🌿✨

Renew, a Wellness Retreat, is hosted by April Hill, owner of Yoga Studio 90, and kicks off September 8 & 9, two days of scheduled self-care along with the option for free time to relax in-between sessions, classes, and tours.

Renew Wellness Retreat

The fun begins Friday, September 8th at check-in: 9-11 am at Retreat Center, Ellicott Hall (211 N. Canal St.)
Participants will check in and receive all necessary information for the retreat, including complimentary Retreat SWAG Bags!
You will experience a variety of fitness classes intentionally designed in different venues downtown Natchez, so you get to experience the beauty of this small town.
~ Garden Tours
~ Power Walks
~ Good Food
~ Participate in educational workshops
~ Hear from keynote speakers Friday and Saturday
~ Experience southern hospitality at a cocktail party Friday evening at one of the beautiful homes, The Burn Luxury Inn
~ Relax under the stars on the bluff of the Mississippi River in our mindfulness session

Retreat Attire

Of course, September is still HOT, so dress comfortably. From one fitness venue to the next and even to cocktail hour, we encourage you to dress casually and in attire that breathes. This is the time to bring your sun hat along for the trip, use your yoga strap for mobility as you move to new venues downtown, and keep hydrating at hydration stations.

Meals and Spirits included in your ticket:

Friday ~ Lunch & Cocktail Hour Friday Evening
Saturday ~ Breakfast, Lunch & Southern Send Off Punch by The Punch Bowl Diaries
Lodging is not included in your Renew Retreat ticket purchase.

Options for lodging:

Be sure to follow Renew Wellness Retreat on Instagram or Yoga Studio 90 because they are sharing all of the recs for lodging and more!

Get your ticket NOW and use this unique discount code (LIMITED TIME OFFER)
Save $75 at check out using discount code: BRFF https://bit.ly/RenewWellnessRetreat

Down Syndrome Awareness – Meet Crew

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March is Trisomy Awareness Month, and World Down Syndrome Awareness Day is March 21, and it just so happens our lives were changed by a trisomy condition this month last year. Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes, resulting in 46 total chromosomes total. However, a trisomy disorder is where a person has a full or partial extra chromosome on most or all of their cells, making it 47 chromosomes in total.

Down Syndrome Awareness – Meet Crew

Some of the most common trisomy disorders are Trisomy 21, Trisomy 18, and Trisomy 13. These chromosomal disruptions can lead to various health issues, ranging from mild to severe, mild to severe cognitive abilities and physical abilities, and sometimes not compatible with life. This year we are lucky to have a very special reason to celebrate this month and World Down Syndrome Awareness Day, and it’s all because of my little boy, Crew, who has Trisomy 21.

Down Syndrome Awareness
Crew is our 5th baby, the sweet rainbow baby after two devasting miscarriages and his two beautiful sisters, Charlee (age 9) and Collyn (age 5). He was the baby we didn’t know that we needed to complete our family.

We met with maternal-fetal medicine and were told that he showed “soft markers’ on an ultrasound for possible Down syndrome, but the only way to know for sure was to do genetic testing. We chose not to do any testing because we had already made the decision to carry our baby to full term and trust in the Lord that he would be healthy, with or without Down syndrome. We knew that there was a 50/50 chance our son would have Down syndrome, and we would find out for sure on the day he was born.

World Down Syndrome Awareness Day
Crew was born on March 23rd, just two days after World Down Syndrome Day, a few weeks early, but a healthy 7.2 pounds. I knew he had Down syndrome immediately when I laid eyes on him, and he was the most beautiful boy; he was my answered prayer. He was breathing and crying, and that was the sweetest sound. He was the baby we prayed for, healthy, for the most part. They took him for a full cardio work- up and determined that he had a couple of holes in his heart, and that bought us a week stay in the NICU. This is pretty common for Down syndrome babies and to varying degrees. Usually, about 50% of babies born with Down syndrome also have major cardiac complications, and some need surgery right away.

After the year that we have had with Crew, with some scary medical issues that aren’t even related to Down syndrome, as crazy as that is, we are ready to celebrate Trisomy Awareness Month and World Down Syndrome Day!

