7 Signs Your Baby Is Tired

7 Signs Your Baby Is Tired

M Hasan    6:18 PM   

Understanding Overtired Babies and Their Sleep Challenges

Getting a baby to sleep can be challenging under normal circumstances, but when your little one is overtired, the task becomes even more difficult. Overtired babies often struggle to settle down for sleep, experience fragmented sleep, and wake up frequently during the night. This cycle of tiredness and overstimulation can lead to less sleep overall, making them even more exhausted and creating a continuous loop of fatigue.

Many parents find it frustrating to manage an overtired baby. One parent, plantlover84 from the What to Expect Community, shared her experience: “No matter what I do, [my baby] gets into this overtired pattern. It’s super frustrating because what should take 20 to 30 minutes to put her down, takes HOURS.” Understanding the signs of an overtired baby and learning how to address them can make a big difference in your baby's sleep habits.

Signs That Your Baby Is Overtired

Overtired babies may not always show obvious signs of exhaustion, but there are several indicators you can look out for. These include:

• Difficulty settling down for sleep: Your baby may resist bedtime or have trouble falling asleep.
• Short naps: Instead of taking full naps, they might only sleep for brief periods.
• Poor nighttime sleep: They may not get enough rest at night, leading to increased irritability.
• Crankiness or fussiness: An overtired baby is often more fussy and harder to soothe.
• Increased sensitivity to frustration or pain: They may become more easily upset or have difficulty handling discomfort.
• Meltdowns: Older babies may have more frequent emotional outbursts.
• Random sleep episodes: They might fall asleep at unexpected times, such as while eating or in the stroller.

These signs suggest that your baby is not getting enough rest and may need help establishing better sleep patterns.

Preventing Overtiredness in Your Baby

One of the best ways to prevent overtiredness is by ensuring your baby gets the right amount of sleep for their age. Here’s a general guideline:

• 1-month-old: Should get around 14 to 17 hours of sleep daily, including 8 to 9 hours at night and 7 to 9 hours in naps.
• 2-month-old: Needs about 12 to 16 hours of sleep, with 8 to 10 hours at night and 4 to 8 hours in naps.
• 3-month-old: Typically sleeps 9 to 10 hours at night and takes naps of 90 minutes to 2 hours.
• 4-month-old: Should get between 12 and 15 hours of sleep daily, with 10 to 11 hours at night and 3 to 4 hours in naps.
• 6-month-old: Can sleep 9 to 11 hours at night and has two longer daytime naps.

To help your baby avoid becoming overtired, watch for sleep cues like eye rubbing, yawning, or fussiness, and respond promptly by putting them down for a nap or bedtime. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine can also help signal to your baby that it’s time to sleep. Avoid overstimulating your baby before bed by keeping the environment calm and quiet.

Strategies for Getting an Overtired Baby to Sleep

Even if your baby is overtired, there are ways to help them fall asleep. Start by understanding their sleep patterns and try to put them down about 30 minutes earlier than usual. Each baby has a different wake window — the amount of time they can stay awake before needing sleep. Newborns typically stay alert for just a few minutes, while 3-month-olds may stay awake for up to two hours.

Following a familiar bedtime routine can also help. This might include feeding, a bath, reading a book, singing lullabies, and cuddling. Swaddling your baby and placing them in a dark, quiet room can also promote better sleep, though this is only recommended until around 8 weeks old.

Sleep Training and Overtired Babies

If your baby is constantly overtired, sleep training may not be effective. Experts recommend waiting until your baby is out of the newborn stage before starting sleep training. Instead, focus on helping your baby get the rest they need by maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, limiting stimulation before bedtime, and following a set bedtime routine.

An overtired baby may cry differently than a hungry or uncomfortable baby. Their cry may sound whiny, nasal, and continuous, often building in intensity. It may also be accompanied by other symptoms like difficulty settling down or frustration.

Creating Better Sleep Habits

Watching your baby closely and responding to their sleep cues is essential for preventing overtiredness. Ensuring they get enough daytime and nighttime sleep will go a long way in improving their overall sleep quality. Once your baby is back on track, you can look forward to more restful nights for everyone.

Top Camping Toys for Kids: Fun for Every Age!

Top Camping Toys for Kids: Fun for Every Age!

M Hasan    7:19 AM   

Why Camping Toys for Kids Matter

Camping is all about disconnecting from screens and reconnecting with nature and family. The right kids camping toys enhance this experience by encouraging outdoor play, fostering creativity, and promoting physical activity. They also keep kids engaged during downtime, making the trip enjoyable for everyone.

