The Baldwin family visited the Lincoln Memorial this morning.

The Baldwin family of Milwaukee is in Washington, D.C. and will meet with legislators on Tuesday, July 26, to discuss the importance of children’s health care issues.  In 2009, Jonathan Baldwin and his friends were the victims of an armed robbery. Jonathan was shot seven times and transported to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in critical condition.

Millions of children in the U.S. require special care at children’s hospitals to address their health challenges. The budget crisis of 2011 is real and requires serious action, but it must be done in a way that does not threaten long-term negative impact on the state of children’s health care by decreasing access to care …Continue reading this post

Summertime means lots of fun outdoor activities both during the day as well as at night. Whether it’s outdoor cooking or telling a story around the fire pit, both pose potential injury risk, especially for children. Kids love toasted marshmallows, but adults should be the ones to toast them. Remember marshmallows get hot and can burn.

Every summer Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin sees a number of injuries related to fire pit use. These injuries …Continue reading this post

Throughout the country, temperatures are climbing into the upper 90’s with heat indices well above 100. This is a perfect time to remind everyone about the dangers of heat stroke in cars. We all forget things, right? But what about our own children? That’s nearly impossible, isn’t it? As schedules get more hectic, multitasking has become the new way of life. This can cloud our brains, causing us to forget something very near and dear: our kids.

Between 1998 and 2009, 445 children died in the U.S. from heat stroke because they were left unattended in cars that became too hot for them to survive. More than half of those children were forgotten by a caring adult because he or she got distracted after leaving the vehicle. There are a few simple things you can do to prevent this nightmare from happening to you:

• Set your cell phone reminder to be sure you drop your children off at daycare.
• Set your computer programs to ask, “Did you drop off at daycare today?”
• Place your cell phone, PDA, purse, briefcase or gym bag on the floor in front of your child in the back seat. This forces you to open the back door and see your child when you leave the car.
• Ask your child care provider to call if your children do not arrive when expected.

You can learn more about the dangers of children left in vehicles at SafeKidsWI.org.

~ Libbe Slavin, coordinator, Safe Kids Wisconsin Coalition.

Where did the time go? This is what we as parents ask ourselves as our child turns 18. An adult – no way – but not a child either.  The new adult often feels empowered, anxious to make decisions, and to determine their own course. For example, having to sign a release of information to allow mom and/or dad to talk to the doctor is a real eye opener for both the adult child and for parents.

As in all of life, adulthood is not an event but a process that starts way before age 18.  By slowly giving and trusting your child with age-appropriate responsibilities, turning 18 becomes just another step in growing up. However, there are some big time legal changes that all teens need to be aware of.  Below is a short list of suggested discussion points about adult rights and responsibilities. Good Luck!

• You are legally responsible for your actions – please think before you act.
• You can own things; a car, a credit card – money is needed to pay for these things.
• You can vote – a right many other countries do not have.
• If you break the law you will pay the fine or perhaps go to jail.
• Risk taking behavior is part of early adulthood – be aware.
• I am here to help you make good choices – I will listen.

The State of Wisconsin Bar Association is revising its publication, On Being 18. You can currently only find it on-line.

~ Darcia Behrens, LCSW, supervisor/clinician, Family Services, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

For most families, it’s difficult to change daily routines and lifestyle habits to be healthier. NEW Kids at the Y teaches parents how to stick with lifestyle changes and improve the health of all family members. Starting and sticking with a program long enough to affect change is much more likely when you get quality information and motivational support.

The program empowers families to become healthier by teaching them to:

• Become smart grocery shoppers.
• Adjust serving sizes.
• Choose healthier snacks and beverages.
• Increase activity and play time.

Kids look to their parents to be role models in all aspects of life. When parents make good decisions and take steps to improve their health, it’s a great example for their children.

NEW Kids at the Y is a great partnership between Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. The program is offered at the following YMCA centers:

South Shore YMCA: Thursdays from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
West Suburban YMCA: Wednesdays from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Northside YMCA: Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Tri-County YMCA: Wednesdays from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Feith Family Ozaukee YMCA: Mondays from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.

For more information about enrolling in the NEW Kids at the Y Program, contact Stephanie Navarre at (414) 274-0832.

~ Erin Ruenger, YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee