Thursday, April 30, 2026

Parenting Pointers - How Parents Can Guide Young Kids to Healthy Habits That Last

 Busy parents of young children often feel caught between good intentions and daily reality: picky eating battles, screen-time creep, rushed mornings, and bedtime that slips later each week. These parenting challenges can make childhood healthy habits feel like one more task to manage rather than a steady family rhythm. When kids resist, it’s easy to swing between strict rules and giving up, and neither builds lasting confidence in guiding kids’ health choices.

Understanding How Healthy Habits Take Root

Healthy habits stick when kids experience them as “how our family does life,” not as a rule they get graded on. Your choices, your routines, and the cues around the house teach what feels normal, from movement to meals to sleep. This matters because willpower is unreliable for adults and even tougher for young kids. A supportive home setup lowers daily friction and reduces power struggles. A consistent family culture, including the family physical activity environment, helps healthy actions feel easier and more rewarding.

Make Healthy-Eating Posters Together Kids Will Actually Notice

Once you know kids learn best from repeated, positive cues, you can make those cues visible around the house. Try creating inspirational health posters together using short, upbeat quote themes about healthy eating, exercise, and self-care, messages like “Color your plate,” “Move your body every day,” or “Rest helps me grow.” If you want a quick way to make them look polished, you can design and print healthy-habit posters using an easy-to-use app with templates and intuitive editing tools.

Common Questions Parents Ask About Lasting Habits

Q: How can I encourage my child to develop healthy eating habits from a young age?
A: Aim for exposure, not perfection. Since picky eating peaks between ages two and six, offer one familiar food plus one “learning bite” and let your child decide how much to eat. Involve them in simple choices like picking a fruit color or stirring, and keep pressure off the table.

Q: What are effective ways to help kids manage stress and unwind healthily?
A: Build a short, predictable calm-down routine: breathe, squeeze a pillow, then read or draw for five minutes. Name the feeling in a neutral way and model a slower voice and body. Repetition teaches their nervous system what to do even on tough days.

Q: How can I create engaging and visually appealing reminders or posters at home to reinforce healthy habits for my children?
A: Keep visuals simple: one habit per page, big icons, and a short phrase like “Water first” or “Shoes on, outside time.” Let your child help color or add stickers so they feel ownership. If you're exploring with printout posters, compare a few easy design methods and pick the one you can actually reuse.

Building Healthy Habits Through Small, Steady Family Routines

When kids are tired, hungry, or overstimulated, even the best intentions can turn into daily power struggles around food, sleep, and screen time. The most reliable path is a steady, supportive mindset: parental role modeling paired with consistent healthy routines that fit real family life. Over time, those small patterns reduce conflict, strengthen positive family dynamics, and offer child development support that carries into long-term wellness outcomes. 


Music Minute - Dylan Scott: Slow Down Ol' Son

As Mother's Day nears, Multi-Platinum Curb Records recording artist Dylan Scott is shining a light on his late mother in a special way with “Slow Down Ol' Son,” out now. Written by Scott, Matt Alderman and Will Weatherly, the heartfelt tune was inspired by Scott's mom frequently telling him to “slow down” as a child, a message he has now passed down to his two sons and daughter. Scott also released the music video for the song today, featuring homemade videos of his family and his own childhood – watch here.
 

 
The new music comes as his single “What He'll Never Have” snags the coveted No. 1 spot at Country radio, marking his seventh career No. 1. Named by ASCAP as one of the most-performed country songs of 2025, the track is poised to be the biggest song of his career with over 400 million streams and counting. Scott landed two of his seven chart-toppers in 2025 alone, making him the third most-played artist at Country radio last year.
 
“What He'll Never Have” is the lead track on his latest studio album Easy Does It, an 11-track collection released in May 2025. The Tennessean praised the project, stating, “Whether backed by a band or accompanied by musicians playing as soft as a whisper, Scott's gruff baritone, one of his most prominent artistic selling points, takes center stage.” 
 