Down Syndrome Awareness

Here are some facts from The National Down Syndrome Society, and some are just from my heart:

  • There can be a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21 – this extra genetic material is what causes characteristics that are normally associated with Down syndrome.
  • There are three types of Down syndrome – trisomy 21 (nondisjunction), which is the most common (95%) and the type that Crew has; translocation (4%) and mosaicism (1%).\
  • Down syndrome happens to people of all walks of life, all races and economic levels.
  • Some of the most common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone, called hypotonia, small stature, an upturned slant to their eyes and a single deep crease across their palms, called a palmer crease. However, every person with Down syndrome is different and has their own unique characteristics. Any one person can have all of the major characteristics to varying degrees or show none of these physical traits.
  • The life expectancy for a person with Down syndrome has increased significantly, from just 25
    years old in 1983 to 60 today! I would like to think this has to do with the level of care and awareness that is happening now.
  • People with Down syndrome can have fulfilling and productive lives with the help of educational programs, loving families devoted to their wellness and growing their abilities, access to good healthcare and positive support from their community, family and friends.

While these are some of the most common facts about Down syndrome, I have realized they don’t define my son. These traits and characteristics don’t change the fact that our whole family loves him tremendously. These things do not define us, as his loved ones, either. Crew is so much more than what you can see on the outside. This past year was one of the hardest for our family. He has absolutely rocked having Down syndrome. He was meeting his milestones and growing and thriving until Infantile Spasms knocked the wind out of our sails around six months.

This halted his progress and basically took him back to being a 3-month-old, all over again. These spasms took his smile, his bright eyes, his voice, and deteriorated his muscle tone. But God – as of now, Crew is 2 months seizure free and beginning to thrive again. He has found his voice, his smile, and is laughing and catching up on the physical “inchstones” that he has missed. For this, I have to give a huge shout-out to all of Crew’s “crew”, my parents for taking care of him daily, his occupational therapist, physical therapist, speech therapist, special interventionist, pediatrician, neurologist, and all of our friends and family.

With the year we have had, I have my own list of Down syndrome facts that I want everyone to know!

  • Tenacity – Crew has fought through having seizures and the medicine to fix his brain and continued to push through every therapy session like a champ. He does therapy four times a week, on top of multiple doctor visits every week. I can count on one hand how many weeks he didn’t have an appointment of some sort (it’s less than four weeks of his entire life).
  • Heart – The outpouring of love, support, and unfailing prayers for my little guy and my family is beyond words. I could never sum up how God has moved during this past year. Loved beyond measure.
  • Brave – Crew is so brave, and he just continues to push through the hard days. Crew has had probably close to 100 doctor visits in his first year of life. He has had more procedures than I care to remember, and we still aren’t done, but he’s teaching us every day that with God on your side, you can face anything.
  • Determined – He has continued to progress throughout all of this. He has grown and shown us how strong he is. He has shown us that he will figure out a way to get things done and prove doctors wrong. I will forever be proud of him for this.

So, these are just a few things I see when I look at my son. I see his beautifully shaped eyes, and I see the palmer crease in his hands and the sandal toe on his feet. But I also see so much love in his sweet smile and how his eyes light up when he sees his sisters. I see from week to week how determined he is to finally crawl. I see how intently he watches our mouths, just trying to get a word out. I see how loved he is by his grandparents, aunts and uncles, and especially his cousins. I see how he’s shaped me to be a better mom, guided by Christ and the Holy Spirit; because his health was out of my hands and I couldn’t fix him, I had to trust that God would. This is the awareness I want others to see. We can all see the physical traits and the common characteristics but there is so much more to people with Down syndrome. My hope is to show people to see past those common things and see things like heart, determination, strength, and love in our Down syndrome community.

