Sucking is a natural reflex! Newborns start life with a sucking instinct to seek food or comfort, some even suck on their fingers while in the womb. While some infants are satisfied through feedings, it is normal behavior for babies and young children to seek a sense of comfort, security or relaxation by sucking their thumbs, fingers, fists, pacifiers or other objects they can place in their mouth. Most children naturally stop these ‘sucking habits’ around the age of 2-4 years old.

Frisco Dental Studio was born with the commitment that the patient experience and patient relationship will always come first. The reason I am so passionate about this is because despite being a dentist, I am deathly afraid of all dental visits. I have had my fair share of dental treatments so I have spent a lot of time in the patient chair. I know first hand the anxiety that a lot of patients feel when they come to see the dentist. So when I designed my office, I made sure it doesn’t look or feel like a typical dentist office. Here are just a few unique amenities we have incorporated to reimagine the dental experience:

As moms, we try to savor every moment we can with our kids. But there are some moments that are a little harder to appreciate than others. Diapering our babies often falls into that category (sandwiched between lack of sleep and toddler tantrums, ha!). That’s why we are thrilled to be sharing all about Coterie, a baby care brand that is making parents’ lives easier through *noticeably* better diapers. Think: incredibly absorbent, soft-as-cashmere and basically blow-out proof. Essentially, they’re the unicorn of disposable diapers. They also just won The Bump’s Best Diaper Award.

Anxiety can affect a child’s school performance, family life, and, last but not least, can cause physical symptoms. Children with anxiety can have constant aches and pains, tummy aches, headaches, poor sleep, no appetite, and they can refuse to go to school. Anxiety can cause a child to be irritable or withdrawn but also sometimes aggressive and irritable. If you think your child has anxiety, don’t wait for it to go away on its own. Most of the time, it will not resolve without help.

The Benefits Go Beyond Coding
Yes, computer proficiency and coding are skills that translate directly into today’s tech-first world. But those aren’t the only benefits. Children hone their problem-solving strategies and develop other academic as well as personal skills. One example: After just 90 minutes of codeSpark, 55% of kids showed their problem-solving confidence increased!

We said it before, but it bears repeating—back to school prep is best done in advance, and is a two-part process. We like to get the ordering of supplies (from pencils to labels)  out of the way in early Summer, so that we’re not hustling (and paying for express shipping!) in August. Then, late summer can be spent prepping ourselves and our kids for what’s to come (last minute bucket list trips, picking first day outfits, getting back on sleep schedules, etc.). 

Although it may feel like summer has just begun, back to school is right around the corner! Whether your little one is heading to a half day of daycare or a full day of school and extracurriculars, they’ll need a bag to schlep their things back and forth. We’ve rounded up six great backpacks for the kids, from fun carryalls to sturdy book bags, that are sure to get the job done.

Earth Day is April 22, and all of us at The Local Moms Network love celebrating with our kids—but try to keep it genuinely fun. Depending on the age of your little ones, celebrating Earth Day may be as simple as going for a walk outside in the stroller or as in depth as talking to teens about global warming. We’ve rounded up some great ways to note the occasion. Hope it gives you some inspiration for celebrating Mother Earth all year long!

Having a few good board games on rotation is a great idea whether your kids are toddlers or teens. Too cold to spend much time outside? Kids home sick? Need to enforce a screen time break? Board games are a solution to all of these. Plus, they teach important life skills like taking turns, math, reasoning and reading! Of course, they’re just fun to do as a family, too. Below, we’re sharing some of the top picks from families from around The Local Moms Network!