Whether you have toddlers, tweens, or teens, these fun camping toys cater to all ages and help create lasting memories.

Benefits of Camping Toys

• Encourage Outdoor Exploration: Toys like nature kits inspire kids to discover bugs, plants, and more, fostering a love for the great outdoors.
• Promote Active Play: Games like frisbee or football get kids moving and burning energy.
• Spark Imagination: Pretend-play sets, like camping-themed toys, let kids create their own adventures.
• Build Family Bonds: Group activities strengthen relationships through shared fun and laughter.

Essential Camping Toys for Kids: The Ultimate Checklist

Here’s a curated list of the best toys for camping to keep kids entertained and engaged, organized by category for easy scanning.

These outdoor camping toys are durable, portable, and perfect for a variety of camping environments, from forest sites to lakeside campgrounds.

Lighting Tools: Brighten Up the Night

Flashlights and lanterns are must-haves for nighttime adventures, ensuring safety and adding fun to evening activities.

• LED Flashlights: Compact, bright, and battery-efficient, perfect for kids exploring the campsite. Look for models with adjustable brightness and a sturdy clip for hands-free use.
• Camping Lanterns: Provide 360-degree illumination for group activities. Opt for lanterns with hooks or magnets for easy hanging in tents or on trees.
• Glow Sticks: Inexpensive and endlessly fun, glow sticks can be used for nighttime games like ring toss or hide-and-seek.

Classic Outdoor Games: Active Fun for All Ages

These timeless games are lightweight, easy to pack, and perfect for group play at the campsite.

• Football: A durable rubber or synthetic leather football is great for touch games or casual tossing.
• Frisbee: Lightweight and versatile, frisbees work on grass, sand, or open fields.
• Cornhole: Portable cornhole sets are a hit for all ages.
• Kites: Colorful kites soar high, offering a thrilling, creative activity.
• Slackline: A portable slackline challenges balance and coordination.

Water Toys: Splish-Splash Adventures

For campsites near lakes, rivers, or streams, water toys add refreshing fun to hot summer days.

• Water Guns: Perfect for friendly battles, these are a hit with kids of all ages.
• Reusable Water Balloons: Mess-free and eco-friendly, these provide hours of splashy fun.
• Portable Sandbox Set: Lightweight buckets, shovels, and dump trucks are great for digging in dirt or sand.
• Toy Fishing Poles: Practice casting or use real ones for fishing at water-rich sites.

Nature Exploration Kits: Spark Curiosity

Encourage kids to become forest detectives with these educational camping themed toys.

• Binoculars: Kid-friendly, smash-proof binoculars with large eyepieces are perfect for bird-watching or spotting wildlife.
• Magnifying Glass: Shatterproof magnifying glasses let kids examine leaves, bugs, and more.
• Bug Catching Kit: Includes nets, containers, and guidebooks to explore insects safely.
• Nature Scavenger Hunt Cards: Turn exploration into a game with themed task cards.

Card and Board Games: Downtime Entertainment

Perfect for rainy days or cozy campfire evenings, these games are compact and engaging.

• Card Games: Classics like Uno or Go Fish are easy to pack and play.
• Board Games: Yahtzee, Jenga, or themed versions like Mickey Mouse Yahtzee Jr. are family favorites.
• Winning Fingers Flashing Cube: An electronic memory game that challenges kids’ minds.

Walkie-Talkies: Adventure and Safety

Rugged walkie-talkies keep kids connected and add a layer of imaginative play.

• Kids’ Walkie-Talkies: Durable, short-range models are great for hikes or scavenger hunts.
• Long-Range Models: For larger campsites, opt for higher-powered versions.

Pretend Play Sets: Imaginative Adventures

These camping toys for toddlers and older kids spark creativity and mimic the camping experience.

• Camping Play Sets: Tents, toy campfires, and accessories let kids “camp” alongside you.
• Explorer Backpacks: Lightweight bags for carrying toys or nature finds.

Tips for Choosing and Using Camping Toys

To make your camping toys for kids a hit, consider these practical tips:

• Safety First: Ensure toys like slacklines or bug kits are used safely under supervision.
• Pack Light: Choose compact, lightweight toys to save space in your camping gear.
• Age-Appropriate Selection: Pick toys that match your kids’ ages and interests.
• Designate a Toy Bin: Use a clear plastic bin to keep sandy or muddy toys contained.
• Reserve Camping-Only Toys: Keep some toys exclusive to camping to make them special.
• Check Campsite Features: Tailor toys to the site—water toys for lakes, kites for open fields.
• Supervise Water Play: Always monitor kids near water for safety.
• Involve the Whole Family: Choose games like cornhole or water relays that everyone can enjoy.
• Eco-Friendly Choices: Opt for reusable glow sticks or durable toys to reduce waste.
• Weather Prep: Pack indoor games like cards for rainy days.

