2020 Parenting Tips Calendar...

TEXASTEXASraising

2020 PARENTING TIPS CALENDAR

Endorsed by theTexas Pediatric Society, the Texas chapter of the

American Academy of Pediatrics

COMMUNITY RESOURCES FORYOU AND YOUR FAMILY

Parenting is a tough job! Find resources and support in your community.

PARENTING SUPPORT

YOUTH AND TEEN HELP

DIAL 2-1-1

TEXAS POISON CONTROL CENTER NETWORK

CHILD & FAMILY SAFETY CHILD DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION

DRUG & ALCOHOL ASSISTANCE

Tips, resources, and support at HelpandHope.org and

Facebook.com/HelpandHopeKids

TEXAS YOUTH/RUNAWAY HOTLINE

Call: 800-98-YOUTH (800-989-6884) Text: 512-872-5777

Dfps.state.tx.us/Youth_Hotline

No matter where you live in Texas, you can dial 211 and find information about resources in your local community. 211 is the number to call when

you don’t know who to call.

Call 800-222-1222 in a poison emergency. Do not wait for the victim to look or feel sick. If victim is collapsed or not breathing call 911.

More information: PoisonControl.org

BabyRoomToBreathe.org Dfps.state.tx.us/Room_to_Breathe

800-799-SAFE (800-799-7233) TheHotline.org

TEXAS ABUSE/NEGLECT HOTLINE 800-252-5400

TxAbuseHotline.org

Born Learning BornLearning.org

Texas Early Childhood Intervention Find your nearest program Citysearch.hhsc.state.tx.us

Infant, Toddler, and 3-Year-Old Learning LittleTexans.org

Texas Substance Abuse Hotline 877-9-NO-DRUG (877-966-3784)

Dshs.state.tx.us/mhsa-sa-help

Alcoholics Anonymous AA.org

Alanon and Alateen

888-4AL-ANON (888-425-2666 ) Al-Anon.org

Narcotics Anonymous

818-773-9999 NA.org

877-904-SAVE (877-904-7283)

TEXAS BABY MOSES HOTLINE

TEXAS WATER SAFETY

CHILDHELP® NATIONAL CHILD

TEXAS INFANT SAFE SLEEP

NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE

WatchKidsAroundWater.org

ABUSE HOTLINE

800-4-A-Child (800-422-4453) Childhelp.org/hotline

LEGAL ASSISTANCE

JOBS & CHILD CARE

FOOD, HOUSING, HEALTH CARE

IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES: CALL 9-1-1

NOTES

Texas Attorney General Child Support Division 800-252-8014

texasattorneygeneral.gov/cs

Texas Law Help TexasLawHelp.org

Texas Legal Services Center TLSC.org

Texas Child Care Find and learn about regulated child care.

DontBeInTheDark.org

TXChildCareSearch.org

Texas Workforce Commission Find career development information, job search resources, training programs, and as appropriate unemployment benefits.

Twc.state.tx.us

Texas WIC Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides

services to pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, as well as children

under the age of 5. Services are free to those who qualify.

800-WIC-FOR-U (800-942-3678)

TexasWIC.org

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

Find rent help, emergency and homeless services, utility bill help, buying a home,

homebuyer education and weatherization.

tdhca.state.tx.us/Texans

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Find out if you might be able to get benefits (food, health care) and apply.

YourTexasBenefits.com

PEDIATRICIAN:

DENTIST:

PHARMACY: IMPORTANT NUMBERS

PREFERRED HOSPITAL:

FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT:

for BabiesSLEEPsafeEach year in Texas, hundreds of babies die in their sleep. Give your baby a safer night’s sleep by following the guidelines outlined below.

Babies should sleep:

l Alone, with no stuffed animals, pillows, crib bumpers, or blankets.

l In a crib, play yard, or other surface intended for infant sleep. The mattress should be flat and firm and covered with a snug, fitted sheet.

l On their back, not on their stomach or side.

Babies should NOT sleep:

l With adults or other children.

l With pillows or foam wedges to prop a baby in a sleep position.

l On sofas, swings, or in car seats.

l Anywhere people are smoking or have smoked.

JANUARY1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 29 30 30 31 31

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAYNew Year’s Day / Kwanzaa Ends

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Chinese New Year

BABIEScrying Babies cry to tell parents and caregivers they need help.