The road warrior has taken his electrifying performance back to stages across the country this year on his Till I Can't I Will Tour, wrapping on May 30 in Texas. The tour will hit major cities like Chicago, Fort Worth and Las Vegas over the next month and features special guests 12/OC, Kelsey Hart and Lauren Watkins on select dates. The in-demand live act wrapped his Country Till I Die Tour in early 2025, headlining his biggest venues yet including his first-ever arenas and record-breaking attendance, and completed his Easy Does It Tour to close out the year.
 
Keep up with Scott on InstagramTikTok and Facebook. For more information, please visit dylanscottcountry.com.


ABOUT DYLAN SCOTT:
Despite a multi-Platinum story and seven No. 1 singles, including two fresh smashes in 2025 alone, Curb Records hitmaker Dylan Scott has always kept an underdog mindset. A rowdy roughneck with a romantic side – one whose modern edge was sharpened by timeless, emotional twang – the consummate family man broke out with the epic triple-Platinum devotion of “My Girl” in 2016 and followed up with scrappy, under-the-radar consistency. Chart-topping heart-forward anthems like “Can't Have Mine (Find You A Girl),” “Nobody” and “New Truck” all reached RIAA-certified status, but last year launched the crooner into the stratosphere. Posting back-to-back No. 1s with Gold-certified “Boys Back Home” (with Dylan Marlowe) and Platinum-certified “This Town's Been Too Good to Us,” Scott wrapped 2025 as the third most-played country artist of 2025 and continues his hot streak with his latest No. 1, Platinum-certified “What He'll Never Have,” which was honored by ASCAP as one of the most-performed country songs of 2025. With nearly 5 billion career streams, legions of fans and countless sold-out shows to his credit, his stardom has somehow grown in relative stealth. But with his third full album, Easy Does It, he's not sweating. Sure of himself, his talent and his fans, Scott heads toward a new creative chapter with total confidence. Featuring 11 tracks, his signature vocal and vivid intensity take center stage on a set defined by personal truth – whether through heartbreak, romantic devotion or small-town dedication. The in-demand live act spent last year on his Country Till I Die Tour, headlining his biggest venues yet including his first-ever arenas and record-breaking attendance, and his Easy Does It Tour. He continues headlining across the country on his Till I Can't I Will Tour, going throughout May.

Book Nook - Since You’re Mortal: Life Lessons from the Lost Greek Plays

Since You’re Mortal: Life Lessons from the Lost Greek Plays by James Romm is a book of short passages from ancient Greek plays that no longer exist. These passages were preserved by a fifth-century writer known as Stobaeus who collected them as advice for his son.  These lines offer timeless advice and memorable insights into love, luck, power, suffering, and the limits of human life. Translated and curated for modern readers, the book provides a glimpse into how the ancient Greeks grappled with the same moral questions we face today and delivers wisdom that is direct, unsentimental, and surprisingly contemporary.

Most of these plays disappeared over time as ancient texts were selectively copied and others were left behind. What remains are concise observations on…How do you deal with bad luck? What matters more, success or character? How should you think about love, ambition, money, or aging?

Romm organized these passages by theme, presenting them as reflections that can be returned to at different moments in life - observations about growing up, making choices, and understanding what matters.

It is a book a father might give a son or daughter at a turning point, or a graduate might carry forward as they begin what comes next.  At a moment when many graduates are looking for direction, and many parents are thinking about what guidance to pass on, this book offers a perspective shaped not by modern trends but by some of the earliest writers to confront these questions.

About James Romm:  https://www.jamesromm.com/
James Romm is the James H. Ottaway Jr. Professor of Classics at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. He specializes in ancient Greek and Roman culture and civilization and is the author of numerous acclaimed books, including Plato and the TyrantGhost on the Throne, and Dying Every Day. In addition to writing narrative history, he has edited and translated major works of classical literature for modern readers, helping bring the ancient world into contemporary conversation.

