Helping Parents, Helping Families

Here you can find current and relevant information on issues related to child development, parenting and education. You may find also resources that can assist you with various aspects of raising happy and healthy families.

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General Parenting: Growth and Development

WebMD: Oral Care

The following chart shows when your child's primary teeth (also called baby teeth or deciduous teeth) should erupt and shed. Eruption times vary from child to child.

There are a number of problems that affect the oral health of children, including tooth decay, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, lip sucking, and early tooth loss. Even though baby teeth are eventually replaced with permanent teeth, keeping baby teeth healthy is important to a child's overall health and well-being.

Visit WebMD website to know more about oral care in kids.

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General Parenting: Growth and Development

WebMD: Kids and Sleep

How Much Sleep Does My Child Need?

Kids need more snooze-time than you do. Got a toddler? He should get 11 to 14 hours of total sleep in a day. Three- to 5-year-olds need a little less -- about 11 to 13 hours. If your child is 6 to 13, he should get 9 to 11 hours of ZZZs. Teens need 8 to 10 hours, but how much sleep they actually get is another story.

Read more about this and other subjects related to kids.

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General Parenting: Toilet Training

BabyCenter: Potty training

Is your child ready for potty training?

Before starting toilet training, look for signs your toddler is ready. Beginning too soon can be frustrating for both of you and can make the whole process take longer. If you've started the process, find out how often to ask kids-in-training if they need to go to the bathroom, and whether it's true that girls tend to ditch the diapers sooner than boys. Looking for a shortcut? Our video shows you how to potty train in three days – it really does work for some families.

Read more at BabyCenter website.

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General Parenting: Growth and Development

Parents.com: Big Kids

Your big kid's ready for school! As your child's development continues, focus on kindergarten and education with tips to improve reading and writing, test taking, and homework. Make sure to talk about any potential school problems, such as bullying, school cliques, and peer pressure. At home, focus on family values by teaching good manners and money management skills. No matter the age, your child may throw a temper tantrum, so consult the Parents.com discipline tips, and satisfy picky eaters with our nutritious and delicious school lunch and snack recipes.

Visit the website.

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General Parenting: Growth and Developing

Parents.com: Toddlers

 How To Tackle the "Terrible Twos"

While the celebration of your toddler's second birthday is joyful, it is hard to ignore the feeling of dread as "No" begins to dominate his vocabulary. Though his outbursts are frustrating, keep in mind his actions are not acts of defiance directed toward you; he's developing independence and learning how to express frustration. Here are a few tips to help you cope.

Temper tantrums are often sparked by your child's frustration at her inability to complete a task she thinks she should be able to do on her own. On top of this frustration, toddlers often get frazzled because they do not possess the language skills to express their feelings. Tantrums are normal for the development every child goes through and will decrease around age 4, once motor and language skills are better developed.

Keep reading at Parents.com

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Family Support

Safe Babies Healthy Families, located in Waukesha, WI, has the mission to ensure safe and healthy children through education, support and resources—ultimately breaking destructive cycles that can last for generations. It is a passionate organization driven by the belief that EVERY child deserves a chance to live a life free from abuse, neglect and poverty. 

If you or anyone you know needs help during their pregnancy or with parenting, contact them TODAY through their Hotline at [phone]. 

Visit the website to know more.

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General Parenting: Growth and Development

pediatrics.about.com

The Ages & Stages series of articles are designed to provide you with age appropriate information to help you take care of your child. Topics include nutrition, growth and development, safety, common problems and what to expect from your scheduled visits to your Pediatrician.

Visit the website and get all the information you need between more than 400 articles!

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Children with Special Needs: Gifted Kids

giftedkids.about.com

Why Gifted Children Have Social and Emotional Behavior Problems?

The characteristics gifted children have often lead to social and emotional behavior problems that can affect their development. To understand your gifted child completely, it's a good idea to see how your child's giftedness can influence his behavior.

Read more about social and emotional behaviors that your gifted child can present.

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General Parenting: Growth and Development

Understood began with a dream to give parents everywhere access to the kind of resources usually only available to a few. Then 15 nonprofits came together to make that dream a reality.

Their goal is to help the millions of parents whose children, ages 3–20, are struggling with learning and attention issues. With this knowledge, parents can make effective choices that propel their children from simply coping to truly thriving.

Visit the website and get help now!

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Healthy Families: Health Services

Wisconsin  Department of Health Services is committed to support economic prosperity and quality of life by protecting and promoting the health and safety of the people of Wisconsin.

BadgerCare Plus A health care coverage program for low-income Wisconsin residents including children, pregnant women, and adults.

Dementia-Capable Wisconsin Learn about what the Department is doing to help make Wisconsin a safer place for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Disability Determination Bureau (DDB) The DDB makes the medical decision for Wisconsin residents applying for the Social Security Administration’s disability benefits programs.

Family Care A comprehensive and flexible long-term care service system, promoting independence and quality of life, while recognizing the need for support.

FoodShare Wisconsin FoodShare is Wisconsin's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and it helps low-income Wisconsin residents buy food.

ForwardHealth Programs Learn about the health and nutrition public assistance programs that are available in Wisconsin, including BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid and FoodShare.

SeniorCare SeniorCare is Wisconsin's prescription drug assistance program for Wisconsin residents who are 65 years of age and older and meet program rules.