We have a wonderful support system in Baton Rouge, called DSAG (Down Syndrome Awareness Group of BR) that hosts events for the children and families of the Down syndrome community in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas, and the annual Buddy Walk is a huge fundraiser for them. The Buddy Walk is coming up on March 25, 2023, at the A.Z. Young Park from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, with the walk starting at 11:00. If you want to get involved and meet other Down syndrome families, this would be a great place to start. This event is for everyone! There will be entertainment, food, drinks, dancing, and more! Come out and support this much deserving community and see what all Down syndrome has to offer. Here is the link to the event: https://www.ds-stride.org/dsagbuddywalk. If you aren’t able to participate but want to donate, it would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, my name is Jessica Walker, and I have lived in Central, LA, for most of my life. I am a Jesus lovin’ wife of 12 years and mom of 3, and also work full time! My girls are 9 and 5, and my son is 1. We are a very active family; from dance and cheer and tumble to theater and musicals, we stay on the go! We like to be involved in our community by participating in different events through our church, school, and Central chamber events, basically anything that supports Central schools and sports. As a family, we enjoy spending time with the rest of our family, outside when we can, listening to live music, watching my nephews play baseball or football, or just taking in what Baton Rouge offers.  Our lives took a detour we weren’t expecting last year when our son was born with Down syndrome. However, we have embraced all that this diagnosis has given us with as much grace as possible while learning all the new things along the way. I am an open book and ready to answer any questions about Down syndrome or any of his other medical issues. In my downtime, I love to read and research, work out and soak up the blessings we have received along the way!

Holly Clegg’s Kid-Friendly Easy Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe

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Holly Clegg was one of Baton Rouge Family Fun’s greatest supporters. She shared many recipes and resources with Baton Rouge Family Fun. We hope they will continue to be enjoyed by families in Baton Rouge and beyond for years to come. Below is one of her posts from 2018; it’s a community favorite, and it’s so darn good!! We hope you enjoy it.

Even if you’re limited on time, I promise my crescent roll Kid-Friendly Easy Mardi Gras King Cake recipe will be worth the 15 minutes it takes to make it.  No time-consuming yeast dough but all the richness of the best king cake you have ever put in your mouth!

I know I made an impression with this easy king cake recipe when my five-year-old grandson gave me a stack of cut-out king cake newspaper ads and told me he knew I would want them.  You probably have seen, Clegg, on my Facebook Live videos cooking with me. I realized cooking with him has become a teaching moment too.

Who doesn’t like king cakes?  We are so fortunate in Baton Rouge to have some of the best king cakes, but I have been told my crescent roll king cake recipe is “just as good (if not better) than at the bakeries!” With reduced-fat crescent rolls, reduced-fat cream cheese, cinnamon and sugar, and a little icing, this is a lighter trim and terrific king cake recipe that can be made wherever you live.  However, all the rage is my new savory, and sensational Crawfish King Cake with a scrumptious creamy crawfish filling topped with Mardi Gras colored Parmesan cheese. Sweet or savory, this king cake recipe will be your go-to recipe this carnival season! Having company—check out my easy Mardi Gras Menu filled with recipes and tips.

Kid-Friendly Easy Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe

How To Make My Kid-Friendly Easy Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe:  Fun Cooking!

Cooking With Kids:

  • Teaches you to follow directions
  • Measurements teach you math
  • Learn your colors + red and blue make purple
  • Instant gratification with finished recipe
  • Cooking gives kid’s confidence

Easy King Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Cinnamon Filling from Gulf Coast Favorites cookbook

My most popular king cake recipe known as a crescent roll king cake! You can leave out the cream cheese filling if you have picky eaters or sometimes I put half with cream cheese filling and half plain.  Here are photos of the steps of how to make a king cake.

Makes 16 servings

2 (8-ounce) cans of reduced-fat crescent rolls
4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
2 tablespoons confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Mardi Gras Icing (see recipe below)

  1. Preheat oven 350°F. Coat 10-inch round pizza pan with nonstick cooking spray.
    2. Separate crescent rolls at perforations, into 16 slices. Place slices around the prepared pan with points in the center. About halfway down from points, press seams together.
    3. In mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Spread on dough in the center where seams have been pressed together.
    4. In another small bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon with a fork until crumbly. Sprinkle over cream cheese. Fold dough points over filling and then fold the bottom of the triangle over points forming a circular roll like a king cake.
    5. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly and drizzle with colored Mardi Gras Icing.

Mardi Gras Icing:

1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1-2 tablespoons skim milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Yellow, green, red, and blue food coloring.