Romm’s reviews and essays have appeared in The New YorkerThe Wall Street JournalThe London Review of BooksThe Daily Beast, and other publications. His honors include a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Birkelund Fellowship at the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Writers and Scholars at the New York Public Library, and a Biography Fellowship at the Leon Levy Center for  Biography at the City University of New York.

Travel Tidbits - Europe with Fewer Crowds

 

You know the feeling- the sweltering weather, the endless crowds, the long lines...Europe is amazing in the summer but can also be, well, just a little over the top when it comes to prices and groups of people. So, let's break down some of the places that are gently off the radar that are genuinely chill and won't deliver sticker shock:

🇦🇱 ALBANIA — THE MEDITERRANEAN'S BEST KEPT SECRET

Beaches that rival the world's best with prices that don't. Albania's Riviera is having its moment with its gorgeous turquoise water, incredible food, and almost no crowds. Affordable meals, charming hotels and absolutely the one to shout about before everyone catches on.

🇧🇬 BULGARIA — SUN, HISTORY & UNBEATABLE VALUE

Black Sea beaches, ancient monasteries, a buzzing capital in Sofia, and a cost of living nearly half that of Western Europe. Fly into Sofia or Varna and you've got beach AND culture in one trip. One of the top-ranked budget destinations. Sell it as 2 in 1- beach + city at its best.

🇱🇻 RIGA, LATVIA — #1 MOST AFFORDABLE CITY IN EUROPE

Riga just topped the list late last year as the most affordable city break in Europe. Art nouveau architecture, a stunning medieval Old Town, incredible food and nightlife and prices that make you do a double take.

🇷🇴 ROMANIA — FAIRY-TALE LANDSCAPES ON A BUDGET

Castles, painted monasteries, the Carpathian mountains, and Bucharest's surprisingly electric city scene, Romania delivers big experiences for small budgets. Well-connected flights, great accommodation value and a destination that feels genuinely undiscovered.

🇸🇰 BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA — THE WEEKEND WINNER

A fairy-tale Old Town, Bratislava Castle, Danube riverwalks and stylish hotels often under $150/night. The Bratislava Card covers 20+ museums, attractions AND a walking tour. For a city break client who wants Europe without the Paris price tag, this charming little sister of major global capitols is it.

🇭🇷 SPLIT, CROATIA — DALMATIAN COAST MAGIC

Diocletian's Palace, cobblestone streets, incredible Adriatic seafood and island-hopping on your doorstep. Split is still more affordable than Dubrovnik and just as spectacular especially in early summer before peak August prices hit.

🇵🇱 POLAND — UNDERRATED, UNFORGETTABLE & AFFORDABLE

Krakow, Warsaw, Gdansk... Poland is one of Europe's most consistently affordable destinations year-round, and summer is spectacular. Rich history, world-class food and drink scenes, and prices well below its neighbors.


Music Minute - Jesse & Noah: Old Cowboys

Singer-songwriters Jesse & Noah Bellamy team up with Grand Ole Opry legends Riders in the Sky on their timeless new single, “Old Cowboys.” The retro-leaning track blends classic country tradition with a fresh, modern edge, brought to life through vivid imagery of guitars, old dogs, and stars in her eyes. Rooted in the storytelling that defines the genre, the song is a reminder that authentic country sound never goes out of style.


“Old Cowboys” is the latest release from their upcoming album ‘The Sunshine Shop,’ due May 29 on Usonia Records, distributed by Select-O-Hits, with the official music video premiering with Cowboys & Indians.


“I wrote it while staying in an old farmhouse that belonged to my girlfriend's family,” Noah says about writing  ‘Old Cowboys.’ “I had been watching lots of Westerns and  I came up with the "turn of phrase" at the beginning of the song. That was what led me to the rest of the song.”


“Western harmony vocals felt like the obvious ingredient, and Riders in the Sky are among the last true custodians of that tradition,” Jesse explains about the western group being included on “Old Cowboys.“ “We’d already mentioned it in the studio, then ended up booked the same night as Riders in the Sky on a taping of the Jimmy Bowen Show. I asked Ranger Doug about being on the song and then sent it to him a few days later. They all liked it and did us the honor.”