Try to figure out what your baby is trying to tell you.

Does your baby:

✔Need a diaper change?

✔Feel too hot or too cold?

✔Feel emotionally overwhelmed?

✔Feel tired, hungry, or uncomfortable?

If you check everything and your baby is still crying, try: ✔Holding your baby close to you and talking softly.

✔Singing a soothing song.

✔Gently rocking, swaying, or bouncing your baby.

✔Gently massaging your baby’s back, arms, and legs.

Remember to be patient, calming your baby takes time.

Þ �Try one of the tips above for several minutes before moving on to the next one.

Þ �If you feel angry or overwhelmed, lay your baby down in a safe place and step away for a few minutes.

The good news is that babies cry less and get better at letting you know what they need as they get older.

FEBRUARY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 S 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Groundhog Day

President’s Day / Washington’s Birthday

Lincoln’s Birthday Valentine’s Day

Ash WednesdayMardi Gras Leap Day

BRAIN DEVELOPMENTearly childhood

Babies’ brains develop rapidly, starting before birth. Early experiences affect brain growth, which affect learning, health, and behavior. Parents and caregivers can help babies develop healthy brains by following the tips below.

✔ Bond with your baby. Show your love to your baby. Smile at your baby while you hold your baby close. Hugging, making funny faces, singing, talking, and laughing with your baby all help baby’s brain grow.

✔ Interacting is important. Talk to babies and remember to make eye contact. Ask them questions, even though they can’t answer yet. Read with your baby every day.

✔ Avoid stress. Exposing babies and young children to stress can cause problems later in life. Try to keep babies away from stressful situations.

✔ Keep baby as healthy as you can. Good general health is important to a growing brain.

Þ Stay up to date with developmental screenings, immunizations, and regular checkups.

Þ Breast feeding is the best nutrition for a baby’s brain and has other health benefits that last a lifetime.

✔ Build social skills. As your baby grows, relationships with other children become more important. That’s how babies learn how to share, play, resolve conflict, and control their own emotions.

MARCH

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

St. Patrick’s Day

Daylight Savings Time Begins

Texas Independence Day

Spring Equinox

ANXIETYseparation Separation anxiety can be stressful for

both parents and children. Below are some tips to help you and your child adjust when you put your child in someone else’s care.

✔ Create a quick goodbye ritual. Be consistent and do the same things before you leave your child each time so they know what to expect.

✔ Give them your full attention. Be loving and affectionate but keep goodbyes short and sweet, despite cries for you to stay.

✔ Never sneak out. Sneaking out will teach your child to stay by your side because you might just “disappear.”

✔ Never make promises you can’t keep. Always do what you say you’re going to do. Don’t say you’ll be “right over there, watching” if you won’t be.

✔ Let children take a small favorite thing to school. Maybe a note from you or a stuffed animal.

✔ Practice being apart. Let grandma keep the kids overnight, set playdates, or let friends or family care for your child on a weekend. With practice, you and your child will get more comfortable being apart.

✔ Expect setbacks. Your child might do great for a while, and then have a setback. It’s normal. Just stick to your goodbye ritual.

APRIL

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 29 30 30

April Fool’s Day


Palm Sunday Passover Begins Good Friday

Easter

Earth Day Arbor Day

Passover Ends / Emancipation Day

Ramadan Begins

SAFETYwater

Drowning is fast, silent, and preventable. It’s also the number one cause of accidental death for kids under 5, and a leading cause of death for kids under the age of 14. Keep your family safe around water by following these tips:

b Talk with kids about how important water safety is and work together to make water safety rules.

b Assign an adult to constantly watch kids around water and keep them in arm’s reach.

b Stay focused on kids and don’t get distracted. Limit talking and only use cell phones to call for help in an emergency.

b Learn to swim. Sign kids up for swim lessons, and parents, too!

b Wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets. No water rings or arm floaties.

b Block access to all kinds of water—bathtubs, pools, hot tubs, toilets, buckets, rivers, ponds, lakes, and oceans.

b Install more than one barrier to water, like non-climbable four-sided fences, self-locking gates, and door alarms. Secure all pet doors that lead to a body of water.

b Never leave a child unattended in a bathtub.

b If a child goes missing, first check all water sources.

b Learn CPR and refresh your skills annually.

MAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 1 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 S 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31

Armed Forces Day

Cinco de Mayo

Mother’s Day

Memorial Day

Ramadan Ends

DISCIPLINEpositive Be calm. A calm tone can stop a situation from getting

worse and help lower your child’s stress.

Be confident. Always follow through with what you say you’ll do and children will grow to expect it.

Be connected. Be sure you have your child’s attention before you speak. Kneel down to their eye level and make eye contact to show them you’re listening.

Be clear. Make sure that your words, tone, and body language all send the same message.

Be positive. Praise good behavior. Be specific about what behavior you’re praising.

Issue gentle reminders. When timed right, these help nudge a child toward good behavior.

Present choices instead of threats. Example: “Do you want to wear the red or blue shirt?” instead of “Get dressed right now or we can’t go.”

Don’t ask, tell. Avoid phrases that invite the answer “No.” “It’s time for bed” is usually more effective than “Are you ready for bed?”

Lead by example. Say “please” and “thank you”, be polite, patient, and kind. Treat your child the way you would like them to treat others.

JUNE

1 1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 Good Friday

20 Passover

21 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30


Juneteenth / Texas Emancipation Day

Flag Day

Father’s Day

Summer Solstice

CHECK-UPS

REGULAR CHECK-UPS ARE IMPORTANT ✔ Prevention. Find a regular doctor (pediatrician) and

dentist for your child and get regular check-ups. Make sure kids get vision screenings and referrals if needed. Talk to your child’s doctor today to ensure that your child is up to date with vaccinations. Kids need their shots to avoid serious illnesses.

✔ Growth and development. Screenings are important because hearing, speech, and motor delays can have lifelong effects if therapy isn’t started early in life. Your child’s doctor can check your child’s growth and development and help identify any problems.

✔ Behavior. Some behavioral issues may be hard to pinpoint. Talk to your child’s doctor about concerns related to symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, extreme defiance, or learning issues.

✔ Nutrition. Many children don’t get enough Vitamin D, which can lead to future health problems. Your doctor will be able to identify vitamin deficiencies and help you make sure your child is getting what he or she needs.

✔ Raise concerns. Make a list of topics you want to talk about with your child’s doctor such as development, behavior, sleep, eating, or nutrition. Talk to the doctor at the start of the visit about your top 3-5 questions or concerns.

JULY

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 29 30 30 31 31

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAYIndependence Day

5

BULLYINGhow to protect your child from

“Bullying“ is repeated, unwanted, aggressive behavior. It may involve making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone, saying hurtful things, or excluding someone from a group on purpose.

What can kids do if they’re bullied? ✔ Look the bully in the eye and tell him or her to

stop in a calm, clear voice.

✔ If speaking up is difficult or not safe, walk away and stay away.

✔ Don’t fight back. Find an adult to stop the bullying.

To prevent bullying, teach kids to:✔ Practice positive body language: head up, make

eye contact, and speak with a strong voice. Use “I want” statements like, “I want you to leave me alone,” or “I want you to stop that now.”

✔ Talk to an adult they trust instead of keeping their feelings inside.

✔ Stay away from places where bullying happens.

✔ Stay near adults and other kids. Most bullying happens when adults aren’t around.

Kids won’t always ask for help, so it’s important to learn to recognize the warning signs such as changes in behavior or emotional changes.

AUGUST

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 S 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31

Lyndon B. Johnson’s Birthday


TWEEN BEHAVIORrude

Preteens aren’t children anymore, but not quite adults either. As tweens adjust to their changing world, you may find it hard to keep the house stress-free. Here are some tips to help keep the peace in your home:

Þ �Set clear boundaries. Explain the rules clearly and what will happen if they break them.

Þ �Be consistent. Hold kids accountable and always follow through with the consequences of breaking the rules.

Þ Take quick action. As soon as preteen behaviors you don’t want begin, clearly explain what will happen if they continue.

Þ �Choose appropriate consequences. Consider removing a favorite activity or privilege in response to inappropriate or unwanted behaviors. Never deny a child a meal.

Þ �Show respect. Avoid yelling, interrupting, or insulting your preteen. Treat them like you want them to treat others.