The best camping toys for kids turn a simple trip into a magical adventure. From soaring kites to glowing lanterns, these toys to take camping keep kids engaged, active, and connected to nature. Whether you’re at a national park or a local campground, these fun toys for camping ensure everyone has a blast.

Philadelphia Careers at Lincoln Center for Family and Youth

Philadelphia Careers at Lincoln Center for Family and Youth

M Hasan    12:17 PM   

Overview of The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth

Founded in 1970 by a behavioral health hospital, The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth (TLC) became a nonprofit organization in 1983. As an entrepreneurial social enterprise, TLC is dedicated to transforming lives and communities through various programs and services. Based in Audubon, the organization operates across multiple states, offering a wide range of educational and mental health support.

TLC provides K-12 alternative education, comprehensive mental and behavioral health services, coaching, counseling, and trauma-informed training. It collaborates with school districts, universities, hospitals, police departments, and other nonprofit organizations. These partnerships help secure federal and state grant funding, allowing TLC to expand its reach and impact.

Available Positions at The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth

Community Counselor

The Community Counselor plays a vital role in providing in-home individual, family, and group counseling services in the Norristown area. The focus is on trauma-informed care, addressing issues such as parenting challenges, therapy for young children and teens, life skills development, supervised visitation, and intervention for drug and alcohol-related problems.

Counselors are expected to work with a variety of assignments and integrate their efforts with other TLC programs and community services. They must be able to meet specific requirements for counseling positions, follow established policies and procedures, and advocate for individuals and families with healthcare professionals, legal personnel, and service agencies.

Key responsibilities include maintaining case records, assisting in program planning, facilitating inter-organizational cooperation, attending training sessions, and overseeing data gathering and reporting. Essential skills include knowledge of therapeutic modalities like CBT, motivational interviewing, trauma expertise, and substance abuse intervention. A minimum of an Associate’s Degree and two years of related experience are preferred.

Special Education Teacher

The Special Education Teacher position, based in Chester, offers a $5,000 sign-on bonus. This role involves working with students who have socioemotional and mental health needs or learning disabilities. The teacher develops and delivers specialized instruction, evaluates student progress, and manages IEPs (Individualized Educational Programs).

Responsibilities include working with students in grades 7-12, assessing student needs, planning teaching activities, and collaborating with educators, counselors, and social workers. The teacher must maintain a classroom environment conducive to academic and socioemotional growth while adhering to PA-mandated due process procedures.

Skills required include excellent communication, teamwork, knowledge of IEP software, and strong substance abuse intervention skills. A Bachelor’s Degree and Pennsylvania Special Education Certification (7-12 or N-12) are necessary.

Math Teacher

The Math Teacher provides academic instruction and socioemotional support to at-risk youth in grades 7-12 within an alternative school setting. The role emphasizes flexibility in meeting the individualized instructional needs of students in a small classroom environment.

Responsibilities include developing a classroom culture where the teacher acts as a facilitator, implementing lesson plans that encourage active learning, using technology to differentiate instruction, and promoting student wellness. The teacher must also maintain accurate records, build positive classroom communities, and participate in meetings with parents, counselors, and other staff.

Essential skills include excellent communication, teamwork, subject matter proficiency, and knowledge of Microsoft programs. A Bachelor’s Degree and Pennsylvania Teaching Certification in the subject taught are required.

Other Opportunities at The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth

In addition to the roles mentioned above, The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth offers a variety of other job openings. These positions provide opportunities to contribute to the organization's mission of supporting individuals and communities through education, mental health services, and community engagement. Prospective candidates can explore all available positions to find the best fit for their skills and career goals.

Ohio Parents Fear Dying Before Their Child

Ohio Parents Fear Dying Before Their Child

M Hasan    11:25 AM   

A Life of Love, Care, and Uncertainty

Karen and Jeff Groff have spent nearly four decades reading the same children’s books to their son, Danny. At 39 years old, Danny stands 6 feet, 1 inch tall, but his developmental abilities are equivalent to those of a 2-year-old. He lives in Upper Arlington, Ohio, where he enjoys sitting between his parents on the couch, holding a stuffed Bert Muppet toy. When his mother reads “Curious George Rides a Bike,” he leans in and smiles when she whispers, “George got curious.”