Listen/stream “Old Cowboys”: jesseandnoah.lnk.to/OldCowboysNE


Jesse & Noah penned eight of the tracks on the new album, showcasing their signature songwriting style. The project also includes two thoughtfully chosen covers: the Bob Seger classic “Shame on the Moon,” written by Rodney Crowell, and “Me & Magdalena,” written by Ben Gibbard and originally recorded by The Monkees on their final studio album in 2016. The album was recorded at Wildfeathers Studio.


To keep up with all things Jesse and Noah, visit their website, HERE.


Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube | TikTok


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About Jesse & Noah:

Brothers Jesse and Noah Bellamy, sons of The Bellamy Brothers’ David Bellamy, have built their own musical identity from their roots in Darby, Florida, to their home base in Nashville, where they’ve lived since 2002. Blending country, blues rock, pop, and Americana influences, their sound reflects a lifetime of musical inspiration shaped by family and tradition. The duo has released multiple projects, including ‘Nowhere Revisited,’ ‘Landfall,’ ‘Driven Back,’ ‘Brethren,’ and the 2024 EP ‘Leave Love Alone,’ with their upcoming album ‘The Sunshine Shop’ set for release this May. Their music has earned attention from CMT and recognition from the Country Music Association, which named them to its “Who To Watch” list, while their growing global fanbase continues to connect with their authentic, roots-driven sound.

Book Nook - The Forgetful Elf

The Forgetful Elf” by Robert Fidgett and Dani Pasteau is an entertaining and creative antidote to the screen time that even the youngest children are now experiencing as their introduction to storytelling.

Written with the benefit of Rob’s lifetime career in outdoor education, and presented via delightful illustrations from Dani, “The Forgetful Elf” takes us on a joyful journey into the great outdoors, creating an enticing and involving prospect for parents of younger children – an opportunity to play and learn together!

Perfect for children aged three to seven years old, this is the first book in The Family Adventure Series, and can be enjoyed through shared reading at bedtime, or used as a catalyst for weekend family adventures.

“The Forgetful Elf” is more than a story – it’s the start of an adventure - with many more ‘adventures through story’ to come as The Family Adventure Series progresses.

It’s also the perfect gift to give at birthdays and special occasions – a book that begins a very special family tradition.

 

One magical story, one forgetful elf, and an adventure the whole family can explore together.

The Forgetful Elf” - written by Robert Fidgett, and beautifully illustrated by Dani Pasteau, is a magical new children’s picture book, and the first in the Family Adventure Series.

 

This delightful book is more than just a story - it’s an adventure waiting to happen, for children and adults alike. When The Forgetful Elf misplaces something important, young readers and their grown-ups are invited to help solve the mystery together, following clues and exploring the outdoors and uncovering hidden along the way. Every page encourages curiosity, imagination and teamwork, turning story time into an adventure that continues long after the book is closed.

 

Designed especially for younger children and families, The Forgetful Elf blends storytelling with playful investigation. Parents and children work together, talk, laugh and explore, making each reading a shared experience rather than a solo one. It is a story families return to again and again, discovering something new each time as the adventure unfolds.

 

With warm, enchanting illustrations by Dani Pasteau, the elf’s world comes to life in scenes filled with charm, wonder and outdoor magic. Children are invited to linger, look closely and imagine themselves stepping into the adventure alongside the characters.

 

Inspired by a lifelong love of the outdoors, “The Forgetful Elf” gently encourages families to step away from screens and rediscover the joy of playing, talking and adventuring together. Whether read at bedtime or before a day outside, the story sparks conversation, creativity and unforgettable family moments.

 

The book is written with great care and sensitivity to children’s emotions. It gently guides grown‑ups to revisit the adventure, offering cues to talk about the experience - whether that’s straight afterwards or later in the day, when it can sometimes be hard for children to open up about what they’ve learned or felt. With thoughtful prompts, it encourages adults to ask children how they felt about the adventure and what they might do differently next time. The book also includes cutouts to use in the story to help bring the adventure to life, as well as a sample map for laying out clues.