  1. In a small bowl, combine all ingredients, except food color. Divide mixture into three bowls
    2. In the first bowl, add a few drops of yellow food coloring and in the second bowl, add a few drops of green food coloring. In third bowl, add equal amounts of drops of red and blue food coloring (to create purple). Drizzle over baked cake.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 184 Calories from fat 36% Fat 7 g Saturated Fat 3 g Cholesterol 9 mg Sodium 275 mg Carbohydrate 26 g Dietary Fiber 0 g Sugars 16 g Protein 3 g Diabetic Exchanges 11/2 carbohydrate 11/2 fat

SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL RECIPE NEWSLETTERS ON MY BLOG: The Healthy Cooking Blog FOLLOW ME: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTubeVisit The Healthy Cooking Blog by #TeamHolly here.

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Be sure to check out Baton Rouge Family Fun’s 2023 King Cake Guide here!

Check out our full Mardi Gras Guide for more Mardi Gras Family Fun, King Cake Guides, and more!

Family Friendly Mardi Gras

5 Tips for Safe Trick or Treating

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(HealthDay News) — Arriving home safe and sound is one of the best Halloween treats of all – below you will find 5 Tips for Safe Trick or Treating.

First, be sure that costumes and goody bags have reflective strips that improve visibility to drivers!

Trick-or-treaters should also carry a flashlight, and costumes should be bright, reflective, and flame-resistant.

Safe Trick-or-treating

5 Tips for Safe Trick or Treating

  • If you plan to use makeup, test it on a small area of skin first to ensure it doesn’t cause an allergic reaction. Wash makeup off immediately after returning home.
  • Costume accessories should be soft and pliable in order to reduce injury risk. Don’t wear decorative contact lenses, which can cause eye infections.
  • Comfortable and supportive footwear can help prevent blisters and sprains.
  • Discard homemade treats and unwrapped goods, the risk isn’t worth it, as one doesn’t know the exact ingredients used in preparation. Prevent possible allergy exposure, bacteria, and lastly poison by only allowing wrapped, sealed treats.
  • When trick-or-treating, children should stay alert and walk in groups or with a trusted adult. The reality is there are predators who use Halloween in particular as a day to disguise themselves. Safeguard your children by making sure they stick together in a large group and have an adult along to prevent an incident from unfolding.”

If children aren’t accompanied by an adult, they should carry a charged cell phone so they can call for help immediately, or provide parents with updates about their location, he said. And kids should know not to text while walking or crossing an intersection.

Join the Baton Rouge Family Fun Team

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Are you a parent, grandparent, foster parent, aunt, or college student? Love Baton Rouge? Maybe you don’t have kids, but you grew up here and loved every second! Are you a part of an adventurous family? Do you love writing, taking photos, and sharing content on social media? Do you want to share your best tips and top places to go with other local families?

We’re looking for diverse contributors who want to share Family Fun, News, and Resources with the Baton Rouge Family Fun audience. If this sounds like you, please apply! 

BRFF Writer/ Content Creator / Hyperlocal Journalist

What we’re looking for in a writer:

  • Contribute one to two posts each month about Family Friendly places, events, local news, activities, eateries, or spots that are fabulous for families with young children, tweens, and or teens, including three photos. B-roll footage is the icing; we pay extra for the icing!
  • Pitch us new ideas of places you love in Baton Rouge and beyond.

Qualifications:

  • Live in the Greater Baton Rouge area (and beyond)
  • Write clearly
  • Have an eye for framing photos that tell a story
  • Be genuinely interested in seeking out new experiences with your family
  • Possess enthusiasm for Facebook and Instagram as platforms to share content
  • Consistently meet deadlines to which you commit
  • A cheerleader for the local community
  • Vision and passion to work towards a better future for not only ourselves and Baton Rouge Family Fun, but for the collective whole of our community.
  • Prior work experience in the field(s) of digital marketing, publishing, communications, journalism, or public relations is a plus!

Compensation: We compensate per post and provide occasional perks such as tickets to local events or destinations. Expenses are also reimbursed.

Content Creator Application 
https://bit.ly/BRFFContentCreatorApplication

Email Tiany@batonrougefamilyfun.com with any questions.

Applications are open through August 31st!
Thanks for your interest!

