Early Motherhood

Get going in the great outdoors
Once your child starts all-day kindergarten, you’re left with a narrow window of time during the day — between 3 and 6 p.m. — when you or his after-care provider can encourage your kindergartner to exercise. And at this age TV, videos, and computer games can compete for his attention. One of the best ways to make sure that your 5-year-old gets all the exercise he needs is to head outside, says David Bernhardt, a sports medicine pediatrician at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Kids run, climb, hop, skip, and jump much more in the great outdoors than they do when stuck inside (where there are lots of admonitions to quit jumping on the couch). And kids this age are even more likely to do those things if they have a friend along, since activities with peers become increasingly important now. So scout out some safe outdoor play places for your child, bring along a buddy or two plus bats, balls, and bikes (don’t forget the helmets), and keep an eye on them as they race around together. If your child is in an after-care program, make sure exercise is a regular part of the schedule.

Bedwetting is considered normal through age 4. However, 14% of 5 to 13 year olds still wet the bed. The cause of bedwetting is not completely known, but the following factors may be considered to determine appropriate intervention for a child who is wetting the bed.

Developmental Delay The bladder may not be fully developed. Boys, who develop more slowly than girls, are more likely to exhibit bedwetting. When developmental delay is the problem, bedwetting often just stops on its own. Use common-sense strategies to minimize the hassle and embarassment of bedwetting.