 

“The Forgetful Elf” is great fun for young children and their carers,” says Rob. “Families have told us why they love “The Forgetful Elf” - because it encourages conversation, teamwork and curiosity, and turns story time into an interactive adventure.”


“Through my life’s work in outdoor education, I have built in elements that spark outdoor exploration and imagination, and with the wonderful complement of Dani’s illustrations we have created a structure that makes this first book in The Family Adventure Series perfect for repeat reading and creating family traditions and wonderful memories. The result is a screen-free adventure that inspires families to play, explore and discover together.”

 

The statistics on screen time are concerning, and reading together in the pre-school period is an essential part of children’s early years education, as this new initiative from the Department for Education highlights:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c041e9xn3leo

 

The Family Adventure Series is designed to help families enjoy time together in the outdoors, explain Robert and Dani: “We are so pleased to announce the release date of our very first book in The Family Adventure Series, “The Forgetful Elf'”– a magical adventure in the great outdoors with the added wonder of meeting a mysterious, but very forgetful elf. Our second book is in progress, so watch this space!”

 

The Forgetful Elf is available now direct from the publishers using this link: https://www.familyadventureseries.com/store/theforgetfulelf

It can also be purchased from Foyles, Waterstones, Amazon and other good booksellers.

 

About the Authors:

Author Robert Fidgett was born in Brixton and discovered his love for the outdoors at an early age through a local youth club that regularly organised adventures and activity days. This early passion shaped a career of more than 40 years as a qualified youth worker specialising in outdoor education. Throughout his career, Robert worked with families and organisations to design meaningful activity programmes that build confidence, resilience and a sense of adventure.

 

Illustrator Dani Pasteau is a creative leader and entrepreneur based in Surrey. With over 25 years of experience in design and illustration, she brings creative thinking and artistic warmth to every illustration. Dani’s work is known for its lively energy, visual clarity and ability to perfectly support storytelling, helping characters and worlds feel both magical and welcoming. 

 

 

Book Nook - Duct Tape Dad

Duct Tape Dad, publishing May 5th by Beyond Publishing in Dallas, Texas, is a playful, rhyming adventure that captures the eternal optimism of dads everywhere, armed with their favorite tool—duct tape. Written by Dr. Amanda Meltzer, who publishes under the children’s pen name Binky Wellington, the book carries her signature catchphrase, “Duct Tape Dad: Love That Sticks,” and blends humor with heart to show how even the quirkiest fixes can create lasting family bonds.

Drawing on more than two decades of psychiatric expertise, Dr. Meltzer brings a rare blend of clinical insight and personal storytelling to her work. Her minimalist, whimsical storytelling style—reminiscent of Dr. Seuss, Roald Dahl, and David Walliams—makes complex emotional themes engaging and memorable. More than just a children’s book, Duct Tape Dad celebrates fatherhood through humor and real-life inspiration, making it a meaningful choice for parents and children alike.

The book embraces the idea that parenting doesn’t come with a manual and there’s no single “right” way to do it. Some solutions may look silly in the moment, but they can turn into lasting memories and even long-term answers. By redefining fatherhood, the book challenges old ideas of what it means to be a “good dad,” reminding readers that parenting is not about perfection or having all the answers—it’s about effort, presence, and finding unique ways to connect with children.

“Parenting is about finding joy in the unexpected,” said Dr. Meltzer. “You don’t have to be perfect to create solutions that stick. Sometimes the oddest ideas—like duct tape—became the ones we treasure most.”

The book also speaks to neurodivergent experiences, showing children and families that different ways of thinking and problem-solving can be strengths. By celebrating creativity and adaptability, Duct Tape Dad offers an inclusive message that embraces the beauty of diverse minds and reminds readers that love and effort matter more than perfection.