 

Learn more about Baton Rouge Family Fun:
Baton Rouge Family Fun is the largest online platform reaching families in Greater Baton Rouge and beyond. Our reach spans our website, Facebook 50,000+ followers, Instagram 15,700 followers.
https://batonrougefamilyfun.com/about

 

Back to School: Ensuring an A+ start to the school year

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Back to school…three words that represent great joy to parents who are ready to get back to routine and bring great anguish and “pain” to kids who aren’t quite ready to give up their summer freedom. In order to ensure a smooth transition from the fun and less structured summer into a new school year, I think it is important as parents to take the time to talk to our children about their worries and concerns going into the fall semester.

Back to School

Back to School: Ensuring an A+ start to the school year

Back to School – Ask Questions

The question could be as simple as, “Is there anything you are worried about for this school year?” I know in my office when I ask this question, I have had many a parent be surprised by the answer their child might give. When we know what our children are worried or afraid of, it makes us, as parents, better equipped to give them the guidance they need to maneuver through the unchartered waters of a new school experience happily and successfully.

Back to School – Set Expectations

I encourage parents to teach children to view school as their job—what better time to start teaching children about work ethic than from the very beginning of school. As parents, we should set expectations for our children in regards to their “job” performance, and if these expectations are not met, then they should be held accountable.

Now, the expectations, as well as the consequences, will, of course, vary by age, but even the youngest child should understand that they should strive to be the best they can be at their job. Even my son, who is starting Pre-K 3, knows that mommy and daddy expect him to listen to his teacher, follow directions, and be a good friend to his classmates. If he doesn’t achieve these things, he doesn’t get to read books at night (his favorite pre-bedtime activity).

These expectations are established from the get-go so that there is no confusion about the “job description.”

Back to School – Establish a good rapport with your child’s teacher

I also encourage all parents, but especially the parents of elementary-aged children, to establish a good rapport with their child’s teacher. After all, the reality is that in many cases, their teacher will spend more time with them during the weekday than we will.

It is crucial to make sure there are channels of communication that exist between parents and teachers, and these should not be one-way avenues. Parents should feel comfortable bringing up concerns to teachers, just as teachers should be respected when they bring concerns back to parents.

A partnership between teacher and parent is vital to helping children achieve success in the classroom which often translates to increased self-confidence in kids.

Stay positive

So as everyone heads back to school, establish those expectations, let them know their “job description,” and then make sure your voice as a parent is a positive one with excitement, support, and encouragement for the upcoming school year.

As kids make the trek up the ladder to reach those expectations you have set, make sure they know you are their biggest cheerleader and will always be behind them to catch them when they stumble, to give extra little pushes along the way, and to celebrate all of their achievements all from a place of unconditional love.

“Ask the Experts” is a series on Baton Rouge Family Fun where local experts share their thoughts, opinions and answer questions relating to health, wellness, parenting, and living in Baton Rouge.Ask the experts Baton Rouge Moms

Disclaimer: The purpose of this site is to share family resources and Baton Rouge Family Fun’s experiences with food, fitness, and health as well as opinions from some of our local experts. This content is for informational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice.  When it comes to your health or the health of your child, please be sure to contact your physician.

A well-planned morning routine – Baton Rouge Family Fun

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A smooth-sailing morning and you’re all ready to tackle whatever the day brings. A mad rush out the door clutching a breakfast bar, papers flying and shoes untied, and you’ll all need a nap by noon. A well-planned morning routine helps children handle problems, perform in school, and get along with others far better than if they start the day rushed and unorganized.

Parents can plan out a morning routine, writing down a detailed schedule of what needs to be done in the morning and how it can be done with a minimum of stress.

Morning Routine

A well-planned morning routine…

If your family’s morning routine is rushed, chaotic, and full of frustration, you should first be evaluating exactly what is happening in the mornings. What are the key things that get your attention and get you angry? A child who won’t get out of bed until the third call? A child who takes 10 minutes to put on his socks? Identify these situations and start responding to them in ways that will get your children to change their behaviors.

Here are some tips for streamlining your morning routine into a smooth ride for the entire family.

Get enough sleep.

No matter how well organized your morning routine is, you need to be well-rested to handle it. The first key to a great morning is to have had enough sleep. If you don’t already have a good bedtime routine for your kids, get one. Get up before your children. In order to lead the children in an efficient morning, parents need to be awake and ready to start the day ahead of time.

Set things out the night before.