Þ �Take a break. Let preteens take a minute to calm down if needed. If that means going to their room for 15 minutes, that’s okay as long as you know where they are.

Þ �Spend time together. Invite your preteen to walk the dog with you, to help grocery shop, or just go for a drive with you.

SEPTEMBER

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 M 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30

Labor Day

Fall Equinox

Rosh Hashanah Begins

Rosh Hashanah Ends

Yom Kippur Begins


Yom Kippur Ends

Grandparent’s Day

TIMEscreen Aside from sleeping, media use is the leading activity for teens today. Follow these tips to help

set limits on your teen’s screen time.

n Explain your concerns. Talk to teens in advance about the negative aspects of electronics and the internet, such as violence in games and movies, and bullying and sexting in social media.

n �Let your child help come up with fair rules. Write them down, have everyone sign it, and post it where it can be seen. This will help your kids learn to monitor themselves.

n �Set clear rules and stick to them. Set certain days, hours, or conditions for fun screen time. Do not let it interfere with homework time.

n �Monitor usage. Keep phones, computers, and other internet devices in common areas where you can see what they are looking at and when.

n �Avoid screen time during meals or before bedtime. Use these times to talk about everyone’s day instead.

n �Not all screen time is the same. Playing video games for an hour is different from video-chatting with grandma or doing homework online. Talk about this when setting rules.

OCTOBER

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 M 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 29 29 30 29 31 31


Halloween

Columbus Day

KEEPING YOUR SANITY

parenting a teen while You thought parenting a toddler was hard, and then that toddler became a teenager. Teens are going through many emotional and social changes. It’s normal for them to have good days and bad days. These tips can help you deal with the ups, downs, and in-betweens.

✔ �Have regular check in times with your teen each week.

��Þ �Ask about their day, friends, and things that interest them.

��Þ �Listen more than talk.

✔Set clear boundaries. Be consistent with the rules, outline specific consequences, and always follow through.

✔ �Be a good example. If the rule is no swearing in the house, you shouldn’t swear either.

✔ �Actions vs. consequences. Teens need to learn that the choices they make today have consequences later. Talk about the immediate and future consequences of things like drugs, sex, and driving under the influence.

Tips for disciplining your teen:

✔ �Be firm and consistent, but not harsh.

✔ �Be in the know. One of the best ways to prevent bad behavior is to know where your teens are, what they’re up to, and who they’re with.

✔ �Pick your battles. It’s okay to give in a little sometimes. For example, you might not like purple hair, but it probably won’t hurt your teen.

NOVEMBER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30

Thanksgiving

Daylight Savings Time Ends

Veteran’s Day

Election Day


BECOMEAN ADULT

helping your teen Teens aren’t babies anymore, but they still need dependable adults who support them. Here are some tips to help your teen grow into an adult.

✔ �Be a good listener: Teens don’t always want you to solve their problems. Sometimes they just need you to listen and care about what they’re going through.

✔ �Be understanding: Acknowledge their problems are real and show you care.

✔ �Role model: Show your teen what honesty and stability look like. Keep your promises and be dependable.

✔ Focus outward: Encourage teens to think beyond themselves by volunteering or helping others in the family or community.

✔ �Build trust: The teen years are about learning to be independent. Encourage them to practice thinking and planning ahead to foresee potential problems.

✔ �Set clear expectations: Discuss how you expect them to behave, agree on consequences, and always follow through with them.

✔ �Encourage reflection: After a difficult time, ask teens what they think and how they may approach a similar situation in the future.

✔ �Be respectful and supportive: Give your child space to make mistakes, but talk with them to ensure they learn from their mistakes.

✔ �Spend time together: Do something one-on-one for at least an hour a week to encourage bonding such as eating a meal together or just talking.

DECEMBER SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 M 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

Hanukkah Starts

Christmas Day

Hanukkah Ends

Winter Solstice

New Year’s Eve

Kwanzaa Begins / Boxing Day

Christmas Eve

PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION

2020 PARENTING TIPSCALENDAR

This calendar was made to support parents. Each month contains topics with tips on child health or safety. Please visit HELPANDHOPE.ORG for more information and resources.

Thank you!

For tips and resources throughout the year, visit our page on Facebook!Facebook.com/HelpandHopeKids

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