With its mix of whimsical rhyme, counting, and engaging storytelling, Duct Tape Dad helps children—and parents—learn valuable lessons in resilience, resourcefulness, and emotional intelligence.

  

About the Author

Dr. Amanda L. Meltzer, who writes under the children’s pen name Binky Wellington, is a double-boarded Adult, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatrist. With more than 20 years of experience, she specializes in ADHD and OCD, blending clinical expertise with creativity to make mental health approachable for families. Her playful storytelling shines through in Duct Tape Dad, a whimsical rhyming book that turns imperfect parenting moments into lasting memories. Guided by her catchphrase, “Duct Tape Dad: Love That Sticks,” Dr. Meltzer brings humor, heart, and optimism to both her medical practice and her writing, reminding readers that even the quirkiest solutions can hold families together.

 

About Duct Tape Dad

Duct Tape Dad is a hilarious rhyming adventure that celebrates the eternal optimism of dads everywhere, along with their all-time favorite tradie tool. Readers get to follow along as Duct Tape Dad’s home repairs escalate from reasonable renovation to problematic parenting culminating in a sticky situation for Mom…But, just when you think Dad’s duct tape days are over, a heartwarming twist proves that sometimes the silliest of solutions create the strongest bonds in the end.


Caring Causes - Cat Fostering

 Deborah Felin-Magaldi, Co-founder of Helen Sanders CatPAWS, is helping change the outcome for vulnerable cats by encouraging more people to foster!


Each year, more than 2.8 million cats enter U.S. shelters, with 277,000 euthanized in shelters in 2025. Fostering for just a few weeks can save a life.


I had a chance to learn more in this interview.


  • Why is it so important for people to consider fostering cats?  This time of year especially, there are more cats - often kittens not yet eating on their own - coming into public shelters than most shelters can care for. The kittens especially require around the clock feeding and care, as well as being vulnerable to illness, so their best chance of survival is to move them out of the shelter into a foster home.
  • How can people be involved even if they don't want a long-term commitment?  Fostering can be relatively short term, and maybe someone winds up fostering just one cat they have found. Foster caregivers for our organization tell us when they are able and willing to foster so they determine how much and for how long they want to be involved. 
  • What are some criteria for fostering? We offer excellent training and support for our foster caregivers. There are some criteria around being able to separate foster cats from any resident animals, having transportation and living in proximity to our foster coordinator team and the clinics we use, and being able and willing to follow direction and communicate with our foster team. Our organization provides and covers the cost of supplies, veterinary care, food. The foster caregiver provides love and care and a safe space to grow!

Smart Safety - Water Safety Month: What Every Parent Needs to Know Before It's Too Late

May is National Water Safety Month, making it an excellent time to raise awareness on how parents can help keep their kids safer around water. While people have fun in the pools, lakes, and oceans, a percentage of them will experience unimaginable loss due to drowning. One grief expert who knows first-hand what losing a child to drowning is like is speaking up to help keep kids safer around water, and helping parents learn how to handle the grief and guilt if their child drowns.

"I want to first help give parents the information they need to keep their kids safer around water this summer, as well as a year-long," said Melissa Hull, Certified Heart-Centered Grief & Bereavement Specialist, speaker, and author of "DearDrew: Creating a Life Bigger Than Grief". "I also want to help those who have experienced loss to work through the grief and be able to still have a meaningful life."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, and it is the second leading cause of death for children ages 5-14. Each year in the country there are over 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths.

Hull knows all too well about the dangers of drowning and the grief that follows for those parents who lose a child to it. She lost her four-year-old son, Drew, to drowning, and it left her consumed with grief and guilt. Through the feelings that gripped her following the incident, she came to realize that grief isn't something you "get over." Rather, it is something that one moves forward carrying with them. Through her experience, she realized that healing is a choice that requires active participation.