Have your kids pick out what they’re going to wear and set out their clothes. Get completed homework back in the backpacks before they go to bed. Set out gym backs, forms, musical instruments, and anything they need to take to school.

Do as much as you can the night before.

Encourage your kids to shower the night before instead of in the morning, especially the slow-pokes. Pack lunches the night before and keep them in the frig, ready to grab and go.
Schedule an extra 10 minutes of wake-up time. If you’ve scheduled your kids’ morning down to the minute, build in at least a few extra minutes of cushion time, for them to get out of bed and get moving.

Give them a reward for “smooth mornings.”

Tell your kids if they can get through a morning without yelling, threats, and excessive rushing, they’ll get a sticker on a chart, a candy in their lunch, or another reward.

Don’t lump your kids together.

Kids are different and need different types of encouragement in the mornings to get things done. Let each of your children have input on their own personal morning routine. If one child needs more time, get him up earlier. If another child needs more time to eat breakfast, allow that for him. Allow each of your children to have a schedule that works for him, instead of running a boot camp group operation.

Keep things close to the door.

Organize your mudroom or entryway so that coats, hats, gloves, shoes, and anything else your child needs for the day are all near the doorway. Invest in a closet organizer that you can label with days of the week and hang in a closet near the door. Use it to stash signed permission slips, money the kids may need, sneakers on gym day, an instrument on music day, and whatever else your kids need.

Use written reminders.

Keep a whiteboard or a chalkboard near the back door and have your children write down reminders to themselves. Put it in a spot where it can be seen as you’re leaving the house.

Be flexible.

While there’s no arguing the significance of a healthy breakfast, sometimes your child just won’t be in the mood. Don’t fight it. While routines are important, when things come up, or the routine is not working, be flexible! There will be times when the routine can cause more stress and anxiety.

A well-planned morning routine need not be elaborate, just functional!

You may also like: Back to School: Ensuring an A+ start to the school year

Summer Travel Safety Tips – Ask the Expert

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“Ask the Experts” is a series on Baton Rouge Family Fun where local experts share their thoughts, opinions and answer questions relating to health, wellness, parenting and living in Baton Rouge. This week on Ask the Experts, Smith Shanklin Sosa, fellow Baton Rouge parents, are sharing a few Summer Travel Safety Tips.

Car Seat Safety

Summer and road trips go together like peas and carrots.  Traveling during these high traffic times can be dangerous and it is important to be extra cautious when sharing the road with large trucks and buses.  Even though truck drivers are well aware of the dangers their vehicles present to other passenger vehicles, I can guarantee that this mama is not going to trust my family’s safety to another driver.  As a personal injury attorney, I have seen beautiful vacations turn tragic on highways and interstates.  Follow my top 3 Summer Travel Safety Tips and put your family and yourself in a better position to avoid tragic accidents.

Summer Travel Safety Tips

Summer Travel Safety Tips

  1. Be Aware of the “No Go Zones”

Large trucks and buses have huge blind spots as shown in the below photo.  It is best to spend as little time as possible in these “No Go Zones”.  If you have a feeling that the driver of a large truck or bus does not see you, make some noise and honk that horn.  I know that horns can make you feel like your yelling at the other drivers on the road, but I personally have avoided my fair share of accidents by letting my horn rip.

Summer Baton Rouge

  1. Safe Passing

Make sure you can see the driver in the vehicle mirror. If you do not see the driver, it is best to assume he/she cannot see you.  When passing a truck or bus, make sure the truck or bus is visible in your rearview mirror before you pull in front giving extra space.  If possible, it is a good idea to avoid passing trucks and buses when you are traveling downhill.  These big trucks and buses take longer to stop and you do not want to be on the receiving end of their failure to slow down.

Summer Travel Safety Tips

 

  1. Avoid Wide Turns

Buses and trucks make wide turns.  Be aware that these trucks usually have around a 55-foot turning radius.  A lot of times truck/bus drivers will swing wide to accommodate this turning radius and you want to avoid them swinging into your vehicle.

Summer Baton Rouge

Disclaimer: The purpose of this site is to share BRM’s experiences with food,  fitness, health, and life as well as opinions from some of our local experts. This content is for informational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice.  When it comes to your health or the health of your child, please be sure to contact your physician.