Danny was diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a rare and severe form of epilepsy that typically begins in early childhood. The condition causes frequent seizures, which can lead to brain damage, learning difficulties, and lifelong disabilities. According to the LGS Foundation, about 50,000 people in the U.S. and 1 million worldwide live with this condition. Danny experiences daily seizures, and Karen Groff said that managing his health is a constant challenge.

In addition to his epilepsy, Danny also has Type 1 diabetes, which limits his ability to participate in full-time adult day programs. His caregivers cannot manage his insulin needs, so he spends mornings at the program and the rest of his time at home with his parents.

Daily Routines and Emotional Struggles

Danny’s routine includes morning coffee, daily injections, medications, storytime, afternoon outings, and evenings watching “Wheel of Fortune.” He adores his 10-month-old niece, Cecelia, and his Buckeye-themed bedroom, filled with Ohio State University memorabilia. Despite his love for these simple pleasures, the Groffs know that their son’s future is uncertain.

As retired educators, Karen and Jeff face a daunting reality: they must plan for two possible outcomes—either they pass away before Danny or he passes away before them. “Our worst nightmare is that we lose him first,” Karen said. “And our worst nightmare is that we go first.”

When parents or caregivers are no longer able to provide care, the responsibility often falls to another family member or friend. Even if someone moves into a facility, someone still needs to oversee their care and finances. In the U.S., caregiving is becoming increasingly common, with a new study from AARP showing that nearly one in four adults is a caregiver.

The Groffs are currently planning three funerals: their own and Danny’s. “It’s a little overwhelming,” Karen admitted. “I can’t die.”

Navigating the Challenges of Rare Diseases

Parents of adult children with rare diseases often struggle with the ongoing care their children need. Limited research into these conditions leaves many families unsure how to plan for the future. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, its help line received nearly 135,000 requests for assistance in 2024, with at least 125 calls annually from parents seeking guidance on long-term care.

Some families opt for residential facilities, while others rely on a mix of family, friends, and paid caregivers for 24/7 in-home care. Both options can be costly. A 2020 report estimated that a household with an adult with a disability requires an additional $17,690 per year.

The Groffs are still figuring out their next steps. A 2018 University of Illinois study found that fewer than half of parents of children with disabilities made long-term plans for their child’s care. Many cited financial constraints, lack of resources, or emotional stress as barriers to planning.

“It’s normal to have these concerns,” said Jill Polander, vice president of patient services at the National Organization for Rare Disorders. “It’s OK to ask for help.”

The Role of Family and Community

For the Groffs, the most difficult part is the burden they feel they will place on their daughter, Jessica Hartman. As a special education preschool teacher, Hartman understands what her brother needs. She and her husband have been ready to take care of Danny since they married.

“We hate to put that burden on them,” Karen said. But Hartman doesn’t see her brother as a burden. “Everything Danny taught me I now use in my career,” she said.

However, the Groffs would prefer to avoid placing the daily responsibilities of caring for Danny on Hartman. They hope to secure a nursing staff to care for him in their home if they pass away before him. Hartman and other family members would still need to manage the caregivers and his finances.

Danny receives about $600 per month through Supplemental Security Income, but it’s not enough for him to live on. To maintain government benefits, people with disabilities must keep their assets under $2,000. For now, Hartman is set up to inherit everything her parents own, with the understanding that the money is for her brother’s care.

“We’re trying to be extremely frugal in retirement so that is untouched,” Karen said.

Building a Roadmap for Families

Caregivers often face an emotional toll, and many hesitate to discuss their challenges with family or friends. Rosellen Reif, a mental health counselor in North Carolina, works with families of people with disabilities and emphasizes the importance of open conversations.

“Parents have so much shame and fear around this topic. It's such a taboo, even in the disability world,” Reif said. She encourages families to make transitions early and involve loved ones in the process.

Reif also helps patients write letters to friends and family, ensuring that everyone is aligned on long-term care decisions. “We don’t want them to lose their parents and in the same week have to move into somewhere new,” she said.

For Karen Groff, community has been essential. After her son’s diagnosis, she found a Facebook group that offered support. “You can go on there any time of the day or night, ask a question, and someone will be up at night and get back to you,” she said. “And you need that sense that you are not alone.”

The Groffs are still looking for a new in-home nurse, but the nursing shortage has made it difficult. They expect the search to take at least six months.

A Focus on Quality of Life

Despite the challenges, the Groffs remain focused on making sure Danny is safe and happy. He is happiest when he’s surrounded by the people he loves, playing “Uncle Danny” to Hartman’s baby and laughing with his aunts and uncles at family gatherings.

“It’s all about quality of life at this point,” Karen said.

This story is part of USA TODAY’s The Cost of Care series, highlighting caregivers across the country.