WIC Program WIC provides nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, supplemental nutritious foods, and referrals to other nutrition services. Visit the  Department of Health Services’ website and know more about all these different programs.

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Families of Children with Special Needs

KidsHeatlh

When most parents think of the juggling act involved in raising a family, they think of coordinating soccer games with ballet practice and grocery shopping.

But if you're a parent of a child who is sick or has special needs, your schedule likely involves doctor's visits, therapy sessions, and waiting for doctors and insurance companies to return your phone calls. And then there's the exhaustion and endless worry.

What you need is help. Visit the KidsHealth website and know how you can get it.

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Families of Children with Special Needs

AbilityPath.org

AbilityPath.org is an online hub and special needs community for parents and professionals to learn, connect and live a more balanced life - through all phases of a child's growth and development. The website combines social networking features with expert content from AbilityPath.org’s team of educators, parents, therapists and medical professionals.

AbilityPath.org's mission is to build a community that brings together professionals and parents of children with special needs from around the globe to learn, share and strengthen the process of supporting the ongoing healthy development of children and youth with special needs and disabilities. Content is available in English and Spanish and features advice, tool kits and other practical day to day living tips so families can learn, laugh and live a more balanced life. AbilityPath’s community blogs, forums, events and groups allow parents to connect and share experiences and stories, providing an outlet of support and encouragement throughout their parenting journey. 

Visit the website and get informed!

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Family Support: Women’s Center

Milwaukee Women's Center (MWC)

Home should be a safe place. Tragically, this is not the case for thousands of women and children in Milwaukee County annually.

If you wish to speak with a trained Crisis Advocate, please dial [phone], and you will be connected to the 24-Hour Crisis Line.

The Milwaukee Women’s Center’s Crisis Line Advocates are prepared to assist you by providing information and referrals to the following:

• Emergency Shelter • Emergency Transportation to Shelter • Advocacy, Counseling, and Support for Victims of Domestic Violence • Safety Planning • Legal Assistance • Referral to other services available in the community

Each year, there are 30,000 domestic violence incidents reported to law enforcement and referred to district attorneys’ offices in the State of Wisconsin and, of those, more than 30% occur in Milwaukee County (Domestic Abuse Incident Report, Wisconsin Department of Justice, Office of Crime Victim Services, December 2008).

Someone needs to help these victims. The Milwaukee Women’s Center operates one of only two domestic violence shelters for women and children in Milwaukee County.  In addition to the shelter, we offer comprehensive programming for the entire family, with the goal of ending the cycle of violence, abuse, and addiction that grips so many families for generations.

Get help now!

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Family Support: Community Advocates

Community Advocates helps people meet their most basic needs -- like a roof over their heads, the lights and heat on at night, and healthcare for their kids. 

Since 1976, Community Advocates has not wavered in its commitment to help low-income Milwaukeeans meet their most basic needs – including safe and affordable housing, adequate healthcare, and reliable heat and other utilities.

Beyond basic needs advocacy, they also provide case management, advocacy services to individuals seeking Social Security Disability benefits, and services for individuals and families with domestic violence, substance addiction, and mental health issues.

To reduce barriers for some of Milwaukee’s most under-served and at-risk populations, Community Advocates is one of the few remaining community organizations of any kind that welcomes walk-in clients five days a week.

Get help now!

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Family Support: Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee has been the premier provider of youth mentoring services in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties for almost 40 years. 

Their evidence-based one-to-one service delivery model was developed in partnership with leading youth mentoring researchers and is unique in the mentoring community. This model is youth-centered, built on a foundation of strong and close relationships, and includes: 

• Careful recruitment and screening of volunteer mentors. • Strong, personalized case management to every child, family, and mentor. • Prioritization of educational success. • Extensive and ongoing staff and mentor training. • Strategic partnerships to expose youth to educationally-focused activities. • Thorough evaluation to measure outcomes and impact, build on positive results, and use lessons learned to drive program performance and continuous improvement. 

Visit the website and get involved!

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Family Assistance: HomeEnergy+

Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)

The Wisconsin Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources provides services to Wisconsin qualified residential households with energy assistance and weatherization needs. For more information call 1-866-HEATWIS (432-8947).

The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) administers the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Public Benefits Energy Assistance Program. LIHEAP and its related services help approximately 230,000 Wisconsin households annually. In addition to regular heating and electric assistance, specialized services include:

Emergency fuel assistance,

Counseling for energy conservation and energy budgets,

Pro-active co payment plans,

Targeted outreach services,

Emergency furnace repair and replacement.

Visit the website or call 1-866-HEATWIS (432-8947)

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Family Fun: Milwaukee Zoo

Milwaukee County Zoo

The Zoo is a place where everyone can laugh and learn — it’s a place to be amazed and inspired — a place where nature and wonder meet!

As one of the country’s finest zoological attractions, the Milwaukee County Zoo will educate, entertain and inspire you! Visit over 2,000 mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles in specialized habitats spanning 200 wooded acres. Explore educational wildlife shows, fun attractions and enticing special events.

The Milwaukee County Zoo offers FREE admission each month:  

Jan. 9, Feb. 6, March 5, Oct. 8, Nov. 5 and Dec. 3. Don’t miss it!

Visit the Zoo website to know more!