Santa’s not present

The latest in parenting news, tips, and trends:

Two Christmas traditions parents are skipping this year: Santa Claus and Elf on the Shelf. Sleigh it ain't so.

Tainted fruit pouch recalls expanding to more than 22 states, causing more illnesses. Plus, a growing salmonella outbreak from cantaloupes sold at popular stores like Trader Joe's and Aldi.

How Ms. Rachel’s next big project isn’t on YouTube. Get excited.

The latest baby name trend giving the same vibe as our attention spans: short.

Nine ways you can protect your newborn from illness over the holidays. It’s beginning to feel a lot like sneeze-mas.

Last week, we asked you to vote on a question to answer. The winner was:

What’s the right age to start organized sports?

FEATURED EXPERT:

Rasheeda Monroe, MD, FAAP

Board-certified pediatrician at WakeMed Physician Practices

TL;DR: “It's up to the parent to decide when's a good time — it’s less about age and more about following your kid’s lead and interests.”

“As a parent to two teen athletes and a pediatrician, I am a huge proponent of getting kids involved in sports at an early age. The main goals should be fun, friends, and fitness. 

“The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends daily active play for children of all ages and notes that most children are ready for organized sports by the age of 6. Admittedly, both of my children had completed several seasons of several sports by that age. It was a blast, and it helped them to build early friendships and general athletic skills of balance, agility, and hand-eye coordination.   

“I think it's important that [parents] prioritize the interests and skills of the athlete and continue to offer multisport opportunities throughout childhood. Early specialization can increase the risk of injury and burnout. Periodic check-ins to ensure continued interest are important.”

Parent-centered advice, recs, and resources.

How to Include Your Child in the Ups and Downs of IVF

Bringing kids 3 and older on the emotional rollercoaster of IVF can sound scary, but it can also teach them resilience, says Chandra C. Shenoy, MD, an assistant professor and physician in obstetrics and gynecology at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Including them can be emotionally healthy — they can celebrate the wins and have some understanding during the challenges, she says. 

Here’s how to get your kids involved: 

• Learn together: Age-appropriate books about conception and fertility can help you figure out how to talk about the steps of the process and the emotions associated with them. Dr. Shenoy recommends What Makes a Baby, It’s NOT the Stork!, and The Science of Babies.

• Ask for help: If someone else is giving you hormone injections, ask your child to hold your hand or give your injection site a gentle kiss afterward.

• Don’t be afraid of medical terms: It’s OK to use words like eggs and sperm and embryos. Some terms may go over their heads, but they will likely understand more than you suspect, says Shenoy. 

Note: If there is a sad outcome, children younger than 5 may need extra assurance that it wasn’t their fault.

Since it's gift-giving season, here’s one of our top recs for littles this year.

A Camera for Little Hands

If your kid likes looking at and taking pictures, they’ll love the Seckton digital camera X2 — and you’ll love having your phone back. It’s recommended for kids aged 3-9 and comes with a lanyard to carry the camera, micro SD card, and charging cable. 

The camera is small but sturdy, takes pictures and videos, plus comes with fun frames and filters (like bunny ears and a space theme) that kids can use. There’s also a front camera for selfies — because, well, we all do it. Other features include kids’ games and a timer function.