With that realization, she picked up the pieces of her life and intentionally moved forward, working through the grief. By helping herself to be able to live a meaningful life again after the tragedy, she set out on a mission to help others do the same. While her child died from drowning, there are thousands of parents each year who lose their child to other causes. The CDC reports that annually, there are over 3,800 deaths of children ages 1-4 and nearly 6,000 deaths of children ages 5-14.

Whether living near a beach or vacationing near one, it's crucial to be aware of rip currents, which according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is the cause of around 100 deaths per year on the country's beaches. Rip currents, they explain, form as incoming waves that push water toward the shoreline, which creates an imbalance of water piling up in the surf. They report that rip currents are often referred to as drowning machines by lifeguards, as they are the leading cause of rescues for people in the surf. They can occur on any beach with breaking waves, including the Great Lakes. If caught in a rip current it is important to stay calm and swim parallel to the shore to get out of it. If someone on shore spots someone stuck in a rip current, they should remain calm, and get a lifeguard, or call for emergency assistance.

Hull's book has been hailed for her ability to share the raw experience of losing a child, along with the compassionate tools that parents need to be able to still live a life of meaning after their loss. She helps parents be able to move forward with the grief, reminding them that love and loss are possible. She uses a combined approach to healing that is holistic, personalized, and rooted in purpose, meaning, and resilience.

She reminds parents of the importance of practicing water safety all year long by keeping these tips in mind:

  • Invest in fencing. Homes with pools or that are near water should have fencing to help keep kids from being able to get to it without supervision. This physical barrier can prevent kids from accessing water even when parents are distracted.
  • Ensure toys and ladders are put away. When kids see ladders and toys in the pool, it may tempt them. By putting them away after use, it will help to reduce the temptation.
  • Use life jackets. Wearing a life jacket can help save lives. Use them on open water, boats, and for those who may not be strong swimmers. Life jackets give people a chance to take a break and add protection if they are caught off guard and are frightened.
  • Always have an adult watching. There needs to always be a designated adult who is watching the kids swim. This important task calls for no other distractions, including being on the phone. One's full attention needs to be on the kids to watch for signs of distress or issues.
  • Get kids swim lessons. According to Stop Drowning Now, the risk of a child drowning drops 88% if they have been taught to swim. Learning to swim is a life-saving skill that everyone should have. Look for lessons being offered by the city, YMCA, private instructors, etc.
  • Learn CPR and life-saving skills. Knowing how to help if there is an emergency is crucial. Parents should take a CPR and life-saving course so they are prepared to help if something does happen.

"My mission is to help raise water safety awareness and to help parents who have experienced loss to still be able to live fully," said Hull. "Grief will always have its moments, but it does not have the final word. Grief and joy can coexist."

Hull is not only a grief expert, but she is also a guide for fully living after loss. Her work integrates meditation and spiritual connection, energy work and Reiki, somatic and grounding practices, emotional processing and mindset work, and Dr. David R. Hawkins' Map of Consciousness. She focuses on helping people who have experienced loss to build a life that is bigger than grief by incorporating what actually helps people move forward with it. She is also a speaker who shares her story and what she's learned about living a full life with grief. To get more information, visit her site at: https://www.melissahull.com/. Her book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, and other major retailers.

About Melissa Hull

Melissa Hull is an author, international speaker, award-winning humanitarian, and global voice in grief, healing, and personal transformation. She helps individuals navigate loss and rebuild lives rooted in purpose, meaning, and resilience, guiding them to live fully after loss. With over 20 years of experience, Hull combines lived insight with tools such as meditation and energy healing to support emotional restoration and growth. She is the author of Dear Drew: Creating a Life Bigger Than Grief and offers a range of resources through her platform, including a comprehensive online library, the Greater Than Grief self-study program, and a free gratitude journal. Her book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, and other major retailers. To get more information, visit the website at: https://www.melissahull.com/

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drowning Data. January 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/data-research/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Child Health. February 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/child-health.htm

Stop Drowning Now. Drowning Statistics. https://www.stopdrowningnow.org/drowning-statistics

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Rip Currents. September 2024. https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/ocean/rip-currents